Are you hoping to skip kitchen duty this Sunday? Fear not, for I have compiled a list of eateries in and around Skipton where you can enjoy a hearty Sunday lunch without the hours of effort that go into preparing one.
Who can resist the allure of a Sunday dinner? From hefty portions of locally sourced, tender meat to Yorkshire Puddings as fluffy as clouds, the Sunday roast is the ultimate comfort food.
Fortunately, my hometown of Skipton boasts a delightful array of hospitable eateries both in the centre and in the nearby villages, which serve up spectacular roasts on a Sunday.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the finest Sunday lunches in Skipton. Bon appétit!
My Top Picks for Sunday Lunch in Skipton
The Castle Inn
2 Mill Bridge, Skipton BD23 1NJ
You’ll find this traditional Yorkshire inn just off the top of Skipton High Street, beside Holy Trinity Church. Cosy and welcoming, it’s a local favourite for Sunday lunch in Skipton. The generous portions of homecooked food are consistently good throughout the week but their Sunday roasts are some of the best in town.
Available from 12 pm until 5 pm, Sunday lunch at The Castle Inn costs £14.95 and you can choose between Roast Topside of Beef and Roast Chicken Breast, each of which is served with Yorkshire pudding, mashed potato, crispy roasties, crushed root veg, fresh vegetables and proper gravy. Smaller portions are also available for a lower price of £9.95.
Room for dessert? For £6.95 you can finish your meal with one of their homemade desserts such as Jam Sponge or Spotted Dick.
Dales Cottage Cafe
Dales Cottage Cafe, Albion House, Otley Street, Skipton BD23 1ED
A beloved family-run establishment with over 25 years of tradition in Skipton, Dales Cottage Cafe is loved locally for its homely ambience, traditional homecooked dishes and reasonable prices.
On Sundays, Locals and visitors alike flock here to savour generous portions of Roast Beef, Roast Lamb, Roast Turkey, Roast Pork, Chicken Breast, Braised Steak, Liver & Onions, Pork Sausage or a Vegetable option, all served with the traditional trimmings. At just £9.95 for a hearty roast, Dales Cottage Cafe serves the most budget-friendly Sunday lunch in Skipton.
Le Bistro Des Amis
Le Bistro Des Amis, 1 Jerry Croft, Skipton BD23 1DT
Nestled in the heart of Skipton, Le Bistro Des Amis is a favourite among diners seeking exquisite French-inspired cuisine with a Yorkshire twist and, impeccable service. It’s a fixed-price menu at Les Bistro Des Amis on a Sunday and diners can enjoy one course for £16, two for £22.50 or three for £27.50.
Begin with Traditional French Onion Soup or perhaps, Stacked Crab before tucking into a classic British beef, chicken or pork roast with all the trimmings. Room for dessert? Finish with Eton Mess or French Lemon Tart. The menu is quite extensive and varied so there are plenty of options for all three courses—something to suit most tastes and preferences.
The Curious Fox
Chapel Hill, Skipton BD23 1NL
Owned and managed by a dedicated team boasting extensive experience in the hospitality sector, The Curious Fox offers superb all-day dining and drinking plus, an array of beautifully appointed guest rooms.
The main menu at The Curious Fox features an eclectic medley of globally-inspired starters and mains, plus salads, burgers and a selection of salt-aged Cumbrian steaks. On a Sunday, however, diners may also indulge in a traditional Sunday roast.
Choose from Local Grass-Fed Beef (£21), Slow-Roasted Swaledale Lamb (£23), Free-Range Chicken Breast (£18) and a Vegan Nut Roast (£18) then enjoy with Roasties, Caramelised Vegetables, Yorkshire Puddings and a Roast Jus.
Do you prefer to have a little taste of everything? For £52, you can enjoy a platter for two, including all three meats plus sides.
The Woolly Sheep Inn
The Woolly Sheep Inn, 38 Sheep Street, Skipton BD23 1HY
A quintessential Yorkshire pub, The Woolly Sheep Inn serves up great quality homecooked food and a range of Timothy Taylor’s ales. Their Sunday roast, a crowd favourite, features a choice of five types of meat alongside a vegetarian option—all served with their signature ‘Yorkies’, Mashed Potatoes, Roast Potatoes, Seasonal vegetables, and homemade gravy.
Its convenient location at the bottom of the high street means it’s ideal for those seeking a Sunday lunch in Skipton whilst visiting to peruse the local shops. Reservations are highly recommended as it’s a popular tourist spot as it does get quite busy.
The Railway
10 Cavendish Street, Skipton BD23 2AB
The Railway is a traditional pub just a short stroll away from Skipton’s town centre. Cosy and welcoming, this family-run establishment offers great quality home-cooked food at very reasonable prices. I have dined at The Railway on numerous occasions and the food has been superb value for money every time.
The Cheese & Onion Pie is my go-to midweek but on Sundays, The Railway’s hearty Sunday roast is difficult to resist. Served from 12 pm till 7:30 pm, you get a choice of Beef, Pork or Chicken served with Roast Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Carrot & Swede Mash, Seasonal Vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding and real gravy for just £13.95. For an extra £2.50, you can have all three meats rather than just one. If you can’t manage a large portion, you can order a smaller version for £8.50 and they do a great Vegan Nut Roast version for £12.95 too.
Grassington House
5 The Square, Grassington, Skipton BD23 5AQ
Just a few short miles away from Skipton is the picturesque village of Grassington. In the centre, there’s an award-winning hotel with stunning interiors and an excellent restaurant serving everything from decadent afternoon teas to a three-course fixed-price menu featuring sumptuous starters and a medley of creative mains.
Of course, Grassington House also serves a cracking Sunday lunch. The menu changes regularly but you can enjoy two courses for £29.50 or three courses for £34.50. Recent dishes featured on the Sunday menu include Salmon Dill Hash Cake and Beetroot Tortellini starters and Roast Leg of Yorkshire Lamb, 14-hour Slow-Cooked Yorkshire Beef Rump and King Oyster Mushroom Wellington mains.
It’s a beautiful venue for Sunday lunch in Skipton and the perfect place to refuel after a scenic walk in the Dales.
The Old Swan, Gargrave
For a hearty, home-cooked Sunday lunch in a traditional Yorkshire Dales pub setting, The Old Swan in Gargrave is another excellent option.
This one comes highly recommended by locals and offers a cosy setting for that comforting weekend meal with family. Choose from Sirloin of Beef (£15), Loin of Pork (£13.50), Hand Carved Turkey (£13.50), Lamb Shank (£16.50) and Mushroom Wellington (£13.30) or enjoy all three carved meats in the Triple Roast for £15.
You get all the expected trimmings with this Sunday lunch in Skipton but you can also get unlimited top-ups of the best bits – roasties, Yorkshire puds and gravy! Additional sides such as Cauliflower Cheese and Giant Pigs in Blankets are also available and start at just £1.50 each. If you’re dining with little ones, they too can enjoy a roast at The Old Swan for as little as £7.00.