Looking for cafes in Skipton? Known as “The Gateway to The Dales”, the historic market town of Skipton attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Best known for its perfectly preserved Norman castle, pretty canal basin and breathtakingly beautiful surrounding countryside, Skipton is one of North Yorkshire’s top tourist spots. Visitors flock to Skipton in vast numbers during peak seasons and the town’s award-winning High Street becomes a bustling centre of curious tourists on a quest to peruse the town’s quirky shops and sample the culinary delights of its many excellent restaurants and cafes.
It’s no secret that Skipton is home to a significant number of cafes and coffee houses. When visiting this quaint North Yorkshire town, it can be difficult to choose somewhere to take the weight off one’s feet and refuel with good cake and decent coffee. With this in mind, we’ve put together a short guide to some of our favourite cafes in Skipton so that you can see what’s on offer before you visit…
10 of The Best Cafes in Skipton
The Cake’ole
Craven Court Shopping Centre, Skipton BD23 1DG
Tel: 01756 229123
The Cake’ole in Skipton is a local legend! The first of three Cake’ole venues in Yorkshire to open its doors, it’s a charming little tea room in Skipton’s Craven Court Shopping Centre.
If the fabulously quirky decor at Cake’ole doesn’t wow you then the vast selection of delicious treats available certainly will! With its Instagram-worthy interiors and delightful daily display of homemade cakes, it’s one of the most popular cafes in Skipton and one you won’t want to miss.
The menu at The Cake’ole includes a great selection of hot and cold sandwiches and light bites plus numerous indulgent treats for those days when calories don’t count.
The cake selection at The Cake’ole changes daily, which always adds to the excitement when planning a visit. Expect traditional flavours as well as a few creative surprises! We’re particularly partial to their Salted Caramel Cake which boasts a light and airy sponge, velvety buttercream and delightful drips of caramelly goodness!
All of the cakes at The Cake’ole are available with a free scoop of ice cream and a chocolate drizzle. The range of drinks available is also rather diverse with lots of teas, coffees, milkshakes and sodas on offer. If choosing just one item from their menu proves troublesome, order one of their cake platters and share a few slices with friends or opt for their superb afternoon tea.
Bean Loved
17 Otley Street, Skipton BD23 1DY
Tel: 01756 791534
If it’s brunch you’re after then look no further than the fantastic Bean Loved! Situated on Otley Street behind Craven Court Shopping Centre, it’s a firm favourite with locals.
The coffee served at Bean Loved is top notch and they even have their own signature espresso blend which is roasted for them by Darkwoods Coffee. Their coffee truly is superb but they also offer exceptional food. All made using the freshest of locally sourced ingredients, the dishes on their menu are creatively thought out and expertly executed.
For breakfast and brunch, you’ll find classics such as Sourdough Toast, Eggs Benedict, Shakshuka and Pancakes and for lunch, there’s always a great selection of seasonal salads and flavoursome flatbreads on offer. For those wanting a sweet treat to enjoy with their epic coffee, Bean Loved also serve some genuinely scrumptious cakes and pastries, which are available to eat in or take away.
Dales Cottage Cafe & Grill
Albion House, Otley St, Skipton BD23 1ED
Tel: 01756 701630
Tucked away behind The Albion Pub on Otley Street, Dales Cottage is a more traditional cafe with plenty of charm! The family-run business was established in Skipton a quarter of a century ago and has a superb reputation for serving hearty home-cooked food in a cosy setting. Conveniently located just a short stroll away from the town’s main car park, it’s ideal for those who need to fill up on something wholesome before embarking on a town tour.
Unassuming and delightfully “Yorkshire”, Dales Cottage boasts traditional interiors and offers a warm welcome to all who enter. Their no-frills menu is bursting with choices so there’s something to suit all tastes and appetites. For breakfast, all the usual suspects are on the menu including their exceptionally good Full English which costs little more than a fiver. Dine at lunchtime for fresh sandwiches, soups, toasties, jacket potatoes, homemade pies, giant Yorkshire puddings and much, much more!
Of course, like any good cafe, Dales Cottage also serves a daily selection of delicious homemade cakes and if you can’t manage to squeeze one in after all that great Yorkshire grub, you can buy them to take away with you.
The Clubhouse Coffee and Cycles
18 Newmarket St, Skipton BD23 2HR
The Clubhouse Coffee and Cycles opened in 2018 on Newmarket Street. It’s a unique and fabulous independent coffee house celebrating Yorkshire’s passion for cycling. Owned and managed by locals who are as enthusiastic about coffee as they are about cycling in God’s Own Country, it boasts contemporary interiors, super friendly staff and a spot in the 2021 Independent Coffee Guide.
The menu is quite simple as the coffee really is the star of the show, however, what is on offer is always fresh and delicious. If you’re in dire need of a caffeine fix then you’ll get an excellent one at this friendly cafe in Skipton! Paired with one of their fresh sandwiches or exceptionally good pastries and bakes sourced from local artisan suppliers, coffee at The Clubhouse will provide the perfect pick-me-up after a day exploring The Dales.
Thankfully, some of their amazing blends are available to buy by the bag from their premises so you can recreate their epic espressos and legendary lattes at home.
