The Carlisle Castle Hotel

The Carlisle wears its relaxed, friendly local colours proudly. What it has most to be proud of, though, is the bistro and the food coming out of it. All the standard pub fare's there but it's the extensive list of blackboard specials that sets the tummy rumbling. A salt-and-pepper prawn entree; braised beef cheeks; rare seared tuna; whole fish; and a burger and chips (which was declared up there with the absolute best ever even if it did need a better bun) compete for attention. This is serious food, cooked well and presented with panache - restaurant quality at half the price.