York’s beloved Old Liquor Store (OLS), set within the historic Grade II listed former Terry’s Chocolate Factory, is gearing up for a season of festive indulgence. With bookings now open for its Christmas celebrations, the restaurant is offering a selection of exquisite holiday dishes designed to delight diners throughout December.
From 1st to 23rd December, groups of between 2 and 50 people can enjoy a special three-course festive feast, perfect for family gatherings, office parties, or celebrations with friends. Priced at £58 per person, the menu includes a glass of fizz on arrival, with advance booking required.
Matt Leivers, the acclaimed head chef at OLS, has crafted a seasonal menu blending festive classics with contemporary twists. Each dish showcases his creative approach to cuisine, with carefully selected seasonal ingredients. Starters include a winter truffle and celeriac “lasagne”, smoked gammon shank with bitter marmalade, and a decadent lobster and crayfish arancino.
For the mains, diners can indulge in festive favourites such as prosciutto-wrapped turkey “saltimbocca” with pigs in blankets and marsala gravy, or opt for the pan-roasted salmon fillet with prosecco “mariniere”. Vegetarians aren’t left out, with the “York Gourmet Mushroom pie” as a hearty plant-based option. Each dish comes with a side of garlic and rosemary roast potatoes, buttered greens, and maple-glazed roots.
To finish, guests can choose between an indulgent milk caramel and gingerbread cheesecake or a cherry and amaretto-steeped Christmas pudding, both served with unique accompaniments like spiced pear sorbet and Cointreau custard.
Ben Williams, owner of The Old Liquor Store, said: “Matt and his team have worked incredibly hard to create a sumptuous offering that we hope people will love. We’re looking forward to welcoming guests, serving up some magnificent Christmas culinary creations, and celebrating the season.”
Though the restaurant will be closed on Christmas Day, it will open its doors again on Boxing Day for roast lunches, before resuming regular service from 27th December. The celebrations will culminate with a spectacular New Year’s Eve extravaganza. For £95 per person, guests will be treated to a six-course French-inspired tasting menu, “le Réveillon de Saint-Sylvestre”, accompanied by live music to ring in 2025. From 7.30pm to 1.00am, diners will enjoy luxurious dishes such as OLS smoked salmon, glazed lobster tail, and Tournedos Rossini.
Throughout the year, The Old Liquor Store also hosts monthly tasting events, celebrating various cuisines and cultures. Past events have included an Oktoberfest feast with live Oompah music, and future events will feature Spanish and French themes. In January, the team is planning an Australian-inspired menu to honour Australia Day.
Nestled between York Racecourse and the award-winning Bishopthorpe Road, The Old Liquor Store is not only steeped in local history but also serves as a nod to York’s chocolate-making heritage. Believed to have once stored coffee beans and rum barrels for Terry’s famous chocolates, the restaurant now offers a welcoming atmosphere for food lovers. Open Wednesday to Saturday for brunch, lunch, and dinner, and on Sundays for roasts, OLS is also dog-friendly, making it the perfect spot to relax with family, friends, and even furry companions.
To secure a spot for their festive feasts or the New Year’s Eve celebration, guests can make reservations through the restaurant’s website: www.theoldliquorstore.co.uk.
