The Red Lion Photos
THE RED LION ATMOSPHERE
Recommended Reviews - The Red Lion
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
All I looked forward to when thinking about our trip to London was sitting in a pub and eating fish and chips with a good beer. This place was the perfect place. The food was delicious- first time trying sticky toffee pudding and it was delicious. Our server was friendly. Drinks were good. The ambiance was what I had hoped for. So happy to have eaten here!
My new favorite English pub! Well it's the only English pub I've ever been to but I will say the food is delicious. The meat pies are so good. I got the sampler appetizer that came with lots of meat pies and an appetizer that was a deep fried vegetable and fish and chips and roasted chicken and everything was delicious. Great decor and atmosphere and the staff was friendly and inviting.
Nice gastropub near major sites in London. I wanted to make sure I had proper fish and chips as well as meat pies for my one day in town, and this place checked all of the boxes. They have a nice sharing board for two that comes with cauliflower, mashed potatoes, salad, and four different pies. It was a very good value. The steak pie was surprisingly my favorite. Service was friendly and the food was great.
If you are near the Parliament and need a pub to stop by, this is a pretty decent one. We didn't have to wait long to be seated but you do have to go to the bar to be serviced, even for food. The waitstaff wasn't the friendliest. I ordered a gf BLT and wouldn't recommend but likely because that really isn't their specialty. The chips were good. My friend had the fish and chips and she enjoyed it. They have two floors and downstairs is the pub, while upstairs is more restaurant seating. There is also seating outside.
Great little pub with a lot of history!! Normally it's hard to get a table / seat in here (especially with a group) but I walked in here on a Sunday and grab a high top table for three. Fish and Chips with a draft beer for dinner and my friends joined me later for another round of drinks! A great Sunday night in London! Great location, order from the bar and they bring it to your table. Friendly service! No parking, they take credit cards.
Overall great experience here. The main floor and basement were packed, but the dining room upstairs had ample seating. The staff was extremely friendly and took great care of our party. The beer was solid, and the food was delicious. We tried the Scotch egg as an appetizer and it was the best choice. It's like a little ball of heaven with brown sauce. It's a moderately boiled egg rolled in sausage and deep fried. Add the brown sauce and you might teleport to heaven directly. I had a steak and ale pie with mash for my main course, and that was very good. My partner had fish n chips we he liked very much, more so than other pubs he frequents. . Overall you can't go wrong here, it's a great place to relax while staying close to tourist sites.
Chilled ambiance! Small or large group. Outdoors seating for nice summer days! Super close to Big Ben, Westminster Abbey etc. The staff were warm and friendly. The g&t was super refreshing. This fish and chips..omg. I'd go again for it!
It's really good pub food. I had a BLT and a London pride. My son had Mac n cheese croquettes and an ale. Both delicious and wonderful.
I picked The Red Lion for dinner largely because of its history. This spot has been around for centuries, and has seen its fair share of political figures and historical moments. You really feel that history when you're inside--it's like stepping into a piece of Westminster's past. The building's charm was a big draw for me. We kicked things off with the Scotch egg with aubergine chutney, and hands down, it was the best thing we ate! If you go, do yourself a favor and order this. For our main, we shared the Sharing Pie Board for two. The board was loaded with different mini pies--steak, chicken, and even a cauliflower & cheese one--along with mashed potatoes, roasted heritage carrots (which I loved), and more sides. While it was a nice sampler of English specialties, I realized I'm just not a huge pie fan. That said, if you are, this would probably be a hit for you. The atmosphere was interesting--it was packed when we arrived, with people spilling out onto the streets. Luckily, we had made a reservation and were seated upstairs in a quieter room with a lovely view of the bustling street below. It was amusing, though, to see how the tourists (like us) were seated upstairs, while the locals were all downstairs drinking. Overall, it was a nice experience, but mostly because of the history and that Scotch egg!
