We are spoilt for choice of fantastic pubs, restaurants and dining experiences in the dales, serving up exquisite ingredients which are bursting with flavour. Here are our top picks if you are looking for a superb meal and warm, friendly hospitality during your visit. All have great food and fantastic outside spaces for you to soak up the Yorkshire sunshine and enjoy a lovely glass of wine.
The Bruce Arms
2 Main Street, West Tanfield, Ripon, HG4 5JJ
Instagram: @thebrucearmswt
A wonderfully friendly, family run village pub offering straightforward modern British flavoursome food, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients run by Matt and Phillipa Barnett. Matt changes the menu weekly, keeping the offering super fresh and seasonal. Children are very welcome making it the perfect stop for lunch or dinner whilst you are out exploring the dales. Only ten minutes from the A1 (junctions 50 and 51) The Bruce Arms is an excellent stopover for travellers heading North or South.
Wine recommendation: For perfect Summer sipping, try the Quinta da Calcada, Lago Cerquiera Vinho Verde, Portugal. Bright aromas of lemon, green apple and pear with a touch of passionfruit. Crisp and clean on the palate with vibrant, racy acidity that flows into a core of further ripe citrus and tropical fruit. There`s a lovely saline edge that is complimented by the classic Vinho Verde spritz! Great as an apéritif or with a delicious summer salad like their queen scallops and bacon Caesar salad.
The Saddle Room Restaurant
Tupgill Park, Coverdale, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4TJ
Instagram: @thesadlleroom @thesaddlereins
A real hidden gem in the heart of the dales, tucked in next to The Forbidden Corner on the Tupgill Park Estate. You can follow signs for The Forbidden Corner, which are clearly signposted from Middleham and the A684 in Leyburn. The restaurant offers delicious local and seasonal produce served in a wonderfully warm and welcoming atmosphere. ‘Grand honest food, served to perfection’ and a top spot for a superb Sunday roast (Just make sure you book!) They have a beautiful terrace, should you wish to enjoy your meal al fresco with an amazing backdrop of the dales.
Wine recommendation: They have a wine lovers wine list at the Saddle Room, and by this, I mean that the wines are very reasonably priced. A cash margin is added rather than trying to achieve a high %GP which encourages the consumer to trade up and drink better quality wines. My top pick is the Chablis 1er Cru from Chablisienne. This is a powerful wine with all the flinty mineral characteristics great Chablis is known for and also delivers an elegant floral character. Superb!
The Coverbridge Inn
East Witton, Nr Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4SQ
Instagram @thecoverbridgeinn_
The Cover Bridge Inn, a characterful old coaching inn, is situated alongside the River Cover, a few hundred yards upstream from the confluence with the River Ure. A really cosy, family run pub. On fine days you can eat and drink outside in their lovely landscaped garden and take in all the beautiful scenery whilst watching the River Cover flow gently by. The food menu offers a tempting range of wholesome meals and snacks available every lunch time and evening.
Wine recommendation: Bodega Classica Hacienda Lopez de Haro Crianza Rioja, 2019 Spain - Attractive nose of ripe brambles, bilberries and a hint of tobacco. Creamy texture with black raspberry, blackberry and cherry on the palate integrated with toasty coffee-hinted oak. Lingering, smooth finish with a touch of spice.
The Blue Lion
Main Road, East Witton, Nr Leyburn, DL8 4SN
Instagram: @bluelioneastwitton
The Blue Lion is located in the pretty village of East Witton, just a couple of miles away from Jervaulx Abbey, a beautiful ruined Cistercian monastery and a short distance from the market town of Masham. It is a beautiful, historic 18th century coaching inn, with rooms, renowned for excellent food made with locally sourced ingredients. It is the perfect blend of quintessential English pub, flag-floored and an open fire, and country house hotel with modern comforts. Enjoy a sumptuous meal from the chalked-up menu boards or pop in for lunch/dinner on a day out exploring the dales.
Wine recommendation: Kumeu River Villages Chardonnay 2021, Auckland, New Zealand – A great introduction to this iconic producer. Charming nose of apple, peach and apricot. Bright and vibrant on the palate with racy acidity balanced by a lovely mouthfeel leading into further white stone and citrus fruit core.
The Terrace Restaurant at Swinton Park
Swinton Country Club & Spa, Masham, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 4JH
The Terrace Restaurant is the perfect environment for a relaxed dining experience. Whether you choose to dine indoors in the contemporary restaurant or outside in the Terrace Garden, you can enjoy a delicious seasonal lunch, dinner or sharing plates. Head chef Shaun serves up seasonal menus using fresh ingredients from the walled garden at Swinton Park and farm produce from across the estate.
Wine recommendation: Figuiere Mediterranee Provence Rose, 2022 - Produced on the organic Provence estate of the Combard family with views stretching to the French Riviera, this silky, seductive lightly coloured rose is both charming and delicious. Made in a classic style from sun drenched grapes, it full of bright red fruit and delicate spice, and a clean, fresh acidity.
The White Bear
Gun Bank, Wellgarth, Masham, North Yorkshire, HG4 4EN
Instagram: @thewhitebearhotel
The White Bear is a haven in the beautiful, bustling market town of Masham in the foothills of the dales. The team of experienced chefs, headed up by head chef Tom Archdeacon, produce excellent quality home-cooked food from superb local ingredients. They are especially known for their fantastic Sunday lunches, warm atmosphere and friendly staff. They have a beautiful front terrace which is in full bloom at the moment. A great spot to sit outside and watch the world go by whilst enjoying a lovely glass of wine.
Wine recommendation: Franschhoek Cellar Brut Royale Sparkling Brut NV, Western Cape, South Africa. Hand harvested in the cool of the morning and picked at lower sugar levels for that bracing freshness required in a traditional Cap Classique. Enticing lemon cream and almond biscotti lead with a soft burst of fresh lemon and orange peel. Gentle citrus notes of tropical fruit, a well-versed rich mouthfeel with detectable minerality, great balance and a seamless finish. A fantastic alternative to Champagne.
For more hints and tips on where to visit when you are exploring the Dales or to tell us where you would recommend, please get in touch - we would love to hear from you!
