Top 10 - Must visit independent Yorkshire Cafes.
Now more than ever, small, local businesses need our support to help them out after lockdown and Corona closures.
I've written this blog post to shine a light on my Top 10 favourite independent 'local' Yorkshire cafes - some of which are ideal for brunch after a long walk in the dales or a quick coffee and sweet treat catch up with friends.
My top five are full features and I've done some shorter snippets for five more cafes which deserve a mention too! (Keep reading for the full list).
1. Bean Loved, Skipton.
You can't come to Skipton and not try the amazing food at Bean Loved - with a wide variety of options available and mega coffee - it's no wonder it's one of Skipton's top rated cafes! Since re-opening they've implemented some new service elements to keep everyone as safe as possible (I personally love the changes).
Table service - whilst you used to be able to queue up for a sit-in coffee and cake, now they've introduced a table service where you're given a table upon arriving (no need to book in advance). All tables are 1m+ apart, throughly cleaned between guest visits and you're greeted and looked after by their friendly staff - Winning!
Menu - Their menu has always been the stuff of dreams and it still is (even though it is slightly reduced at the moment!) I can personally recommend the Smoked Haddock with egg and Emmental cheese, accompanied with a slice of sourdough toast for dipping in the creamy lemon, mustard and herb sauce - IT IS DELICIOUS!
There's a link to their menu on their website - or alternatively have a scroll through their Instagram page for foodie heaven.
Image from Bean Loved website.
2. The Clubhouse Coffee & Cycles, Skipton.
Serving delicious food, great coffee and absolutely divine sweet treats (some or most of which from Moin Moin Bakerei in Ilkley, another small independent business).
Nothing beats watching the world go by and you can certainly do that through the huge windows of The Clubhouse Coffee & Cycles. Kane created this space to combine his love of coffee and cycling as a place where people could hang-out and enjoy their day! Don't panic, it's not some elitist club where you MUST ride a bike in order to enjoy it. The space is for everyone and anyone to enjoy and a very nice one at that! Something else to love about this place is that all their coffee is ethically sourced from Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade and anti-slavery growers which is then roasted on premises by trained roasters AND available to have in the shop or to take home! Smashing!!
In terms of restrictions, right now you can sit in to eat and have coffee but they're operating at a reduced capacity to keep everyone safe. Best thing to do is to keep an eye on their social media pages for further updates @theclubhousecoffee
Cyclists - If you do happen to be a cyclist visiting the Yorkshire Dales, there's a handy indoor racking area available which can hold up to 16 bikes at any time so you and your bike friends have somewhere to store your wheels whilst enjoying a delicious pick-me-up.
Local businesses - Did you know that The Clubhouse Coffee & Cycles has a bookable meeting room in the back so you can host an off-site meeting with great coffee to boot! This service is currently limited but you can always check with Kane and the team if you're wanting to use the space.
Image from The Clubhouse Coffee & Cycles Instagram.
3. Steep & Filter, Skipton.
Just off the bustling Skipton high street there's a gorgeous vegan & vegetarian cafe called Steep & Filter. The cafe and ecostore which has recently been expanded into a grocers, stock a wide variety of fresh fruit and veggies along with dried herbs and chemical free cleaning products. Some of my favourite brands are available to buy from their ecostore such as Faith in Nature, UpCircle Beauty and Georganics.
During lockdown Michael and Gemma expanded their cafe into a grocery store offering locals the chance to pop in for fresh organic fruit and vegetables - brilliant idea but also a future forward-thinking move for post lockdown too.
Steep & Filter are currently offering seated table service on a limited menu (which is extremely tasty btw) - my favourite is the mushroom and pesto on sourdough toast... a small word of warning - it's got a very strong flavour and you may wish to have some gum for afterwards! On the normal menu (once it makes a return) a solid choice is the mushroom and blue cheese toastie - wowzer!
Check out Steep & Filter on Instagram for more foodie and eco delights!
Image taken from Steep & Filters Instagram page.
4. Sift, Otley.
Mellow music and pastel hues are a couple of things that hit you when you walk into Sift, Otley. I'm very lucky to work just around the corner from this beauty of a cafe. Situated in an old bank building complete with it's own traditional vault, this cafe is very pleasing to the eye and soul. With lovely smooth coffee, iced chai lattes and sumptuous mochas - plants a plenty and retro vintage furniture, Sift a relaxing place to be.
Their vegan bakes are to die for - my particular favourite is the raspberry and rose cake; a light vanilla cupcake with a gooey raspberry jam middle and raspberry rose iced topping!
Due to current corona times they're not able to offer dining-in however are offering takeaways for selected menu. Their opening times are also variable at the moment too so the best way to keep up to date is via their social media account @siftotley
Got a special occasion coming up? No problem at all for Sift not they offer celebration cakes on their website for order! Small to large cakes in a variety of flavours and styles. Hop on over to their website to check them out - what's more, they also sell locally sourced handmade cards in their cafe. Celebration perfection.
Image taken from Sift Otley Instagram.
5. Hamiltons by the River, Addingham.
I'd heard about this amazing cafe by a couple from the gym who were off there for brunch, I invited myself along and I was so glad I did! Their menu is varied and have plenty of options for all tastes. I love how it's very 'Après ski' themed with the outside of the building being made up of chunky logs and the inner with warming tones and airy high ceiling beams.
You can also just pop in for a coffee and a slab of cake (which they also usually have plenty of and they are HUGE slices!) - YUM!
Hamiltons by the River is nestled within Olicana Holiday Park with the river Wharfe running alongside the cafe bistro. Even though it is part of the holiday park, it is open to all members of the public and not just park guests.
I know that they are currently closed and looking forward to re-opening soon! For further updated on Hamiltons by the River you can follow them on social media @hamiltons_bytheriver
Image taken from Hamiltons by the River on Instagram.
As mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, I have 5 other notable cafes which defo deserve a mention!!
6. Car & Kitchen, Settle.
A small boutique store in the centre of Settle selling a multitude of home and kitchen wares, gifts and designer clothing. Upstairs is their delightful cafe - my recommendation is the mushroom and spinach toast!
You can follow them on Instagram @carandkitchen
7. Dandelion Cafe, Saltaire.
Tucked down from the main street in Saltaire is Dandelion - recommended to me by my good friend Mia, each time I've been with her and tried something new, I've never been disappointed! Please try their Cacao Mocha made with oat milk along with a sharing Mezze for two. Great value, vegan delights!!
Check them out on Instagram @dandelioncafe
8. Salami & Co, Otley.
On the main road running through Otley town centre, you cannot miss this cutesy shop with fresh, light interiors and soft tones - very chilled place to be indeed. Their cakes are a treat too - I'm particularly partial to the white chocolate and lavender cake. Also if you have a little fluffy and waggy companion - they're very welcome inside the cafe too for a doggy donut or puppacino. Currently you have to pre-book a table to sit inside.
Have a scroll through their Instagram @salamiandco
9. Elsworth Kitchen, Skipton.
Currently offering an 'Elsworth at home' menu, you can sample some of the Elsworth delight in your own home. I cannot recommend this place more for their food quality and variety - from Miso aubergine wrap to the soup of the day, they have a little something for everyone! I find myself spending quite a lot of time liking their Instagram posts - I'm sure you would too @elsworthkitchen.
10. Two Sisters - Bar & Kitchen, Skipton.
Last but by no means least (my boyfriend thinks I've actually saved one of the best until last!) Two sisters is perched perfectly on the corner at the top of Skipton high street near to the historic Skipton Castle and Skipton Castle Woods. Many a time I've been peckish and left feeling Two Sisters feeling completely stuffed to the brim! My favourite dish is 100% the full breakfast or even the full veggie breakfast is a close second - my goodness you get a plate full, alongside a proper coffee in mugs the size of your face. See for yourselves @twosistersskipton
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