The Kirtling Red Lion in East Cambridgeshire

Excellent food and service from start to finish. This is very local to us, but still always a treat to go and enjoy. Regular specials in the menu and the coupon that own and run the restaurant are fabulous. Ingredients and standard of cooking is outstanding.

We had a lovely meal at the Red Lion in Kirtling. The food was really good at a very reasonable price. Super friendly service and I would recommend to anyone visiting the area. There are "posh" pubs in the area which are good, but they will cost twice as much. Also, for families with children there is a nice play area.

Unattractive and dilapidated pub. An eyesore in the village and best avoided. It used to be quite nice, but with so many lovely places around it can’t compete, and the three blackbirds or red lion cheveley are in a different league and much better. The food is moderate with tiny portions. I don’t usually leave reviews, but felt it important to provide a more realistic review.

We are staying in the village and heard that the pub was open and a new chef was now in place so we popped in to reconnoiter for a possible meal tomorrow evening. We were very warmly welcomed by new tenants/chefs Feri and Modgi. They were so positive and engaging so we decided to sample the beers and the chips! Both were delicious and keenly priced. We are definitely dining there tomorrow evening. The menu is quite limited but our first experience indicates that all will be well.

I don`t like to give poor reviews, but I cannot agree with the recent glowing reports on this forum. We arrived at 6.45pm to a totally empty car-park for our pre-booked dinner. We considered leaving but decided to stay, I checked with the barman that food was being served, it was, so we ordered some drinks and food. We were given a very standard pub menu, our selection of Mushrooms in Garlic, Whitebait followed by Fish Pie and Scampi and Chips. The starters were ok but the fish pie was very dry and appeared to be over cooked, the scampi was good. Two other customers came in who managed to get the undivided attention of both the barman and the chef for a length of time. Our meal took two hours for just two courses and with only two other customers present. We will not be returning.

Superb freshly prepared Sunday lunch in a lovely village pub setting. Great service and even better food (cauliflower cheese on lunch). Fabulous dessert. Was down from Durham visiting my niece and will go here when I return. Thoroughly recommend...

We booked with Suzanne our anniversary meal and were able to select a special menu just for us. We were not dissapointed as she produced the most fantastic food. The other diners were envious but once they realised it was our anniversary they congratulated us and the evening was brilliant. A big thank you to Suzanne and John.

Yet again John and Sue excelled with a fantastic Burns Night extravaganza. The whole evening, table decorations and Scottish theme was great and enjoyed by everyone. The Haggis was piped in addressed and toasted to start the event. The menu did not disappoint with wonderful Scottish dishes to suit all tastes.

Christmas menu and quality of food excellent as we have always found throughout the year. Always a friendly welcome from the hosts Sue and John nothing seems too much trouble. We wish them all the best for the New Year and cannot wait to go back. You must visit you will not be dissapointed.

As a family of 14 we arranged to meet at the red lion Kirtling for our Christmas get together.Suzanne and John did an excellent meal of three courses..They are the perfect hosts and so lovely and friendly.We all had an amazing meal and time together. I would certainly recommend this place to anyone.Keep up the good work and hope to see you again.

A group of 12 of us booked a 'Pie & Pint' evening at The Red Lion. I've been to this pub with family and friends before and it just keeps getting better. Fantastic hospitality from John & Suzanne who made us all feel so welcome. Food was excellent, with a fabulous and varied menu. The waiter who served us all was very attentive and professional too! I'd highly recommend this pub for it's great choice of food and ales. My favourites: Butterfly King Prawns; Steak & Ale Pie and the Sticky Toffee Pudding - the best in the area by far!

We had a great evening, good food (starters, pies and cheeseboard) and Sue and John were great hosts. Highly recommend!

We stopped here for lunch with our dog part way through a long walk. We had booked a table and were warmly welcomed. The pub is all very clean, the dog was given water and a biscuit, and we had a delicious lunch. The menu is classic pub food. I had scampi, chips and peas; my husband had ham, eggs and chips. The chips were particularly good - very crispy and sizzling hot. It's a great place to stop on a walk.

Crikey! Talk about in the middle of nowhere, that is certainly where The Red Lion is. In the Village of Kirtling. However, it was well worth the journey. Great warm welcome as we entered and were shown to our table. Booking will be essential as it is not the biggest of restaurants. We had a choice of meats for the lunch, we opted for the three meat option. The accompanying vegetables were varied and plentiful. The whole meal was a wonderful experience. We have been disappointed recently with some of the Sunday Lunch establishments, this was a resounding success. Well done The Red Lion and all the wonderful staff.

Where to begin with this gem?! We ordered the Sunday roast and it was exceptional--braised fennel, roasted beetroot, gravy to die for. Turkey and lamb, roasties, peas, braised cabbage. And warm and welcoming owners who talked about the cuisine and different cuisine nights they are planning. A million percent, we'll be back. Just wow!

