The Victorian Grade II listed building is the home of the newly opened Chapter House bar while the Refectory Kitchen & Terrace will open on 12 November.
The Chapter House bar was designed by award-winning architects Michaelis Boyd, serving a selection of bar food which includes Black Pudding Sausage Roll wih HP Sauce, Fountains Gold Toastie with Branston, and Bridlington Scampi with Tartare Sauce. Also on the menu in the bar is a range of cocktails, spirtis, wines and craft ales. It also houses a wood-panelled games room with a half-size pool table, chess board tables, cards and board games.
The 126-cover Refectory Bar & Terrace will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, with head chef Nick Evans at the helm of the kitchen producing seasonal menus with local produce. It will serve a further 35-covers on an outdoor terrace.
Developer and London restaurateur, Des McDonald, said: “We set out to create seasonal dishes that are bursting with flavour and make use of the world-class quality of ingredients found across Yorkshire. We are proud to champion local produce on the Refectory menu."
The Royal York’s Stephen Carter, who will oversee the development, said:“We are investing millions of pounds in The Royal York Hotel to restore it to its original glory whilst creating new restaurant and bar concepts that we believe will appeal equally to hotel guests and people who have made York their home.
“The city’s world-class heritage attracts visitors from across the UK and around the world. We hope to put The Royal York Hotel ‘back on the map’ by working closely with local businesses, suppliers and cultural partners.”
The investment will also include a refurbishment of the 159-bedrooms and suites, the hotel lobby and a new Garden Room. It will create up to 90 new jobs in the industry.