
Horse Inn
A historic Lancaster gem blending a speakeasy vibe with refined pub grub and exceptional cocktails, emphasizing local ingredients.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Horse Inn

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historic Lancaster gem blending a speakeasy vibe with refined pub grub and exceptional cocktails, emphasizing local ingredients.
Reservations Recommended
Booking ahead is advised to avoid long waits, especially on busy nights.
Don't Miss the Horse Fries
Shareable and delicious appetizer featuring fries topped with sausage, cheese, and cream.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American Pub Fare
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Legendary "Pistol Under the Pillow" Cocktail
A uniquely educational and delicious cocktail experience featuring gin, citrus, and herbs, crafted with flair by knowledgeable bartenders.

The "Best Burger in Town"
A highly acclaimed burger praised for its quality and flavor, often cited as a must-try by diners and reviewers alike.

Historic Speakeasy Ambiance
Dine in a transformed historic stable and speakeasy, offering a unique atmosphere with rustic charm and vintage vibes.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
Booking ahead is advised to avoid long waits, especially on busy nights.
Don't Miss the Horse Fries
Shareable and delicious appetizer featuring fries topped with sausage, cheese, and cream.
Explore Both Bars
Discover an extensive selection of spirits and expertly crafted cocktails at either of the two bars.
Parking Advice
Use the designated lot up the street; street parking may result in fines.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
Booking ahead is advised to avoid long waits, especially on busy nights.
Don't Miss the Horse Fries
Shareable and delicious appetizer featuring fries topped with sausage, cheese, and cream.
Explore Both Bars
Discover an extensive selection of spirits and expertly crafted cocktails at either of the two bars.
Parking Advice
Use the designated lot up the street; street parking may result in fines.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners praise Horse Inn for its delicious, globally inspired pub fare, especially the acclaimed burger and unique cocktails. The historic speakeasy ambiance adds to the charm, making it a popular gathering spot. However, some find the portions small for the price, and parking can be a bit tricky.
"Our meal tonight was really good - Thank you to Abbie our server. She knew the exact flavors of the dishes. Wonderful halibut. Per husband the shrimp and grits were the best he ever had."
Nora Schell
"Excellent food. Live music was also excellent. Three of us had a drink at the bar and then moved to a table for dinner.
We shared the loaded French fry appetizer as we had been traveling and wanted something quick. They were good. I had their delicious version of a BLT with fried green tomatoes, mozzarella and local bacon."
David Bruce
"The food is tasty in this cute pub. Good burger and salads. I had a very interesting and tasty sweet corn ice cream - yum. The vibe is lively and cozy. The service is mixed, but that could be down to a busy night. Would recommend for a night out in Lancaster."
Laura Dickey
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The Horse Inn is renowned for its acclaimed burger, unique "Pistol Under the Pillow" cocktail, and its historic speakeasy ambiance.
Parking can be a bit tricky. It's recommended to use the designated lot up the street. Street parking may result in fines.
While the menu changes seasonally, they focus on locally sourced ingredients. It's best to inquire about specific dietary accommodations upon arrival or when making a reservation.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend evenings, to avoid long wait times.
The Horse Inn offers a unique, historic speakeasy vibe, formerly a stable, with a casual yet top-notch dining environment.
The "Horse Fries" are a popular shareable appetizer, featuring fries topped with sausage, cheese, and cream.
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This seasonally driven gastropub located in a former inn, stable, and speakeasy uses locally grown produce and meat and Pennsylvania-made beer and spirits. The day's menu, and a list of "Farmers and Friends" who supply the restaurant's ingredients, are posted on chalkboards. The former horse stables have been transformed into booths and the bars on each end of the dining room feature repurposed wood and reclaimed chairs.
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The Horse is easily one of our favorite spots in Lancaster, a gastropub located on top of a random staircase stuffed with shuffleboard tables and random…
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The Horse Inn is known for being hard to find but, once discovered, you will discover why generations of Lancaster County locals and PA Dutch Country visitors have made Horse Inn a preferred gathering place. The menu changes daily and features an eclectic selection of handcrafted foods that are always made fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully plated with locally sourced ingredients, purchased from reliable farm-to-table vendors in and around Lancaster County. Featuring a great beer list and crafted classic cocktail menu, two separate bars are attended by knowledgeable and friendly staff.
