The Black Swan at Oldstead

Went for our 35th wedding anniversary. Absolutely top notch. I would have probably given the rooms 5* if we had booked sooner as we were in the last available room in the the attic & it was a hot day! Also very low beams. The staff were extremely friendly & knowledgeable about the area & the local food they served. The food was exceptional, would highly recommend a visit.

The Black Swan at Oldstead: A Taste of Yorkshire Magic. Tucked away in the serene North York Moors, near Thirsk, The Black Swan at Oldstead is a Michelin-starred gem that feels wonderfully like home. Head Chef Alice Power leads a team delivering an undeniably delightful experience in this tucked away yet easily accessible spot. It's quiet, intimate, and perfect for savouring every moment. A Symphony of the Seasons: The tasting menu is a true celebration of hyper-local produce from their own farm and foraged ingredients. All dishes are absolute pearls of flavour and ingenuity. More Than Just Food: An Unforgettable Ambiance. Beyond the delicious food, The Black Swan shines with its impeccable, warm service and genuinely welcoming atmosphere. It perfectly blends sophisticated dining with a homely feel, making you instantly at ease. Every element, from the rustic charm to the refined dining room, contributes to a comfortable and luxurious experience. This isn't just a meal; it's a sensory journey that leaves you utterly delighted. Thank you to Alice and the team.

The food was simply stunning, beautiful combinations of flavours and the wine flight worked perfectly. Faultless. The staff were absolutely professional in every way and are a tremendous credit to the business. They made our visit a very special one, and we have truly great memories to take away with us. Accommodation was excellent too. Staying in the hamlet made for a very special trip.

I have just had the most wonderful meal at the Black Swan. The Dexter Beef will live long in my memory! The service was faultless. Each course is explained by friendly staff. It was the perfect way to celebrate my birthday and retirement.

We had breakfast at the swan after staying at it's sister pub the abbey. Great food but the best part was the excellent service from all the staff. Enjoyed a short walk around the garden afterwards.

Fantastic experience, every bit as good as the hype. The food was unique and delicious, matched by the impeccable service throughout. We enjoyed the soft drink pairing, which was carefully thought through and matched well with the food. Breakfast was superb and the room was cosy and comfortable. My one very minor comment would be that an additional charge for the scallop dish felt slightly unnecessary when guests are paying what they are for dinner. I think that it should either be included as part of the tasting menu or removed as an option (I should say that it is perfectly reasonable and expected to have the cheese course as an optional add-on). That said, I would highly recommend the restaurant and rooms to anyone and I'm sure we will be back.

Absolutely lives up to the hype. A fantastic restaurant with phenomenal food. The staff were all great and incredibly informative. It's great to learn about the food and wines as you go. The restaurant is jna great location with lovely walks surrounding it for the morning after. Rooms and breakfast are lovely, making the Black Swan a brilliant weekend away

Don't let the Michelin star fool you, guys. This is a 3 Michelin star restaurant. Every step of the way. First visit here was over 5 years ago and since then we've been to all the big places. Heston, Gordon, Alain et al .. and we felt this was the best. So we returned to find out if Tommy still had it, and boy does he have it. Service was exceptional, perfectly attentive staff knew every detail of our party, and every detail of the produce and restaurant. Wine pairing was the best I've had anywhere. The food was so original, vibrant, fresh and satisfying and brought me close to tears at times. Highlights being the opener, a Venison tartar tartlette, and the closer, a green strawberry and hay ice cream delight. I'll admit the Sturon onion dish felt under developed and not ready, but I can't mark it down for one dish.

Middle of nowhere, casual dress, Michelin-starred. My husband and I went out of our way to eat and stay here. Was it worth the 3 hour journey from London (2-hr train ride, 1-hr by car) to make our reservation from 6-months earlier? Absolutely. Courses are small, but plenty. Staff are immensely courteous and thoughtful (they made a custom menu for our dietary needs and even had the chefs sign it before we left). And the setting couldn't be more idyllic. I'd suggest getting the wine pairing as it really completes the meal. Go ahead and stay the night as breakfast is included the next day. Just make sure to work out your travel from the train station to the restaurant. It really is out in the sticks.

An absolutely fantastic experience enhanced by the charming and beautiful countryside that The Black Swan at Oldstead is nestled within - an area that I wouldn't have visited otherwise but am grateful for having done so. Make sure to make a small detour to Kilburn to see The Kilburn White Horse which stands firmly in the hillside. The Black Swan is a beautiful picturesque old pub full of warmth and charm. Upon arrival you are welcomed into the bar area for aperitifs where a log fire crackles and glows. Make sure to notice the Robert Thompson mouse carved into the bar. Great selection of small batch gins - I enjoyed a glass of Sir Robin of Locksley from Sheffield with tonic. Amuse bouche are served here before moving upstairs to the restaurant. The Smoked Eel and Apple Tartlets were light and well balanced in their flavours whilst the Chicken Dumpling was rich, satisfying and would sit well on the finest of dim sum plates in Hong Kong. The restaurant is more modern in decoration with an "open kitchen" where some of the dishes are prepared with a clear artistic love and attention to detail. Service is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive without being intrusive. Good selection of wines for most palates and wallets. I had the 10 course tasting menu which, at £85, felt like a bargain compared to the price of Michelin starred food in major cities. To start, a Mussel with Oyster Leaf canapé - so perfectly decorated that it felt wrong to eat it, but so tasty. Next up Langoustine with Caramelised Whey, served like a lollipop with a twig to hold it with - lovely textures and cooked to perfection. Venison Tartare followed - a small dish but rich in flavour and beautifully prepared and decorated. Sour Bread and Sour Butter was distinctive and a good filler in preparation for the main courses. The Monkfish with Asparagus and Onion, although delicious, was probably the weakest dish. The sauce tasted like heavy sweet soy sauce and was a bit overpowering in its saltiness for the delicate flavour of the fish. Still very enjoyable though. The Slowly Cooked Crapaudine Beetroot was the star of the menu. Cooked in beef fat (I believe), the beetroot takes on a heavier composition and is chewy and almost glutinous with all of the accompanying decorations providing broad and bold flavours. Absolutely fantastic! Scallop Cured with Rhubarb was another standout with the smoothness of the slightly charred scallops countering the tartness of the rhubarb, all tied together with a rich and balanced sauce. Herb-Fed Chicken with Wild Garlic from this Year and Last was another amazing creation with a blanket over the chicken in the form of a garlic leaf. The chicken was more warm than hot but extremely tasty. The first dessert was ice cream (or iced yoghurt?) Lollipops which were wonderfully innovative with their unique flavours. The Sheep's Milk with Douglas Fir Oil was also an memorable dessert with natural tastes of the season. The final dessert, served with coffee was Cake made from Artichoke, Chicory Root and Thyme. The combination worked well although the chicory root (?) was slightly bitter. A great end to a fantastic meal and experience. For most who visit The Black Swan at Oldstead, a significant journey will be involved but don't let that put you off...It's well worth the effort and will be one of those great food experiences.

Oh my god, this was the best culinary experience I have ever had in my 57 years!! My wife and I came to GB from the US for 12 days to celebrate our 27 wedding anniversary. Yes it is a trek to get there, especially for someone not used to driving on the left side and down small winding country roads. But it was well worth it and I would do it again!! The tasting menu was amazing and each offering seemed better than the one prior. We spend the night before heading to airport to travel home, and we definitely saved the best for last. The staff was attentive and virtuous and as professional as any I have ever experienced. This is a once in a lifetime experience everyone who enjoys culinary masterpieces must do before they die!!

Amazing restaurant and great pub too!