Very healthy and funky cafe/restaurant open all day and in the evenings. Superb cakes and…read moresandwiches.

I've come to Ilkley and I've not even had any booze yet. What on earth is wrong with me? I know…read morethat makes me sound like I have issues (and quite frankly I do but I won't go into them), but I just like some liquid refreshment. Quick then get me into the Ilkley Moor Vaults. This is a cracking pub. It's nicely done out and has a very warm friendly atmosphere. It's laid back and chilled all the way. Now onto the important bit and the drinks. Well I love it. Simple as that. The wine list has some excellent tipples on and it isn't ridiculously expensive either. The ale is finely kept and there is a nice selection as well. My only problem is deciding my beverage of choice. As for the food, it's real served pub grub of the highest order. This place deserves a good old pat on the back. They are also super relaxed about dogs and walkers too, which is good to know if you want a walking stop off point to refuel.

While Leeds city centre has no shortage of pubs, bars and restaurants catering to every imaginable…read moretaste, if you're on a mission to impress it's worth looking to the city's outskirts for some traditional, log-fires-and-all country pubs. Just down the A65 in Ilkley, this food-focused walkers' haunt is one of the best. With low lighting, dark wood and cosy seating to compliment the all-important open fire, this is prime date territory, and the restaurant-quality food and extensive wine list (plus a good soft drink selection for the driver) will ensure an evening to remember. On my visit I enjoyed a spinach, squash and goat's cheese lasagne - a deliciously fresh-tasting use of seasonal, local produce - and a melt-in-the-mouth cheeseboard accompanied by a tart quince jelly. I can heartily recommend both. Although food is clearly the main event here, a decent selection of house and guest ales means its also worth just popping in for a drink, and with the pub's position just five minutes from the centre of Ilkley, a quaint, up-market spa town, and at the start of the Dales Way, there are plenty of opportunities to walk off any excesses.

Been to Ilkley quite a few time's and this was the second time we have been. The first time just…read morefor drinks but this time we had the bottomless brunch it was great. All the staff were really good and the food and drinks were great. All five of us have said we would return. Very enjoyable.

One drink just isn't enough. Right I had better book myself in to that AA meeting and I'm not…read moretalking car breakdowns here. Until then I'll sit in the Yard. What another cracking pub. Ilkley really is spoilt in this department but I do love it here. It's beautifully decked out with wood and leather and it feels like a nice space to wind away an hour or two with friends. Very relaxed and speedy service too. Once again all your grape needs will be met with some classy vinos and ale is never forgotten in these parts and the Yard is no exception. As for the food...Different class. Real pies, chunky sandwiches and fantastic gourmet burgers. You have to try the Portobello and goats cheese burger. Everyone needs one in their life. The deli board is also a terrific starter to share with the family bursting with olives, feta cheese and dips. I can think of many a Sunday afternoon I'd like to relax and unwind with a tasty glass of Chardonnay and excellent nibbles. Ilkley you've gone and done it again, top marks to you.

Piccolino's is one of the better Italian restaurant chains in the country (I'm thinking it…read moresurpasses Bella Italia for sure), and having tried the restaurants in Liverpool and Leeds city centre I decided to try Ilkley's own Piccolino. A relatively new edition to Ilkley's restaurant scene (it used to be a pub/bar/eatery called Johnson's) it is in a building which gives quality views over the moors - I know this from when it was Johnsons, unfortunately I couldn't get a seat by the window this time. And it was lunchtime! Yes, it was very busy at lunchtime, but that's because it's very, very good, especially if you regard Italian food in the same way I do - i.e., the best cuisine in the world. The pastas and more adventurous dishes all sounded great but knowing my Piccolino's, I went for a garlic bread pizza followed by another pizza (pollo) for my main. Their pizzas truly are some of the best you can get, and, other than Salvo's in Headingley, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather have on than at a Piccolino's. Little pricey though.

My stomach is talking to me again. It has had a firm old word and told me to sort it out with some…read moretreats of the highest order. Well when a stomach talks to you, you either have to check into those padded walled rooms or listen to it. I went for the latter and some cheese action at Piccolino. With my best fake (and rather foolish) Italian accent I head on down. I love this venue. Not too far from those beautiful rolling hills and famous moors, it's in Ikley and it is Italian food served the real way. We're talking woodstone ovens here. It's nice to start with some traditional antipasta and then I move on to the pizza baby. It's all about the pizza and for me the goats cheese one is out of this world. Great bit of cheese action if I say so myself. There are plenty of other options too from fish to meats and it's just how an Italian should be. Simple yet delicious. Try save some room for the array of sweet delights and I'm always partial to a nice coffee served with the hard stuff after. Good service, great venue and as to be expected cracking wine list. It's not cheap but it's not the worst either. Plenty to sing about here in a good Italian operatic tone (or lack of).

