The Red Lion in Cornwall, Isles of Scilly

Great boozer. Friendly staff. Not the cheapest pint, but people need to make a living. If you're over 6 foot you'll bang your head on low ceiling/beams but that's part of the charm of this very old pub. Fish and chips excellent-piping hot. Parents well impressed. Wife and I enjoyed a burger each at a Wednesday special price of £9.99. Normal price would have been £15.75 for the burgers. I'd have been disappointed at that price, but burgers deffo worth a tenner. Highly recommended pub.

Had drinks in the pub with family, and the bar staff and landlord were friendly and helpful. Dog friendly and huge inside, so getting a table was no issue. Drinks are very well priced and dare I say, cheap. Have been here many times before and will continue to go when visiting. Locals all friendly and chatty too.

The barmaid was lovely and the food was delicious. Great quirky decor. A proper pub

Food was below average. Staff really didn't seem like they wanted to be there and we were a hindrance to them wanting to get him. A shame because I had friends over from Australia and they wanted a traditional village pub, they left disappointed.

Amazing village pub, Friendly atmosphere and Wonderful Staff. A nice selection of Beers, Wines and Spirits. Freshly cooked Food reasonably priced too.

It looks nice from outside, but the fish and chips I had weren’t very good at all. The fish was greasy and mushy, the chips just a packet of frozen chips, and plain peas. It didn’t come with the Tartare sauce on the menu, but I was given a cup of catering sauces and condiments. Reminded me of 1970’s style stuff, all a bit lazy. Staff were friendly, but not really bothered when I asked about the Tartare sauce that was on the menu, or that I said the food was just ok. On the positive side, it was full of locals have a good time.

Highly recommended. We are staying in a nearby hotel, and called ahead to reserve a table for 2. Staff very helpful, food fantastic and good value for money. Beautiful old village pub, who's staff made these 2 travellers feel very welcome indeed.

Another fortnight in Cornwall over. Several visits to the Red Lion for a few drinks, food and even a quiz. Great place, with a very friendly owner, staff and locals. Nice to be remembered too - as we only holiday in Mawnan Smith once a year...see you in 2025!

Unfortunately we were too late for dinner. A great old pub.

Had the fish and chips, gorgeous, lovely light batter, really enjoyable

The pub always looks lovely from the outside, thatched roof and inviting. We ordered lunch loaded burger for 2, the food arrived and it was delicious and well presented. When we were eating the barmaid came right next to us and started cleaning the window sills, using multi purpose spray, I asked her if she could not do this why we were eating, she apologised and continued, was it that important to clean where we were sitting. What if we had an allergy to the spray or dust. Cleaning should of been done before opening. We would of had another drink but we decided to leave, we are locals and enjoy different places to eat.

Called in for lunch and a very good lunch it was. There was a good choice on the menu and our friendly server assisted my wife, who is Gluten Free, to sort out a meal which did not go against her diet. I had the ham and Cheese Ploughmans which was well presented, plentifully supplied with both ham and cheese and very good value for money. Everyhting was to our taste and we would certainly go again.

We were staying nearby in a cottage and were looking for a local pub, this one seemed not to have the best reviews but we thought we’d give it a close look. We had a drink one night and it seemed fine so went back on our second night and had some food. Typical pub offering but perfectly good value for money, good service, friendly staff, food arrived quickly, no complaints, will visit again during our week here in Cornwall. Recommend.

Great pub. Popular. Busy. Characterful thatched building with outdoor seating area. Dog friendly with dog treats at the bar. Lots of rooms inside with rustic decor. Handpulled cask beers were Doombar, Timothy Taylor's Marmalade Best and St Austell Brewery's Tribute Cornish Pale Ale. I had a three cheese ploughman's which was attractively presented on a slate and was filling. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available. Kids menu. Would revisit, yep.

Great village pub, decent food and lovely atmosphere

Fab Pub Grub and friendly staff, portion size just right, warm and welcoming, will visit again

It's a pub as you know it, the service is nice and friendly, I think you should avoid the food. Special of the day “Steak” was mediocre for me as a meat eater. Maybe a burger would have been a better choice. Addendum: OK, maybe my judgment was a bit harsh and you're right, I should have mentioned that when serving. They would definitely have agreed on something.

Lovely old pub with many nooks and crannies. Good service and well-cooked, fairly inexpensive food. Would certainly return if in the area.

Stumbled apon this gem of a pub after a day out and will be definitely returning. Super friendly staff. Great food. Great place.

My wife and I were staying in a rather pricey hotel but decided to eat in a local pub. Having read the reviews, after passing the Red Lion on the road, we both thought how arrogant and rude the replies were from the landlord/cook. So bottom line we never did get to eat there. This particular landlord needs to get his head out of etc,etc

Stunning pub in a beautiful part of Cornwall

“Atmosphere” a good playlist and a historical building is pretty much all that is left of the place. After return to the pub with fond memories from several years ago, the food was very sub par. Specials board included an American Style Chicken Burger that was essentially half a Bird Eye chicken nugget chucked ontop of a brioche bun accompanied with a very small bowl of chips and some not so homemade onion rings (honestly the worst chicken burger ive ever had - including some takeaways at University at 3am), fish and chips was good, steak was cooked well but again chips and onion rings/sides were very mediocre and you expect more from a pub classic especially considering prices. A good pub meal should leave you wanting to return this did not. Sadly wont be returning anytime soon. Il add that the beer was good.

Wir haben einige Tage in der Nähe von Falmouth in einer Airbnb Unterkunft verbracht und waren zweimal im red Lion…die Biere sind lecker und auch das Essen war sehr gut….ist ein Pub, kein Sternerestaurant….wir können diesen Pub nur empfehlen

Anyone who claims that English cuisine is bad will be proven wrong here!!! Good food, good beer and good wines! Any time!!! Anyone who says that English cuisine is bad will be proven wrong here!!! Good food, good beer and good wine! Anytime again!!!

Lovely liquids and lovely staff plus the owner is sound

The worst bowl of soup I've ever had. Tasted and looked like a liquidised tin of tomatoes. The waitress needs a lesson in customer care.. When I told her about the soup, her response was 'Well, they do put other things in it'., She then just walked off, taking my grand daughters unfinished drink. Will never go there again.

This looked like a lovely traditional country pub, which had a great atmosphere when we arrived. However, the food we ordered was awful! Three of the four courses felt like they had been heated up from a supermarket and the fish of the day had such a terrible smell I couldn’t eat anything on my plate. We spoke to the staff, who were lovely, but the only consolation they offered was a sauce to try and cover up the smell of the fish. No offer of an alternative meal or any money back. The gastro pub prices of the meals offered really do not match the quality of the food that is served here. A huge disappointment.

A lovely place to eat, drink and chat.

Located in the charming village of Mawnan Smith, The Red Lion Pub is an absolute gem that promises an unforgettable dining experience. From the moment you step through the door, you're greeted with warmth and hospitality that sets the tone for an exceptional visit. The beef burger was perfectly cooked, the onion rings outstanding, and the fishcakes were as one might expect. But it's not just the food that makes the pub stand out. The ambiance is equally delightful. The furnishings and fittings create a cosy and interesting space, inviting you to relax and unwind in style. And then there are the locals around the bar - a friendly and convivial bunch who add to the pub's welcoming atmosphere. Of course, none of this would be possible without the staff. Friendly, efficient, and ready with a smile, they ensured that every guest has a memorable experience. In conclusion, if you find yourself in Mawnan Smith, do yourself a favor and pay a visit to The Red Lion Pub. With delicious food, a charming atmosphere, and wonderful staff, it's a true hidden gem that deserves all the praise it receives.

Traditional thatched, cob walled pub. Been a pub since at least 1717. Very quiet at weekday lunchtime. Skinners and St Austell ales on handpump. Interesting old pub with log burner and many separate rooms for dining/drinking. Clean toilets. No car park. No garden but does have an outside seating area.

Went last night with my cousin , lovely friendly atmosphere ,had the American chicken burger and they kindly let us have salad instead of chips. It was delicious . The cheese tart was also delicious. The vibes are just what you need to feel in your pub. Thank you Eddy and all your staff .

As a chef for over 20 years plus fish was spot on vary Crispy and chips are nice but can I ask for sea salt and chip season

Visited a few times and the food is always 5 star, bar staff really friendly and a real local Cornish pub atmosphere.

Traditional pub with friendly staff and good food.

Lovely pub, we went for food and it was really really good and was served straight away. Nice cosy pub and a nice mix of people drinking at the bar and people at tables. Lovely place, you won't be disappointed. 10/10

Good selection of beer on tap, both local and not. Warm and cosy with friendly staff.

Great food at a reasonable price.

Wonderful atmospheric old building- worth going into to either eat or have a drink. We did both with friend from the village- first time back for us in 20 years. Service and food Ok- very few people in there but so many nooks and crannies to eat in there may have been lots there. We booked for lunch but wasn't really necessary. Parking limited.

