News Beat
North Yorkshire treasure trove restaurant among UK’s best
The Old Deanery in Ripon has been featured in the 35th year of the carefully curated annual Harden’s Top 100 Best UK Restaurants diners’ poll.
One recent visitor said it’s the “North’s next culinary obsession” while another hailed its 3 AA Rosettes as “well deserved.”
But what did the Harden’s survey result reveal?
North Yorkshire restaurant named among UK’s Top 100
It shared: “‘Just fabulous on every level’ hail fans – particularly of the cuisine at this restaurant with rooms in a Jacobean mansion facing Ripon Cathedral.
“‘Chef Adam Jackson never fails to impress’ with his ‘exceptional tasting menu’ – eight courses for £95 per person in the evening – which enables you to discover the building, with different parts of the meal served in different places. (There are other options for lunch and afternoon tea).
“Top Menu Tip – ‘sea bass with a very delicate jalapeno sauce that just elevated the dish… and the drink paired with it was a sparkling Japanese sake….amazing’.”
The Old Deanery on Minster Road is one of Yorkshire’s “most exciting restaurant destinations,” according to its website.
It continues: “The Old Deanery offers a 3 AA Rosette and MICHELIN Recommended dining experience, with renowned chef Adam Jackson at the helm.
“The Old Deanery was taken on by family-owned Layton Hill Hotels in late 2021, as an exclusive use wedding and events venue.
“In November 2023, with the addition of Adam Jackson to the team, The new Old Deanery ‘restaurant with rooms’ was born.
“The restaurant offers the pinnacle of culinary artistry, where fine dining becomes an exquisite journey through flavours.
“Immerse yourself in the opulence of the historic building and city and indulge in the finest pleasures at The Old Deanery, a treasure trove of elegance, hospitality, and epicurean delight.”
On Tripadvisor, the restaurant with rooms set in the shadows of Ripon Cathedral currently boasts 167 “excellent” reviews out of a possible 192.
A customer who enjoyed a seasonal Sunday lunch lately commented: “We were met with a wonderful welcome and discovered that all of the staff were equally as charming and friendly. We had Sunday lunch which was perfect. The dining room is beautiful and immaculately decorated. Thank you for a lovely experience. The 3 rosettes are well deserved.”
Recommended reading:
Someone else wrote: “If you’re looking for the North’s next culinary obsession, head straight to The Old Deanery in Ripon, where Chef Adam Jackson is quietly creating something extraordinary.
“This isn’t just dinner — it’s a tasting menu that feels like a love letter to Yorkshire produce. Every plate is calm confidence: no fuss, no gimmicks, just flawless cooking and ingredients treated with total respect.”
A third person praised: “When we got to the Old Deanary the weather was dark and horrible but the welcome we got was light and excellent. The room was very period and we loved the decor and the atmosphere. The bar area was very comfortable and the staff couldn’t do enough for you. As for the food and the wine. Sublime! Absolutely Sublime! Never tasted better. A real treat!”
