Harden's survey result
Summary
“Quietly top class” – York’s oldest inhabited house (and boasting a medieval walled garden) is the backdrop to a meal at this small hotel, some of whose rooms have unmatched views of York Minster. The dining room (holder of hard-to-win three AA rosettes) serves a multi course tasting menu with an optional wine pairing “a very pleasant experience with some great flavours”.
Summary
A “beautiful setting” – York’s oldest inhabited house, host to knights and politicos in its day, and boasting a medieval walled garden – adds to the drama at this graceful 12-room hotel. In summer 2021, award-winning chef Adam Jackson (who helped Yorkshire pub The Black Swan to a star before launching his own venture) took over the head chef role, and early visitors were “blown away” by his “exquisite” and “creative” seasonal food, including six-course tasting menus. “An eating experience that creates memories.”
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Bow Room Restaurant?
Owner's description
The Bow Room serves an exquisite tasting menu which can be paired with an optional wine flight. Head Chef Ian Doyle and his team are committed to using ingredients from our own kitchen garden alongside local suppliers to create a memorable and exciting dining experience.
This is a leisurely dining experience of 2-2.5 hours so please bear this in mind when making travel plans.
Dinner Served Tuesday to Saturday 7.00pm
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Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.50 |
 Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
The chef
Head Chef Ian Doyle gained his first Michelin Star at the Cliff House Hotel in Waterford in 2021, he retained his star in 2022 before moving to the UK later that year.
Ian previously worked in Stockholm as Head Chef at the Michelin Star restaurant Oaxen Krog, and prior to that in Copenhagen's legendary Noma restaurant.
The Bow Room Restaurant Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Outstanding meal. Very well put together with lightness and flare."
"Wonderful dining experience, every course of tasting menu was delicious. Service was excellent"
"Delicious food and accompanying wine, beautifully presented. Knowledgeable, friendly and thoughtful service in a delightful setting."
"From start to finish, our experience at the Bow Room was exceptional. The food was outstanding and the wines paired to each dish did not disappoint. You were made to feel like you were the only ones dining, with the staff having a perfect understanding of the food and your tastes. Sometimes words aren’t good enough to describe an experience as good as this, you just need to try it !"
"Exquisite is not a term to use lightly,. But I was struggling to find the right word to describe our dinner at the Bow Room this week. This was the best food we've ever eaten. Yes, ever. Better than Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Helene Darroze at the The Connaught, Tom Kitchin's restaurant in Edinburgh and Tom Kerridge at the Corinthia, to name four recent comparisons. Did any dish stand out in the degustation menu? No. And that was its genius. Each dish was so beautifully balanced and surprising that the overall experience was just supremely satisfying. Here is a chef who is clearly inspired by what he is creating and delighted to share that inspiration with others. No ego. No pretension. This is not just the best restaurant in York. In our view, it is the best restaurant in Britain. "
Grays Court Hotel, Chapter House Street, York, YO1 7JH
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 7 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 7 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 7 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Saturday | 7 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
