But let’s be honest, the ‘fish and chips capital of the country’ is a bit of a trail.
And who needs Whitby, when you have the Wetherby Whaler!
I have been going there since I was a boy- the original one in Wetherby- some 50-odd years ago.
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And rarely have I been disappointed by the chain, which began in 1969 and also has branches in York, Tadcaster, Guiseley, Wakefield, Pudsey and Leeds.
The Wetherby Whaler (Image: Darren Greenwood)
Perhaps it’s because Wetherby was the chippie I grew up with, it has always been the one to beat and few, if any, do.
Back in the day, around 1980, I remember fish and chips cost 50p (38p for the fish, 12p for the chips).
A box of delight (Image: Darren Greenwood)
Anyway, I was back in Wetherby last Saturday, and for £10.55 you can get a ‘lunchtime special’, consisting of haddock, chips, peas or curry and a can of pop.
I could have paid more and gone to the restaurant upstairs, but I did what I have done for decades and took my fish to the nearby seats in front of the Red Lion car park.
Another alternative place to eat them, is down by the river, as many do.
A good place to enjoy fish and chips- down by the river! (Image: Darren Greenwood)
The batter was crisp and a good colour, the chips were plentiful, and the curry was perfect. But not being the pig I used to be, about half the chips were wasted. Still, the Wetherby Whaler remains highly satisfying after all these years.
The River Wharfe in its glory (Image: Darren Greenwood)
You will not starve in Wetherby. It has a fine range of nationally-recognised brands as well as many fine independents. And as someone who grew up in Wetherby and knows many of these places well, let me share some with you.
The Angel Inn, which is a busy Wetherspoons (Image: Darren Greenwood)
First of all, for parking, go to the Cluster of Nuts car park on Hallfield Lane behind Marks and Spencer and near to Morrisons and Wetherby High (where I went). Eat your heart out York, you can park for free for up to four hours!
After parking, you pass Marks and Spencer and soon come to the Angel Inn, Wetherby’s new Wetherspoons. It’s had some mixed reviews online for its food but the beer is always good, well-kept and very cheap.
The popular Kofi & Co is in the distance (Image: Darren Greenwood)
Dad once complained to me of a gristly pie, but the pizzas, chicken strips and pieces we have had have all been fine. I once had a breakfast one morning, which was very enjoyable, with plenty of bacon, sausage, toast and beans.
This busy venue is well worth a visit for ‘Spoons fans.
My Wetherby regular is The Mews, tucked away from the main centre by Bank Street, close to the church.
The Mews in Bank Street (Image: Darren Greenwood)
Charmaine and Kerry have done a fine job running the place over the years, delivering friendly and prompt service, good food, good value, and well-kept ales. In addition to the national brands, you will find Yorkshire ones.
Keg and craft beers are available, with Three Swords form Kirkstall a regular and a recommended favourite. Dad is fond of the Tetley’s when it’s on. The real ales rotate and Camra members get a discount when they show their membership card.
Bank Street (Image: Darren Greenwood)
The Mews serves the regular traditional/ pub classics, plus Pieminster pies and it has a good range of small plates and nibbles, which I have often enjoyed and would recommend. It also serves a mighty Sunday roast.
In the winter, you will find a log fire and in the summer, many will enjoy sitting out in what pre-Covid was the car park.
Other pubs to look out for include the Red Lion, especially if you like Theakston’s Old Perculier.
Bar 3 has a decent following, as does the Black Bull, the New Inn and the Swan and Talbot.
But for restaurants, can I tempt you with Thai?
Wetherby Town Hall (Image: Darren Greenwood)
Barely a stone’s throw from the Mews is the Baanrai Thai café and restaurant. It has always been good, be it for curries, or my favourite weeping tiger. I also enjoy its tom kha gai soup as well; and its wines, some actually from Thailand, aren’t bad.
Once Upon a Vine in Cross Street (Image: Darren Greenwood)
Also in Bank Street you will find the vegetarian Mango restaurant, which continues to gain top reviews. I have been a few times with my vegetarian friends but despite finding the food lacked something (as in meat) I have always enjoyed its tasty dishes and convivial atmosphere.
Nearby, is the gastropub Snug and Chatter. It’s famous for steak, which I have yet to try, but I can recommend its steak and ale pie as well as its fish and chips.
Now, lovers of Indian food won’t be disappointed with Wetherby.
A regular award winner is the Bengal Lounge on High Street. It never disappoints, with quality, authentic food and good service. It can get busy though.
As it’s a BYO, you can get your wine from M&S a few minutes walk away, which is what I usually do.
Just some of the wines available (Image: Darren Greenwood)
M&S overlooks the Bengal Lounge, which is a bit classier and also delivers tasty, quality and authentic Indian food.
A bit further up, close to the Swan and Talbot on North Street is Black Cardamon. This offers Bangladeshi cooking, a little different and me and my vegetarian friends enjoyed our first visit a few weeks back.
The choices were extensive and tasty and like the others, reasonably priced and well worth the visit.
Now, we mustn’t forget lovers of Chinese, the All Seasons Restaurant and Bar on Westgate, close to the library is also recommended with an extensive range of good food.
Now, there are a couple of new arrivals in town.
The first is Maybe Later on High Street, which I have yet to try. It seems more of a fine dining restaurant, and it is gaining top reviews online.
The English bubbles were magnificent (Image: Darren Greenwood)
Now, I was able to try Once Upon a Vine in Cross Street, which is a wine shop that also offers plates of cheese and charcuterie. It also runs tasting events.
I loved my cheese and crackers and their chilled English sparkler to wash it down was magnificent.
But if you just want coffee, BAE (Before Anything else) is popular and Kofi & Co is always thriving.
Four hours free parking at the Cluster of Nuts Car Park (Image: Darren Greenwood)
If you want to sit in Wetherby’s own The Shambles, Pomfrets of Wetherby is well supported and for those who like a special beer with their coffee, Bottle and Bean is another winner!
This is just a sample of the culinary delights Wetherby has to offer.
Take a trip to this delightful historic market and horse racing town.
I assure you, you won’t be disappointed.
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