The Blue Barbakan
Tours & Activities in York
See a slightly lesser-known side of York with a local guide who loves sharing the hidden gems of this medieval city with visitors, including pubs pouring great regional craft beer. You'll see hidden gems that most people walk past, learn a little bit about the city and have some fun while you're at it with a guide who prides himself on making sure guests see the 'real' York.
Discover Yorkshire with Greg – Your Personal Guide to the Heart of the Moors. Step aboard a truly personal, private tour of North Yorkshire with Greg, your guide for the day. Follow the itinerary or change it to your own. For between 1-7 guests, Greg offers a relaxed, friendly experience that you won’t find with larger tour operators, Greg brings the region's history and culture to life with fascinating stories and insider knowledge. The highlight of the day is a scenic heritage steam train ride from the village of Goathland—best known as Hogsmeade Station from the Harry Potter films. (included). Your day will be filled with stunning landscapes, charming villages and, of course, the breathtaking Whitby where you will enjoy some free time. Whether you're snapping photos of the rolling moors, or simply chatting with Greg about local life, you'll find this tour is as much about the journey as it is about the destination – a relaxed and engaging experience for your private group.
For group sizes of up to 4, 8 or 16 passengers, this Private Day Trip from York, just for your party, provides the opportunity to explore the scenic and picturesque North York Moors National Park, enjoy two hours in the seaside town of Whitby and take a Steam Train ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (optional extra payable in cash on the day and no need to book ahead). You will also experience the traditional English moorland villages of Hutton-le-Hole and Goathland (Heartbeat and Harry Potter filming location). In Whitby, you will be able to see Whitby Abbey (inspiration for the Dracula books), visit the Captain Cook Attractions, shop for some Whitby Jet or Gothic Fashion, sample Fish & Chips from the famous Magpie Café or just enjoy the bustling port and waterfront – the choice is yours!
About The Blue Barbakan
Opening Hours
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Where to Find The Blue Barbakan
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Guest Experiences
Authentic Stories from Diners
Really enjoyed our meal here. The pierogis were the amazing, as were the fried sardines specials. The highlight for me were the stuffed cabbage leaves. Ridic. Oh, and cocktails - probably some of the best I have had. Full stop. The Polish Wedding and the Tatanka in particular - ridiculous.
After a recent trip to Poland and Ukraine, I was keen to introduce my partner to more Eastern European dishes, so we reserved a table for an early dinner on a Friday evening. The Blue Barbakan is enviably located on Fossgate - a street replete with excellent places to dine - occupying a corner position by the bridge. From the moment you enter, you'll feel welcomed by the homely decor and cosy atmosphere. For a Friday in York, the place was pleasantly quiet, and we were seated almost immediately. The menu choices offered a range of cuisine, so we started with a selection of pierogi and borscht, followed by potato pancakes and beef stew. We rounded off with a shared slice of chocolate gateau. Everything was utterly delicious, and the service was fantastic! For 2 starters, 2 mains, extra bread, a carafe of wine and soft drinks followed by dessert, the bill came to a whisker over £90, and it was worth every penny. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and will undoubtedly return in the near future!
Amazing experience, Norbert the waiter was absolutely incredible and able to talk us through all the drinks menu and food with charm. We couldnt recommend the food more, the service of the whole team was outstanding. Well able to handle a nut allergy without going OTT, very appreciated. Definitely go with a large appetite and don't leave without taking a slice of cake to go! We'll be back again no doubt
I went there for dinner a couple of days ago. The food was delicious and the service very attentive. I had a mocktail, which was served with very tasty bread and sauce, dumplings as a starter, pan-fried cod with spinach and a poached egg as my main dish along with pear cider, and a latte instead of a dessert. I loved everything! As I was in York for tourism, I won't have the opportunity to go back soon but next time I go to York I'd like to try other food from their menu as they all looked tasty!
So unassuming from the outside but the menu was outstanding and the food full of flavour. We left with smiles on our faces and very full tummies. The hugerian goulash potato pancake was delicious beautiful chucks of soft beef in a crispy potato rosti with a side of home picked dill vegetables. The choice of homemade desserts was just such a dilemma, pistachio cake, and hazelnut and blueberry cake are both Highly recommend.