The Lion in Calderdale

Regrettably this place has gone right downhill. The young serving staff were all absolutely lovely but there were times when they needed some leadership/guidance. Despite the place being half empty (on a Saturday night!) there was some disorganisation. I had to send a pint back because it tasted of vinegar. This is very, very worrying because it means the beer lines are dirty and infected with bacteria that produces acetic acid (vinegar). Again this points to a lack of leadership. Is there no line-cleaning routine in place? Is no-one making sure it gets done? Is no-one tasting what comes out of the pumps before serving it to paying customers? The vegan offer used to be really good here but it has shrunk. There was a "plant-based burger" but it came as a soggy mess. Cheap patties made from spuds and peas, rather than a textured meat substitute. It tasted like a Linda McCartney burger. When I go out for a meal, I want two things. A nice pint and a good vegan offer. This place used to have both those things, but I'm sorry to say it now it has neither. I'm afraid we won't be back.

Although unassuming from outside we were really pleased that 10 of us were so well served. Although a large group, the service was quick and efficient, particularly the lady behind the bar who also served food,. The staff friendly and the food excellent. Different starters, different mains and desserts were all catered for, even the vegan and vegetarians ! We would definitely return and would recommend the pub wholeheartedly. It was a shame that it was so devoid of other customers. The prices are very reasonable for the quality and volume of food you receive.

We dined Saturday lunchtime and were the only customers. The service was brilliant as were the lite bites - an inspired move as we could have a kick off, without a huge starter. Great idea. The kebab was well liked by grandson and obviously hand crafted. The chicken dish lacked vegetables, with a huge chunk of breast meat on top of potato, on tons of salsa, but not a well balanced meal. Mine was the salmon and king prawn with the same problem. Fish content was fine, but tons of tagliatelle and no veg. Again not a balanced meal. No problem with the quality, or quantity, just content. Hope this feedback helps.

Went on Saturday after a long walk. Had garlic muchrooms then a steak and chips with a tomato and muchroom. It was amazing. Everything cooked to how I like it and the taste was 10/10. Will definitely be going back

Stayed at the Lion in Ripponden overnight , as going to Piece Hall , Halifax concert. Checked in at 4pm , lovely Room , spacious, super clean and above them pub/restaurant . Restaurant was open from 4pm , we ordered Pasta and garlic bread , fabulous , service was super , friendly and helpful , they had even emailed me with taxi details, so I had pre booked return taxi from outside the pub to and back from the gig as not been to this area before and it cost £13 , each way , dropped metres from the Piece Hall , mo stress and 20 mins journey . Parking behind the pub , public car park , but free for 72 hrs , safe and easy . Food , room , service was excellent , would definitely recommend. Breakfast included. But full english only available at weekends , lovely wicker basket with continental was left for us , it was there when we got back , ( a welcome midnight feast 😊) So we just got a cooked breakfast somewhere close (, see other review) So it wasnt an issue and altho only 7 rooms , it's in a small , pretty village , just outside Halifax and ideal for our stay . Lovely welcome , great staff , so helpful and the food was great , Italian, bistro food , burgers , recommend the pasta , it was delicious ... Wicker hamper with continental, brilliant for early departures , but I hear the cooked breakfast , included at weekends is brilliant .. We will be back and thoroughly recommend .

A lovely place with great atmosphere. Staff very professional and food (tapas) and wine top notch! Definitely our ‘go to’ place near our home

I came here for food & drinks a Few months ago and it was excellent so I wrote a review. Since then I’ve visited a few times, including today and been disappointed. We called in for cocktails and food. The menu has changed, we chose starters as didn’t know what to choose. We had 4 cocktails between 2 of us which tasted nothing like any cocktails I’ve ever tasted. The starters were very greasy and couldn’t finish them. The staff have changed and are so young to be behind a bar. This is constructive criticism as it’s a shame 😟

A first time here for us and it surpassed our expectations. Friendly attentive staff and great food. Will come again in the near future.

Great food, hats off to the chef! Very inviting, great staff - very friendly. Would definitely have the garlic prawns, the chicken skewers and the steak was trendies. Good value, would definitely recommend and would go again. 👍👍

Visited this lovely pub a few Sundays ago. Lovely decor really friendly atmosphere and amazing food The steak gnocchi was out of this world

Normally really good but not tonight short of bar staff waiting too long to be served not good. Really enjoyed before but might think twice before revisiting

We liked the decor and atmosphere. The food was good, but nothing special, which is why this isn't 5/5. I had a prawn start and crab pasta main. Both were ok, but didn't have a great deal of flavour. Waffle dessert was the highlight.

The management here has very poor customer service and is very dishonest. This was in relation to their accommodation.

We had an excellent stay in The Lion last night. The room (Dickens Suite) was clean & comfortable, there was a very nice kitchenette which we did not need to use. We had booked to have dinner in the pub & we were very impressed. My husband had the scallops & I had the creamy garlic mushrooms to start & then I had the gnocchi with fillet steak & my husband had the steak. It was all delicious, we were too full for dessert, but sat in the bar & had a Baileys after dinner. Prices were very reasonable considering the quality & the wine was also a good price. We also had a very good full English breakfast in the morning. The staff were all really friendly & the service was great. There is a free car park behind the pub. I would definitely recommend this pub for a meal and/or overnight stay.

Have been coming here for years off and on, sadly its not close enough to home to be able to call it a local. The food was very good full of flavour and more importantly they had gluten free options available, which was good news for one of my friends he was very surprised with the amount of selection. The staff were friendly and helpful making sure everything was ok with the food etc etc. will certainly return.

Showed up on the off chance , choose 3 starters i promise you each one was AMAZING . Do yourself a favour try this place ! I will come again thanks 😀

Lovely setting in a stunning area. Staff are very welcoming, food is absolutely delicious with such a variety of choice on the menu. We stayed over- the rooms are fantastic & the breakfast yummy! Thank you for having us, we will certainly be booking again!

Visited with my husband and two children on Thursday night. The food was fantastic and the service was great. We were on holiday, if we visited the area again we would come for food again.

Camping nearby, we stumbled upon the Lion after popping our heads in the door to see if the allow dogs. It immediately had a warm friendly atmosphere so we stayed! The staff were really lovely keeping us supplied with drinks and biscuits for the dog. We ordered a couple of pizza’s that were freshly made and delicious. We’d return to Ripponden just to have another evening inThe Lion.

I have stayed at the lion several times and it's always been very good. This stay was particularly nice. There has been a complete change of staff and management since my last visit and everything from the moment I checked in to the service in the restaurant and the bar was exceptional . The rooms are spotlessly clean and very comfortable The restaurant food was very nice with a good choice

I had the tuna steak, my wife had the lamb shoulder and my son had pizza. All excellent with attentive yet unobtrusive service. Nice friendly atmosphere, all in all a really good experience. Also an extensive menu when compared with other local restaurants who seem to be offering a lot less choice these days !