Hey, listen up. You need to know about Ate O’Clock York because it’s not the kind of place you just stumble upon. Looking for Ate O’Clock reviews or wanting to see Ate O’Clock photos before visiting? Hidden down an alley on High Ousegate you’ll find this quirky little place.
Decorated with clocks stuck at 8 O’Clock, this cosy little place has a nice atmosphere and serves a variety of food that I’d probably describe as a typically British menu.
Ate O’Clock York continues to thrive as an independent, family-run restaurant with a 4.5 rating on Google and TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice award! They’re open daily 12pm-10pm and serve lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. The restaurant has expanded slightly from when we first visited but maintains its quirky charm with fairy-lit alleyway entrance and intimate courtyard seating. Live music evenings add to the atmosphere. Booking recommended, especially for weekends!
This Ate O’Clock York review includes photos of the menu, food, and atmosphere from my visit, plus updated information about what’s changed since 2018.
About Ate O’Clock York
Ate O’Clock is a small restaurant and café in York, England, located at 13A High Ousegate, York YO1 8RZ.
Contact Details:
- Phone: 01904 644080
- Email: info@ateoclock.co.uk
- Website: ateoclock.co.uk
- Opening Times: Daily 12:00pm – 10:00pm
The menu at Ate O’Clock features a variety of dishes, including breakfast options, sandwiches, salads, soups, and hot meals. There are also plenty of vegetarian and vegan options available, as well as gluten-free and dairy-free options for those with dietary restrictions.
They have dedicated vegan & vegetarian menus, as well as a kids menu and a gluten-free menu. Ate O’Clock also offers a range of alcoholic drinks, including cocktails, prosecco, wine, and Scotch, as well as coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
Special features:
- Licensed 40-seater restaurant
- Freshly prepared, locally sourced seasonal foods
- Indoor and outdoor courtyard dining
- Dog-friendly
- Live music evenings
- Weekend brunch
- Happy hour (2 for £10 cocktails)
- Private room available
- Wheelchair accessible
The décor at Ate O’Clock is rustic and cosy, with wooden tables. You enter the restaurant through a brick archway covered in fairy lights. The restaurant also has a small outdoor seating area, which is perfect for enjoying a meal or drinks on a sunny day.
Ate O’Clock Photos: What to Expect
When searching for Ate O’Clock photos, you’ll see the restaurant’s signature quirky décor with clocks frozen at 8 o’clock, the fairy-lit brick archway entrance (see photos above!), and the rustic wooden interior. The outdoor courtyard seating is particularly photogenic, especially in the evenings with the lighting.
My Ate O’Clock photos below show the mussels starter, trio of pork, venison main, and the cosy interior atmosphere. The presentation is simple but appealing – this isn’t fine dining, it’s comfortable bistro food done well.
Ate O’Clock York Review
For starters, I had prawns with tomato and chilli sauce, and my boyfriend had mussels. The prawns were delicious – they came with some bread to dip in the sauce, which was my favourite part of the dish. It was seasoned well and had such a strong taste of garlic, which I love. My boyfriend’s mussels were in a similar sauce; in my opinion, my sauce was nicer, though he preferred his.
For mains, I had the venison which came with herbed mash, braised carrots, seasonal greens and red wine sauce. The venison was pink in the middle just like I like my meat. The braised carrots were delicious and I’m glad there were so many of them. I’ve never had venison before so I’m not sure how it compares but I’d have to say it wasn’t full of flavour. Whether that is normal for venison or not, I’m not sure.
Boyfriend had the trio of pork. It was braised belly, black pudding, loin with apple purée, potatoes and cider gravy. I tried some bits of it and it was very nice. I’m not a massive pork fan – mostly because of the texture but this was cooked really well.
We shared a crème brûlée for dessert but I forgot to take a photo of it. The hard top was delicious but the rest wasn’t as sweet and creamy as I like – so probably the only disappointment of the evening. More sugar, please!
Service was good and quick and the price wasn’t too bad at all. There’s also outdoor seating at Ate O’Clock York.
The Ate O’Clock Menu
The menu at Ate O’Clock sits firmly in the mid-to-upmarket bracket — this isn’t a bargain night out, but it doesn’t feel like you’re paying for the decor rather than the food either. Starters run from £8 to £12, mains from around £18 to £28, and there’s a grill section at the premium end if you fancy a steak.
