I was a bit dubious when Revolution De Cuba invited us for a family lunch as I’d always associated the place with boozy cocktails and dancing into the early hours. But how wrong was I – it turns out in the daytime it’s a really family friendly restaurant! Baby changing facilities, room for buggies and a great children’s menu – Revolution De Cuba has it all!
The first big tick is how accessible the place is! We arrived, with a pretty big buggy and a sleeping toddler and we didn’t have a single step to deal with! The place is so spacious we had no problem in manoeuvring the buggy about. There was plenty of space around the table for our buggy, a high chair and the million shopping bags we had with us. I noticed there were a few other families with buggies dining, and all had plenty of space. It was a bank holiday weekend lunchtime too – so the place was pretty packed. Its nice to go to a restaurant where they haven’t tried to fit in as many tables as possible. The extra space certainly made us feel more relaxed – even when our toddler decided to make an escape from the high chair we didn’t feel like she was disturbing any of the other diners.
We were seated at our table, given the adult and children’s menu along with an activity pack – including crayons and bubbles to keep our daughter amused. You also get a small cup of nachos to keep you going whilst you peruse the menu. Service was excellent – our waiter was Sam and he was fab – talking us through the menu and giving his recommendations. We opted for 3 tapas dishes for us adults to share as a starter – my favourite being the chorizo croquettes! My husband went for the Cuban Cheeseburger and I went for the Sunshine Salad for mains. All got the thumbs up from us! The children’s menu was £5.95 for a main, dessert and a drink. We chose the homemade chicken goujons with sweet potato fries and salad for my daughter. The portion sizes for both adult and children were just right. I also LOVED the fact they had children’s cutlery. More often then not when we dine out we usually have to deal with my 2-year-old wielding cutlery bigger than her!
Her drink – a choice of fizzy drinks or juices – came in a plastic pineapple – she loved it, and so did we. It was knocked over a few times and there were no spillages! Desserts were ice cream for the little one and chocolate cake and Churros for Mum and Dad. Wowzer – those Churros were gorgeous – and a really generous portion!
All in all, we had a fab time here, the staff were great and the food delicious – a great family friendly restaurant we’ll be sure to frequent again! Check out their Facebook page for special offers – they usually run promotions over school holidays – kids eat free etc. On last Thursday of every month they also host Boomchikkboom parties – basically parties (discos, bubbles, messy play etc.) for babies and toddler. Turns out partying at Revolution De Cuba isn’t just for the adults!
Reviewed August 2018
Disclosure: Mumbler was lucky enough to receive this lunch for free however we pinky promised to only write a truthful account of our meal. Phew, we really enjoyed it! (otherwise that could have been awks!)
Have you heard about the YO! Kids eat free after school club? It’s on at the Harrogate YO! between 3.30pm and 5.30pm Monday to Thursday from 28th February 2022 to 7th April 2022. What’s the catch? There isn’t one! It’s simple, for every £10 that you spend on the main menu, you get one “Mini Ninja’s” kids meal, for kids under 10 years old, for free!
For those of you that already follow Harrogate Mumbler on Instagram (and if not, why not- find us here!) you’ll know that Sally and her kids are huge fans of YO! anyway, but for those of you that have never tried it, here’s everything that you need to know…
Sally and 3 kids were invited down to YO! after school to try out this fantastic new Kids Eat Free deal after school on a Wednesday.
1. My kids are fussy eaters and probably won’t eat sushi, is it all raw fish? No, not at all! There is something for everyone (including all the usual dietary requirements) My youngest basically always chooses the YO! version of chicken nuggets & chips or rice when she’s in YO! (well, Japanese fried chicken & plain YO! fries or steamed rice) As a bonus, she’s recently got into cucumber maki (cucumber wrapped in rice) My eldest daughter & her friend are a bit more adventurous, trying Korean Fried Chicken (kind of like sweet & sour chicken but way tastier) a variety of sushi rolls and prawn gyozas. They also love the popcorn shrimp & chilli beef (although avoiding the actual slices of chilli!)
2. Is it good value for money? Yes, this Kids eat free after school club is so amazing! You could spend £20 of a great variety of dishes for the adults and get 2 Mini Ninja menus for free- these include a portion of edamame beans (fun for the kids to pop out of their shells) a side of Maki (cucumber, avocado, salmon or mixed) a choice of 5 different main courses, a drink (juice carton, fresh OJ or water) and if you want to, you can add on a dessert for just £1.50.
3.Is it family friendly in YO! ? Totally! One of the best things about YO! is how quickly the food comes (which is so important when you’ve got little ones to keep entertained!) Since covid, the restaurant has preferred you to order & pay using a QR Code which you’ll find on the table. The first time that you do this, it’s a tiny bit faffy, however once you’ve set up an account it’s super quick & easy.
If you struggle to order on-line at all, then the super-friendly staff are on hand to help you out (or even do an “old fashioned” style order if you need them to) Once you’ve ordered your food & drinks) the kids can watch & wait while the food & drinks begin to magically appear on the big conveyor belt- it’s brilliant! You’ve got lights on your table- they go amber when something is heading your way, and the conveyor belt stops and the lights turn green when the item arrives at your table. It’s really cool and doesn’t half keep the kids transfixed!
As well as the novelty food delivery system, there is also colouring activity sheets for each child (on the back of the menu) and there are little packs of colouring pencils that the staff give out. The kitchens are open & visible in the middle of the restaurant so you can also watch the food being freshly prepared- it’s fabulous!
Once you’ve finished your food, there’s no hanging around waiting for the bill as you’ve already paid. I cannot overstate how good this is when you’re dining out with littlies! The “waiting to pay” time slot was always “doom-time” when my kids were young- we just needed to get out of there as soon as possible before all hell broke loose!
4.Do I need to book a table at YO!? Whilst you don’t have to book a table at YO! it’s advisable to do so, especially if you want to take advantage of this offer as it’s only on until 5.30pm Monday to Thursday. If you have to wait for a table then you might miss out! You can book here
5. How do I claim the Kids Eat Free offer at YO!? Mention it when you sit down to your server and they will give you a special code. Please let them know that you heard about this on Mumbler too- (it does me a HUGE favour when businesses know that marketing with Mumbler works- thanks Sal x)
If you want to have a read through the menus before you go, you can do so here: yosushi.com/menu
Find out more about this fabulous offer including all T & C’s here; yosushi.com/kids-eat-free
Disclaimer- This is a sponsored blog and YO! kindly paid for our meal this time however in spite of all that, it is incredibly easy for me to write an honest review for YO! We are huge fans of the brand and it’s our go-to takeaway treat (on an embarrassingly) regular basis!
All for the purposes of research (of course!) tonight we have sampled a DELICIOUS delivery from @andyannat.
For myself & hubby we enjoyed a fairly spicy Thai Green Curry, Chicken with udon noodles, duck rolls & prawn toast.
The kids won’t eat anything with a kick so for them it was a yummy burger & chips.
