Our first meal upon reaching York was lunch at a pub. We wanted to check out the York Minster, so we decided to have lunch nearby at Hole In The Wall York — a traditional red-brick pub with an authentic British pub atmosphere serving classic comfort food.
Wait… It’s a Haunted Pub?
I spotted this board outside the entrance. Ooh, turns out it’s a haunted pub because of its history! I went on Google to read more about it… and realised many pubs in York claim to be haunted, with the Golden Fleece being the most haunted of the lot. Not sure if that’s actually true or simply a gimmick, but anyway, York is regarded as the most haunted city in the UK because of its Roman and medieval history. There are even walking tours that bring you to all these haunted pubs so you can learn more about their dark history… yeah, if that’s your kind of thing.
Spotted the Golden Fleece, but didn’t go in.
But no lah, I didn’t spot any ghostly friend. Not that I was looking forward to meet one… lol. Hubby was saying, maybe we had already seen some, just that we didn’t know they were ghosts because they look just like humans. Well, thank you very much, dear husband. *rolls eyes*
The Vibe Inside
It was a weekday afternoon and the pub was so busy — like, basically full house! Thank goodness we spotted an available table right next to the fireplace. Super cosy spot. You have to place your order at the counter, by the way. We got one starter to share, two mains and two drinks. Their menu is pretty extensive — you can check it out on their website here.
What We Ordered at Hole In The Wall York
Kicking off the meal with a refreshing lager.
Wings and Ribs
BBQ marinated chicken wings and slow-cooked seasoned pork riblets tossed in your choice of sauce, sprinkled with chopped chives. We chose the spicy Cheeky Devil relish (the other option was BBQ)… but honestly, not spicy at all.
- Ribs: Overcooked, dry, and hardly any meat. Disappointing.
- Wings: These were really good!
Steak and Ale Pie
Their classic steak and ale pie — shortcrust pastry with steak and ale filling, topped with cracked black pepper. Served with chips, garden peas and gravy.
- Top pastry: Like puff pastry — super crispy!
- Sides and bottom: Shortcrust pastry, holds everything together nicely.
- Beef: Very tender.
- Chips: Very good — crispy outside, soft inside.
Large Yorkshire Pudding with Roast Beef
This dish was under the Specials menu, written on the chalkboard next to the bar. It comes with mashed potatoes and rocket.
- Beef: 3 large slices, so tender and moist.
- Gravy: Not overly salty, just nice.
- Portion: Very generous — feels healthy and wholesome.
- Yorkshire pudding: Huge! Outside is slightly crispy. Once it soaks up the gravy, it becomes chewy in texture and deflates a little like bread, but not as dense.
I really, really enjoyed this dish!
Final Verdict
All in all, a good meal at Hole In The Wall York. Great vibes, lovely atmosphere, friendly service, and prices are reasonable too by local standards. Pub culture is huge in the UK — it’s like a way of life there — so it’s always nice to check out the local pub when you’re in a new place. I highly recommend Hole In The Wall!