Disappointed that there was no sea food choice as apparently the chef has a seafood allergy. The food we ultimately chose was good and very tasty. The staff and service was good. Nowhere on website does it say “no seafood” and we only found out at point of ordering.
Simon
Visited while on holiday with our dog, staff were very friendly and helpful as my wife is on a special diet. Food was really good and we, including our dog were welcomed.
Mariia Pashenko
It looks like a typical village pub, BUT it serves the food of a high end restaurant, the best lunch we had on the island.
Connie C
Booked a table for lunch here on Boxing Day. The options for food and drink were great, and our chosen dishes and tipples were fabulous. The menu included numerous game dishes, which suited my husband and me. We had a pigeon starter and venison for mains; these dishes and the others we had were truly delicious and served beautifully. All this was topped off with friendly and attentive service. I'd thoroughly recommend The Red Lion.
Stephen Paul
We were really looking forward to our meal. It was a birthday treat. Food was tasty but small portions, the roast beef just came with a small dish of cauliflower cheese between two, it was possible to order extra sides. My partner cant eat beef and there was no other option, so had the duck which was lovely. I had catch of the day, fresh mackerel. The room was a little cold and soulless, a log fire would have been lovely as it was a cheerless day, but there was a table placed right in front of it, so not possible.Don't expect good old pub grub, sadly.....
Graham Burks
Called in by chance whilst on a circular walk from Yarmouth. Ordered food (Tuesday Lunchtime) and it was outstanding. Really impressive. Would highly
Roger Ince
Wow, what a great little pub. The food is great, really worth a visit. Very friendly staff. Thanks for a great evening.
William R
A friendly pub catering for diners and locals alike. We shared a starter of mousse. My partner had the steak and ale pie which she found excellent - and the vegetable were good too. I went for the Confit of Duck. What I received, in my opinion, was a duck breast (not confit) but, to be fair, it was very good and served in an imaginative way with suitable vegetables and was thoroughly enjoyed. The only disappointment was the wine - a French Merlot which was thin, acidic and tired. I spent my life in the wine trade and like to think I know a good wine from a bad one. I only visit the Island once a year and will continue to dine at the Red Lion. The chef has imagination - so often lacking.
James G
Just dropped in for a casual lunch and we were gobsmacked at just how good everything was. Sean Jeffers' team, including Nick Gerring, formerly of the White Lion in Niton, cook astounding food; exhileratingly good grub! Don't know how they do it. And the front of house is calm, efficient and friendly - all very joined-up management. In truth, the best food we've ever had on the IoW
H1846DLelainep
Not sure about some of the poor reviews submitted but we visited for Sunday lunch and it was fantastic - had the beef crumpet, roast beef and the chocolate Malteser cremaux with honeycomb and it was delicious. What a gem of a place - wish we had a pub serving this standard of food where we live. All I can say is lucky Freshwater and IOW residents
Over the last few months the food has gone down hill - the roast beef was tough, the burger had no seasoning or flavour and the fish of the fish and chips was nothing like as good as it used to be. Also the pub was cold due to a lot of draught from the door and this was despite the wood burner being lit - we all had to keep our coats on. This is the 3rd successive poor meal, prior to that the food was good and we always enjoyed all of our meals there. Such a great shame.
heidie710
After all the 5 star reviews I read before our visit, we were underwhelmed by the food and the service. It is was very average.
Mike K
Booked for sunday roast, as two family members have Birthdays. Limited beers on tap and no local ales available. 2 waters,one j20 and one pint, £14.35. A roast was £18.00,comprised of 3 small roast potatoes, two slices of beef,Yorkshire pudding,a small spoon of carrot and a few leafy veg with a small pot of cauliflower cheese. The meal itself was to a good standard,so was the other mains. My concern was price to quantity,lack of local beers.
Ken Childs
Starter divine. Main fish was perfect. Chips awful. So overcooked. Did not look like chips. However customer service rating high. The issue was dealt with to my satisfaction thank you.
WarleyWasp
We had deliberately booked based on its reputation and we were not disappointed. Possibly the best bar service I have had since “Heston’s” in Bray. We had the doughnuts, crumpet and parfait which were sublime. My wife’s duck was superb as was the sticky toffee pudding. Could not recommend it more highly unless you mention the website is not correct!
