Vegan
International
Mediterranean
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Catering
Spanish
Gluten-free
Breakfast
Founded in 1997, El Piano specializes in vegan and gluten-free meals and tapas. The daily offering of savories and sweets vary and incorporates influences from world regions. Location is in the city centre, and upstairs from the restaurant is a bed & breakfast. Last day of business Aug 30, 2018.
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Last update on 26 Feb 2020 by TheVeganBuddhist
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89 Reviews
First Review by smartheidi
trekstein
Points +157
Piano forte - Edit
A delightful restaurant, set right in the heart of York. The food was delicious: I ate the paella and chorizo with Tinas (Bolivian-style carrot patties) and the Marco salad (grated fresh courgette with a garlic & olive oil dressing). I finished off with Kirsch parfait (light cherry brandy soaked sponge, layered with fresh fruit and coconut).
Read moreThe staff were friendly and helpful and the decor was lovely (if the weather is warm - as it was when we went - you can sit in the restaurant's back garden which is cool and pleasant).
Unfortunately, El Piano no longer exists.
Updated from previous review on 2016-08-22
Pros: Very tasty food, Friendly and welcoming atmosphere, Convenient for sightseeing but set apart and quiet
Guest
Sarah74
Points +92
Always Impressed! - Edit
I love El Piano with it's allergy friendly menu, fantastic staff, quirky decor, and beautiful food! I was so sad to hear it will shortly be closing for good, it has been a 'Must Visit!' on many trips to York, I have lots of great memories of fun times in El Piano - thanks guys, you will be missed!
Read morePros: Great food, Friendly staff, Allergy friendly menu
Cons: A little difficult to find
Guest
megan.the.vegan_
Points +91
Lovely Food - Edit
Really lovely menu, which made it really hard to choose! Food was also fantastic, and I'm sad that I won't be able to return.
Read morePros: Distance travelled ratings
Cons: Closing down soon!
Guest
PascalBecker
Points +231
Great atmosphere, good food - Edit
I've been eating here twice now and I really like this place. The restaurant is warmly decorated in a Mexican - Spanish style.
Read moreThe waiters could be a little bit more cheery, but all in all, the service is good.
The food - you can build your own plate or choose a burger - is of good quality and freshly prepared.
Every dish has a number next to it on the menu which shows how many ingredients are sourced locally.
If choosing to build your own plate, you choose from a hot and cold dish and from different fritters.
The choice is good if dining for the first time here, as the menu barely changes, you will run out of options if you choose to dine here regularly.
The drinks are very expensive, clearly a weak point of this place, but being located in central York and being a vegan place, your final bill will be alright.
All in all a very cosy place to have good food. It's a shame that this place will be shut for good by end August 2018.
Pros: Good (big!) burger , Build your own plate , Interior and design
Cons: Expensive drinks and desserts (my opinion)
Guest
▶Lee
Points +112
Very Nice Fully Vegan Place - Edit
I recommend Bob Best Burger only if you are very hungry. It's big and the bowl of maths chips big too. The salads are very tasty. If you like simple flavours you might be overwhelmed by the variety of strong and contrasting flavours. I couldn't finish my drink i was so full. £28 for two huge meals, one drink, (shared lager).
Read moreNice feel to this cafe and starting snowing...liked that
Overall was very satisfied. Small criticism is that lots of clashing flavours on one plate, maybe bit harsh though that ?
Updated from previous review on 2018-02-28
Pros: Lovely Feel to Cafe, Good Value, Lovely Staff
Cons: Breakfast only for staying guests
Guest
abrazosraros
Points +21
English food - Edit
Didn't like it. Almost everything was fried. Maybe they try to make food that tastes like it was not English but exotic, but no - it's like any other pub. Tasteless, dull, bad combinations. If you like English food you'll love this place.
Read moreGuest
economydreams
Points +1447
So sad it’s closing! - Edit
I’ve always loved El Piano. I’ve eaten there so many times over the past 6 years and it was where I ate after graduating from the University of York. I’ve also done a cooking class there with my friend which was fabulous. I ate there yesterday for what will be the last time in its current form before it closes. I came up from London to do this and was blown away yet again by the food. The 50/50 stir fry is so tasty, everyone in my table wanted some! Although York has become much more vegan-friendly in recent years the loss of El Piano will be felt.
