Little Shambles Tearooms
Olde Worlde with nice view
A take a seat, wait to be served and pay on your way out cafe, the best part, and charm, of this little tea room is its location, in a little nook of a street off the famous Shambles and overlooking York’s market.
I’ve been to this cafe twice. The first time I went upstairs and found it to be little chilly, but had a little chat with the girl downstairs on the way out and was told it’s because the cafe is a grade 3 listed building and they aren’t allowed to alter it to put in central heating.
It wasn’t too much of an inconvenience really and the pleasant sunny room upstairs, with a view across the market, makes up for it being a bit cold during the winter.
The first time I visited I had the ‘regular’ breakfast, which I found to be a little small, one sausage, a spoonful of beans, one slice of bacon, a tomato and a fried egg, with bread on the side. Hmm, when you write it down like that it sounds bigger, but you can decide yourself from the photo. The sausage was very dry, like an overcooked vegetarian sausage or something, as if it was made of straw. I did mention it on the way out, but all I received was a ‘sorry’.
Still, I’d already had a meeting with some friends lined up at the same place today so my review is based on this too. Two of us had the larger breakfast, which cost a pound more than the regular, and I think it was much better. It had the same things as the smaller breakfast, only doubled up so you do get your money’s worth by paying a little extra. I’m happy to say both sausages were nice and juicy this time, so perhaps they had a better cook today.
Our other friend had a cheese toastie with no complaints.
On both occasions the tea was extra, and comes in a pot that gives you about three cups full.
The decor is clean, with a few interesting old photographs on the walls. The staff were nice both times, perhaps a little nicer the second time.
I imagine it’s a popular place in the summer for tea scones, and would recommend any to give it a try. It’s worth it to get a look inside such a quirky old building.
Little Shambles, York, YO1 7LY, Tel: 01904 627871
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