Merchants 1688
Quick info
About Merchants 1688
Set inside a 17th-century wine cellar on Castle Hill in Lancaster, Merchants 1688 serves traditional pub food alongside seasonal dishes in vaulted rooms that keep the building's old stonework on view. French onion soup and lamb hotpot recur on the menu, and fish and chips arrives without a heavy batter coating. Sticky toffee pudding is a regular dessert order. A real ale selection runs on tap, and a patio sits at the entrance for outdoor seating. Reservations can be booked online, and tables are generally held for those with one rather than walk-ins. The loos are reached via a steep, narrow staircase, a reminder of the building's original layout.
Good to know
“A 17th-century wine cellar with garden, now serving traditional pub food and seasonal dishes.”
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sticky toffee pudding, pork rib eye, fish and chips and sunday roast.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sticky toffee pudding, pork rib eye, fish and chips and sunday roast.
Customer Review Summary
Diners repeatedly single out the pork rib eye and the Sunday roast as standouts, with one reviewer calling the pork "melt in your mouth" and another praising a "perfectly prepared medium rare beef roast." Close behind, the fish and chips draw praise for a light, non-greasy batter, and mains like the lamb hotpot, fillet steak, and a duck special earn consistent approval, alongside desserts such as the panettone pudding, though one reviewer found the sticky toffee pudding dry at the center. The vaulted, cave-like dining rooms and garden patio come up often as part of the appeal, and the real ale selection gets specific mention. A recurring caution involves seasoning, one family dinner found the halibut crumb and chips "over seasoned" and salty enough to scrape off. One diner also describes being refused a walk-in table despite the restaurant and beer garden appearing empty, choosing not to return afterward. The narrow stairway to the restrooms is flagged by one reviewer as awkward to navigate.
Customer Review Summary
Diners repeatedly single out the pork rib eye and the Sunday roast as standouts, with one reviewer calling the pork "melt in your mouth" and another praising a "perfectly prepared medium rare beef roast." Close behind, the fish and chips draw praise for a light, non-greasy batter, and mains like the lamb hotpot, fillet steak, and a duck special earn consistent approval, alongside desserts such as the panettone pudding, though one reviewer found the sticky toffee pudding dry at the center. The vaulted, cave-like dining rooms and garden patio come up often as part of the appeal, and the real ale selection gets specific mention. A recurring caution involves seasoning, one family dinner found the halibut crumb and chips "over seasoned" and salty enough to scrape off. One diner also describes being refused a walk-in table despite the restaurant and beer garden appearing empty, choosing not to return afterward. The narrow stairway to the restrooms is flagged by one reviewer as awkward to navigate.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Made a special journey down from the Waterwitch to have dinner here. Arrived around 7pm, ordered drinks and asked for a table. Although the restaurant was empty (see photo), we were informed that they weren't doing walk-ins. We went outside to finish our drinks and looked online for an alternative. Reservations for Merchants were available online but not at the bar apparently! We finished our drinks and went to the Sun Hotel & Bar which was much more accommodating. We won't be back to the merchants ... Following the comment from the owner, no it wasn't Saturday night, it was Thursday evening. Like I said above, the pub and restaurant were empty. Likewise the beer garden was also empty. Maybe a modest issue for you but a major issue for us given we had left the water witch to walk down to Merchants only to be refused service despite tables being available online!”
- Google user
“Absolutely loved our experience tonight. The staff, service and food were fantastic . It was a 7pm booking (the last orders for food on a Sunday) date night whilst our kids were at Cadet annual camp 🏕️ and we loved it.”
- Google user
“I'm so happy I choose coming to the Merchants 1688 for lunch during my visit to Lancaster. The place is gorgeous, it would be perfect for a date, it's nice and cosy with perfect lighting, I went by myself though, but no problems at all, I had a date with myself spoiling myself with the most delicious Sunday roast! The service was welcoming and friendly, I was directed to the table I wanted in the most beautiful area, which I saw the photos online and really wanted to there eat enjoying that room in a cave kind of vibe, to fully enjoy the Lancaster atmosphere after my tour at the Castle, and this was perfect. The seat was very comfortable, last but not least, the food was divine! My Brazilian heritage was very pleased with the perfectly prepared medium rare beef roast, pink and tasty. Everything else was cooked to perfection as well. I want to visit Lancaster again just to come here to eat again.”
- Google user
“Very nice looking place, the origins of the building are very old and inside are vaulted dining areas beatifully presented. There is an outdoor patio area at the entrance which catches the sun. The real ale choice is excellent and in good condition. The beer was well priced for such a nice establishment.”
- Google user
“I think I read about this restaurant in the Saturday Times so, on a weekend visit to Manchester, I decided to book for Sunday lunch following a morning visit to nearby Morecambe. I am glad I did, because the Merchants totally lived up to expectations. From the welcome, the venue, to the excellent food, it was the perfect choice for a relaxed meal. We had the glazed lamb (£12) and root vegetable tatin (£10) for starters, both of which were excellent. For mains, one in our group opted for chicken and the others pork belly (£21). Everything was very well prepared with lovely vegetables and little jugs of gravy which were truly outstanding. It would have been churlish to have left without puds. I had the very tasty Yorkshire rhubarb (£11), three types from sorbet to compote, while the youngest member of our party devoured the sticky toffee pudding (£10) with considerable gusto. As always in these sorts of places, the drinks added considerably to the 2 courses for £30, three for £37 offer. I felt the £9.20 for a small bottle of Prosecco especially steep. All in all, with tea and coffee, our bill before a deserved tip came to £126.80 which we considered great value for a meal of this quality with excellent service in splendid surroundings. One word of caution: the loos are up some steep and narrow stairs, so those wh are less sprightly would find the clamber rather a challenge. Indeed I caught my fingers somewhat painfully between the very necessary bannister and the bumpy wall. Nevertheless, the Merchants comes highly recommended.”
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Restaurants near Merchants 1688
- Gallico Lounge4.58530.1 mi
tapas, churros, gluten free menu
- Hodgson's Chippy4.76740.6 mi£10–20Vegan optionsVegetarian optionsWheelchair accessible
fish and chips, mushy peas, curry sauce
- Slyne Lodge4.38572.5 mi$99Outdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
overcooked steaks, cold food served, order-at-bar system confusion
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merchants 1688Wheelchair accessible | 4.51,970 | — | — | sticky toffee pudding, pork rib eye, fish and chips |
| Gallico Lounge | 4.5853 | 0.1 mi | — | tapas, churros, gluten free menu |
| Hodgson's ChippyVegan options · Vegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible | 4.7674 | 0.6 mi | £10–20 | fish and chips, mushy peas, curry sauce |
| Slyne LodgeOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.3857 | 2.5 mi | $99 | overcooked steaks, cold food served, order-at-bar system confusion |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Restaurants nearby
Browse more
Explore more of Lancaster, or find Restaurants in other cities.