After an eventful morning of not only getting to see the changing of the guards at Buckingham palace, but also getting to see King George and Queen Camilla exit the area in their Royal motorcade, we worked up quite the appetite. Walking back towards the Westminster area, we noticed an eye-catching narrow pub called Red Lion. Now, as a Houstonian, I was intrigued in that one of the premiere British pubs in the Houston area is called Red Lion, and has the same crest/logo. This pub was packed with both patio, indoor, and upstairs seating. They had an attendant at the door, but seating is come and go, and there is no wait list. We found seating outside, and had a lovely time people watching. The menu is full of pub favorites like meat pies, fish & chips, bangers and mash, sticky toffee pudding, etc. there is staff that will walk through the restaurant to take plates, but you won't have a waiter. Order all food and drinks at the bar counter inside. Everything we tried was delicious, and we were incredibly pleased to try a couple of the "must-try" London delicacies. Some tips: If you don't know what sort of beer to get, go with one of their local British Ales. You can also always ask the bartender what they recommend. While the fish & chips were good, their version did not blow us away like some of the other dishes. Consider saving fish & chips for another spot. If you need to use the facilities I would do so here as it is free. Be prepared, there is a restroom (lavatory) upstairs, but it is a bit of a steep climb, and the restrooms themselves are slightly cramped. If you sit on the patio, and you find yourself sitting in the sun, which is somewhat rare for London, or in the rain, know that there is no awning or protection to block the elements. This was the first London pub experience, and it left me with a pleasant taste in my mouth. I'm sure there will be plenty more to come. Cheers!!
Fantastic food! Excellent service! Wonderful atmosphere! My teams first taste of London! Walking distance from all the great sights in London!
We stopped into The Red Lion in London for lunch, and it was very good! The outside was so beautiful and inviting, we had to try it. The restaurant/pub had a warm, inviting atmosphere. We were seated right away and ordered a burger, which came with red coleslaw and French fries. The burger was cooked well and was delicious. The French fries were just as good. The restaurant was clean, and although busy, the staff was attentive and friendly. A shout-out to Ellis, who was our hostess, server, and even our tour guide all in one! He went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and made our experience even more enjoyable. If you're looking for a great burger in London with excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere, Red Lion is definitely worth a visit! read more
Asked our waiter for a recommendation and he didn't let me down! The fish and chips were EXCELLENT! The batter on the chips was light and crispy, so crispy!! The fish was flaky, and the homemade tartar sauce was so good--I could shower in that stuff!! Also, I've never had mushy peas before, but my God, these were so good!! I This was my first fish and chips EVER in England and I was so glad I had it here, since it didn't disappoint. read more
5 months ago
It was our last night in London, and we wanted something close to our hotel after a full week of touring. We made a reservation and headed over. The pub is downstairs and the restaurant is upstairs. It's cozy with nice views. We had the shared pies, which was a great way to sample four different pies at one sitting. It was a great option for us. I wasn't in love with two of them. Our cocktails were tasty. read more
All I looked forward to when thinking about our trip to London was sitting in a pub and eating fish and chips with a good beer. This place was the perfect place. The food was delicious- first time trying sticky toffee pudding and it was delicious. Our server was friendly. Drinks were good. The ambiance was what I had hoped for. So happy to have eaten here! read more
6 months ago
My new favorite English pub! Well it's the only English pub I've ever been to but I will say the food is delicious. The meat pies are so good. I got the sampler appetizer that came with lots of meat pies and an appetizer that was a deep fried vegetable and fish and chips and roasted chicken and everything was delicious. Great decor and atmosphere and the staff was friendly and inviting. read more
Nice gastropub near major sites in London. I wanted to make sure I had proper fish and chips as well as meat pies for my one day in town, and this place checked all of the boxes. They have a nice sharing board for two that comes with cauliflower, mashed potatoes, salad, and four different pies. It was a very good value. The steak pie was surprisingly my favorite. Service was friendly and the food was great. read more
If you are near the Parliament and need a pub to stop by, this is a pretty decent one. We didn't have to wait long to be seated but you do have to go to the bar to be serviced, even for food. The waitstaff wasn't the friendliest. I ordered a gf BLT and wouldn't recommend but likely because that really isn't their specialty. The chips were good. My friend had the fish and chips and she enjoyed it. They have two floors and downstairs is the pub, while upstairs is more restaurant seating. There is also seating outside. read more
Great little pub with a lot of history!! Normally it's hard to get a table / seat in here (especially with a group) but I walked in here on a Sunday and grab a high top table for three. Fish and Chips with a draft beer for dinner and my friends joined me later for another round of drinks! A great Sunday night in London! Great location, order from the bar and they bring it to your table. Friendly service! No parking, they take credit cards. read more
