Known as the “Gateway to the Dales,” our market town is home to a brilliant cluster of independent cafes and restaurants that have become the heart of our community. Whether you’re a fellow local or you’re just visiting to fuel up before a hike, a trip to the Castle, or a wander along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, these are the spots I personally vouch for.

Here is my tried-and-tested guide to the best places for breakfast in Skipton in 2026.

Alexander’s

4 – 6 High Street, Skipton BD23 1EE

Housed in a stunning historic building dating back to 1606, Alexander’s is a true High Street gem. The Edwardian-inspired parlour is easily one of the most beautiful spaces in town to start your morning.

For 2026, their updated Brunch Menu is a global tour of flavours. You can keep it light with freshly made pastries or dive into the “Grand Kedgeree” with curried rice and smoked haddock (£14). Their “House Breakfast” (£16) is the gold standard for a full English, but if you want my personal recommendation for something different, go for the Korean Chicken Waffle (£14) with gochujang glaze.

Phoebe’s

18 Coach Street, Skipton BD23 1LH

Situated in our historic canal quarter, Phoebe’s has quickly become one of the most talked-about spots in town. Phoebe Fisher (who many will remember from the brilliant Elsworth Kitchen) has created a space that is vibrant, relaxed, and consistently excellent.

Their 2026 Brunch Menu is packed with standouts. If you’re hungry, the Steak ‘n’ Eggs (£19.95) features a perfectly cooked onglet steak with chimichurri and tater tots. The Everything Brioche, buttery brioche bun filled with sausage, hash browns, crispy bacon, and a fried egg, is a must-try (£10.95)!

Kibble Bakery & Coffee House

Among Skipton’s array of independent cafes, Kibble Bakery stands out as a uniquely charming spot. Boasting a chic and contemporary interior, it perfectly complements its simple, modern menu featuring no-frills, natural food. What really sets Kibble apart is its completely dog-friendly atmosphere; alongside a fantastic menu for humans, they offer an excellent selection for dogs, with 100% natural treats like homemade ‘pupcakes’ and ‘doggy doughnuts’ baked in their own DEFRA-approved kitchen.

Conveniently located at the bottom of the High Street, it’s an ideal stop for those looking to kickstart a day of sightseeing. Coffee enthusiasts will appreciate their distinctive 50% Colombian and 50% Brazilian blend, especially delightful when paired with a stack of their fluffy pancakes. Whether you’re accompanied by your four-legged companion or not, be sure to add this one to your Skipton itinerary!

Bean Loved

17 Otley St, Skipton BD23 1DY

Bean Loved is hailed by many locals as the go-to spot for the best coffee in Skipton, and considering the competition here, that’s quite a compliment! While their coffee is undeniably exceptional, the culinary offerings are equally delightful. Featuring a menu crafted from the finest locally sourced Yorkshire produce, every dish promises a wonderfully fresh experience.

Start your morning right with their breakfast menu, which features traditional options like the Sausage or Bacon Brioche Bun (£7.50) or Eggs on Toast (£7.00). Visit for brunch (served until 2:30pm), and you can tuck into their famous Smashed Avo & Sweet Chilli Confit Tomatoes (£12.50) or the Korean Fried Chicken. Fancy something sweeter? Their fluffy American Pancakes (£7.50) with maple syrup are a firm favourite with us locals!

Brown Bag Cafe

14–16 Otley Street, Skipton BD23 1DZ

Brown Bag on Otley Street is where sustainability meets quality homemade grub. This isn’t just another coffee shop; it’s an eco-conscious hub designed with recycled and upcycled materials. Their award-winning coffee is ethically sourced to support local farmers, but for me, the real draw is the “Build Your Own Brunch & Breakfast.” It’s an extremely popular format that lets you curate your own perfect plate using locally sourced ingredients, ensuring your carbon footprint is as light as their artisanal bread.