For desert it was sticky toffee pud, banoffee pecan praline pie, vanilla cheesecake & brownie- we have no idea what these taste like as we’re all stuffed to bursting after our delicious mains (& very generous portions!) I’ll report back on flavour later!
Reporting back – the deserts were awesome!
A great choice for a take away as so many different cuisines to choose from!
To order check out there website here!
30/04/2020
Disclosure: Mumbler was lucky enough to receive this for free however we pinky promised to only write a truthful account. Phew, we really enjoyed it! (otherwise that could have been awks!)
My little boy, Edward, turned 5 last month – I still can’t quite believe it! We celebrated his birthday with some friends and family, which is the first time we’ve been able to do so in person since 2019.
Edward has a sweet tooth, so I jumped at the chance to sample and review some party favours. Sweet Treats offers alternative party and occasion gifts. It is run by Fiona, who clearly has a passion for creating delightful things to be enjoyed. The favours are beautifully packaged with lots of care and love in the presentation.
The children’s faces lit up with delight when I presented them with their treats. They were spoilt for choice with 3 different favours each (as pictured below) and all immediately tucked into the chocolate dipped marshmallow. A huge success!
Two of the guests had dietary requirements (no dairy or soya) and Fiona was so accommodating. She made sure everything was dairy free and used Moo free chocolate. The children’s mum was so impressed that her children weren’t left out and could have exactly the same as everyone else. Dietary requirements are so important, but can often single children out so it’s nice that they were able to feel the same as the other guests.
Fiona, who has 3 small children, has just taken the leap and left employment. She wanted a job that would allow her flexibility to spend more time with her own children. And so Sweet Treats was created. You can see all the options she has available on her Facebook page here and Instagram page here.
Well done on taking the leap Fiona and we wish you every success in your new adventure.
Reviewed April 2022
Disclosure: We were gifted our party favours from Sweet Treats however we pinky promised to only write a truthful account. Phew, we really enjoyed them, otherwise that could have been awks!
The Harrogate Cookie Company is the sister company of the award winning Harrogate based deli bar Little Breads! They deliver Cookie treat boxes and cookie pizzas a to the Harrogate, Knaresborough, Wetherby & Ripon areas on a Wednesday and Friday. They can also be posted if you live further afield. They are delicious on their own or warm them up and add ice cream to make an indulgent dessert. The cookie treat boxes contain 4 cookies plus a tasty traybake such as a brownie, flapjack or rocky road. The boxes start at £11 for local deliveries, a little further afield are £13.
For a full range of flavours please visit their website www.theharrogatecookieco.co.uk and keep an eye on their Facebook page too.
Our cookie treat box arrived last week to lots of excitement – all contact free. We had three different cookies – Orange, Wispa Gold and a random flavour, and two brownies – a Mars Bar one and a ridiculously chocolatey one (i think its probably their plain flavour – but calling it plain doesn’t quite sit well!)
I’ve been reliably informed the cookies and other treats stay good for at least 7 days – if you don’t want to eat them straight away the best way to keep them fresh is to keep them in the fridge. They are freezable too. Anyway, none of that mattered for us as they were all gone within 2 days!!
They make a lovely gift – and at such a reasonable price – a great alternative to a Birthday Cake! And with lockdown measures still in place I think it makes such a fab birthday gift. A few of my friends are turning 40 over the next couple of weeks, and they’ll all be getting one of these boxes in the post! A great local business that we can keep supporting during lockdown!
So let’s get on to the cookies. AMAZING! Me and my little girl started off with the Random flavour – which she re-named Rainbow flavour – covered in smarties, choc drizzles and pieces of Toblerone. Just as a cookie should be – nice and crispy on the outside and nice a chewy in the middle. We loved it.
Hubby felt left out that we’d inhaled the first cookie without him so off he went to get the Orange cookie. Without tasting, I would have said this would be my least favourite flavour. I like a chocolate orange, don’t get me wrong, but it would never be my first choice. Anyway, I’m prepared to eat my words as fast as I ate these treats! It was gorgeous – two slices of the juiciest orange cake on top of another bang on cookie! A serious taste sensation!
I’m not sure how but we managed to resit temptation for the rest of the day. But the rest of the box was demolished the next day! 11 o’clock snack time husband and I shared the Wispa Gold cookie – had it with a coffee, delish! I’ve been reliably informed the cookies are really good warmed up with a bit of ice cream too – great on hot days like today.
We then shared the brownies between the three of us that afternoon. It making me drool now just thinking about them. Absolutely perfect – nice a squidgy on the inside and ridiculously rich and chocolatey. A taste of heaven!
So if you’re looking to send some one a little gift, or just want a sweet fix yourself we couldn’t recommend The Harrogate Cookie Company enough. The flavours are insane, the prices are really reasonable and you’ll be doing your bit and supporting a local business too!
25/05/2020
Disclosure: Mumbler was lucky enough to receive this for free however we pinky promised to only write a truthful account. Phew, we really enjoyed it! (otherwise that could have been awks!)
63rd + 1st is a new Cocktail Bar and Family Dining Restaurant bringing a taste of the Big Apple to Harrogate! It’s a great place to grab a coffee, cocktails or grab a bite to eat for the whole family.
They are currently offering a free child’s ice cream waffle flight when ordered with any two adult cocktails or mocktails. Choose any three combinations or ice cream or sorbet with a choice of sauces and toppings. Available Monday to Sunday until 10th September.
They are also currently taking part in the Harrogate BID Lego Trail, which you can find more information on here.
We went along earlier this week for a family dinner. Located on Albert Street, there is plenty of parking near by, although we opted to walk. The first thing you notice as you arrive is the amazing floral display outside – it really is breath taking. I absolutely loved the decor inside – a beautiful club style interior, very on trend and very NY . Its a large space and really well spread out – which is great for family dining – plenty of room for prams! We were seated in a very trendy booth.
The staff couldn’t have been more accommodating. Nothing was too much for them. Both servers on the evening we went were great with my daughter. There are ipads on the table that you can order or you food from, they also bring paper menus and you can order through the waiting staff too. We opted to order through the waiting staff as we had loads of questions. My daughter made good use of the ipad though – playing restaurants and taking our orders!
The menu is inspired by the street food scene in Manhattan and sharing is very much encouraged. There is a great kids menu all mains are £6 – choose from Haddock Fingers and Fries, 63rd+1st Kids Burger and Fried or Kids Plant Based Chicken Wrap. My little one went for the wrap – which came with fries – she absolutely loved it!
Hubby and I shared some starters; Short Rib Croquettes, Maryland Crab Bon Bons and a Crispy Asian Beef Salad. All were gorgeous, but the rib croquettes were something else! I must admit I was really impressed with just how good everything tasted – everything was cooked to perfection and tasted delicious.
