Betty’s Cafe
Betty’s Cafe. Traditional, mainstay tearoom offering formal afternoon teas or casual cafe dining on British fare.
Disabled access available
The entrance to Betty’s Harrogate is at street level and is accessible to wheelchair users. We have put in place the following measures to facilitate customers with disabilities:
- We can provide chairs for customers who are unable to queue, or who have difficulties queuing.
- We have an accessible toilet with an emergency pull cord.
- We can provide a portable induction hearing loop for use in the shop.
We encourage customers with disabilities to contact the branch to see what we can do to help if they have particular needs that are not accommodated by the general measures listed above.
Opening Hours
Café Tea Rooms:
Sunday to Friday 9 – 5pm
Saturday 9 – 6pm
Shop:
Sunday to Friday 9 – 5:30pm
Saturday 9 – 6pm
Afternoon Tea at Home
Experience the elegance of afternoon tea at home with Bettys Bakery. Our afternoon tea delivery service offers a selection of cakes, scones, and tea, all made with the finest ingredients. Order now and have it delivered to your doorstep. Treat yourself or your loved ones to a delicious afternoon tea delivery from Bettys Bakery.
Cakes
Order online for a delivery of spirit-lifting deliciousness to your door.
Chocolates
Made from the finest Swiss Grand Cru, Bettys chocolates are the perfect gift for someone special.
Tea & Coffee
Our sister company Taylors of Harrogate travel the world in search of the highest quality teas and coffees. Enjoy our range of speciality fruit & herbal teas from around the world, hand selected by the experts at our sister company Taylors of Harrogate.
Bettys Fruit & Herbal Teas
Blended the Bettys way for amazing flavour. Try our range of delicate traditional teas and colourful caffeine-free tisanes today.
Gift Ideas
Whether you’re searching for gifts for foodies, coffee lovers, family or friends, we have a selection of gifts and gift ideas to give you inspiration.
Bettys Harrogate – A Yorkshire Tradition Since 1919
Much has changed since 1919, but at Bettys Harrogate two things remain the same: our treats are as delicious as ever, and our welcome is always warm.
Whether you’re joining us for Afternoon Tea, a light lunch, or our special evening dining experience, Bettys offers a true taste of Yorkshire hospitality.
What’s Inside
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Café Tea Room – Relax and enjoy freshly baked cakes, handmade chocolates, and traditional favourites.
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Shop – Browse our famous Yorkshire Fat Rascals®, exquisite teas, coffees, and gift hampers.
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Bookable Afternoon Tea – Indulge in a classic tiered Afternoon Tea with finger sandwiches, scones, and dainty desserts.
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Evening Dining – Experience Bettys after dark with a seasonal menu of refined dishes, available Thursday to Saturday from 6pm.
Plan Your Visit to Bettys Harrogate →
Bettys York – Timeless Elegance in the Heart of the City
Inspired by the luxurious Queen Mary ocean liner, Bettys York has been making a splash since 1936. Nestled in St. Helen’s Square, it’s the perfect stop for Afternoon Tea or a leisurely meal after exploring York’s historic streets.
Highlights
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Café Tea Room
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Shop
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Bookable Afternoon Tea
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Evening Dining
Plan Your Visit to Bettys York →
Bettys Harlow Carr – Tea & Treats in the RHS Gardens
At Bettys Harlow Carr, the beauty of the RHS Gardens perfectly complements our delicious cakes, pastries, and teas. It’s an ideal day out for families and garden lovers alike.
Highlights
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Café Tea Room
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Shop
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Tea House
Plan Your Visit to Bettys Harlow Carr →
Bettys Northallerton – Georgian Charm in the County Town
Located in elegant Georgian surroundings, Bettys Northallerton combines classic architecture with natural light and a charming terrace. A hidden gem in the heart of North Yorkshire.
Highlights
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Café Tea Room
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Shop
Plan Your Visit to Bettys Northallerton →
Betty’s Cafe
Bettys Ilkley – Yorkshire Warmth in Wharfedale
Set in picturesque Wharfedale, Bettys Ilkley is a favourite with both local shoppers and visitors exploring Ilkley Moor. Enjoy a comforting meal, a pot of tea, and something sweet from our patisserie.
Highlights
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Café Tea Room
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Shop
Plan Your Visit to Bettys Ilkley →A New Experience: Evening Dining at Bettys
Discover the joy of dining at Bettys after dark. Our Evening Dining experience celebrates the best of local ingredients and seasonal dishes, served in a relaxed yet elegant setting.
