The White Lion

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#1 of 3 Restaurants in Niton££ - £££, Bar, British, Vegetarian friendly

+44 1983 719402+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

11:00 - 22:00

Mon

11:00 - 23:00

Tue

11:00 - 23:00

Wed

11:00 - 23:00

Thu

11:00 - 23:00

Fri

11:00 - 23:00

Sat

11:00 - 23:00

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

418 reviews

#1 of 3 Restaurants in Niton

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Bar, British, Pub, Gastropub, Vegetarian friendly

“Best fish and chips”

“We immediately booked to return for the delious looking fish and chips.”

Special Occasion Dining, Groups, Bar Scene

“Great food & beer.”

“Good pub food”

Location and contact

High Street, Niton PO38 2AT England

+44 1983 719402

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Is this restaurant good for dinner?

Yes

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Details

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About

The White Lion, which is owned and run by the Holmes family, is a beautifully renovated traditional village pub situated in Niton on the Isle of Wight. The gastropub features six luxury B&B rooms, meaning you can experience a relaxing stay here. Situated in the Southern side of the Isle of Wight, this pub is lucky to be surrounded by rolling hills and picturesque beaches. The White Lion is proud to have our kitchen run by talented chefs whose aim is to provide fantastic fresh tasty food created with as much local produce as possible, within an elegant and relaxed atmosphere. This gastropub is the only pub setting on the Isle of Wight to be awarded with an AA Rosette (correct at time of publishing). We offer a family orientated and dog friendly pub with a small children's play area to keep them entertained whilst you ca

PRICE RANGE

£6.00 – £19.00

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub, Gastropub

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.5

418 reviews

Excellent

266

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

Dan Signwriter

59 contributions

Perfect meal for 4

Jun 2021 • couples

We turned up without a booking at a lunch time, but we're greeted by very friendly professionalism , shown through the Covid process and seated at a nice table. All the staff were friendly, the place looks very nice, and the service was excellent. I had a Caesar salad to start which was fantastic, and a vegetarian roast dinner which was absolutely delicious. The local ale was served perfectly, and the Panna cotta for pudding was fantastic too. We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit, all the food was locally sourced, cooked with great care and tasted perfect, it really couldn't have been better! The price was reasonable too, there should be visits here for staff and owners of some other places on the island, to teach them how to do it properly. :)

Written 7 June 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mr Harry B

Hampshire308 contributions

Don't panic, Don't panic in a crisis there's always The White Lion at Niton

Mar 2020 • none

Having previously eaten at The White Lion in Niton, it's Mothers Day and dinner was needed. Given the UK is in the midst of the pandemic virus we called upon The White Lion to supply a take away/out meal, and we weren't disappointed. Ordering the food was made easy, we had Turkey, Beef & a Vegetarian roast, collection was even easier, all the food was individually wrapped in take-away type containers. As per my previous visit the food was cooked and still presented to the 'Lion's very high standard. Well done to all the staff at The White Lion for "keeping calm and carrying on"! I look forward to returning for a sit down meal when the UK returns to normality.

Written 22 March 2020

U&RUMC

10 contributions

An excellent place to eat

Jun 2021 • none

My husband and I visited this pub/restaurant as a change from the excellent restaurants in Shanklin - we weren't disappointed! We were made very welcome from host and waiters and enjoyed an excellent three course meal with drinks for £50 - what a bargain. The menu was innovative and imaginative. When I asked for a dessert which did not appear on the menu, our waiter obliged. Well done to all concerned - we will certainly visit again!

Written 20 June 2021

Wight Lady

Isle of Wight210 contributions

Good Food, Good Service but Not Good on the Bill

Sept 2021 • none

What to say? Lovely clean, well-kept pub with really friendly servers. Slightly unusual menu including guinea fowl, pigeon, lamb comfit etc. The food was well cooked and nicely presented and the service was great. We both enjoyed the meal BUT with no starter and no dessert we found this very expensive. As we walked out after paying, my friend noticed we had been charged for 6 Lattes whereas we had only ordered 4. Going back in we were refunded in cash the price of two coffees. The receipt was left at the till. On arriving home, my friend tried to tally the cost and there was no way she could make it come to the amount charged (even with the refund for coffees). I politely emailed the pub, giving a list of what we had ordered and asked them to check the price. Three days later, still no reply to my email. We had ordered 4 Coffee Lattes (originally charged for 6), 1 Sparkling water, 1 Diet Coke (small), 1 Small Caesar Salad with chicken (no egg), 1 portion chunky chips, 1 Flatbread (Minute steak) for a cost of £52.40 which was reduced to £47 with the refund for 2 coffees. I emailed the Inn on 22nd September (the day we had visited) I received an acknowledgement at 18.28 on 25th September saying my email would be sent to the Manager I heard from the Manager (Adam) at 18.08 on 28th September saying he didn’t know what else had been put on our bill – possibly drinks but agreed we had been overcharged. Do we live local? I emailed back within the hour to say we did not live local and could the refund be done by BACS I heard back at 15.08 on 2nd October that the money could be refunded to my friend’s card if so wished. I replied within a couple of minutes to say yes please. At 19.40 on 2nd October I heard back that this would be easier done in house to which I replied that my friend did not live local so could he please do the refund by BACS. I would get the details and send them to him. I emailed the BACS details just after 09.00 on 3rd October and as of lunchtime on 5th October, still awaiting either a reply or refund. 13 days and still no refund Very poor customer service to what was not a complaint, but a query as to whether the bill had been correctly made up. Online ordering pads would have a record of our table/bill. Two mistakes on one small bill is unacceptable as is waiting this length of time for the problem to be sorted.