They brought our daughters main out with the starters, which is always a great help when dining with kids! For mains we ordered a burger and fish tacos, with a portion of loaded fries. I say mains – they were all sharing style too – and probably a little smaller than you’d expect for a main course if you were to order on their own – but perfect for when you want a bit of everything – and like me – love adding sides! The fish tacos were insane, they had quite a kick to them (which I liked!)
For purposes of the review, we managed to fit in deserts too! The kid’s flight of ice cream was such a brilliant idea, my daughter absolutely loved it. I went for the knickerbocker glory but i think the star of the show had to be the NY cheesecake – delicious!
It was such a lovely atmosphere in there – there were plenty of other diners but the place felt nice and chilled out. The perfect vibe for a wonderful summer evening dinner with my family. We’ll definitely be back!
Reviewed by Harrogate Mumbler August 2022
Disclosure: We were gifted our dinner however we pinky promised to only write a truthful account. Phew, we really enjoyed them, otherwise that could have been awks!
Bamber & Brown is a beautiful little barista bar at Birk Crag, serving takeaway coffees, refreshments and light bites perfect for ramblers & dog walkers. Owner Philippa has dreamed for over 20 years of re-establishing the cafe that used to be here years ago and remembered by many. Opening last month, it’s already proving popular with the dog walking crowd, but given it’s tucked away location not everyone knows about this little gem – but we are here to change that!
Bamber & Brown is located on Crag Lane – just before Birk Crag. If you’re coming from Harlow Carr, it’s about a five minute walk – just walk down Crag Lane, past the kennels and Bamber & Brown Barista Bar is on the right. Alternatively you can walk down past the old Harrogate Arms Pub, skirt around with Harlow Carr Gardens on your left, before turning right towards Birk Crag. Go up the stairs by the big rocks (turn right when you get to the access road to Birk Crag House) and Bamber & brown is on your left. See the map below, Bamber & Brown is marked with the red cross.
The beautiful converted horse trailer serves an array of hot and cold drinks – and some mighty fine looking snacks, in fact I can tell you, not only did they look fine – they tasted fab too. We took full advantage of their sample station! From September Philippa plans to start serving some hot food options including pizzas and bacon sandwiches. For now though – there is a great array of snacks to choose from – cakes, sweets, fruit, crisps and ice creams to name a few.
There are plenty of picnic tables, and the setting is just gorgeous (it’s hard to believe we are still in walking distance of Harrogate town centre!). Its obviously very dog friendly – with lots of water bowls dotted about and even some treats for sale for them!
We absolutely loved it here – and will be coming back again for sure. It’s perfect for a summers day – but with Philippa’s plans for the woodshed – it sounds like it will be just as magical in the winter.
I can confirm the coffee is top notch – and love they have a loyalty card. My daughter loved it here – plenty of space to play, and she loved our adventurous walk to Birk Crag afterwards too.
A big thumbs up from Mumbler and a welcome addition to the Harrogate coffee scene.
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Food Of Zeus offer a range of products, we were sent a Super Green Juice, Zingy carrot juice, some treats and some of their lunch options. Products are delivered to your door in a cool bag, in reusable containers. The bag and containers are collected later that week!
We absolutely loved the products that were sent. At first it seemed a little expensive, but then when you see all the list of ingredients and try the products it’s totally worth it. Not to mention the fact that we didn’t have to spend hours in the kitchen making it (and if we had of done it wouldn’t of tasted half as good!)
The Super Green Juice was my favourite out of the juices – it packed a punch and I loved it! Instantly made me feel more awake! We were given some apple muffin rolls for breakfast which were delicious. I did think they were a little on the small side – but they totally kept us all going until lunch time. With no refined sugar in there there was no 11am slump! We got two lunch dishes to try – a Tomato and Herb Bulgar Salad and An Asian Prawn Salad. Both delicious and bursting with flavour. The Asian Prawn salad was the winner for me! If you do sign up for Katy will cater for your likes and dislikes – although it’s worth noting it’s not a free from kitchen.
Portion sizes for lunch were spot on – I didn’t even need my mid afternoon snack. I can’t tell you how nice it was to have something different to eat for lunch too. I’m usually so uninspired when it comes to lunches, Food of Zeus was a great welcome change to our lunch time routine and we will definitely be using them again! My top says it all – YES BAB!
Their current options are available on a weekly delivery and are:
Reviewed June 2022
Disclosure: We were gifted our meals and juices from Food of Zeus however we pinky promised to only write a truthful account. Phew, we really enjoyed them, otherwise that could have been awks!
So Harrogate Mumbler were invited along to Ginos to give our honest opinion of the Family Dining experience which unfortunately meant we had to take (all) of our Mini Mumblers with us (11 months, 5, 6, 7, & 9). Although we were treated to a complementary lunch there is no amount of pizza that would persuade us to give anything other than an totally honest review, so here goes………
We arrived at 12 (ish) and were shown upstairs to the private dining room which is very swish, lots of glass walls, the table was set for 9 in the middle but there were 2 other tables so you could probably seat up to 30 in the room. The extra tables were great for the kiddies as they could colour, play, fight(!) away from the beautifully set table we would eat at.
Our waiter, David was very helpful and didn’t mind at all that I asked for the music to be turned down (I was hopeful that the youngest would sleep….she didn’t!) and whizzed around getting drinks and handing out menus. The games room (table football & pool table) next door to the Private Dining Room was a big hit with all the kids and the glass wall between the 2 meant we could see them but not hear them…. literally my ideal parenting situation!
The starters was ‘Fantastico’ sharing board for the grown-ups, which really lived up to its name with delicious meats, olives, bread and cheeses and the kids food (pizza & pasta) came at the same time which worked very well.
Having the privacy of the room upstairs meant that the kids could play, chat and enjoy themselves without us having to worry that they were potentially annoying other diners. It felt very relaxed and we didn’t have to rush at all, especially once they discovered the (free) photobooth in the adjoining bar area!
The staff were all very tuned in to kids needs and nothing felt like too much trouble. With delicious food, and entertainment for the Mini Mumblers we had a (surprisingly) lovely time and will definitely return to Ginos…..
Ciao x
To join the rewards scheme (Club Individual) free of charge and receive a £30 Dining Gift follow this link
To take a look at the menus or book a table online please visit Ginos website
May 2020
I haven’t had a fish and chip supper since before lockdown and I have really been craving the nostalgic meal which takes me back to past family holiday memories.
The family owned and run Harrogate Fisheries did not disappoint me.
We ordered via Deliveroo, but you can also buy your lunch/supper directly from their shop on Skipton Road, with strict distancing rules in place for queuing, ordering and waiting.
They are also offering a FREE local delivery service to the senior residents of Bilton on Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays between 5.00pm – 6.30pm. This can be arranged by calling 07931 596398 to place an order, make a payment and arrange delivery. What an amazing thing to do for the local community
My husband and I opted for 2 portions of their fish and chips (small size), a smoked battered sausage (to try for research purposes obviously), and a portion of fish bites for our mini-mumbler. Not forgetting a small portion of both mushy peas and curry sauce, because the more condiments the better in my opinion!
