
Quick info
About The Dining Room
The Dining Room works as a daytime cafe and English restaurant in York, at 20 St James Square, serving from a late breakfast through lunch. A garden courtyard terrace sits at the rear, giving the option of eating outdoors when the weather allows. Sandwiches anchor the menu, with fish goujons and coronation chicken among the fillings. Waiting staff take orders at the table and bring the bill there too. Reservations are recommended, since the kitchen runs Tuesday to Saturday during the day only and closes on Mondays and Sundays. High chairs are on hand for families with young children, and dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking
- Good for kidsHigh chairs
Menu & Prices
65 dishes · mains £1–9- Yorkshire£3.25
- Yorkshire D' Caf£3.25
- Peppermint£3.25
- Mao Feng Green£3.25
- Earl Grey Strong£3.25
- Chamomile£3.25
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention courtyard garden seating, coronation chicken sandwich, quiche with side salad and coffee and cake.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention courtyard garden seating, coronation chicken sandwich, quiche with side salad and coffee and cake.
Customer Review Summary
Lunch is what reviewers return for most, and the sandwiches lead the praise: a fish goujons sandwich with skinny fries, a Coronation chicken sandwich singled out as the best of the meal, and takeaway sandwiches that one regular tried in place of the usual coffee and cake. Close behind sits the quiche, with one diner calling its side salad the best they have had anywhere, alongside celeriac and apple soup and homemade bread. Breakfast visits bring free range fried egg with white flatbread, a grilled cheese croissant and waffles with ice cream, and one reviewer was glad to find kombucha rather than a sugary cold drink. The rear courtyard and outside terrace draw repeated mention as relaxing, and a group of cyclists notes their bikes were stored on site. The clearest complaint comes from one visit where a waitress seemed impatient to take the order and the bill arrived overcharged, corrected and refunded once the table pointed it out.
Customer Review Summary
Lunch is what reviewers return for most, and the sandwiches lead the praise: a fish goujons sandwich with skinny fries, a Coronation chicken sandwich singled out as the best of the meal, and takeaway sandwiches that one regular tried in place of the usual coffee and cake. Close behind sits the quiche, with one diner calling its side salad the best they have had anywhere, alongside celeriac and apple soup and homemade bread. Breakfast visits bring free range fried egg with white flatbread, a grilled cheese croissant and waffles with ice cream, and one reviewer was glad to find kombucha rather than a sugary cold drink. The rear courtyard and outside terrace draw repeated mention as relaxing, and a group of cyclists notes their bikes were stored on site. The clearest complaint comes from one visit where a waitress seemed impatient to take the order and the bill arrived overcharged, corrected and refunded once the table pointed it out.
Featured reviews
- Betty holt
“Waitress was a bit impatient for us to order. My friend and I ordered a light bite and tea and a cold drink. The bill arrived and I was a bit shocked at the price of our meal. We paid and I doubled checked the prices of each item. We were going overcharged by £13.00. My friend mentioned it to he waitress, who doubled checked our bill. And we were told a mistake was made and refunded the over payment. My concern is how many people don’t check their bills and just pay?”
- Sallylovesreading
“Eaten out here twice this week in the delightful courtyard at the rear. The food was delicious and service attentive without being overbearing. It’s also hard to find a place that offers Kombucha so I was very pleased to find a cold drink (served in a lovely cold class) that isn’t full of sugar or chemicals. This is now on my regular list. Great quality food served with love. Thank you.”
- Tony Sidonio
“Lovely, little welcoming cafe / restaurant. Freshly cooked food with a many options. Nice, clean and friendly.”
- John Coates
“Many thanks Lisa and Chris we enjoyed another delicious lunch along with our great friends Sue and Kev. So relaxing in your outside terrace and with your friendly and professional staff makes for a very enjoyable lunchtime. Look forward to seeing you again in the near future.”
- Elisa Winstanley
“A wonderful lunch here yesterday! The staff were welcoming and attentive. There were a great selection of dishes to choose from. We had the quiche and side salad, plus the fish goujons sandwich and skinny fries. Both were delicious. The quiche was so nice and was really impressed with the side salad accompaniment! That’s the best I had from anywhere. It’s a very relaxing atmosphere and we would certainly return for lunch here again.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
Amenities
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed outside
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Bar on site
- Casual
- Beer
- Coffee
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Dining options· 7
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Spirits
- Wine
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs
- Highlights· 2
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Historic
- Planning· 1
- Lunch reservations recommended
Location
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