Incredible roast dinners. I've visited 4 times now and the 30 minute drive is worth it every time. I am very fussy about my roast dinners as often feel I would have been better off cooking at home. Although The Red Lion is amazing value for money, all cooked fresh, crispy potato's and at least 8 types of veg. Great vegetarian options too. The pub has a lovely traditional cosy feel with an I and outdoor seating area in a quiet picturesque village. This place is an absolute gem, highly recommend!

My partner and I sat outside to have lunch. The food tasted great (we had scampi and chips and the cheese ploughmans), it was a good price and good portion sizes. The staff were very friendly, there was plenty of outdoor seating and the toilets were really clean. We would definitely recommend this place :)

Booked for the French night, always a warm and very friendly welcome from Sue and John. What a fantastic French menu, we chose two different but exceptional starters followed by a wonderful porcini pork tenderloin with dauphinoise potatoes and a lovely French dressed salad. The whole evening was brilliant and enjoyable. These little gems of village pubs need to be used and enjoyed because once they go you lose the heart of the village. Even in these hard times give them a try.

Beautiful pub and fantastic service! Food was delicious and proper home cooked meals. A lovely warm welcome and great value for money along with being able to take our dogs in was a bonus. Highly recommended and thank you for having us.

Even though we are forced to socially isolate this fantastic village pub has managed to offer a stunning takeaway menu. We ordered a steak and stilton pie each and we got the lot, pie, chips, two lovely veg and gravey, all freshly cooked piping hot and every morsel was delicious. If you enjoy good home cooked food to take home you whon't be dissapointed. You can order in advance and pick up between 6.30 and 9.00pm. Go and enjoy a wonderful meal.

First time ever at an organised Burns Night, Sue and John organised a fantastic evening. They even got a piper to pipe in the haggis and a diner to address it. The food was brilliant as expected. Both my wife and I had the whisky prawn starter followed by stuffed pheasant breast with all the Scottish trimmings. The whole meal was themed and planned to an amazing standard. The two young waiters who helped bring out food and clear away were polite and friendly. As we new most of the other diners the whole experience was so enjoyable. We've now booked for Valentines.

Thanks John & Sue for looking after 17 guys on Friday! Steaks cooked perfectly to order and service was fantastic. Delicious desserts and fabulous cheeseboard selection.. We'll be back for the pie night soon! Highly recommended.

Yet another fantastic night out, we booked the pie and pint night which is every Wednesday. As requested we were served the most delicious steak and stilton pie with a choice of chips or mash and your own selection of veg. Always a warm welcome by both John & Sue. Everything cooked to perfection. The place was extra warm and cosy with the woodburner alight. A really great evening.We now know about the pie and pint nights, steak night, Chinese night once a month and themed nights on regular basis.

Suggested as a meeting place for by some friends who were walking locally. We took our 6 year old granddaughter and decided to stay for Sunday lunch. It was a squeeze as we hadn’t booked, but a table was found as was food. Helen and I both had roast beef, which was cooked beautifully and came with a huge selection of vegetables. Out granddaughter wanted a cheese and ham sandwich which came with salad and chips. All really good. As were the desserts. Good food, great hosting and very reasonable prices. What more could you want? Recommended

After having a brilliant Sunday roast, I had a slice of each of the four meats on offer, lamb,beef,gammon and Turkey plus a great selection of lovely vegetables we found out that at the end of each month they have a themed menu. We booked there and then for the Caribbean night on the 27th July and were not dissapointed when we arrived. All the tables were set and the choices on the menu were varied, unusual and delicious with a wonderful Caribbean cuisine experience. We have now booked for the New Orleans night. A big thank you to John and special thanks to Sue.

Came here with friends last Saturday night having booked a table. It was very quiet which is a shame as its a great traditional country village pub. Nice little garden out front in the sun. The landlord & landlady couldn't have been more welcoming. A decent pub menu with delicious homemade steak & ale pie, lamb shank & juicy steak. All with a choice of potato & a dish of seasonal vegetables each. Really good food & great service. Just managed to squeeze in a dessert each. 2 guest ales, aspalls cider & other beers. Good food, good company & friendly innkeepers. Off the beaten track for some but well worth the effort.

Extremely welcoming and friendly landlord. Comprehensive menu with several vegetarian options. We had breaded brie and pate to start - very well presented and delicious.There were four of us each sampling a different menu option - very generous portions and again well presented - scampi, lentil and sweet potato pie, vegetarian lasagne and steak - wonderful! Pretty full after that but still managed ice cream sundae - again delicious.Would highly recommend this pub for the friendly atmosphere and delicious food. Extremely good value for money.Will definitely go back!!

