
This post was first published in September 2019, and last updated in October 2024. Please bear in mind that I don’t represent every disabled person’s experiences and also that things can change – it’s always worth double-checking access information for yourself before you travel!
York is an absolute goldmine for cute and quirky independent businesses. You could visit a different indie coffee shop for breakfast every weekend without having to repeat yourself for a very long time, and before I became a wheelchair user, that’s pretty much what I aspired to do.
Finding a wheelchair-accessible cafe in York for a cuppa and a bite to eat can be more difficult – all the more so when you’re trying your best to support local businesses instead of larger chains. That said, there are some really lovely spots out there that are accessible (or somewhat accessible) for people using mobility aids, and it’s these I’d like to tell you about today.
If you’re new here, welcome! I’m Pippa, a disabled writer and blogger from Yorkshire. I grew up in Sheffield but fell in love with the city of York when I started university. I’ve now lived here for the past ten years and counting and despite the various access challenges that come with living in a cobbly historic city, I have zero intentions of moving anywhere else. If you’re planning a trip here, you may also be interested in my top ten wheelchair accessible things to do in York [coming soon], and this guide to acccessible pubs and bars too. I also share my recommendations and what I’m up to in real time over on Instagram and YouTube, and you can shop my books and eBooks here. Anyway, let’s crack on!
*I do not give consent for this blog post or for any of my words to be lifted and published on other outlets. I see you, and it’s not okay. If you’d like to cook up something together feel free to get in touch here and let’s have a nice chat about it. Just no nicking my words in the meantime, please and thank you.*
Drift In York
“Drift-In York, is a hub of activity, caffeine-fuelled ideas, and delicious smoothies, with an endearing atmosphere perfect for meeting with friends, colleagues as a well the whole family. Our food selection here is varied, fresh, simple and tasty, with hearty toasted ciabattas, super salads, and grab-and-go sandwiches along with packed yoghurt granola and fruit pots, and a huge array of cakes and pastries to satisfy even the most specialist pallets.”
Drift In is a long-time favourite of mine, with amazing seasonal food and drink. The café is attached to and associated with the FatFace branch next door (also a die-hard favourite of mine) and is incredibly popular, so I advise arriving early and being prepared to queue for a table. The main entrance to Drift In is via steps, but if you go via the sloped entrance to the men’s section of FatFace next door, you can enter the cafe from inside there. If you wait by the doorway, a member of staff will be over to seat you. Usually you place your order at the till, but for people using mobility aids, staff members are happy to come over and take your order and payment from your table instead.
200 Degrees
68 Low Petergate, York, YO1 7HZ
“Independent specialty coffee roasters, purveyors of distinctive coffee shops, and unashamedly proud to be coffee geeks. The atmosphere is one of relaxed comfort, the Wi-Fi works and our food is prepared fresh everyday in each shop.”
If you’re looking for a wheelchair-accessible cafe in York, this place is lovely. There’s unique decor that still manages to give all the cosy vibes and a great selection of food and drink. There isn’t any access information available online and unfortunately I can’t remember what the situation was with accessible toilets when I visited, but there is definitely level access into the venue and plenty of choice of seating so you can enjoy your cuppa in comfort.
Remedy Coffee Shop
“The finest vegan, plant based food, coffee and wine in York. Remedy’s menu is sustainable, pro-planet, delicious and seasonal. We offer an all day brunch menu featuring local organic fresh produce. The menu changes frequently as the seasons dictate terms but we enjoy the challenge of a meandering menu and hope you will too.”
Remedy’s food and drink are stunning beyond words. They operate from a small and cosy venue on Fossgate, and their commitment to ethical and sustainable produce is clear to see. The entrance is level access, but it’s a squeeze – I can manage it in my small power-chair, but if you’re using any bigger mobility scooters or wheelchairs, I would advise getting in touch first. The team are wonderfully warm and friendly and I have no doubt they’ll do their best to accommodate you.
York’s Chocolate Story Cafe
“The perfect destination for chocolate lovers to pick up a deliciously decadent snack, our Chocolate Café is open daily from 10am. We stock a huge range of fabulous handmade brownies and tray bakes. For those looking to share our legendary luxurious Chocolate Fondue for Two or a scrumptious Chocolate Afternoon Tea is the perfect option!”
You wouldn’t necessarily think of this location right off the bat when you’re looking for a wheelchair-accessible cafe in York. However, the whole Chocolate Story experience is accessible, with level entry and wide doorways, and the café can be found on the ground floor near the gift shop. I still haven’t visited myself but keep hearing wonderful things about it!
