Our history
Established in 1992 by Giovanni Delrio, Delrio’s Restaurant has built up an enviable reputation for providing food of the highest quality in a relaxed and intimate setting. Giovanni’s concept is simple – he uses traditional methods of cooking and sources the best of fresh produce, both locally and from Italy.
Giovanni is Sardinian and maintains close contact with his family on the island. He studied traditional Italian cuisine at one of Italy’s top catering colleges and then worked in some of Tuscany’s most exclusive hotels before arriving in York in 1978 on a college placement at the Holiday Inn on the Tadcaster Road.
Giovanni subsequently worked in a variety of York hotels and restaurants before opening his unique, underground restaurant at the corner of Micklegate and Blossom Street on 1 July 1992:
“In those days, it was tough and the hours were very long. However I just thought it was time to take the risk and set up my own place. I wanted to prove that it was possible to do great Italian food using local produce. In those days I drove to the markets in the morning for fresh produce, then prepared the food, cooked it, served it and provided the entertainment in the restaurant too!”
After years of hard work and dedication, Giovanni and his team have well and truly established Delrio’s Restaurant as a popular eatery on the York map.
