The Red Lion

Someone from this business manages this listing.

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

+44 23 9238 6147+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

12:00 - 21:00

Mon

12:00 - 22:00

Tue

12:00 - 22:00

Wed

12:00 - 22:00

Thu

12:00 - 22:00

Fri

12:00 - 23:00

Sat

12:00 - 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

239 reviews

#1 of 3 Restaurants in Southwick

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

Someone from this business manages this listing.

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CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

features

Location and contact

High Street, Southwick PO17 6EF England

+44 23 9238 6147

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Does this restaurant have live music

Yes

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Details

Manage this business?

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Validated Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Playgrounds, Dog Friendly, Family style, Non-smoking restaurants, Gift Cards Available

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4.5

239 reviews

Excellent

201

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

Steve B

Hayling Island79 contributions

Fabulous meal

Apr 2021 • friends

We reserved a garden table as there were no pods or under cover tables available when we booked. However on arrival we were pleasantly surprised to be offered a choice of pods as most of those who had them reserved had not turned up, which is appauling behaviour. There is no excuse for it. The pub has limited outside tables and for parties to book pods and not turn up means a loss of income for the landlord. Maybe charge a £5 deposit for a pod might make people think twice. Rant over. We all ordered the beef and ale pie. It usually comes with chips but they were happy to serve with dauphinoise potatoes instead. The pie was packed with tender beef chunks and the pastry was beautiful baked and no soggy bottom either! For dessert I had the home-made sticky toffee pudding which was delicious with custard. You could taste the dates in it. Not the cheapest pub food but certainly up there with the best. Well done in these trying times.

Written 1 May 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.

jdavies41

Portsmouth23 contributions

Welcome back to the old Red Lion standards.

Feb 2020 • none

We used to go to the Red Lion regularly, but the original owners left and others came in, the service, food and general ambience gradually fell away. We had heard it is now on the way back and gave it a try. We were not disappointed and it is almost back to its best. The fact it was a Tuesday lunchtime and the restaurant was almost full infers other diners also thought it was good place to go again.

Written 11 February 2020

ShellPortsmouth

Portchester143 contributions

Family Meal

Aug 2020 • family

I booked a couple of weeks ago for a family meal as came highly recommended to us. Man who took the booking was very friendly on the phone. On arrival at the front door hand sanitizer was available then we were quickly greeted by friendly staff who showed us to our table. It was table service so ordered drinks and main courses. We were told there was a wait of 30-40 minutes for food. This was not a problem at all. In less than 30 minutes our food arrived and was absolutely fantastic. 4 x Steak and Guinness pies and 1 x Crab Salad from the specials board. The staff were so accommodating as one asked for new potatoes and the other mashed potato with their pie, rather than chips. Nothing was a problem. How we fitted in desserts I do not know but we enjoyed various flavours of ice cream, chocolate brownie and apple and summer berry crumble. To top off a perfect evening we found out that the pub had taken part in the Eat Out to Help Out government scheme so we got money off our bill. I completely understand how this lovely place came highly recommended. Thank you so much to all the staff working and we will visit again very soon.

Written 5 August 2020

Swanny1983

Thank you for such a wonderful review, we are so happy you enjoyed your time with us and look forward to seeing you again.

Written 8 August 2020

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

Peter H

Lee-on-the-Solent2 contributions

Excellent food at competitive prices

Feb 2020 • none

The Menu at the Red lion is not quite unique but has a fantastic reputation to be proud of. Most of the menu is made from scratch in their own kitchen by chefs that are really passionate about the quality and presentation of their food. It is a diner's delight, I struggle to choose from the menu as I could quite easily eat it all if I could. If you dare, try the extra-large Sunday Lunch, it certainly filled me up and was very delicious as well. On top of this, you have a family-run pub led by Calvin the landlord, everyone is given a hearty welcome and the staff are caring, polite and efficient. Nothing ever seems to be too much trouble and you as the customer are treated like royalty. There is a great selection of real ales but equally a wonderful array of other drinks as well. And if that was not enough the pub has been around for centuries, it is like going back in time when the local was part of the community. no hard sales, just excellent food, first-class ales, an attentive team and an ambiance unique to the Red lion. Need I say more.

