Pignut & The Hare
York
At a glance
Pignut & The Hare is a restaurant at the Hare Inn in Scawton, York YO7 2HG, combining the character of a historic inn with a contemporary approach to food. The setting retains the atmosphere of the building’s past, while the cooking is shaped by seasonal produce, local suppliers and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
The restaurant serves multi-course tasting menus rather than a conventional à la carte selection. Menu descriptions focus on the principal ingredient and its provenance, with the preparation and accompanying elements revealed as each course arrives. That format brings an element of surprise to the meal, while keeping the ingredients and their origins at the centre of the experience.
The food follows the seasons and draws on produce from local farmers and suppliers, with a philosophy that connects the kitchen to the land, sea and changing year. Natural and biodynamic wines form part of the drinks offering, including pairings designed to bring less expected combinations of flavours to the table. The overall style is relaxed in atmosphere but structured around an attentive, carefully paced tasting-menu experience.
Pignut & The Hare also has a strong sense of place. The Hare Inn provides an atmospheric base in the village of Scawton, and the restaurant’s approach reflects the character of the surrounding Helmsley Hills. The venue suits diners interested in seasonal cooking, provenance, unusual wine pairings and a meal that unfolds over several courses, while the informal tone keeps the setting from feeling overly formal.
Four renovated rooms at the inn extend the experience beyond the restaurant. Original exposed beams, walk-in showers, freestanding baths and cosy interiors feature in the accommodation. The location provides a base for exploring nearby Rievaulx, Duncombe Park and Helmsley, followed by a multi-course breakfast made with locally sourced ingredients. Pignut & The Hare therefore works as either a destination for an evening meal or part of a longer stay in the North Yorkshire countryside.
