Ebor Festival 2024: Make it a Race Day to Remember at The Star Inn The City
The Ebor Festival 2024 is back, promising four days of high stakes excitement at York Racecourse between 21st-24th August. As the city buzzes with anticipation, The Star Inn The City invites you to elevate your race day experience by joining us for a delicious bite!
For over a decade, our restaurant has been an integral part of York’s culinary landscape, seamlessly blending countryside flavours with city sophistication. Conveniently located near York station, we offer the perfect setting for both pre-race anticipation and post-race celebrations.
From energizing breakfasts to start your race day (served Friday/Saturday/Sunday), to elegant dinners to toast your victories, each meal at our award-winning brasserie is an opportunity to indulge in delicious seasonal fare, which can even be enjoyed al fresco!
Take a look at some of our tantalising offerings below and book a table now!
A La Carte Menu: A Symphony of Summer Flavours
Our a la carte menu, available each day throughout the Ebor Festival, has been expertly crafted to evoke the spirit of summer. Featuring an eclectic mix of wonderful dishes, it’s sure to tantalise your taste buds and complement your race day experience.
Take your seat and be sure to order some of our tempting nibbles, designed to whet your appetite. The Rare Breed Pork & Black Pudding Sausage Roll with Puffed Crackling and Golden Beetroot Piccalilli Purée is a standout choice. This elevated take on a British classic combines the rich, savoury notes of rare breed pork with the earthy depth of black pudding, all encased in golden, flaky pastry.
Next you simply must try one of our sumptuous starters including our Hot Smoked Organic Scottish Salmon & Horseradish Mousse, served with Cucumber & Red Pepper Relish, Baby Watercress and Rye Toasts. The delicate smokiness of the salmon is beautifully balanced by the peppery kick of horseradish, while the cucumber and red pepper relish adds a refreshing sweetness. The baby watercress lends a peppery note, and the rye toasts provide the perfect vehicle for this elegant dish.
Alternatively, for our vegan diners, the Fennel Crumbed Yorkshire ‘Fettle’ with Charred Watermelon, Pickled Rind & Red Chilli, Sourdough Crumble is a true triumph. The crisp, anise-scented fennel crust gives way to the creamy, tangy Yorkshire ‘Fettle’, while the charred watermelon adds a surprising and delightful sweetness.
Moving on to main courses, choose from plenty of options like our divine Ox Cheek Caeser Salad whilst our BBQ Glazed Monkfish Tail ‘On the Bone’ is a true showstopper. The meaty monkfish, glazed with a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, is perfectly complemented by the rich, velvety smoked aubergine purée. The preserved lemon and anchovy dressing on the tender stem broccoli adds a bright, salty note, while the salt ‘n’ vinegar onion rings provide a playful nod to British seaside flavours.
For those craving something heartier, the Treacle Glazed Ox Cheek Caesar Salad with English Gem Lettuce, Beef Fat Croutons, Smoky Bacon ‘Sprinkles’, Anchovy & Garlic Dressing, Aged Parmesan Crackling, Crispy Beef Fat Potatoes is a luxurious twist on a classic. The ox cheek, slow-cooked to tender perfection and glazed with treacle, offers a rich, deep flavour that contrasts beautifully with the crisp gem lettuce. The beef fat croutons and smoky bacon ‘sprinkles’ add delightful texture and savouriness, while the anchovy and garlic dressing provides a punchy umami kick.
To round off your meal, our desserts are equally enticing. The Star Inn The City Eton Mess with Crushed Meringue, Madagascan Vanilla Chantilly, Annabelle’s Strawberries & Sorbet, Pistachio, Lemon Balm is a summer classic reimagined. The light, crisp meringue and billowy Chantilly cream are studded with juicy Annabelle strawberries, their sweetness perfectly balanced by the tart sorbet. Alternatively, for those with a penchant for something more indulgent, our Black Sheep Ale Sticky Toffee Pudding with Hazelnut Brittle, Miso Caramel Sauce and Clotted Cream Ice Cream is a must-try.
