Carr’s Restaurant

Went for last minute dinner because Iron Hill was full. Great food! Pizza appetizer was awesome. Husband had fillet and said it was better then he could make and he knows his steak. I had Cobb salad with chicken. I’m very picky with my chicken and this was delicious. Large wine list as well. Will definitely go back.

Food & cocktails were great. The desserts were especially delicious. The noise level in the back room were crazy loud though — assuming the acoustics of the room; we had a hard time hearing each other at our table, but could perfectly hear people across the room. We may just need to request to not be seated in that room the next time we return.

Great little hideaway restaurant. The service was fantastic. i wish i could remember the waiter’s name to give him props. The food was well priced for the quality and inventiveness. had the calamari and chicken pot pie. They make a mean cocktail and their wine choice was great. There is pay parking near by if you can get a spot. A must eat location if you are downtown in Lancaster.

I had never been to this restaurant before Thanksgiving dinner. This year found our family flung apart, so my daughter and I decided to eat out. We arrived early for our reservation and descended a lovely staircase to this below street-​level restaurant. Our reservation made through Open Table was not found, but this was not a problem for seating. We passed through dining areas to the wine room seating.
Although able to order from the regular menu, we opted for their Thanksgiving dinner of the tradional holiday fare. The starter was a green salad and roll. We loved their creamy bleu cheese dressing, a choice we always make when offered. The meal included roast turkey, green beans, cranberry conserve, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. The turkey would have benefited from a little more gravy. My daughter commented when the main course was set before us that she did not like the ‘scooped’ potatoes and stuffing. I laughed because that is a reminder of cafeteria food. This, however, did not taste at all like cafeteria food. Overall the service was very good, except that my iced tea was not refilled or offered; a fact I noticed when the neighboring table received a refill of the same. The Thanksgiving dessert offerings were an apple pie and a pumpkin cheesecake. It was a dilemna what to finish with, but we chose to share the raspberry lemon tart from the menu. This was an excellent choice with a beautiful presentation. This dessert had a tasty crust and just the right amount of sweetness. I do wonder about that apple pie though.
The ambiance of this restaurant is inviting and the staff friendly. While this seems an upscale restaurant, we felt comfortable in more casual attire. The diners included families with children and adult couples, the mix for the holiday. This traditional turkey dinner exceeded expectations, and we were happy to have some leftovers to carry out. I definitely would like to return to try some items from their regular menu.

A good place to have a quiet lunch after shopping in downtown Lancaster, PA. Great and fresh food. Bright and airy although in a basement. Nice and helpful wait staff. Really tasty food and reasonably priced for the high caliber and unique flavors. Try it; it’s good food and good atmosphere.

I enjoyed a quiet escape for a lovely late lunch here with my mother. She tends to be particular about where she eats and she was quite happy with this establishment. I was thrilled to have a nice cold glass of wine, so really it was a win, win.

The crab cakes and the shrimp boat was to die for, the service was great and everyone was welcoming, we all enjoyed everything we ordered. The chef knows what he is doing

We are local folks who consider how our money is spent. When we are deciding on dinner in the city, Carr’s is always on the list of options. We have had so many wonderful dinners, special occasions at Carr“s. The menu always has interesting options. From traditional dishes to entrees that are more creative. Something for everyone. Nice wine selection too.

Great restaurant close by the Fulton Theatre, downtown Lancaster, PA. Food and staff are very good and nice selection of wine. Recommend for anyone with a family party to go to prior to attending a play at the Fulton. But make reservations at least a couple days in advance of Fulton show weekend.

Very delicious food, decent prices, good atmosphere. All in all one of my favorites. Would recommend this place to anyone looking for good food.

We went there last night for dinner. We have been here before and enjoyed our meals. Last evening, however, we were surprised when my wife bit into her fried oysters Rockefeller, and one them was still frozen. First, we were shocked that the oysters were frozen and not fresh for $ 14 for an appetizer. Secondly, our food came out so quickly, both the appetizers and main dish that we felt very rushed throughout the meal. I ordered the New York strip, one of the evening specials, medium, and although I ate it, and did not complain, it was at best rare. At the end of the meal we realized why we were being rushed, when a group of eight parents and their daughter’s from an out of town swim team came in.
Carr’s restaurant has been around quite a while, and frankly, we were really surprised at the food and service. We go out to dinner every weekend, and several times during the week. We don’t mind spending the money, but they really need to take a lesson from restaurants like Checker’s, Belvedere Inn, and Gibraltar.

