A vegan in 'Old' York
I have wanted to visit York for some time, and it finally happened recently. I stayed in York for four nights, and I absolutely loved it!
We did things at a relaxed pace, and we fitted in some activities whilst making sure we had the flexibility to be spontaneous. I think that four nights was just right!
So, let me tell you about the trip…
Day 1
We got there in the early evening, so we checked in, went for a walk around the town and then had dinner at The Orchid.
The Orchid is a fully vegan restaurant. It is open between 6 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. on most days. It’s closed on Tuesday, and it’s open until 10 p.m. on Saturdays. The restaurant is spacious and has a lovely vibe to it.
I’m going to say something contradictory…it’s worth booking to ensure you get a table, but it’s also worth popping in, on the off chance, that they’ve had a cancellation.
What we ordered:
Salt and Pepper Vegan King Prawn
Aromatic Shredded Vegan Duck
Vegan Chicken Curry
Steamed Rice
Vegan Chocolate Cake
We wanted to return for another meal but didn’t manage it.
Day 2
We walked around the city centre and had brunch at Goji, which was awesome!
Homity Pie Leek, potato and smoked apple wood cheese pie served with our in house coleslaw and our spiced apple and ginger chutney
Vegan Mushroom Burger Large portabella mushroom topped with smoked tofu, almond pesto, salad, mayo, ketchup & sweet potato wedges
Lemon & Blueberry cream Cake with whipped oat cream
After our meal, we sat on the steps of the Cathedral and listened to someone sing. His voice was wonderful, the songs that he sang were familiar, and the vibe was awesome! People weren’t clapping, but they were focused, listening, and so appreciative.
In the evening, we popped down to Mickelgate Social and had a sausage and hash toastie. The portion was generous! Mickelgate Social is a lovely place with a good vibe and lovely staff!
After that, we drove into the centre and went to a pub called The Hole in the Wall. We listened to someone sing whilst playing an acoustic guitar. It was easy listening and it was just what we needed before calling it a night! We had the most delicious non-alcoholic cider while we were there! It was called Berries & cherries Alcohol Free Fruit Cider and it’s made by Old Mout.
Day 3
We joined a free walking tour with White Rose York Tours. It was awesome! We were lucky enough to have the owner of the company showing us around York. He made it interesting, interactive and the pace was great!
After that, we had lunch at Wildwood Pizza, Pasta & Grill. The restaurant had a nice feel to it, the staff were friendly and they were conscientious. We ordered chips and they baked them in the oven because if they fried them, they wouldn’t be vegan. Isn’t that awesome?
Here’s what we ordered:
Mozzarella and caramelised onion garlic bread
Fries
Rosemary garlic bread
Spaghetti aglio e olio
Vegan lasagne
We went for a walk by the canal and stopped to enjoy a Biscoff hot chocolate at Brew And Brownie. The café was cosy and mellow. A nice place to stop and appreciate the day.
Finally, we went on a ghost walking tour.. I’ve never been on a walking tour like this before. It was definitely interesting! It was in the evening, so as the walk progressed, it got dark and cold! The tour guide was dressed in thematic clothing, and the way he spoke captivated us, and scared some of us too!
After the walk we wanted to warm up and have a drink so we popped into a Wetherspoons and had a coffee. Much to my surprise, I discovered that they offer refillable hot drinks for less than £2!
Day 4
The day began with a vegan breakfast at Partisan.
After that, we went for a walk to experience the City Walls, and it was gorgeous! The view, the height, the quiet…it was really nice!
After that, we walked along the river, and before I saw the cafe, my eyes landed on its menu, and they honed in on the hot chocolate, which sounded divine! Sophie’s is set into the stone rampart of a bridge, which makes it a wonderful sight! We enjoyed the hot chocolate outside. Everything was perfect! The view, the ambience, and the weather.
We walked around the town some more and made our way to a place called Spark, which houses Junk Soul. Here, we ordered the Loaded Curry Wurst Fries and the Kimchi Tofu Burger.
Day 5
I asked a few people for recommendations, and several people told me to go to Tea By The Lock, in Naburn, which is a short drive from York. It’s a quaint place, on the banks of a canal. It’s tranquil and scenic.
This is what we ordered:
‘Cheese’ Scone
Savoury and ‘Sausage’ Rolls
‘Egg’ Mayonnaise Sandwich
Fruit Scone
Hot Chocolate
It was truly satisfying!
We stopped off at Lincoln when we were on the way back to London, and I’m so glad that we did! We walked around the town and happened to get lucky enough to go inside the Cathedral, even though it was supposed to be closed. It was absolutely stunning, and I’d thoroughly recommend going inside and spending a bit of time taking it in.
After we left, we happened to meet someone who’s a tour guide for people who are visiting the Cathedral. We had a natter about the history of the Cathedrals in Lincoln, York and London. It was fascinating to learn about the motive behind building them, the time that it took and the reputation that they earned.
The trip ended with a meal at Slow Rise, which was absolutely amazing! What’s special about Slow Rise? It’s a fully vegetarian pizza restaurant, and they have lots and lots of vegan options.
I’d love to hear about any trips you’ve made recently.
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“Vegan travel is about experiencing the world through a lens of compassion. It turns every meal into a cultural discovery and every destination into an opportunity to tread lightly, proving that ethical choices can—and should—go with you wherever you roam. ”