Box Tree

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1,060 reviews

#8 of 79 Restaurants in Ilkley££££, French, European, British

+44 1943 608484+ Add website

Hours

Sun

12:00 - 17:00

Wed

18:00 - 23:00

Thu

18:00 - 23:00

Fri

12:30 - 16:0018:00 - 23:00

Sat

12:30 - 16:0018:00 - 23:00

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MICHELIN

What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

1,060 reviews

#8 of 79 Restaurants in Ilkley

Travellers' Choice 2024

MICHELIN

View more on MICHELIN Guide

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, French, European, British, Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

“The souffle dessert was incredibly impressive and a thoroughly enjoyable meal...”

“We also enjoyed the main of duck breast with the cabbage, heart and confit ch...”

“... cooked main of rare, roast beef, washed down with the best Pomerol I’ve h...”

“The roast beef main came with lots of little special touches like the individ...”

Location and contact

35-37 Church Street, Ilkley LS29 9DR England

+44 1943 608484

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MICHELIN Guide's Point of View

This iconic Yorkshire restaurant was established back in 1962 and continues to draw in diners today. It’s set within two charming, 18th-century sandsto...

Read more on MICHELIN Guide

Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?

Yes

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Details

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About

This small renowned restaurant in the heart of Ilkley was founded in 1962. It was the first 2 Michelin Starred restaurant outside of London and for over 60 years has continued to be at the forefront of northern Gastronomy. The modern British menu and extensive wine cellar offer food lovers an unforgettable experience. The kitchens commitment to the best, freshest ingredients, with an emphasis on locally sourced, fresh ingredients from farmers and local suppliers. The Box Tree represents a combination between 21st century efficiency and exquisite good taste. Whilst the kitchen boasts the latest equipment, the restaurant features a collection of art and antiques which define the style and luxury for which the Box Tree is famed.

PRICE RANGE

£60.00 – £110.00

CUISINES

French, European, British

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available

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4.5

1,060 reviews

Excellent

791

Very good

151

Average

Poor

Terrible

MartynJ2104

Gargrave24 contributions

Eat out to help yourself out on a Sunday

Sept 2020 • couples

Having spent more time at home this year than ever since retiring in 2015, we decided to treat ourselves to Sunday lunch out, to help US out. We thought that we would try an old favourite of ours, The Box Tree in Ilkley. We arrived for our 1pm booking, and from the moment we arrived felt welcome, cared for and safe, without thinking that we had come to eat in a clinic! Of course we could no longer linger over a G & T in the lounge area but the tables are well spaced and service unhurried but attentive. We ordered from the fixed price Sunday lunch menu, and my roast beef was served medium rare and was as delicious as it was tender. The Yorkshire pudding would have made my Grandma proud and the rectangular roasties crisp and fluffy. My wife’s Stone Bass was beautifully cooked with crisp skin, and whilst l indulged in some local cheese, my wife’s mango soufflé was the star of the show. It had risen more than the local Covid figures and was packed with flavour, which is so often not the case with this Masterchef dessert challenge. Feel ready for a change and risking a trip out next Sunday? Try booking the Box Tree!

Written 29 September 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eattolive

17 contributions

Reliable restaurant, always good

Nov 2019 • couples

I have been to the box tree several times and felt on this occasion I really enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere friendly service from a young professional team, the food was delicious, innovative and relatable. An added touch was the head chef was roaming the restaurant involved in the service and chatting to customers which was really appreciated. The whole evening was very pleasant.

Written 6 January 2020

Robert F W

Bradford90 contributions

Good but ...

Dec 2019 • couples

As always the full experience was above average. The greeting warm and friendly and although we are not frequent diners, we were treated as such. The menu was not particularly Christmas ‘themed’ and therefore we had a decently wide choice. The amuse-bouche was artichoke based and very tasty . a good start. veal Sweetbreads (supplement) followed by Halibut (supplement) were beautifully cooked and tasty but at a price which to be honest is a little over the top when compared to some of the other relatively local restaurants - which we had recently visited Because of what it is and since we first visited 40+ years ago, we will undoubtedly re-visit

