Perfect pubs and places to eat in the Yorkshire Dales

There are few places where you’ll find as many cosy and friendly pubs as in the Yorkshire Dales, and on rainy days they can be even better! Here’s a selection of 'locals' recommended by locals!

Lister Arms, Malham

• At the Lister Arms in Malham you can enjoy a warm ambience and Yorkshire Chorizo created by local farmer Chris Wildman
• Warm your feet in front of the open fire whilst sipping an ale at the Cover Bridge Inn near Middleham
• Convince yourself that you’re not just whiling away time in a lovely pub, but actually doing a good deed and community service while enjoying a hearty meal at the Forresters in Carlton-in-Coverdale – it’s a community-owned pub!
• The Game Cock in the beautiful village of Austwick is a firm favourite with locals, and has an extensive menu with a French flavour and ample portions.
  

Angel Inn at Hetton

• Eat at one of the original gastro pubs focusing on local food -  the Angel at Hetton, which also has an amazing wine selection and art displays around the bar and restaurant area
• Nothing like a cosy night in with some friendly locals at the Punchbowl in Swaledale or a speciality night at the CB Inn in Arkengarthdale
• How about trying a pub with no beer – the Cross Keys at Cautley, a temperance inn! The beautiful 400 year old building has a small farmhouse style restaurant open during the day. It’s been famous for its ham and eggs for over 60 years!
• Admire the view from England's highest pub at the Tan Hill Inn 
• Fountaine Inn at Linton is idyllic, in a beautiful village setting, with cosy snug and roaring log fires, and low ceilings
• The Craven Arms in Appletreewick on the Dalesway is steeped in history, with a cruck barn for larger celebrations
• The Kings Head at Gunnerside has now re-opened with new owners: it's a friendly village local with good food
• Fox & Hounds, West Burton has a fantastic setting on the edge of the village green. Staff are very friendly and welcoming, even to dogs. Great real ales and good pub food 
• Kings Arms, Askrigg - a traditional old pub, with stone floors, good range of ales & hearty food. Lots of 'All Creatures Great & Small' mementos 
• George & Dragon, Aysgarth - dogs welcome in the small. Excellent food and ale
• The Bull Inn at West Tanfield has a wonderful garden with dining terraces going down to the River Ure, right next to the 18th century stone bridge and serve good traditional food
• The Station Inn at Birstwith has many devoted fans who praise its great atmosphere and good food, with a lovely garden for sunny days
• The Freemasons Arms in Nosterfield on the fringes of the Yorkshire Dales offers great food, especially Sunday roast
• The Black Horse is right in the centre of lovely Grassington, where friendly staff will serve you tasty food & great beer
• The Bull Inn on the banks of the River Ure in West Tanfield boasts traditional pub food, real ales and a  terraced garden stretching down to the river. Then across the road...
• The Bruce Arms, a traditional 18th century coaching in with cosy rooms, wood fires and great food: Highly Commended in the White Rose Awards for the Best Pub 2017
• The Buck Inn is set on the village green at Thornton Watlass and offers well kept beer & excellent food to enjoy

• The Farmers’ Arms, Muker is the sort of old pub where you can just relax and sit by an open fire and eat home cooked food
  
• The Queens Arms in Litton has been upgraded but retains its original charm and serves local beers
• The Fox and Hounds at West Witton is a great village local and family friendly
  
• The Green Dragon Pub, Hardraw near Hawes has the added attraction of the walk to its own waterfall
  
• The Bridge at Grinton has the added attraction of folk music on Thursdays 
• The 17th century Bolton Arms in Redmire was originally a farm. It's long been known as the village meeting place 
• With Sharon and Ken now at the helm, the refurbished Bruce in Masham offers great food, a cosy setting and banter from very friendly locals. While you're in Masham, why not visit Black Sheep Brewery and Theakstons Brewery and see how beer is made?
  

Black Sheep Brewery, Masham

• As soon as you walk in to The Sportsmans Arms in Wath, Nidderdale, you feel your shoulders relax and on a winter's day with the log fire, it's very difficult to drag yourself back outside. The beer is great too!!
• Enjoy an excellent meal at the Traddock, in Austwick, a local beer or two, and stay overnight in one of their cosy rooms
• With Ed and Jackie now at the helm The George Inn, Hubberholme must be one of the cosiest friendliest pubs in the Dales. Always a fire in the old fireplace and often with George, the Jack Russell stretched out beside it, The George offers true warmth and hospitality, local banter and great food
• The George Inn Thoralby - is a traditional country inn located in beautiful Bishopdale near Aysgarth Falls - a hidden oasis
• Enjoy Gastronomic delights in the Blue Lion at East Witton or fishy treats at the Wensleydale Heifer in West Witton 
• With the bright decor, beautiful wall-hangings by Andrea Hunter and high beams, you'll feel much sunnier in the Brasserie at the Courtyard near Settle
• Originally built as a coaching inn, the Fountain in Hawes has been owned and run by the same family for over 27 years
• The Friars Head, Leyburn is a striking blend of traditional & modern design, with distinct interior themes & creative menus
• The George and Dragon, Hudswell is Yorkshire's first community pub serving mainly Yorkshire Ales & wholesome food. Recently voted CAMRA National Pub of the Year
  
• Askrigg's Crown Inn is very popular with locals & Wensleydale visitors alike. The Crown's staff are welcoming & friendly; their delicious home cooked food using locally sourced produce comes in good portions and is complemented with a great range of fine cask ales
• The Street Head Inn, at Newbiggin-in-Bishopdale - close to both Leyburn & Hawes serves up tasty, hearty meals, lighter bites & runs a popular carvery on Sunday lunchtimes too. With all three local brewery's cask ales on tap as well as guest beers, this lovely 17th century coaching inn is the perfect place to refresh and relax

Brasserie in the Courtyard near Settle

Where have we missed? 

Where are your favourite pubs? Which restaurants do you recommend?  What have we missed? If you have suggestions to be added to this page please email

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This is an independent site, using recommendations from people who live in the Yorkshire Dales. None of the businesses mentioned on this site have paid to be here, nor is the site funded by any other organisation so you can be sure these are genuine recommendations from people who really love the area. It's a work in progress so forgive the omissions, broken links and inaccuracies... If you'd like a more official and comprehensive guide to this beautiful area, please go to the sites run by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty