Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Award-Winning Dining Destination in Ilkley
Established in 1962, The Box Tree has evolved from an 18th-century farmhouse into one of the UK's most celebrated dining destinations. Our heritage spans over three centuries, beginning as a Yorkshire stone farmhouse before becoming an iconic restaurant under visionary founders Malcolm Reid and Colin Long. Recognised with two Michelin stars, we've hosted culinary legends including Marco Pierre White while maintaining our status as a mainstay in every major food guide.Today, we blend tradition with innovation under Head Chef Brayden Davies, who merges Australian techniques with Yorkshire's finest produce. With a team of seasoned professionals including General Manager Chris Stapleton and Restaurant Manager Tom Wardle, our commitment to excellence has endured across generations, earning recent accolades including the 2025 Oliver Award for Best Fine Dining Experience.
Services
Fine Dining
Private Events
Gift Vouchers
Wine Pairing
Seasonal Menus
Details
- Year established: 1962
Highlights and features
- We maintain two Michelin stars since 1962 through culinary excellence
- Our heritage includes mentoring celebrated chefs like Marco Pierre White
- We utilise Yorkshire's finest locally-sourced, foraged ingredients
- We offer exclusive private dining for events up to 50 guests
- Our team holds combined decades of experience in luxury hospitality
Associations and certifications
- Michelin Guide
- AA Restaurant Guide
What people say
Award-winning cuisine
Historic ambiance
Attentive staff
Seasonal menus
Exclusive events
Services
Fine Dining
Experience our Michelin-starred culinary heritage through seasonally evolving menus showcasing Yorkshire's finest ingredients. Our refined French techniques combined with modern innovation create delicate, flavourful dishes. Our luxurious dining rooms provide an elegant setting for both special occasions and memorable everyday dining.
Private Dining
Host bespoke events for 1050 guests in our dedicated private dining room. We offer tailored menus, complete privacy, and dedicated service for celebrations or corporate events. Our team provides full event management from menu selection to ambient details across our historic venue.
Seasonal Menus
Our daily menus reflect the freshest local produce and seasonal availability. From traditional Sunday roasts to festive Christmas feasts, each dish showcases our commitment to quality ingredients. Vegetarian options and wine pairings enhance our ever-evolving culinary offerings throughout the year.
People
Brayden Davies
Head Chef
Australian-born Brayden Davies leads our kitchen with modern techniques blending local Yorkshire produce and his heritage. With Michelin-starred experience at The Raby Hunt and Grantley Hall, he crafts innovative tasting menus that respect our classical foundations.
Chris Stapleton
General Manager
Yorkshire native Chris Stapleton oversees our front-of-house operations. With extensive fine dining experience from the Devonshire Group and Bolton Abbey, he ensures exceptional service standards and guest experiences through his deep hospitality knowledge.
Tom Wardle
Restaurant Manager
Tom Wardle brings Michelin-starred management experience from Hambleton Hall and The Man Behind the Curtain. He leads our front-of-house team with professionalism, ensuring seamless service delivery that complements our culinary excellence.
Nick Dixon
Sous Chef
Yorkshire-born Nick Dixon returns to The Box Tree after gaining experience at The Angel in Hetton. His approach prioritises guest satisfaction through approachable yet refined cuisine, reflecting his philosophy of cooking what people appreciate.
Questions
What are your dress code requirements?
We maintain a smart dress code - no T-shirts, shorts, sportswear, sneakers or trainers are permitted in the restaurant.
Can children dine at The Box Tree?
Children are welcome during lunch (over 5 years) and dinner (over 10 years) with no children's menu or baby changing facilities available.
Are allergens clearly identified in dishes?
Full allergen information is available upon request from our staff for all menu items.
How can I book a private event?
Contact us directly through our website or phone number to discuss bespoke packages for private dining events up to 50 guests.
Do you offer gift vouchers?
Yes, we provide gift vouchers that can be purchased and redeemed for dining experiences at The Box Tree.
Reviews (4)
David Leadbeater
Jan 09, 2022
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I've dined at The Box Tree several times over the last 50 years and although I live some distance from Ilkley it is my favourite restaurant. The combination of outstanding food, beautiful surroundings and skilled, professional and delightful staff, never fails to impress. I love the place.
Neil Best
Nov 23, 2021
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Treated by generous friends! Taster menu was fantastic. Somelier great story teller who was also advising on excellent local supermarket wines. Highly recommend for a very special occasion
Kimberly Estill Duncan
Oct 23, 2021
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Attentive service and attention to detail are the perfect accompaniments to delicious, creative food.
Mike C.
Sep 19, 2021
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The staff were excellent ensuring we were made to feel very special. The sommelier was very knowledgeable and provided us with full details of all the matching wines we had with each course. To put it simply we had a fantastic evening with superb food. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a special evening.