Written 5 October 2021

Mrs L

Isle of Wight1 contribution

Disappointing! Nice decor, shame about the food and price!

Oct 2021 • none

We live on the Island, so just booked last minute as our usual choices over that side of the Island were fully booked. When we arrived we were surprised the dining room only had a couple tables occupied. We ordered two drinks, one fruit cider and one diet coke, both from the pump, neither of which tasted nice at all but thought that was just our personal taste. I had a Steak and Ale Pie from the specials board. Which was nice to be fair but was tiny and the vegetables were cooked to within an inch of their life, so the meal was ok but not great. My husband had "The White Loin Burger" Although it sounded lovely from the description on the menu, in reality was bland, it was also small and was even served on a saucer/side plate. However, the most disappointing part, apart from the price at £14 was the amount of fluid (water & fat) that literally poured out of the burger whilst he was eating it. This was actually quite difficult to catch all the juice given the size of the plate it was served on. Thankfully, he had already eaten the skinny fries otherwise they would have been soaked, not pleasant at all! Also for the amount of money it was, you would at least have expected some garish but nothing else. It has to be most expensive and worst burger he has ever had. It was that bad McDonalds is far better! I asked to speak to the Manger, who was pleasant and said he would let the kitchen know .We were then presented with the bill however there was no apologises or offers to make amends given that the manager had witnessed the fluid swimming around on the plate and agreed it wasn't nice and shouldn't be like that. Sadly, this is the first and last time we will be visiting there. We wondered why it was so empty on a Sunday at that time when everywhere else was booked solid, it might be unfair but perhaps we now know why.. Very disappointing indeed!

Written 17 October 2021

G&D

1 contribution

Very disappointing

Sept 2021 • none

This place was recommended to us so it was extremely disappointing to be served, after a very long wait, less than average food including very unpleasant tasting chips. The live music was dreadful and way too loud; other diners in our part of the restaurant were either in fits of laughter or sitting with their fingers in their ears! Nobody checked if we were happy with our food until we were presented with the bill. When we said we were very dissatisfied the staff shrugged shoulders and walked off.

Written 14 September 2021

Simon

Brighton16 contributions

Well worth the journey to the south of the IOW

Jul 2021 • family

A loverly pub restaurant situated in the small village of Niton, not often visited by tourists but widely known by the IOW residents a pleasant country Lane drive from Newport or Cowes Situated on the lower part of the IOW. As you enter the White Lion you are welcomed by a magnificent setting, the menu offers a wide variety of mouth-watering starters, I recommend the scallops. The main course selection of either steaks, pies, burgers , fish n chips had the warmth & taste of good home-made food. The white Lion takes great care in selecting the best quality of local ingredients. The staff were very attentive with good quality service and a loverly smile from our waitresses was a added bonus to complete a delightful dining experience, a very pleasant change from the many chain pubs on the IOW serving only average food For this reason I highly recommend going to the White Lion

Written 1 August 2021

mick W

Kent31 contributions

Great food

Sept 2020 • none

We hadn't been to the White Lion for a few years, but knowing it changed hands last year we thought we'd give it a try again. The place has been refurbished inside, and is nice and light, plus the tables have been well spaced for social distancing, plus the usual sanitising points etc. The staff are faultless, friendly, helpful but not intrusive, and are doing a wonderful job, the beer is well kept too. However, the food ! Wow, just wow. It's not two meals for a fiver and kids eat free, it's high quality ingredients, carefully prepared and beautifully presented. This is something special, and at reasonable prices too. If you went here in the past and were disappointed, do give it another go, the new owners and the staff have worked wonders. Oh, and yes, we went back (several times) during our holiday. If I could I'd mark it six out of five.

Written 17 September 2020

Lexi

3 contributions

Very good food and service

Aug 2020 • friends

After finding it hard to book everywhere, the white lion managed to fit in 6 of us at 8 on a busy Monday evening. The food was great, the duck, the lamb and the burger came out very well presented and tasted so good! The dessert could of been a bit bigger but it tasted very good, we all left on a full stomach. Service was very good too, the waiting staff were very professional, friendly and up for a bit of banter. Will definitely be back!

