It’s reached that time of year when we need to have a really good reason to brave the cold and go out for dinner; lucky for you I’ve compiled a list of the best cosy restaurants in Lancaster. Whether you are heading out for a romantic date or just a cute catch up with friends then these are the places for you. Maybe even invite mum and dad up to show them the classy places you usually spend your evenings (“no, of course I never go to Sugar when I’ve got deadlines the next day *ahem*”) and who knows, they might even foot the bill considering we’re heading to the end of term and that student loan suddenly seems a lot smaller than you were expecting…
1.The Water Witch
Cosiness rating: 5/5
Menu: Burgers, sandwiches and deli boards with plenty of Lancastrian cheeses, as well as a traditional British pub grub à la carte menu
Cost: £5-£15 per main
The Water Witch is an all-seasons pub, nestled on the banks of the canal near the Infirmary (or Revs, if like me you do all your navigating using bars and clubs as landmarks). It’s a beautiful place to sit by the water with a cider in the summer, but head inside and the beautiful medieval-style pub will welcome you with warm, cuddly arms. If you’re lucky you can grab one of the booths by the fireplace and enjoy a chicken and chorizo burger to take you wistfully back to your summer holidays. If that doesn’t convince you, it’s now potentially a celeb-spotting location, with Alan Carr having visited last weekend!
2.1725
Cosiness Rating: 3/5
Menu: Homemade traditional and creative Spanish tapas
Cost: £5-£7 per dish
Ah, 1725, the scrummy little sister to our beloved Dalton & Glow rooms, perched in an ancient wonky building opposite Caffè Nero, where Robert Armstrong first began trading ales in his public house in 1725 – hence the restaurant’s unusual name. 1725 brings us a taste of those sun-soaked summer holidays to Spain with its range of sublime tapas; I think it would take longer than the span of a three year degree to taste them all, but that won’t stop us trying!
3.Pendle Witch
Cosiness rating: 4/5
Menu: A huge variety of grills, sandwiches and pub favourites
Cost: two selected mains for £7.45 or £5-£10 per main
Pendle Witch, a popular haunt for those who are into their sport or karaoke, is situated on Penny Street opposite Apothecary (which will always be Lounge in our hearts). Another one set in an old-fashioned Lancastrian building, where you can tuck yourself away in the corner of one of the many adjoined rooms and hibernate for days. In terms of its food this is a classic British pub, with curry nights, fish and chips and a few modern twists such as the delicious Smoky BBQ Hot Dog all at great prices. Think of Pendle Witch as Wetherspoons’ brother: less well-known but much more likeable.
4.The Borough
Cosiness rating: 4/5
Menu: Locally sourced British food from Morecambe Bay mariner’s pie to Fat Pete’s ribs and wings
Cost: £12.50-£17 per main or set menu of 3 courses and a glass of fizz for £22
The Borough is a classic hotel and restaurant set in Dalton Square. It is the most expensive of our selection but it’s made worth it by the care and detail put into the menu; many of the ingredients are locally sourced, funding independent Lancashire producers and suppliers. Set in a grand Georgian building, The Borough definitely has the wow-factor (a sure bet to impress mum and dad) and the huge range of dishes, nibbles and platters on the menu means you can easily make it into an affordable but luxurious treat. Soft lighting, fireplaces and small dining areas make it a romantic and cosy dinner destination.