Written 15 March 2020

Swanny1983

Thanks for the extremely thoughtful descriptive review. We are so happy you enjoyed your time with us

Written 8 August 2020

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

Luke Nukem

Portchester100 contributions

Fantastic in every way!!

Sept 2020 • family

Went there for a Sunday roast having (now realised stupidly) bypassses this place inexplicably for 10 years. First off the staff are the epitome of friendly, helpful and onpoint in everything they do. It was our first time here and you'd think we were beloved regulars. Second the food!, let me be Frank having eaten in virtually every pub in Portsmouth,, Portchester and Fareham you wont get better, either portion wise, in sheer quality or the effort they make when they present it We had the Sunday roast and wow, best pub roast ever. Everything tasted fantastic, I had the 'Big Daddy' plate which was all the meats and more of everything. It could have turned up 'slopped' on 'carvery' style but even this came out with thoughtful presentation. The wife had normal roast (lamb), the older boy had a kids lamb roast (bigger than an adult portion at some places) and the 2 lil ones had chicken nuggets and chips, which again came out not as the usual 'Iceland' cook up but as something genuinely appetising. For afters the wife had the crumble of the day. Again it was amazing and prob the best desert we've had in a pub. Faultless. I should also add that despite being a busy Sunday there was no excess waiting or delays in food or drink being served. The staff here are clearly on their game unlike alot of places, where oblivious staff let you wait 15 mins for a beer or an hour for food. So all in all an absolutely fantastic Sunday dinner, in a fantastic place with fantastic staff..... See where I'm going with this!!! Dont be silly and think "its just a Red Lion' and pass this treasure by like I've done for a decade. You'll fall in love with the place and staff!! In these hardest of hard times if any places deserve to stay open its these gems! Thanks for a great meal and experience!! Luke

Written 6 September 2020

Swanny1983

Wow What can I say to this review Luke only that it makes me smile a lot. Myself and my staff work hard so we can get this kind of reaction. We are so happy you enjoyed your time with us. We look forward to seeing you and your family again soon. Calvin

Written 7 September 2020

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

Matthew G

London103 contributions

Very mediocre dinner

Aug 2020 • family

Getting the booking was painful with dropped calls, in responded emails and date wrong. When we arrived I got criticised for going to the front door asking where the table was. I got an apology afterwards that they were going to put a sign up but hadn’t got around to it. The meal was very very average and overpriced compared to other restaurants in southwold. All in all it was over priced and very mediocre for the money,’better have fish and chips on the seafront.

Written 1 August 2020

Swanny1983

This is the wrong pub Matthew, please delete this if you can as you’ve reviewed the wrong business. I’ve never taken a booking via email and the entrance to the pub is round the front plus my food is not over priced. Thanks and I hope you’ll delete this

Written 1 August 2020

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

Michelle godwin

1 contribution

Food served cold - food not removed from bill. Long waits & chef seen outside smoking whilst handling food