By chance we found this lovely village pub online and booked for an evening meal. We arrived and were warmly greeted by the landlord and felt immediately at home, real ales were on offer and did not disappoint. We were shown to a table and the menus were everything we expected. I had whitebait followed by lamb shank, my wife had butterfly king prawns followed by pan fried trout. The service was excellent, we were not hurried between courses. Our real thanks go to Sue the chef whose food did not disappoint. We will return.

The best value and quality Sunday roast I've had in a long while, every thing is home made, the landlord and lady are very friendly, the atmosphere is friendly, Sorry I didn't take any photos of the food but it looked and tasted brilliant, I will definitely be returning. A little hidden Jem!

I travelled here with my friend who's from Newmarket as he said this was the best place to eat in the area. After visiting I have to agree, the food was excellent and it was well worth a visit. Such a wide varied menu, but food well cooked and service excellent.

We held a family birthday party here just this past weekend. Sue and John ensured that the whole surprise event went without a hitch. The food, service and ambience was perfect and was commented on by many who attended.

We called in for lunch as a group, after walking, so we were hungry and we were not disappointed. There were lots of different choices and each one was declared delicious. The portions were big and prices very reasonable. We definitely recommend coming here and we will certainly return.

Nine of us sat down to our staff Christmas meal. I think between us we had each option on the menu, and they were all fantastic. I had pork chops with black pudding, and both the chops and the black pudding were cooked perfectly.

First visit since new owners took over in the summer and happy to report that it was a very positive experience. It's good to see that it still has a bar area which was being well used by locals. It has the option of eating in the bar or in the restaurant and we chose the former. The welcome was warm - as was the room - and the service excellent. Although not an extensive menu it's probably the better for that. What there was, was some very good cooking - the pies were outstanding and the chips some of the best we'd all eaten for a long time. Worth the drive for the chips alone! Chef came out to check all was well - always a welcome touch.

Very enjoyable meal. The coconut and lemon tart was absolutely wonderful and the "mini" cheeseboard was very far from mini. There were at least 6 different cheeses along with crackers,celery and chutney. The service was quick and efficient and very friendly. A lovely evening

Really tasty starter, passable Sunday Roast Lunch, but roast beef 'murdered'. Inside decor did not transfer from 'quaint' exterior. Staff very pleasant.

Great atmosphere , good menu and service. Lovely place . Would recommend to anyone. Will come here in the future for a great meal

Just love visiting this Pub though reluctant to sing its praises too highly for fear it will get too booked up. Warm, friendly atmosphere and the new landlords, John and Suzanne have settled in really well. Great choice of food and drink and good value for money which is hard to find nowadays. Good portions, hot and served in a very appealing way. New additions to the menu, which I am working my way through, but all good so far.

Enroute to Newmarket from Bristol, so decided to stop for some lunch, met with a warm welcome and instantly got the impression that this was going to be a good choice. Food was perfect and staff very polite, friendly and aiming to please. Lucky village to have a great little boozer on their door step

Firstly, I have never been to this pub. However, I ate many times in the new proprietor's previous establishment and I can honestly say that their food was terrific. Not only was the food always fantastic, it was generous, inventive and reasonably priced. Sadly, they are now 150 miles away from me.

Went here for a lunch visit as had been wanting to visit for some time, we went as just a couple on this occasion as on most times we end up going as family group The Landlord was lovely telling us they had only been here for a few weeks so the area was new to them The food was Excellent my husband had the Lamb Shank it looked very tasty and he said it was delicious I had the Vegetarian Sausages Mash and Onion Gravy although I am not a vegetarian I fancied this meal and it was really tasty The Sausages were delicious better than a lot of the meat type The mash was amazing creamy smooth and perfectly seasoned We were also given a bowl each of seasonal veg ( you would often have to pay extra for this in some places ) The food was excellent piping hot and very reasonably priced Would have loved to try the desserts but we were so full up We will definitely be back again and for the Sunday lunch which also sounds delicious and very reasonable and will be bringing all the family as well.

Vinimos aquí hoy para almuerzo de cumpleaños de mi marido. Me pareció que el pub mirando en tripadvisor para pubs perro no demasiado lejos de Haverhill y este llegó, así que pensamos démosle una oportunidad.

The classic British country pub, tranquil location with fantastic food and real ales, will definitely be back when next in the area!, 10/10

Booked for a family birthday celebration, over Sunday lunch. As it was quiet, we had one of the side rooms to ourselves, which was lovely for our group. We were warmly welcomed and enjoyed the delicious food.