When you order on Deliveroo you can choose to add salt, vinegar & scraps, so just like when you visit the shop itself. Who doesn’t love scraps!?
It arrived quickly and was delivered safely (contact free). It comes in cardboard boxes which state they are biodegradable and microwaveable – although we did not give them chance to cool down to try that out!
The food was delicious, so fresh you could tell it was cooked to order, a real treat and the portions were great. Lovely light & crispy batter, not greasy and big chunky pieces of white flaky fish. The smoked sausage was really tasty, and I will order it all again for certain…in fact I’m getting hungry just typing this!
So, for a taste of the seaside in #lockdown without the long journey or if you fancy a treat for lunch or tea, my family and I can absolutely recommend Harrogate Fisheries for your fish and chip takeaway fix.
OPENING TIMES
Monday – Closed
Tuesday to Thursday 4.30pm to 8.00pm
Friday and Saturday 11.30am to 1.45pm / 4.30pm to 8.00pm
Sunday – Closed
Please note they are only accepting card payments.
2018 has been a great year for Harrogate and the opening of new bars and eateries. What’s especially nice to see is whilst the big high street chains can’t seem to hack the pace, we are seeing small local chains and independent food and drink places in Harrogate flourish. As it’s the time of year to eat, drink and be merry we thought we’d share with you some of our newly opened favourite places to eat and drink in Harrogate – with or without the little ones in tow.
Thug Sandwich 2a Albert Street
This list is in no particular order, but if it were this would be number one! Opening at the end of the summer this little sandwich shop is AMAZING. Owner Dan is a trained chef and boy, you can tell. I feel like he’s somehow got inside my head and made everything especially for me – and judging by his reviews online I’m not alone in thinking this. The guy is a gastronomic genius! Pretty much everything he puts in that sandwich he makes himself – and my goodness everything I’ve tried so far (which to be honest is most of the menu) is a taste sensation. And for those few things he doesn’t make he sources from local suppliers. My personal favourite is the special beef in soy and honey – just delicious. Portions are really generous, which always gets a thumbs up from me. The billionaire shortbread is to die for, my husband says it’s ruined any other caramel shortbread for him because these are so good! I love this shop, Dan has done such a brilliant job with the place – he’s so passionate about what he does and it really shines through. I’m sitting here smiling just thinking about how tasty those billionaire shortbreads are! Seriously – without a shadow of a doubt the best place to get a sandwich in Harrogate. Go check it out NOW!
I am Doner, 30 Station Parade
I am Doner opened its second premises here in Harrogate last month. I am Doner is a revolutionary kebab shop serving delicious takeaway doner kebabs, salad and rice boxes with artisan bread baked daily. They use a total of 120 ingredients in the six kebabs they make and there is nothing dirty about these kebabs! Founder Paul Baron is leading the kebab revolution after having worked in Michelin starred restaurants and been trained by top chefs. I am Doner is inspired by the kebab shops of Berlin and they’ve got it spot on. Me and hubby got a take away from here last week and it was delicious – portions were huge and the food was not only tasty but pretty damn healthy. Hubby went for the large roast chicken doner, I went for the chicken rice box and we shared a portion of the special street cart fries. All were super tasty but my favourite had to be the special street cart fries – basically a mixture of all their kebabs loaded on chips. What’s not to love! They even do a vegan kebab which I’ve heard very good things about. Another great addition to the Harrogate food scene – and definitely not a kebab shop just to visit after a night out – there are even queues at lunchtime!
Corner Haus, 28a Swan Road
Situated near the entrance to Valley Gardens this café bar has literally just opened. Inspired by trips across Northern Europe, owner Isla Birch is putting everything she loves about her trips abroad into this place. They plan to serve an alternative brunch – including waffles and some yummy tasting potatoes and cheese dishes. As well as food and really good coffee, Corner Haus also serves beer and wine! There’s easy access and plenty of space for pushchairs – the big leather sofas add to the relaxed atmosphere. It has a real Alpine Lodge feel to the place. I’m envisaging this place being really popular especially in the winter; I’m already thinking this will be an ideal place to warm up after some winter sledging in Valley Gardens. Something a little different to what’s currently on offer in Harrogate – I think this place will be a great success!
Cold Bath Brewing Co, 46 Kings Road
This place is bought to us by three local friends who shared a love for craft lager, who were so good at making the stuff that they opened their Brew lab earlier this year. It’s been a great addition to the Harrogate bar scene AND they brought the sunshine with them – what a great opening summer for them! We even managed a very unheard of date night here at the end of the summer and we loved it. Hubby can vouch that the lagers are great – he got through quite a few! The atmosphere and the bar staff were equally as great – and I can assure you if we ever get round to another date night we’ll be heading here again.
No 43 Brew Bar, 43 St. Winifreds Avenue
This is a lovely little local coffee shop in the Saints area which opened earlier this year. A small little coffee shop with a few tables and a communal bar area, this place has a really friendly and snug feel – they even have dog treats out for your four-legged friends. We took our little girl for an afternoon treat – her and hubby gave the chocolate milkshake a big thumbs up. The cakes made by the Harrogate Cake Lady looked delicious, but I opted for a scrumptious brownie, made by Brown and Blond Brownies. They also serve a selection of freshly made sandwiches and paninis, available from mid-morning. A lovely little addition to the area – already a big hit with the locals!
The Cats Pyjamas, 2-4 Albert Street
The Harrogate branch is the newest addition to this small Yorkshire chain. You might have heard they’re having a few financial issues – but that appears all to be in hand now and the Harrogate branch is definitely open for business. Indian street food served in a vibrant trendy setting. Worlds away for your typical Indian restaurants and when it’s done in this style it’s right down my street – I particularly liked the Lamb Chops and Saag Paneer. The restaurant gets extra brownie points from us for being very kiddy friendly – with a kids menu for your more adventurous children and plenty of space for high chairs and buggies. In fact, if you’re waiting on the imminent arrival of a little one the owner Alison White swears by the Pork Vindaloo to bring on labour!
There you have it – a round-up of some of our favourite new additions to the Harrogate Independent food and drink scene. And it doesn’t stop there – if you’re a fan of fish then FISK are opening their second restaurant in Harrogate this week, and if you’re a fan of donuts you’ll be pleased to know Manna Bakery are also taking over new premises. I’ve also been reliably informed that Baltzersen’s are expanding too! If you haven’t tried these places before – treat yourself as well as supporting some great local companies. As always, if you have any other recommendations you’d like to share then let us know your thoughts on our Facebook chat group!
We were invited a long to Mama Doreen’s Sing-a-long Afternoon Tea End of Term Event last week! What a way to start the summer holidays!
