Beefeater in York

As loyal patrons for many years, we've been disappointed to see a recent decline in the establishment's quality, especially the food. While the atmosphere remains pleasant, the chef and staff seem less familiar with the menu and service standards than before. The lack of feedback requests when tables are cleared is also concerning. A lack of engagement and passion seems to have affected the service, impacting the overall experience. Changes in the last six to twelve months appear to have negatively affected the venue, which is regrettable. Therefore, this visit may unfortunately be our last, given the decline in quality and consistency. This is truly disappointing. The attached photo is of a table that sat like this for over an hour and a half. We left at this point so no idea when it was actually cleared.

Annie was just wonderful and looked after us so well, fabulous person. Great for a Monday night! Thank you Annie.

Perfect and I mean perfect. Friendly staff quick service good prices for the quality of food here. I had Sirloin Steak with chips and they leave the skin on the chips for that extra crispiness. I have mine medium rare it was juicy and definitely medium rare flame grilled and full of flavour and portions are massive. I'll be back. Highly recommend Beefeater.

Good working away meals n beers

Went for Sunday lunch, they have the festive menu on which has a good selection, we had 2 courses for £21. Very good value & decent portions. Cooked well & very tasty. All the staff were so nice but a shout out for Jake, he was so polite & helpful, he had a really lovely cheerful attitude. Sean was very helpful & friendly too, thanks to you all 👍 UPDATE - We went for Christmas day dinner and it was fantastic! Friendly helpful staff as usual, the food was absolutely delicious, a really good choice on the menu & so well cooked. It was very well organised, we didn't wait long in between courses. Staff were there when you needed them, Sean again was very helpful. Thank you all for your hard work, especially the chefs, we thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas dinner 👍👍

Very welcoming staff, helpful when needed and the food was as you'd hope it to be! Will be back again I'm sure.

We had our large family Christmas Day lunch here and it was amazing. I have to admit I was expecting a hit and miss level of service due to the numbers they were catering for etc. It couldn’t have been further from the reality. The overall experience was excellent. From the warm welcome on our arrival right the way through to coffee and mince pies it was faultless. The staff were first class. Everybody knew exactly what they were doing. The courses all came out together and were piping hot. The team were friendly, engaging and super efficient. We were all really happy with the overall experience and it was great value for money. Sharon the Manager and her team should be highly praised for the military style operation. A great team effort and some amazing feedback from all the customers. Thank you for making our Christmas lunch experience one to remember. We cannot highly recommend this venue enough.

Managed to book online with only 20mins notice with no problems. Straight to a table and drinks within 5 mins. Big shout out to Mitch, excellent service and advice regarding menu options, does The Millfield proud.

Always value for money food hot called for breakfast 22£ for two people all included beautiful cooked

We decided on 2 courses from the Christmas menu we shared a crispy prawn starter and it was delicious, traditional turkey for main everything was cooked to perfection only criticism would be not a lot of turkey meat my granddaughter is 6 and would of eaten more so a little on stingy side it was more like a child's portion, we shared a black forest for dessert which was one of the best we have had should of got one each lol. Jake was our server very polite and attentive.

Good breakfast, self service, but it's nearly all Luke warm. Could do it a lot hotter. Otherwise it's value.

Disappointed, checked online when we booked the premier inn to make sure pub was open till 11 pm. We booked in for my father in laws birthday so we could do the Christmas market then come back and relax after a hectic day for a few drinks only to be told at 9.30 pm that they were calling last orders!!!

Service was very quick and Annie was very polite and smiley when dealing with us. Food was very good and the beer tasted perfectly.

One of the best breakfasts I've had really nice food and good selection, the person on breakfast gave fantastic service . Will definitely come back

Turned away at 8.50pm Sunday evening. Due to time. Tables empty. Reason kitchen was closed. After a 5 hour trip it’s not what you want to hear.

This used to be a decent Beefeater but now, sadly, like so much of the once great Whitbread empire, standards have fallen as quality and costs have been cut to laughable levels bearing in mind the ever increasing prices of menu items. Despite the place being relatively quiet, today I waited 30 minutes for a tiny piece of grilled chicken and a portion of chips which would have looked miserly on a children’s menu dish, let alone one on intended for a grown adult. To add insult to injury the food was tepid, too. When I asked if the brand’s 50% off voucher deal for Black Friday referred to cost or portion size, I was informed the restaurant chain has a new policy which means that sides are now weighed to ensure consistency of serving sizes. That’s the last straw for me, and as the chain turns 50, it has lost a loyal customer who has dined with them for most of those 50 years. With such poor stewardship and customer focus, I doubt Beefeater will be around to celebrate many more birthdays.