Despite being thrown in the deep end the new land lords opened for meals using the food organised by the previous land lords and in a kitchen they didn't know, service was a little slow but the pub was the busiest we had seen it in a long time with people at every table and a large group eating outside. The food was excellent and we revisited the following week to try the amended menu. We have been told there will be a lot more changes to the menu; the prices of food and drink have been dramatically dropped so will definitely be going again!

Had a great meal at the Red Lion! Hazel and Steve will be sorely missed but Susan and John are a lovely new addition to the pub. New (cheaper) prices, pies with sides and a proper top and great pub grub!Beer and spirits are cheaper too AND the kids menu is just £4.50 for meal, drink and dessert.I can't wait to hear more about their "Specials" evenings with rumours of regular tapas and curry nights! The lady below had an unfortunate evening but to be very fair to the new landlords they had been in the pub less than 24 hours and less than three days later they appeared to have already got their head around things!I look forward to many more evenings in the Red Lion pub.

We went for the evening meal on Friday and found the staff very friendly. The food we ordered was steak and ale pie. It was excellent. The pub is dog friendly and there is a jar of treats for the dogs.After the meal we had a chat with other people who are local to the pub. Everyone made you feel welcome. The beer on tap is excellent, nice choice of beers. Will be coming back for a drink and a meal soon

Sadly since my last visit in January 2017 this pub has changed hands... just last week actually, the day before our visit. Four of us visited for supper - the lady helping out was lovely and welcoming but the rest of our experience was pretty bad. Our table was sticky and obviously hadnt' been cleaned. Despite handing us the menu with lots of choices, most of them weren't available so why not just tell us or print off what was available. We waited nearly an hour and a half for four very average meals,, we would have been better off going to the fish n chip shop in Newmarket. The chef said it was because they had been very busy but we saw only six other customers eating all evening,- the two steak meals that came out earlier than our order despite us being there first, looked ok. Another couple had to send their starters back as they were cold and shouldn't have been! After threatening to walk out, our meals were disappointing. Chips were white and undercooked. Fish n Chips disappointingly soggy. Such a shame as have visited lots of times in the past when Hazel was in charge. Definitely needs to have some better organization!

Found the Red Lion on a weekend away with the wife and popped in for dinner.The pub had a friendly atmosphere, which you don't always get in a small village pub.The food was excellent and the service was equally as good.We will definitely go back when we are in the area again.

The Short Review:If you fancy a visit to a quaint and quirky, dog friendly, independent pub that's very relaxed, friendly and welcoming and delivers generous portions of proper home cooked fare at a reasonable price, then a trip to Kirtling Red Lion should be in order.The Long Review:Five of us, (that would be 4 humans and 1 pooch!), had arranged to meet up to indulge in a Sunday lunch, something that is obviously always better when someone else cooks it for you!The pub was easy to find and is really lovely and quaint, with lots of seating outside and toys and games for all ages, including a huge Connect 4 game.Inside, we were seated at a table in the small bar area near the main entrance, (which had been indicated to us was for our party by a bottle of dog beer and a squeaky burger toy being sat upon it!), which was all rather charming and snug. It was a rather warm and sunny day so this was a good location to benefit from a nice cool draft, for the pooch especially! The table had a number of board games at hand to keep customers entertained and we all indulged in some Noughts and Crosses and Dominoes while indulging in J20s, Adnams & Aspall cider.We ordered our starters and mains and were given a plate of bread, olives and oil & balsamic vinegar to tide us over while our starters were prepared.Not too long after, our three generously portioned starters arrived. (One of us had decided to forgo the starter and just have a nibble of everyone else's!)One of us had the baked Brie which was said to be lovely. Another of us had the Whitebait which was said to be very good and I myself indulged in the Garlic prawns which, although being a rather messy dish to contend with, having to de-shell the huge prawns amidst their garlic sauce, was well cooked and extremely tasty and thankfully came with a little finger bowl for the clear up!Not too long after, our mains arrived. One of us had the chicken roast which was said to be lovely and moist with a lovely, crispy and tasty skin, another had the pork which again was said to be very good and I and another went for the good old traditional roast beef, which I'd say was cooked medium-rare, which proved to be juicy, tender and tasty. All the roasts came with roast parsnips, (which seemed to be the first thing to disappear from the plate as they were extremely yummy!), nice crispy and fluffy roast potatoes, gravy, the option of additional condiments if required and a huge dish of vegetables that included the traditional offerings of cauliflower, broccoli, red cabbage and a swede/carrot mash. Again, the food was well cooked, hot and well presented and the portions were generous; enough to dissuade two of us from any thoughts of ordering dessert!After taking a good few long moments to rest ourselves after our indulgence of roast dinner goodness, two of us ordered desserts, which were delivered quickly. One of us decided to take the plunge in the Chocolate Brownie and I myself decided to try the Lemon Tartlet. All deserts were offered with a choice of cream, ice cream or custard.The Chocolate Brownie was huge and was said to be lovely, warm, moist and rich, but unfortunately it proved to be too much for one person and so one of the other members of our party had to help finish it. The Lemon Tartlet was beautifully smooth and creamy with a lovely citrus tang of flavour that wasn't too sharp or strong, encased in a delightfully cooked pastry case and was a great way to cleanse the palate and end the meal.The experience as a whole was extremely pleasant. The friendly staff and owners were attentive, yet not overly so, therefore we never felt we were being in any way pressured to order more drinks, something that has become a rather unfortunate common occurrence amongst many pub/restaurants and chains. The pub also displayed a very welcoming atmosphere, so although it could be said to be very much a 'locals' pub, as one-off visitors, we never felt any different to the regular clientele in how we were treated and greeted.The pub was nicely decorated with good light and the seats were comfy for the 2 hours we spent inside. Everything was clean, the tabletops non-sticky(!), the courses of food delivered in good time, finished plates cleared promptly and politely and if the virtually clean plates at the end of every course were anything to go by, the food was of a very welcome standard.The whole party agreed that we had made a good choice in the Kirtling Red Lion and would return again if in the area, though I may have to venture back soon to try one of the Jalapeño burgers which caught my eye in the menu.All in all, 3 starters, 4 mains, 2 deserts, 4 pints of Adnams/Aspall Cider and 4 soft drinks came to a smidgen over £100, which seemed very reasonable.

