The Red Lion in Babergh

Visited The Red Lion today on Xmas Eve. Have not been for a few years and thought it would be nice to have a meal locally. Forgot what a lovely building and interior it is. The waitress took us to our table, lovely lady. She recommended choices on the menu which was great, Our starters were ok, but felt they could improve the salmon and chicken liver salad. Our main courses however really great, and desserts very nice indeed!! The only thing I thought was a little disappointing was when a customer came up to speak to the owner about another local establishment in a rather derogatory way,and the owner decided to comment about the place negatively, not very nice to hear that local businesses are not supporting each other!! I suggest The Red Lion has background music, as that is what it lacks in atmosphere. Then that way we would not of heard such a disappointing conversation in such trying times!!!Also was made aware that they reopened at 6.00pm and felt like we had to go, I understand it’s a very long day on a shift but as we are about to go into Tier 4, you need to make your customers feel there is no need to rush.

Fantastic food and wonderful accommodation too. Would highly recommend. We stayed here in the pubs self contained barn over a weekend and ate in the restaurant. The food was fantastic and couldn’t fault the staff or stay. Mandy and Doug were excellent hosts with great attention to detail. Highly recommend the restaurant as a place to bring friends and family for a wonderful meal. Great job! Would love to come back!

Rang and booked table for special evening as celebrating an anniversary- very attentive staff from start to finish- food choice really good and food ordered was amazing - overall a great experience can’t wait to return

We wanted a relaxing weekend away and we were not disappointed; staying here exceeded our expectations. We were greeted by Mandy and her team showed to our barn which has been decorated beautiful and is spotlessly clean, you definitely feel safe here regarding Covid measures. The barn was fully stocked with lovely food for our breakfast at no extra charge including freshly baked bread. We ate lunch and dinner in the restaurant because the food was so amazing and the staff were so friendly and attentive. The local walks to the estuary and Woodlands are breathtaking. We just can't wait to come back and I would recommend staying here to anyone.

We stayed in the B and B barn which is the pubs accommodation - this was really lovely, highly recommend. The food at this pub is simply amazing. We ate here over 3 nights whilst staying and were never disappointed. From the friendly, smiling service to the way they have dealt with social distancing to the icing on the proverbial cake - THE FOOD - super, special, tasty and supreme - a culinary delight! We had the pork, the lamb and the battered cod and the desserts Tiramisu, Sticky toffee pudding (twice!) all presented well and good portions - a big thumbs up to Mandy and her amazing team! If we lived nearby we would be back every week!

What a amazing meal! We were so impressed by the choice, quality of food and impeccable service. So much care and attention has been taken to make all areas safe, socially distanced and spotlessly clean. Thank you so much.

Called in for lunch on the off chance. We were made very welcome. The restaurant and toilets were absolutely spotless. The food and service was excellent. Can't wait to go again.

We stopped here for Saturday lunch in late August. We were greeted in the garden and made to feel very welcome. We stayed outside with our dog at a comfortable and well spaced table. The staff were all very friendly and attentive, whilst still maintaining a good distance in the current difficult time.We both had a really nice pint followed by beer battered cod with chips and peas. Everything was freshly prepared and tasted great. The home made tartare sauce was a special treat.As an aside, I would say the restrooms are the best and cleanest I have ever seen in a UK pub.Well worth a visit if you are in the area, don’t just drive past!

Had a family meal at the Red Lion this evening. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. Great evening - thank you Mandy and the team 😊👍👏👌

We have been to Red Lion a number of times and food is always excellent and good value with nice choice of wines. We went very recently to see how the experience would be under Covid rules and I have to say they did an excellent job with good procedures, cleanliness and spacing that made for a relaxing and enjoyable meal To usual high standard

My wife and I visited one evening this week, with a couple of friends. None of us had visited before. Despite the social distancing rigmarole meaning that there were fewer tables than normal in use, we had an excellent meal. Service was friendly and efficient; nothing was too much trouble. It was also good value. The whole place is squeaky clean and you just know that it's run by people who really care. We'll be back!

