The Golden Lion — Restaurant in Great Britain

Title: A Quaint Pub Experience with a Dash of Doc Martin at The Golden Lion, Port Isaac

Rating: ★★★★☆

Located in the charming coastal village of Port Isaac, The Golden Lion offers visitors a delightful pub experience, complete with a subtle connection to the beloved television series, Doc Martin. With its cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and a touch of local charm, this establishment captures the essence of a traditional English pub.

Upon stepping inside The Golden Lion, you'll be greeted by the warm glow of low-hanging lights, rustic wooden beams, and the comforting smell of home-cooked food. The interior exudes a timeless charm, transporting you to a bygone era. The pub is tastefully decorated with nautical accents, giving a subtle nod to Port Isaac's fishing heritage.

The staff at The Golden Lion are attentive, welcoming, and knowledgeable about the menu. Whether you're a local or a visitor, they'll make you feel right at home. The service is prompt and friendly, ensuring that you're well taken care of throughout your visit.

Now, for the Doc Martin enthusiasts, The Golden Lion's connection to the famous television series adds an extra layer of allure. As you may know, Port Isaac was the backdrop for the fictional village of Portwenn in the show. Fans will be delighted to discover that The Golden Lion served as the inspiration for the fictional pub, The Crab and Lobster. While Doc Martin himself may not make an appearance, the pub's connection to the series adds a touch of excitement for fans to relish.

Of course, no pub experience is complete without good food and drink. The Golden Lion's menu offers a variety of classic pub fare, including hearty pies, fish and chips, and delicious burgers. The ingredients are fresh, and the dishes are well-prepared, paying homage to the local flavors and traditions of Cornwall. Don't forget to try their selection of local ales and ciders, which perfectly complement the food and add to the overall authenticity of the experience.

A visit to The Golden Lion wouldn't be complete without taking a moment to explore the picturesque village of Port Isaac itself. Stroll along the narrow streets, lined with whitewashed cottages, or take a leisurely walk along the scenic coastal paths. The pub's location offers a perfect vantage point to soak in the tranquil beauty of the village and its stunning harbor.

While The Golden Lion may not be a place where Doc Martin himself frequents, it captures the essence of the show and the spirit of Port Isaac. So, whether you're a fan of the series or simply seeking a quintessential pub experience in a lovely coastal setting, The Golden Lion is sure to leave you with cherished memories of your time in Port Isaac.

Note: Please be aware that due to the evolving nature of businesses, it's always a good idea to check the latest information, such as opening hours and menu options, before visiting The...

Having moved to Tintagel in Cornwall during lockdown, we first visited The Golden Lion, Port Isaac in March 2022. What a fantastic find!

On our first visit, we walked through the door on a busy Sunday afternoon where Port Isaac locals and visitors alike were enjoying the views over Port Isaac harbour while listening to live music in the bar. We were warmly greeted by the landlady, Lisa. Although she was right in the middle of service, she took the time to welcome us and find us a great table in the snug area. We were settled beside the bar, with an open fire to keep us warm – perfect!

Fans of Doc Martin will recognize the pub from the series. It’s beautifully charming and characterful, with several roomy areas downstairs, an upstairs dining area and a balcony looking out over the harbour. Build in the 18th century, it has an old world nautical feel, where you can imagine swashbucklers and pirates enjoying a flagon ;-) The restrooms are clean and spacious. The pub is nestled in the heart of the sights and shops of the village.

We enjoyed that first afternoon immensely. The bar hosts a fantastic choice of local beers and cyders, lots of spirits, including local Cornish gins and a great menu of wine choices. The food was scrumptious. Fresh seafood and mussels, sandwiches, pies, burgers and daily specials. Since our first visit, we’ve returned on many occasions and have always enjoyed the flavourful dishes from the menu.

We love the atmosphere at The Golden Lion. Lisa and the team are always so friendly and welcoming. It is a proper local village pub, with a warm smile every time you return. We visit the pub regularly and always ensure that we bring friends to visit when they come to see us in Cornwall.

As locals, we are so lucky to have such a great place to visit. Support local and make sure you put The Golden Lion on your itinerary. You will...

My family and I visited the Golden Lion on 2 occasions during our stay in Port Isaac during the 1st two weeks in August. The website, which I'd checked out prior to our visit, made the pub look lovely for an evening out, my main reason for checking out websites was to book a table for my daughters 17 birthday, but The Golden Lion didn't allow bookings, so thought we'd visit during our stay on the first come basis. The first visit was on our 1st evening in Port Isaac, so we weren't aware that all of the restaurants stopped taking orders between 8pm and 8.30pm, so the 1st visit was disappointing. The second attempt we arrived at the pub at about 7.40pm thinking we have at least a chance of getting a table. The 1st thing we saw was a table directly in front of us with a reserved sign on top, which immediately made me wonder, the website clearly shows reservations are not taken. Having stood in the foyer for about 10 minutes, behind another couple waiting for a table, having been ignored by members of staff, the couple in front were thinking a table was being made available for them, only to be asked, 'you are here for drinks only?' to which they responded that they were hoping to eat. The waitress then very harshly told them that no further food orders were being taken that day. This was obviously disappointing, my wife and daughters were hungry, but the Golden Lion had stopped taking further food orders before 8pm. By this time we had stood in the entrance area for almost 15 minutes, but had been completely ignored during that time. Not only that, but the reserved table was still awaiting it's guests. Following all of the troubles and hardships caused by Covid, I was really surprised that pubs were not prepared to be a little more flexible to visiting guests who clearly were prepared to spend money. Very disappointing and we certainly won't...