Pretty as a picture and known far and wide as the food capital of Yorkshire, there are countless reasons why Malton is such a popular holiday destination. The shops in the town offer a giddy mix of retail therapy and artisanal food shops full to the rafters of Made in Malton delights – giving you plenty of opportunities to shop till you drop (into a cosy café).
Situated on the boundary between the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire, Malton enjoys incredible views in every direction and proudly holds the gateway to Yorkshire’s beautiful coastline. With the North York Moors and the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on your doorstep, you’ll be spoilt for choice on how to spend your days in Malton before retiring to your cosy Yorkshire holiday cottage.
With a title like ‘Yorkshire’s Food Capital’, it almost goes without saying that you’re in for quite the foodie treat when staying in Malton. Across the town, you’ll find a real passion for artisan producers, so whether you’re picking up a fresh loaf of bread from a farm shop or sitting down to a slap-up meal, you can be sure of locally sourced ingredients with a farm-to-fork focus.
Feeling hungry? Excellent! Here are some of the best places to eat in Malton to add to your mouth-watering holiday itinerary.
Chapter Two Bar
5 Market Place, Malton YO17 7LP
Priding itself as the ‘social local’, Chapter Two Bar is the place to be, whether you’re catching up with friends or looking to reign supreme at quiz night. Alongside a dizzying array of fabulous cocktails and spirits, Chapter Two also serves up tasty light lunches, with toasties and sandwiches providing the perfect pick-me-up during your visit. They also whip up a mega Sunday lunch, where roast Yorkshire beef and steamed treacle sponge wait to round your week off nicely. Pull on your dancing shoes and visit for some live music or simply relax into the buzzing atmosphere with a cocktail in your hand – either way, your next chapter is sure to be a memorable one!
The Purple Carrot
10 Market Street, Malton YO17 7LY
Specialising in vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free food, this coffee shop turned deli is a veg-tastic spot to grab something hearty and wonderfully delicious. Build yourself the ultimate picnic full of samosas, tarts, and quiche, or sit down to a soul-warming selection of supreme burritos, aloo saag bhajis, and super sandwiches before finishing it all off with a piece of cake. You’ll also find an ever-changing range of specials, which will keep you coming back time after time – after all, you don’t want to miss anything! Take a look at their social media to see what’s in store during your visit.
The Pantry
12-14 Market Street, Malton YO17 7LY
The Pantry is a Yorkshire institution that boasts beautiful breakfasts and incredible cakes from YO Bakehouse. You can head over first thing and feast on the likes of loaded sourdough crumpets with avocado, poached egg, bacon jam and chilli flakes or a fabulously crumbly breakfast pastry (because when in Malton), or you can stop by anytime for a piece of the sweet stuff, from rich brownies and millionaires shortbread to a Yorkshire curd tartlet – all washed down with a pot of Yorkshire tea.
The Deli of Malton
16 Market Place, Malton YO17 7LX
Oh, how we love a deli. You just can’t beat the giddy mix of fresh local produce and bottled delights (whether it’s fine wine or tempting sauces), especially when filling up the cupboards for your special stay. The Deli of Malton is chock-a-block with artisanal cheeses, both local and continental, alongside all the deli meats and antipasti your Malton-made lunch could wish for. We recommend stopping by on your way to a heart-pumping walk in North Yorkshire – it’s the ultimate fuel for your ramble across the wild moors and undulating countryside.
Patisserie Malton
14 Saville Street, Malton YO17 7LL
If you’re a fan of afternoon teas, the indulgent Patisserie Malton certainly delivers with their much-loved specialty. They also boast a moreish menu that can be enjoyed inside the cosy patisserie or as a takeaway, giving you total freedom as to when and where you chow down on your pastries, paninis, and more. If you’re eating in, you can even settle down for a mega start to your day, whether you’re in the mood for a bacon sarnie or a big breakfast stack, which fills your sandwich with all the morning favourites.
The Royal Oak
47 Town Street, Old Malton, Malton YO17 7HB
While delis set you up for your epic walk in Yorkshire, a country pub is there for you when you finish, promising comfy chairs, roaring fires, and a hearty range of pub grub and real ales. And nowhere is this more true than The Royal Oak, where charming beams and smiling faces await. Inside, you’ll find a very welcoming snug where you and the dog can kick back after a satisfying jaunt, as well as a large dining area with views over the lovely garden. All your favourite pub staples can be found on the menu, including top-notch burgers and Whitby scampi, alongside some more unique dishes such as the mouth-watering Bunny Chow, a South African dish that serves up delicious Cape Malay curry in a hollowed-out soup roll – we love a bowl we can eat!
Florios Pizzeria Ristorante
11 Yorkersgate, Malton YO17 7AA
Serving up delicious pizzas since 1984, Florios is a delicious blend of Malton foodie excellence and authentic Italian cuisine – what a combination! The menu is an absolute powerhouse of Italian dishes, including pasta, pizza, and antipasti, ensuring there’s something for every taste. There’s even a bambino menu for the little ones. In the mood for something off the grill? Steaks, marinated lamb, and Sardinian sausages are sure to get your mouth watering, especially when paired with one of their exceptional sauces.
El Gringos
5 Saville Street, Malton YO17 7LL
Looking for a bit of flavour from across the pond? El Gringos is serving up bright and beautiful Mexican, Tex-Mex, Cajun, Creole, and Caribbean dishes that can’t help but put a smile on your face. Rich and oh-so comforting flavours await, whether you’re popping in for a quick and easy hot dog from the express menu or a quesadilla to beat all quesadillas, featuring chicken, beef, pulled pork, or veg. If you’re in need of a proper feed, opt for the Belly Buster (for two) and feast your eyes and stomach on BBQ ribs, chicken, chicken wings, minced steak, spicy wedges, onion rings, corn on the cob, and coleslaw.
La Trattoria
51 Wheelgate, Malton YO17 7HT
Whether you’re in the mood for Venetian tapas or a loaf of Italian bread to takeaway, La Trattoria is a true taste of the continent found right in the heart of Malton. Boasting a bistro, pizzeria, and cocktail bar all rolled into one, you have every excuse to stop by whatever the occasion. Sit down to a slap-up Italian feast full of the finest local produce, share a bottle of wine with friends, and totally immerse yourself in the laid-back vibes of Italy. You can even pop in for a true Italian coffee as you watch the world go by outside – the best way to ease into your holiday.
Malton Monthly Food Market
Market Place Malton, YO17 7LW
For the ultimate Malton foodie experience, head on down to the Malton Monthly Food Market (every second Saturday of the month, 9am - 3pm), where stalls upon stalls of locally made, artisanal foods await, including ready-to-eat street food and fresh-from-the-ground ingredients. If you time your visit right, you can also attend the Malton Food Lovers Festival, the ultimate foodie festival that’s got everything you need from chef demos to tantalising stalls full of epic foods.
Ready to taste your way around the food capital of Yorkshire? Explore our lovely collection of holiday cottages in Malton and Yorkshire and discover for yourself why this town has earned itself top spot on Yorkshire’s foodie to-do list.