My friend and I decided to go to Ilkley one Sunday, as she had just passed her driving test and I…read morewas long overdue a good shop. We had intended to stay for lunch and it was getting to around that time, our tummies were certainly on the rumble, and so we decided to head back to Oakleys since we'd spotted it earlier. I can't tell you how glad I am we made this decision. I mean, there was Betty's but their queue was as long as my childhood, so we'd already decided not to bother there. Oakleys was different. Don't get me wrong, it was really buzzing for a Sunday in the arcade - almost everything else was shut. But, there was only a small queue and most of their patrons were of an elderly age, which meant the place was very civilised and peaceful. The decor was cosy, they had a very rustic vintage feel with some nice plants and cute little round tables. At the tills was a large deli counter, filled with the most delightful looking cakes ever. Had we not been stopping for a proper lunch I would have definitely gone with the lemon cheesecake. Then again I seem to remember coveting all their cakes and discussing that, if we had room, we could get one each and share so as to try two at once! This never happened in the end, but I am certain those cakes would have been to die for. Now for the food. What can I say? YUM! It was nothing too fancy, simplistic, but my it was effective. They had a specials board with the cooked meals, everything else was sandwich based, although we noted that it was more than likely they weren't specials in that each day they were something new - more that they were the hot meals, and that's why they were special. Crikey they were cheap too - nothing on the board was over £6! I had the lasagna and my friend had the salmon. Both of us had a bit of salad and chips to accompany our mains too. The chips were perfection, chunky, not too greasy and totally melty. Salad made me feel less guilty and the lasagna was perfect. Like a home cooked pub lasagna but a nicer price. It was utterly delicious and totally a delightful stop for lunch. Service was great too, friendly and polite. Highly recommend!

Visited this new restaurant for my father in law;s birthday. The food and service were both great…read more The decor is lovely and made the atmosphere for a great family meal. Will definitely be back soon.

called in for a drink to check it out but decided to have a meal when we were greeted so nicely. I…read morehad one of the best steaks ever, but the chips were to die for, they were freshly made but what I call 3 cooked, I honestly would go back just for a portion of chips!!!

If you like your dining mighty fine, then the Box Tree is the sort of place that will interest you…read more- voted the best place to eat in Yorkshire and previously an employer of Marco Pierre White, it is definitely more Michelin than McDonald's. In the affluent town of Ilkley, a place like this is not out of place - inside the beautiful old building is a simple but elegant decor and some highly professional and attentive service in a husband-wife run business. The food itself is imaginative without being ridiculous - think classic European with contemporary twists - think venison, veal, pigeon etc. If you prefer your traditional meats like me, they do a gorgeous cut of beef, which I had on my visit. Though the food was delightful, the prices were probably a little bit off - i.e. you pay slightly more than you should despite the quality of food. Luckily, when I went, my parents footed the bill but we all left feeling that it was slightly too expensive all round, meaning that it's probably best to go on rare special occasions.

We went to the Box Tree as a birthday treat for my Grandmother. From the moment of arriving we were…read moretreated with impeccable service which followed throughout the meal (and even after when my nan realised she had left her walking stick). The house is beautiful and super cosy on a cold winters day. We ate the set menu which was lovely but I was jealous of neighbouring diners who were eating the taster menu which looked fantastic. A great restaurant with possibly the best service ever.

Fab yoo luss dahling…read more Beef bourginon - best I've had outside of Paris. Delicious Pinot and a classy Chateau Neuf De Pape. Excellent staff and lovely interior. Just go there. You'll not be sorry.

The latest addition to the Ilkley eating scene. It would be rude not to try it. Part of the recent…read morerefurb of The Crescent there is a nice pub next door with some local real ales and a good selection of wines by the glass. Our table in the Bistrot was ready spot on 9.00pm despite it being a very busy Saturday evening. We did reject the first table on offer as it was right by the front entrance with lots of passing traffic. The table we were finally settled on was away from the main restaurant in a pokey corner - it seemed the locals/regulars had pre booked the best seats in the house. (Clearly they all read Michael Winner in the Times on a Sunday and follow his lead of selecting tables.....) Onto the food - quite a small menu and a bit dissapointing for vegetarians - if you are vegan don't even bother. I was tempted by the Baked Camembert which we all shared as a starter - make sure you order extra bread, the portion that comes with the cheese is no where near enough. Mains were Duck - devoured and thumbs up, Crayfish Risotto - another empty plate, Beouf Bourguignon - a huge thumbs down, very fatty - Goats Cheese Salad for the veggie - as nice as a Goats Cheese salad can be. Overall we had a pleasant evening out, good wine, good company, pleasant ambience - despite the corner setting of our table. I would say give it a go, just avoid the Beef.

