WOW!! The food at the Red Lion Inn has been perfect for the past 103 years it has been open!! We love the fresh food and friendly staff! The fried tomatoes are a must and Michelle behind the bar is a SWEETHEART! read more

A Once-Great Institution Reduced to a Sad, Expensive Imitation of Itself DiPaolo's Red Lion Inn is a restaurant that survives almost entirely on nostalgia. Strip that away, and what you're left with is a hollow shell of what this place claims to be--coasting on a century-old name while delivering a thoroughly modern failure in leadership, quality, and basic hospitality. Let's start with the elephant in the room: leadership. Stephen Black, the fourth-generation owner, has inherited not just a name, but a responsibility--to standards, to customers, and to the legacy he so freely markets. What's happening here now feels like abandonment, not stewardship. A restaurant does not decay this badly unless no one at the top is truly paying attention. The food is the most damning evidence. Portions are shockingly small for the price point, bordering on insulting. You're charged premium prices for dishes that routinely arrive bland, underseasoned, and utterly forgettable. Multiple Yelp reviewers--and I agree--have openly questioned whether the food is even made fresh anymore. There are repeated complaints about pasta and sauces tasting reheated, generic, and indistinguishable from frozen, mass-produced fare. For a restaurant that loudly advertises "old family recipes" and handmade Italian cooking, this disconnect feels not just disappointing, but dishonest. If you're going to charge as if you're serving heirloom Italian cuisine, the food cannot taste like it came out of a freezer bag. Full stop. The interior of the restaurant mirrors the food: tired, worn, and falling apart. What some defenders call "old-school charm" is, in reality, visible neglect--aging, dated fixtures, and a general sense that nothing has been meaningfully refreshed in decades. This is not preserved history; it's deferred maintenance. Service is where everything truly collapses. Countless reviews describe long waits, missing servers, absent managers, and a complete lack of urgency. My experience aligned perfectly with those accounts. When things go wrong here, no one takes ownership. Staff disappear. Managers are suddenly unavailable. Problems are addressed only when customers chase someone down--and even then, explanations feel improvised, inconsistent, and reactive rather than honest or accountable. This restaurant feels like it's being held together with tape and bubble gum, supported by a fiercely loyal fan base that remembers what it used to be, not what it is now. That loyalty is doing a lot of heavy lifting--and it's being taken for granted. What's most shameful is not that a 100-year-old restaurant has changed. That's inevitable. What's shameful is continuing to market tradition, craftsmanship, and excellence while delivering mediocrity at premium prices. Passing off subpar, possibly reheated food as handcrafted Italian cuisine is an insult to both customers and the generations that built this place's reputation. Anyone walking into DiPaolo's Red Lion Inn today expecting greatness will find a restaurant living off echoes. This is not a celebration of Italian heritage--it's a warning about what happens when legacy replaces accountability. This place doesn't need better marketing. It needs leadership. It needs honesty. And it needs a serious reckoning with what it has become. I would not return. read more

Excellent homemade pasta! Lasagna and meatballs were like Mom's. You can tell that the pasta was homemade. Great service!

Finally decided to try this place. I wish we would have just went somewhere else. The meatballs are frozen....they were absolutely horrible. I find it hard to believe anything is handmade here. We will never return to this establishment read more

The food was delicious. I had the Veal Parmesan with Raviolis along with the house salad. My waitress was very attentive and she was not giving me the secret recipe to the Raviolis unless I could guess. Well I got the ricotta cheese and with the help of another customer lemon zest. I could guess the other spice but now I'm thinking Cinnamon. That's just my guess. The Raviolis were a one of a kind flavor delicious. The Inn as its name has never changed since I was 7 yrs old that I recall going there to get their pot full of sauce and meatballs with my friends' mother. The Inn is rustic interior with many pictures of the family throughout the years that they worked in their establishment. It's a gem I definitely would recommend visiting there and enjoying a great meal with the Italian music playing throughout their establishment. read more

DiPaolo's Red Lion Inn - House Salad bread roll and Ice Tea - Italian Near Me - Southampton, New Jersey