Written 7 January 2020

Beckie Y

Leeds12 contributions

Vegetarian tasting menu was not comparable in quality

Aug 2021 • couples

We visited the Boxtree for the first time for our anniversary. My husband had the meat tasting menu and I had the vegetarian one. We thought the ambience and service provided by the restaurant was excellent and Rena was very friendly and welcoming. It felt like an occasion and the card they gave us wishing us a happy anniversary was a lovely touch. The food itself was good, but perhaps not quite as outstanding as we’d anticipated. The dishes are classic British cuisine and delicately presented. However, I wouldn’t describe the flavours as powerful or striking, but very pleasant. Our concern was with the vegetarian tasting menu offering. It was evident that this tasting menu is the same as the meat offering, without the meat. For the two ‘main’ savoury dishes, the salmon and beef dishes, I received the same plate but with more beetroot and potato respectively. The food was nice tasting and I enjoyed it, but to pay the same as my husband who received a piece of pork cheek, a salmon fillet and beef and bone marrow, felt a bit unjust really. We raised this with our waitress who politely listened and said she would raise this with Rena. Rena spoke with us on three more occasions after this but did not raise our feedback. It is challenging I imagine for the staff to have these discussions discretely as the dining room is small; however, we were quite surprised it was never mentioned again and we were allowed to leave without a response from the kitchen or management. The standards for vegetarian and vegan cooking are rising all the time and I’ve had great experiences at other fine dining restaurants where the removal of meat/fish has been met with innovative alternatives. Unfortunately, my experience at the box tree felt quite different and it was a shame these concerns were not responded to on the night. It definitely impacted the quality of the evening. I hope they are able to improve their offering to people who avoid meat and fish in the future.

Written 23 August 2021

kathrine t

9 contributions

Our Wedding Meal

Aug 2020 • none

We cannot recommend or thank The Box Tree enough for what they did for us. After our wedding reception had to be cancelled, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, we wanted somewhere special to celebrate with an intimate meal instead with just our parents. The managing director of The Box Tree, Rena, could not have been more helpful. She arranged a private dining room for us, shared menus with us beforehand and organised a cake stand for our wedding cake. Nothing was too much trouble it seemed. On arrival we were made to feel so welcome. The room was simply stunning, with the lighting and music really adding to the ambiance. Our tasting menu was to die for! Each course offered a different taste sensation for the palate. The sommeliers recommendation menu was great for helping to choose wine and champagne, the wine list is extremely extensive. Michele, their wedding coordinator, offered us exceptional service throughout the evening. Each course was explained in fine detail, our glasses were never empty and she always appeared to be there when we needed her but in such a discrete manner. We have dined with The Box Tree previously for special occasions and are now planning on returning (at least) once a year to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

Written 3 September 2020

Sephra G

2 contributions

Amazing Experience and Wonderful Food

Jul 2020 • couples

Would recommend to anyone wanting an incredible gourmet experience. Me and my boyfriend had the taster menu of 6 different courses with the wine pairings and it was so fantastic! The decor and attention to detail is beautiful, the staff are so friendly and welcoming, explaining every course and making you feel relaxed and at home. Would love to go back for the regular menu at some point! Thanks so much for a wonderful day.

Written 26 July 2020

UkDebs62

21 contributions

Amazing Sunday Lunch

Aug 2020 • couples

We visited for my birthday and received excellent service, food and ambience. The staff were very attentive and friendly throughout our visit. The Sunday Lunch menu was concise and offered a roast meat, fish and vegetarian choice. We loved how the warm soda bread was presented along with the 2 varieties of butter. Every dish we ordered was beautifully presented, consisted of high quality produce and cooked perfectly. The flavour combinations were also spot on! The accompanying cauliflower cheese for the Roast Beef wowed us! Needless to say we ordered their renowned Soufflé, apricot version this time. We live about 300 miles from this restaurant and always make it a ‘must do’ when visiting Yorkshire. Highly recommend and their adaptions for Covid are also spot on, without detracting from what they do so well. Here’s to the next time ...

Written 10 August 2020

John H

5 contributions

Superb Food and Wonderful, Caring Service

Sept 2020 • none

We booked the Box Tree Menu with Standard Wine package for a special occasion and were certainly not disappointed. We had asked in advance about Covid security because we were concerned due to health issues and were told that, although they had had medical advice that it was not necessary for staff to wear masks, they were happy to do so for us - and they did. Staff also delivered courses and then stood back before describing what they consisted of. They also took made sure that we sat in a corner of the restaurant and that the table next to us was not occupied. In short, they bent over backwards to accommodate us. The food was absolutely wonderful. We had six courses, each one more delightful than the one before. The wine pairings were perfect and expertly explained. Particularly memorable were the venison tartare with egg yolk jam, beer pickled onion and nasturtium, the mariniere of English lobster, crispy squid and coriander and their signature salt aged beef, oxtail and marmite hollandaise. (And the Italian Cabernet-Franc paired with the beef was a real find.) The service, considering that this is a fine-dining restaurant, was highly professional but, at the same time friendly and in no way overbearing. As another customer said, we felt welcome and pampered. Thank you, all at the Box Tree, for a great dining experience. Thoroughly recommend it.

Written 18 September 2020

Outandabout O

Yorkshire686 contributions

It’s not the same!