On the starters, the crispy chilli beef bao buns (£12) are what I’d go for first — they’re the kind of thing you’re still thinking about on the drive home. The garlic tiger prawns (£11) are a solid choice too, and there’s a proper soup option (£8) if you want something lighter to start. The scotch egg (£9.50) and breaded seabass (£10) are both worth a look.
Mains are where it gets really good. The 6-hour braised blade of beef (£27) is the kind of dish that justifies booking a table in advance. Pan roasted salmon (£24) and confit pork belly (£24) are both regulars on the menu, and there’s halibut (£26) if you want something a bit different. For veggies, the beetroot and pear risotto (£19) and wild mushroom linguini (£18) are proper options rather than an afterthought — the risotto in particular is worth ordering.
If you’re after a steak, the grill section has an 8oz fillet at £38 and a 10oz sirloin at £34. Not cheap, but it’s decent quality and you’ll know you’ve had a proper meal. The Ivy Burger is at £19 if you want something a bit more relaxed from the grill.
One thing worth knowing: they do a set menu that’s genuinely good value. Two courses are £25 and three courses are £29.50, which at this level of cooking is pretty reasonable. If you’re going midweek or at a quieter time, it’s the smart choice. Sunday roasts come in at £23.
The menu changes seasonally, so it’s worth checking their website before you visit — but the bones of it tend to stay the same.
Popular dishes include:
Starters:
- Tiger prawns with tomato and chilli sauce
- Mussels in white wine
- Calamari in panko
- Black pudding Scotch egg
- Pulled pork Scotch egg
- Halloumi
Mains:
- Fillet steaks (highly praised in reviews!)
- Sirloin steak with fries and blue cheese sauce
- Chateaubriand
- Belly pork
- Trio of pork
- Spiced duck breast
- Fish and chips
- Halloumi burger
- Ate O’Clock beef burger
- Brie and chicken
- Sunday roast (available Sundays)
Sides:
- Chips/fries
- Onion rings
- Salad
- Seasonal vegetables
Desserts:
- Sticky toffee pudding (regularly mentioned as delicious!)
- Crème brûlée
- Brownies
- Anniversary slate dessert
Drinks:
- Signature cocktails (2 for £10 happy hour offer)
- Coffee martinis
- Prosecco
- Wine
- Scotch
- Great espresso, tonic, and lattes
Price range: £10-20 per person for food
Steak deals available – check current offers
Looking at the Ate O’Clock menu photos online (available on their website and social media), you’ll see hearty British bistro-style portions. The steaks are particularly photogenic and consistently mentioned in Ate O’Clock reviews as excellent value.
Ate O Clock York Reviews – What Others Say
Looking at Ate O’Clock reviews across platforms, the restaurant has earned solid ratings:
Google: 4.5/5 stars
TripAdvisor: Travellers’ Choice award (Top 1%)
Restaurant Guru: 4.5/5 stars
OpenTable: Positive reviews from diners
Food Hygiene Rating: 5 (Very Good) – awarded July 2025
What Diners Love:
- “Charming atmosphere and quirky décor” – the fairy-lit alleyway entrance is frequently mentioned
- Delicious steaks – “amazing steak deals” and “excellent quality”
- Generous portions – “good value for money”
- Friendly, attentive staff – servers like Sammi, Ellie, and Ruby get named praise
- Great for special occasions – birthdays, anniversaries, golden weddings celebrated here
- Beautiful courtyard – outdoor seating with heaters for all-weather dining
- Excellent desserts – sticky toffee pudding and crème brûlée praised
- Good cocktails – 2 for £10 offer popular
- Gluten-free and vegetarian options – caters well to dietary requirements
- Family-run – independent restaurant with personal touch
- Live music – musicians perform in the evenings
Some Considerations from Reviews:
- Wait times – can be slow during busy periods, especially with large groups
- Service inconsistencies – whilst generally good, some report slow or confused service at peak times
- Automatic service charge – 10% added to bills (can be removed if requested)
- Portion concerns – a few reviews question value vs portion size
- Rushed service – occasionally food arrives quickly, feeling rushed
- Mixed food quality – whilst many rave about the food, occasional reports of average dishes
Overall, the vast majority of Ate O Clock York reviews are extremely positive, with particular praise for the steaks, atmosphere, and friendly service!
Dietary Options at Ate O’Clock
Ate O’Clock caters well to various dietary requirements:
Gluten-Free: Dedicated gluten-free menu available with multiple options across starters, mains, and desserts.
Vegetarian: Many vegetarian options including halloumi burger and vegetarian dishes clearly marked.
Vegan: Dedicated vegan menu available.
Dairy-Free: Options available – ask staff for guidance.
