The former mill town of Huddersfield might not be up there with the most sophisticated places to dine in the UK, but there are no shortage of places to enjoy a meal. From traditional pubs and inns serving hearty ‘pub grub’ to chain wine  bars serving snacks and full meals, there are any number of places to line one’s stomach before a night out on the town, and there are also plenty of formal restaurants serving British and international cuisines.

Cheap Eats

There are lots of traditional tea rooms and fish and chip shops scattered across the town, and the Victorian shopping arcades are awash with places to refuel without blowing the budget. The town’s substantial student population means that many dining spots compete to offer good food and drink deals to lure in the cash-strapped students, and large large number of Indian residents means that spice-lovers are spoiled for choice.

Traditional Treats

Although the streets of Huddersfield are increasingly home to chain coffee shops and bars, there are still plenty of cosy spots for hungry visitors to enjoy a good value, filling meal in a traditional British pub.  There are countless pubs in the town, most of which serve food – although price and quality vary. The 2007 introduction of a ban on smoking in enclosed spaces in the UK has led to many pubs opening ‘beer gardens’ – outdoor spaces with tables and chairs for drinking and dining – and these can make pleasant spots for a relaxed lunch during the summer. Crucially, given the unpredictable weather, many beer gardens are also kitted out with overhead electric heaters. A warm welcome can always be found at the recently renovated Grey Horse, on Halifax Road, which dates back to the 1800s and offers great food made from locally-sourced ingredients. Visitors can enjoy a drink by the real log fire on chilly evenings, and the weekend traditional roast dinners are fantastic value.  Keep an eye out for the ghosts that are rumored to haunt the place!
 
Café Society

Huddersfield has not hesitated to follow the national trend for relaxed coffee shops selling sandwiches and other light meals in laid-back surrounds, and the town’s paving stones are increasingly lined with tables and chairs. There are all the  usual chains here, but plenty of charming independent coffee shops, tea rooms, cafes and bistros too. Try Byron’s Arcade, a Victorian building crammed with vintage clothes stores and cafes, for good examples of the latter.