Enjoying everything about the Milfield, good food, great atmosphere, fantastic service.

Stayed next door, so we had food monday evening. Good food and excellent service (shout out to Jake....) Well done all.

As a couple we had a medium steak Diane and a rare sirloin. Both cooked to perfection. The service was excellent from Kristie. Very quick and efficient and a very nice person.

Stayed just overnight while visiting york Christmas markets,lovely food and staff are friendly just a nice end to a busy wet day in york

Service was fine they brought my table booking forward and hour. The food was Mediocre, steak chips peas with mushroom and tomates. Very few chips or peas, and the to crown the eating experience, I was told the sauce I had requested could not be charged onto my company charges??

Well known brand. Time recognised menu. Portion size has regrettably diminished from similar fayre of decades back, when available. Breakfast buffets are faultless. Both Continental selection and Cooked. Decoration in this restaurant is due an update. Staff are well presented and polite.

Team leader (Sean) is rude and needs training in hospiality. He could see my mother was struggling to walk and keep up as he marched off and then gave back-chat when I asked if she could sit down. Phoebe who actually served us was lovely and attentive - she saved an bad initial impression.

Came here after a disappointing visit to dobbie’s garden centre. Hidden away a little but plenty of parking and a really nice setting inside. Very friendly greeting and lots of space. The food did take a bit longer than expected but when it arrived it was brilliant, we had a very mixed order with lots of parts of the menu and all of it was delicious (the chips were on the small side portion wise) We were served by Charlie who was super helpful and really pleasant. We will 100% be returning whenever we’re around the area and need a good place to eat!

Very friendly staff and well served by the hostess

Birthday lunch. Sunday roast was lovely, but was a bit cold. Steaks Sirloin & Fillet were great. One of the glasses for the drinks smelt like detergent but was easily replaced. We would suggest maybe carrying a iPad or notepad to help remember orders, because we was missing a side order of salad but our server was really kind to bring the salad over within minutes. The place was really tidy and looked professional. Our reason for rating a 3 star was because of one of the three meals being cold and the one glasses smelling like detergent.

I was seen to by vicky Well mannered Smiling Happy to help.

We really enjoyed our visit. Had an evening meal as well as breakfast the next day, both times were fantastic, can't fault it in any way. Thanks guys x

Menu a bit more limited than anticipated.

Very good service and an amazing breakfast.. actually asked if we want more food before clearing away at 11am. Thought that was really thought full.

Another great visit to Millfield. Steak cooked to perfection on the sampler. Lovely calamari and chicken wings for starters. Sat in the bar because we were a large group that hadn't booked and the team could not have been more attentive or helpful! Great food and great service!

The interior is very run down and in a desperate need of an upgrade. I’d say the grubbiness is ingrained now and no matter how hard anyone was to try and clean it, it wouldn’t make any difference. Staff were polite but not really any to be seen wandering about to collect the empty plates. We went for breakfast which was good value, only down side was it all seemed to be quite oily/greasy, but appeared to be getting topped up regularly so was fresh. Parking was easy. Two Children with me ate for free.

Very busy when we arrived. Shown to table and drinks order taken. Phoebe served us very well and the food was lovely.

Stayed at the Premier Inn next door. Plenty of seating available, great ambiance. The food (steak) was very nice - for the price! I did want to shoutout the amazing service received from our server - Charlie, a very pleasant and professional chap. We would revisit. 👌

Another lovely visit - change of menu but still as nice and a good choice. Jake A made our visit very easy ( disability help needed) and enjoyable . Steak, as always, cooked perfectly 👍

JAKE A was excellent and looked after us superbly, the food was really lovely especially the Chicken,overall a terrific experience ,thankyou...and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Mansger Sean....45 today.xx.

Excellent food today, steak cooked as requested. Really warm food and all well cooked. Excellent service by staff. Really good Beefeater this one. I will return.

Good food, and great service by Phoebe. We’ve been here a few times now and it’s always great. Free parking at restaurant.

No greeting of hello/welcome to start with. Food cold served on cold plates so never going to be warm. When complained after the meal, the server never coming to check during our meal the manager wasn't bothered about our complaints no apology given just the offer of a free dessert. The service was slow. We had left on our table empty bottles and glasses. Not busy . Not impressed at all. We had the rump of lamb which turned out to be very 4 small squares of thin and fatty lamb. Parsnips burned and crispy and still served.

Great chatty barman called Matty, very friendly, even asked if I wanted him to pour my can of Guinness Zero for me, which I said thanks but as I’m not an imbecile I’m quite capable of doing it myself.

The table service great and very friendly. The food was lovely. Bar service was awful, although we were the only people needing to be served as soon as we approached the bar the barman moved away without acknowledging us and hung around the other end of the bar before slowly making his way back up and asking us if we were ready to order which we obviously were, he took our food order curtly and without smiling, then put a Guinness zero can and glass on the bar without opening it or asking if we would poor it for him. Sunday Evening 29 Sept 24

Great food and very friendly staff

The service was lovely! Especially Phoebe. The food was great too. We had steak and chips and it was cooked perfectly. I recommend the halloumi fries!

Pheobe and the rest of the staff were so good and food and table service was the best and will come again absolutely fantastic service and most friendly atmosphere

Food was rubbish. Steak was extremely tough and dry. A pitbull would have trouble chewing. Breakfasts are cold. Not even beans are hot. Eggs like bullets. Very very poor. Not good value. Blinds at windows are covered in a thick layer of dust. Decor of the whole place is very tired. Would not stay again at the neighbouring Premiere inn either. Rooms are too hot with no air con.

Brilliant service as always. Made particularly nice with a rapport built up with Christie. Food was exceptional as it has been each time I have visited. Fully recommend.

Turned up late on with no booking, table of 5 fresh from the workshop but they fitted us in regardless. Good service and good food

I had a fantastic experience at Beefeater! My open club chicken sandwich was delicious, and it was served by the lovely Annie, who made sure everything was perfect. A big shoutout to Kristie, who was amazing and took the time for a great 5-minute chat. Jake at the service desk was also very pleasant and welcoming. Credit to Sean and the entire team for making it such an enjoyable visit!

Absolutely amazing breakfast cannot complain with the service. When a breakfast is out they are fast at getting it sticked back up the atmosphere is relaxing the staff look busy but are very helpful. The seating is fantastic. Would highly recommend.

Fantastic service and full availability of food very highly recommended

Fabulous experience great service & food.

It was very very quiet despite the Ebor races being on at York races, it is what it is, I had the chicken burger and it was very nice, hot and served reasonably quick.

A great place to go for a meal out. Good service and price. Was a bit disappointed that we couldn't have the two courses for £20 at this restaurant till September.

Lovely breakfasts. Staff very pleasant and helpful thanks

Brilliant restaurant with fabulous staff especially Jake and Annie. Food was excellent and superb service. Don’t miss out.

What a fabulous meal, staff well polite and knowledgeable, Annie n Jake exceptional ,great day was had by all ,a great ultimate experience

Three of us had lunch here. The food and service was really good. One meal had to be gluten free and they ensured it was prepared and served separately. Beefeater are always excellent in this way. Recommended for anyone with a food allergy.

The home of the beef steak, what a joke, the first night I asked for a Medium well steak, it was cremated and cold so sent back, the next one was a sirloin not filet and still overcooked and tasted awfull, everything still cold , the next night I had half a chicken that was tasteless and half undercooked, the staff could barely brake a smile, the drinks on the menu although stating new, were no longer being sold, the breakfast was stone cold, the worst beefeater I have ever been to.

Had 2 attempts at being served rare fillet steaks ! Both attempts were definitely not fillet and were full of grizzle and chewy . Won’t return but staff did their best dealing with situation - felt sorry for them . Butcher definitely needs a review but also chef should not have served such atrocious fillets ! Big shame 😳

Great food and atmosphere, lovely garden area too, parking is good

Very disappointing prepaid meal as part of away break. Decided as a rare treat to upgrade to the steak with prawns and calamari. The steak requested medium (I'm tolerant of pub medium being anything from bloody though to barely a hint of red) It arrived with a steak knife which was the only way it could be sawn through - seriously over cooked to the point it was dry as a bone, I wonder if it maybe was even a re-griddled old steak. We arrived to a quiet restaurant at 5pm but had a reservation for 6pm. We were advised that due to staff shortages we couldn't be seated before our allotted time so had drinks in the bar. Once seated we asked for water to go with the consumed drinks and food . We asked three more times over the first hour but it didn't arrive - eventually the starters for those having them did, so I went and got water myself. The evening meal took just over 4 hours and I left without having eaten as I'd been saving myself for my steak/ prawns/ calamari special. One prawn split in two and a couple of tiny bits of Calamari aren't a meal worth over £20. We did raise the inedible steak and were told another could be cooked. Having waited two hours to get the first one and the others had eaten so we didn't want to wait any longer. The receipt for the meal took over an hour, the system crashed! When the robotic was everything okay came out we said no the steak was inedible - which had already been acknowledged as embarrassing by the waitress when she took it away just cut through and not touched. It was mentioned something might be able to be with the receipt, nothing was. After 4 hours waiting around we decided to use beefeaters own feedback system to say something isn't right here. They auto acknowledged our comments and then nothing - no simple human apology 'We were very understaffed' or 'we've put process in place to remind staff to check meals are okay during the dining process' So I'm writing this review thoroughly disappointed that this must be what Beefeater now accept as a standard level of service.