Mar 2022 • family

Every now and then we save up to visit the Box Tree. Now that doesn’t make us regulars but we have been a few times. Admittedly with covid it has been a few years since our last visit. It just didn’t feel the same as we remembered it. Perhaps this is due to the lingering covid concerns but being rushed straight to our table we accepted and moved on. The tables without the table clothes makes the place look more like a bistro than a classy restaurant but again we understand this. As you would expect the service and food are great. What I couldn’t cope with was the silver plate / place mat under your dishes. Which rocked back and forth as you try and cut your food. Is was quite off putting and by the end of the meal I had had enough. The additional service charge of 12.5% on top of what is already a considerable bill we consider to be quite ungentlemanly. We didn’t have a huge party just a small table. It therefore doesn’t make sense to us, is the price on the menu just for the food and you have to serve yourself?? With countryside pubs across Yorkshire upping their game we have found some real gems with food not considerably different and service no less charming for a considerably lower price. I suppose you pay your money and take your choice, but even the chocolates arriving in a cardboard box were nowhere near as good as they used to be.

Written 24 April 2022

Sharon B

Leeds1 contribution

Exceptional food and experience

Sept 2020 • none

The pandemic has not taken anything away from the Box Tree dining experience, it has, in fact, revitalised it. COVID19 guidelines were followed but this does not detract from the ambience or experience. The dining rooms felt fresh and contemporary with the intro of runners and beautiful table lighting as opposed to linens. My partner and I had Sunday lunch opting for Ham Hock Croquette, Roast Signature Beef and the outstanding Box Tree Apricot Souffle. Each course was a delight both to the eye and to the palate and the chorizo jam that accompanied the Ham Hock Croquette was absolutely sublime. This was our first foray out and about since before lock-down and we both felt comfortable knowing that everyone at the Box Tree is putting their guests’ safety at the heart of all they do.

Written 7 October 2020

Birdie2boy

Skipton305 contributions

The Bar Has Been Raised Higher.

Oct 2020 • none

2020 has been a strange year and has affected the restaurant industry. The Box Tree is no exception they have had to change what they do to keep patrons and staff safe. The lounge is o longer used, on arrival you are escorted to your table and a drinks order is taken. For us we never ordered a drink our usual pre Sunday lunch drinks arrived? The team led by Rena and Chris were brilliant as always. Because of masks you can't see them smiling but you know that their passion to make guests welcome and the visit enjoyable shines through every time they engage at a table Sunday lunch has got better. A slight change to the menu but all food was delicious, served by staff who respected our safety by wearing gloves and a mask. The roast beef was served medium rare and was as delicious as it was tender. The rectangular roast potatoes were crisp and fluffy. We could have eaten more but that is not a criticism of the quantity just that they were soooooo good. My wife’s Stone Bass with lobster was beautifully cooked with crisp skin. Soufflé as always was the star of the show. If you want a Sunday lunch that is top class both in quality of food and service try booking the Box Tree!

Written 11 October 2020

David S

Huddersfield168 contributions

Strange Times

Aug 2020 • none

Eating out during Covid-19 is scary - but The Box Tree have done everything in their power to make this a comfortable and safe experience. Staff were as attentive as they were during our previous visit and, apart from a couple of small gliches, everything went well. One thing I would change, given 'covid' awareness, would be to 'not' keep visiting the table to top up water/wine glasses. I know that this is part of their service, but a short explanation at 'booking' would be enough to warn me that I would have to top up my own glass. Similarly, the explanation of each dish by the waiter when served, does present a real danger given that the virus is most likely spread via particles expressed from the mouth. Nevertheless, the evening was as relaxing and tasty as we'd hoped. Sadly, as we started to eat, a couple we sat at the next table and the gentleman there seemed to think that everyone nearby want to hear what he was saying (that can happen anywhere, so no detriment to The Box Tree).

Written 17 August 2020

Brian D

Darlington963 contributions

Simply stunning

Sept 2020 • none

We went for the taster menu and every course was beautifully presented, extremely tasty and very well described by the amazing staff. My highlight was the venison tatare and my wife simply adored the soufflé. We think it is 10 years since we last visited the Box Tree - it certainly won't be another 10 before we return. Amazing....10/10 for surroundings and staff.

Written 15 September 2020

Sinéad L

Derby14 contributions

Brilliant Sunday lunch and the friendliest team

Nov 2020 • couples

We came for Sunday Lunch as a treat on our weekend away in Ilkley and couldn't have been more impressed. Everything we ate was amazing and perfectly cooked and flavoured (we were big fans of the marmite butter too!). What made the biggest difference was how wonderful the staff were, every single person we spoke to was attentive, friendly and made sure we were having a great time - particularly notable in such difficult times and with another lockdown looming. Very grateful to have had our experience, definitely go if you get the chance post lockdown, we will hopefully be back!

Written 2 November 2020

Aphroditesisland

81 contributions

Disappointing

Jun 2021 • couples

Set tasting menu - we were a little disappointed with the food on the tasting menu. In our opinion it lacked the wow factor. Some elements of the dishes were not matched well ( our opinion) Service was good and staff very professional. Music a little annoying We have dined at the box tree previously on a number of occasions but would not prioritise a further visit until there is a more extensive menu We do appreciate that Covid has significantly impacted on this. Despite the above we did have a lovely evening. Thank you.

Written 8 July 2021

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