Lovely old country pub, full of atmosphere and a nice welcoming fire on entering. We shared a dish of olives that came with some balsamic which I felt had a really odd taste so left. Both of us had ordered from the specials board and had the curry which was chicken tikka which was nice and plentiful, it came with rice and a poppadom and chutney, again the chutney had a strange taste. Overall a nice meal in a pleasant location.

Great pub, lovely and cosy, really good food and lovely staff.

Lovely pub. Great decor and superb attentive staff. The bar itself was exceptional and worth a look. The food was amazing and lovely they used locally sourced food.

Lovely 1500AD pub. We popped in after a visit to Glendurgan gardens. Food was hot, tasty and quick. Service was excellent. Take some time to walk around the building as there is a lot to see. There is a courtyard outside for when the weather permits.

Love this pub! Food is excellent and very tasty. Barmaid was lovely. Very Dog friendly! 🐕 perfect country pub!

Urige Kneipe mit Essensmöglichkeit. ACHTUNG teilweise sehr niedrige Decke. Parkplätze in der Umgebung leicht zu finden. Service sehr freundlich und aufmerksam. Essen, zumindest wenn man die vegetarische Auswahl betrachtet, wenig und durchschnittlich.

Booked a table for dinner here while on holiday in Cornwall, lovely friendly pub with very pleasant and friendly staff,landlord was very helpful and friendly and certainly wasn’t disappointed with the food, we had a lovely meal and was well looked after

Came here for dinner whilst we were staying down the road, food was lovely and fresh and staff were very helpful. We would definitely recommend

Excellent meal after a long coastal walk. Staff couldn't have been more helpful. The food was delicious and served so promptly.

Absolutely fantastic meal and reasonably priced!

THE BEST 8oz RIBEYE I have ever had. We were staying in hotel close by but decided to come here for a steak.. it was amazing!! And I have had lots of steaks over the years.. this came out hot.. cooked just as I asked and the peppercorn sauce was piping hot! The side salad was well made and lots of it with a nice dressing! We were absolutely blown away by this meal, the staff were lovely and helpful as well. Such good value and a superb meal.

Not the best if you need a gluten free meal. Options weren't great and confusing labelling on the menu.

Great atmosphere. Live music from all male choir was a treat.

Lovely old pub with nice food and really good value, pleasant staff and service. Will come again and again!

Standard pub grub away from the hub hub of Falmouth. Portions were plenty for a small plate. A good choice on the menu. Staff were approachable and friendly. More seating at the back of the pub.. interesting and a good feel. Like a labyrinth.. it keeps going.

Really lovely atmospheric old pub. Staff are excellent and so friendly. Pie of the day is the way to go, followed by cheesecake of the day, and a bottle of malbec. Delicious!

Great old pub, lots of character, with very friendly staff. Lots of space to take dogs inside too. Food was good would definitely recommend this place.

Banging fish and chips!! Staff were friendly, helpful, and polite. Hadn’t booked a table but the staff let us used a reserved one (had to give it back but that was completely fine, we really appreciated not sitting in the rain!). They also allow dogs and leave them be, we have a very nervous dog and the staff were so respectful to keep their distance from her (highly appreciated as its not always the case). Highly recommend this spot not only for the food but for their thoughtful staff. The vegan meal was also lush, good for those with dietary restrictions. Thanks team!

The landlord and staff are very friendly and helpful, the food was excellent, the only reason for avatar short on atmosphere was because it was quite quiet while we were there, we went in on the tail end of the lunchtime service

We've been here for evening meals a few times over the last few years, and have always enjoyed the food. BUT, I was appalled by the food served to me on this occasion. My other half had no issues with her meal incidentally. So, I ordered an 8oz Fillet Steak from the specials board, and in the meantime supped a pint of lager. The first mouthful of steak was dreadful, and not only was it cooked extremely rare, ( asked for medium rare) it was COLD!!! I battled on with each mouthful ending up being put back on the side of the plate! Anyway, the woman who had served the food came and asked us if everything was alright. I was to afraid to make an issue about my meal, as there were a number of people sitting at an adjacent table. We both ordered a 'sweet', in my case a dish of ice cream which the woman who served it proceeded to knock it over on the table! Well, I suppose one can say the ice cream was delicious at least! To sum up then, I've only ever had one crappy meal when eating out before, and that was at the now departed Boslowick Inn. If you are thinking of going to this Pub for a meal, perhaps you ought to check the reviews left on this site first. Quite frankly, the Red Lion need a kick up the Jacksie big time, and before I finish, I would also say that the toilet stinks and needs updating. The Red Lion could be a fantastic pub again if they cooked decent food. With the cost of living so high at the moment, people don't need to be ripped off with poor quality food at inflated prices .😕

