Stopped in for dinner while on a business trip. I had planned to just sit at the bar but they…read moreoffered me a booth which was super cute and very comfortable. While I was perusing the very long drink menu a guy set up and was playing music live! My cocktail was very good! As was my lobster roll which kind of surprised be being from New England myself! We would call it a Connecticut style roll more than New England. I don't usually order dessert but I had a hankering so I got the Texas brown sugar cake. I would say there was too much topping but it was tasty.

We stopped into Proof on a freezing Friday night, since it was new since the last time we had been…read moreto Lancaster. It's located I believe in an old bank vault and it is below ground. When you see the sign for the restaurant outside, you go into the alcove and open the big iron gate and go down the steps. It's really cool down there & it has a nice dark speakeasy vibe. There were groupings of couches and tables. We ended up actually sitting at the bar. They actually had comfortable barstools. I would probably recommend a reservation. We had made a reservation for 5 PM and then decided to sit at the bar instead of a table because they told us that all the couches were reserved... But we were there for well over an hour and there were plenty of couches still available when we left, so I'm not sure what the deal was there. The cocktails are pretty pricey going as high as about $19. I had seen online that they had a flight of sparkling wines and before I arrived I was considering that until I realized it was $40. But the cocktails are very well mixed. The food menu I'm sure would not appeal to everyone. It's kind of eclectic and they have some small plates and a few entrées, but it's pretty limited. I would recommend the charcuterie board because you can just pick and choose from the charcuterie menu as to how you want your board created. We were all pleased with the charcuterie board. We would most likely return there for cocktails, but I don't think we would do it as a dinner spot, we ended up going elsewhere to eat our dinner. But I definitely do recommend checking this place out!

Took a date last night to The Exchange to try and capture some of the magic of sunset in Lancaster…read more Even though the weather wasn't cooperating, it was still one of those surprising meals. I say surprising because my first reaction was disappointment at the small size of the menu. Once we decided to roll with it and take a recommended path of sharing several small plates, it turned into one of those meals that reminds you why you go out to eat in the first place. We ordered several elevated small plates, but the standout was the crispy rice with spicy tuna. It was flawless. The rice base was perfectly golden and crunchy on the outside with just enough tenderness inside. On top, the spicy tuna was fresh, buttery, and beautifully balanced -- not overly mayo-heavy, not overly spicy -- just clean, bright flavor. The drizzle underneath added a subtle creaminess that tied everything together without overpowering the texture. Every bite delivered contrast: warm and crisp against cool and silky, with little pops of sesame and microgreens adding dimension. It felt thoughtful, refined, and executed with real attention to detail. Pair that with the rooftop atmosphere -- polished but relaxed -- and the whole experience felt elevated without being pretentious. If this dish is any indication, The Exchange understands how to take something familiar and make it memorable.

: ) View from roof is great. We sat at the bar. : )…read moreBartender was great. Friendly. Prompt. : ( Food was bad Started with the chicken tenders (see pic). Way, way over cooked. Not quite burnt. Dry. Hard. Nuggets were mostly breading (see pic) which we removed. Cucumber slices that came with the chicken were nice/brined. We stopped after the chicken tenders : ( : ( Old Fashioned was weak : ) blueberry martini was good So maybe just come for drinks and ambience?

We were walking around the area and wanted a small bite - salad or some small eats. We walked…read morearound and around and couldn't find anything else that caught our eye so we went back to The Coffin. They welcomed us in, told us to sit at any open table. They stay true to their name with their decor. They were coffin shaped shelves, gothic/satanic themed wallpaper. It's all very well done. Very unique! One of the staff members came over to tell us that their beer and spirits are all from PA. This was music to our ears! We ordered a local IPA. We shared the Brussels Caesar salad. It had crispy brussels sprouts and arugula. Topped homemade crouton. Dusted with Parmesan. It was delicious! Loved this spot! Will go back the next time we're in town!

Coffin Bar is one of the more distinctive brunch spots in Lancaster, and it works better in…read moredaylight than I expected. The vibe leans goth, with a definite metal/punk edge rather than a tightly curated "theme bar" look. It's not as uniformly designed as the name might suggest, but it is interesting and cohesive enough to feel intentional. During brunch, the space is well-lit, and they keep the heavy metal/thrash/punk soundtrack going at a very low volume, exactly the right choice. It supports the aesthetic without turning brunch into a performance. The food is the reason to come. The menu is built around the seven deadly sins (Lust, Gluttony, Wrath, etc.), and everything we tried was outstanding. Between the two of us we had Lust and Gluttony, and both were excellent, high quality, well-executed, and clearly made with care. Service was solid: efficient, reasonably quick, and professional. Not overly chatty, but attentive enough that you don't feel ignored. Drinks were fine. The mimosa and Bloody Mary were exactly what you'd expect: competent and enjoyable, nothing gimmicky. Logistics are also manageable for a downtown spot. Parking exists in the area, including garages nearby, and it's a comfortable walk if you're already in the city center. Overall: a fun, slightly offbeat atmosphere paired with genuinely great brunch food. If you like a darker aesthetic but still want a bright, relaxed daytime meal, Coffin Bar is an easy recommendation.