Written 26 August 2020

fork_handles

Luton2104 contributions

Generally Good

Feb 2022 • couples

We stayed at The White Lion for two nights in February 2022. The room we had was newly refurbished and very comfortable although felt like it had a lot of clutter in, drawers, tables etc but yet no space for a chair to sit on so there was only the option of laying / reclining on the bed or sitting on a little pouffe up against the wall. The front of house welcome was excellent from Manager Scott, as was the first morning breakfast service, also from Scott who demonstrated the highest standards. Unfortunately our second night meal and breakfast on the morning of departure were overseen by different members of staff who lacked the skills Scott clearly had. The evening meal was ok but not great with liver arriving at the table almost rare which I would have said should never be like that as offal should always be cooked. Also drinks orders were mixed up and the service from the waiting staff was not great. The following morning’s breakfast also generally demonstrated poor customer service and table skills from the staff. If this is indeed truly intended to be a gastropub, then they need to ensure that the staff are fully aware of serving etiquette at all times as that is half of what people pay for. Overall the stay was generally enjoyable but due to the room size the place is probably better for a couple of nights stay rather than any longer.

Written 27 March 2022

Mark Holmes

Thank you for your feedback. We are pleased you enjoyed your visit and hope to see you again soon!

Written 29 May 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

samuelgeorge2014

Fleet10 contributions

Blown me away

Oct 2020 • none

This pub is like a Tardis. Small on the outside, BIG on the inside. It blew me away by how cosy and spacious it felt. The bar was bright and full of all the liquor you could choose from! Soon as we were sat at our table, the waitress came over and took drink orders. 2 minutes later, another came with menus and it was so good. They are brilliant at their job. Drinks came quickly too. We ordered and the food took some time to come but when it came, WOW. Mushrooms on the special were delicious and full of flavour!! I had the sirloin steak with chips. I know that it is boring but seriously, these guys cooked with care and passion in their food. The steak was seasoned all over and every bite was so good. The home-cut triple cooked chips were so good too. Blue cheese sauce was so good with the steak. I thought about having a pud and wanted sorbet when I decided on the option of Mango Souffle and Mango sorbet. I assumed it was going to be a souffle with a little mango flavour. It came to a little while after my friend's cheeseboard being served hence being freshly cooked. The look was brilliant and the smell was lovely. The taste, however, WOW! AMAZING! Sean (The Head Chef) had the right person working on the dessert section making desserts just perfect. This place deserves a Michelin star and fast! Well done to the team of the White Lion. You've got a customer for life!

Written 27 October 2020

Puzzler16

Isle of Wight66 contributions

A Fine Dinning Experience

Jul 2021 • friends

1st time visit we found it virtually empty. Upon initially viewing the menu we wanted to leave, as it did not have the range of a lot of the pubs on the IOW and was very expensive by island standards. I am very glad we stayed and gave it a go. The home made steak and ale pie was outstanding together with the presentation. The portion sizes of our meals were small to average but of high quality. Staff were quick and efficient. I would view it as a gastro type pub for special occasions. 3 meals with drinks, no desert about £45. I would definately come back again.

Written 1 July 2021

Lisa N

Isle of Wight62 contributions

Family meal out

Jul 2021 • none

I was in two minds to leave this review because we are local people and this is a local business but a couple of things need to be ironed out. Before that though can I say that the food is EXCELLENT. What came out of the kitchen was above average and its the reason we have been here previously as some effort is made. However on our vist yesterday it was let down by poor service and we have got the 'hump' and so probably wont come back. The pub was busy but not full and there seemed to be plenty of staff and we would suggest some are relatively new (not a problem everyone has to learn) we were booked for 1930 and arrived early. We understand that chef has to plan what he is doing BUT the two starters we ordered did not appear until around 1955. They were asparagus so not something that requires a lot of time. Our main course did not arrive until around 20.40 ish now thats far too long. As a result we did not feel like desert. The other things that concerns me is the fact that when we were asked for drinks my 18yo daughter was refused. Now I FULLY UNDERSTAND that is the right of the landlord as she could not produce any ID.

Written 15 July 2021

Bacchus68

Cheshire73 contributions

High-end restaurant quality food at gastropub prices

Sept 2020 • couples

Having driven past this pub a couple of times, we thought we’d try it for dinner during our stay on the island. What an excellent choice. A quaint, archetypal English pub in the middle of the village, this does not disappoint. We ate a couple of nights after a new menu had been introduced. The regular menu contains the usual favourites that one would expect in such places but the Specials menu was something else. I thoroughly recommend the Beef Fat Crumpet for first course. My husband had Cod Kiev for mains which hit the spot and the lamb that I had was perfectly cooked. Mango sorbet with mango ice cream & Raspberry parfait with Eton Mess we’re perfect puds. Presentation throughout was excellent and was the friendly service. We have been lucky to eat in some fabulous restaurants over the years and the White Lion could meet them, if tonight’s experience was anything to go by. Booking recommended.

Written 14 September 2020

richard w

United Kingdom9 contributions

Pleasantly surprising lunch stop

Jul 2021 • couples

We were looking for an individual, non Brakes brothers style,pub. The White Lion didn't disappoint Excellent freshly cooked food worth waiting for. Great pie,very friendly helpful staff.

Written 7 July 2021

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