Rise. Brunch, Fossgate
Rise. is a brunch café on Fossgate, one of York's best streets for independent food. Opened around 2022, it built a following for colourful brunch food, acai bowls and smoothies, and has since opened a second site on Museum Street. The Fossgate original is a good start to a day exploring the eastern side of the old city.
Photos
Rise.
What they serve
Expect hot and iced coffee, matcha, juices and smoothies alongside acai bowls, bagels, sandwiches, pastries and sweet treats. The café also sells its own merchandise and a few pantry items to take away. Bowls and smoothies make it a lighter option than a full English, while the bagels and sandwiches cover heartier appetites.
When to go
It is an early-opening, daytime spot, so it suits breakfast before sightseeing or a late-morning brunch. Fossgate fills up at weekends, so arrive early if you want a table rather than a takeaway. Takeaway is available, so you can pick up a coffee and an acai bowl and eat by the River Foss.
Nearby
The Merchant Adventurers' Hall, a medieval guildhall, is about 50 metres away, and the Golden Fleece pub on Pavement is a short walk. Le Specialty Coffee is almost next door if your group splits between brunch and a simple coffee. The Shambles is a few minutes' walk to the west. The newer Museum Street branch, near the Museum Gardens, is dog-friendly and has upstairs seating, so it is an alternative if Fossgate is full.
Highlights
- Acai bowls and smoothies
- Bagels, sandwiches and pastries
- Coffee and matcha
- Second site on Museum Street
- Steps from the Merchant Adventurers' Hall
Good to know
- Sit-in and takeaway available.
- A second Rise. café opened on Museum Street in July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Sources: yorkmix.com