The Flip Side

6 Swadford Street, Skipton BD23 1RD

Did you know that there’s an independent cafe in Skipton that specialises in pancakes? Situated on Swadford Street, The Flip Side serves crepes with all manner of sweet and savoury fillings. Stick to traditional sugar and lemon, satisfy that chocolate craving with Nutella, or opt for a savoury powerhouse like the Brekkie Crepe (£8.50).

If thick and fluffy is more your style, their American-style pancakes are a must – I recommend the Bacon Stack (£8.00) with an extra sausage and egg (50p each). For the kids, the Nutella Dippy Pot (£4.50) is a winner, featuring mini pancakes and strawberries. Not a pancake person? No problem – they’ve recently added all-day breakfast sandwiches to the menu too.

Pro Tip: This place is a family favourite and gets very busy during the school holidays, so I highly recommend booking ahead to avoid disappointment!

The Curious Fox

Chapel Hill, Skipton BD23 1NL

A left turn at the top of the High Street and a short stroll will bring you to The Curious Fox – a characterful restaurant at the bottom of Chapel Hill that I always recommend to visitors. While it’s locally famous for its steaks and weekly Tapas nights, this gorgeous restaurant with rooms also offers one of the best morning spreads in town.

The team here has extensive hospitality experience, so both the food and the ambience are consistently spot on. The breakfast menu showcases quality, locally sourced produce. You can start your day with a classic Full English (£12.50) or the Veggie Breakfast (£11.50). For something a bit lighter, the Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs (£9.00) or a simple bowl of Nutty Granola (£7.50) are both excellent choices.

The Dales Cottage Cafe

Albion House, Otley Street, Skipton BD23 1ED

Tucked away and traditional, Dales Cottage has been a staple in our town for 25 years for a reason: hearty, home-cooked food and a welcome that makes you feel like family. If you want something wholesome that’s easy on the wallet, this is your spot.

Their 2026 menu is as honest and satisfying as ever. For the big appetites, there’s the Large Breakfast (£11.50) or the Standard Breakfast (£9.50), packed with all the expected components: bacon, sausage, egg, black pudding, beans, and toast. If you’re in a rush, their Breakfast Sandwiches (starting at £4.75) are legendary. They also do a great range of poached eggs on English muffins if you’re after something slightly lighter but still filling.

Visiting Skipton and haven’t planned how you’ll spend your time yet? Check out my guide to the best things to do in Skipton 2026.

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As with all our guides, we’ll continue to update this list as our town’s food scene evolves. To recommend a venue, request a featured listing or enquire about other advertising options in the “UK’s Happiest Town,” please email business@theyorkshirepress.co.uk.

The quintessentially British tradition of afternoon tea has surged in popularity in recent years. Once a treat reserved for the upper classes and associated only with high-end hotels, this late-afternoon dining concept which dates back to Victorian times is now affordable and accessible to most.

The historic market town of Skipton with its charming cobbled streets, impressive castle and picturesque canal basin forms the perfect backdrop for a sophisticated afternoon of delicate dining. Home to numerous independent cafes, award-winning hotels and excellent restaurants, there’s a venue to suit every budget. With this in mind,  I’ve put together a guide to the best places to get afternoon tea in Skipton. On my list, you’ll find an eclectic array of venues offering superb afternoon tea menus, quirky tea rooms, scenic country retreats, pretty Parisian-style parlours and family-friendly pubs.

Where to get Afternoon Tea in Skipton

Alexander’s

4-6 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JZ

In a prime location at the top of Skipton’s award-winning high street, this large cafe bar and restaurant is hard to miss with its stylish exteriors and elegant entrance.

With numerous dining options available including brunch, lunch, small plate sharing, evening fine dining and a magical Alpine pop-up during the festive period, Alexander’s boasts an enviable reputation locally.

Afternoon tea at Alexander’s is their unique and contemporary take on the traditional. Served Wednesday to Saturday between 2 pm and 5 pm, this delightful afternoon tea in Skipton is bound to impress and is ideal for special occasions.