Great place to visit. Located in the city so parking could be a challenge. There are some spots…read morealong the street and also a garage nearby. Check the on street parking kiosk for prices/hours. There is a huge staircase to get up to the speakeasy once you find the red door. The website says there is an elevator if needed. Once inside, you will immediately get the speakeasy vibe with the moody and dark decor, as well as the period appropriate lighting and seating options. There's some small intimate areas, as well as a main bar, a side seating bar area, and a back area with tables and chairs. I would recommend reservations. You can pick the bar or lounge when making reservations on their website. From the moment you enter, you will get terrific service. The host was great and we were early for our reservation, but we were seated at the bar as requested. As soon as we sat down, the bartender greeted us with waters and a sample of a bourbon punch. The entire visit was filled with very attentive staff who were always friendly and knowledgeable about the offerings on the menu. The drinks are well thought out and very good. The quality of the ingredients, as well as the flavor profiles work well. It is very difficult to pick from their crafty menu. We tried a total of 4 drinks and all were delicious. Highly recommend the Papucho - such an excellent mix of flavors that are well balanced and a very unique flavor. Honestly, not sure you will find one drink on this menu that isn't delicious. They do offer a menu of various foods. We ordered the octopus and the roasted monk fish. Both were fantastic. The servings are not big so be prepared to order dental dishes or just come with the intention of not getting a massive meal. They are good portions for a small dinner or think tapas. Overall, they have a fabulous experience with some super delicious drinks. Well done!

Returned either a group of friends, for their first time! So glad this place continues to impress…read moregoing forward. Our server was amazing (I wish I remembered his name!), the food was delicious, and the drinks never fail to impress. The only issue we have every time we go is that they unfortunately always run out of a few dishes on the menu (and always seems to be the ones we want)! In addition, calling the restaurant has been difficult, it has often gone straight to voicemail for me. For that reason make sure to make reservations ONLINE (that has never failed). Come EARLY if you want to ensure you'll get a menu item (we often get there around 8 pm or later, some menu items always run out for us). Regardless, this doesn't stop us from coming!

Fabulous brunch at Passerine. From the moment you enter this charming restaurant, you'll feel…read morewelcome. Be sure to begin your brunch with a cup of their robust coffee or your favorite brunch cocktail. We stuck with coffee but the cocktails looked divine. Small but interesting brunch menu. Really appreciate Passerine's commitment to local producers.

My wife and I dined at Passerine in Lancaster for Valentine's Day and chose the $75 per person…read morefixed-price five-course menu. Unfortunately, the evening was very disappointing. When we were seated, we were given the prix fixe food menu but never provided with a drink menu. We were served water, but our waitress didn't ask if we'd like cocktails, wine, or any featured Valentine's drinks. For a special occasion dinner, that felt like a major oversight. The bigger issue, though, was the food. Several courses were noticeably undercooked and difficult to enjoy. The carrot salad had hard, undercooked carrots and a very bitter sauce that overwhelmed the dish. The grilled Badger Flame beets were also undercooked and had an unpleasant flavor. The beet risotto was firm and lacked the creamy consistency you expect from a properly prepared risotto. The halibut tasted overly fishy and seemed undercooked in the center. For $75 per person on Valentine's Day, we expected a polished, thoughtfully executed experience. Instead, the meal felt poorly prepared and not worth the price. It was an unsatisfying way to spend what should have been a special evening. The ambiance was very nice but the rest of the experience left a lot to be desired.

Shot and Bottle was a busy place and I understand why! The food is delicious and there are plenty…read moreof tasty options. I'm not a huge brunch person, but the brunch menu was amazing! The eggs were so soft and the jam was the perfect touch to my short rib toast. The four of us enjoyed our meals and the serving sizes were ideal for us. We also enjoyed the various drink options, and I was glad they had flavorful mocktails to pick from. However, it can get pretty loud in the restaurant despite the tables being spaced out evenly. Also, service felt a little slow, but we understand it was busy. Would recommend!

Order the turkey burger! We got it once and now it is a family favorite. It seems so simple but it…read moreis so delicious! Beside the turkey burger, they have great cocktails and the atmosphere is relaxing. Service has always been great and we enjoy visiting here!

