Located unobtrusively on one of Haworth's many cobbled streets is a restaurant that's built up a great reputation and a loyal following in the 30 years it's been owned by the Rushworth family.

Weavers Restaurant is still very much a family-run business, and together with a team of pleasant and helpful local staff, continues to wow visitors and locals alike with its excellent but unpretentious cuisine.

The window by the entrance is filled with stickers denoting various awards and accolades, including an AA Rosette and recommendation in the Michelin guide.

First-timers, as we were, may find the eccentric interior a little overwhelming at first.  Every corner, wall and a fair proportion of the ceiling is stuffed full of nick-nacks, which range from a vast collection of mirrors and bobbins to an old saddle, casually slung over a rail.

We were quickly seated at a table near the bar, where a waitress brought us a little container of crisps and the menu and wine list.  We later learned that this area is used at lunch-times, with the main dining area used only in the evening, and in due course, we were led to our table.

After careful perusal of the menu - so many delicious sounding options - Himself plumped for a starter of 'carpaccio of beef with horseradish cream' with Dales fillet of beef and Brnaise butter with skin-on chips to follow.

I chose the salad of smoked Yorkshire venison with home-grown radish to start, followed by pan fried duck breast and crispy duck fat potatoes.  Our mains were accompanied by a dish of deliciously al-dente vegetables.

At this point, we could quite happily have moved straight to the coffee, but in the interests of research, decided we'd better try a pudding.  Casting a glance around the dining room, it seemed everyone else was equally powerless to resist these sweet temptations as well.

I opted for a bowl of fresh strawberries with clotted cream and homemade shortbread biscuit, while my husband was won over by the special of the day, a chocolate ginger biscuit cake with lemon curd ice-cream. 

Unable to finish more than half of the huge plate of strawberries and their mountain of cream, I could only watch as husband devoured his pud.  Between mouthfuls, he described it as "So obscenely good, it should be a criminal offence.".

We left so full, I'm sure we waddled all the way back to our overnight accomodation at Ashmount Guest House.

Practicalities:

Weavers Restaurant is open for dinner  Tuesday to Saturday, between 6.30pm and 9pm (last orders at 9pm).  They are also open for lunch Wednesday to Friday, and also on Sundays, between noon and 2pm.  The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

Prices are mid-range -  starters average around 5, with mains between 10 and 18.  Puddings are 4.50 each.

An extensive wine list, both reds and whites with a few of each available by the glass.  Bottles all seemed to be under 20.  A variety of bottled beers is also available. 

A cheaper set-price early bird menu, of two or three courses, is available in the evening between 6.30 and 7pm and also at lunch times (not Sundays).

Reservations highly recommended.  Telephone 01535 643822 to book.  Menus are available on the Weavers Restaurant website.

Location map 

Published 04/08/2007