Homestead Kitchen in Goathland – stunning food, setting, service and a well-deserved Michelin Green Star
- timbarber
- 1 hour ago
- 5 min read
Whilst having a couple of days break with my wife up in Staithes, we had decided to try out Homestead Kitchen in Goathland within the heart of the North York Moors National Park. Most people will know Goathland for its use as a film and TV location, with the popular 80’s TV show Heartbeat being set there and the local railway station doubling as Hogsmeade Station in the Harry Potter movies.
But now Goathland has something else to shout about – with Homestead Kitchen being one of only two restaurants in Yorkshire to have been awarded the prestigious Michelin Green Star (the other being Tommy Banks Michelin starred The Black Swan restaurant at Oldstead).
The Michelin Green Star is awarded for sustainability. I had been lucky enough to visit The Black Swan on a Foraging Course earlier in the year and had seen at first hand the farm and surrounding land where many of Tommy Banks ingredients came from for his restaurant, so was intrigued to see how the Homestead Kitchen had gained its Green Star too?
By way of background Homestead Kitchen was founded in 2021 by chef Peter Neville and his partner Cecily Fearnley. The couple had been running their own businesses and when they met and decided to open up a restaurant where Celily had grown up, they had a combined vision of creating delicious food usine quality local ingredients in a sustainable way within a space that feels warm and welcoming. I will let you know if I feel they achieved their goal...
We had booked in for 6.30pm and I had driven across the Moors to get to Goathland, a wonderful journey in itself. Homestead kitchen is at the end of the village, the opposite end to the train station and very close to the Mallayan Spout Hotel and Pub. (There is a great walk behind the hotel to the Mallyan Spout waterfall).
On arrival we parked in the restaurant car park and walked along a pretty pathway past stone buildings and mature gardens to a beautiful little stone cottage. On entering we were greeted by friendly staff and show to our table in the garden room, over-looking the raised bed area and gardens where much of their local produce was grown. They also had just had a number of logs inoculated to start growing their own mushrooms next year.
We were shown the drinks menu and the first thing I noticed was it was printed on re-cycled stock with a note that once it had come to the end of its life it would be made into a seed pot or mulch for the garden, so it didn’t take long for the theme of sustainability to come through.
Many of the choices on the drinks menu as they explained “celebrated great people making great things close by”. These included local Whitby Gin, Cider from near Thornborough, Tea from the Hebden Tea Company, Whisky from Filey Bay and beer brewed in Harrogate at the Cold Bath Brewing Company. I chose a low alcohol Cold Bath Brewing 1571 Pale Ale.
The wines whilst not from Yorkshire were sourced from an independent merchant in Settle who specialised in European wines from producers who specialise in sustainability through natural, organic procedures with respect for the land. My wife Liz had a Seasonal Spritz made from an organic sparkling wine and Homesteads own liqueur.
There was an a la carte menu, but there was also the option of sampling many of these dishes as part of the Chef’s Menu. We went for this option and this was £95 each (we turned down the chance of the wine pairing at an extra £60per person as I was driving. But I did want to have a glass of wine with my meal).
Before the courses started officially arriving, we were given a small starter with salt cod, served in a lettuce leaf with pickled vegetables and flowers from the garden. It was fresh, tasty and a good way to set the scene.
The first dish proper from the menu was great. Homestead Moorland stottie made using organic flour from Staunton with Hartlepool kipper butter and caramalised Botton cheese fondue - made with cheese from the local Botton Creamery. Smearing kipper flavoured butter on warm fresh bread was such a simple but tasty treat.
Next up was an Organic beetroot in red wine pickle, garden salad, cottage cheese made from local milk, walnuts and a celeriac glaze. This was so colourful and very light and fresh after the bread. Very enjoyable.
The next dish was one of my favourites of the night. Hand dived scallops, Cullen skink and parsley oil. I love scallops and Cullen skink, so the combination of the two was unbelievable. The scallops were so tender and the flavour was such that I just did not want the dish to end.
When I thought nothing could beat the scallops, the next course was North Sea halibut, pommes Anna, garden onion, broad beans and basil in a Whitby lobster sauce. The fish was delicious and the lobster sauce rich. I will remember the taste for a long time!
With the fish courses done, it was at this point I treated myself to a glass of red wine. I went for a Cahors La Fage Cosse Maissonneuve, a natural organic French full bodied red - it was heavy, flavoursome and just what I wanted as I knew the next course was lamb.
This lamb plate was very special too. Roasted lamb saddle with spiced lamb sausage (the lamb sourced locally) . This was served with ratatouille puree, garden potatoes, green beans and mint all grown in their garden. Lamb is my favourite red meat and this did not disappoint.
The dessert course came next. A caramalised garden fig leaf custard, peaches, lavender and a butter biscuit. The sweetness of the peach helped clear the palette and custard in whatever guise can do no wrong with a pudding! Wow – another great dish.
Finally and being a fan of cheese we had a selection of local cheeses with crackers and Homestead Kitchens home-made chutney. There was a Ribbledale goats cheese which had been rolled in ash(my wife’s favourite), a couple of cheeses from Botton Creamery – a Gouda style which was tasty (and my favourite) but also a hard Summerfield Alpine cheese which wasn’t really to my taste and I felt lacked a bit of flavour. And finally a delicious Yoredale Blue.
In summary this was a lovely meal and the service from the two ladies was excellent, friendly, attentive and informative. It was great hearing about the local suppliers and how the owners go above and beyond the call of duty to maintain their Green Michelin Star status - you can see it from all the little details around the restaurant and on the menu.
The ambience was lovely, it’s not a huge place and it really felt personal as though you were dining in someone’s house. We had a lovely evening and the experience delivered way more than we were expecting. As we left and as it was dark the restaurant looked particulary homely...
Highly recommended. They also have rooms, so maybe next time we will stay over so I can sample more of their wines! https://thehomesteadgoathland.com
To read my blog on Yorkshire’s Michelin Starred restaurants in 2026 – click here:
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