Merchants 1688

You'll find this Castle Hill favourite right where the cobbles meet the castle walls, and the views alone justify the walk up from the city centre. The dining room strikes that perfect balance between pub comfort and restaurant polish – think exposed beams, candlelit tables, and windows framing Lancaster's medieval fortress. The menu leans heavily into modern British cooking with genuine skill behind it. Their signature slow-cooked lamb shoulder arrives tender enough to cut with a fork, while the fish and chips uses proper beer batter that actually crisps up. Sunday lunch here is legendary among locals – the beef comes carved tableside and the Yorkshire puddings are properly massive. Service moves at a civilised pace, which suits the setting perfectly when you're settling in for a long lunch with castle views.