The Red Lion

Someone from this business manages this listing.

#1 of 1 Restaurant in Milton BryanBar, British, ££ - £££

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.

The Red Lion

Review

At a glance

Closed now

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Website

+44 1525 210044Improve this listing

About

Travellers' Choice

2024

Welcome to The Red Lion, “Home of the Best Sunday Roast”. We took over this wonderful pub back in 2016. We are very excited to have such a lovely, warm and Idyllic pub in the heart of Milton Bryan, Bedfordshire. Please come down and visit us and our lovely team, whether it be for a drink or two, or to have a meal and sample some of our delicious dishes. We look forward to meeting you very soon. Daniel, Narelle and the Team.

Features

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub, Gastropub

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner, Drinks

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

American Express

Dog Friendly

Free off-street parking

Free Wifi

Full Bar

Highchairs Available

Mastercard

Outdoor Seating

Parking Available

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Table Service

Television

Validated Parking

Visa

Wheelchair Accessible

Wine and Beer

Location

South End, Milton Bryan MK17 9HS England

Free off-street parking, Parking Available, Validated Parking

Does this restaurant allow dogs or considered pet friendly?

Yes

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Save this restaurant

Hours

Suggest an edit

Closed now

• Opens at 12:00 PM

Sunday

12:00 - 19:00

Monday

12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 21:30

Tuesday

12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 21:30

Wednesday

12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 21:30

Thursday

12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 21:30

Friday

12:00 - 21:30

Saturday

12:00 - 21:30

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4.3

607 reviews

Excellent

364

Very good

129

Average

Poor

Terrible

Anneliz

Bedford4 contributions

A Gem of a Pub that Never Disappoints

Aug 2024 • family

It’s always a pleasure to return to this lovely pub, and my recent visit was no exception. We had the fillet steak, which was cooked to perfection, and the chicken burger was crispy and delicious. The truffle and Parmesan fries were an absolute treat—simply yummy! The food is consistently well-presented and bursting with flavor. The friendly staff provide outstanding service, making every dining experience truly enjoyable. Special mention to Dan and Narelle, who always go above and beyond to ensure that customers have an amazing time in such a welcoming environment. Highly recommended!

Written 8 August 2024

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.

Jane D

7 contributions

BEST BURGERS IN BEDS/BUCKS.

Jan 2025 • couples

Last time we visited was just as Covid lockdown were being eased. I really wanted a proper Ploughman’s lunch and true to the website menu description it was Fantastic. We have not had chance to re- visit until 31.1.25 for lunch. We both ordered Burgers with a side of fries. Both burgers were pure meat, tasty, chunky and 100% full of flavour. Probably the best burger I’ve ever eaten. I do enjoy a brand with a 5 in its title. But sorry guys these burgers are definitely one to beat. We will definitely be going back for lunch again soon. The 2 members of staff (one male,one female)were very professional and were happy to serve you. Fantastic. Very nice atmosphere inside and the garden areas were plentiful, lots of parking. Go visit, if you go once I believe you’ll go again and again.

Written 1 February 2025

Jenick

Bedfordshire10 contributions

Simply the best !

Feb 2024 • couples

We had an excellent meal for our valentines lunch today. It’s 7 tears ago today my husband and I had our first meal out in this beautiful restaurant and the food has never once disappointed us, if anything it gets better and better. The chef is clearly very passionate about his food and the waiting staff are always attentive. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend The Red Lion whether for a casual meal out or a very special occasion .

Written 14 February 2024

giblau95

Bedford3 contributions

HEALTH RISK

Jan 2025 • family

For ease I will list the many faults with our visit rather than an essay about the horrific and dangerous service we received from this restaurant: - table booked for 5pm, waited 40 minutes to be sat down as the previous table were yet to finish their meal - once seated we were advised a large amount of the menu was unavailable so were left with a very slim choice of meals - ordered a Diet Coke and was given a full fat coke, being diabetic and pregnant this was tested before consuming so made staff aware and ordered another. Was presented with ANOTHER full fat coke after explaining to the staff how important it is due to being diabetic so opted for a bottle whilst they checked their pumps. Turns out they had both hooked up to full fat coke which is beyond negligent - during our meal no one checked if our food was okay or offered us any extra drinks so we had to go back to the bar ourselves to reorder - when presented with the bill they had charged us for the 2 incorrect full fat cokes AND an additional bottle of Diet Coke that was never ordered - they also added the service charge to our bill which quite frankly is laughable considering the service we received and the huge health risk caused by their negligence No apology was offered for the experience, safe to say we will not return