Breakfast: The Perfect Start to Your Race Day
For those attending the Ebor Festival on Friday or Saturday, why not kick off your day in style with a delicious breakfast? Whether you choose to dine on our sun-dappled terrace or in the cosy confines of our indoor dining room, our breakfast menu – widely regarded as one of the best in York – offers something for everyone, from hearty plates to lighter yet satisfying bites.
Our Full Yorkshire breakfast is a robust interpretation of the classic full English, featuring the finest local ingredients. Thick-cut bacon, juicy sausages, black pudding, and eggs cooked to your liking are accompanied by grilled tomatoes and more.
For a lighter option that doesn’t compromise on flavour, our Eggs Royale or Benedict are perennial favourites. Perfectly poached eggs sit atop toasted muffins, draped with silky hollandaise sauce. Choose between succulent smoked salmon for the Royale or thick-cut ham for the Benedict – both options are equally delightful.
If you have a sweet tooth, our Yorkshire Mess Pancakes are not to be missed. This indulgent stack of fluffy American-style pancakes comes adorned with a dreamy combination of syrup and berry toppings-It’s a breakfast that feels like a celebration – perfect for setting the tone for a day at the races.
To truly get into the spirit of the races, why not indulge in one of our Brunch Cocktails too? Our Bloody Mary, made with premium vodka, house-spiced tomato juice, and a secret blend of seasonings, is the perfect pick-me-up. For something more celebratory, our Buck’s Fizz, crafted with freshly squeezed orange juice and crisp prosecco, adds a touch of sparkle to your morning.
For coffee aficionados, our selection is sure to impress. We use a Uganda Kisinga Coffee blend that’s smooth, fragrant, and beautifully balanced. Whether you prefer a velvety latte, a punchy espresso, or a perfectly crafted flat white, we are on hand to provide your caffeine fix.
Group Menu: Elevate Your Race Day Experience
For those attending the Ebor Festival with friends or family, our special group menu offers an excellent way to enhance your race day experience. Available for parties of six or more, this menu has been carefully curated to provide a convivial dining experience that perfectly complements a day at the tracks.
The group menu includes three delightful courses, each showcasing the best of seasonal Yorkshire produce. To start your celebration in style, we’ll welcome you with a glass of fizz on arrival – the perfect way to toast to a day of excitement and, hopefully, winning bets!
While the specific dishes on our group menu change with the seasons to ensure the freshest, most flavourful ingredients, you can expect the same level of culinary excellence that The Star Inn The City is renowned for. From locally sourced meats and seafood to vegetarian and vegan options that are far from an afterthought, each dish is crafted with the same care and attention to detail as our a la carte offerings.
The group menu offers excellent value and takes the stress out of ordering for a larger party, allowing you to focus on enjoying the company and building excitement for the races ahead. However, it’s important to note that this menu requires pre-ordering, so be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Drinks Menu: A Toast to Yorkshire
No race day experience would be complete without the perfect drink to accompany your meal or to toast your winnings. At The Star Inn The City, we’re proud to present a drinks menu that celebrates the best of local producers alongside carefully selected international offerings.
Our wine list is extensive and varied, featuring everything from crisp, refreshing whites perfect for a summer’s day, to full-bodied reds ideal for pairing with our heartier dishes. We also offer a selection of English sparkling wines, champagne and prosecco- and perfect for adding a touch of luxury to your celebrations.
For beer lovers, we proudly showcase a range of local Yorkshire breweries. From crisp, golden ales to rich, malty stouts, there’s something to suit every palate.
For those who prefer spirits, our gin selection is particularly noteworthy. We feature several Yorkshire-distilled gins, each with its own unique botanical profile that captures the essence of the county. For example, York Gin (infused with nine classic botanicals) is perfect served with a premium tonic and a garnish of fresh herbs.
Finally, for a truly special race day treat, why not indulge in one of our signature cocktails? Our mixologists have crafted a menu that combines classic favourites with innovative creations, often featuring local ingredients.
Book Now
York Race events are always a busy time for us, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! To avoid disappointment and ensure you’re part of the excitement, we strongly recommend booking your table as soon as possible.