This is one of my personal favourites for a celebratory treat. Alexander’s is one of the most aesthetically pleasing dining destinations in the town centre and the food is always top notch. This afternoon tea in Skipton starts at £30 pp but you get a lot for your money. I couldn’t manage it all and had to take much of it home to enjoy the next day!

The Cake’Ole

Craven Court Shopping Centre, High St, Skipton BD23 1DG

It’s no secret that Skipton is home to many, many cafes, however, The Cake’Ole is one of my go-to venues when seeking a sweet treat on a budget. Boasting quirky, colourful interiors and serving a changing daily selection of delicious homemade cakes, it’s a must-visit for all ages.

The cakes at The Cake’Ole are ridiculously good and you get a free scoop of ice cream with every slice too! A firm favourite with us is their Salted Caramel Cake – moist sponge, velvety buttercream and generous drizzles of salted caramel sauce combine to make it one of my guilty pleasures.

This afternoon tea is one of the best value offerings in Skipton at under £15 per person. You get a selection of sandwiches, a handful of crisps, enormous fruit scones with the expected accompaniments, a few of their most popular sweet treats and a whopping great slab of one of their brilliant cakes. Brilliant! Booking isn’t required but The Cake’Ole does get remarkably busy on weekends and during school holidays.

Nana’s of Skipton

The Parlour, 53 Swadford Street, Skipton BD23 1QY

Situated on Skipton’s Belmont Bridge, Nana’s is as pretty as a picture with its pink and mint green exterior decor. The intimate tea room only seats a limited number of people but it’s certainly one of the most Instagrammable places to eat in the town. 

All the components of the afternoon teas at Nana’s are lovingly made by the ever-so-friendly owner who took over the venue just last year. I had the absolute pleasure of visiting for Mother’s Day and had a truly delightful experience.

The sandwiches were generously filled, the scones were fresh and warm, the homemade quiche was packed with flavour and the miniature sweet treats were superb! It was very reasonably priced at just £17.95 per person too. We weren’t drinking on this occasion but there is the option to upgrade your afternoon tea to include a glass of fizz or one of Nana’s delicious cocktails. 

The Coniston Hotel

Coniston Cold, Skipton BD23 4EA

For afternoon tea with a view, I highly recommend The Coniston Hotel! This popular hotel with its award-winning spa and brilliant restaurant offers spectacular views of the glorious Yorkshire Dales countryside.

Afternoon tea at The Coniston Hotel’s 1 AA rosette restaurant, The View, is available daily from 3 pm until 4:15 pm Monday to Saturday and costs £30 pp or £37 pp with a glass of fizz. It’s a traditional offering comprising a selection of sandwiches and a medley of indulgent desserts. The menu changes with the seasons but currently includes delightful treats such as Cheese & Onion Focaccia with Balsamic Caramelised Red Onion, Hot Smoked Salmon Dill & Spring Onion Pinwheel and Coffee & Walnut Choux Au Craquelin.

Fancy something a little different? Opt for the Pan-Asian afternoon tea at Blossom Kitchen; the brasserie adjacent to the onsite spa. This one is also priced at £30 pp but it’s remarkably different in composition. Instead of your three tiers of sandwiches and cakes, you get a bento box filled with delicious Asian-inspired goodies. I particularly enjoyed the Bao Buns and Spring Rolls when I tried this one last year.

The Devonshire Arms

Bolton Bridge, Skipton BD23 6AJ

No round-up of where to take afternoon tea in Skipton would be complete without including The Devonshire Arms, nestled in the glorious estate of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire at Bolton Abbey.

The setting is breathtakingly beautiful so worth visiting for alone but those seeking decadent delights and exceptional service should most certainly book in for afternoon tea. they often welcome families, couples and more to indulge in their delicious afternoon tea menu whilst celebrating a special occasion.