The Red Lion's legendary Sunday dinner has become a regular favourite. It's so difficult to find a really good vegetarian Sunday dinner, and even a gluten free option available. My carnivorous friends also report one of the best Sunday lunches for miles around !!Deeeee-licious and such a relaxed and friendly environment. Love it.

We had a drink and a game of pick up sticks and realised we had missed lunch. The lovely owners could not have been more helpful in putting together a takeaway roast dinner for us to eat at out holiday house. Service beyond belief. Thank you sooo much it was very yummy.X

As usual in this friendly pub had an excellent tasty lunch. The steaks were cooked as requested and tasted top quality. Deserts were home made and to die for! We have been to this warm friendly pub several times and have never been disappointed. If you are looking for quality and tasty food in a friendly atmosphere at a reasonable price this is the place to visit.

We were planning to visit Kirtling Tower on its NGS open day, and this was nearby. Make sure you get the right Red Lion, though.. There's a red brick one in a neighbouring village, strangely. The bar staff were very friendly and the food was very good and plentiful. We even got some complimentary bread and olives while we waited! The front lawn was full of games and toys for children, and even table tennis. The whole place was idyllic, on a beautiful spring day.

15 of us descended on this small and cosy pub for a 40th lunch as the location was central for us all.A lovely part of the world, the food was very good, well priced and staff very friendly.We had one moaner in the group who wasn't happy with a chicken burger and we weren't charged for it (there was nothing wrong with it!)We felt very at home and the cook and the owner came to check all was well and meet the birthday boy too.Highly recommended.

Went here for a weekday lunch with friends, arriving next after 1pm. The pub was cold and there is an overwhelming smell of cooking oil which I found unpleasant. Sticky top dining tables are a bit off putting. The food was hot and freshly prepared. Not sure I'll go again.

We picked the Kirtling Red Lion for a festive gathering based upon location central to various branches of the family and trip advisor reviews, and we had a lovely meal. Great service from time of booking all through the meal. Tasty food, generous portions. Cosy atmosphere, children's colouring/ books/ toys provided. Thoroughly recommend for all ages.

Visited yesterday for a Christmas family meet up (10 adults and 5 small children) and had a lovely time. We chose the pub based on location and reviews, and we weren't disappointed. Food was excellent, and Steve and Hazel couldn't have been more helpful or accommodating, providing the little ones with colouring, toys and books to help entertain them. Thank you. (And a big thank you from the kids for the chocolate coins for the car journey home!)

We were lucky enough to be spoiled on Christmas day from start to end then we exploded !! The five courses were very good and everything well presented and hot and tasty , tasty, tasty. Lovely canapes and fizz prior to lunch as well - we were made to feel very welcome and will return and not just at Christmas - thank you all very much.

My wife and I were tempted by the Red Lion's advertising of Christmas dinners when we had an excellent meal with friends at the Lion in November. We booked a table for two for the evening of 23rd December. We arrived and were welcomed with the usual warm greeting. We had expected the place to be busy and buzzing but it turned out we were the only people who had reserved a table to eat there that night. Had this happened at another venue I would have been a bit concerned but at the Red Lion I was not, it is such a comfortable atmosphere. We both had the roast turkey with all the trimmings followed by Christmas pudding - we don't have turkey for Christmas lunch at home - it was excellent. Very, very enjoyable in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We weren't the only people in the place there were others enjoying a drink and a chat and another couple did arrive to eat whilst we were there. A great start of our Christmas. Looking forward to returning in the spring and summer and.....

