Where to Eat and Drink in Ilkley
Ilkley boasts an impressive array of spots for those keen on exploring culinary delights, positioning it as a top pick for anyone with a penchant for good food and drink. For your guide to the prime locations catering to various tastes, consider the following recommendations:
Best Place for Breakfast
The Thirty-Nine Kitchen and Bakehouse (website) is a popular spot for a late breakfast, offering a range of pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and hot drinks after 09:30, Wednesday – Saturday (10:00 Sundays). Another great option is The Ilkley Cafe Company (website), which serves a range of breakfast dishes as well as artisanal coffee.
Best Place for Dinner
For a fine dining experience, The Box Tree (website) is a top choice, offering a range of high-quality dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients and served in a sophisticated setting. Another great option for dinner is the Ilkley Cow (website), a family friendly independent steakhouse.
There is a Pizza Express in Ilkley (website), but we would recommend instead heading to Emporio Italia (website), an independent restaurant and delicatessen that gets rave reviews for its authentic Italian dining experience.
Best Place for Tea/Coffee
Bettys is an iconic spot for tea and coffee and hugely popular as a result offering a delicious range of specialty drinks as well as pastries and light bites. While you’re enjoying delicious treats; it’s home to ‘La Chasse’, a masterpiece of marquetry from the renowned Spindler Studio in Alsace. This impressive work, the largest of its kind, captures a medieval hunt using only the natural hues of wood veneers.
The Little Teahouse (website) is another great option, serving a range of teas, coffees, and cakes in a cozy atmosphere. Advanced booking is recommended for this family-run tea room.
Best Place for Vegan/Vegetarian
If you’re on the hunt for vegan or vegetarian dining in Ilkley, your taste buds are in for a treat. The Veggie (website) on Leeds Road stands out as a sanctuary for vegan and vegetarian food lovers alike. Open from 11:00-15:30, Tuesday to Friday (09:30 – 15:30 Saturdays) this family run cafe offers a menu that creatively celebrates the bounty of the garden, every dish is a testament to how delicious plant-based eating can be.
Not far off, nestled in the heart of Burley in Wharfedale, Sachi’s (website) on Main Street is an Indian restaurant with a fine reputation for its vegan and vegetarian options. This spot merges traditional flavours with modern twists, ensuring a dining experience that’s as nourishing as it is mouth-watering.
Best Pub or Bar
With two breweries located in the town, fans of real ale are well served with two pubs serving their own excellent brews. We recommend a pint of Mary Jane at the Ilkley Brewery (website) or the Wharfedale Blonde at the Flying Duck (website), home of the Wharfedale Brewery. The Black Hat (website) is another popular pub, known for its cozy atmosphere and wide range of drinks.
Best Takeaway/Delivery
Ilkley’s delivery and takeaway scene is brimming with options that cater to every craving, but two spots stand out for us (delivery charges may apply.)
First up, The Courtyard (website) on Brook Street, a pizza bar, in the heart of town, offering stone-baked pizzas with both familiar and more unusual toppings; are you up for trying their ‘Love It Or Hate It’ pizza topped with Marmite, mushroom and truffle with mozzarella? They’re also rightly proud of their small plates and wings too.
Just a stone’s throw away, The Olive Branch (website) on Crescent Terrace specialises in Turkish cuisine. Their dishes bring the warmth of the sun to your table. Fresh ingredients, bold spices, and meticulous preparation ensure that every bite transports you to the shores of the Mediterranean, all from the comfort of your own home.
Where to Stay in Ilkley
Though most of the grand hotels from its glory days as a spa town and mecca for hydropathic treatments are now gone, Ilkley still has a range of accommodation options to suit every budget and preference. Here are a few suggestions for where to stay in the town:
Hotel
If you’re looking for a traditional hotel experience, The Craiglands Hotel (website) is a popular choice. Built in the edge of the moors in 1859 at the height of the hydrotherapy craze, The Craiglands was considered one of the most beautifully located hydropathic establishments in the country.
Just a short walk from the heart of the town, The Craiglands has recently undergone a significant transformation with a £2 million investment in its spa and fitness centre marking a return to its original role as a wellbeing destination.
The Innkeepers Lodge adjoining the Cow and Calf pub (website) is another hotel option with stunning view across the Wharfe valley and onto the famous moors.
The Ilkley Riverside Hotel (website) is situated adjacent to the picturesque Riverside Gardens.
Budget
There are no budget hotels in Ilkley.The nearest Travelodge hotels (website) are Keighley (5 miles) and Leeds Bradford Airport (8 miles). The closest Premier Inn hotels (website) are Bradford Central (12 miles) and Skipton North Gargrave (14 miles).
Pubs & Bed and Breakfast (B&B)
A number of pubs in Ilkley offer rooms including the Black Hat and The Wheatley Arms (website). For something different and a little fancy, the Gin Lounge (website) offers a small number of boutique chic rooms for adults only in the town centre.
Hostel/YHA
There are no hostels in Ilkley. The closest YHA hostels (website) are in Haworth (8 miles), Malham (17 miles) and Kettlewell (18 miles).
Air BnB and VRBO
If you’re looking for a more private and self-catered option, there are a number of rental properties available on platforms such as Air BnB and VRBO. These properties range from cozy apartments to spacious houses and offer a range of amenities and features.
Campsites and Caravan Parks
A stone’s throw from Ilkley, in the quaint village of Menston, stands Clarion Lodge (website), a site with a rich history dating back to the early 1900s, originally established by the Clarion Cycling Club. This former youth hostel has been transformed with care into a charming 13-bed holiday cottage and campsite. For those who fancy a bit of glamping, it offers three cosy, heated pods that welcome guests throughout the year.
On the other side of Ilkley in Bolton Abbey, there are two splendid options. Catgill Campsite (website) offers a unique glamping experience with its timber pods, bell tents, and the luxury of private hot tubs, not to mention it’s a haven for dog owners. For those who prefer the traditional camping style, grass pitches with electric hook-up are available. An added delight is the morning coffee shop, where you can savour fresh coffee and pastries to start your day right.
Then there’s Howgill Lodge (website) , offering timber lodges complete with their own hot tubs for a touch of indulgence. Whether you’re pitching a tent on their grassy expanses or parking up a caravan, camper van, or motorhome on a hard standing, you’ll find a spot to suit. The resident family of friendly alpacas adds a unique charm to your stay. For those morning caffeine fixes, a small shop on-site serves up coffee to kickstart your adventures.
Overall, Ilkley has a range of accommodation options to suit every budget and preference. Whether you’re looking for a luxury hotel, a cosy room above a pub, or a private rental property, there is something for everyone.
Discover More About Ilkley
Discover more about this charming town by exploring our comprehensive guides on “Ilkley Facts and History” and “Things To Do in Ilkley.” Dive deeper into Ilkley’s offerings and plan your unforgettable visit.
Ilkley – Facts and History – Back To Top
Ilkley – Top Attractions and Activities
Ilkley – Accommodation and Food and Drink