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Best restaurants in Ilkley

As famous for its tree-lined streets as its atmospheric moors, Ilkley is a pretty spa town in West Yorkshire that attracts hordes of visitors throughout the year. This influx of out-of-towners coupled with the demands of the well-heeled locals has resulted in a whole host of great restaurants in a relatively small space.

Updated on 16 December 2019

If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Ilkley, look no further - we’ve gathered the tastiest places for fancy dinners, casual lunches and brilliant breakfasts in a handy list.

Most often visited for walking and cycling through the Ilkley moor, those in search of global cuisines might have overlooked this picturesque town in the past. However, as it has grown in popularity over the past couple of decades, the restaurants in Ilkley have matched this growth. With something to satisfy every craving, Ilkley’s dynamic culinary scene now boasts Vietnamese, American, Italian and Spanish restaurants amongst others.

Despite the exciting international eateries that are available nowadays in Ilkley, you might in fact be looking for something traditional, a taste of classic English cooking. Happily, this can also be found in this Leeds commuter town, in the form of traditional bakeries, which offer everything from pikelets (somewhere between a Scotch pancake and a crumpet) to Fat Rascals (an old-fashioned fruit scone).

For special occasions Ilkley’s best restaurants also deliver. As you might expect in this part of Yorkshire, Ilkley is full of great pubs and gastropubs, which offer traditional British comfort food, often made using local, seasonal ingredients.

Whatever it is you’re looking for, we’re confident the best restaurants in Ilkley will be able to provide. Each review below clicks through to a full listing which includes pictures, prices and our critics’ professional opinions, as well as readers’ feedback.

The Olive Branch

The Olive Branch

1 Crescent Terrace, Ilkley , LS29 8DE

Warm interiors set the scene for relaxed family dining at The Olive Branch. Friendly staff will help you choose plates of hot and cold mezze as well as larger grills, kebabs and traditional pide-like pizzas.
Under £30
Turkish
The Cow & Calf

The Cow & Calf

Hangingstone Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 8BT

This rustic pub might not win any awards for its straightforward fare, but its close proximity to the moors and The Cow and Calf rocks makes it an ideal place to recuperate after sight-seeing.
Under £30
Pubs
British
The Wheatley Arms

The Wheatley Arms

Wheatley Lane, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 8PP

The Wheatley serves up good home-cooked pub grub with special events running regularly. Get a free meal with your pub quiz entry on a Sunday or tuck into £5 fish and chips during Tuesday lunch times.
Under £30
Pubs
British
Piccolino - Ilkley

Piccolino - Ilkley

31 & 33 Brook Street, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 8AE

This buzzy Italian restaurant is part of a popular local mini chain. Book a table to enjoy generous plates of homemade pizza, pasta, seafood and steaks – and don’t miss a drink on the rooftop terrace.
£30 - £49
Italian
Le Bistrot Pierre Ilkley

Le Bistrot Pierre Ilkley

The Crescent Brook Street , Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 8DG

There’s something immediately charming about the Parisian interiors of Bistrot Pierre, which are tied together with traditional bentwood chairs. Starters might bring French onion soup while mains could include a riff on Boeuf bourguignon.
Under £30
French
Bistro
Quinta Restaurant

Quinta Restaurant

Quinta Restaurant 10 Wells Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 9JD

With a menu inspired by French, Spanish and Italian Flavours, Quinta Bar and Grill presents a well-rounded Mediterranean offering. Mains bring butternut and sage risotto with truffle, while puddings sees a quad of chocolate classics.
£30 - £49
Mediterranean
Betty’s Ilkley

Betty’s Ilkley

32 The Grove, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 9EE

Not strictly a restaurant, we still think Betty’s deserves a spot on the list. This charming old-fashioned tea shop serves up beautiful bakes, a traditional afternoon tea and a menu crammed with classic main dishes.
Under £30
British
Afternoon tea
The Ilkley Cow

The Ilkley Cow

1-2 New Brook Street, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 8DQ

Formerly The Moody Cow, this rebranded Ilkley restaurant serves up a hearty steakhouse menu. Pick between things like burgers or brisket or go all in on steak which comes with mushrooms, tomatoes and rustic chips.
£30 - £49
Steak
Burgers
The Vine Ilkley

The Vine Ilkley

7 The Grove Promenade, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 8AF

The duo of chefs behind The Vine worked at Carluccio’s and Jamie’s Italian before moving north to open their own venture. Expect rich seafood risottos, punchy garlic and mushroom pastas and a solid pizza selection.
Under £30
Italian
Friends of Ham Ilkley

Friends of Ham Ilkley

8 Wells Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 9JD

Friends of ham serve up a winning combination of carefully chosen wines and beers alongside a stellar line-up of charcuterie. For those not in the mood to share there is also a selection of mains.
£30 - £49
Tapas
Wine Bars
The Box Tree

The Box Tree

35-37 Church Street, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 9DR

For special occasions there’s nowhere better in Ilkley than the Box Tree. This experience comes with all the trappings of fine dining and you’ll be treated to carefully crafted tasting menus of local, seasonal produce.
Over £80
French

Looking for something a little more cosmopolitan after staying in this quaint countryside town? Venture out and check out our round up of the best restaurants in Leeds, and the best restaurants in Sheffield for a more buzzy evening out.

If you're travelling up to Ilkley from the south, why not break up the journey and hit up some of the best restaurants in the UK on your way for an extra special treat? You could even continue the journey north and visit one or two of our top restaurants in Edinburgh, where you'll find an outstanding variety of cuisine in one of the UK's best food cities.

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