Very impressed…read more We went last night after having various friends recommend the place. Can't fault it! Excellent food and drink. Reasonably priced. Very high standard of presentation throughout. Friendly and interested staff. Nice atmosphere and busy on a Saturday night (best to book) Honestly don't think it could have been any better. We will be going again.

Having passed this place many times, I called in for a meal last night…read more What a gem !. Ordered a pint of Taylors Best (Mary Jane and others also available). Was shown to a table, and ordered to start 'Confit duck and peanut spring rolls with a plum chutney' (£6.95) followed by one of their fish specials form the blackboard 'Salmon and Sea Bass fillets with asparagus and bearnaise sauce' (one of the more expensive options at £16.95). Waitress came with bread, two nice thick pieces of rustic bread, one white one brown, and both butter and the olive oil /balsamic vinegar. Whe the spring rolls came , there were four, rather over the top, as for a starter two would have been sufficient, and with a pile of crisp salad and the plum dressing as well. Delicious, I had no problem eating all four. The fish main was also a delight, two small fillets each of sea bass and salmon, with a couple of asparagus spears, and some bearnaise sauce in a pot. A side dish of carrots and broccoli also presented. Thoroughly enjoyable. Bill £26.95. It was as I was paying that I realised that the Wheatley was also residential. Readers of my reviews will know I stay in the area two nights nearly every week (Mainly at Chevin Country Park Hotel Otley, or Rombalds in Ilkley or occasionally Harrgate or Knaresborough, see my reviews of these hotels) However when I asked about room rates, £80 B & B for a single to me is too much for what is essentially a pub. (I pay £70 at the Chevin) I am sure the rooms will be clean and well appointed, but I would have expcted them to be maybe £60-65 for a single. I am awarding 5 stars for the meal, but I suspect that had I stayed there, maybe only 4 stars as a hotel because of the price. Within the last few weeks I now found and reviewed three pubs in the area with really good food., the other two being the The Black Horse at Askwith and the Fox at Menston. I now have a quandary which to go back to !

One of the best restaurants in Ilkley. it is always packed on a Friday and Saturday so book well in…read moreadvance. The food is excellent and is a must try. You won't of tasted anything like it. The food is fresh and flavours vibrant and exciting. The staff are very good too at looking after you and the head chef Loc is one of the best in the business. If you fancy something new and exciting to eat there is no better place to go. p.s. the chicken wings are AMAZING!!!

This was my first foray into Vietnamese food and to be honest i wasnt hopeful when i found out we…read morewere going for ethnic food in the middle class strong hold that is Ilkley. The name upon arrival was also i thought a really bad choice, the connotations of bistro is not one that is synonymous with any part of South East Asia. The atmosphere upon arrival was verging on hostile, the three people who worked there clearly had some issue with us, im not quite sure what, but they were lovely with the old middle class group just in front of us. We ordered spring rolls for starters, not my choice but they turned out to be really nice. I had never eaten them by wrapping a mint leaf then a lettuce leaf around it before dunking it into some dipping sauce; a nice touch i thought! However, one again the service from the three women was steely in its resolution and the wait for food was just far too long! Upon arrival we were given a few prawn crackers between five of us, for the amount of time we had to wait for our order to be taken let alone the food arrive, i would have have thought several more would have been in order. When the food eventually arrived we were asked if we knew how to eat the food, it was at this point she, the manager it would appear, noticed we had a South East Asian girl with us, and said 'ohh of course you know how to eat it'........................ Words literally escaped me! Christine is of Vietnamese descendants , but what an unholy assumption to make! The girls then asked for Sriracha, a standard Vietnamese sauce, which they had no clue what it was. And instead got really quite funny about them asking for it and interrupted the meal several times wanting the name of this illusive sauce. In the end they brought over chilli chopped and raw. The food i had i thought was utterly delicious, i order the green curry as my first baby step into Vietnamese food and was delighted! The girls who all ordered Pho, said it was okay but they had had better. The one saving grace in this place in the cook, without him this place would have closed long ago! It is fair to say though that the massive wait for food is directly due to the fact that he is the only chef. In summary food very good, service absolutely crap! The chef on his own would get 4-5 stars, the service 1, so it really depends how badly you wanted to be treated to get a reward. People with sub ordination fetish' s, i feel you might love the service!