Every year, York welcomes crowds from across the country eager to get into the Christmas spirit.
What better way to feel Christmas cheer than by trying new, delicious food and drink debuting at the market this year?
York Christmas market is now open, but what’s new?
The Irish Spice Bag
New on the menu this year is a Chinese-inspired dish from Ireland! The Irish spice bag is now open for all to try. The spice bag consists of deep-fried salt-and-pepper chili chicken and chips. Brought to the Christmas market by Millers Fish and Chips in Haxby, this Irish classic is a hit already. The stalls’ menu lists the spice bag at £12.50.
The Cut and Craft
Next, let’s look at a new menu item from a returning stall. The Cut and Craft are back, serving up a new variation of their steak and chips. This year, they have brought out the smoker. Enjoy melt-in-your-mouth, deliciously smoked dry-aged beef rib over golden chips, smothered in your choice of peppercorn sauce or bone marrow gravy. This new special is £19
Beth Bakes Cakes
For dessert, children’s novel-inspired, 8-layer cake. ‘The Beth’ by Beth Bakes Cakes is 4 layers of chocolate cake, held together with 4 layers of smooth chocolate ganache. Described as ‘eight layers of pure chocolate joy’, ‘The Beth’ is an enormous slice topped with warm chocolate ganache for £8. Add fresh cream for £1. This layered cake draws inspiration from Bruce Bogtrotter’s huge chocolate cake in Roald Dahl’s ‘Matilda’, with tiers of sweet milk chocolate cake. After the success of just a few days, Beth Bakes Cakes said they ‘would love to be back next year’. So, with any luck we will see ‘The Beth’ in 2026.
Farrah’s Toffee Vodka Liqueur
Next up is a boozy sweet treat from Farrah’s toffee vodka liqueur. Farrah’s was founded in 1840 and has been making their toffee vodka ever since Made by the Kettlesing Distilling Company in Harrogate, a local Yorkshire delight. The vodka and toffee are available in two flavours: original and clotted cream. A 50cl bottle of the toffee vodka liqueur costs £20. They also offer a 100g tin of toffee for £5.
Casa Mia
As we continue exploring sweet delights, an Italian treat awaits: Casa Mia. This award-winning Leeds-based bakery is here for the first time ever. Winner of the Deliciously Yorkshire taste awards, ‘best free from’, for their amaretti biscuits in 2024. They have a large variety of vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free bakery options. They also have authentic, traditional cannoli that they claim are ‘the best in the world’. Their treats typically range from £2.50 to £6 each.
So, what are you waiting for? The York Christmas market is now open and will end on the 21st of December, packed with appetizing food and drink. Not to mention the unique and special gifts you can also get this year.
