The Golden Lion Rainford in St. Helens

Came in on Christmas eve. Was extremely busy!! However the vibe was amazing. We were served by 2 lovely girls called Josie and Liv. Regardless of the busy night, the pair of them were amazing, making our drinks quickly and really well mannered. The level of professionalism was off the scale. Thankyou for yet another lovely night in the lion.

My family and I booked in on new year's eve for the set menu and it was just amazing! We were shown to our table by a lovely blonde lady (whose name we couldn't remember unfortunately) but despite appearing rushed off her feet as it was fully booked proceeded to check up on us throughout the night and always made sure we had a drink (even after we confused her for her sister on multiple occasions!) All in all, every one of the staff at the golden lion were lovely and really made our new year's memorable, thank you!

On what was an incredibly busy Xmas eve, we came here for dinner. The food and service was top notch, especially the ladies who was serving us...I think there names were Zoe and Amy. We were greeted by a lady called Liv who was very polite and professional. I really don't know how they all coped...as stated very busy. We all thoroughly enjoyed our evening. We will be visiting again.

Visited with my family on Saturday. Food was great, service excellent and we felt welcome and looked after. Thank you to Ben, Liv and the team. Looking forward to visiting again soon.

We booked in with the golden lion for the first time for our annual christmas eve meal and were extremely let down. Firstly we arrived and were told the christmas menu went off on the 23rd and would come back on the 26th… someone explain how that makes any sense, anyone booked in on the 24th and 25th surely are soley coming for xmas dinner???? So we didn’t get our christmas dinner this year. The normal menu was on however, i ordered the steak which arrived grey with lumpy, separated pepercorn sauce, stale chips and a tiny burnt tomato and mushroom with a few greasy onions. The plate was bare. The fried cauliflower to start just tasted like water. My friends hunters chicken was a joke and not cooked properly so she didn’t eat it. Drinks took around 15-20 minutes to arrive, understandable anywhere else we go on christmas eve but considering the food was nowhere near to standard drinks could’ve been a lot more timely. And to top it off i ended my night with my head hanging over a sick bowl all night, which i can’t think of anything else to blame other than the dodgy meal. Our same cocktails were different every time and just tasted like pre mix had been shaken and poured into a glass. We were seated by a girl named Liv with blonde hair who needs to work on her manors and professionalism as she and i think she said her employees name was zara as we were walking in were heard by my friend to be saying ‘can’t be arsed with these annoying f#ck off families’ and other lovely things whilst they were stood around gossiping. I thought your whole job was to make those families who are bringing you the most money at christmas feel welcome and want to come back??? I will never give you my money again thank you! (I would also like to add i don’t make these often and from working in hospitality in the past for years ourselves we understand the triles and tribulations, but this was a joke)

We love it here great atmosphere, great for family's and more than anything some amazing food!!! I have been here for all different occasions though out the year. I have celebrated my little boys christening and my little girls birthday meal here also and I can't thank the staff for everything they did from start to finish to let us make our day/night Speail. We love Sam, she's amazing every time we are here she puts her self out of her way help others and nothing is too much trouble for her. All the staff are amazing and just make each experience so much better!!

Great spot for lunch. Really tasty home cooked food. Great and quick service. Food was served hot and tasted great. Couldn’t have asked for more!

Fantastic sharing platter.Best pork belly ever.Service from Sam was impeccable. If you want to learn how to run a 5star gastro pub go here and learn.Good enough for the chairman of st helens rugby league club who was there at the same time as us.Well done Golden lion.That is why we travel from Liverpool to see you.See you again soon Huw and Gill.

Just had breakfast at The Golden Lion. I had the breakfast barm (sausage,bacon hash brown and fried egg), and the hubby had the cosy eggs (ciabatta, smoked bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce). Both dishes were delicious. The staff were lovely, we had a young lady (Abbie) looking after us who was very pleasant. We will be returning very soon.

We haven’t been here for a while … had a last minute late Sunday lunch. It was really lovely … piping hot, tender beef with lovely veg and roasties. Excellent service by Charlie … a star!!!! Thank you.

1 don’t know what’s happening in the golden lion but the food last week was very poor it can be hit and miss would love for them to ask for feed back about the food but staff didn’t even come over to check food was ok my starter was disgusting soggy batter and the prawn were tiny when I removed them from the batter the chips were supposed to be salt and pepper they were horrible tasted like they had been cooked then warmed up then cooked again I won’t be returning till I hear that things have improved know wonder the place was empty I don’t normally say bad things about restaurants and pubs i would rather talk to them but know one was interested to be honest

I can honestly say that it’s been a while since I’ve had such a poor Sunday lunch. See through gravy, awful roast potatoes, exceedingly mean meat portions and Yorkshire puddings dripping in oil. Bottom line was our entire party, to a man/woman were adamant that they wouldn’t return. Lovely staff let down by very poor food. No real wonder that the place was half empty.

Went there 1st time. Very nice and clean pub. Food was lovely and great atmosphere. Also very good service from Amy very professional and always friendly and smiling! Definitely will try again if we are in the area!

We called in for an impromptu evening meal. It was a friendly atmosphere ,Amy our waitress was very attentive and the food was excellent. We will certainly go again

As per lunch was superb.Service was so attentive.The best pork belly ever.Well done to chef Corry.This the best place to eat anywhere.Great food and at such reasonable prices.Well done again to all.

Had lunch here and although the food we got was fine, getting it was a challenge - kitchen didn’t have what we ordered and even once changed, they didn’t get it right - which would have been a worry if if was a dietary necessity rather than a preference. The pie and the curry were really good though. So only an ok experience I’m afraid, hence the score - which, at “average” is fair.