Join us from 6pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
The story of Bettys 1915 – Frederick Belmont is Born
Moving around Yorkshire, Fritz begins trading under the name “F. Belmont, Chocolate Specialist.”
He falls in love with the region and adopts his new identity — Frederick Belmont — marking the start of a new chapter in both his life and British café culture.
1919 – The First Bettys Opens in Harrogate
Frederick opens the first Bettys Café at 9 Cambridge Crescent, Harrogate.
The takings on the very first day are just £30, but the warmth, quality, and craftsmanship quickly make Bettys a household name.
As for the name “Bettys”? No one truly knows where it came from — it remains one of Yorkshire’s sweetest mysteries.
1922 – Bettys Returns to Bradford
Frederick opens a second café at 42–44 Darley Street, Bradford, on the very site of Bonnet & Sons — the place where his English journey began.
Six years later, he opens a Bettys Ballroom nearby, bringing music, dancing, and delicious treats together under one roof.
1927 – Afternoon Tea Arrives
Bettys introduces what we now know as Afternoon Tea, though it was first advertised as “Yorkshire Tea” — priced at 1 shilling and 3 pence (1/3).
A tradition was born that continues to this day.
1930 – Bettys Leeds Opens
Betty’s Cafe
Bettys arrives in Leeds to great fanfare. Frederick proudly notes in his diary:Leeds is proving a great success. We opened with a great noise and in good style.”
1937 – The Elegance of Bettys York
The iconic Bettys York opens, featuring interiors inspired by the luxurious Queen Mary ocean liner — a nod to Frederick and his wife Claire’s voyage on her maiden journey the previous year.
It remains one of Yorkshire’s most elegant cafés.
1939 – Wartime Memories
With the outbreak of World War II, Bettys York becomes a popular meeting place for airmen stationed nearby. Many inscribe their names on the now-famous “Bettys Mirror” using diamond-tipped pens — a tradition that preserves their memory to this day.
1952 – A New Generation
Frederick Belmont passes away in his Harrogate office. His nephew, Victor Wild, takes the helm at just 29 years old, carrying forward the legacy with passion and innovation.
1962 – The Birth of Bettys & Taylors
Bettys acquires C.E. Taylor & Co, a respected tea and coffee merchant.
The merger forms Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate, blending the best of baking, tea, and Yorkshire tradition into one iconic brand.
Betty’s Cafe
1964 – Bettys Comes to Ilkley
The Taylors Café Imperial in Ilkley closes and reopens as a Bettys Café & Restaurant, bringing the charm of Bettys to the Wharfedale valley.
1971 – Bettys Northallerton Opens
A new Bettys Café Tea Rooms opens at 188 High Street, Northallerton, introducing the brand’s signature blend of elegance and warmth to another Yorkshire town.
1974 – A Change of Pace
As city life grows busier, the Bettys cafés in Leeds and Bradford close, allowing the business to focus on locations that capture the calm and charm of Yorkshire life.
1976 – A Harrogate Homecoming
Bettys Harrogate relocates to 1 Parliament Street, the former site of Taylors Café Imperial.
This becomes the flagship Bettys Café Tea Rooms — and remains a must-visit for locals and visitors from around the world.
2000 – The Bettys Craft Bakery Opens
To continue Frederick’s commitment to craftsmanship, Victor Wild opens the new Bettys Craft Bakery, just a short distance from the original 1922 bakery.
Betty’s Cafe
2001 – Sharing the Secrets
The Bettys Cookery School opens its doors, offering classes for everyone — from home bakers to professional chefs — sharing the art and joy of Bettys baking traditions.
2019 – Celebrating 100 Years of Bettys
A century after the first café opened, Bettys celebrates its 100th anniversary.
On 17th July 2019, Victor and Lesley Wild unveil a commemorative plaque at Bettys Harrogate, honouring Frederick Belmont, whose vision, skill, and spirit continue to define Bettys to this day.
A Legacy of Quality, Craft, and Yorkshire Warmth
From a Swiss apprentice to a Yorkshire icon, Bettys Harrogate stands as a symbol of tradition, craftsmanship, and hospitality.
Every cup of tea, every handmade chocolate, and every slice of cake tells the story of Frederick Belmont’s enduring dream.
Betty’s Cafe
