Drink Organic Coffee and Spot Trains at Filmore and Union’s York Station Café
Eating healthily when you’re travelling is always a challenge so it’s fantastic when inspiring places like Filmore & Union buck the trend.
If you’ve over-indulged in the City of Chocolate, come here to get a healthy and delicious dose of vitamins. Everything they sell is perfect to take with you on your journey or to take back to your hotel room after a long day’s sightseeing. It’s delicious, too.
From the Streets of San Francisco to York
After a trip to San Francisco in 2011 – the land of healthy eating and great service – Adele, a former wellness clinic owner, and her nephew Wil, a Michelin star chef, came up with the concept for Filmore & Union. They wanted to use delicious whole foods to create nutrient-rich meals, simple seasonal dishes they could prepare from scratch in their own kitchens.
Recently sold to new owners, Filmore & Union now has cafes in several locations including Wetherby, Ilkley and branches of John Lewis. It continues to champion seasonal, local produce and has its own 100% gluten free bakery. The company has been given official Coeliac UK accreditation for its commitment to providing gluten free alternatives for its customers. The Times Magazine recommended it as one of the best ‘Free-From Eateries’.
Eat Good Food on the Move
If you find yourself bleary-eyed and waiting for an early morning train at York station, you can pick up a pot of their freshly made organic porridge to kick-start your day. Their café may be bijou but it churns out delicious food. If you’ve got time to kill, sit down and enjoy some train spotting as you savour a wholesome wrap, seasonal salad, soup or tagine. There’s organic coffee, too and fresh juice blends. Add a shot of aloe vera, wheatgrass, hoodia or acacia for an extra kick.
First World War Buffet
Visitors to York’s Castle Museum, will discover that this is all a world away from how life was in York when the First World War broke out. In 1915, a Committee of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Buffet was opened in York Railway Station. Run by a group of volunteers, it provided food and drink to servicemen for a small fee. The canteen lasted over 3 years and served a staggering 18,000 men a week. It seems impossible to imagine now.
Be a Lady Who Lunches in York
If you fancy a longer sit down lunch and some shopping, visit Filmore & Union’s second café at John Lewis York, located on the outskirts of the city (they have also opened cafes in John Lewis stores in Nottingham and Newcastle). Try dishes such as the tagine of the day (the chicken and date tagine was delicious), warming soup or a seasonal pot. Don’t miss their delicious Blondie Bite served with natural yoghurt and a berry compote. With its shabby chic decor and wine list, it’s definitely one for the ‘ladies who lunch’.
- Train enthusiasts can grab a bite to eat and then walk up the road to York’s Railway Museum where entry is free
- Buy their nut-free pesto and spread it on toast with eggs for brunch
- Did you know that kale contains more iron per calorie than beef? Eat it raw in salads or sauté it for a warm addition to your evening meal
Mr Hendricks says, “This is my favourite place ever. They welcome me, make their own dog treats and host special ‘Doggie Brunches’. I’m hoping when I visit, they make me ‘Dog of the Week’.”
How to Find Filmore & Union in York
Filmore & Union Cafe, York Railway Station, Station Rd, York YO24 1AY
Filmore & Union York Station
The Foodie Travel Guide
Sally is the founder and editor of The Foodie Travel Guide. She travels around the UK and beyond in search of the best foodie days out, tasting experiences and delicious places to stay. She loves a glass of English sparkling wine, afternoon tea with friends and escaping London for gastronomic adventures.
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