Driving along the glorious country lanes towards Mackenzies, you might expect to find a folksy set-up – so don’t be deterred by the slightly unattractive shed-like exterior. They’ve been
oak-smoking pretty much everything here for 25 years, and their salmon is peerless. These days, there’s a rather smart shop selling all their products (plus some obligatory Cath Kidston), and a
surprisingly sophisticated restaurant to one side. An extensive menu takes in breakfast, lunch and occasional evening meals. Again, don’t be put off by the jokey titles: the Hitchhiker’s Guide to
Nidderdale is essentially a ‘full English’ aimed at walkers. Lunch brings more film references disguised as food: ‘The Wild Bunch’ is pan-fried duck liver and smoked bacon in a warm salad, while
‘Licensed to Grill’ is a skewer of smoked and fresh fish. Luckily, it’s all much better than it sounds.