We tried this pub for our Anniversary and wasn’t happy with the food. The house curry was like a tin of tomatoes with a small portion of rice,the chips were cold and had to be sent back and the pizza was not worth the money for the size. Won’t return. Dissapointment that So many places just don’t make the effort anymore but charge more than it’s worth.

Visited today for Sunday lunch, the food was absolutely amazing! Best Sunday lunch in the village in my opinion. Service was excellent too, will be returning very soon.

Under new management so thought we'd give it a try. Plenty of choice on the menu. Food was excellent and reasonably priced. Staff very polite and friendly. All looked clean and tidy in their appearance. The pub was well set out and very clean. Even though the pub was busy, the staff didn't rush us to finish our meals. Definitely eat there again.

Food was good and the service was excellent. All staff were friendly/helpful and Charlie was outstanding. Would recommend.

Always come here lovely staff Amy served us she was so welcoming and helpful and she was also very attentive and made sure we was happy with the food deffo come again .

Enjoyable pit stop while out on our afternoon dog walk. Attentive staff looked after us from start to finish. Special mention to the young lad who took our order and to Gemma for checking in on us. Very much enjoyed the lunch time steak sandwich and Barkley very much enjoyed his sausages. See you again soon.

We came to have lunch for my daughter’s 7th birthday. The staff were excellent. Very attentive but not overbearing. The food was beautiful and came to the table quickly. We gave a cake to the staff and they brought it out to sing happy birthday to my daughter who was made up! Our waiter was Charlie who organised the celebration and did a fantastic job - nothing was too much trouble. Would highly recommend.

Went out for a meal Monday night with my partner and WOW, food was fantastic, everything came promptly and was cooked to perfection, wonderful customer service from a young lad called Charlie who was pleasant and polite, and made our experience 10/10. Will definitely be back soon!

Enjoyed our visit with our dog at teatime today. Friendly, efficient service, plenty of atmosphere. Enjoyed the fish cakes. Good to see it busy again under the new management.

Amazing how the atmosphere has improved under the current owners. The place is busier , enjoyed the brunch club , service is great . Gluten free ale is available which is a real treat .

Sunday roast visit, the menu has had a total revamp in the past couple of months, check out their chicken Caesar salad, but this was our first Sunday roast visit and my beef was exception and my wife’s turkey roast was equally amazing! Service was its usual fabulous standard, managed brilliantly by Ben, but Josie was the outstanding member of the crew today! It’s a must visit if you’re looking for a sure fire Sunday, our new favourite

Really Enjoy this place, been twice since new owners took over. Fabulous food, great atmosphere great drinks. I’m going back tonight. Great team

Used to go often to this lovely gastro pub. Unfortunately has obviously changed hands. Can just about go with the red sauce , mayonnaise bottles on the tables and the young barmaid who was unaware of how to seat people but our meal was so less than satisfactory. Obviously frozen scampi of inferior quality and frozen chips heated up. Similar with a steak pie for my partner.still the same decor as before but none of the atmosphere. What a shame.

Had a meal last night and it was fantastic. The pub is now under new management and what a difference! New staff are now working there and new chef's, its made a big difference. The prices have reduced as well. The hospitality was amazing, very kind and friendly. The service was great. Very clean (so much better than before). Floor clean under tables which is important when you have a toddler who got a bit bored and played under the table for a bit. Food was fantastic and the atmosphere and music was brilliant. Highly recommend and congratulations to the manager and staff for turning this pub around.

Lovely friendly staff. Had the chicken curry, nice but tiny portion and unfortunately had to send chips back as completely burnt. Heard good things about this place so will give it another try sometime.

We live in Rainford and love coming to The Golden Lion. The atmosphere and ambience has changed so much, the food is stunning and the service is excellent.The team are always so welcoming and I really love that they remember what we drink. Ben, Dan and team are amazing well done guys can’t wait to see the place continue to grow!

I always come to the lion to drink with my friends, it’s our preferred pub in the village We’re always served by Charlie and we love him! He remembers our drinks, is very fast, really friendly and works hard. He’s part of our Golden Lion...

Lovely meal. Josie served us she was lovely. She was cheerful and chatty and able to advise us on choice. We had the gammon - loved it being on the bone.

Came for a few drinks after work with collegues, cocktails were gorgeous and service was lovely from josie. Will be returning often

attended a christening this weekend where the golden lion seperated half the pub for us where we were able to have food and drinks. there was a lovely young lady called Josie who was on the bar at the time and was quick to make...

Me and my friends decided to come the lion for tea and felt very well looked after by a member of your staff i believe is called Josie. She took care of us all night and and ensured all our needs was met. Thankyou for...

My family and I had a great meal on Sunday, I can highly recommend the Sunday Lunch, delicious, my parents had the fish and chips which was equally delicious and a big portion which my father was especially pleased about. Service was great. Would highly...

Lovely friendly staff!! Very welcoming and checking all was well with our food. Everywhere was lovely and clean. The food was delicious and cannot wait to go back. 5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Wish I could give them 6 ⭐️ Easy to book, super table, great service and of course fabulous food. Can’t fault the place and it’s very welcoming and attentive staff!

The best chips I’ve ever had in a pub in Lancashire … the only place I’ve had better chips was at the Cross Keys in Thixendale in the Yorkshire Wolds.

Food was excellent 👌 😋 👍 staff lovely and friendly highly recommended 👌 can't wait to go again try all the rest of the menu thank-you

Just had lunch there, the food was first class. I would have no problem recommending to anyone to eat there. Also a very pleasant setting and great service. Well done.