Sunday lunch at the red lion was by far the best vegetarian pub lunch in Suffolk. Great food, great atmosphere and great service. Looking forward to going back.

Visited the Red Lion at the weekend to meet with friends from Peterborough. Lovely country pub, cosy, friendly and serves great food. We had Sunday Lunch with all the trimmings along with a selection of 9 different vegetables...wow. The girls had lovely roast pork with crackling, but us boys went for something different, pheasant stuffed with black pudding and Stilton, amazing...spoke to the chef who explained the pheasant was only shot the day before down the road...The pub is run by a husband and wife, they have maintained that country pub feel with the addition of fabulous food.

Visited today to celebrate 2 birthdays in our family. 6 adults, 3 toddlers, baby in arms and our dog had a fantastic time. Food was incredible- big Portions and a huge array of vegetables. we all had roast dinner plus deserts and received fantastic service throughout. Children were provided with colouring things and (what you don't get often when going for a meal with children but is common sense really) their food came out first, on cold plates which was ideal. It's the little things like that which encourage you to recommend visiting to others and to return yourself.

Visited the Red Lion on 5th November to celebrate our daughters birthday. She had eaten there before and wanted to go back and she was very impressed. We had a great night, the food was fantastic quality and the owners very attentive without be intrusive.it was reasonably priced and I would recommend it. Look forward to visiting it again.

We visited for an evening meal on a Friday night. We hadn't booked but because we were eating early (6pm) they found us a table. We had our two children and our dog with us an we were very well looked after. The food was delicious and the prices were good. It's a lovely, cozy pub used by locals for a drink and food but everyone is made to feel very welcome.

Out for a bimble and at about lunchtime we saw a roadside sign off to the Red Lion and followed it.Just about to give up (it seemed a long mile off the main road) when we came to the pub...it's a long, low thatched pub that hasn't been messed about with too much.The lady serving was really friendly and helpful...they had a 'mystery beer' on which was very tasty (even the lady serving didn't know what it was).We stayed for lunch and were pleasantly surprised...I had the gammon steak and husband had a pie and both were good, unpretentious, hearty pub food...served in massive portions at a very reasonable price. Nice to see braised red cabbage being served as a side veg and the chips were extra crispy - we both liked those.Only criticism was runny pie gravy.... but it was jolly tasty pie gravy regardless of that.No room for pudding. :(Well done Kirtling Red Lion.

My wife and I ate here on a Friday evening and were delighted. This was the first time we have been here since the current owners, Steve and Hazel, took over the business around 6 years ago. They were extremely friendly, welcoming and hospitable, Steve was working the bar and Hazel was the chef, it was great chatting with them.My wife is a vegetarian and most places do not have a vast selection of vegetarian options, but there was plenty here for her to choose from. We both had the garlic mushrooms to start which were excellently presented and delicious, followed by a veggie burger for my wife and the jalapeno burger for me, both were fantastic and Hazel makes the meat burgers herself.We really enjoyed our meals and we even overheard the next table tell Steve that their steak was the best they'd had in a long time. A compliment which we also endorse for our meals.The Red Loin is only 20 twenty minutes from us so we'll definitely be back.Many thanks Steve and Hazel

Wanting somewhere new to venture to not too far from where we usually go, we stumbled across this cost little pub. We were well looked after and enjoyed some great ale and home cooked food. Complimentary bread and olives a lovely touch. Pies were good and steak also very nice. We will certainly be back possibly to try a Sunday roast.

We have been here twice now with family consisting of young children. On every occasion we have visited the food has been amazing and the staff have been wonderful with the children. Nothing is too much trouble, everyone is attentive and full of character. Service is always brilliant whether the restaurant is quiet or flat out busy. Extensive menu with the most fantastic sizzling steaks and desserts to die for! Thoroughly recommended, we can't wait to go back!

We found this small village pub by chance but can thoroughly recommend after enjoying a lunch that was brilliantly cooked and had good size portions. There was a lunch menu with snacks but also a la carte which offered, as an example, fish, steaks and even separate pie menu! Another plus here was the ability to serve a large portion of the dishes gluten free.

Yet another wonderful meal at the Red Lion last night for 5 of us, one being a 2 year old, who, as usual, was given a soft book to read, crayon, paper etc. they always go the extra yard for little ones.The food, as always, was amazing, with wonderful crisp chips having a light fluffy centre, just perfect for the fussy eater I am. Steaks cooked to perfection and wonderful fish. They also have a sinful choice of desserts, which are just too good.This is our first choice restaurant, we will be back.