Written 26 January 2025

Hannah H

1 contribution

Tasty food, but dreadful service

Feb 2025 • family

We were told at 5pm that they had run out of pork and beef - only 4 portions of lamb left at 5pm on a Sunday! Ridiculous. The whole point was to go for a Sunday roast! We waited 45 mins for our mains (2 adults and 1 kids meal). We ordered our food, the waiter forgot the side that we had ordered which arrived when we had finished our mains! No one checked on our mains, offered condiments and we were charged for extra gravy for a kids roast! We were then told there was only 1 portion of crumble left for dessert, which again is disappointing. We waited another 40 minutes for a crumble, sticky toffee and kids ice cream! And to top it all off, service charge added onto the bill! The food was tasty, but the terrible service and service charge let this pub down! A real shame.

Written 9 February 2025

Narelle Turner

Hi Hannah, We are saddened to hear of your disappointment on this occasion. There are ways you can secure a roast on Sundays, by either booking and mentioning in the comments section that you would like to reserve a roast, or just drop us a call. I hope you can appreciate we only serve 12-6pm on Sundays and being so popular on the odd occasion we run low or sell out, apologies. I hope this doesn’t deter you from a revisit.

Written 19 March 2025

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

Trina K

4 contributions

Service needs improving

Oct 2024 • family

Waited 15 minutes for drinks . Visited on a Sunday booked for 4.45 , wanting a Sunday roast , they had run out of pork and cauliflower cheese , limited lamb not enough for our table of 5 .. told this happens every Sunday and we should of booked for earlier in the day ! . Also limited choice of desserts remaining The food we had was very nice and a nice pub . The wine was plonked on the table and not opened or served .. when you are adding a 14% service charge service needs to be much better

Written 20 October 2024

Clairking12

30 contributions

Great food, awful service

Oct 2024 • family

Beautiful pub in a rural location. The food was delicious however the service was dire. 6 of us arrived at 6pm when the pub opens so it wasn’t busy, however all 3 waitresses couldn’t muster a smile between them. There was eye rolling and sighing … clearly a lack of motivation and staff morale… perhaps because there was a service charge automatically added to our £320 bill so they felt they didn’t need to try and make us feel welcome? Either way we won’t be running back anytime soon, which is a shame as we are locals and the locally produced food is very tasty!

Written 28 October 2024

JKW

3 contributions

Adequate

Mar 2024 • family

We have been eating here for the last 25 years, and unfortunately, we felt the standard of food was only adequate this time. The 'sticky pudding' was soggy and drenched in a sugary sauce, not the light sponge and delicious caramel sauce we are used to. The main meal of a burger and fries was ordinary and on the small side. The waiters were really helpful, but the landlady appeared unfriendly and more interested in the locals and eating her meal at the bar. At no time were we asked if everything was ok. There is just a sense here that you are lucky to be dining there, rather than a focus on customer service. Staff at the top, you need to sort this. Such a beautiful venue.

Written 30 March 2024

Strumpet

21 contributions

Lovely food, dreadful service

Jul 2024 • friends

Booked for Sunday lunch with 3 friends. So unorganised. When we were finally sat, it was 30 mins before we were given our drinks. 2 tables were complaining about their bills. One has extra stuff on and the other were saying they hadn’t been charged for any of their desserts. Only one lady seemed to be taking orders snd the other 3 girls clearing tables. When we finally got our meals, one came out and the other 3, 5 minutes later. The food was delicious but the service terrible. When we asked to order dessert, the girl scowled at us then tutted then said as long as you’re quick !! The table next to us waited so long for someone to clear their plates that they just got up and left. When we asked for the bill, it was nearly double what it should have been so we had to query that. I’ve been a waitress for over 20 years regularly working a busy Sunday lunch shift and must say I can’t remember seeing such a badly run restaurant. How on earth they balance their tills at the end of a shift….

