Wakefield might not be the first place you think of when it comes to eating and drinking.
But this small town with a booming restaurant, café and drinking scene could be on the way to becoming the next culinary capital of the north.
Wakefield beats its weight when it comes to cultural offerings with national (and international) destinations like Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Pontefract Castle and the Hepworth Art Gallery.
It’s also known for licorice, rhubarb, and real ale, but it’s also the place for unusual pop-up bars and quirky food festivals.
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Here are five reasons why it might be time to shine in Wakefield, and why foodies looking for the nearest dining epicenter should do well to give it a try.
1. Food festivals
Most cities above a certain size have an annual food festival, but Wakefields are more unusual.
The city hosts an annual rhubarb festival that combines the city’s arts and food heritage with live music and comedy, cooking demonstrations, and craft markets.
The district, Pontefract in particular, is known for its liquorice and the city hosts a festival where you can taste bread, cake, tiffin, and beer, as well as sweets infused with this bizarre-tasting but popular plant extract.
2. Farm shops
Two of the best in the district are Farmer Copley’s (2019 Guild of Fine Food Best Farm Shop of the Year winner) and Blacker Hall Farm Shop, which sells premium vegetables and award-winning beef.
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3. Cocktail bars
RBT Video – a cocktail bar hidden behind a 1980s style video rental shop
For a different experience, try The Golden Pineapple, a tiki bar with a Victorian twist on Wood Street, or RBT Video, a cocktail bar hidden behind a 1980s-style video rental in Northgate.
Or, try the LOT Wakefield Urban Cocktail Garden on the back of RBT Video for a bit of pop-up action.
4. A feast for the eyes
Dining room with a view – The Weston Restaurant in Yorkshire Sculpture Park
(Image: Peter Cook)
Food and drink is all about taste, but a nice view is a big bonus. If so, try The Weston restaurant in Yorkshire Sculpture Park, where you can consume sustainably sourced dishes while enjoying the beautifully landscaped Bretton Estate.
The Hepworth Cafe also has great views of the River Calder.
5. Traditional Yorkshire
A visit to Wakey would be incomplete without a visit to the Wakefield Pie Shop, Cheapside, for cakes and peas. Or the family-run bakery and pastry shop Mr & Mrs C’s Bull Ring.
And if you fancy something special, book afternoon tea at the four-star Waterton Park Hotel, where you can enjoy fine cake and tea by the lake in this elegant Georgian mansion.
For more food, drink, leisure, and tourism ideas, visit Experience Wakefield.
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