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Hadn't been there in years. Wasn't impressed. Food was bland as was the ambiance. But last night, completely different experience. The Bolognese was close to as authentic as it is in Bologna. Most restaurants in the states create too much of a sauce to this dish. Having spent a lot of time in Bologna, I've learned that there, it is a heavy based "meat ragu" with very little Sauce. The pasta was also freshly made. They had a live piano player. Service was good. It does still need some interior updates as the wood paneling and lighting is very old school 60's. read more

DiPaolo's Red Lion Inn - Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Southampton, New Jersey

Food and service were great. Valentine special filet and lobster tail. Cam with a salad and 2 sides. Cooked perfectly. They also had a piano player that made the night even better. Been there several times, and have not been disappointed. read more

DiPaolo's Red Lion Inn - Surf and turf with side of fresh pasta - Italian Near Me - Southampton, New Jersey

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Way over priced. We got two dinners two appetizers and 3 drinks total and I was almost $200. That was INSANE. For a small town this is poor. Won't be going here again. read more

A Classic Italian fare that offers an inviting atmosphere and warm friendly service. Family owned for generations. You will not be disappointed with the delicious foods that are always fresh and carefully prepared. read more

We decided to celebrate Mother's Day this evening and went to DiPaolo's Red Lion Inn for dinner. My in-laws have eaten here before and enjoyed it, but this was the first time for the rest of us. The service was top notch. Our waitress was incredibly patient, friendly, and super sweet. The other employees we encountered were wonderful as well. Three of us had the honey and walnut encrusted salmon, and it was delicious. One of the best things I've eaten in a while. My husband's lasagna looked delicious and he seemed it enjoy it. The piano player was a nice touch! read more

I liked this place! We joined my wife's family, who are regulars here. Nice old school ambiance in both the bar and the restaurant. Salad was crisp and fresh. My spaghetti with clam sauce was very good (should add some chopped parsley). My brother in law's chicken parm and ravioli looked excellent. read more

My family has been going there for about 100 years, but my first time was for my Dad's birthday just last March. It's family tradition they order Spaghetti & Chicken. So, I got it, and it was FABULOUS. The recipe goes unchanged since it opened. A lightly spicy sauce, great portion size, deliciously cooked chicken, outstanding homemade pasta. The interior has changed little in the past century, and that gives it its character. Wonderful service, too. I'll be sure to be back and keep the family tradition going. read more

DiPaolo's Red Lion Inn - Chicken and Spaghetti - Italian Near Me - Southampton, New Jersey

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Fantastic homemade pasta. Everyone is so nice. The food has been amazing This week I tried a special of spinach & sausage lasagna. It is, hands down, the best lasagna I've ever had in my whole entire life. And, I've dated a few italians in my life whose nonna's were top notch in the kitchen. I got it to go on Wednesday, and just finished up the leftovers. Each day I said, I have to thank the chef for this. It is magically fantastic. Hint of hidden eggplant, maybe? Sauce is divine. Noods are perfection. I would love to try an end piece, for the crunch. If you ever have it on your specials again, put me on speed dial, please. Thank you, Chef! Bowing to the lasagna heavens. read more

Love this place. Generations passed down family owned restaurant with 100 years of history. Classic professional pianist playing beautiful Chopin and Bach. I thoroughly enjoyed while sipping on a warm glass of Glenlivit and wrapping aged provolone cheese with a soft oiled piece of roasted red pepper. The food portions were great. The chef puts all their passion and love for food into every delicious bite of homemade pasta. Not a place around like DiPaolo's Red Lion Inn. read more

We just had take out from Red Lion Inn, which we've done numerous times before. My husband and I always get 1/2 of a fried chicken with spaghetti and on occasion I'll get chicken parm to change it up. The fried chicken has gotten so small it's a joke! I think they're buying 4 lb chickens, used to be probably 6 lbs! Tonight I got shrimp with fettuccine Alfredo, it was horrible! The shrimp were very small and the sauce was inedible! My dogs had it! Very disappointing: raise your prices, don't practice shrinkage like everyone else. Red Lion customers are usually "Lifer's" My mom grew up going there as a child, she had gone to school with the Di Paolo girls. My parents ate there frequently, later in life and we ate there as well. We Will have to re consider Red Lion when choosing a place for take out!!! Sad read more