20 years with Bird called for a great night out and Josephine's absolutely delivered…read more From the moment we walked in, Tate and Grant were incredible and made our anniversary dinner feel genuinely special without overdoing it. Great service like that still matters. Bird went with the crab cake and was already planning her next visit halfway through dinner. I started with the shrimp cocktail, followed by the Caesar salad and filet, all outstanding. Everything was paced perfectly and cooked exactly right. And then came dessert...which somehow topped everything else. Incredible way to finish the night. Between the food, atmosphere, and service, it was the perfect spot to celebrate 20 years, plenty of laughs, good memories, and another adventure for the books. Highly recommend.

What an exceptional night! From the minute you come down the stairs till you pass the stage where…read morethey have a pianist and bass player, you are transplanted to a whole new experience. This was my first time dining at Josephine's. We enjoyed the laid-back not rushing us evening. Our server took our drink orders then came back to ask if we wanted to place any appetizer orders. We ordered the mussels and shrimp appetizer. It was absolutely amazing! They were in a herb butter sauce. We were also given a bread service to which we immediately wiped up the butter sauce! I went with the crabcake, which was the sizes of softball and was full of lump crab. The potatoes and vegetables were delicious. My friend ordered the salmon and she said it was perfectly cooked. She also got the potatoes and vegetables. We each ordered a dessert. I went with the choux Cage which I enjoyed, but didn't like the chocolate that they were sitting on. Once I figured that out, I really enjoed the dessert. My friend ordered the Chocolate Rocher dessert and loved every bite of it. It was definitely a treat to go to Josephine's and I hope I get the opportunity to come back.

Enjoyed coming back here, liked it more than I had remembered…read more We had a nice quick dinner at Burley Bar and Thistle Finch Distillery. Ordered the Wedge salad, and since tacos were on special, two of each the chicken and beef. They were also nice enough to make the elote pretzels without the finishing seasoning and give us cheez dip since that's what the kids prefer. Overall very nice and very good with a few small and tasty surprises

Went here recently for a welcome party for a friend's wedding and WOW. Not only were they super…read moreaccommodating of me being gluten free, but the drinks were delicious. Highly recommend their pickle martini!! And a huge thank you to the staff and servers who kept the food and drinks going all evening and were friendly and welcoming the whole night.

It had been a while since I've explored downtown Lancaster, and I had a gorgeous afternoon with my…read moredad to do so this year. I chose some breweries nearby and it was easy to walk around and explore. I was blown away by the development of this market, so modern and well done but also maintain the historic significance. Right in the middle is Bar 1888. It's all open air with the hustle and bustle of the market around it. They had a great tap list of local beer, so I had to get one while we took a break from walking. The bartender was immediately attentive and friendly through our quick stay. There are so many fun food choices nearby too, so if you're looking for a spot where there's something for everyone, this is worth a stop.

My husband and I stopped by here twice during our stay in Lancaster. We bought really enjoyed the…read morecocktails. They were very well made. The servers were friendly and attentive. I really enjoyed the space as well.

Had dinner here on a Thursday night with my lovely date. It was my first visit, while it had been…read moreseveral years since my date had last been back. We were seated immediately and warmly welcomed by the friendly staff. At one point another server even recognized us from a previous date at The Exchange -- are we becoming regulars already? Lol. Wilson was our server and was wonderfully patient as we took our time deciding what to order while getting to know each other better. It happened to be jazz night, which added a relaxed, intimate vibe in the background and made for a really enjoyable Thursday evening. We started with the whipped feta dip, which was creamy, tangy, and just slightly sweet -- the kind of appetizer that's hard to stop dipping into once you start. For dinner I chose the Duck and Saucisson Bolognese. The sauce was rich and deeply savory, with tender duck folded into a hearty, slow-simmered ragù that clung beautifully to the pasta. My date ordered the Roasted Butternut Squash and Tuscan Kale Spaghetti, which struck a great balance of sweet and earthy flavors -- the squash adding a natural sweetness while the kale brought a slightly rustic bite that kept the dish from feeling too heavy. Both our plates will be revisited at home for a couple of days as the serving sizes were large! We both absolutely loved our meals and left talking about how good everything was. Between the atmosphere, the service, and the quality of the food, Plough made for a memorable Thursday night out. I want to especially highlight Wilson as he was super attentive and helpful in every way that you would expect from a fine server.

i stayed at the connected hotel and came down to have a drink. the bar itself it a mood. it…read moredefinitely gave the vibes that i was underdressed lol. but i wasn't prepared. i think this would be a nice little date night. i will start off with saying the drinks were good. i always feel when you order alcohol, its already going to the overpriced. but i did get "spicy" tequila drink (im sorry i dont recall the name) and a glass of reisling . i also order the halloumi, which was pretty tasty . i will say the service was great . everyone was so friendly and helpful.