The Kings Head is on Fisher Street, which is behind the Town Hall and next to the Guildhall. This part of the city dates back to Medieval times, and ale is reputed to have been available on the site of The Kings Head as early as the 10th century!
An excellent city centre pub, winner of many CAMRA awards. Serves Yates Bitter and a range of guest ales from four handpumps. Pictures of old Carlisle adorn the internal walls and outside is an explanation of why the city isn't in the Domesday Book. Good value meals are served at lunchtime. Children and dogs are not allowed. The covered, large outdoor courtyard has a large-screen TV and regularly features live music. City Pub of the Year 2008-13, and 2015 Year 2008-13.
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Why change a winning formula? This traditional unpretentious pub served me up an excellent scampi and chips (large portions) and a very fine pint of Esthwaite bitter. The friendly barman soon spotted and swopped my end of barrel pint for a fresh version before any harm was done. Together with meeting and chatting to the ex mayor of Rochester, I enjoyed a very pleasant couple of hours here. Highly recommended (although I can't promise a meeting with the ex mayor...)
We came across this quaint little pub tucked down a side street off the main shopping area in the centre of Carlisle and decided to pop in for some lunch. We were greeted by a delightfully friendly woman behind the bar ,given menus, and told to sit where we like. The menu only had a handful of items, and I chose the steak pie with chips,peas, and a jug of gravy. There were only a few people in the pub so we were served immediately and our food arrived promptly. The meal was served on a large plate, and I was pleasantly surprised at the sizeable slab of steak pie I was given, which also tasted delicious. The thick-cut chips needed a little longer as they were frozen in the middle, but overall, the meal was nice and worth the money, although I would have liked more gravy, and I wouldn't have paid anymore.
The King's Head is a wonderful traditional pub with a very intimate atmosphere. We stopped by for lunch while passing through Carlisle on our travels. I had the smaller fish & chips while my partner opted for steak pie & chips. The fish was excellent, however the chips were quite thick & as such undercooked in the middle, plus there seemed to be mixed sizes (steak chips, French fries etc) so I left most of them, but it was reasonably priced, and I can imagine it's a belting little place on a weekend night. Lovely place, staff straightforward & attentive, kid certainly go back again. Just without the chips 🍟👍.
Basically I pop in here now and then on a Saturday after walking around the town and by that time I need to use the gents and have a sit down for 10 minutes. I always have a pint of Esthwaite Ale. Superbly kept. It's also dog friendly up to a point when not busy and there is a covered beer garden/ smoking area at the rear. Always seems to have cheerful regulars in.
Tbh been going there since I was 16 now 56, always, and still do go for the juke box which really is untouchable the tracks they have in there for my era... Its a great little pub in the heart of the city, well stocked good meals staff even smile occasionally, but it's the music/dukebox makes it a 5 star review .. Could be done with being turned up a touch though ay... 🤣
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Opening Times
| Mon | 10:00 – 23:00 |
| Tue | 10:00 – 23:00 |
| Wed | 10:00 – 23:00 |
| Thur | 10:00 – 23:00 |
| Fri | 10:00 – 23:00 |
| Sat | 10:00 – 00:00 |
| Sun | 12:00 – 23:00 |
Sorry, we don't have any menus listed at the moment.
Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3