Le Caveau

There are traces, throughout Skipton Town Centre, of a bygone era in the dales. These take the form of intricately cobbled streets, industrial mills and in the case of Le Caveau, a former 16th Century prison, in which you can now enjoy fine French dining. This hidden gem entices you in with its barrel vaulted ceilings, original beams and exposed stonework before keeping your attention for the remainder of the evening with chef Mark Byron’s innovative twists on French classics.

As with most of Skipon’s top eateries Le Caveau make the most of the fresh local produce they have on their doorstep. Dishes often include local beef, pork, lamb and game bought the same day as it’s served, often from a producer just yards away from the restaurant itself. You can also find a well curated selection of wines, hand picked to compliment the dishes.

The restaurant has been part of Skipton for nearly 70 years. In 2014 it was taken over by new owners Esther and Mark Byron who were keen to uphold the high standards set previously while elevating the restaurant into a modern culinary scene. There is nowhere that manages to meet the atmosphere of Le Caveau. You can still see the structure of the former prison in the metal bars on the wall and iron chains that would have held the Craven’s felons and sheep rustlers. This weighty past is mixed with a more modern legacy of fine dining, luxury and decadence to make a particularly enjoyable ambiance.

Before sitting down to eat, the friendly front of house welcomes you into the bar area which looks like somewhere you could find off a side street in Paris. From there you can explore their eclectic menu. The dishes change with the seasons and there are daily changing blackboard specials for both lunch and dinner. You can always expect something familiar yet fresh and beautifully presented.