DIRE experience ( no point in telling lovely Waitress when asked customary 'Is everything alright ?' ) this food should NEVER EVER have been put on plates .... what is the landlord / chef thinking about ... 1) Three different dishes 2) Steak / Kidney Pie was barely edible ( upset stomach just to add insult to this evening ) reheated meat .... g -- - knows its origin . This arrived with tiny portion Chips - poor quality Two pieces tasteless carrot Delicious frozen peas Chips with the other two dishes were plentiful and more appetising All arrived to table 'instantly' so clearly microwaved Other two dishes also left much to be desired DISGRACE ..... if you can't produce decent food , don' for goodness sake serve meals Friends visiting in your local area were NOT impressed either A poor evening

Just a wonderful pub with great food and beer served with a smile and welcome from staff and regular customers felt very much at home ........thank you for making us feel welcomed 19/17/23

We thought we would make a return to this pub which we have not been to for some time. It looked fairly busy which is usually a good sign! The welcome you would expect with a Cornish pub was not apparent. A few locals had the attention of the bar/restaurant staff, we however brushed this aside and ordered 3 specials. Unfortunately I am not sure what was meant by special. The chicken burger meals were very beige and pretty tasteless. It felt like a harken back to old school dinner days. Did we complain at the time no, it’s just a shame that we won’t be returning, meal was just simply not that great at all. There were other plates in the restaurant that looked nice, perhaps this was just a poor example, 3 plates that’s slipped through, bap, token breaded chicken and a few lettuce leaves, 3 catering pack onion rings and chips, as we are 7th generation Cornish we were very disappointed as we could have adopted this pub into our go to list. Such a shame

The food was outstanding, and the atmosphere was very nice. We had main courses and desert and were served very fast and it was delicious. This establishment allows dogs inside and the staff are extremely friendly and asked twice if everything was perfect. Would very highly recommend 😊 and it had a 5star score on the door

Best Steak and Kidney pie I have ever tasted!! The Cod was superb too ! A great pub hidden away which is very special. A must for everyone to try! The food , staff and atmosphere all made it a really great visit. Try it you will definitely have a great time !

A wacky pub with lots of little nooks. A real tardis good food and drinks. I would recommend this pkace. Be careful parking is a nightnare.

A really warm welcome and constant friendly attention from the very helpful staff, who did not rush us. Best part of the visit. The food was delicious, portion size adequate (not generous, but not stingy either). There were loads of rooms and tables to choose so it was a cosy atmosphere. A tad expensive (2x mains, puds and pints each = £63 = -1 star).

Lovely old pub. Nice staff, great atmosphere. What a pub should be!

Always a friendly welcome at the Red Lion. Great food and atmosphere.

This pub is a must visit been here many a time over the years of visiting Maenporth and never been disappointed with food drink or welcome from great staff and owner. It’s a wonderful old building full of character and great in the winter with the fire on but summers like this one sit outside and soak up the rays with a good beer/wine and some hearty good quality food can’t ask for anything else really!

Brilliant find in the lovely little village. So pleased they were able to fit us in at short notice. Great beers and good food, topped off with brilliant service!

Nice village pub. Good ales. Decent food and prices. Nothing fancy but the cheerful atmosphere of a local pub in a touristically strategic position. Why not?

Lovely old village pub, friendly staff, lots of drinks choices and the food is excellent.

Great location, building, atmosphere and service. Highly recommended for a pint or two in the sun! Not a gastro pub - we had a couple of meals that seemed more like packaged food rather than freshly prepared, but were fine for what they were.

Our family live here in Mawnan smith and we all love coming down the pub for a few ciders. Dog friendly and great food. Always lovely service by the staff. Plus the outside is a sun trap!

Beautiful building, very helpful and friendly staff, didn't eat there but will do next time

A very warm welcoming establishment! Food is excellent and the atmosphere is amazing! Can't wait to go back there next year!

Uriger Pub mit super nettem Personal. Der Beef Burger war hervorragend!

We wanted to get away from the busy student style restaurants and bars in Falmouth, the Red Lion was 4 miles away but choose your route from a map. Sat Nav takes you on a tour of narrow winding lanes. The Pub is 17th Century and was a coaching Inn We were not disappointed, every table in the olde world complex was reserved, our food was fresh and tasty. Grilled Cod served with delicious new potatoes and seasonal veg, a pleasant change from the usual meals with chips. If I lived nearby it would be my regular. Pleasant helpful staff, wide choice of Draft Beer what was not to like Mains Dessert a drink each £47. 00 in a fascinating building with 300 years of history. Take a look yourselves.

