Paul Backhouse
09.03.2025
Good food and a nice selection of beers, the food is always good but if you're not early (which we never are) there's always something off the menu, but thay doesn't matter as all the dishes I've tried so far have been good.
Marcus Hibbert
08.03.2025
Walk past all the hipster place-to-be-seen type spots, eschew their ridiculous queues out their doors (which are an immediate no go if you are a young family anyway) and head to the Blue Barbikan. We have only eaten here for brunch, so can’t comment on their lunch/evening offerings, but what a brunch! Portions are generous, quality is outstanding, and service is impeccable. Small Polish additions only enhance the traditional English options and their more traditional Polish brunches are hearty and moreish. Oh, and kids eat free! We make a point in heading there every time we stay in York. Exceptional!
Poonam Patel
08.03.2025
We came here for breakfast and it didn’t disappoint! Authentic food that tasted absolutely delicious! We ordered the Shakshuka & buckwheat Polish sausage waffles. Hubby also tried iced coffee with tonic which was surprisingly nice so definitely do try something different off the menu, you won’t regret it! Will definitely come back next time we’re in York!
Chantelle Cox
02.03.2025
We ate here on Saturday evening and the place had a lovely atmosphere. I had the vegetarian pancake rolls and they were absolutely delicious. It’s so nice to eat somewhere where vegetarians aren’t an afterthought and the meat free meals are really tasty and enjoyable. The staff were so lovely and welcoming. My only complaint is that I was too full for dessert and the cakes looked amazing 😉!
Ananya Mohanty
01.03.2025
I like places which tell a story & this is one of them! The bread was fresh, the fish cakes were luscious, with a side of fresh sauerkraut. The Potatoes Pancakes with smoked salmon and poached eggs was delightful. The decor was vibrant! The beer was alright.
Chris C317
28.02.2025
We booked a table for two and were seated downstairs in a large, mostly empty dining area. For the first 40 minutes, we were the only couple there, which made the atmosphere feel quite dull. To make things worse, the room was uncomfortably cold—I even had to put my jacket back on.
The food itself was decent but had room for improvement. The starters were the highlight; the fish cake with sauerkraut and the pierogi were both very tasty. For mains, the bigos stew was disappointing—the Polish sausage and beef were quite dry, and there wasn’t enough sausage, which made it feel like a bit of a letdown. In contrast, the turkey schnitzel with a fried egg was much better, well-cooked and enjoyable. Both dishes came with mashed potatoes and green beans in a nut dressing, which complemented them nicely.
Dessert was a definite win—fresh cream cakes that were indulgent and filling, ending the meal on a high note.
Service was excellent; the waiter was polite and friendly, with no issues there. However, the cold and lack of atmosphere made the overall experience less enjoyable. A bit more warmth—both in temperature and ambiance—would make a big difference.
Maria Kutsy
28.02.2025
Went as a group of 7 after a conference. Got there by accident, but that was the happiest we've been! The staff is very sweet and shared with us the history of the place! Didn't take photos of the food, but wish we did, because it was amazing! The most tender Lamb I have ever tasted! The food is truly worth the price!!! Highly recommend!
Sharon Straw
28.02.2025
I would definitely encourage eating here, freshly cooked, hearty, tasty food. Traditional English breakfast was rated highly, I would also highly recommend the shakshouka.
The colourful interesting decor, it feels charming and relaxing, there is added history of the building.
Phil Carr
28.02.2025
AMAZING!!! Honest review of this place. Food, Atmosphere, service, all of impeccable quality. Visited here with my Wife to be for breakfast and from start to finish, the staff looked after us. Food was amazing, and you could tell our happiness meant a lot to the staff. If you are looking for a place to eat, look no further.
Millie McGhee
22.02.2025
Heaven on earth!! Amazing staff and service, not to mention the food
Paul Piech
22.02.2025
Great food and service - celebrated my moms 60th birthday there. Friendly atmosphere and traditional Polish cuisine. Highly recommended 💫
Ryan Thomas
22.02.2025
Found this place passing through York. Really enjoyed it, never tried Polish food before but it was genuinely one of the best meals I've had for a while.
Bigos is highly recommended, it's served with lovely fresh crispy bread.
Trevor Byrne
19.02.2025
Decent food if a little basic. Staff were lovely and quite helpful.
Keeley Mounfield
15.02.2025
While searching for a place to have breakfast, we stumbled upon The Blue Barbakan - and we knew right away we’d found a gem. From the moment we walked in, we were given the warmest welcome.
The restaurant has a quirky, vibrant atmosphere and an impressive selection of food. We decided on the full English breakfast, and having tried many over the years, we can confidently say this was one of the best - if not the best. Every element was cooked to perfection, but the mushrooms and tomatoes were particularly outstanding. The portions were generous, offering incredible value for money.
Highly recommended!
Gregor Kemper
14.02.2025
Plenty of food, but not very tasty.
Sara I
13.02.2025
Delish food, great service, and an absolutely lavish seat right next to a radiator.
The pierogis were cheese and were so good.
The weekdays meal deal from 5-7pm is great value, and we were allowed to pack up our cakes to take home... We didn't have any room left for them by the end of two courses! I had Bigos and my husband had the turkey schnitzel which were both very yummy.
Our dog was very welcome here and was kindly given water!
Tim Mounfield
12.02.2025
Absolute fantastic ❤️
The best ever traditional Full English Breakfast I’ve ever had.
Extremely knowledgeable, passionate, attentive staff with attention to detail.
Unbelievable value for central York.
Looking forward to returning when I can sample their main menu.
Bart W
10.08.2024
Superb restaurant. I ordered rabbit&cranberry dumplings for my main and Scottish mussels for starter. I will definitely come again. Try Polish wine. They have a big selection. Even an orange wine 😀
There is more space downstairs.
The manager is called Miguel. Very helpful and friendly.
Steve
08.02.2025
£14.50 for 5 pierogi was very expensive. The value of the raw materials on the plate was probably less than a pound. I don't expect to be still hungry after eating a main course at a Polish restaurant. It would have been nice to have some kind of bread or nibbles when reading the menu, which might have filled me up a bit.
I know it's expensive to run a restaurant in York city centre, but the markup in value, of the cost of food on the plate relative to the price charged, was too extreme.
However, if you have a lot of money and a small appetite, this is a perfectly good restaurant .
Lois Elizabeth
05.02.2025
Warm and welcoming atmosphere, lovely food and great service!
Karl Picton
05.02.2025
Awesome place no need to review, get on it!
Dan
05.02.2025
Excellent food! Traditional polish cuisine. Whilst you are there pop over to the dessert counter and oogle the cakes. They look fantastic and taste just as nice.
Richard Crow
02.02.2025
Nestled in the heart of York on Fossgate, The Blue Barbakan is a hidden gem offering exceptional Polish and European cuisine. From the moment you step inside, the warm and welcoming atmosphere sets the stage for a truly memorable dining experience.
The food is outstanding—freshly prepared, served piping hot, and bursting with authentic flavours. The menu boasts a fantastic selection of traditional Polish dishes, alongside a well-curated range of European-inspired options.
Complementing the superb food is an impressive drinks menu, featuring carefully selected wines, beers, and soft drinks to pair perfectly with your meal.
The service is second to none—attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the food they serve. The staff go above and beyond to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience, making you feel like a valued guest from start to finish.
If you’re looking for exceptional food, warm hospitality, and a fantastic selection of drinks, The Blue Barbakan is a must-visit in York. Whether you’re a lover of Polish cuisine or simply seeking a delicious and satisfying meal, this independent restaurant delivers on every level. Highly recommended!
