The Hawthorn Haworth is a restaurant and cocktail bar that had been on my radar for a while. I follow them on Instagram and having wanted to visit Haworth for a very long time, it was top of my list for where to eat when I got there. A free Saturday came around a couple of weeks ago when I could go, so I booked a table for lunch. Knowing I would have Arthur with me, I checked on instagram that they are dog friendly, and they almost couldn’t believe I asked. Turns out they are very dog friendly.

Located right on the Main Street of Haworth, you can’t miss it. On the cobbles, and taking up more space than most of the tiny single window fronted shops and cafes, The Hawthorn has a very lovely Georgian exterior, with a small terrace that I’m sure would be lovely in the summer. Instead, being mid January, the single candles were burning on all the tables inside, while they set up for opening at 12pm.

I worked up an appetite by walking up the hill, and pottering around all the fabulous little shops in Haworth, before our table at 12:30pm. I am no stranger to eating alone, after so many work travels where you have no choice, and it honestly doesn’t phase me. Although I wasn’t completely alone, with Arthur in tow.

The staff were so welcoming, and when she realised I was by myself she sat me in what I would easily say is the best table in there, right in the window not too far from the fire that was being stoked up. It was prime spot for people watching, and watching the world go by, slowly up the hill. It’s pretty steep!

All the staff were so nice, and recommended the espresso martini cocktail with a toasted marshmallow. I’d seen it on their instagram and had to have it. The girl asked about my day, so I explained Kieran was at the Newcastle v Leeds game and I was making the most of a free day to myself in Yorkshire too. She was lovely, and kept coming back for a bit of a chat throughout my meal.

For starter I ordered a salmon scotch egg, which was one of them big ones with the perfect yolk. It was very tasty served with salad, lemon mayo and pickled cucumber. For main I had the Hawthorn burger in a brioche bun, which comes with chorizo slices and cheese inside, as well as triple cooked chips. It was unreal! And so big I couldn’t finish it I had to take it out the bun.

The a la carte menu from Wednesday – Saturday can be found here. All the meat is sourced from small farms across Yorkshire and the Lake District, and the fish from Hartlepool. They also have a specific pizza menu on a Wednesday evening, and a kids menu. All of the menus have vegan, gluten free and vegetarian options. The Sunday menu is slightly smaller, and isn’t a Sunday roast menu! Find out what you can eat on Sundays here.

The food really is delicious, I’d go back just to visit here and to sample many more of the cocktails that I couldn’t have due to driving. You can view the wine list on the website but for everything cocktails it’s best to follow them on Instagram.

It’s worth noting their opening hours are a bit varied too as they’re obviously in such a small town. These may change when it’s much busier in the summer but at the moment they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, they’re only open evenings from 5pm on Wednesdays – Fridays, and are open from 12pm on weekends.

One thing I did notice when I went upstairs to the bathroom is they do offer private dining experiences. They had a big room upstairs fit for groups. Downstairs were mainly tables of 2 – 6, and it was packed within half an hour of opening.

I mentioned at the start The Hawthorn is a Georgian building, and the history of the place decorates the walls, as well as outside. The famous Bronte sister authors that were from Haworth even had characters in their books named after the inhabitant of the house at the time – the Barraclough’s (Wuthering Heights). They were a family of clockmakers, and an original grandfather clock stands in the bar downstairs, as well as others dotted about upstairs and downstairs.

It really is a spectacular spot, and I loved my visit. I’ve already told Kieran we are going back and need to stay over so we can sit in there all night.

Find all the info, menus and history of The Hawthorn, Haworth as well as bookings on their website.

Other posts you might like:

A short break to Middleton Lodge, North Yorkshire

A city guide to York

Valentines Day in the North East