Good food and beer, and a friendly welcome. What more can you ask? We were staying locally for a week and we went here twice.

We stopped for a quick lunch today and I chose fish and chips as I often do in other places. Cod should flake in large chunks if cooked well but this was absolutely inedible. The batter was under done and the ‘fish’ inside was bizarre...

Excellent food friendly atmosphere and best of all allow dogs.

Went to the Red Lion for evening meal. Staff very friendly and food good. But local at bar swearing about holiday makers driving slowly. Made himself look a complete idiot, I guess every village has one!

A proper pub serving good beer and food. Reasonably priced. Very pleasant staff , nice and clean throughout. There were lots of locals in there which is always a good sign in a village pub.

Walked down through the gardens at Glendurgan to the coast and then followed the coastal path and came out in the village of Mawnan Smith. It was a lovely day and we stopped off at the Red Lion for lunch. Lovely village pub complete with thatched roof. Great selection of local Cornish ales and excellent service. Food freshly cooked and was delicious and very well presented. Lovely young lady serving who could not have been nicer. All in all a very positive decision to stop and eat and is well worth the recommendation

Just had a meal in this hidden gem of a pub. Thatch roof, beams and fire. What more could you want. Food was exceptional together with the friendly service and atmosphere. A must to visit when in Falmouth.

Nice pub prices very reasonable

Lovely traditional pub with all the beams and open fires. Nice traditional pub grub. A welcome pub to stop off and have some food and a beer. Small car park.

Our walking group enjoyed an excellent lunch here this morning. The landlord and staff were all welcoming and efficient. The menu was varied and we were served promptly, enjoying Hunter’s Chicken, Beef and Cheese Pie, Mediterranean Vegetable Tart, Pate, Tempura Prawns and various baguettes and...

No hot water to wash your hands !! 2 days later, Eddy ABRUPTLY SAID .... "Was it you that left a review" I said "YES" I wuzzz then told TO DRINK UP, GET OUT, & DON'T COME BACK !!!! I shall never step foot in there again & I encourage everybody to look at the last 6 month's reviews. I ran a successful Business for 30yrs & employed 28 staff, we were the Biggest Hair & Beauty Salon in Cornwall. This "Little Angry Boy" Attitude does not cut it with me! He must be the Grumpiest Landlord in Cornwall, totally unapproachable. Both Ladie's & Men's toilets are Disgusting, Smelly & NO HOT WATER !!!! The Pub itself is cold & uninviting. I feel it's all about the Money for "Dutch Eddy" What say You Eddy?

Good cosy small village feel. Didn't have food buy found visit pleasant.

Similar to a lot of local village pubs at this time of year, and in very inclement weather; not many people in the place. Not what you might call "warm and inviting"! The staff are lovely and the food was very good 😃

This pub had a friendly staff and seemed very popular the Sunday night we were there. Enjoyed the atmosphere and food.

Pleasant pub with lots of charm.

We stumbled across this pub and are very pleased we did. The welcome was very friendly and the building is something else, I have never come across such an interesting building. The service and food were excellent and I would definitely recommend it to anyone...

Sehr schöner Pub mit freundlichem Service. Es gibt auch eine begrenzte Zahl von Parkplätzen, es findet sich aber umliegend auch etwas. Die Küche ist zeitweise geschlossen gewesen, ich habe daher dort nur etwas getrunken.

We visited this local friendly pub frequently during a weeks stay in the area , friendly staff, good value for food , and good choice of beer and wine, in. Great location , extra special me too. For the cheese Boards ! We will be...

A beautiful morning in Cornwall Monday 19th September, and after a 5-mile walk, we just wanted a pint and some pub grub. We got exactly what we were thinking about with the bonus of a Steak and Ale pie on the lunch menu! Staff were...

Lovely old pub and the staff where friendly. Food very average. I had the steak and ale pie but the meat looked minced and certainly didn't taste like it was supposed to be. I wouldn't recommend it.

This was my second visit, after a disappointing recent visit I decided to give this place another chance, but I now wish I hadn't bothered. The food is just reheated frozen food, the battered fish was watery inside and the peas were hard. Hunter's Chicken...

Just home after our regular 2 weeks stay in Mawnan Smith. Visited the Red Lion several times, often for just a drink outside and three times for an evening meal. Great local pub where you can also chat to locals and others on holiday. Thanks...

DREADFUL experience! We visited this pub after a long country walk, and ordered two meals which came with peas, and we asked the waitress if we could swap the peas for salad, which she said would be fine. As we were hot and thirsty we...