
Sweet Basil
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Quick info
About Sweet Basil
Sweet Basil is a Chinese restaurant on York Rd in York, with a menu that spans both Chinese and Thai dishes. Crispy wontons and special fried rice are among the items on that list, and the drinks side includes a selection of teas, with Golden Tea among them. Halal chicken is also on the menu. Gluten-free options are available as well, and the staff will tell guests which dishes cannot be made gluten free.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention crispy wontons, special fried rice, gluten free options and satay chicken.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention crispy wontons, special fried rice, gluten free options and satay chicken.
Customer Review Summary
Fried rice draws the most mentions, from king prawn fried rice served with satay chicken to special fried rice alongside sliced duck in ginger and onion sauce, and egg fried rice with lemon chicken or a mixed special Chinese curry. Close behind are the crispy wontons, called the best one couple had eaten, and the beef chow mien. Reviewers also name vegetarian spring rolls, the Emperors hotpot and a light, refreshing sorbet. Portions are repeatedly called generous, and takeaway orders are described as really quick, with gluten free dishes and halaal chicken noted. Service is called warm, friendly and pleasant, and one reviewer suggests booking because it can be busy midweek. One dissatisfied diner found the food quite dry and the Phad Thai a bit bland, and was brought special fried rice instead of the chicken fried rice ordered, with an apology. Another diner boxed up leftover king prawn fried rice for lunch the next day.
Customer Review Summary
Fried rice draws the most mentions, from king prawn fried rice served with satay chicken to special fried rice alongside sliced duck in ginger and onion sauce, and egg fried rice with lemon chicken or a mixed special Chinese curry. Close behind are the crispy wontons, called the best one couple had eaten, and the beef chow mien. Reviewers also name vegetarian spring rolls, the Emperors hotpot and a light, refreshing sorbet. Portions are repeatedly called generous, and takeaway orders are described as really quick, with gluten free dishes and halaal chicken noted. Service is called warm, friendly and pleasant, and one reviewer suggests booking because it can be busy midweek. One dissatisfied diner found the food quite dry and the Phad Thai a bit bland, and was brought special fried rice instead of the chicken fried rice ordered, with an apology. Another diner boxed up leftover king prawn fried rice for lunch the next day.
Featured reviews
- Kirsty Hawe
“Sweet Basil was recommendation that I’m very glad I took. Both dishes (lemon chicken and mixed special Chinese curry, both with egg fried rice) were amazing and sorbet was light and refreshing. Will definitely visit again in the future when back down.”
- John Mountain
“We had a takeaway and all dishes were really tasty with generous portions. They are able to provide a large number of dishes gluten free and will clearly tell you where the can't. Pick up only but good value for a restaurant standard takeaway experience and really quick, eg 15-20 mins. Have ordered multiple times and they will continue to be our 'go to' takeaway.”
- Lois
“Have had a few takeaways from here before but tonight we were disappointed by our experience eating in. The hoisin sauce with the duck rolls smelled and tasted a bit off and we asked for it to be replaced. We noticed another sauce also had a similar smell. This was particularly unfortunate because the food was generally quite dry. I ordered chicken fried rice and was brought special fried rice instead - with an apology. But it turned out the dish was actually brim full of the processed pork used in Chinese takeaways which I don’t like. My husband had the Phad Thai which was OK but a bit bland. I don’t think we’ll be returning.”
- Jay Sullivan
“Sweet Basil came highly recommended by family, and after eating there it’s easy to see why it’s such a local favourite. From the moment we sat down, the service set the tone. They were warm, efficient, and genuinely welcoming without feeling rushed. It’s the kind of place that is obviously busy for all the right reasons, with a steady stream of regulars moving through. We ordered across the menu and I honestly enjoyed every single dish. Good flavours, and they clearly want you to come, love it and come back again. The portions were generous and it’s that comfortable quality Chinese cooking that walks the line between tradition and what we’ve come to embrace and hope for when we go out for Chinese. The value really stands out, as does the standard of food and service, it’s all excellent. If you’re in York and craving Chinese, take the recommendation: go to Sweet Basil, order whatever you like, relax and enjoy. It is all good.”
- Leena Gale
“The best king prawn king fried rice and satay chicken I've had in a very long time!! Thoroughly enjoyed my dish. Saved some and had it boxed to have for lunch the next day. Service and the staff were very friendly and polite. Wasn't too busy but it was mid January. Restaurant was clean and tidy. Decor was lovely. Plenty of free parking outside. Apparently this was previously a Little Chef restaurant, for those that remember. Highly recommended and I look forward to dining here again.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
Chinese restaurants near Sweet Basil
- 5.7 mi away£20–30
dim sum, duck egg custard buns, roasted duck and pork belly
- Golden City4.41856 mi away£10–20
salt and pepper chicken, special fried rice, beef chow mein
- Wing Lee4.11346.3 mi away£10–20
salt and pepper spare ribs, special fried rice, salt and pepper box
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet Basil | 4.6349 | — | — | crispy wontons, special fried rice, gluten free options |
| Maxi's Chinese Restaurant | 4.2931 | 5.7 mi away | £20–30 | dim sum, duck egg custard buns, roasted duck and pork belly |
| Golden City | 4.4185 | 6 mi away | £10–20 | salt and pepper chicken, special fried rice, beef chow mein |
| Wing Lee | 4.1134 | 6.3 mi away | £10–20 | salt and pepper spare ribs, special fried rice, salt and pepper box |
The 3 nearest chinese restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Chinese restaurants nearby
6.8 miThe Dragon House
7.7 miLucky Star
8.2 miDuck Shack 江記燒鴨
8.3 miThe Golden Horse
8.5 miShi Shang Chinese Restaurant
8.6 miHeworth Chinese Take Away
9.4 miSunrise Chinese Takeaway
9.4 miTang Hall Chinese Takeaway
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