The Bottom Line
A cross between a traditional English Tea Room and a sophisticated Swiss cafe, Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms in York is like no place else for afternoon tea. The selection of sweets and light meals is amazing. You can probably find a cheaper cup of tea in York, but why would you want to?
Pros
- Sweet tooth heaven
- Wine and beer available
- Period art deco details modeled on an ocean liner
Cons
- Long wait for a table at peak times
- Prices reflect the genteel ambience
Description
- Address: 6-8 St. Helen's Square, York YO1 8QP, England. Telephone: (011)44(0)1904 659142. Bettys Cafe website
- Open every day, 9a.m. to 9p.m., a pianist plays every evening between 6 and 9p.m.
- Design inspired by an an ocean liner
- Other branches in Ilkley, Harrogate, Northallerton and the RHS Gardens at Harlow Carr
- Little Bettys, near York Minster, has small cafe rooms over a cake shop and is a bit easier to get into.
Guide Review - Bettys Café Tea Rooms - The Place for Traditional, English Afternoon Tea in York
Bettys Café Tea Rooms in York was founded by Swiss confectioner Frederick Belmont. According to the legend, he intended to start a business on the English South Coast but took the wrong train and ended up in Harrogate, where the first Bettys was established.
A good thing too. They do like their afternoon tea in the North of England. The York café, now the flagship of a small Yorkshire chain, was modeled after the Queen Mary. In fact, after Belmont sailed on the ship in 1936, he hired the same craftsmen and artisans to create his restaurant.
During World War II, the basement bar at Bettys was popular with American and Canadian bomber crews, stationed nearby. Many signed their names, with a diamond-tipped pen, on the mirror, which is still on display.
A varied menu
The menu at Bettys includes an astonishing array of sweets and cakes as well as lunch and supper dishes like Welsh Rarebit and sausages and mash. Reflecting the restaurant's Swiss founder, there is also Birchermuesli for breakfast and a selection of Swiss dishes -- rosti, raclette and so forth. Unlike many traditional English tea shops, Bettys serves wine and beer.There are two oddities worth noting about Bettys. First off, as you may have noticed, there is no apostrophe in the name "Bettys". Secondly, there is no Betty and there probably never was.
