On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August, many restaurants, cafes and bars will be taking part in the government's new Eat Out to Help Out scheme, offering up to £10 off your meal.
We knew about the scheme but didn't know that Waterfront Cafe at York Marina in Naburn was taking part until we received our lunch bill. Moreover, the price was half of what I expected.
Waterfront Cafe enjoys a prime location on the banks of the River Ouse, just a short distance from the off-road cycle path between York and Selby.
It has been welcoming visitors for over a year, replacing a small on-site cafe.
You can choose to sit from inside to outside. Outside, there are several tables under a large marquee, equipped with portable heaters. There are also picnic-style wooden tables and benches near the riverbank, exposed to the elements.
Stunning views of the River Ouse
Since it was a dry day, we chose the latter. We booked in advance through the website (recommended). A booking fee of £5 per person is required to secure a table and protect the cafe from no-shows.
COVID-19 safety measures were evident, from sanitizing stations at the entrance to a one-way system around the cafe. The menu could be downloaded to my smartphone via a QR code displayed at the table (my daughter helped me with this). Otherwise, you can also request a paper menu.
Lunch is served from noon to 4 p.m., and in addition to the menu, specials are also available and are noted on the board at the entrance.
Click here to read more York eating out reviews
When we visited, we had a prawn Marie Rose sandwich (£6.95), a beef and leek sesame salad (£7.95), a cauliflower cheese gluten-free quiche (£8.50), and a halloumi kebab with flatbread (£14). was included.
I chose the kebab and my companion chose from the main menu. I chose the Egg Royale (£7.25) for my daughter and the Minute Steak Sandwich with Onions and Fries (£10.95) for my husband.
Tired work!
Drinks came out first. Chilled Orangina, Ginger Beer and Elderflower Press (£2.95 each). I also asked for a glass of tap water. Cycling is thirsty work!
We enjoyed our drinks and soaked up the surroundings. You can rent a boat from here if you want to be on the water rather than just sitting on the side and admiring the view. We watched a family run down the aisles with large ice packs eager to begin their adventure.
special of the day
My halloumi kebab consisted of a generous hunk of golden cheese on a metal skewer, sprinkled with chunks of pepper and onion. It had been nicely grilled so everything still had a little chew to it and the cheese was soft on the inside. Beneath it were two pieces of lightly toasted soft flat bread with yogurt dressing on top. I slipped the kebab filling onto the flatbread and ate it like a pizza. It was delicious, but at a list price of £14, I thought it was expensive. Fortunately, the Eat Out to Help Out scheme didn't require us to pay the full amount, so we could get by with that.
In contrast, the other two dishes were of the “Yorkshire portion” variety. My daughter's Egg Royale consisted of two English muffins, a pile of salty smoked salmon, two poached eggs, and a generous dollop of custard-yellow hollandaise sauce. It was so delicious that she ate a lot, taking breaks between each muffin.
yorkshire potion
A large ciabatta was stuffed with a minute steak sandwich and was also chock-full of fried onions. A heaping plate of potato chips and coleslaw completed the satisfying meal. If my companion had one complaint, it was that the steak was a bit overcooked.
The cafe offers a wide selection of cakes, traybakes, scones and more. I felt it would be rude to leave without trying it, so I duly ordered a Bakewell tart, orange and passion fruit cake, and oat and date slices, along with a hot drink of decaf flat white coffee (£3.30). I ordered it. A cup of peppermint tea (£2.75) for me.
Well, everything was great. It's worth the walk or bike ride to Naburn just to stop by the waterfront for a cup and cake.
It's cake time!
The Bakewell tart was light and full of lovely flavors of cherry and almond, a flavor combination made in heaven. Equally divine was the orange and passion fruit cake with a prominent orange jelly in the middle (they should sell this in jars; I'd walk to Naburn to buy a pot!). The oat slices were soft and gooey, which was also perfect.
All the drinks were great, and my decaf coffee was great, but it can often be disappointing and taste more like gutter water than real McCoy.
Our bill was £60.65 but thanks to the Eat Out to Help Out discount we reduced it to just £30.65. (Note: Discount applies to food and drinks, but not alcohol).
Service is friendly and informative. I'll come back later!
waterfront cafe,
York Marina, Naburn, YO19 4RW
Phone number: 01904 621021 (option 2)
W:Waterfrontcafe.co.uk
Food: Volume 3.5/5
Service: Friendly 4/5
Atmosphere: Great environment 5/5
Value: Good 4/5
Reviews are independent and all meals are paid for by The Press.