We absolutely love this restaurant! We always stop in when we are in the area. The menu has a lot of variety and there is something there for the whole family. I love the 1/2 spaghetti/1/2 ravioli dinner. The sauce is so rich and flavorful. My wife really liked the spaghetti with clam sauce. My daughter is gluten sensitive so she loves the gluten free pasta options. And my son enjoyed the meatball pasta platter. Side salads were also very good with a big variety of dressings. Wait staff was super friendly and helpful. Looking forward to our next visit! read more

I can see why they've been in business and it's not because of the food. The service was exceptional, our server Pam was friendly and attentive, with a great sense of humor! They play Sinatra which is always a touch of class for me! Last and least is the food...I have to tell the truth, it could use some improvement. We had clams casino, which was average but served in a pool of liquid with no garnish, just a lemon, it didn't look nice but I ate it. My partner had the wedge salad which was delicious, but huge, a wedge and a half, and 15$, a little overkill. Then comes the homemade pasta ravioli with meatballs.... The sauce was good but the meatballs were not. Dry and hard. The quality was lacking. The homemade ravioli was thick, heavy and dense. Please red lion, I beg of you, up your standards. read more

We love this restaurant. Food is delicious, staff is really pleasant to deal with. Spaghetti with white clam sauce is superb. My folks brought me here many years ago- it was excellent then and is excellent now!! read more

Always been fabulous and has been for the past 60 years. I wish they were still open for lunch.

Went here after the NJ.com article 33 best old school restaurants, Nice staff bad food!!! Raviolis had very strong lemon taste, wait staff removed unfinished entree and then charged us for it. Only two raviolis where consumed!! Gave us $10 gift card for $18 uneatable entree. Didn't even give option to take home, just removed it. They did offer another option but trust was lost in the taste of the food so refused it. Wife had raviolis that didn't have the lemon taste just an ordinary ravioli and marinara nothing special. Avoid the chicken Fromage if your diabetic, loaded with sugar, actually avoid in general was terrible. Piano player and old school decor was the real hit . Oh don't forget the staff super nice. read more

Came for a drink and food. Ppl are very kind and welcoming. Food was oh so good. Had a meatball sandwich w fries and slaw. Hmmmm every was very good and the portion was a great size. I couldn't even finish it. I recommend you get out here to try it. Great mixed drinks, too read more

My pasta wasn't cooked all the wayyy and stuck together. My leftovers wsere much better the next day but the sauce (clam) was delicious. My hubby got the meat lovers pasta and his was cooked perfectly. The piano player was amazing! He would transition from classical to modern to things like Pink Floyd seamlessly. Even caught a bit of the band Genesis's old Carpet Crawlers! read more

Long-time restaurant with delicious Italian food. Homemade pasta, sauce and specialty desserts.

Food is good - bar is good until a certain small child and her mother show up - then they run the bar - And they always seem to be there. Big family arguments.... not a fan. - Won't go back. If they weren't there...it's a good place to hang. Workers are all very nice. read more

I tried this restaurant 30 years ago when we moved to the area and was less than impressed. We went for the first time since then with friends who were going. 30 years was too short. The only good thing about the meal was the salad. I got the chicken frommage (quite pricey for a chicken dish), which was breaded chicken with blue cheese, peppers and onions and stewed tomatoes. The chicken was stringy and grisly, the stewed tomatoes were absolutely loaded with sugar and I'm not sure where the frommage was but it certainly wasn't on my chicken. When another guest at the table complained about the chicken, she was told "the chef said to come back to the kitchen"!!! No effort at all was made to rectify the situation. Nuff said, we won't be going back. read more

Great homemade pasta...yes homemade! The salad was delicious. I have a pet peeve when I'm served a sad side salad that's just wilted iceberg with a wedge of tomato . This side salad was delicious! We ate in the bar and served by Michelle. She was great. Bonus, got to watch the baseball game! read more

We love this restaurant! Its one of the last old school italian restaurants around. Right down to the wood paneling walls, piano player and home made pasta! Don't ever change a thing, guys!! read more

DiPaolo's Red Lion Inn - dining area - Italian Near Me - Southampton, New Jersey

Staff was friendly and helpful. I give the staff 4 stars. The food on the other hand. Not good. The veal was not good ,tasted like it was covered in honey. Calamari did not taste fresh and the cut was so thin. The decor was way outdated. It's like your sitting in a dark basement. The water tasted like sulfur water. Not a fan. I will not be retiring. read more

Still looking to try the wings as I hear they are very good but the Italian food is great at this place.

