York on a fork

One of my favourite things about studying and living in York is how many cool restaurants and cafes there are all over the city and University.

To help give you an idea of the range here, I've put together a list of my favourites. In truth though, I’ve barely scratched the surface. Between the cosy cafes, indie gems and bustling food courts, there’s so much to sink your teeth into!

Sam
BA Theatre: Writing, Directing and Performance

FORTYFIVE VINYL CAFÉ

There are so many cafes in York that are great to work and study in. I try to go to a new one as often as I can. One I keep going back to is FortyFive Vinyl Café which is, as you might have guessed, also a record store. There’s a really nice atmosphere and I tend to get a lot of work done. During my well-deserved breaks I can browse the shelves. I usually grab one of their famous cheese toasties and I can definitely recommend!

THE LINK

When I'm on campus, I often find myself at The Link for lunch. It’s a cafe in the Science Park that’s run by the Uni. They serve all sorts, from broths to bao buns. Usually I go for a jackfruit bao, but if I'm in need of a treat I'll get one of their sweet bubble waffles! They also serve Starbucks, so I can pair it with an iced latte.

THE CAT'S WHISKERS

York has lots of quirky cafes too. One of the best is The Cat’s Whiskers. They have so many cats and they’re all adorable! I’ve made friends with Luna – one of the youngest kittens. Most of their cats are rescues too, so it’s wonderful to see them settled in such a lovely home. Combining the cats with coffee and cakes makes it the perfect afternoon.

DÖNER SUMMER

So you're vegetarian, but you still want a cheeky kebab? Enter Döner Summer. They’re a 100% plant-based kebab restaurant in town, and also do burgers and loaded fries. Their fake chicken burger with garlic tater tots is delicious, but a lot of food! Enough to save some for later…

SPARK:YORK

SPARK is a collection of shipping containers that have been upcycled into a huge food court. They have all sorts there, so everyone can get what they want. The No Meat 'Nduja from Rad Pizza is my go-to, but my friends love the chicken souvlaki from SASA, which specialises in Greek street food. It's the perfect place to graze away a lazy afternoon.

BREW AND BROWNIE

My number one pick for brunch has to be Brew and Brownie. It’s a student favourite and it’s obvious why. Their breakfast options are amazing. I go for the American pancake stack with maple syrup, streaky bacon and blueberries.