Overall great experience here. The main floor and basement were packed, but the dining room upstairs had ample seating. The staff was extremely friendly and took great care of our party. The beer was solid, and the food was delicious. We tried the Scotch egg as an appetizer and it was the best choice. It's like a little ball of heaven with brown sauce. It's a moderately boiled egg rolled in sausage and deep fried. Add the brown sauce and you might teleport to heaven directly. I had a steak and ale pie with mash for my main course, and that was very good. My partner had fish n chips we he liked very much, more so than other pubs he frequents. . Overall you can't go wrong here, it's a great place to relax while staying close to tourist sites. read more
Chilled ambiance! Small or large group. Outdoors seating for nice summer days! Super close to Big Ben, Westminster Abbey etc. The staff were warm and friendly. The g&t was super refreshing. This fish and chips..omg. I'd go again for it! read more
2 months ago
I picked The Red Lion for dinner largely because of its history. This spot has been around for centuries, and has seen its fair share of political figures and historical moments. You really feel that history when you're inside--it's like stepping into a piece of Westminster's past. The building's charm was a big draw for me. We kicked things off with the Scotch egg with aubergine chutney, and hands down, it was the best thing we ate! If you go, do yourself a favor and order this. For our main, we shared the Sharing Pie Board for two. The board was loaded with different mini pies--steak, chicken, and even a cauliflower & cheese one--along with mashed potatoes, roasted heritage carrots (which I loved), and more sides. While it was a nice sampler of English specialties, I realized I'm just not a huge pie fan. That said, if you are, this would probably be a hit for you. The atmosphere was interesting--it was packed when we arrived, with people spilling out onto the streets. Luckily, we had made a reservation and were seated upstairs in a quieter room with a lovely view of the bustling street below. It was amusing, though, to see how the tourists (like us) were seated upstairs, while the locals were all downstairs drinking. Overall, it was a nice experience, but mostly because of the history and that Scotch egg! read more
2 months ago
After an eventful morning of not only getting to see the changing of the guards at Buckingham palace, but also getting to see King George and Queen Camilla exit the area in their Royal motorcade, we worked up quite the appetite. Walking back towards the Westminster area, we noticed an eye-catching narrow pub called Red Lion. Now, as a Houstonian, I was intrigued in that one of the premiere British pubs in the Houston area is called Red Lion, and has the same crest/logo. This pub was packed with both patio, indoor, and upstairs seating. They had an attendant at the door, but seating is come and go, and there is no wait list. We found seating outside, and had a lovely time people watching. The menu is full of pub favorites like meat pies, fish & chips, bangers and mash, sticky toffee pudding, etc. there is staff that will walk through the restaurant to take plates, but you won't have a waiter. Order all food and drinks at the bar counter inside. Everything we tried was delicious, and we were incredibly pleased to try a couple of the "must-try" London delicacies. Some tips: If you don't know what sort of beer to get, go with one of their local British Ales. You can also always ask the bartender what they recommend. While the fish & chips were good, their version did not blow us away like some of the other dishes. Consider saving fish & chips for another spot. If you need to use the facilities I would do so here as it is free. Be prepared, there is a restroom (lavatory) upstairs, but it is a bit of a steep climb, and the restrooms themselves are slightly cramped. If you sit on the patio, and you find yourself sitting in the sun, which is somewhat rare for London, or in the rain, know that there is no awning or protection to block the elements. This was the first London pub experience, and it left me with a pleasant taste in my mouth. I'm sure there will be plenty more to come. Cheers!! read more
1 year ago
Fantastic food! Excellent service! Wonderful atmosphere! My teams first taste of London! Walking distance from all the great sights in London! read more
9 months ago
1 year ago
4 months ago
The Red Lion never disappoints. The hustle and bustle of the pub feel, feeling like a regular every time we go in. The tables are comfortable in the dining room with different styles to sit upstairs and downstairs. This is our fourth time and it is superb every time. The service is quick and food was unforgettable. Everything tasted fresh and a perfect temp. Everything was seasoned in a way to elevate the food and not overpower any one flavor. There is two dining options and outside seating, so there is something for everyone, including standing at the bar. There is a nice buzz in side and something that is easy to want to return to. read more
1 year ago
Stopped in here while out walking. Great atmosphere, and drinks. The pie sharing board was an excellent way to sample several different pies. It came with some mashed potatoes, and veg. Delicious, I highly recommend. read more
1 year ago