After literally hundreds of visits for great dinners, memorable lunches and special late night treats, I can testify that Tim Carr has created and maintains one of the most consistently excellent restaurants in central PA. We have never had anything that wasn’t good: try whatever the server recommends. Also great market stand (Cobb salad one of the best in downtown Lancaster) and catering.

I was in Lancaster on business and we decided on this little spot for dinner. Upon entering you walk down a stairs to the bar that winds around the bottom of the stairs. We were kinda early and were seated right away. Our waitress was knowledgeable as well as cute. The seafood soup was to die for. I had the veal with red cabbage and spetzle. Wonderful. I would suggest a side of mac and cheese to take home for later Great.

The lighting is quite dark. The food is really nice. Had the lamb something and it was superb but not with big portion. They have a big beautiful restroom tho

Superior service and local farm-​to-​table fare, from the greens to the butter to the meats all exceptionally prepared with love by owner Tim Carr and family. One word: divine.

First rate food, first rate atmosphere, first rate service. Pricey, but when you want a special dinner, this is your place. Grilled bacon was gorgeously tender. Lamb trio was a knockout. Small portions, but very well executed. And I’d go back just for the wait staff. The stairs down to the restaurant are a little daunting, but I’d do it again.

Delicious food and wonderful service.
We started at the bar and had a very well made dirty Martini.
I asked to be seated next to my girlfriend when I made my reservation and we were given a nice cozy spot on a Saturday night.
I ordered the Eberly organic chicken and it was absolutely delicious and fresh. Can’t wait for our next visit!

Way too expensive for what you get.
Carr’s feels like a very outdated, stuffy restaurant that is still living off better times. The food wasn’t bad, but several items are $ 30+ and almost every appetizer was $ 10+. Again, food was not bad, but a $ 28 tag for a average-​sized, just ok piece of halibut is crazy.

My fiancé and I went to Carr’s for lunch after some exploring in downtown Lancaster and were underwhelmed by the experience — both in décor and our food.
The location is amazing — right in the heart of the historic center square — but Carr’s décor and ambiance does nothing to capture that character and beauty. The white table clothes are outdated and the murals on the wall don’t seem to depict anything native to Lancaster. Overall, the interior is bland and uninspired.
The lunch menus are a sheet of computer paper folded between cheap laminated covers. Laminated covers just reek of an outdated, cheap diner, which I hardly imagine is Carr’s objective. (My advice: skip the plastic sheets and just print out menus on a nice, thick sheet of paper. Looks much better and is probably cheaper!)
But you don’t go to a restaurant just for aesthetics — it’s about the food, which we sadly found overly-​saturated in butter and unoriginal. We began with the meatballs with toasted bread, which we did really enjoy. However, the rest of the meal was highly disappointing. My fiancé had the quesadilla, which he renamed a «Mexican hamburger battered in butter» because of the amount of butter-​saturated meat stuffed into a buttery quesadilla. I had the veggie burger, which was just OK. Pretty bland and completely fell apart if I tried to eat it within the sandwich buns.
We did split an order of the fries (I believe were beer-​battered). These were OK, but come on, how can you mess up battered fries?!
Overall, I’m just not sure what Carr’s is going for. It’s not fine dining. It’s not farm-​to-​table (nothing really tasted fresh and local). It doesn’t have traditional Lancaster dishes on the menu… it’s just… bland.
Carr’s gets two stars: Our service was prompt and we liked the meatballs, so it wasn’t a complete waste of money. Areas to improve: aesthetics, restaurant identity and FOOD!

This place was great! You walk downstairs to enter the restaurant with the bar to the left and the dining areas to the right. We sat at the bar while we waited for our table and it was very pleasant — this did not seem like a place where people would get rowdy — civilized folks. I ordered a martini and the most impressive thing was delivered — a glass just full enough that I did not spill and the remainder of my drink served in a tiny carafe on ice so it did not sit getting diluted by melt-​off in a shaker. SO thoughtful and cute — this typifies my overall experience here.
We sat at a long table in the backroom, which features a glass wall and view to the wine cellar — it was very charming. I think I would request seating in this room because of the subterranean cozy feel — the other room had a cheesy mural on the wall of peasants eating. We had the rarebit to start and it was delightful mix of melted strong cheese and bacon served with Auntie Ann’s pretzel bits (Lancaster is the HQ of Auntie Ann). Only complaint — we needed more pretzels to soak up the goodness, sadly not available. Everything we ordered was good (some great) with the crab cake and steak being a standout. Service was attentive without being obtrusive. Overall — I really enjoyed it.