Sketch Café, York Art Gallery
Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EW
“Serving a unique blend of freshly prepared food and great coffee, our café gives you the perfect start or end to your visit. Our outdoor seating area overlooks the beautiful fountain to the front of the Gallery on Exhibition Square. Glance up to see York Theatre Royal, Petergate and the adjoining City Walls, and, of course, the magnificent York Minster.”
The full venue at the Art Gallery is accessible with two permanent gently-sloped ramps outside the main entrance. The wheelchair-accessible café is located on the ground floor, with the counters and tables spaciously laid-out, making it fairly easy to navigate around the space. I definitely want to visit here more in the future!
York Theatre Royal Cafe
St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
“The theatre has a beautifully airy front of house area, with café, bars and various seating areas, suitable for everyone. You can also order brunch, dinner and light bite options, with up to eight daily specials – all home made in our kitchen using the best locally sourced ingredients.”
If you’re on the lookout for a wheelchair-accessible cafe in York, this place is so underrated. In the daytime it’s peaceful, airy, and the huge windows make it the perfect spot for people watching with a cuppa and a slice of cake. Level access is available via the main entrance to the theatre and the café is located nearby on the ground floor. There are accessible toilets on the ground floor too.
Rowntree Park Reading Cafe
Rowntree Park Lodge, Richardson Street, York YO23 1JU
“Relax and enjoy Organic, Fairtrade coffee, Suki loose leaf teas, homemade cakes and freshly prepared lunches whilst enjoying a book or today’s paper.”
This one is located slightly out of the city centre, but the riverside walk towards the park is all part of the experience and one of my favourite things to do in York. There are wide pathways all around the park itself, and as you approach the reading cafe, you’ll find a sloped concrete path leading to the entrance. It’s not a huge space so it can be a little tricky to navigate between tables and to order at the counter, but in my experience it’s worth it. Their vegan blueberry croissants are the elite.
The Pig and Pastry
35 Bishopthorpe Road, YO23 1NA
“We serve Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Sandwiches, Salads, Daily Changing Specials, Home Baking, relationship advice, Tripadvisor bribes and more…”
This café on the iconic Bishy Road is well-known and loved by locals, with friendly staff serving delicious food. There’s a small concrete slope leading up to the entrance to the venue – the doorway is narrow and often has curtains drawn across it, but in the past, I’ve managed to get through and seated when using both a manual wheelchair and my power-chair. Although there’s not a great deal of room to maneuver inside and it’s often full and busy, staff and local customers are always helpful in arranging tables and chairs around to accommodate you.
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And there you have it – by no means an exhaustive list, but some of the very best wheelchair accessible cafes in York. We still have a long old way to go with accessibility in York, especially for independent businesses, but I hope this goes to show there are still some great options out there. If you’re a disabled person visiting York, please pay these lovely venues a visit and have a cuppa (oat milk, no sugar please) on my behalf. And go on then, I suppose I’ll have an allergen-friendly cake or two as well…
If you have any recommendations of your own, please do share them in the comments section below!
5 responses
I agree with you about accessible cafes. In my local town the good independent cafes, there are 3, only 1 is fully accessible. Another has a small step and the third has 3 big steps and no accessible entrance.
just because I use a mobility scooter shoud not exclude me from being able to socialise and enjoy tea/coffee.
The feeble excuses make me cross
So sorry to hear about your experiences Patrick – I completely agree. Fingers tightly crossed the situation improves and people become more conscious of it (across the UK) over the coming years!
Hi Pippa, thank you so much for taking the time to write this. I was just despairing at the thought of phoning round independent coffee shops to ask about their accessibility and when I asked Google to show accessible coffee York – didn’t not expect a helpful result. As a permanent wheelchair user, I’m very happy to find your website. I am surprised how many coffee shops don’t even have a small ramp available. Since the closure of many of the streets in York its even more of a challenge.
Oh I’m so glad it’s come in helpful, thank you Belinda! Just a heads up – after re-reading the post today (24/01/22), I’ve removed Spring Espresso as they’ve proved to be one of the worst offenders when it comes to blocking dropped kerbs with pavement seating these last couple of years and been very hostile towards people who’ve raised this with them. Hope you manage to find somewhere lovely for a cuppa!
Not having a standard wheelchair mine is slightly wider I can’t access most shops now. If I need the post office now located right at the back of wh smith I often knock things off the shelves. Most cafés and bakeries I can’t get in to. Get in to the larger stores. Banks,boots what was bhs. Boyes is accessible but then the isles get narrower meaning having to reverse. I can access the food stalls on the market. I just hope york opens up again to blue badge holders.