Their End of Term Sing-a-long started at 5:30pm and ran for 90 minutes, guests enjoy a Mama Doreen’s afternoon tea per person while they are entertained (and encouraged to sing-a-long!!) by the very talented Singtasia.
per child – £15.95
per Adult – £20.00
The next End of Term Sing-a-long Afternoon Tea is scheduled for Friday 16th December 2022. To book and for details on all Sing-a-long events (they do brunches too!) please click here.
What a way to celebrate the end of a fantastic school year! It was the end of reception for Esme and Eddie – their first year at school, coupled with the fact this had been the first school year not to be impacted in quite a while meant we had a lot to celebrate! Our Mumbler Champion Elfie and her 2 year old son Rowan also came along.
We were greeted at the door by Woody, Rapunzel and the Ice Queen herself Elsa! It was magical – I honestly felt like I was in Disneyland! We were escorted to our tables, where there was colouring set out for the children. It was a full house, with tables of little princesses (fancy dress optional!), families, birthday parties and even a hen do! It really is an event for everyone – we joked a little about this but in all honesty I’m not sure who enjoyed it more – the adults or the children!
You’re asked if you have any dietary requirements and then your drinks orders are taken. For the kids its a choice of soft drinks or hot chocolates, us adults went traditional with a pot of good old Yorkshire Tea! Once all the orders are taken – the singing begins!
I can’t tell you how brilliant it was – predominately Disney songs with a few other songs from famous films – my daughters whole face lit up when they started singing a song from The Muppets! It took a while for our kids to get into it, but other children were up singing and dancing straight away. For those children who were a little shy, the Singtasia team were just brilliant with them. By half way through – they had every child up on their feet dancing – and most the adults too! It remained that way till the end! A proper party atmosphere – especially when doing the conga! I would say it’s ideal for any age – Rowan absolutely loved it as much as Esme and Eddie (and us Mums!).
The food was exceptional! Gorgeous array of sandwiches and cakes – slightly more refined for the adults! The kids got ham, cheese and jam sandwiches accompanied with crisps, cucumber and carrots and of course a selection of utterly gorgeous cakes! I couldn’t fault anything! They come round with boxes at the end for any leftovers you want to take home. Believe me, my daughter and I can eat – and we still couldn’t manage everything (lucky Mr Mumbler!). As we were leaving all children were given a party bag of sweets. It really was a sweet treat afternoon that was enjoyed by everyone! And because of all the singing and dancing – all our little ones were actually ready for bed!
We cannot recommend these Sing-a-long events enough, it was utterly magical and one of those events that the adults can enjoy it just as much as the kids, if not more….
Reviewed by Harrogate Mumbler July 2022
Disclosure: We were gifted our Sing-a-long Afternoon Tea however we pinky promised to only write a truthful account. Phew, we really enjoyed them, otherwise that could have been awks!
My family and I were excited to visit Portofino. We all love Italian food and had hoped to visit in March to celebrate my son’s 3rd Birthday, but then Lockdown hit. So, when the opportunity came up to visit last week, we were overjoyed. And what a fantastic visit it was.
We were greeted at the door by lovely friendly staff and my contact details were taken – one of the many covid-19 procedures in place to keep you and other guests safe. There is a hand sanitiser station on arrival and Perspex screens up around the booths, so you feel safe in your own area, but can still enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant.
Right, on to the food!
We had a delicious Homemade Fresh Flatbread & Olives, with garlic butter to dip into. I am not normally an olive fan, but they were delicious, so I quickly converted. It was a generous size too, so we were all able to have a decent amount each. The menu is extensive. There is plenty of choice and if you are not a huge fan of pizza or pasta, there are plenty of other dishes to choose, from steaks to burgers. There really is something for everyone.
Salmon Fetta
To start we had Salmon Fetta & Calamari Fritti. The Salmon Fetta was made up of smoked salmon, mascarpone cheese, baby prawns and a mango coulis with toasted bread to eat it on. The Calamari had a light and crispy batter and we even managed to get our mini mumbler to eat it (he is rather fussy about trying new things). Both were beautifully presented and tasted amazing.
They have a children’s menu (Bambini Menu) and it includes a choice of kids drink and ice cream. The mains are served with chips or salad & beans or peas. They can have Fish Fingers or Chicken Nuggets or Sausages or Any Pizza or Pasta. Our mini mumbler loves Pizza, so it was an easy choice for him.
I chose a dish from the speciality menu, Risotto Alla Pescatora (creamy mixed herb and garlic sauce with chicken, baby prawns and mixed peppers). They also do this dish with Linguine pasta instead. The menu itself said “You’ll regret not trying this”. It was heavenly and so light.
Risotto Alla Pescatora, Diavolo Pizza and Spaghetti Amatriciana
My husband couldn’t decide, so opted for the brilliant half pizza, half pasta. He chose the Diavolo Pizza (pepperoni, Jalapenos, parma ham, mozzarella and tomato sauce) and the Spaghetti Amatriciana (bacon, onions, mushrooms, cream & tomato). The pasta was beautiful, so tasty and fresh.
The portions are generous and if you cannot fit it all in, they will box up the leftovers for you (we took home some of the yummy pizza and enjoyed it later).
With regards to value for money, I think it is excellent. They have a Happy Hour Two Course Offer and are also taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
The service was excellent, very quick and with staff checking on us throughout the meal, always friendly and eager to help. The restaurant itself had a lovely relaxed atmosphere and you felt safe and at ease. I am already planning my next visit….
Portofino Ristorante Italiano
2-4 Albert Street, Harrogate, HG1 1JG
01423 507700
portofinoharrogate@hotmail.com
Opening Hours
Monday – Saturday
11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday
11:30 AM – 09:00 PM
Reviewed: July 2020
Disclosure: Mumbler was lucky enough to receive this for free however we pinky promised to only write a truthful account of our meal. Phew, we really enjoyed it! (otherwise that could have been awks!)
Our last (and first) visit to Stump Cross Caverns was back in February, and we all loved it. The world has very much been turned 
upon its head since then! And time and time again throughout the lockdown days my daughter use to say to me “When everyone’s better, can we go back to Stump Cross Caverns?” I promised her once it was reopened, we would go back up to these magical caves.
And that’s finally what we did this weekend! It’s very much a family run business up at Stump Cross. As I said, its only my second time here and I was welcomed like a family member! That’s exactly how they treat everyone that walks through the door, and that’s one of the reasons that everyone is raving about this place. Don’t take my word for it – read their reviews! Some of the things I’ve read on Trip Advisor have brought me to tears! Lisa, Nick and their team go above and beyond to make your trip to Stump Cross Caverns as magical as possible! It’s no wonder they received a 2020 Travellers’ Choice award from TripAdvisor.
Since they re-opened back in the summer, they’ve done everything possible to not only make your experience as magical as possible but also as safe as possible. They’ve taken every COVID-19 measure you can think of, and then some! As Lisa said to me, it’s on her head if anything happens. If you’re feeling practically vulnerable, then get in touch with her – she’ll talk you through everything, and has even been known to open the caves up early so her customers have had the added benefit of being the only ones on site!