Disappointed that there was no sea food choice as apparently the chef has a seafood allergy. The food we ultimately chose was good and very tasty. The staff and service was good. Nowhere on website does it say “no seafood” and we only found out at point of ordering.
Visited while on holiday with our dog, staff were very friendly and helpful as my wife is on a special diet. Food was really good and we, including our dog were welcomed.
It looks like a typical village pub, BUT it serves the food of a high end restaurant, the best lunch we had on the island.
Booked a table for lunch here on Boxing Day. The options for food and drink were great, and our chosen dishes and tipples were fabulous. The menu included numerous game dishes, which suited my husband and me. We had a pigeon starter and venison for mains; these dishes and the others we had were truly delicious and served beautifully. All this was topped off with friendly and attentive service. I'd thoroughly recommend The Red Lion.
We were really looking forward to our meal. It was a birthday treat. Food was tasty but small portions, the roast beef just came with a small dish of cauliflower cheese between two, it was possible to order extra sides. My partner cant eat beef and there was no other option, so had the duck which was lovely. I had catch of the day, fresh mackerel. The room was a little cold and soulless, a log fire would have been lovely as it was a cheerless day, but there was a table placed right in front of it, so not possible.Don't expect good old pub grub, sadly.....
Called in by chance whilst on a circular walk from Yarmouth. Ordered food (Tuesday Lunchtime) and it was outstanding. Really impressive. Would highly
Wow, what a great little pub. The food is great, really worth a visit. Very friendly staff. Thanks for a great evening.
A friendly pub catering for diners and locals alike. We shared a starter of mousse. My partner had the steak and ale pie which she found excellent - and the vegetable were good too. I went for the Confit of Duck. What I received, in my opinion, was a duck breast (not confit) but, to be fair, it was very good and served in an imaginative way with suitable vegetables and was thoroughly enjoyed. The only disappointment was the wine - a French Merlot which was thin, acidic and tired. I spent my life in the wine trade and like to think I know a good wine from a bad one. I only visit the Island once a year and will continue to dine at the Red Lion. The chef has imagination - so often lacking.
Just dropped in for a casual lunch and we were gobsmacked at just how good everything was. Sean Jeffers' team, including Nick Gerring, formerly of the White Lion in Niton, cook astounding food; exhileratingly good grub! Don't know how they do it. And the front of house is calm, efficient and friendly - all very joined-up management. In truth, the best food we've ever had on the IoW
Not sure about some of the poor reviews submitted but we visited for Sunday lunch and it was fantastic - had the beef crumpet, roast beef and the chocolate Malteser cremaux with honeycomb and it was delicious. What a gem of a place - wish we had a pub serving this standard of food where we live. All I can say is lucky Freshwater and IOW residents
Restaurantji Recommends
Over the last few months the food has gone down hill - the roast beef was tough, the burger had no seasoning or flavour and the fish of the fish and chips was nothing like as good as it used to be. Also the pub was cold due to a lot of draught from the door and this was despite the wood burner being lit - we all had to keep our coats on. This is the 3rd successive poor meal, prior to that the food was good and we always enjoyed all of our meals there. Such a great shame.
After all the 5 star reviews I read before our visit, we were underwhelmed by the food and the service. It is was very average.
Booked for sunday roast, as two family members have Birthdays. Limited beers on tap and no local ales available. 2 waters,one j20 and one pint, £14.35. A roast was £18.00,comprised of 3 small roast potatoes, two slices of beef,Yorkshire pudding,a small spoon of carrot and a few leafy veg with a small pot of cauliflower cheese. The meal itself was to a good standard,so was the other mains. My concern was price to quantity,lack of local beers.
Starter divine. Main fish was perfect. Chips awful. So overcooked. Did not look like chips. However customer service rating high. The issue was dealt with to my satisfaction thank you.
We had deliberately booked based on its reputation and we were not disappointed. Possibly the best bar service I have had since “Heston’s” in Bray. We had the doughnuts, crumpet and parfait which were sublime. My wife’s duck was superb as was the sticky toffee pudding. Could not recommend it more highly unless you mention the website is not correct!