Gert and Henry's sits on Micklegate, which has quietly become York's most interesting bar street after decades of student pubs and stag parties. The bar is small, the natural wine list is well-chosen, and the small plates are better than anywhere in the vicinity has a right to be. It is the kind of place that gets written up eventually and is currently still operating before that happens.
Book ahead for weekend evenings or arrive before 7pm. The street itself rewards a walk, older pubs, some good food, the Bar Convent (England's oldest working convent, with a café inside) at the Micklegate Bar end.