The best breakfast and brunch spots in York

The picturesque city of York is jam-packed full of great places to eat - especially when if comes to that all-important first meal of the day.

With quirky coffee shops and posh bistro's galore, there's places to grab a bite to eat on almost every corner in the tourist hotspot.

We've whittled it down to just a handful of great places to start your day while you're in the heart of city.

From vegan friendly avocado toast to a hearty fry-up , you'll find a menu for all tastes at one of these gorgeous establishments.

Here's our pick of the best places to get breakfast - or even a spot of brunch - all found in York city centre.

The Perky Peacock Coffee Shop

There's actually two Perky Peacocks in York, but the one next to Lendal Bridge is probably the quirkiest place in the city to have a spot of brunch.  This cool little coffee shop is housed in a 14th century watchtower on a bridge right overlooking the river - that looks not dissimilar to Hagrid's hut.  Full of original features it's a must-visit place in York - not only for its uniqueness, but for its menu, too.  With an onus on locally sourced products and ingredients, guests will find classics such as a full English and bacon butties galore, along with lighter bites including porridge, avocado toast, toasted sandwiches and more.  It's dog-friendly, too.

North Street, Postern Tower, York YO1 6HU

Wheldrakes

This cute independent coffee shop specialises in its coffee and cake offerings (the homemade cakes and bakes are to die for) but its breakfasts are pretty special too.  The menu has a highly-rated traditional full English (complete with black pudding), but both the Eggs Royale and Eggs Benedict are spectacular, made with perfectly poached eggs.  It's really close to the city centre too, just inside the walls.

5C Goodramgate, York YO1 7LJ/wheldrakes.business.site

Pig and Pastry

 

This little neighbourhood cafe has been "serving 'pretentious and annoying' people since 2008" and has a reputation as a family-friendly place to eat.  It is also reputed to be one of the best places to get breakfast and brunch in the UK.  The menu is packed full of morning treats, from breakfast bowls and sandwiches to a full section dedicated to a variety of styles of eggs benedict.  It's really popular thanks to its consistent quality and generous portions along with its friendly staff and chilled atmosphere.

They also have the technology to recreate your pets face onto your coffee...

35 Bishopthorpe Road, York, YO23 1NA/thepigandpastry.com

Dyls

This contemporary café can be found in the iconic Motor House on Skeldergate Bridge, overlooking the river Ouse and Clifford’s Tower - and the perfect spot for brunch, with a menu to match.  Their regularly rotating selection offers a wide range of brunch dishes, from simple toast and jam and fruit porridge to their popular garlicky mushroom specials and smashed avocado, coriander and chilli.  If you have a sweet tooth, they also have a rather tasty cinnamon toast with a variety of toppings to choose from.

Skeldergate Bridge, York, YO1 9WJ/www.dylsyork.co.uk

Penny's Bespoke Foodhouse

The authentic all day breakfast at Penny's is from locally sourced produce and cooked to order - compromising of butcher's handmade pork sausages, free range eggs, bacon, black pudding, vine tomatoes, mushrooms, toast baked beans.  You can even customise it to however you fancy. They also offer a Veggie variety too, which is probably one of the best in the city.  There's also a display of fine-looking cakes to tempt you, too. Just a short walk from the Shambles area of York.

72 Walmgate, York YO1 9TL

Croque Monsieur

This gem of a cafe has a cult following for its massive "belly-buster" breakfasts and its varied breakfast menu - which is available all day.  All breakfast items are grilled fresh to order and they offer several vegetarian options too.  Portions tend to be on the generous size, too. One reviewer said "Greedily wolfed down bacon, sausage, two eggs, black pudding, beans, mushrooms and toast for Sunday morning brunch. Think it will keep me going till about Tuesday. Will definitely go again but eat a little less."

216A Fulford Road, York YO10 4DX/www.croqmon.com/menu/breakfast

Partisan

This trendy family-run restaurant is a popular spot for breakfast and brunch goers, thanks to its stylish and vibrant atmosphere and locally sourced and seasonal menu.  Their breakfast offerings centre on eggs - with a wide variety of dished available including your choice of eggs on toast, french toast, persian eggs, mexican eggs, eggs benedict, shakshuka and 'eggs in purgatory' - baked eggs in a spicy 'Nduja sausage-infused tomato and pepper sauce. Those who want a full English are also catered for, along with several options for vegetarians and vegans too.

112 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX/www.partisanuk.com/menu

Barbakan

 

 

Just up the road from the Jorvik Viking Museum is Barbakan - and this little gem of spot is a popular Eastern European restaurant and the most popular place for Polish food in the city. Their breakfast menu is a varied mix of both English and Polish classics, including breakfast omelettes with a variety of flillings, Polish toast, poached eggs and scrambled eggs.  Die hard bacon and eggs fans will also be able to get a full English if they wish, too.  Breakfast at Barbakan is available till 12noon and kids eat free.

58 Walmgate, York YO1 9TL/deli-barbakan.co.uk/breakfast

No.3 Heworth

 

 

Formally Mairs Deli, No.3 Heworth is keeping the high standards when it comes to the breakfast menu.  They offer a full range of traditional breakfast items, from fruit porridge, pancakes, eggs however you like them, a full English and a variety of eggs benedict, too.  They also offer several veggie options for the vegetarians in your party, along with a good range of breakfast sandwiches if you prefer it served between two slices of bread. All made fresh to order.

3 Heworth Village, York YO31 1AE/no3heworth.co.uk

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