Where to go for lunch in Harrogate.
Harrogate doesn’t shout about its food scene enough, but it really ought to. Our elegant North Yorkshire town has quietly built a reputation for serving up some of the best lunches in the region. Whether you’re in the mood for a plate of something comforting and familiar or looking to explore flavours from further afield, there’s a spot here that fits the bill. These aren’t just restaurants, they’re places with personality, doing what they do well. Here are a few of the best for our Copthall Bridge members to explore…
FIFTY-TWO at Rudding Park
Set on the edge of town at Rudding Park, FIFTY-TWO is not your average countryside restaurant. Housed in converted shipping containers with views of the kitchen garden, it’s part of a wider push by the hotel to take food seriously. The menu leans into seasonality with quiet confidence, and there’s even a feature called ‘Dessert Islands Discs’, which lets you pick the soundtrack to your pudding. It sounds gimmicky, but it works. The food does all the real talking.
Three’s A Crowd
This smart gastropub overlooks the Stray and doesn’t mess about when it comes to flavour. British dishes are treated with just enough modern flair to make them interesting without being fussy. The menu changes often to reflect what’s in season, and the wine list includes a few unexpected gems. It’s hugely popular at lunch, especially at weekends, so booking ahead is advisable.
Paradise Café
Tucked behind a garden centre, Paradise Café has a big terrace with views over a small lake, and the space has a laid-back charm that suits its no-nonsense menu. Expect generous salads, sandwiches that don’t skimp on filling, and occasional specials that make good use of what’s fresh. It’s a solid choice for a casual, unhurried lunch.
The West Park Hotel
A former coach house turned boutique hotel, The West Park sits comfortably between brasserie and pub, depending on what you’re after. The lunch menu includes both lighter bites and more substantial dishes, all built around ingredients sourced as close to home as possible. It’s smart without being stiff, and you’ll find both regulars and out-of-towners settling in for a relaxed meal.
The Harrogate Inn
Right in the centre of town, The Harrogate Inn has had something of a glow-up in recent years. It’s still a pub at heart, but the food has stepped up a gear. Expect well-executed classics, think fish and chips, pies, and Sunday roasts, with no corners cut. The kitchen knows its audience, and there’s a real effort to make things from scratch. It’s a safe bet, in the best possible way.
Stuzzi
You’ll find Stuzzi on King’s Road, and if you’re in the mood for Italian, it’s where you should go. The cooking here has real swagger: dishes are bold, flavours are full-on, and there’s no mistaking the kitchen’s confidence. The Porchetta panini is as rich and indulgent as it sounds, and the arancini are small golden miracles. The sage tagliatelle with slow-cooked mutton ragu is worth crossing town for.
La Feria
La Feria, on Cold Bath Road, offers something different. It’s not trying to replicate a generic tapas bar, it’s aiming squarely at the food you’d actually find in a decent Andalusian joint. There’s rotisserie chicken seasoned just right, prawns swimming in garlic and chilli oil, and croquettes that crackle lightly before giving way to soft, savoury filling. The atmosphere is buzzy, the tables are close, and it all adds up to something very enjoyable.
Harrogate’s reputation for tea and scones is long established, but these places show it’s also somewhere you can eat properly and well in the middle of the day.
If we’ve missed your go-to, you know what to do; let us know. Good lunch spots deserve to be shared.