A gorgeous, cosy pizzeria nestled in Picadilly offers a warm welcome and a feeling of holidaying in Italy. The pizzas are Neapolitan style offering that delicious, slightly charred, doughy base from the Southern regions and let me tell you each slice had that perfect flop! You can tell the Chefs have tried hard to replicate the classic famous Naples pizza. 

There is a really good selection of options with tomato or cheese base depending on preference and a wide variety of different toppings to choose from. We recommend the Amatriciana topped with guanciale, pecorino and piennolo tomato. The cured pork cheek was the perfect salty meaty bite paired with the freshness of the juicy cherry tomatoes and sharpness of the cheese! The drinks menu wouldn’t look out of place in aperitivo hour in Sorrento. Choose from a wide variety of Italian beers on offer or the classic Limoncello or Aperol Spritz!

Have to try: The homemade tiramisu
Perfect for: Casual lunch and a taste of authentic Italy
Approx price for 2 people: £40

Just a short walk from the train station, there is no excuse to miss out on this hidden gem! This family run spot serves up brunch, lunch and afternoon tea in an aesthetically pleasing setting. The owners are so lovely and have great passion for their business and their menu. 

This is not your typical brunch cafe as they infuse flavours from around the world into classic dishes, with inspiration coming from India and the Middle East. The food is not only aesthetically pleasing but absolutely packed full of flavour and we can’t say enough good things about everything we tried. Don’t miss out on their signature Eggs Benedict featuring their homemade signature hollandaise or their Lebanese inspired Zartar Chicken flatbread

Have to try: the picture perfect pink Rose Latte
Perfect for: Brunch with a twist
Approx price for 2 people: £30

Located in the heart of charming Fossgate is this classic family run Italian sourcing fresh ingredients to create all of your favourite dishes from the country. We received a warm welcome by the staff who were very knowledgeable about the menu and wine pairings. We were seated at a lovely booth in the window overlooking the hustle and bustle of the City. 

Start your experience off with a well balanced negroni alongside some traditional Italian nibbles. Marzano showcases that Italian food is more than just pizza and pasta so we opted for the one of the grilled meat dishes- Pancia Di Maile. I always applaud anyone who can cook belly pork correctly as the meat can easily go tough and dry if left on slightly too long. This had clearly been slow cooked to retain the flavour and texture of the meat. One of the best versions of this cut of meat that we have tried and it paired perfectly with the Malbec!

Have to try: the weekly specials- look out for the Truffle Ravioli
Perfect for: pre-shopping lunch
Approx price for 2 people: £60

Meat lovers, this one is for you! A Brazilian Rodizio restaurant on Micklegate serving up all you can eat skewers of sliced meat and served table side complimented by a salad bar, hot buffet and portions of chips. You have a card that is green for when you want meat and red when you need a break. 

We tried the evening menu and there are a whopping 16 different cuts of meat on offer. Owner Eduardo is the most wonderful host supported by a brilliant team of staff who gave probably some of the best service we have ever received. It was a packed restaurant and the guys with the skewers came round so many times to everyone and served the meat quickly so it was all still piping hot. Make sure you come here starving! We barely scratched the surface of what was on offer as there was so much choice. Our highlights included the cap of rump, lamb leg, chorizo sausage and for those with a more adventurous palate- chicken hearts and the super hot chilli beef!

Have to try: Pineapple caramelised in cinnamon- a refreshing bite to break up the heaviness of the unlimited meat.
Perfect for: Trying a bit of everything on offer
Approx price for 2 people: £70

Inside this stunning Georgian listed building with a stunning conservatory is a menu of authentic Italian contemporary fine dining dishes. When you think of fine dining you immediately think of small portions but that is absolutely not the case here. Everything we saw coming out of the kitchen was generously portioned and very hearty. 

The staff are the heart of this place as they are incredibly good at what they do whether it’s in the kitchen, behind the bar or service. The menu offers elegant main courses of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes as well as a variety of homemade pasta dishes and pizza. The chicken and truffle mushroom risotto was impressive as they had the protein to cream ratio spot on. 

Don’t skip dessert and treat yourself to the Italian twist on the classic banoffee pie  

Have to try: the homemade fresh pasta
Perfect for: date night and special occasions
Approx price for 2 people: £90

Bringing a taste of the Mediterranean to York is this lovely lounge on Low Petergate. A relaxed dining experience focussing on sharing small Italian bites tapas style. The menu here is vast and the small plates concept was very welcome so we could try lots of different dishes from the region. The atmosphere is intimate but welcoming and the food is high quality, delicious and reasonably priced. 

Start your evening with the Antipasti, a delightful selection of cured meats and aged cheese paired with olives and garlic bread, all drizzled with olive oil. Move onto mini versions of your favourite pasta dishes and street food such as arancini, meatballs and bruschetta. We highly recommend this place for vegetarians as this section of the menu is strong and offers plenty of choice. 

Have to try: the mini version of the lasagne
Perfect for: socialising and sharing food
Approx price for 2 people: £70

Tucked away in the famous Brew York tap house is renowned street food vendor Yuzu serving up their delicious Asian fusion dishes. The menu has it all from bao buns to dumplings, katsu curry and ramen, there is something to tickle all taste buds. With flavour inspiration from the bold cuisines of Japan, Thailand, Korea and China, you know these dishes are going to be nothing short of amazing. 

We recommend the bao buns, soft fluffy clouds loaded with incredible fillings such as Korean pulled pork and shredded bulgogi beef brisket. Wash it all down with a mixed beer flight from the local brewer! 

Have to try: the famous Korean Fried Chicken
Perfect for: sampling baos and beers in a casual setting
Approx price for 2 people: £40

Cheese and wine is a match made in heaven and this cute little deli on Gillygate gives a masterclass in both. A giant counter of cheese greets you as you step inside with every different type you could possibly imagine. We tried everything from the stinkiest blue to a Nordic sticky fudge! 

While the masters are working their magic on the build your own charcuterie boards, choose yourself a pairing wine and relax at the counter. On a hot summers day, our pick was the lightly sparkling Portuguese Vinho Verde which went down a treat! 

For a special occasion why not sample their 5 course cheese and wine tasting experience? Don’t forget to check out their secret garden and terrace out the back, affectionately named The Speakcheesy!

Have to try: the meat and cheese afternoon tea
Perfect for: wine and cheese tasting
Approx price for 2 people: £30