Very disappointing prepaid meal as part of away break. Decided as a rare treat to upgrade to the steak with prawns and calamari. The steak requested medium (I'm tolerant of pub medium being anything from bloody though to barely a hint of red) It arrived with a steak knife which was the only way it could be sawn through - seriously over cooked to the point it was dry as a bone, I wonder if it maybe was even a re-griddled old steak. We arrived to a quiet restaurant at 5pm but had a reservation for 6pm. We were advised that due to staff shortages we couldn't be seated before our allotted time so had drinks in the bar. Once seated we asked for water to go with the consumed drinks and food . We asked three more times over the first hour but it didn't arrive - eventually the starters for those having them did, so I went and got water myself. The evening meal took just over 4 hours and I left without having eaten as I'd been saving myself for my steak/ prawns/ calamari special. One prawn split in two and a couple of tiny bits of Calamari aren't a meal worth over £20. We did raise the inedible steak and were told another could be cooked. Having waited two hours to get the first one and the others had eaten so we didn't want to wait any longer. The receipt for the meal took over an hour, the system crashed! When the robotic was everything okay came out we said no the steak was inedible - which had already been acknowledged as embarrassing by the waitress when she took it away just cut through and not touched. It was mentioned something might be able to be with the receipt, nothing was. After 4 hours waiting around we decided to use beefeaters own feedback system to say something isn't right here. They auto acknowledged our comments and then nothing - no simple human apology 'We were very understaffed' or 'we've put process in place to remind staff to check meals are okay during the dining process' So I'm writing this review thoroughly disappointed that this must be what Beefeater now accept as a standard level of service.

Expensive for not a lot .Had to have chips as garlic potatoes had run out, small amount of salad, although chicken breast was cooked ok

We arrived for breakfast to be told we would have to wait almost an hour to get a table. The member of staff on duty was very short saying you should have booked even though the restaurant was almost empy. We went outside and my daughter booked on line. She received a confirmation email saying booking accepted but the same member of staff still would not let us in saying the booking would be cancelled as they were full. If this is how they operate then we will never go back.

Great food, barely any wait, Kristie was a great server who was very polite & friendly and helped me with a pay query

Genuinely lovely food and great location

Bright smiles and full tummy’s after a lovely trip too the beefeater. Excellent service and lovely welcome.

Great food and great service !!!!!

amazing food, great service and friendly staff. Will be returning very soon. Very happy.

We were really pleased with Kirstie who served us, being a larger group with a disabled child she went the extra mile to make sure we had a great experience. Thanks

The choice of Continental Breakfast was appalling, not to mention the toasters were either broken or knackered. Cooked Breakfast was better but the Black Pudding was soggy. Apart from meet and greet when we arrived and got shown to our table, that's where the service ended

More like a cafe. Food basic. They changed the menu and not for the better. Over priced and over rated.

Very good meals' fair selection. Will go again.

Came here for an evening meal we were served by Jake and the service was amazing, for a table of six the food came quickly. No problems with the food, great service all round.

Very nice food, and our waiter Jake was fantastic - thank you!

Popped in for lunch pleasant staff and quick service .would go again

Food was lovely, staff very helpful and friendly would definitely recommend

I was staying the premier Inn and had the meal deal with my room, the food is ok for a day or 2 then then the options dry up, not a great deal of choice. The waiting staff are extremely friendly can't fault them at all.

Went for Sunday roast on Father’s Day. 2 roast beef dinners and one ultimate roast. Lovely food and free unlimited roasties and Yorkshire pud’s was a bonus. Looked after very well by our host Jake and server Ryan. Will definitely be back for another Sunday dinner

Food great. Staff even better. Made to feel very welcome.

Went for breakfast today. For technical reasons they said I couldn't pay for breakfast, it was pre-paid guests of the Premier Inn next door only. So I was turned away. They wouldn't even take cash. So they lost a sale and I went away hungry. Thanks so much.

Had a fantastic meal here tonight. It was busy but the staff were absolutely fantastic, the food was absolutely delicious! Christie, who was our waitress, was a star. Chatted to us, gave use tips about what to do in York tomorrow. Can't recommend this restaurant enough. Was surprised with a birthday cake and happy birthday was sung! Thank you to Jake the manager for helping my husband to surprised me with a Charlie the caterpillar cake!