Staff are described as knowledgeable about dietary requirements and happy to accommodate special requests.
Special Features at Ate O’Clock York
Live Music Evenings
Musicians perform live music in the evenings, adding to the intimate, relaxed atmosphere.
Weekend Brunch
Available for those wanting a leisurely weekend meal.
Happy Hour
2 for £10 cocktails offer – check current times and participating drinks.
Private Room
Available for private events, parties, or celebrations. Contact info@ateoclock.co.uk to discuss requirements.
Dog-Friendly
Well-behaved dogs are welcome, making it perfect for York visitors exploring with their pets.
Tips for Visiting Ate O’Clock York
1. Book Ahead
Especially for Friday and Saturday evenings. You can book via their website, OpenTable, or by calling 01904 644080.
2. Try the Steak Deals
Regularly mentioned as excellent value with great quality meat.
3. Arrive for Happy Hour
2 for £10 cocktails make for a good-value start to your evening.
4. Explore the Courtyard
If weather permits, the outdoor fairy-lit courtyard seating is lovely.
5. Check for Live Music
If you enjoy live music, check their schedule for evening performances.
6. Don’t Rush Dessert
The sticky toffee pudding gets rave reviews – save room!
7. Ask About Dietary Requirements
Staff are knowledgeable and happy to help with gluten-free, vegan, or other dietary needs.
My Final Thoughts on Ate O’Clock York
Ate O’Clock remains one of those lovely hidden gems in York. Tucked down that fairy-lit alleyway off High Ousegate, it’s the kind of place that feels like a discovery rather than just another restaurant.
The food was genuinely good – my prawns with that garlicky tomato sauce were delicious, the venison (whilst not the most flavourful) was cooked perfectly, and my boyfriend’s trio of pork was excellently prepared. The only slight disappointment was the crème brûlée not being quite as sweet and creamy as I’d like, but that’s personal preference.
What I particularly appreciate about Ate O’Clock is that it’s independent and family-run. The rustic, cosy décor with those quirky clocks all showing 8 o’clock creates such a warm atmosphere. The outdoor courtyard is lovely on sunny days, and the service was quick and friendly during our visit.
It’s refreshing to find somewhere in York that’s not a chain, serves locally sourced seasonal food, and maintains that intimate, relaxed vibe. Perfect for a date night, special occasion, or just a nice meal out when you fancy something more restaurant-like than the many fish and chip shops and pubs in the area.
The fact they cater so well to dietary requirements (gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian menus), welcome dogs, have live music, and offer good-value steak deals makes Ate O’Clock a versatile choice for different occasions and diners.
If you’re visiting York and want somewhere with character that’s off the main tourist drag, definitely seek out that fairy-lit alleyway and give Ate O’Clock a try!
Ate O’Clock York
13A High Ousegate
York YO1 8RZ
Phone: 01904 644080
Email: info@ateoclock.co.uk
Website: ateoclock.co.uk
Open: Daily 12pm-10pm
Booking: Recommended (via website, OpenTable, or phone)
If you’re looking for more York restaurants, check out my guide to visiting York here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ate O’Clock York
What’s on the Ate O’Clock menu? The Ate O’Clock menu features British bistro dishes including starters like tiger prawns and mussels, mains such as steaks (fillet, sirloin, chateaubriand), trio of pork, venison, fish and chips, burgers, and Sunday roasts. They have dedicated vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus. Prices range from £10-20 for mains. Check their website for the current Ate O’Clock menu.
Are Ate O’Clock reviews positive? Yes, Ate O’Clock York reviews are largely positive. The restaurant holds 4.5/5 stars on Google, has won TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice award (Top 1%), and maintains a 5/5 Food Hygiene Rating. Ate O’Clock reviews particularly praise the steaks, charming atmosphere, fairy-lit entrance, and friendly service. Some reviews mention occasional service inconsistencies during busy periods.
Can I see Ate O’Clock photos before visiting? Yes, Ate O’Clock photos are available on their website, Instagram (@ateoclockyork), TripAdvisor, and Google Reviews. You can see photos of the menu items, the fairy-lit alleyway entrance, rustic interior with clock décor, and the outdoor courtyard seating. The restaurant’s signature aesthetic features wooden tables, intimate lighting, and clocks all showing 8 o’clock.
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I love a hidden gem, the pork looks delicious Lucy x
I just love the overall concept of the place. It is not easy to find a unique aesthetic as there are so many places that have taken spots already. The food are amazing.
StyleSprinter Blog by Katya Bychkova