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With two bar areas featuring exceptional spirits and a fantastic bourbon selection, Horse Inn mixes creativity and craftsmanship to serve outstanding cocktails and an equally amazing dining experience. We highly recommend ordering a Pistol Under the Pillow, featuring gin, pressed lemon and grapefruit, vanilla, lavender and egg white, and ask the bartender about the process while they craft your cocktail… Educational and delicious!. Order the Horse Fries to share: Rooster St. Provisions sausage, Parmesan and aged provolone cheese and garlic-heavy-cream-all-over fries.
Taste Lancaster, Pennsylvania's Farm-to-Table Food Scene
To experience one of Lancaster’s longstanding classic restaurants, head to Horse Inn for upscape pub fare in a warm, rustic space; Belvedere Inn for a well-made cocktail in a restored Victorian mansion; or John J. Jeffries, in the Lancaster Arts Hotel, for fine dining focused on sustainability and locally sourced ingredients. Wherever you land, finish the night at Lancaster Sweet Shoppe with Stroopies, i.e., Dutch stroopwafels made on site with cinnamon waffles sandwiching homemade caramel.
Best Cocktails in Lancaster, PA
The vintage vibes at the Horse Inn will take you back to the 1920s as it is an old stable that served as a speakeasy during Prohibition. When you make your way to one of their two bars, you’ll be greeted by a bartender and cocktail menu inspired by the past. Must-tries include the Pistol Under the Pillow (gin, pressed lemon & grapefruit, vanilla, lavender and egg white) and the Old Fashioned #2 (whiskey of your choice, brandied cherry, orange zest, Angostura & tiki bitters, and demerara).
Best Fried Chicken in Lancaster
Look no further than Horse Inn on 540 E Fulton St. Known for their warm ambiance, this spot offers succulent fried chicken prepared using an old family recipe. The chicken is brined overnight in a blend of herbs and spices, ensuring that it remains tender and juicy. After being coated in a seasoned flour mixture, it’s fried to perfection, resulting in a crunchy exterior that gives way to incredibly flavorful meat.
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In the early 1920s, the Shaub family renovated the second floor hayloft into a speakeasy. The elevated amazing food is created using daily fresh ingredients_ and the use of local sources are crucial to current owners Matt and Starla, who change the menu based on what is garden-fresh and in season. The rich, brilliant dishes and one-of-a-kind cocktails_ will make you feel right at home.
20 Unique Things To Do With Friends in Lancaster, PA
In the early 1900s, the Horse Inn opened as a speakeasy with a hot griddle. It quickly grew a reputation as a place to slake one’s thirst and get a tasty meal. Throughout the years little has changed about it’s charm, and although the menu and drink selection has expanded considerably, someone from the 1930’s would find it’s décor and style quite the same today!
Dinner Edition
Covered in wagon wheels and equestrian décor, the Horse Inn is a Lancaster classic and must-visit during your stay. Being that the city is surrounded by farmlands, they provide a farm-to-table menu that does not disappoint. While their menu is seasonal and can be eclectic, they boast a cheeseburger that is the talk of the town.
Locals pick 6 places to get great cocktails in Lancaster County | Visit Lancaster | Food & Drink
A house-mixed citrus-based cocktail will become a refreshing summertime lure at The Horse Inn. Horse Inn received the most nominations of the bunch. Artisanal ingredients are no stranger to Horse Inn's cocktail menu: grapefruit bitters, lime acid blends and meringue are just some of the options for cocktail mixers.
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New Restaurants in Lancaster, Pennsylvania - Urbanspoon/Zomato Best Restaurants in Lancaster, PA - Horse Inn, The Black Goat Gastropub, LUCA, John J Jeffries, Lancaster Brewing Company, Norbu Lancaster, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Citronnelle, Decades, Callaloo Menu Dining - Good 'N Plenty Restaurant 4.4.
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The Horse Inn – Established in 1920, The Horse Inn is one of the oldest bars in Lancaster, PA. It has a cozy and intimate atmosphere, with dim lighting and vintage decor. The bar is known for its impressive selection of craft beers and cocktails, as well as its delicious food menu.
Fine Dining and Simple Elegance
Out of the way, the Horse Inn offers great food in a casual setting. Their tenderloin tips have been a hit with customers since the 1920s, when the building housed a speakeasy. Now, this family-friendly restaurant is a favorite place for locals to enjoy a night out.
Highest-rated Fine Dining Restaurants in Lancaster by Diners
- Rating: 4.4/5 (360 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 540 East Fulton St. Lancaster, Pennsylvania - Categories: Gastropubs, American- Read more on Yelp. You may also like:Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Lancaster metro area
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Historic site offering refined, globally inspired pub grub, specialty cocktails & a speakeasy vibe. Good option if you're looking for an average place to eat and drink. Address : 540 E Fulton St, Lancaster, PA 17602, USA
Restaurants & Cafes in Lancaster County
The Horse Inn is Lancaster City's oldest continuously running restaurant. It is our 100th year this year. We are a major supporter of local farmers, markets, & businesses.
Best bars in Lancaster
Discover Horse Inn in Lancaster: A delightful American restaurant and lounge offering a cozy atmosphere, exquisite dishes, and an extensive whiskey selection.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit