Willowgate Bistro

4.8 ( 211 reviews )
Checking... 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM See Hours
Willowgate Bistro, Willowgate, Pickering YO18 7BE, United Kingdom
+44 1751 476300

Willowgate Bistro promises an unforgettable dining experience nestled in the charming locale of Pickering, UK. Patrons rave about the delightful ambiance and attentive yet unobtrusive service, creating a welcoming atmosphere for both food lovers and casual diners alike. The standout feature of Willowgate Bistro is undoubtedly its exquisite cuisine, crafted from seasonal local produce. Diners have lauded the blue cheese and chive soufflé as a breathtaking starter, with a generous portion that leaves a memorable impression.

Equally impressive are the main courses; guests have enjoyed perfectly cooked monkfish and venison, alongside imaginative vegetable accompaniments that elevate the dining experience. Desserts like the fluffiest sticky toffee pudding and a substantial chocolate torte seal the meal perfectly, showcasing the chefs' ingenuity and attention to detail.

Many customers appreciate the personal touches, such as complimentary homemade chocolates post-dinner, enhancing the overall charm of the bistro. It’s clear that at Willowgate Bistro, each dish is a reflection of the chef's passion and expertise, making it not just a meal, but a culinary story worth sharing. For those near Pickering—or willing to travel—this bistro is a must-visit that ensures you leave with your spirits lifted and taste buds delighted.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Service options
    • Serves dine-in
    • No delivery
    • No takeaway
  • Highlights
    • Serves great coffee
    • Serves great dessert
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves healthy options
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Serves dessert
  • Amenities
    • Has toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Romantic
  • Crowd
    • Good for groups
    • Popular with tourists
  • Planning
    • Reservations required
    • Dinner reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
  • Parking
    • Somewhat difficult to find a space

Reviews For Willowgate Bistro

Lou Gray
Jun 15,2025
Pleasantly greeted on arrival and service throughout was attentive but not intrusive - a lovely atmosphere to eat and relax in. Complimentary Amuse Bouche tapenade & warm bread to start - beautiful fresh tasting. I opted for the most amazing blue cheese & chive souffle for starters. This was breathtaking and the best l've ever tasted - a generous portion - go try it. For mains we opted for the steak & wellington venison - yummy but l have to comment on those vegetables too - WOW. My husband decided on the rhubarb panna cotta which had an exquisite taste and texture..... we shared a little. Cannot wait to come back.
Sez
May 2,2025
AMAZING FOOD!! Everything was delicious. The complimentary tapenade was surprisingly moorish, especially when neither of us like olives and it was a nice touch. We had the crab arrancini and pork to start, both were very fresh and piping hot, incredibly enjoyable. We had the monk fish and venison for mains and neither could be faulted. The monkfish was cooked perfectly, it was soft and fell apart. The venison was also perfectly cooked. We managed to squeeze in dessert which was well worth it. It was one of the fluffiest sticky toffee puddings I've ever had and the chocolate torte was huge and absolutely incredible. It was easy to tell the staff were passionate about their business and took the time to talk to us about the food and the local area. Definitely worth a visit. The higher price tag is reflected in the quality and quantity of the dishes.
Nicola Voysey
Apr 24,2025
Just returned from an outstanding meal at this lovely bistro. The food was delicious and made from seasonal local produce. The service was exceptional- especially the lovely young guy who was amazing. Lovely personal touches of homemade chocolates and fudge after our meal- really not needed but so yummy! We don’t live locally but those of you who do are very lucky to have this in your doorstep. But we will definitely be back as it’s worth a trip just for another meal here!
Kamran Nobari
Apr 21,2025
Amazing food and service. I had belly pork and trout for starter. Both amazing. Service was also prompt and friendly
Boris Enno
Mar 19,2025
Willowgate Bistro – A Five-Star Culinary Treasure If I could give Willowgate Bistro more than five stars, I would. This remarkable restaurant is, without doubt, one of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve ever had—and it deserves to be recognised at the very highest level, Michelin star and beyond. The chef is an absolute genius. His ability to combine bold, imaginative flavours with flawless technique is rare. Every dish is a masterstroke, showcasing not just skill, but true passion. This is not food you simply eat—it’s food you remember. But what truly elevates Willowgate Bistro from excellent to extraordinary is the experience as a whole. The chef’s wife is the heart of the front of house—warm, attentive, and effortlessly charming. Her hospitality made the evening feel personal and special, as though we were dining with old friends. Together, they create magic. This is not just a restaurant. It’s a love story—between the food, the people, and the passion that binds it all together. An absolute gem that deserves all the recognition in the world. Book a table, go hungry, and prepare to be amazed.
Amy Hancock
Mar 7,2025
Wow what a fantastic hidden gem! We were passing through on our way from Scotland down to South England and were in the area for the evening. Google suggested this bistro as highly rated so called ahead to see if they had a table, we were in luck. Arrived to a lovely building on a cobbled street to a warm welcome from the waiter and waitress. The ambience was lovely and the menu had great choices for all courses. Everything we were served looked amazing and tasted delicious. We cannot wait to return on our next trip up north!
Emma Dutton
Mar 7,2025
We had a wonderful time visiting Willowgate Bistro for my girlfriend’s birthday. We were slightly late arriving however after a quick telephone call the team were more than happy to accommodate us a little later than booked. I was delighted on arrival to see they’d purchased a lovely birthday balloon and positioned it next to our quiet table in the corner of the restaurant. What a nice touch! The food was fabulous - we had duck and steak followed by lemon cheesecake and chocolate tart, all cooked and presented beautifully. The wine and cocktails were superb and the staff couldn’t have done more for us. We had a fabulous meal at Willowgate Bistro and have already booked to return this weekend as the final meal of our holiday. Highly recommended, many thanks!
John WiSH
Mar 6,2025
We came across this restaurant by chance and managed to secure the last available table that same day. The quality of the meals & choice offered was superb matched by the impeccable service, the scallops starter, blue cheese souffle & belly pork were outstanding, matching the quality of food of a Michelin starred restaurant at half the price. Highly recommend

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