Cafe No 8 Bistro

foodlovingbabe

good place 31st May 2009

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i have eaten in nearly every restaurant in york and i have found this to be the best place to eat if you want the food to be at a great standard everytime you eat. i hate it when you go somewhere really nice, then the next time you go its not as good. if i want to go for a meal that i know is nice, then i always go here.
they could do with changing the menu more often because it can be a bit samey but overall its a really good place to try, if youve not been before.

stevejack2000

You'd be mad to miss out 29th May 2009

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If you don't like this place, my suggestion is to get yourself a 'check-up from the neck up', as a friend of mine would say. For me, it represents everything that is good about eating and relaxing. It's also an any-time-of-day kind of place, so - once you know it's there - you just have to wait for that 'Cafe No.8 urge' to descend upon you (it will) and, provided you're in the vicinity, you can try your luck and see if they've got a table.

There aren't many of them, mind you (tables, that is). I'd say about seven inside and a similar number arrayed around the delightfully overgrown back garden which lies within spitting distance of York's medieval walls. (Not that you're likely to get spat on here, given the largely genteel nature of the city.)

What the place lacks in size it more than makes up for in quality and atmosphere. While the kitchen itself is hardly large enough to swing a Spanish chorizo, its staff work diligently within its cramped confines to turn out food of consistently mouthwatering quality. Whether you stop by for a quick Masham sausage doorstop sandwich while reading the morning paper, or indulge in a full-blown meal, you're unlikely to leave disappointed.

If more fortification is required from your breakfast (perhaps before tackling a circuit of the ancient walls or hitting York's uniquely varied shopping scene), then go for the Full English, complete with Doreen's black pudding and creamy scrambled eggs. If you've already seen the sights and marvelled at the breathtaking Minster (conveniently situated just around the corner), then this is the place to seek out for a spot of well-earned R'n'R (those time-worn flagstones and cobbles can be hard on the feet, after all!). The daytime menu is served throughout the afternoon and features a tempting array of sandwiches, salads, risottos, bruschette and home-made burgers, as well as a choice of meat or fish dishes - the cod fishcakes with roast cherry tomatoes and smoked red wine, chorizo & butter bean sauce looked particularly tempting.

Most recently, I took advantage of the 'lunch deal' (any two courses for £11.95, Monday to Friday), taking the chance to relax in the peaceful surrounds of the garden while soaking up the unexpectedly warm springtime sunshine. This proved to be time extremely well spent. To start, the Cafe No.8 deli plate (char grilled artichokes; sun blush tomatoes; olives; fresh anchovies; goats cheese and tomato pate; creamy hummus and toasted bread) made my good mood even better. In spite of the warm weather, I talked myself out of the goats cheese salad, feeling unable to resist the char grilled rump steak with chunky chips, slow roast tomatoes and Madeira sauce. I didn't regret it. The steak was as succulent and as tasty as any I can remember (cooked just to the point of bloodiness - 'a point', as the French would describe it). The hand-cut chips, meanwhile, were a thick cut above anything you would get in the best of Parisian bistrots or brasseries. The Madeira sauce and tiny shallots just brought all the flavours together beautifully, as did my large glass of very acceptable Chilean Merlot.

And that, I'm afraid, was me done. The raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake was, on this occasion, surplus to requirements. As was the banoffee pie and the rhubarb & custard pavlova. A small tip: if you really want to enjoy the cakes here, then pop in during the late afternoon so as not to be distracted by the rest of the menu.