Really good service. The staff and specifically Shaun and Mitchell are really friendly and manage the place really well. It’s often very busy but the staff still bend over backwards to make sure that my 94 year old grandad (who comes in every Saturday) is comfortable and well looked after. Many thanks.

Overpriced for basic food... Expensive Beer. No Atmosphere. No Sports. They think just because they're connected to a Premier Inn they can extort the guests next door with ridiculous prices. If you're staying at the Premier Inn i recommend you go to the Hungry Horse 5 minutes away where you'll get better food for a far cheaper price.

Well what a shocking experience arrived at Beefeatet at 2130hrs after a long drive, checked into hotel and was told I had a food voucher and drink included only to find a very abrupt bar person stating sorry bar is shut...and you've got to leave by 10pm.....me thinks this chap missed the in house training sessions on customer services. I asked for a glass of water which he very reluctantly and with a vulcan like death stare served me.....I asked for ice and lemon only to experience the death stare again....I then wasn't even allowed to finish the glass of water before being told "its that time the bar area was being cleared and locked" Everything I could find, website, google, literature said open until 11pm..... I wasn't even allowed to visit the toilet...... Let's hope they do better tomorrow...watch this space.

Food poor. Definitely microwaved. Service terrible. Before you sit down, they were pressuring you for your order and then when we tried to add to our order we were told that we couldn't. Would never go again.

Phoebe served us this evening. It was quiet and she was attentive and competent. We had a good meal and especially enjoyed the bottle of merlot. Good value and recommended for an enjoyable meal. Thanks.

Food v good, service good. Saturday night very noisy!

4 of us had a lovely night out here, the atmosphere was pleasant and the food was great, Sean and Phoebe looked after us very well. thanks again.

I have to say it was Friday so busy with people staying overnight but we were all crammed into a small area around 4.30/5pm instead of using other areas. We could barely hear each other as the other tables were so close. We had one person on the bar for a while he wasn't very friendly! Everything we ate was overcooked starter chicken goujons really hard & dry. My husbands burger dry overcooked. My fish probably the worst ive ever had not pleasant at all thick hard batter wet not nice fish inside. Had to go to ask for dessert more staff were on by then but only cleared our table as the dessert came out. Very disappointing unfortunately won't be going again such a Shame as local to us

Visited over the weekend, food was bog standard average, however server, blonde girl, think name was Annie, created a warm atmosphere and made our experience much better.

Brilliant service from Phoebe, lovely food excellent. Premier inn was also very good. Lovely weekend enjoyed in York, definitely come back.

Popped for lunch on Friday with 3 friends and we all decided to eat from the daytime menu. The food was great and really good value for money, I had the lasagne and chocolate brownie and enjoyed every mouthful. Service from Kristie and Annie was fantastic, they really couldn't help enough and nothing was too much trouble for them. The whole place was really clean and welcoming, we will most definitely be back.

Well...got a table outside in the sun, we had our dog so sat outside, poped to toilet then went to the bar ..an waited .....an waited.... And waited longer still .... Gave up.... left

Visited the Beefeater Millfield York. What a pleasant place to visit, food was delicious, service was second to none, this was our first visit as we don’t live far, will definitely be visiting again. Jake was our server, he was a lovely polite and very informative, friendly young man, it was a pleasure to be served by him. Nothing was a bother. The restaurant was very clean and tidy. We are staying at the Premier inn as family emigrating on Wednesday, the Beefeater and Premier inn have made this farewell more pleasurable and easier, thank you

Went for dinner on Friday with family. Our waitress was Annie and she lovely and friendly making for a very pleasant experience. Had the chicken and rib combo which was perfectly cooked and really tasty. Loved the chips too

For the price very expensive 74 sauce should use Heinz bbq a lot nicer chicken and rib combo over cooked chicken and dry ribs. Gamon not fit for shoe leather.

This particular beefeater is exceptionally great. I’ve been working away from home in the beautiful city of York for a while now. I have been staying in the premier inn next door so as you can probably tell this place has been my local haunt. the staff are amazing and kind the food is spot on and cook to how you have asked for it what more could you ask for I would highly recommend this place to anybody along with the mixed grill too i have most definitely had a few of them over the weeks and still not bored thanks very much to the staff for the hospitality and service big thumbs up keep doing what your doing

A great meal with the family. Christie, our waitress, was friendly and helpful making it welcome evening. A sirloin was cooked perfectly medium rare by Travis in the kitchen. All in all, a great dining experience. Will definitely return.

Came for lunch with my mum, was very welcoming and friendly, food was hot and served quickly. Would recommend for a quick lunchtime bite