Golden Lion

Golden Lion is a classic central York pub restaurant tucked close to the Shambles, with dogs welcome inside. Its 18th-century setting gives it a little historic texture, but the overall feel is lively and accessible rather than old-fashioned or fussy, and the busy, warm atmosphere suits people wanting food, drinks and an easy city-centre stop all in one.

It's a solid choice for a straightforward pub break in the thick of things, especially when you want somewhere dependable with plenty of bustle around it. The menu covers classic pub food and drinks, and the location makes it a practical stop when exploring York's historic centre.

Dogs can join their humans inside, which means no pavement-waiting shuffle while someone else orders. It's the kind of place that works well when you need a reliable city-centre pub that keeps paws and people together, even on a busy day out.