We are always on the lookout for great places to recommend to guests who fancy a meal out. We are blessed with some wonderful places on our doorstep, as well as some a short drive away.
There was a lot of excitement when local chef Tommy Banks announced that he was taking over the Abbey Inn at Byland. He has a great reputation with his Michelin starred restaurants, the Black Swan at Oldstead, and Roots in York.
The Abbey Inn is a bit of a departure for him as it proudly remains a pub but serving food with the Tommy Banks twist. Several friends in the village had visited, coming back raving about the food and atmosphere. The Abbey Inn has also had some fantastic reviews in the local press.
So, we couldn’t delay any longer, and went for a cheeky lunch a few weeks ago. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
We can report that all the reviews are completely justified. We loved the casual but cosy feel of the place. The staff were fantastic; friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. The food is delicious; pub classics along with some more unusual dishes.
The Byland Burger is one of their best sellers; you can see why, it’s yummy. But every dish from the roast halibut to the smoked beetroot to the charred mackerel was simply delicious. We even had space to share a tiramisu, carrot and chicory of course. For this quality of food, we think the prices are very reasonable.
It’s dog friendly throughout which is rare for a pub or restaurant round here.
We even bumped into the man himself as we were leaving; he’s clearly hands on and it shows.
We highly recommend the Abbey Inn to guests; our one caution is that it books up quickly, so make your reservations well in advance.
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