Celebrated table

Vinehouse Café

Siblings Sam and Mollie Chapman run this award-winning Victorian glasshouse café overlooking Helmsley Castle and the historic walled gardens.

The story

Vinehouse Café Helmsley: A Local Gem Serving Fresh Home Cooking

Roots in the Yorkshire Dales

Vinehouse Café serves everyday home cooking in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, following a takeover by siblings Sam and Mollie Chapman in 2015. They built the kitchen around a straightforward principle that prioritises fresh ingredients and honest home cooking. The restaurant operates independently from the adjacent Helmsley Walled Garden yet sources produce directly from its heritage beds. This approach earned recognition in The Good Food Guide as a Local Gem for 2026.

Plates From the Daily Board

The kitchen updates its specials board every morning to reflect seasonal shifts and available garden harvests. Guests typically choose between hearty melts like Yorkshire ham and mature cheddar with onion marmalade, or lighter options such as feta and green bean frittatas served alongside homemade salads. Winter menus naturally transition toward warming stews and house-made soups. The team also prepares vegan and gluten-free plates for visitors with specific dietary requirements.

Glasshouse Views and Garden Grounds

Patrons dine beneath vaulted Victorian glass panes draped with climbing vines while overlooking the gravelled courtyard beyond. The layout comfortably accommodates large groups across more than one hundred exterior seats and indoor tables. Staff maintain a walk-in policy throughout the day. Visitors consistently appreciate the relaxed pacing and the availability of water and treats for canine companions.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026
The Good Food Guide
Local Gem

Details

At a glance

The Good Food Guide 2026 — Local Gem
Cuisines Home Cooking
Services Catering, Dietary Accommodations, Outdoor Seating, Pets Allowed, Takeaway

History

On the record

2026
The Good Food Guide — Local Gem

Glorious Helmsley Walled Garden (planted in 1759) was rescued in the 1990s by Alison Ticehurst, who envisaged it as a resource for therapeutic horticulture – something that continues today, thanks to a team of core staff and volunteers. The no-bookings café, run by sibling duo Sam and Mollie Chapman, is independent of the garden but makes use of its produce. Eat in the lovely vine-hung Victorian glasshouse or outside on the gravelled alfresco space. Well-filled plates include hot sandwiches, houmous bowls topped with spicy beans or mushrooms and Buddha bowls heaped with leaves, quinoa, noodles, veg and a choice of protein (perhaps chicken and feta). They also provide a daily frittata, plus cakes and scones on the counter. Licensed.

Established

Location

Find us

Helmsley Walled Garden, Cleveland Way, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5AH
Helmsley, United Kingdom
01439 771194
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Map showing Vinehouse Café