If, like me, you like to seek out hidden gems when visiting new places, Dyls should be at the top of your to-visit list in York.
This café and bar is situated within a highly unusual Motor House on Skeldergate Bridge almost on top of the River Ouse and within view of nearby Clifford’s Tower.
I must have walked past it hundreds of times over the years, but I’d foolishly not visited it. What an error that was!
They pride themselves on sourcing local produce and among my favourites are Haxby Bakehouse, Johnsons farm eggs, M&K Butchers, Staal Smokehouse, York Emporium and that delicious ice cream from Yorvale at Acaster Malbis.
In addition to a superb choice of cold drinks, there is bar crammed with artisan gins and bespoke cocktails on offer.
It was a soup (coconutty red lentil and sweet potato) day when I visited recently, but they also offer more ‘lunchy’ type fair, so it’s a great place to go for brunch.
There are several little cosy and hidden rooms to settle into, plus spiral staircases with access from the bridge or river side for day or evening enjoyment and outside overlooking the river is a stunning sun trap.
It’s on the route for when you walk around York’s city walls, so I recommend you have that fuel stop just here, Dyls!