Red Lion Inn continues the family tradition of serving up some of the best Italian dishes around. Their homemade pastas are a true difference maker with any of their fine entrees. If you're a first time visitor be sure to try the family recipe red sauce, it's absolutely amazing! My favorites are the Filet a la Christine and Chicken Cacciatore both of which are available from time to time as weekly specials. If you're looking for some wonderful appetizers the calamari is battered, fried and served with cheese and their homemade red sauce for dipping and is always delicious. If you're lucky enough to be there when Jersey tomatoes are in season be sure to try the Jersey fried tomatoes... simply amazing. read more

The food was ok, but the waitress was rude. The surroundings are typical diner, nothing special.

Excellent home town restaurant. The great staff makes this place. Great assortment of appetizers including great wings, cauliflower bites and tomatoes. Delicious food and drinks. I eat here often. So few good local businesses left but this is one of them! read more

Great food with local specialties. Good service. Quantity, quality and price all good.

My family and I had a great meal. We started with fresh fried Jersey tomatos, roasted red peppers with agged Parmesan - wow! Most of us had linguine and clams for our entree. The homemade pasta was cooked to aldenti perfection and was loaded with clams. My husband had the lasagna and really enjoyed it. When back in the area, I will definitely come back! read more

Amazing! I pass by this place all the time. I'm kinda upset that I didn't come there sooner! The service was amazing. They were on point and so nice! The homemade pasta was perfection! Their meat sauce has to be the best in the area. Also, my husband said that the prime rib was the best he has ever had. read more

great food, great service. historic site. give it a try, you wont be sorry. friendly and welcoming very good ambiance.

Authentic Italian cuisine, but the interior really needs a re-doing. Looks like it hasn't changed since 1987!

Walking through the door on is transported back to the 60's. The place has a nice feel, whether one is in the dining room or the bar. It's also apparent to new diners that this place has a huge regular clientele. The portions are well-sized, and the menu is standard. Don't expect a lot of seasonal , local, or chef's specials. The place does their regular menu, and it works. Tough joint for health-conscious, as most dishes and sauces contain meat. But hey, beer is vegetarian! read more

Some things just are too basic to have to explain to the professional... Getting right to the point here... I was triple specific that I wanted almost no sauce on my pasta and veal... So as the waitress was delivering my plate with a huge amount of sauce (the same amount as my husband's) on the veal & pasta, she was saying I told them just a little sauce... (why didn't she make them correct it before she brought it out?) I requested it be fixed... she wanted to take my whole plate back to the kitchen... (why didn't they just bring another plate of fresh un dressed pasta?) I asked that they bring another plate so I could at least eat my veal while it was hot... I moved the veal to another plate and they took the pasta back. 7 min later Im still waiting for my pasta when the manager/owner asked if everything worked out for us... somehow he's thinking i wanted it "kept warm"...hu? A couple minutes later the pasta is brought to the table and I'm getting ready to dig in when I notice "things" scattered in my pasta. On closer look I discover remnants of the sauce still embedded among the pasta... Shockingly, the manager/owner admitted that it was rinsed and put back in the hot water pot to heat it up before it was re-surved. Im not overly squeamish but now I'm completely grossed out as none of the other diners will know about my fork-contaminated pasta being warmed in the same water their pasta will be heated in... This is too basic to have to explain to a restaurant manager/owner... who supposedly knows safe-handeling practices. Eventually, he appeared to recognize this unacceptable choice of action and his indefensible defence and offered to amend with drinks but I couldn't imagine consuming another thing knowing this certainly wasn't the first food-safety indiscretion (and probably not the last either). Sadly... (truly) I won't be returning to this favorite spot as my stomach wretches at the idea :( The soup & fried tomatoes were, as always, great... i just can't get past the food-safety issue. read more

DiPaolo's Red Lion Inn - Italian Near Me - Southampton, New Jersey

The "home made" meatballs were actually frozen!!! The owner admitted it to me!! He also admitted that they use frozen meatballs!! It's expensive dinners!! 16.00 bucks for 3 frozen meatballs and spaghetti!! read more

DiPaolo's Red Lion Inn - Italian Near Me - Southampton, New Jersey