Mar 2022 • family

We come today as a family to try before coming for Mother’s Day as we’ve heard many times how amazing it was. We arrive and even though drinks order was a little slow we had no problems waiting we could see they were busy. We order starters - a few come out and as we’re looking round for the rest for the children no more come so we ask. They’ve been missed off being cooked, roughly around 10 minutes later they arrive. By this point everyone else has eaten only the kids were left waiting. We get told we’re really sorry there be taken off the bill. So we bypass move on and wait for the mains. The adults all ordering roasts. They arrive around 20 minutes later. Firstly we have mix ups to what meat is on the plate they have to go back to the kitchen to find out. Couldn’t tell the difference between beef and lamb. From what we could tell we was missing a lot of veg other tables seemed to have more veg options as in cauliflower cheese. We didn’t, but we moved on again. We start to eat meats we’re all cold, my daughters actually went back as she refused to attempt to warm it up with gravy like the rest of us did. She was left eating potatoes and gravy for dinner, even though the potatoes were rock hard she needed to eat something before work. All the dinners had no real taste. We had to constantly take glasses up to the bar to get them out the way. The blinds kept needing to be moved as the sun was coming down witch was no issue. But it was boiling and to add the staff were still adding logs to the fire witch we was basically sat on top of. We was all squished round a smaller table and had to provide our own chairs when arriving due to there not being enough. Not once did anyone come see if we was ok after all our problems. We stand at the bar to pay the bill, after looking again didn’t have the food deducted as told. Whilst trying to pay we see 3/4 members of staff just standing around out back not a care in the world that we was about to pay £140 pound f or a meal that was awful. So we just paid and left. We say our goodbyes walk to the car to the back carpark. And we’ve never been so shocked. You have your kitchen team in and out the shed with food in there hands in the plastic trays whilst smoking!! Smoking and handling food we’ve just paid for and others are about to. Awful place. We intended to come back on Mother’s Day and we cancelled there and then. We also have others joining us on that day under different names. We have all decided to cancel due to fact no one seems to car and the poor handling off food hygiene.

Written 13 March 2022

Food Junkie

Portsmouth7 contributions

A real family run pub and very welcoming

Feb 2020 • none

I went here for a roast dinner with my family just before the lockdown, it was that nice we went back again, and must say it was the best I have had in a long long time. Not only is the food exceptional, but the presentation shows how much effort is put by the chef. The staff are extremely friendly, and it looked like it was a family run pub, as the bar tender and his wife were serving, they had two small children there, playing in the garden, and grandparents their too. A real welcoming pub with great food, great service and a great atmosphere

Written 29 September 2020

Swanny1983

Wow thanks so much for such a wonderful review. You are correct in your observation about this being a family pub. My wife Louise (who’s currently 8 months pregnant with our third) and I run this pub. We live onsite with our children and often our family visit. (Pre lockdown) We are so happy you enjoyed your food here and look forward to seeing you again soon. Calvin

Written 1 October 2020

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

Martin_Young_2004

Bognor Regis32 contributions

Great Pub And Staff

Sept 2020 • family

Visited today with family and 2 dogs. On arrival were made very welcome and although we arrived an hour early were told our table was ready anytime we wanted. We had a quick drink in the well maintained garden and went in to our table. The staff all made a real effort to look after us and we had a fantastic Sunday lunch. As with most Fullers pubs the London Pride was excellent and the food hot and plentiful. Unfortunatly I cannot name any of the staff (name badges?) but I thank all of you for today. Although we live 20 miles away the other half of the family live more local and is their 3rd visit. I will make sure its not too long before we are back again Keep up the great work !

Written 6 September 2020

Swanny1983

Thank you Martin for your kind words, although it says Fullers outside this is my own business. I’ve had it for nearly two years. I’m so happy you all enjoyed your time with us. I don’t give my staff name badges as like I said I’m not a chain pub. We hope to see you again very soon Thanks Calvin

Written 7 September 2020

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

747Trev747

Fareham34 contributions

Absolutely lovely..

Aug 2021 • friends

What a great evening … lovely welcoming staff, quietly attentive and absolutely first class food. The menu is not overly crowded - but a really nice selection of fresh, homemade meals, and a blackboard with some daily specials on it - all of which looked deliciously tempting. I wouldn’t normally eat all 3 courses but with food this good I happily made an exception, and I’m glad I did. Each course was delicious… This pub is clean and cosy and offers just about everything you want for a really good meal out. Fullers could do a lot worse than to send the staff from some of their other pubs in Portsmouth to the Red Lion to see how to really look after their customers …

Written 15 August 2021

Swanny1983

Wow, what can I say. I’m extremely pleased you had such a great time with us. Thanks again

Written 22 September 2021

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

Paul

3 contributions

Best lunch and cleanest toilets!

