Gastro Pubs in Yorkshire - my personal top ten

Well here is is folks, the list of my favourite Gastro Pubs in Yorkshire - or maybe that's gastropubs, I'm not really sure which is correct. If you've read the rest of the site you may know that I much prefer honest plain cooked pub food, but once in a while you have to push the boat out, so here's my gastropub list. Some are well known, some are virtually unknown, but all have pleased me immensely. I'm conscious that there's very few in South Yorkshire, so if anyone knows of any good ones, let me know and I'll check them out. Likewise, if you have any comments, just fill in the comments form at the bottom of the page.

1. The Nags Head at Pickhill

This is a real gem, hidden away at Pickhill a few miles from Thirsk, it serves amazing pub food, beautifully kept beer and has good accommodation. Ring or checkout the website for details of special offers, bargain breaks and the like. The food is not cheap, but it's exquisite. The dining room is rustic and charming, or you can eat in either bar if you prefer. On a weekend, booking is essential. This place was responsible for the finest meal I have eaten this millennium and at the moment is comfortably top.

2. The Abbey Inn (Byland)

Located opposite Byland Abbey near Ampleforth. This gastropub is unique in being the only inn owned by English Heritage. Serves quite traditional food done in the Gastro Pub style - local fresh ingredients plainly cooked. The food is fairly priced, while the accommodation is both stunning and stunningly expensive to boot.

I haven't been since it was taken over, so it's here on its historic reputation alone.

3. The Angel, Hetton

Often quoted as Yorkshire's best gastro pub, it's certainly well up there. Located halfway between Skipton and Grassington it's a bit tucked away but well worth seeking out. I like the way they seem to care about the vegetarian dishes which so many places don't. If you aren't after a formal meal the brasserie has an extensive top-notch menu and is very reasonably priced.

4. The Star at Harome

In 2006 it won Egon Ronay Gastropub of the year, a michelin star, Northern Chef of the Year and a "Taste of Yorkshire" award. Who could want for more. As the awards suggest it's excellent, not cheap, and I thought just a little too formal for a gastropub. Rather limited vegetarian choice as well. Follows the usual formula of top quality local ingredients cooked to perfection. Located near Helmsley which is a great place to spend a weekend.

5. The White Swan at Aberford

An old coaching inn near the A1 between Leeds and York. Not exactly a gastropub and Egon Ronay would probably have a heart attack at the mere thought of it. This place is famed for the huge menu and the massive portions. The menu covers just about every national cuisine you can imagine, so how the kitchen staff cope is a mystery to me. As I said, the portions are obscenely large; if you order a curry it'll probably come with rice and chips and poppadoms. There's no booking and the place is big, but even so it gets very full very quickly. Prices are cheap and the veg is always uninspiring

6. The West Riding, Dewsbury

There had to be something good about Dewsbury, and here it is. The West Riding is unique. It's a converted waiting room on Platform 2 of the railway station and they serve what they want when they want. Food is available Monday to Friday lunchtime 12 to 3, and it's rustic and delicious. On an evening there might be nothing or it might be a pie night or a curry night. Cheap as chips and the beer is superb. And best of all, there's no excuse not to drive.

7. The General Tarleton at Ferrensby

Top of the range gastropub near Knaresborough. The chef was for many years at the Angel at Hetton and is supremely talented. Have to say I found the place overformal and vegetarian choice was very limited. They're good, they know it and have the attitude and the prices to go with it. Some folk like that, I didn't. Uniquely you can book online. I do like to see a nice use of technology, so when are we going to see the first chefcam! But then, if they were being watched how would chefs' test if the oil in the deep fat fryer was hot enough?

8. The Rose & Crown, Sutton-on-the-Forest

Located a few miles North of York on the B1363, this gastropub has had a great reputation for many years. It's not aiming for the very top end of the market, so prices are reasonable for really good food. In good weather there's a really nice garden to sit out in. Ideal for a family meal.

9. The Blue Lion at East Witton

Located in the heart of Wensleydale near Castle Bolton and Middleham, this is just totally atmospheric, and for a romantic meal takes quite some beating. The food is refined without being pretentious and matches the atmosphere beautifully. I'd combine it with a stay in Middleham in a room overlooking the square where you're woken by the clatter of hooves on cobbles as strings of racehorses are taken up to the gallops on the moors.

10. The Yorke Arms, Ramsgill

Tucked away in Nidderdale, the Yorke Arms is in the most stunningly beautiful location in the little village of Ramsgill. It's absolutely top-notch dining, and while it's not really a gastropub at all, it's included here because it looks like one and it has a pub name. Confusing or what. It has a michelin star and the food is exactly what you'd expect; refined, innovative and priced to match. A classy joint as evidenced by the Jags, Mercs and chelsea tractors that are normally parked outside.