Beautiful pub in the middle of town. Good flavor food and nice workers. Can't miss the place. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Our first meal after arriving in London did not disappoint!!! The Red Lion (this location) came highly recommended by a neighbor of ours. We realized it was just a block from our hotel so we had a late lunch here. The downstairs bar area was jam packed, so we headed upstairs and Jose seated us and gave us great service! We had the fish & chips and loved that it was made with haddock! We also had a delicious chicken, bacon & leek pie. Suchva great meal with enjoyable conversation with Jose! We may be back again if time permits later on during our trip! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Stop by for dinner and it was very crowded. Luckily we had reservations. They were very accommodating with our 4 year old and stroller. We ordered the Traditional scotch egg, Truffled mac & cheese croquettes, Roasted bone marrow and London Pride steak & ale pie. We also ordered chicken and chips for the little one. Everything was delicious and the service was great. Washed it all down with a few pints and life was good. Definitely will be back when we visit again. read more
Our refuge at the conclusion of the Trooping of the Colours and we were fortunate to get a table immediately. The history of the pub and its location were perfect fits for our day and getting a small plate and drinks while the crowds sorted was needed. Give it a go and enjoy a drink in historic central London. read more
3 years ago
Landed from JFK at 9:30 am and we were oh so thankful that The Red Lion was able to seat us 45 minutes early, at 12:15 pm (highly suggest a reservation!). Pub food was the order of the day for our first proper London meal. Shared a delicious BLT on sourdough which included Mrs Owton's bacon, baby gem & beef tomato served with triple-cooked chips. Sandwich was delicious and the chips cooked to perfection. We also shared a Chicken, Bacon and Leek pie, served with mash and red wine gravy. The gravy made a fine dipping sauce for the chips. For our side that came along with the pie we chose the Courgette and Laverstoke Park Farm mozzarella salad that came with broad bean, pea, baby gem & lemon dressing. Service was incredibly friendly with plenty of smiles to go around. Along with a bottle of water, lunch cost 38.48 pounds (~ $47 US). There are several Red Lion locations and if I lived in London, I would happily put this on my list of regular rotation Pubs. And maybe even indulge in a pint the next time around! read more
Great notable pub in a terrific area. The history of this place was great to learn about as well. The staff were polite, attentive, and got us seated quickly. The organic Honeydew beer was flavorful, crisp, and fresh. Perfect way to wash down some quality fish & chips! read more
1 year ago
Made a reservation on a Friday back in February for lunchtime around 2pm and got seated right away. I ordered the fish & chips with curry and it wad fantastic. The fish was crispy but also so flavorful. I needed some extra tartar sauce to finish it all. The fries were really good too - ended up eating everything clean. The curry was a strong flavor which I wasn't used to but I did use some of it to eat my fries with. All in all the food was great. However, there was only one server upstairs who basically took care of orders, bussing the tables, bringing out the checks, and more. He had absolutely no support and there were perhaps about 10 full tables up there. Definitely overload for one person to work with - however he did work fast and diligently. If you are looking for a solid spot for lunch or dinner - check this place out! read more
1 year ago
Make this a stop. I did, twice! The first time was for dinner after painstaking research into Yelp and google reviews (only three nights, had to make our dinners count!). My sister and I called to make a reservation and then walked over from the Westminster Bridge area. We opted for the pie sharing board and two weeks later I am still thinking about it. The chicken, bacon, and leek pie in particular. The Cornish pie (or pasty, where I am from) was also wonderful. The potatoes and gravy were perfectly cooked and seasoned and the roasted veg, including beets, were like candy. I loved this meal!! Frankly I think I was too full to really enjoy the dessert but the custard was very tasty and it too was perfect for sharing. The next day we found ourselves near here again after a tour so we took a chance and stopped to see if we could get a table. The bartender/server from the night before remembered us and ushered us right upstairs despite not having a reservation. He was absolutely amazing and i wish we had more days there to take advantage of some of his recommendations for seeing the area. This lunch is where I had my London fish and chips I was expecting. No pics of that because I dove right in but it was beautifully breaded and crispy and flavorful. The peas were smashed with mint and that really was a great accompaniment. The whole pub is fun and clean and very close to parliament and a few different iconic spots so you can't beat the location. I loved hearing about the history of the place from our server too. read more
Page 1 of 4
More info about The Red Lion
48 Parliament Street
London SW1A 2NH
United Kingdom
Westminster
Directions
020 7930 5826
Call Now
Visit Website
http://redlionwestminster.co.uk
Hours
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
The Red Lion Reviews in Other Languages
Review Highlights - The Red Lion
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
17 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
17 years ago
3 years ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
10 months ago
2 years ago
9 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
14 years ago
10 years ago