Jun 2021 • friends

Warm welcome, stuffed chicken had cheese and chorizo wrapped in pancetta, with stunning dauphinouse and a big side dish of perfect veg included. The tomato-ish sauce was moreish. Perfect seasoning... We both cleaned the plates! 👍SO Good that we had to try the crumble for dessert and it was equally superb. Hats off the best pub lunch I've ever had. Staff were friendly and funny, so refreshing. 11 out of 10....the exceptionally clean toilets for men and women gave a full extra point. The local competition should be afraid 🙂 well done and a big thank you

Written 24 June 2021

Swanny1983

Wow! Thank you so much for such a wonderful review, we look forward to seeing you soon.

Written 24 July 2021

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

LJWB

Hampshire110 contributions

Lovely family meal in wooden pod!

Apr 2022 • family

We hired the large wooden pod which has heating and lighting (I would describe it more like a wooden lodge, it was huge and very private). Could comfortably seat 8 people. Although it was a sunny day we did appreciate having the door to close off the outside as it was still a chilly April day. Heater kicks in straight away and doesn’t take long to get very warm. Also has a Bluetooth speaker inside which we used to put some music on, which was a nice touch. Food was lovely, nice selection for a Sunday as you didn’t have to choose a roast dinner. All good was amazing. Nice sized portions for the children too. We didn’t have room for desert although they looked amazing! Waitresses were very friendly & attentive and kept popping in to take our drink orders. The only reason I didn’t give a 5 was we did have to wait quite a while for the food, we did not mind this at all as we sat and chatted and realise it was a busy Sunday so this was fine with us. All in all a great family meal, will come again and definitely book pod for the privacy which is recommended if you’re celebrating an occasion with friends/family.

Written 11 April 2022

susan m

Warsash21 contributions

Christmas Lunch catch-up

Dec 2021 • friends

I’ve always loved the Red Lion so decided to take my friend there. We received a really lovely welcome and our drinks were brought to our table. We both ordered the Chicken Leek and Pancetta Suet Pudding with mashed potatoes, sprouts carrots and red cabbage, it was absolutely delicious, we were so impressed and the suet pudding was very adequate. We were offered extra gravy which was lovely. Absolutely wonderful meal, great service and a lovely ambiance. Will be visiting again very soon!!!!

Written 20 December 2021

Swanny1983

Thank you so much for such a wonderful review. We are all so happy you enjoyed your time with us at the Red

Written 31 January 2022

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

Charlotte R

4 contributions

Absoutley Amazing Wedding Venue!!

Jun 2022 • family

If i could rate higher there would be no doubt about it! We chose to book the Red lion for our wedding venue, we booked a year ago and Calvin had regular meetings with us to go through all of the arrangements, even one a few days before to double check everything. The day could not have been any better thanks to Calvin and his team. They had everything looking beautiful, they where there to announce things when it was needed. The food was another level of fantastic! There was just over 60 of us for a three course meal and every meal had amazing presentation it was all still hot and everyone was looked after. We had a buffet for over 100 people in the evening which was just what we wanted. All of the staff are polite, smiley and welcoming. Calvin could cater to whichever we wanted, even down to the welcome drinks. Also Jake who looked after us in the evening made sure everything ran smoothly, made sure we were happy and had everything we needed. everything ran so smoothly throughout the day, all of our family and friends had a great time! The pub is always clean, the gardens are amazing! We cannot thank the red lion enough for making our day so special and perfect! Thank you all again for making our wedding day so special for us!! Xx

Written 19 June 2022

Alison G

Havant74 contributions

Superb Sunday Lunch

Jan 2022 • none

Faultless roast beef and lamb lunch. The all fresh vegetables cooked to perfection and plentiful. As much gravy as you wanted and extra veggies if wanted (not needed) Tender meat cooked just how it should be. Dessert all homemade, very generous portions were delicious. Recommend the Syrup pud and the apricot bread and butter pudding, so light. The staff were super attentive but not intrusive. Drinks served at the table. And want to give a shout out about the amazingly clean ladies toilets, the cleanest pub toilets I’ve been in for decades. The ambiance was lovely, a real log fire and a real friendly and family oriented village pub. We’ll be back for Valentines the menu looks amazing.

Written 31 January 2022

Swanny1983

Thank you so much for your lovely words, we are so happy you enjoyed your time with us

Written 9 March 2022

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

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