Quick info
About The Waterfront Cafe
The Waterfront Cafe is a riverbank cafe at York Marina in York, with an orangery that overlooks the River Ouse and the boats passing along it. The menu runs from cake and coffee through to a full meal, with three courses available for those staying longer. Breakfast has its own menu, where extra beans can be added, and afternoon tea is also offered. The drinks list includes mocktails for anyone skipping alcohol. Dogs are welcome, so walkers along the river can bring their pets with them.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention river and marina views, afternoon tea, duck risotto and steak on iron plate.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention river and marina views, afternoon tea, duck risotto and steak on iron plate.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the river and marina views, especially from the conservatory or orangery, which several name as the spot to sit. Food earns steady praise, with the duck risotto and the steak on a hot iron plate standing out at dinner, and an afternoon tea described as a feast for the eyes. Staff are called friendly, welcoming and patient, and one party said everyone cleared their plates at a birthday lunch. Price is the recurring complaint: several call it a little expensive, one says it comes with a 12.5% service charge that felt like a lot, and another found the festive turkey sandwich a little dry on a limited menu. One diner found the chai latte hideous, while the mocktails were singled out as lovely. One reviewer was bothered that conversation was interrupted every time the waitress delivered a dish, and the dog friendly seating is noted as separate from the guests only orangery.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the river and marina views, especially from the conservatory or orangery, which several name as the spot to sit. Food earns steady praise, with the duck risotto and the steak on a hot iron plate standing out at dinner, and an afternoon tea described as a feast for the eyes. Staff are called friendly, welcoming and patient, and one party said everyone cleared their plates at a birthday lunch. Price is the recurring complaint: several call it a little expensive, one says it comes with a 12.5% service charge that felt like a lot, and another found the festive turkey sandwich a little dry on a limited menu. One diner found the chai latte hideous, while the mocktails were singled out as lovely. One reviewer was bothered that conversation was interrupted every time the waitress delivered a dish, and the dog friendly seating is noted as separate from the guests only orangery.
Featured reviews
- tung how run
“A wonderful spot for a quality dinner. We arrived around 7:30 PM on a Sunday evening when the dining room was quiet. Since the team seemed short-handed, it took a moment for staff to attend to us at the entrance, but service smoothed out once we were seated. The standout dishes were the duck risotto—rich, deliciously cheesy, and full of flavor—and the steak served on a hot iron plate, which paired beautifully with red wine. They flipped the sign to "closed" right as we were leaving at 9:00 PM, making it a peaceful, unhurried end to our evening.”
- Sandra King
“Saturday lunch for 80th birthday. Party of 7, we ate from the standard menu, the food was fabulous we and all cleared our plates. Have visited before and will visit again.”
- Petey Stevens
“We came here for breakfast on the final morning of my sister's Hen Do on the recommendation of a friend. The location is absolutely stunning! The waterfront is gorgeous and was a wonderful backdrop to our meal. The room was light and bright which was nice. The staff were wonderful and accomodating (I had to ring and change numbers 2-3 times and they were very patient!). The food came out in good time and was delicious! My sister ordered extra beans for her breakfast which were so generous she was able to share with 1-2 others as well! Drinks on the whole were lovely especially the mocktails. However, we ordered a Chai Latte which was hideous (we weren't sure they knew what a chai latte was it was so bad!!) A lovely spot for a bit of breakfast. We would recommend.”
- Amelia Turnbull
“Dog friendly restaurant, lovely interior and all staff were dressed well. The staff were welcoming and polite. The food was a bit more pricey but was good. They did add a service charge of 12.5% too which I thought was a lot.”
- Nicola Laurie
“Lovely place to stop and have a bite to eat, with gorgeous views across the river. Staff were lovely and friendly and plenty of choice from a cake and coffee through to a full meal. It is a little expensive but to be expected being on a marina complex.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“The Waterfront Cafe at York Marina is a beautiful setting to sit and watch the world go by. Situated right on the riverbank overlooking the river Ouse you can relax and enjoy the wonderful view as boats pass by up and down the river.”
- Fireplace
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Beer
- Coffee
- Offerings· 12
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Prepared foods
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Planning· 3
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Dining options· 7
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Parking· 3
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Parking
- Highlights· 6
- Fireplace
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Atmosphere· 4
- Casual
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
- Family-friendly· 3
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
Location
Cafes near The Waterfront Cafe
- But First4.83001.1 mi£15–30Outdoor seating
homemade cakes, halloumi ciabatta, outdoor courtyard seating
- 1.2 miVegetarian optionsVegan optionsReservations
strawberry matcha, nutella brownie, billionaire shortbread
- The Nook Cafe York4.72422.3 miOutdoor seatingVegetarian optionsVegan options
avocado on toast, cinnamon bun, eggs benedict
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Waterfront CafeOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.3253 | — | £20–30 | river and marina views, afternoon tea, duck risotto |
| But FirstOutdoor seating | 4.8300 | 1.1 mi | £15–30 | homemade cakes, halloumi ciabatta, outdoor courtyard seating |
| brew'd. community coffee co.Vegetarian options · Vegan options · Reservations | 4.9120 | 1.2 mi | — | strawberry matcha, nutella brownie, billionaire shortbread |
| The Nook Cafe YorkOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.7242 | 2.3 mi | — | avocado on toast, cinnamon bun, eggs benedict |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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