Harden's says
It's tasting menus only (for which you must book - they'll even open for lunch Thu-Sat if you book ahead) at this Yorkshire gem; our formula price is on the low side - the restaurant advises us to expect a per-head cost of around £100.
Harden's survey result
Summary
From August 1 2025 it’s all change at this well-established country fixture, as Tom & Laurissa Heywood have transplanted ‘Pignut’ from nearby Helmsley into the premises of The Hare (which they have taken over from former owners Paul & Liz Jackson). The change was too late to capture feedback in our spring 2025 annual diners’ poll (hence it’s unrated), but both establishments have historically achieved very good ratings so the outlook is set fair. ‘While the original name has been retained as a respectful nod to the building’s heritage within the village’ the emphasis is on the sustainable features and local sourcing of Pignut championed by the Heywoods (the carpet is made from recycled bottle tops, and compost from the former Pignut has been mixed into the soil of the new one). The tasting menu is centre-stage, the number of courses might be 20, 15, or down to 12, depending on the season with menus that celebrate hyper-local, foraged ingredients, and a zero-waste philosophy to create an immersive experience. Customer engagement is to be centre stage and a Polaroid of the occasion to take away.
Summary
Paul & Liz Jackson took on this converted pub – nowadays a restaurant with rooms – in 2012 and it continues to win strong feedback in our survey. One reporter mused whether the previously noted Asian inspirations “have been toned down somewhat”, but overall the food is “excellent” alongside “very attentive and precise service”.
Summary
“What an amazing experience: loved it!” – “husband and wife team” Paul & Liz Jackson “deliver quality in every department” at the 12th-century inn on the North York Moors they’ve run since 2012. Paul’s cooking is anything but traditional, featuring “Asian-inspired flavours in a tasting menu that doesn’t overwhelm”, alongside “interesting drinks pairings – not all of them are wines”, while the “small number of tables” means “service is attentive and friendly”. There are also “very pleasant rooms to stay overnight”.
Summary
Paul & Liz Jackson are celebrating their tenth year at this ancient pub, which has overlooked the North York Moors since the twelfth century. Its decor and culinary style are fully modernised though, and its small fan club says it’s “a fabulous wee restaurant with lovely rooms”. It’s not a place to drop into though – it’s a tasting-menu-only format for which you are advised to allow 3 hours. More reports please!
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Pignut & The Hare (fka The Hare)?
Scawton, YO7 2HG
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Scawton, YO7 2HG
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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