It’s so nice to go somewhere that’s put so much time and effort into making their establishment as COVID secure as possible. That now nearly constant fear I have going anywhere indoors in public wasn’t there when we went this weekend. A true testament to how much Lisa, Nick and their team care!
We went on a cold but Sunny October Sunday at around 12.30pm, probably their busiest time! You can pre- book online for their café and the caves but if you just turn up (like we did!) they’ll try their hardest to fit you in! We were looking to eat first then go down to the caves. The café was pretty much at capacity – so we were given the option of waiting for a table indoors and going to the caves first, eating in their cinema room or eating outside.
We opted to take advantage of the weather and eat outside! It was a bit nippy, but the glorious autumnal sun was out and we loved it! If you’ve never been up here – the surroundings are beautiful! Right on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales! Plus, we have a 4-year-old, so she was loving running around in garden – there’s a mini maze, a huge dragon (!) and a giant sandpit to keep her amused. Which was so much easier than keeping her amused sat at a table indoors! Therefore, my top tip – if the weather allows it – eat outside!! We loved it!
The food at The Time Café is all freshly made by their much loved and REALLY talented chef! Everything is made freshly to order, so you will have to wait a little longer but believe me it’s worth the wait! This isn’t any ordinary café – the food here is top quality! Think of it as more like going to a gastro pub! They’ve got a great menu, lots of smaller offerings for kids too which are really reasonably priced! They also have a pretty extensive specials board, which included Fish and Chips and a Crayfish and Prawn Sandwich whilst we were there.
We opted for a sandwich and ciabatta for us parents, with a side of chips (goes without saying!) and our little one had the home-made chicken goujons, chips and peas (which comes with a free drink!). Everything was amazing – seriously, gastro pub standard! Such a refreshing change when you’re on a family day out! Usually food choices are just a means to an end – but not here. I couldn’t fault anything; portion sizes were on the large size which is always a bonus in my books! The chips here are ridiculous. They remind me of the chips my Nan use to make when I was a little girl – what I like to call PROPER chips!
If you’re not looking for a full-on meal – then you need to try their sausage rolls! Although having said that – be warned they are HUGE and could easily pass as a meal! You only have to look on their media sites – whenever they post a picture of their legendary sausage rolls – they get so many comments! They’re flaming delicious!
All their cakes and tray bakes are freshly made in house too. Oh, my days. Please do treat yourself – the Rocky Road is immense! I’m salivating just thinking about it! They do some delicious ice creams too – and it’s a licensed café! You can even enjoy a Stump Cross Ale!!
I cannot recommend the café enough. The food is faultless and so is the service! The waiting staff are so friendly! They all made such a fuss of my little girl – and all the other children that were there! As I said – it was pretty busy when we were there – but they were all doing a brilliant job and still made the time to make sure everything was perfect! It was!
After we’d been fed, we headed down to the caves. You’re allowed down in time slots in one booking at a time. Essentially, you go down there in your own bubble. You’re sent down at staggered time, so you’re less likely to see another bubble. But there are times when your paths will cross. You’re asked to pass at the passing points where there is more space to socially distance. Masks are worn at all times in the caves.
Before you go down you’re given a briefing about what to expect, how long it will take etc. The caves take about 50 minutes – so if you’re going with little ones make sure you’ve done a toilet stop first!! There is a little fairy trail to follow, and the younger guests are given little torches so they can investigate all those little nooks and crannies!
You’ll go down to the entrance where there are hard hats. There are two different containers – new and used. After each hard hat is used its thoroughly cleaned before going back in the new container! There are also a lot of adult sized wellies. They’re usually not needed – but they were this weekend. Whatever the weather I’d advise you take your kids in wellies – they’re always a puddle or two!
There are lots of stairs to content with and you’ll be bending down a fair few time – the hard hats are definitively a necessity! The caves are just brilliant – the kids just love it! It’s a bit magical, a bit mysterious! My daughter loved looking out for the fairy doors, and I loved finding the answers to the fairy door quiz – the quiz was really interesting! It’s one of those family days out that the whole family can enjoy! Something a bit different and really interesting. A much-needed change of scene to soft play!
One of the great things about Stump Cross Caverns is it’s a perfect day out all year round! Come rain or shine, it’s a constant 7 degrees down there and always a bit wet! If it’s been raining heavily some of the walk ways will be flooded – but that just added to the sense of adventure for us!
All in all, we had a fab day at Stump Cross Caverns! A day out for all the family – you can even bring the dog if you want (although they’re not allowed down the caves!).
Check out their website for latest offers and to see what events they have going on. We love it here, it’s my daughter’s favourite place! She remembered all the names of everyone we met they made such an impression on her! So if you’re looking for somewhere safe to go in these funny times, somewhere extra special with amazing food and somewhere the whole family will enjoy the SCC is the place to go!
And if that isn’t enough to tempt you did you know they had a cinema room too!!! You can rent it for only £6 per person!
Review October 2020
There is so much going on at Stump Cross this summer – its quite literally the coolest place to visit! Whatever the weather outside, the caves are a natural air-conditioning system, at a constant 7 degrees. Stump Cross is an ideal family day out this summer – come rain or shine – you’ll be covered in our caves.
As we’re situated on top of one of the UK’s highest villages, Greenhow Hill, we’ve got the most stunning views, and there’s always a welcome breeze to keep you and your family a little cooler. We’ve got out door seating, umbrellas, plenty of space for the little ones to play plus a huge sandpit where your little ones can dig for fossils. And if it is a typical British summers day when you visit, i.e raining – then we have plenty of space inside at our Time Cafe and Time Pod. Dogs are more than welcome here at Stump Cross, so make it a trip out for the whole family!
We were invited a long to Stump Cross Caverns for the perfect summer’s day out. Needless to say it rained, but that didn’t dampen our day out one bit! We were on our way back from a holiday in the Lakes, so this was the ideal stop off on our way back to Harrogate. We had the newest addition to our family with us – Buster – our six month old puppy! Dogs are more than welcome here – they just aren’t allowed down the caves. But they are more than welcome in the cafe and shop. If you speak to anyone working at Stump Cross they’ll let you know of some gorgeous walks near by. The weather wasn’t too bad when we arrived so we decided to sit on one of the picnic tables at the back. Nothing we couldn’t cope with – a jumper on and the umbrella for the occasional rain cloud. The dog loved it – having a good sniff round then settling under our table. The daughter loved it more, although there isn’t any usual play equipment (not a swing insight) – there was LOADS to keep her amused. She would have happily have stayed playing outside all day. Theres a huge sandpit with plenty of buckets and spades for the children to use. There’s a few fossils hidden in there too if you can find them! There is also a small maze made out of rocks, ideal for kids (and dogs) to do on their own as you can see them at all times. Theres also Zelda the dragon and her eggs and a lovely little treasure / fairy door garden. Plenty of green grass for the littles ones to run around in made this the ideal spot for lunch, and I haven’t even mentioned the views – AMAZING!
