Red Lion — Restaurant in East Suffolk

The Red Lion: An Unforgettable Feast for the Senses

Embarking on a culinary adventure at The Red Lion is akin to discovering a hidden gem in the vast landscape of dining experiences. My journey began on a Saturday, where the menu promised an enticing mixed grill, but delivered an experience far beyond. The ensemble of beef steak, gammon steak, and chicken was nothing short of a masterstroke in flavor harmony, each element cooked to perfection. Accompanied by chips and tomatoes, this feast was a prelude to a dessert that deserves its own sonnet - the sticky toffee pudding with custard. This was not just food; it was an edible embodiment of comfort and joy.

Compelled by the previous day's symphony of flavors, I returned on Sunday. The Sunday roast, a quintessential British tradition, was elevated to an art form at The Red Lion. The meat was succulent, the vegetables were a celebration of texture and taste, and the gravy was a rich, flavorful embrace. The decision to indulge in not one, but two sticky toffee puddings for dessert, was a testament to their irresistible allure.

But what sets The Red Lion apart is not just its incredible food. Following a staggering investment of over one million pounds, the pub exudes an atmosphere that is at once inviting and vibrant. The ambiance is a carefully crafted tapestry of warmth and celebration, making every patron feel like part of a community. The staff, with their genuine smiles and attentive service, are the heart of this establishment. They ensure that the incredible experience is not just limited to the palate but extends to every aspect of your visit.

And let's not forget the value - "The pub will keep your belly and wallet full," is not just a saying; it's a promise fulfilled. In a world where quality often comes at a premium, The Red Lion stands as a beacon of exceptional culinary delights that are accessible to all. It's a testament to the establishment's commitment to not just feeding its patrons but delighting them.

In conclusion, The Red Lion is not just a restaurant or a pub; it's an experience. It's a place where memories are made, where every meal is a celebration, and where the vibe is always incredible. Whether it's the flawless execution of a mixed grill, the comforting embrace of a sticky toffee pudding, or the welcoming atmosphere that greets you, The Red Lion is in a league of its own. A rare 6/5 star experience, it's a place you'll find yourself returning to, time and time again, for the amazing staff, incredible food, and unbeatable value. Truly, The Red Lion is the epitome of...

On August 31st we ate at the red lion to celebrate my dads and younger sisters 21st birthdays… and wow was that one ruined birthday meal!

We had starters and they were all fine, and the young waiter Charlie was delightful. The problems started when the mains arrived. I ordered a steak, cooked medium, as soon as it was put in front of me I could see it was extremely over cooked. But I do not like to complain so tried a piece and it was inedible. To which I let Charlie know and he straight away saw what I meant and took it straight back to the kitchen. Everyone one carried on eating because really how long does it take to cook a steak to medium. No more than 10 minutes. Well 15/20 minutes passed at which point a female staff member with short red hair walked passed, and I asked if my steak was going to come back to which, I got no apology for the wait just a shrug and “I’ll check”. Then when she came back she told me it would be yet another 5 minutes. By this time everyone had finished their meals and I just said not to bother with it because everyone else had finished. To which I got an eye roll, again no apology and the worst attitude from someone in a restaurant ever. She didn’t even respond, walked off and just came back to declare it had been taken off the bill. I should have thought so.. I didn’t get to eat!

At this point we didn’t know she was the only manger in the building so I went to another member of staff and asked for a member of management, to which he told me it was the last with the short red hair. So I explained what had happened to him. He relaid our displeasure with her and she stomped over to the table to say “Erm, I hear you want to speak to me” I responded with “not really, I will speak to someone else at another point.” To which, I got yet another eye roll and she just walked off.

I couldn’t believe the attitude that this “manager” was displaying, never have I been spoken to or been treated like this when eating out! A simple “sorry” would have gone a long way! But not once did she apologise.

Needless to say we won’t be returning, even though in the past this has been a go to for family meals, which, with the cost of living going up won’t be happening very often anymore and it is a shame that that’s how we are treated...

Our 1st visit .We called in on our way home on Thursday about 1pm. The car park was quite full so we weren't confident about getting a table. The couple infront of us decided not to stay as the waiting time was over half an hour. The young lady was polite and helpful explained there were no tables in the restaurant available and we could expect to wait up to 45 minutes. We weren't in a rush so decided to wait, she cleared a table with 2 chairs in the the bar. The interior is beautiful. The barman was extremely busy, and on his own, he was rushed off his feet, not only making bar drinks but trays of tea/coffee, he said he'd be with me as quick as he could. I ordered a lime/soda ( was no lime ) but I was offered an alternative and a pot tea. We chose our mains and I went back to the bar and ordered. The barman even though still very busy, was extremely helpful took time to discuss the menu and advise. I ordered a jug of water which he brought to the table immediately. 45 minutes later the food arrived, I'd ordered the steak/ale pie with mash and veg, my husband ordered fish/chips and peas, with extra tartare. The food was hot, presentation wasn't the best, the pie meal looked like it had been thrown on the plate and the veg was a ½ a sliced carrot a small sprig of broccoli, and a tablespoon of peas, the gravy was lumpy, but the meal tasted lovely, the pie was absolutely amazing. No issue with fish/chips/peas. We were to full to eat dessert I was gutted as was looking forward to it.. the price was ok for the amount of food served. All in all we enjoyed our 1st visit, it was extremely busy and I think under the circumstances the staff did well, but they did seem short-staffed. I think the gentleman on the bar (was maybe called Derek, and may have been Italian???) even though he was so busy nothing was to much trouble for him, so thankyou and yes we'll return for the leek dish on your...