Served daily from 1:30 pm until 3 pm, afternoon tea at The Devonshire Arms is priced at £39.50 pp or £49.50 pp with Champagne. It’s a traditional affair with the expected finger sandwiches and scones playing a part, however, it’s the exquisite selection of desserts that set this one apart from the rest. Expertly created by The Devonshire Arms’ team of talented pastry chefs, they’re immaculately presented and utterly delicious!

Three Sheep Tea House & Kitchen

8 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JJ

Would Skipton be Skipton without a sheep-themed tea room? Absolutely not! This lovely cafe is run by passionate locals who always offer the warmest of welcomes.

Set over two floors and with a small amount of outdoor seating, this deceptively spacious central cafe is always packed with locals and tourists. The menu features everything you would expect to find at a quality cafe including hot & cold sandwiches, jacket potatoes, salads, breakfasts and more.

Priced at just £14.95 pp, there are two afternoon teas to choose from at The Three Sheep Tea House – sweet and savoury. The sweet version is your more traditional offering with sandwiches, a scone and a slice of homemade cake. Instead of the sweet treats, their savoury version comes with a cheese scone and a pork pie from celebrated local butchers Drake and Macefield. I can confirm that the scones are some of the best in town, particularly the cheese ones!

The Gamekeeper’s Inn

Long Ashes Park,  Threshfield, Skipton BD23 5PN

The Gamekeeper’s Inn at Threshfield is a traditional pub serving homemade food, prepared with the finest locally sourced produce. In addition to mouthwatering menus lunches, light bites and mains, The Gamekeeper’s Inn serves an afternoon tea with a contemporary twist.

The Alternative Afternoon Tea is priced at £22.95 pp (pay just an extra £4 for a glass of fizz) and couldn’t be more different to the standard finger sandwiches and scones offerings. This menu for this quirky take on a traditional concept is updated every season but currently, includes a tasty array of savoury dishes such as Mini Chicken Pie, Asian-Style Pork Belly Bites and Mini Oak-Smoked Salmon Fishcakes.  If those are not enough to send your salivary glands into overdrive, the desserts are pretty special too! In addition to the obligatory scones and preserves, you get a mesmerising medley of treats including Sticky Toffee Bite, Strawberry Mille-Feuille and a Griottine Cherry and Chocolate Brownie Cup.

Burgers have been a popular menu option since the 50’s when big name burger brands from the US started opening up on in our towns and cities. The popularity of burgers has increased tenfold in recent years and there’s no shortage of great burger bars, burger chains and burger vans tempting us with their meaty (or vegetarian) mounds of deliciousness.

If you’re in a city, chances are you’ll find a fantastic burger place on every corner. However, in the smaller towns it can be difficult to know where to go to get a good quality burger.

Skipton in North Yorkshire boasts loads of excellent pubs, restaurants and cafes. They have eateries which cater to all kinds of tastes, preferences and dietary requirements…but…where do Skipton people go when they fancy a burger? And more importantly… where do they go if they want alcohol with it?

Here’s our list of just 5 of the places in Skipton where you can get a great burger and wash it down with cold beer or two…

Calico Jack

This pirate-themed Tex Mex restaurant is great for getting together with friends and family. Calico Jack on Water Street serve some great Tex Mex options such as Burritos, Enchiladas and Fajitas. If you’re not a fan of spice, they also offer pizzas, salads, steaks, ribs and, of course, burgers!

There are ten varieties of burger to choose from at Calico Jack and each can be served as a beef patty, a chargrilled chicken breast or a grilled stack of tomato, mozzarella and olive. Prices start at £9.25 for the Calico Jack which is a classic plain burger. The most expensive item on the burger menu is the Jack Sparrow at £13.75 which is a double burger with cheddar, bacon, mushrooms and caramelised red onions.

They have Peroni, Carlsberg, Shed Head (an American Pale Ale) and Somersby Cider on tap as well as a selection of bottled lagers, wines and drinks. They also have an extensive cocktail menu at Calico Jack from which we would recommend the classic Margarita or their gin-based Raspberry Rose Collins.

