Our Story
It Started with a Little Light
Since 2008, Oscar and Osman took a chance on a little restaurant tucked away down one of York’s cobbled streets.
The site on Swinegate wasn’t the obvious choice. Hidden from the main streets, small in size and opening at the beginning of one of the toughest economic periods in recent memory, there were plenty of reasons to say no.
They saw something different. They saw Lucia.
The name was inspired by Saint Lucia, whose name has its roots in the Latin word lux, meaning light. For centuries, her story has been associated with light, hope and finding a way through the darkness.
That idea became part of Lucia from the very beginning.
Hundreds of delicate lights have illuminated our courtyard and restaurant over the years, creating that little bit of magic generations of guests have come to know us for.
From Little Lucia
Lucia began as a small restaurant and outdoor terrace. A place to eat, drink, laugh and spend time together.
Then York fell in love with her.
Over the years Lucia has grown to almost three times her original size, evolving through countless changes, new spaces and beautiful refurbishments, but the heart of the restaurant has always stayed the same.
Family recipes. Tables full of food. Bottles of Champagne that became another round. Birthdays, first dates, anniversaries, Sunday lunches and those evenings that were never meant to be late ones.
18 Years of York
Lucia has never simply been a restaurant in York.
She is a York local.
For 18 years we have grown alongside the city. The courtyard is still full. Generations still gather around our tables. Champagne is still being poured, the courtyard is still glowing and new stories are still beginning.
And somewhere among York’s cobbled streets, that little restaurant people once doubted has become something rather special.
Our home is still here on Swinegate. Still tucked amongst York’s iconic cobbled streets. Still glowing beneath the lights.
A lot has changed since 2008. The heart of Lucia remains.
A Little Piece of Swinegate
Lucia’s home has a story stretching back centuries.
Swinegate takes its name from York’s past, when pigs were once sold around these historic streets. It's a little piece of local history we couldn't resist celebrating.
So we gave it a place at Lucia.
Hidden amongst the florals and lights of our courtyard is Eadwig, our resident pig statue and a playful tribute to the street we call home.
He has quietly become part of the Lucia story, a little character waiting to be discovered by those who know where to look.
Next time you visit, find Eadwig beneath the lights. Some of York’s best stories are hidden in plain sight.
Our Sister Brand The Cut & Craft
Ten years later in 2018, Oscar and Osman opened The Cut & Craft in York, taking the same belief in beautiful restaurants, warm hospitality and memorable dining and creating something entirely new.
Today, The Cut & Craft has grown from York into Leeds and Manchester.
Lucia remains exactly where it all started.
On Swinegate, In York, Under the Lights.