Went for a lunch to the Red Lion, we took a small child of 1 year old, the Landlord could not have been more wonderful. He went and found her lots of toys to play with while we were waiting for her food and made sure that she got her food quickly. As small children do, she threw her food everywhere, especially the food and this was not a problem. The food is amazing and the portion sizes are very large! I would definetly recommend this lovely pub restaurant to all ages and groups. Loved it! will definetly be back!

We visited this place after reading good reviews here, but were rather disappointed, To its credit, the menu is quite extensive, providing a good range of lunch and evening dinner options, even providing options on the content of some of the dishes. The service too was very good; friendly and attentive. The food wasn't bad; perfectly average pub food, but the reviews had lead me to think it might be rather better. We had reserved a lunch table for two, and selected the fish and chips. The fish was good enough but the chips were reformed with a nicely cooked outer but a mushy inner. Shame - I was expecting better.

Not our first visit to the Red Lion, definitely won't be our last. I've had both lunches and dinners at this fantastic pub, always excellent. My husband, four year old son and I went for Sunday lunch today (after escaping from the less appealing options at Cambridge Leisure Park!). As usual, friendly calm service, great Sunday lunch (roasts plus couple of veggie options), very child-friendly. Thanks again and don't change a thing - we love you!

We took our 3 year old for a birthday lunch. Wow. Food amazing we had fish and chips. Our daughter had fish fingers, chips and peas. All homemade. Fish beautifully battered. Gorgeous fish fingers. Homemade chips. Yum yum yum. Highly recommend.

Very friendly, family-friendly pub. The service couldn't be faulted and food was very near perfect, better than your typical 'pub grub' and presented beautifully, more like what I'd expect from a top restaurant. The steak was more medium-well cooked instead of medium as requested but that's the only fault with the food. The decor is typical old pub style, could perhaps do with a little updating but certainly not anything offensive and very clean. We'll definitely visit again and strongly recommend it.

Visited for lunch with family and thoroughly enjoyed the food. Good home cooked and a good sized menu. It was quiet when we arrived at midday but soon got busy. Seems to be well known from villages all around. Lovely walks nearby and dog friendly inside and out. Would visit again.

Our first visit to the Red Lion for Sunday lunch was all you would expect from an English country pub. A warm welcome from mine host, good beer and an excellent Sunday roast served by friendly and helpful staff. We were warned that we might have to wait a bit as the kitchen was very busy but we didn't wait too long at all. No hesitation in recommending the Red Lion and we will surely go again.

Brilliant country pub "in the wilds" south of Newmarket, We were made to feel welcome and the food and service were excellent.Highly recommended!

We celebrated my husband's 40th Birthday here with family, and it was faultless. We were made to feel very welcome and the food was fantastic. Can't wait to return. Thank you.

Today was our first visit to the Red Lion and we were blown away. From a very friendly greeting on arrival in very quaint surroundings, to prompt smiling service and then to an excellent Sunday lunch it was a lovely way to spend a couple of hours on Father's day. Given that we have lived in the Newmarket area for many years and this was our first visit feels like we have missed an opportunity. We will definitely be back sooner rather than later. Thank you for a very pleasant experience.

We (a family of 6 adults and 2 children) had a lovely roast Sunday lunch here on 22 May. The food was lovely, especially the wide range of vegetables which were served and cooked just right, not overcooked. The menu for the children also included roasts as well. I couldn't manage a pudding but some of our party did and they were lovely especially the chilli chocolate desert. We will definitely be back but strongly advise booking as it was very popular. Bouncy Castle outside helped keep the children occupied before lunch.

Stopped at The Red Lion at midway point of walking with friends. Was met with a friendly atmosphere and had an amazing lunch. I just had the ciabatta sandwich with chips and salad but it was delicious. Highly recommend and will definitely return here for another proper meal.

What a lovley little find,stopped here for some lunch food was delightful, staff were very friendly. Will definitely be back

Recently visited for Sunday lunch. Great service and fantastic food. A must visit if in the area. The owners and staff are very welcoming and friendly. Will certainly be back.

Saturday evening dinner for two after a hard days slog. Restful, relaxing, excellent food and no washing up! The menu was varied and offered a good choice of starters and mains. The smoked haddock and poached egg risotto was excellent . I would probably have gone for cheese to finish if it had been on the menu, but I am not sure I had room! Will be back.

Lovely little pub for a drink and a bit of good country grub. If your staying in Newmarket or in other near by villages/towns give this place a try.