Oakley’s

Oakley’s Grill and Pizzeria opened in 2008 and the current owners took over in 2016 after purchasing the business from the Oakley family. It’s housed in an old rag mill on Albert Street that is actually one of Skipton’s oldest buildings. Oakley’s have dining space on three different floors and each area is furnished with simple wooden tables and wooden flooring to complement the age of the building.

This place is super popular with locals and they have a steady stream of returning customers who are passionate about the home cooked food on offer. On the menu, you’ll find a selection of house mains as well as pizzas, pastas, salads and burgers.

There are 16 types of burger on the Oakley’s menu and you can order all kinds of extras with each one. prices start at £9.95 for the Classic Burger and go up to £11.50 for the Fiery Jack – with Pepperoni piccante, spicy chorizo, cheddar cheese, jalapenos and Cajun coated onion rings. All of their burgers are available with a beef patty, chargrilled chicken breast or crispy coated vegetable patties.

Behind the bar they’ve got a range of draft beers, bottled lagers and ciders, wines and spirits. Oakley’s also have a great cocktail menu so it’s worth having a look through that before you commit yourself to a straightforward pint.

Cock and Bottle

With its low ceilings and old wooden beams, it’s plain to see that the Cock and Bottle pub on Swadford Street has a long history. The building itself if thought to date back to the late 17th century and is on record to have operated as a ‘brewhouse’ since the mid 18th century.

The Cock and Bottle is a lovely little traditional pub with a real ‘local’ feel to it. They serve good old classic pub grub, alongside their popular cask ales.  All the food here is homemade, served in generous portions and mouth wateringly delicious. On the menu you’ll find the usual classics like Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash and Steak and Ale Pie as well as a lovely selection of sharing planks, sandwiches and light bites.

There are 6 types of burger on the Cock and Bottle menu and prices for these start at £11.95. Each is available with a beef patty, chicken breast or vegetarian burger and served in a toasted brioche bun with hand cut chips, salad, homemade coleslaw and crispy onion rings. The BBC (Brie, Bacon and Cranberry) is a particular favourite of ours!

Two Sisters

Two Sisters Bar & Kitchen on Mill Bridge has only been open a couple of years but the owners have built a great reputation for their simple menu of perfectly cooked food and their excellent selection of speciality beers and small batch gins. The customer service here is also top notch so it’s no surprise that many locals name this little gem as their favourite place to eat in Skipton. You won’t find a huge amount of choice on their menu but what you will find is a carefully thought out selection of dishes, made using excellent quality local produce and served with a smile.

If it’s a burger you’re after, then you’re in for a real treat. On their menu, you’ll find 4 four different types of burger and they’re all slightly different to the ones on offer at other local establishments. Their Spiced Lamb Burger with salad and homemade Harissa Mayonnaise is very popular and their vegetarian option is absolutely bursting with flavour. Priced at £12, the Bean Burger is topped with mozzarella and grilled peppers and served in toasted ciabatta with a spiced tomato dip and sweet potato fries. Nom nom…

The Narrow Boat

The Narrow Boat, near Skipton’s picturesque canal basin, has been serving great quality cask ales and home cooked grub since 1999. Immensely popular with beer lovers, this pub offers 8 real ales and a handpicked selection of wheat beers, fruit beers and fine boutique gins as well as the usual beverages you’d expect to find behind a bar.

Food wise, The Narrow Boat serves hearty comfort food which is made using local, seasonal produce. On the menu, there are traditional pub classics like Scampi & Chips as well as less traditional but equally as delicious dishes such as Chicken Schnitzel and Malaysian Aromatic Curry. 

They serve 3 basic burgers ( classic beef, grilled chicken and portobello mushroom) which you can upgrade yourself by adding extra toppings such as bacon, beef chilli and guacamole. You can double up your burger for just £2.00 and for those of us who like to limit our carb intake, there’s the option to swap your bread bun for extra salad. Hurrah!

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