Rhubarb Food & Drink Trail is back for the 2026 Rhubarb Festival
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
The countdown is underway for Wakefield’s famous Rhubarb Festival. It begins on Friday 20 February and runs until Sunday 22 February 2026.
As part of the activities, the Rhubarb Food & Drink Trail is back. In partnership with Wakefield BID, the trail will ensure the spotlight is on the city’s vibrant food and drink offer. Visitors can explore venues across the city centre for tasty, rhubarb themed treats.
“I’m excited that the Rhubarb Food & Drink Trail is back for 2026. It’s a great opportunity for local businesses to get creative and invent rhubarb-themed menu items.
“With such a wide variety of food and drink to try, you can go back to your favourite places whilst discovering new spots as you work your way through the trail.”
Cllr Hannah Appleyard
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport
Thomas Wales, Chief Executive of Wakefield BID, said: “The Rhubarb Food and Drink Trail is a fantastic showcase for Wakefield’s independent and city centre businesses. By working in partnership on the trail, we’re helping drive footfall, encouraging people to try something new, and putting a real spotlight on the city’s vibrant food and drink offer during the festival weekend. It’s great to see so many venues getting involved and celebrating Wakefield’s unique rhubarb heritage in creative ways.”
Venues across Wakefield city centre will be offering delicious rhubarb themed items throughout the festival weekend. From coffees to cocktails and pastries to pizzas, it’s a chance to discover some of your favourite bars, restaurants, and cafes.
Visitors can sip rhubarb sours and royales at The Black Horse or indulge in rhubarb fizzes and martinis at The Distillery Bar. For foodies, Qubana offers a rhubarb-inspired menu including rhubarb bruschetta while Robatary will be creating king prawn yakitori marinated in rhubarb and ginger. Head to Marmalade on the Square for rhubarb cakes and scones, or Cafe 19 for rhubarb crumbles and milkshakes. At Wakefield Exchange, La Chingada has plenty of rhubarb specials including a special salsa and churros with rhubarb compote dip.
Maps will be available at the festival showcasing participating venues and their rhubarb-themed offerings.
The Rhubarb Festival includes fringe activities by partners across the city. From screen printing at The Art House to crafts at Wakefield Museum. The Hepworth Wakefield’s House of Makers showcase and live music with the Wakefield Music Collective – there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Find out more about the festival at: Rhubarb Festival | Experience Wakefield
More than 30 businesses are taking part in the trail. For more details visit: Rhubarb Food and Drink Trail | Experience Wakefield