You order and pay for your food at the counter inside, the food is then served to your table. Food takes a little longer to be served, because everything is made from scratch. Believe me when I say, it’s worth the wait! Having our table outside meant our little one was kept amused whilst the kitchen cooked up a storm. In fact, we had a hard time getting her to the table when the food arrived. I’d say it took less than 30 minutes for the food to arrive, which i don’t think is long at all. They have a fab kids menu, with about 5 choices – all £5.95 and includes a drink. My daughter opted for this fish goujons with chips and peas and a fruit shoot – a generous portion size for little ones, and it must have been tasty as she ate every last bit. My husband got influenced from an earlier Instagram post they did for their Dino Ribs. Our daughter loved the fact that Daddy was having Dino Ribs for dinner. Don’t worry = they’re pork really! A huge portion with chips and a corn on the cob – all for only £13.95, seriously delicious! I went for the pork ciabatta and chips – again absolutely gorgeous. It’s worth coming here for the food alone – proper gastro pub vibes! You should see the cakes they have on display too! We were too full to try them – but they sent us home with a piece of the biscof cheesecake which was insane! If you are looking for a lighter bite – then you need to try their sausage rolls and afternoon teas! Although be warned – these are both HUGE! Proper Yorkshire portions here at Stump Cross!
After lunch, my daughter and I headed down to the caves whilst the dog (and husband) had a little rest outside! It’s a self guided tour that lasts about 50 minutes – so if you’re going with little ones make sure you’ve done a toilet stop first! Before you go down you get fully briefed then off you go.
You’ll go down to the entrance where there are hard hats. There are also a lot of adult sized wellies. They’re usually not needed. Whatever the weather I’d advise you take your kids in wellies – there is always a puddle or two!
My daughter loves it down here – we’ve been a few times now, but each time she’s more amazed than the last time, and always spots something new. There is a little fairy trail to follow (a fossil trail for older kids), and the younger guests are given little torches so they can investigate all those little nooks and crannies!
There are lots of stairs to content with and you’ll be bending down a fair few time – the hard hats are definitively a necessity! The caves are just brilliant – the kids just love it! It’s a bit magical, a bit mysterious! My daughter loved looking out for the fairy doors, and I loved finding the answers to the fairy door quiz – the quiz was really interesting! It’s one of those family days out that the whole family can enjoy! Something a bit different and really interesting.
We loved seeing where the Cave Woman slept during one of her fund raisers, and there were plenty of photo opportunities! After we’d done the tour we came back up – got our fairy quiz marked and got to choose a free gift – my daughter went for the fools gold!
It’s such a great day out at Stump Cross – whatever the weather! We loved being outside and there was plenty to keep the kids entertained, and the views were to die for. If the weather isn’t on your side – the caves and cinema are an ideal place to take shelter! And ice creams – whatever the weather! If you’re looking for something a little different for a summer family day out I can’t recommend Stump Cross Caverns enough! It’s brilliant and we’ll be back again over the hols!
Reviewed by Harrogate Mumbler July 2022
Disclosure: We were gifted our lunch and entry to the caves however we pinky promised to only write a truthful account. Phew, we really enjoyed them, otherwise that could have been awks!
We have some very special events on over the summer holidays:
Breakfast & Cave Tour with the Cavewoman
Having your breakfast with the Cavewoman is an experience you’ll never forget! Meet in the Time Café and our Cavewoman will entertain you with tales of the caves, whilst you eat a delicious home-cooked breakfast. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
When: Tuesdays, 9am to 10am
Fossil Dig with Cavewoman
Our Fossil Digs are hugely popular with young explorers. Don’t forget you can take home anything you find in our huge sandpit!
When: Every day, 9am to 6pm and late-night Thursday until 9pm
Guided Cave Tour with the Cavewoman
Book in on our Wonderful Wednesdays events, where the Cavewoman will guide you through the caves, bringing the history of the caves alive for every member of the family.
When: Wednesdays, 4pm – 5pm (maximum 12 people)
Cavewoman on the big screen
It’s not every day you get to see a blockbuster film with a Cavewoman, well, now is your chance. Book in to guarantee your place in our cave cinema, it’s an experience of a lifetime.
When: Thursdays, 4pm- 6pm
Caves colouring in competition
Put your artistic talents to the test in our colouring-in competition. You’ll find lots of inspiration in and around our glorious caves – have you got what it takes?
When: Fridays, 11am to 12noon
I love pizza, in fact my whole family do so jumped at the chance to try The Homemade Pizza Club out…….I was intrigued to see what it was like & I wasn’t disappointed – we all loved them & had a great time making them.
I received my box of goodies on Friday (the kids straight away spotted the box had ‘pizza’ on it when they came home from school) so we decided to try it out for diner. We had some friend staying which was great as the pizzas are massive. Everything was packaged really well & included an ice pack so it kept everything cool even in this crazy heat.
The bases were packed individually & as myself and my eldest are gluten free we opted for some of those bases as well. It was an absolute joy to see the gf bases were the same size as the normal ones – usually this isn’t the case & we always have to have smaller options. Everything was clearly marked and as the bases were individually wrapped you could pop them in the freezer, however in the Friday they stay fresh for up to 48 hours.
Everyone has their own base & we set about adding the toppings, starting with the rich tomato sauce provided & the grated mozzarella – perfectly portioned for each pizza – next there was a selection of authentic Italian toppings including pesto, grilled vegetables, sun dried tomato & salami (you can choose which toppings you would like to go along with your bases). The children went for salami & I tried out the vegetables & pesto which were delicious. Everyone had great fun & enjoyed being involved in making them – then they went into the oven and were ready in around 7-8 minutes – perfect for a speedy tea without having to think about anything!
The verdict was 10/10 and I can honestly say I have never had such a fantastic tasting pizza at home – it was a winner all round & we will be trying them again in the Summer holidays.
There are many options including meaty, vegetarian & spicy options & you can even buy gift cards too – do check them out here.
The Nelson Inn reopened its doors earlier this week and we were lucky enough to be invited down by owner Sam for dinner. I met Sam a few weeks earlier whilst she was recruiting for staff, and got so excited about hearing all her plans. A traditional country pub welcoming all the family is what she promised, and they’ve certainly delivered.
When they say all the family, they really do mean it. We took our 10 month old puppy, and as we entered the pub we were welcomed by one of staff who said “Welcome to Battersea Dogs Home!” . There were so many dogs there – I absolutely loved it – so did little Buster! We got showed to our table and given a bowl of water and a little dog treat for Buster.
To say this is a warm, welcoming pub is an understatement! Log fires ✅ , cosy decor ✅ and the friendliest staff I’ve come across in a long time ✅ . The space is huge – a bar area, dining area – with a more formal raised dining area (no dogs allowed up there!) plus a beer garden to die for! Roll on summer – they’ve thought of everything, including the Great British Weather – plenty of covered seating too! And rumour has it they’re waiting on a very special delivery this week – a huge tractor for all the kids to play on! See you in the beer garden folks – about 5 months time?!