The Three Sheep Tea House
78 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JJ
Tel: 01756 709988
When walking down the High Street, it’s hard to miss this charming little cafe in Skipton as it always has a tempting array of homemade cakes displayed in the front window. Incredibly popular with locals who simply adore their home-baked goodies, The Three Sheep Tea House is a must-visit! Situated halfway up the High Street and backing onto the historic cobbles of Sheep Street, it’s in a very convenient location for tourists and has seating outside for those warmer days.
On the menu at this delightful little tea house, you will find an abundance of indulgent goodies! There are sandwiches jam-packed with fillings, hot breakfasts loaded with locally sourced produce, sensational scones which locals can’t get enough of and much, much more.
We (and so many others) highly recommend trying out their Afternoon Tea which is very reasonably priced. The cakes at The Three Sheep are beautiful and the team will happily make you one to order for a birthday or other celebration. I ordered one myself for my mother’s 75th and it went down a treat!
Kibble Bakery & Coffee House
44 Sheep St, Skipton BD23 1HY
Are you bringing your dog to Skipton? Kibble Bakery & Coffee House is the ultimate dog-friendly cafe in Skipton. Not only are dogs entirely welcome but this fabulous little eatery has a menu specifically designed just for them. No more doggy drools on the floor while you’re munching your muffin or crunching on your croissant because, at Kibble, your four-legged friend can enjoy their own delicious treats.
On the human menu, you’ll find all manner of tasty brunches and lunch dishes such as topped toasts, bagels, pancakes, waffles and burgers plus yummy cakes which are baked on the premises each morning. Again, the coffee here is top quality; their exclusive blend of 50% Columbian and 50% Brazillian is hand-roasted for them by Casa Espresso.
For your furry companion, Kibble Bakery bake a woof-worthy selection of doggie treats in their DEFRA-approved kitchen so your pup can tuck into biscuits, doughnuts or Pupcakes. You can even order them a Pawspresso or Doggy Tea to wash it down with. Doggy-licious!
Coopers Cafe Bar
6/8 Belmont St, Skipton BD23 1RP
Tel: 01756 796569
A little out of the centre but within easy walking distance from the High Street, you’ll find Coopers Cafe Bar. Another excellent and much loved independent cafe in Skipton, these guys serve the most amazing breakfasts and sandwiches, not to mention utterly delicious homemade cakes and other sweet treats.
Dedicated staff, expert baking and fabulously flavoursome food combine to make this a truly excellent little cafe in Skipton. Pop in for a hearty breakfast before making your way towards the town’s most popular attractions or end your visit to Skipton with one of their gourmet sandwiches, a slice of homemade cake and a good old cuppa.
If visiting with friends, we recommend unwinding at Coopers with one of their epic mixed platters which are piled high with quality meats, cheeses and more. As it’s licensed, you can wash it all down with a glass of plonk or a large gin. Cheers!
The Turntable Cafe
Engine Shed Lane, Skipton BD23 1UP
07955 289025
Tucked away on Engine Shed Lane is another one of Skipton’s hidden gems. The Turntable Cafe serves both hot and cold food which is available to eat in or to take away. Whether you’re planning a picnic, craving something homecooked during your lunch break or simply want a break from the kitchen, you can order ahead for collection.
The breakfasts at The Turntable Cafe are insanely good and they do daily hot specials which are always a hit! Recent specials have included Salt & Pepper Chips. Cajun Chicken Burrito, Homemade Chicken Curry and a hearty Beef & Vegetable Stew. Top quality, no-frills, homemade grub which is all made and served with love.
If it’s a sugar fix you’re after then pop in for coffee and cake. Their selection changes daily but more often than not includes gooey brownies, beautiful blondies, fabulous flapjacks and hard-to-resist rocky road!
The Flip Side Crepes
6 Swadford Street, Skipton BD23 1RD
07748 466208
The Flip Side recently changed hands but it’s as fabulous as ever with new owner Hayley at the helm. As the name suggests, this cafe on Swadford Street in Skipton serves crepes and pancakes with a wide range of fillings and toppings. Start your day with a savoury crepe stuffed with egg and bacon or opt for a stack of fluffy American-style pancakes loaded with fruit and drizzled with syrup.
There are loads of tasty options to choose from and they offer some seriously good milkshakes to wash them down with. A great choice for a weekend treat with the kids or a cheeky calorie fix during a day exploring the town. There aren’t a huge amount of tables and it does fill up fast during school holidays. If you’re planning a visit during busy times, it’s best to book ahead.
Helene’s Tea Room
21A Coach Street, Skipton BD23 1LH
07729 397493
You’ll find this gorgeous, vintage-style tea room on Coach Street, just a stone’s throw from Skipton’s picturesque canal basin.
Independently owned and family-run, Helene’s Tea Room is best known for serving a superb selection of delicious home-baked treats in a cosy setting. Step through the front door and back in time as you take a seat at one of their perfectly presented tables and tuck into Helene’s home bakes served upon pretty floral china. A real home-from-home, an hour or so spent at Helene’s Tea Room feels like visiting a relative – a warm welcome, comfortable surroundings and of course, a brilliant brew!
Visit at lunchtime and enjoy the perfect soup and sarnie combo served with sides of salad and crisps or pop in for one of their delicious afternoon teas which will no doubt deliver an unforgettable sugar rush.