The only drawback this place has is one of its most charming features - its diminutive size. So if you want to bag one of those seven tables in the evening, be sure to call ahead. The service, as you would expect from such a place, is courteous, friendly and informal. They didn't bother bringing my bill out to me after my meal, leaving me to enjoy my book and the birdsong in the garden. Now that's the kind of civilised, European attitude that we should see more of in this country.

foodlovingbabe at 05/06/09

this is not a real review. its very badly covered up that it is in fact the owner that is writing all this! seems like more of a selling story that a good honest opinion!

stevejack2000 at 06/06/09

Rubbish - it was written by me and i'm a customer. I can't afford to go very often (at least not for a full meal) but, when I do, it's my favourite place to eat. I've lived in York for 8 years, and - although there's a lot of choice, there's hardly anywhere I like tot o go back to regularly apart from here (and le Langhe on Peaseholme Green). I don't know anyone who works at Cafe no.8... although I DO think they seem like nice and unassuming people, and the LAST thing they's do is try to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. Why don't you go and try it for yourself instead of throwing false accusations around on the web? An apology would be nice too.
Steve J - Vyner Street

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DrewJardine

The best place to eat in York 19th December 2008

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It really is rather unusual these days to first of all find a truly independent eatery within a city centre, and secondly find any establishment which genuinely exceeds expectations each and every time you visit.

I generally find that when eating out you would ideally like three things from the breakfast/lunch/dinner provided,

1. Food which you believe you wouldn't be able to cook at home
2. A good environment
3. Friendly service

Cafe No. 8 really does tick all the boxes. There are few restaurants in York that could match the quality of ingredients or the skill with which to cook it.

zedowie

Great for Sundays 10th September 2008

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Went to Cafe No 8 on Sunday. The menu offers Sunday Brunch options such as full english breakfast, bacon or sausage sandwiches, toast or traditional roast sunday lunch or bistro style dishes such as meatball tagine, salmon steak. Our delicious lunch started with pea & watercress soup/ black pudding with apple, main courses of roast fillet of lamb and roast beef and yorkshire pud then lemon posset with vanilla ice cream. The quality of the ingredients is exceptional and they are treated with a lot of skill. We have eaten here several times and the food is always of a very high standard. Service is friendly and efficient. The restaurant is small, but has a very nice garden at the rear where you can also eat.

saffire

One of the best places in York! 2nd September 2008

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Cafe no.08 is a tiny little place, with barely a handful of tables and a very pretty little garden. It is very easy to miss from the outside, but you juat have to try it!

I have been here far too many times to count, and have not yet been disappointed. They serve a great brunch/lunch menu, the breakfast is tasty and the soups and sandwiches are fantastic! The portions are very filling, much more than you would expect.

The evening menu, served from 6pm, is very impressive. There are just a few carefully chosen dishes to pick from, but they are all so good you wont know which one to pick!

The garden is lovely, so sit out there if you can! It is also fun for a coffee and some dessert.

oogywawa

A Tardis of delights 30th April 2008

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Unassuming is how you would describe this place: both in attitude and appearance. The outside of this increasingly popular little culinary star gives little hint of the wonderful assualt on the senses it delivers inside...and out the back with the lovely garden.

There is a vibrancy and colour to the cooking and presentation that uses as much fresh local produce as possible such as the Yorkshire reared pork and home smoked salmon. It's terrific value as well and the cheerful staff keep you coming back for more.

I don't know whether it's deliberate to keep away the hordes but their website doesn't exactly trumpet their reputation from the rooftops - not telling people that they were featured in the national "Observer Food Monthly 2008" awards (again as in 2007) as highly recommended...

Four stars might seem a bit tight - but with J Bakers on 5 stars this is still a hair's breadth below that experience...

Drinksinyork

Awesome 19th April 2008

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Amazing place but don't tell the tourists!!

hsh

comfort food 4th April 2007

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This has to be one of the best places to eat in York. The food is fresh and as local as possible. The range of food changes on a regular basis with a good daily specials board. In the summer the outdoor area is a hidden haven.

satsu

Superb food in York 18th March 2007

2 found this helpful

Hidden slightly off the main tourist track is one of the best places to eat in York. Sit inside and enjoy the bustle of the world going by on Gillygate or, if the weather permits, enjoy the quiet garden next to the city walls.

A wide range of lighter meals for breakfast and lunch with full meals served from 6pm. Food is interesting and varied - see the menu at www.cafe8.co.uk.

The atmosphere is relaxed and informal. The service is excellent - the staff are always happy to flex the menu to meet your needs.