The kids menu was brilliant, all the kids favourite and some. It was almost like a mini adults menu – with mini fish pie really standing out to me. All reasonably priced, my daughter went for the fish goujons – a great sized portion! Needless to say, my daughter ate it all!
Hubby and I went all out with starters and mains – Prawns and Pork for me, Squid and Burger for him. Again – prices I felt were really reasonable, starters from around £6 and mains starting from £15.25. The food was delicious – and always a big plus in my eyes – the portions were on the Yorkshire side (big!). The menu changes regularly and is very seasonal – so much choice. My pork was exquisite. Everything is cooked to order and home made. I was blown away at the quality – I’ve paid far more fin other restaurants and they weren’t nearly as nice as this.
The food is ridiculously good, as are the drinks – I spotted some great cocktail specials – but I think what really makes The Nelson Inn such a hit – are the staff. Everyone of them were lovely – really engaging, very knowledgeable (big bug of mine when you ask for recommendations and the staff know nothing about what they’re serving!) and most of all just seemed like a really lovely bunch of people.
We were pretty stuffed after our starters and mains, but I realise the things I have to do for you guys, so I took one for the team and asked to see the dessert menu! Loved their small puddings and hot drink section – the perfect way to finish the meal. The white chocolate trifle was AMAZING!
I’ve been waiting a long time to find a country pub near Harrogate that ticks all my boxes, and I’m pleased to say I’ve found it! Welcome to Harrogate The Nelson Inn – looking forwarding to the next visit!
Reviewed by Harrogate Mumbler November 2022
Disclosure: We were gifted our dinner however we pinky promised to only write a truthful account. Phew, we really enjoyed them, otherwise that could have been awks!
May 2020
The best news hubby and I heard all lockdown was that Thug Sandwich was re-opening! We’d had to self isolate before official lockdown due to our daughter having a temperature, so we weren’t able to get our fix before Dan shut up shop. There was talk of a delivery service – but I totally get why this didn’t happen. If you’re a regular Thugger you’ll know Dan does not cut corners on anything – and I guess with a delivery service he’d have had to. So I’m glad he waited, because his sandwiches are in my opinion a taste of heaven, and it was so worth the wait – they were, as always bang on!
I’m a big sandwich fan, and Thug have somehow gotten into my brain and taken everything I love and put it in a sandwich. Everything is either home made or locally sourced. The quality of everything is unreal. The portions are huge and the prices are really really reasonable!
If you’re after something brunch-esq, a usual cheese and ham or something a special you will not be disappointed! We went for our absolute favourites – Soy Beef special and the KFCaesar. 10/10. The Soy Beef is my absolute all time favourite – mouth wateringly good. They sell a range of non sandwich items too – salads, brownies and their pretty incredible lamb fingers to name a few.
There are are socially distancing rules in place, and you can even call in your order before hand. Thug Sandwich has been a great addition to the Harrogate food scene. But now more than ever you need to go and try these sandwiches. His usual foot fall has gone, no more people in the local offices, shops or even the gym opposite. But for everyone now working from home – take your lunch hour and head down there. If you usually treat yourself to a take away at the weekend – try this for lunch in brunch instead. Or, if you’re off out for a family picnic – fill your boots here first!
So get out there – support a brilliant local business and do your tastebuds a massive favour. Oh and they’re coffee is pretty awesome too!
Open Mon-Fri 9am-3pm, Sat 10am-3pm. Thug Sandwich.
I didn’t choose the thug live, the thug live chose me.
I wrote this blog last year, and its fast becoming my favourite thing to write about! Its so wonderful to see that it’s been another great year for new independent bars and eateries opening in Harrogate. We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite that have opened this year. Most are child friendly – but we’ve added a few that would be ideal for those precious evenings or lunchtimes you have without your mini-mumblers!
If you haven’t heard of Doe then where have you been hiding! This colourful addition to Bower Street opened earlier this year and its fab! Its a donut shop – like no other! An Instagramer’s dream – everything is colourful, fun and delicious! They taste as good as they look. With the menu changing daily you can often find me drooling over their latest creations posted on Instagram. A great treat for all the family.
As soon as a moved to Harrogate, I’ve said to anyone who would listen we need more small cocktail venues. Seems like someone was listening and along came District to Cold Bath Road. They do some killer cocktails, as well as great coffee and delicious pizzas. We’ve been in the daytime with our little one before, and a few friends and had a very enjoyable boozy afternoon in the Snug. We just need to get a babysitter booked now and check it out on a night out!
This place definitely gets my vote for newcomer of the year! It took me ages to finally get round to trying this place out, but my goodness I’ve made up for it since! As a family, this is our go to restaurant, we all love it! In fact, whenever we’re in town my three year old asks if we’re going to Farmhouse. The kids menu is great, the adults menu is even better! Such a huge selection and everything I’ve tried so far (if we’re being honest then its most of the menu!) has been ridiculously good. The cookie skillet is AMAZING! Its a great location, really reasonably priced, brilliant staff and fab decor. You could easily have a whole NCT class reunion in here with no pram parking issues! We had Harrogate Mumbler Christmas party here this year and it was fab! If you’re thinking of opening a local, independent restaurant, get down here and see how its done properly. In fact, Farmhouse if you’re reading this and need any one to test any new dishes I’d happily volunteer!
A firm favourite on the Kings Road, Little Breads opened in the Hydro earlier this year. I must admit I got a little worried when I turned up one Sunday morning for our family swim session and noticed the cafe was no longer there. But a few weeks later, Little Breads arrived and I had my first (of many) rocky roads…wowzers they’re good from here! Just what you need after a long swim. They did really well at the Mumbler awards this year – and rightly so! A great place for all the family.
If you’re a fan of pancakes then head down here! A big favourite for the American community living in Harrogate. It seems to be Harrogate’s secret gem – sorry guys but not any more! A fab place for a lazy Sunday brunch with all the family.
Opening earlier this month Portofino is a welcome addition to Albert Street. Sandwiched between two of the big high street Italian chains its great to see this place is always busy! I haven’t been there yet, but I obviously perused the menu extensively and it all sounds delicious. In fact when I was reading the menu on their door, I caught the eye of a customer tucking into a HUGE bowl of pasta who gave me a big smile and thumbs up! Definitely one to try in 2020.
Not quite new to the scene – but worth a mention anyway! Hoxton North have now starting serving food on a Friday and Saturday evening and i have to say the menu looks amazing. A great little date place. The lovely Mrs Smith’ s Cafe also opened their fabulous little outdoor area this summer. And finally, technically this place opened at the end of 2018 but still worth a mention – Domo on Montpelier Street is the place to go if you want some ridiculously good Japanese cuisine!
So get out there Mumblers, support these brilliant local independents – eat, drink and be merry!