What a fabulous gem of a pub this is in Kirtling it has a chocolate box look to it,low beams and fire place it only has 11 tables so best to book, we arrived just before time but soon got seated for fou of us,the menu is what you would expect from a lovely place like this garlic mushrooms and salad for starters for me and a generous helping I must say and for main course a beef Sunday roast with a plentiful supply of vegetables(I think about nine different types) roasties, home made Yorkshire puds too what a great birthday treat you need to try this gem out to appreciate how lovely this pub is, it has won a good food award 2015 and deserves it too, very reasonable prices will go again.

I came across this pub when I was lost, had no signal on my phone for sat nav and was getting quite stressed! The staff were all so helpful and wrote down directions for me, helping me along my way. It may not seem much, but this kindness meant I made it to watch my brother race and I wasn't left stranded hundreds of miles from home! You're kindness fixed my day- thank you!!!!

I have to confess that this pub is on my doorstep but i had never been. Wanted some fish & chips on a Friday night and found they did takeaway. I wish i had discovered them long ago. By far the best fish & chips in the area.

Visited the pub when one of our dogs had to go to the vets. I had the steak and it was delicious and husband had the chilli. Staff are totally wonderful and could not be more attentive and customer friendly. Dogs are very welcome too. Best steak I've had in a long time. Wish we'd had a pudding but we were both too full up. Very highly recommended.

We took our friends who were visiting for the weekend for Sunday lunch. There were 4 adults and five children. We were all really impressed with the home cooked quality of the food - highlights were the tasty gravy, tender meat, crunchy roast potatoes and red cabbage. A huge plateful was presented to us all from the friendly, attentive landlord with two large dishes of vegetables to share. One of our friends is a vegetarian and there were 2 nice choices. The puddings were huge and delicious. Would recommend the crumble and sticky toffee pudding. At £9.95 for adults and £6.50 for children (+£5.95 for puddings) we felt this was great value for a super Sunday roast in a lovely old village pub with friendly & helpful service that is definitely family friendly. The chef came to see us after the meal. We will definitely be going back soon. Highly recommend.

Sunday roast very good Excellent value for money..landlord very accommodating..staff very pleasant..all in all a great village pub...

Had a fantastic Sunday lunch today, great food and service. Very welcoming atmosphere and hosts took the time to speak with everyone. We will be back. Thanks to all at the red lion.

What a lovely pub , Warm and welcoming,Food was very very nice ,Most of the party had Sunday roast and it was outstanding,Staff where very friendly and made us all feel very welcome,Thank you for a lovely Sunday,Will definitely be coming back for more XKind regards The mad family in the room on its own X

Six of us visited this pub last Saturday for a meal. Decor slightly dated. It was nice to see the fire lit and it made the place feel welcoming. There was just one person serving three tables and drinkers at the bar. She looked rushed off her feet but made a very good job of it. Hence it took a while before she took our orders for dinner, about half an hour, by this time starving. Some bread and olives arrived before dinner. I expect this was to fill in the gab before dinner arrived. The starters were very pleasant. The mains came soon after. The steaks were very good. So we're the pies. My seabass I felt was dry and overcooked but edible. We did not order any deserts. Think maybe eating the bread and olives before the mains arrived were to blame, which we didn't have to in the first place. All in all, very pleasant but maybe another member of staff in front would have helped the nice young lady serving all by herself.

We recently ate at this pub and the food is excellent. A good selection of day to day meals complimented by some exotic and delicious specials. I always thought that pheasant was a dry meat until I tasted it here and the camembert with nuts and local honey starter is to die for!Well worth going out of your way to visit

great choice. Knew immediately what to offer a Coeliac, gluten free menu, special gravy available. Yorkshire puds not available gf but very impressive. Very good service, nice warm atmosphere..

Antica locanda in una struggente campagna inglese, dove l'accoglienza è calorosa e familiare e la cucina stupefacente! La migliore cena in una settimana di viaggio! Da non perdere, anche se è un po' fuori dalle solite rotte turistiche. Da provare i Pie tradizionali ed i dolci, ma è tutto buonissimo. Rapporto qualità- prezzo ottimo.

Arrived during the Christmas drizzle to a very pretty country pub, everything looked perfect and that always worries me, a polite notice outside requesting that muddy boots be removed, I was thinking 'oh here we go, one of those pubs, lure you in and then it's all cliquey and pretentious'. How wrong could I be? We were immediately made to feel welcome by a couple of local fellas at the bar, who very happily shared their busy pub with us not so local diners.Our hosts were very genial, and made us comfortable straight away, we were provided with complimentary bread and olives with our drinks while we waited for our food, the starters were delicious, soup, baked Camembert, garlic prawns, I can personally recommend the Camembert. The mains of pork, beef and gammon were delicious and despite not having and room for pud we managed to force ourselves. The tea served in a china pot and 'proper' China cups is a wonderful thing. It's a long way from home but I think we will definitely find an excuse to be in Kirtling again very soon. Thank you.