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Barbakan

4.6 (31 reviews)
ModerateDelis, Polish
Closed 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Barbakan Photos

BARBAKAN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Good for kids
Dogs allowed
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - Barbakan

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Does anything really need to be said about this? Think not.
Ben B.

So my second review, and second five star review at that... I promise this is only because I'm reviewing my favourite places first... as they deserve, the sub five star reviews will come in time. This is almost one of those places you don't want to tell people about.,, it's my secret, dangit! But alas, good things deserve to be heard and found so yes... I concede, I adore this place. Not only is the Barbakan extremely unique for York (despite the confusing name that has nothing to do with the near(ish) Barbican Centre, but I haven't found a place with similar quality for this type of food in the UK as of yet... I'm sure they exist, I'm just waiting for more qualifies Yelpers to point them out. On to the food... either you'll love it, immensely, or just like it... I couldn't imagine anyone disliking it... and if you do, shame! It's very hearty fare, "meat and potatoes" if you will, but done sooo well... I'm way into the "love it" camp, obviously, so when this is what I want I couldn't imagine coming elsewhere. The cuisine I believe is Polish, so think German meets British... don't kill me, I call it like it is! The closest actual restaurant I've been to was in Luxembourg, so even that is a toss up for influence. Essentially look at the pictures on Yelp, and if it looks like you're type of food I can't imagine you would be disappointed. Oh, did I mention deserts? Oh, the glorious deserts... they are so good that we often get them to take away... something I rarely do... especially with deserts. They stand behind you tempting you constantly... I fell for it once and have tried various ones since, all worthy of a purchase. Another theme you will notice throughout my eventual reviews is that good service impresses me... and these guys definitely score a few points in this realm... aside from being friendly and accommodating (aka "oops, I booked for four but two other friends heard we were coming so now there's six of us"), I've seen on two occasions groups come in after closing and happily be accommodated... I would never expect this as the norm, if the sign says 11:00 for closing then 11:20 is too late, but it's nice to know that they definitely give it a go... on one occasion they had even started cleaning the kitchen... which is fair because it was twenty minutes past their posted closing time that night... they still smiled, checked with the kitchen, and proceeded to take orders without the "you should know better" awkwardness that can come with such timing. Personal favourites include the Golonka, seriously, just look at the photo... it alone will give you the meat sweats, Pierogi (get the half and half and figure out which one is for you), and the Oscypek... a smoky cheese that is simply wonderful (think smoke infused haloumi). Honestly, if you've looked at the menu (or read a review) and think this is a place you would like to try then please do... either you'll have a decent meal, or more likely a future staple you must return to. If you need fancier fare then perhaps this isn't the place, but at their prices (which are awesome for what you get btw) you should probably give it a go all the same. Enjoy, and thank me later. ;-)

Best stuffed cabbage I've had in a LONG time!  The secret's in the meaty sauce.  Note Polish raspberry-flavored beer - GREAT!
Mike G.

Excellent Polish food, perfectly prepared in balanced sauces. Perhaps the best stuffed cabbage I've had anywhere - including church dinners! - and a wide selection of Polish beers; try the Raspberry Beer for a really fine change of pace. A nice selection of good Romanian wines, too, along with a full bar and plentiful selections of dessert. Atmosphere is quiet, relaxing and low key, and service was attentive and unintrusive. Highly recommended!

Mushroom tool with beer root borscht, and bread with garlic dill spread. Part of the £13 2-course meal deal!
Becky M.

There's only 1 restaurant which I would travel back to the city just to eat at (in Florence). Until now - I've finally found a second restaurant which I would travel for (and thanks to Teresa C for recommending this place to me) Barbakan is a family run Polish restaurant, and their homestyle food is just DIVINE!!! I would happily eat here every day if I could! I did come here twice, once for lunch, and dinner. So their hours operate as this: open at 9am for breakfast, however starting at 10am you can order their £7 lunch specials! So I came here at 10am, and ordered myself TWO lunch specials - I couldn't decide on one, so I got the cabbage rolls and pirogies, and took half of it home. There were 4 cabbage rolls, baked in this rich tomato sauce, and it was so incredibly delicious. I didn't leave a drop of sauce behind, as I mopped it up with the delicious toasted rye bread. There are 6 pirogies in an order, so the waitress kindly offered a sampling of their 3 pirogies: beef, cheese, and pumpkin curry. Hands down, my favs were the cheese, and pumpkin curry. It was nicely fried with a brown crust on the outside, with some fried with cubes of crispy bacon, and a side of sour cream. It was soooo good. Actually the waitress knew I only planned on eating half my dishes, so she kindly packed everything else up for me, along with extra bread! Now, DINNER TIME: There is a dinner special between 6-7pm, a starter and a main, for £13. Fantastic deal, since you get so full off the meal! A complimentary basket of rye bread was given to me, along with some sort of fantastic garlicky-dill butter spread. I was told it was butter, but it tasted a bit like a whipped or cream cheese to me. Anyhow, whatever it was, it was delicious. I ate all the bread and spread, and even asked for a bit more :/ I started off with a mushroom roll, which was a mix of mushrooms, rolled up in a pancake and deep fried. It also came with beetroot borscht. And it was amazingly good! I'm not a picky eater, but I'm usually not a huge fan of borscht - but man, this purple soup was served in a mug, and I slurped up every last drop. I got the hunter stew for my main, which is a mixed meat stew with cabbage and carrot, served in a bread bowl. And It arrived piping hot! I was so full just looking at it, but it was one of the best things I've eaten on the trip. Its definitely a hearty and meaty dish, lots of meat and sausage. I only managed to finish 2/3. Unfortunately, I was too full to have dessert, because everything looked so good on display, all the cakes are baked fresh every day. The rest of the menu had breakfast items, hot and cold sandwiches (which sounded amazing), big salad plates with salmon, and a really large selection of Polish dishes. Seriously, you CANNOT go wrong here. The workers are so nice and accommodating and friendly. ANOTHER BONUS - KIDS GET BREAKFAST FOR FREE! It stated this on their menu, but I really don't know how it works. I'm sure its probably something like free for every child accompanied by an adult (purchasing an item for themselves too, of course). Anyway, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED :) ** THEY ARE CLOSED MONDAYS FOR DINNER

This was one of the best meals of our lives. Such an incredible restaurant with every bite of food thought out. As someone of Polish decent, I was thrilled to find Barbakan while we are on holiday throughout Scotland and England. The perogies are the best I have ever had. We shared the veal medallions and schnitzel which are both recommend. I wish I could bring this restaurant home with me and will dream about it for years to come! (Until we make our way back to York)

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13 years ago

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7 years ago

Great polish food. I am polish and grew up eating similar. This fulfills the home cooked polish food you are looking for.

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10 years ago

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12 years ago

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9 years ago

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12 years ago

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14 years ago

Fun polish cafe. Sells interesting polish dishes such as stuffed cabbage leaves, hunters stew and stuffed pancake. Very friendly staff.

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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14 years ago

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10 years ago

Pierogies were excellent staff super friendly and helpful going back tomorrow for breakfast!

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12 years ago

It's like home. Fantastic friendly atmosphere. Delicious food. Good prices.

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17 years ago

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16 years ago

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13 years ago

fab food and all made with care Fab and friendly service Well priced as well!

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Review Highlights - Barbakan

The pirogues, stuffed cabbage, cakes, everything were outstanding, not to mention our host/waitress Ana.

Mentioned in 4 reviews

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Barbakan - delis - Updated May 2026

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