‘His baklava is the finest in the city’ – award shortlisting for York coffee shop

Bite and Basket has been named as one of the top 10 coffee shops in York by readers of The Press, in a competition which recognises the best in the field.

Readers can vote for the Best Coffee Shop 2024 by picking up a copy of The Press newspaper until Saturday, December 7 and sending in a voting slip.

Kazi Timur said the café has been open for five months (Image: Kevin Glenton) The winner is set to be announced in the week commencing December 16.

Bite and Basket is in Boroughbridge Road and owner Kazi Timur said he’s had the shop for just five months.

He said: “I have previous experience of working in coffee shops in Hackney and my old customers there were very upset when I left.

“I have two brothers who run the barbers across the road from me, which was one of the reasons I came to York although I also wanted to have a change of scenery.

“I enjoy the lovely community here, with all the beautiful people who are around and come into the café.

“I had a connection with the people in London and hoped for the same thing here, so it’s definitely made me feel happy.”

Kazi said the best thing about running in the shop is the community it sits in (Image: Kevin Glenton) Kazi joked that he thought it was a scam when The Press called to tell him that Bite and Basket was nominated but was delighted when we met up face to face and that the shortlisting was genuine.

Paul Myers, an Acomb resident of 14 years and a regular customer said: “Since Bite and Basket opened it has become the centre of the local community, everyone loves coming here and he loves us back.

“He takes great pride in everything he does and prepares, down to the last bacon sandwich.

“And his Bakklava is the finest in York.”

Customer Paul Myers said Bite and Basket serves the ‘finest baklava in York’ (Image: Kevin Glenton) The owner said all the wraps, paninis and baguettes are made by hand, with organic herbs and olive oils making the difference in taste and quality.

Kazi said: “I want to get more people in, I am happy after five months and the business is very successful.

“It’s very nice to be nominated and I definitely feel we should be the number one in York and we have plans to open the garden up for outdoor service too.

“The nicest thing is the beautiful community here and the communication we have with each other.”

Members of the owner’s extended family help behind the counter on a regular basis too.

Kazi Timur said the most popular drink at Bite and Basket is the dirty chai latte.