Read morePros: All vegan
Cons: Closing down soon
Guest
SofiesDance
Points +84
Wonderful - Edit
Best falafels in the world, nice atmosphere. My favourite vegan restaurant.
Read morePros: Everything is vegan and gluten free, Food is absolutely delicious, Nice location
Cons: Closing for good this autumn :’(
Guest
Louise_G
Points +511
El Piano - Edit
A really lovely find when on holiday in York; we were only there three days and went back for two. You’ll want to go several time just to try everything on the menu! The atmosphere is cosy and friendly and staff are welcoming .
Read morePros: Excellent for those with nut allergies , Good warm drinks and choice of milks
Guest
DomiNika
Points +96
5 star best vegan food i ever had - Edit
This must be the best vegan nosh I ever had. Fresh vibrant beautiful. Its reminescent of home cooked meals in that its very good quality and doesnt need fancy plating or names to defend itself. You bite in, your taste buds sing angelic songs and little cherubs fly around your head its thst good. I had their tapas style sharing plate with my other half and their chai. Both to die for. I went out with pack of chai and their cookbook. Which has accessible no weird ingredients recipes..including this awesome chai. Staff in there is friendly and knows how to take care of you without being overbearing. Fantastic place fresh high quality food and amazing atmosphere. Shame they plan to close in August 18. If you are in Yotk its a must eat at place. Word of warning i thought i can eat banana split myself. I needed to call on help to eat it - its gigantic.
Read morePros: fresh honest locally sources food great staff
Cons: none its very reasonably priced
Guest
JohnBrownlow
Points +156
Amazing vegan food - Edit
First time at El Piano last night. Great vegan food, really tasty. Fabulous, friendly staff and a great location in the centre of York. Hoping to be back soon. In the meantime I bought the cookbook so will try to re-create the vibe at home!
Read morePros: Fully vegan, Menu entirely free of gluten, nuts, palm oil and r, Lovely outdoor area
Guest
IdaE90
Points +306
Great food and relaxing atmposphere - Edit
This restaurant was one of my favourites when I lived in York. The menu is not the largest, but the food is amazing, the staff is friendly, it's very central and the atmosphere is very relaxing. I recommend the sharing platter, the mushroom fritters are to die for!
Read morePros: Great food, Friendly staff, Central location
Guest
NoEggplant
Points +90
Awesome veg food - Edit
Great food and nice environment
Read moreGuest
Vegeterin
Points +134
Worth a visit - Edit
My first impression when I walked in was that I'd stepped back in time to the hippy 70's. There is definitely a very homely feel to the place that's also attached to a bed & breakfast. The menu isn't innovative vegan. It's simple old school vegan. I had the "Build your own plate" meal of Dhal, falafels & mixed leaves salad. They gave me plain vegan mayo to dip the falafel in which was strange. I thought the food was just okay. The Dhal didn't have much flavor yet is their most popular dish. Being an American vegan in the UK, I've noticed that often times the food lacks spice & so there was no surprise here. All in all, the service was great & I would recommend at least giving it a try.
Read morePros: vegan, gluten free, great service
Cons: food lacks flavor
Guest
ClaireR1612
Points +90
Such Lovely Food! - Edit
I love El Piano! The menu is completely vegan and free from palm oil. I always struggle to choose what to order as all their options sound lovely and everything I've tried has been delicious. Worth mentioning the staff are friendly and attentive too :)
Read moreGuest
KathrynJoanna
Points +57
Great little place - Edit
Only discovered this little gem of a place after we’d eaten lunch and were looking for somewhere for an afternoon drink.
Read moreStaff were extremely welcoming and fine about us just having a drink, showing us to a lovely table in the window.
The food others’ around us were ordering and eating looked and smelled amazing, with lots of variety and choice.
I wouldn’t hesitate to make sure I book a table next time I’m in York.
Guest
Pinkie
Points +292
Cosy warm atmosphere - Edit
The place is easy to find and really cosy. We were seated in a small room to ourselves, which suited our family of 3 kids. The concept is interesting with many options to choose from. But most things were fried and could have done with some lighter options. The staff were really friendly and helpful. Will definitely come again.
