Best Brunch in York
Served Wednesday to Saturday until noon · Sunday until 11am · Bishopthorpe Road
Looking for the best brunch in York? The Old Liquor Store on Bishopthorpe Road has become one of York’s most popular brunch destinations — and it’s easy to see why. Set in the magnificent Grade II listed former Terry’s Chocolate Factory, we serve a seriously good brunch menu in one of the most unique and memorable dining settings in the city.
Whether you’re after a full English breakfast, a stack of pancakes, steak and eggs, or something lighter like our house toasted granola or crushed avocado on sourdough, our brunch menu has something for everyone. Add a Bloody Mary, a mimosa or a glass of Blanc de Blanc and you’ve got the perfect weekend morning sorted.
We open from 9:30am on Saturdays and Sundays and from 10am Wednesday to Friday. Brunch is served until noon Wednesday to Saturday and until 11am on Sundays. Booking is strongly recommended on weekends — we fill up fast.
Why The Old Liquor Store is York's favourite brunch spot
The Old Liquor Store isn’t just another brunch café. We’re a proper restaurant serving a proper brunch — in a setting that makes the whole experience feel like a genuine occasion rather than just a meal.
Here’s what makes us different:
The setting. We’re housed in the stunning Grade II listed former Terry’s Chocolate Factory on Bishopthorpe Road. The building is a piece of York history and there’s nowhere else in the city quite like it for a weekend brunch.
The food. Our brunch menu runs from classic butties on homemade milk rolls and full English breakfasts to smoked haddock kedgeree, oak smoked salmon scramble and bavette steak and eggs. Everything is made fresh using the best local ingredients.
The drinks. Start with an OLS Bloody Mary, a classic mimosa or a glass of Blanc de Blanc. Our full coffee menu includes flat whites, cappuccinos, lattes, mochas and our signature choc orange hot chocolate.
The location. We’re just a short walk from York city centre and minutes from York Racecourse, making us perfectly placed for a brunch before a day exploring the city or a morning at the races.
What's on the brunch menu?
Our full brunch menu is available below, but here are some of the highlights:
From the kitchen Our house toasted granola with skyr yoghurt, seasonal compote and roasted hazelnut is one of our most popular dishes — light, fresh and a perfect start to the morning. For something more indulgent, our full breakfast includes back or streaky bacon, cumberland sausage, confit plum tomato, roasted portobello mushroom, home-baked cannellini beans, buttered sourdough and a hen’s egg — with optional OLS black pudding, duck fat fried bread or hash brick for £2.50 extra.
Something special Our smoked haddock kedgeree — a kedgeree risotto with poached hen’s egg, coriander and bombay mix — is one of those dishes that sounds unusual but has become one of our most ordered brunch plates. Our steak and eggs, a bavette steak with fried hen’s eggs, Bovril BBQ hot sauce and a beef fat hash brick, is for those who want something truly indulgent on a weekend morning.
For vegetarians and vegans Our full vegan breakfast features grilled peppers and courgettes, rosemary roasted portobello mushroom, confit plum tomato, sweetcorn fritter, home-baked cannellini beans and toasted sourdough. Our crushed avocado on toasted sourdough with sriracha, poached hen’s egg and red pesto is a perennial favourite.
Butties and muffins Sometimes you just want a proper buttie. Our OLS Stack — cumberland sausage, smoked streaky or back bacon, OLS black pudding, portobello mushroom and fried hen’s egg on a toasted milk roll — is the one to go for.
Brunch drinks OLS Bloody Mary £11 · Mimosa £10 · Blanc de Blanc £11 · Full coffee menu from £3.50
The Old Liquor Store · Bishopthorpe Road · York
OLS Breakfast
Wed – Sat until noon · Sunday until 11am
Ready to join us for breakfast?
Book online or call us on 01904 950147
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best brunch in york?
The Old Liquor Store on Bishopthorpe Road is widely regarded as one of York’s best brunch destinations. Set in the stunning Grade II listed former Terry’s Chocolate Factory, we serve a full brunch menu from 9:30am on weekends and 10am midweek, featuring everything from full English breakfasts and homemade granola to smoked haddock kedgeree, steak and eggs, and crushed avocado on sourdough. Booking is strongly recommended on weekends.
What time does brunch start at The Old Liquor Store
We serve brunch from 9:30am on Saturdays and Sundays, and from 10am Wednesday to Friday. Brunch is served until noon Wednesday to Saturday and until 11am on Sundays. After noon our full lunch menu takes over, running until 3pm Wednesday to Saturday.
Do I need to book for brunch at The Old Liquor Store
Booking is strongly recommended, particularly on Saturdays and Sundays when we fill up quickly. You can book online via our reservations page or call us on 01904 950147. Walk-ins are welcome when we have availability but we cannot guarantee a table without a booking on busy weekends.
Is The Old Liquor Store good for a group brunch in York?
Yes — we regularly host group brunches and it is one of our most popular bookings. For parties of six or more we offer a dedicated group brunch menu. Please email hello@theoldliquorstore.co.uk to arrange a group booking and we will take care of everything.
Do you serve vegan or vegetarian brunch in York?
Yes. Our full vegan breakfast features grilled peppers and courgettes, rosemary roasted portobello mushroom, confit plum tomato, sweetcorn fritter, home-baked cannellini beans and toasted sourdough. We also offer crushed avocado on sourdough, house toasted granola with skyr yoghurt, creamed oat porridge and a range of vegetarian and vegan options throughout the brunch menu. Gluten free options are available on request.
Where is The Old Liquor Store brunch in York?
We are located on Bishopthorpe Road, York, YO23 1FT — within the stunning former Terry’s Chocolate Factory complex. We are a short walk from York city centre, close to York Racecourse, and easily accessible by bus, taxi or on foot. Cycle parking is available on site.
What is the best Saturday brunch in York?
The Old Liquor Store is one of York’s most popular Saturday brunch destinations. We open at 9:30am every Saturday and serve our full brunch menu until noon. From full English breakfasts and homemade granola to steak and eggs, smoked salmon scramble and our legendary OLS Stack buttie — plus Bloody Marys, mimosas and a full coffee menu. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Do you serve brunch near York racecourse?
Yes — The Old Liquor Store is the closest restaurant to York Racecourse, just a five minute walk from the track on Bishopthorpe Road. We are the perfect place for a pre-race brunch before heading to the races. We open from 9:30am on race day weekends and serve brunch through until noon. Booking is essential on race days.