Written 1 July 2024

timbevan594

Heath and Reach10 contributions

Constructive Feedback

Aug 2024 • family

A return visit to this quaint village pub. A wonderful location. However, we were disappointed not to receive a welcome and the general service was below the usual standards we’ve come to expect. The bitter pumps were playing up as we were told the Greenking IPA was a new barrel only for it to go off for the next round. Similarly the replacement was also off and not of a drinkable quality. Food was acceptable, but it took more than 15 minutes to clear the plates only after we had brought it to their attention. It wasn’t busy and the impression was that the staff were not customer focused and didn’t seem like they wanted to be there. Even though we had complained and asked to see the manager they did not engage with us. Our visit on this occasion was tainted by this experience but I am sure with a back to basics approach there can be some easily achievable improvements.

Written 3 August 2024

WoodwardBZ

Bedfordshire15 contributions

Yet another disappointment.

Mar 2024 • couples

My wife and I keep going back to this very pretty pub in the lovely village of Milton Bryan. We keep going back, even though it usually disappoints. My wife and I went yesterday for a late lunch. We were in a bit of a hurry, but was seated promptly. We ordered the chicken wings to share, which were very nice, but crazy spicy. My wife had the Cauliflower Cheese soup which turned up with bread and a small dish of butter. I had the Black and Blue Burger with hand cut chips. Both the soup and the burger were unbelievably salty, to the point of ridiculous. Even the dish of butter had more salt sprinkled on top of it. The chef obviously has a real passion for salt. Nobody came to check if our meal was ok, and as we had somewhere to be afterwards, we persevered with the meal. We’re not usually complainer’s, and prefer to just put it down to experience rather than ruin the occasion, as was the case yesterday. We both spent the rest of the day drinking glass after glass of water. We have had very nice meals in the past at this pub, but we have also had several bad experiences with the quality of the food and poor service. It’s reasonably local to us so we really want to support it, but I don’t think it’s actually as good as the owners think it is. What a shame.

Written 24 March 2024

richard c

3 contributions

Bad experience for my wife’s Birthday meal

Jul 2023 • family

We came to the Red Lion for my Wife’s birthday meal and it was a night to forget. We waited over 1.5 hours for our food with a young hungry child and asking if we could have his ASAP which wasn’t even noted. We watched orders taken after us brought out before us some parties of 5 we were 3 adults and 1 x 2 year who was hungry. When we got our food I was missing the bacon from my burger and my wife got my chips and I got hers. We were told we were next after the manageress realised one table was served before us then 10 minutes later brought out the table the other side and we were there before both of them. Not a child friendly Pub and a really bad experience which we will never be returning to and will advise people we know not to go to. We were given 2 free drinks and after i mentioned no bacon it was removed from the bill.

Written 26 July 2023

toby m

2 contributions

Very disappointing…

Oct 2024 • family

Don’t know what’s happened to this place over the last few months. Service is awful and the beer is undrinkable. We came in wanting a quick drink, most tables had dirty plates on, the beer was served in dirty glasses and was flat and warm. We are locals and keep coming back to this pub for meals despite multiple disappointing trips. The food is not bad but the service ruins it all. Never greeted with a hello, always have to order drinks at the bar, there is no manager in sight and the staff don’t seem to care at all. And then at the end of it all you are charged an astronomical 14% service charge. We won’t be returning any time soon.

Written 26 October 2024

Ian F

Birmingham10 contributions

Excellent Sunday lunch

Mar 2024 • family

Once again we had an excellent Sunday lunch, The dog was given a Sunday lunch which she thoroughly enjoyed. The roast dinner was generous with ample well cooked meat and a wide variety of vegetables. Definitely going back.

Written 17 March 2024

Shanger

Milton Keynes38 contributions

Cannot fault this place

Jan 2022 • friends

Excellent friendly service, the food took a while to come but was so well worth the wait, really well cooked tasty food at a really good price. This was one of the best roast dinners we have had recently, cannot fault anything. Great credit to the staff as there friendly service and attention to detail makes this place rally stand out.

Written 9 January 2022