Read morePros: Nice place, friendly staff
Guest
rachie18
Points +113
beautiful food, lovely staff! worth a visit - Edit
This was my first time here! I went for the Bob's best burger, it was awesome! Massive aswell! If you're in York this is a must! Even my other half (non vegan) said the food was delicious! It's a Winner! They also have their own cookbook for sale 😊
Read morePros: full vegan menu
Guest
Louxsie
Points +45
Superb for vegan - Edit
A friend and I stopped in here for lunch and what a brilliant find it was. Delicious veg and pea soup, nice and spicy and just the thing for a cold winter day sightseeing. Delicious warm bread with it and peppermint tea that was so fiercely minty it made our eyes water! Clearly a popular place as it was packed within 15 minutes of the doors opening at 12. Great staff, lovely atmosphere, and they even sell specialist flours, grains, coffee etc, and even their own bilingual cookbook (English and Spanish). I'll definitely be back next time I'm in the beautiful city of York.
Read morePros: Wonderful food, Friendly staff, Reasonable prices
Cons: Fills up quickly , Outside toilets not great on a freezing day!
Guest
kkylaye
Points +936
Amazing Food in York - Edit
Arguably the best vegan food i had in York.
Read moreIt had a warm cozy vibe and the menu has a range and mix of indian, mediterranean and mexican food.
it has a small section that is dedicated to selling vegan/gluten-free products too!
Guest
lepkirk
Points +105
wonderful food - Edit
Food was amazing! Plenty of choice. Would definitely visit again when in York next time. Fresh and well-balanced flavours.
Read moreGuest
thomquinoa
Points +202
Amazing 100% vegan restaurant near York Cathedral - Edit
I was delighted to find this place in York and even more delighted by the food. What a treat! Can't wait to visit again.
Read moreGuest
sfio
Points +3248
Relaxed venue, plenty vegan & gluten free food - Edit
We've visited El Piano over Easter, at first I thought it might be closed but no. While we had planned to do some shopping after a leisurely lunch here, we relaxed in one of the upstairs room and spend over two hours here for mains followed by coffee and cake. We chose a couple of the mains (South American and (Maroccan) and a small burger. The green salsa on the Mexican base dish was amazing and we liked both the carrot and spinach fritters also. I didn't try the burger but was told it was a little on the dry side.
Read moreThere's a drink and cake deal where you get both under £7 (just cake was around £5.50). We ordered carrot, chocolate mousse and sticky toffee pudding. The sticky toffee pudding was the clear favourite. You can even get the recipe from the sample recipe book on the table!
I'm sure we'll come here again when we are in the area again some time.
Updated from previous review on 2015-04-06
Pros: Whole, unprocessed foods, Relaxed atmosphere, good location, Friendly staff
Cons: Service was a bit slow at times
Guest
Thezuzanna
Points +18
YES! - Edit
YES YES YES! More places like El Piano. My boyfriend booked a table to celebrate my birthday. We had the most beautiful romantic table with window view. Our waitress explained rather confusing and large menu. She was very sweet. Now to the food. We tried their tapas served everything. One thing which I didn't like was the rainbow salad - a bit plain and just nothing special but the rest? OMG! We keep dreaming about dinner that day it was that good. 1OOO% recommend!
Read morePros: delicious, friendly, healthy
Cons: long menu, confusing menu, rainbow salad
Guest
Purposely_Vegan
Points +1690
amazing - Edit
Homemade food, a changing menu and great drinks! This place was incredible! The staff were all really friendly and the food was amazing! Freshly made soup and bread! Would go back here time after time!
Read moreGuest
MeganSmith
Points +541
Amazing! - Edit
If you're in York, you HAVE to try here! Amazing choice, attentive staff and unreal flavours! We sat outside in the courtyard and felt so relaxed and content with the whole experience. Would recommend 💚
Read moreGuest
JohnCreen
Points +22
Amazing Vegan Food In York. - Edit
What an amazing find.Stumbled across the restaurant while looking for somewhere to eat.Before coming to York (for a few days break) we had looked on line for vegan options in York and El Piano was mentioned but we thought no more of it,thinking to ourselves we would find something (vegan) to eat somewhere. Well it was our good luck to come across El Piano. We ordered the Taster Tray: a taste of everything on the menu.Amazing food and lots of it.Have never tasted any food as good as this.5 star quality.Great service.lovely friendly staff, beautiful ambience.Oh, and the tastiest ice cream I have ever tasted💕
Read morePros: The staff and the amazing food.
Cons: None.
Guest
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