What a fantastic meal once again...service was excellent and friendly staff everything was cooked perfectly Wil be back soon

WE had passed this pub, restaurant several times but never stopped before.Last Saturday we stopped to have lunch after parking up we entered via a small step to be greeted by very friendly staff, after another step we where seated by the window and decided on the haddock and chips Trevor had a non alchol beer and I had a hot chocolate . there was cold water provided as well. After a short wait our fish arrived it looked delicious served with chips ,mushy peas and tartare sauce in separate dishes.we were delighted with haddock and chips It is the best fish and chips I have tasted in a long time. Wheelchair access is a bit challenging but worth the effort. We will be back again. a menu is on the website check out.

Everybody is entitled to their opinion and one imagines the experience for ‘THEM’ was less than satisfactory. Please note however a lack of any dissent since 2015.!?For the rest of us 10/10 ‘full marks’ reviewers, The Red Lion in Chelmo’ is quite simply THE best eating house for anybody traveling within 20 miles.....or indeed beyond.Many (MANY)! Visits later we have yet to book lunch or dinner with less than an “OMG ....now THAT was awesome food” comment Add that to impeccable service and a more than comfortable ambiance and you will have an experience to REPEAT ..... often.An added treat is the owners ‘get involved’ by taking note of every comment from ‘Starters to coffee’ thus ensuring NOBODY is left in any doubt this restaurant IS “simply the best’’

We went to The Red Lion for the first time tonight as it was recommended by a friend. We weren't disappointed, there was a large choice of dishes to choose from. The mains and desserts we had were excellent, we didn't have any starters. We didn't wait too long to be served, the staff was very pleasant and the owner made us so welcome, very smiley and chatty. We really appreciated the little personal touch of a candle on our daughter's pudding for her birthday.We really recommend the place, it's very clean, great decor and atmosphere. We will definitively go back again.

Visited today for the Office Xmas lunch. Great service, lovely atmosphere, very clean pub. The food was amazing. Beautifully presented & one of the best meals I have had in Suffolk since I moved here. Set lunch for £22.50 for 3 courses was good value & they have a good wine list.

We unanimously decided to go here again for our annual Pilates lunch, as it was so good last year and it didn't disappoint.We all pre-choose from the 3-course set menu at £22.50ph inclusive of delicious, freshly baked bread and we had a wide variety of all the excellent dishes. The service was superb and attention to detail second to none. The owner easily caters for every possible dietary restriction and nothing is too much trouble for her and her excellent team. The restaurant is beautifully furnished and the facilities are of an extremely high standard; always the sign of a good establishment in my book!Plenty of parking space and, clearly, it's a very popular place for lunch or dinner and you'd be well advised to pre-book.

Visited with good friends who recommended The Red Lion. We had never been before and were pleasantly surprised. Most pleasant decor and lovely welcome. Food excellent; had liver & bacon one of my favourites and it did not disappoint, cooked just right. My fellow diners were all very happy with their meals as well. Did not have a dessert as too full from starter and mains. Service good with pleasant and well spoken staff - not always something you get these days. We will be back; you are on our places to revisit.

First class food and service. The best steak I've eaten outside of top restaurants in London. Our first visit for lunch and it won't be the last. Good choice of wine. House wine is excellent.

This was our first visit to the Red Lion but it wont be the last. We went on a horribly wet Tuesday and arrived early so understandably it was quiet but the welcome was warm and friendly. The restaurant looked newly decorated and was smart and modern. We shared a smoked salmon starter and pudding but went our own ways with the main course, all of which was very good,

We have been several times and constantly get fantastic service and food. They are excellent as catering for my dietary requirements (dairy and gluten free). Brilliant as always. Highly recommend.

This was my first visit to the Red Lion. I was with two friends one of which had visited many times. The whole feel of this place was welcoming, comfortable and clean. W e were greeted on arrival and show to comfortable seats. We were not hurried in any way.The choice of food was very good as was the quality, quantity and presentation of the food.The staff were all very pleasant and helpful.This is a place I will visit again.

Ate at The red lion for family meal.Smashing welcome, great service&delicious; food....service friendly efficient &unobtrusive.....Sausage;&mash; to die for,definitely will return...Sooner rather than later.....a Suffolk gem!!

Welcomed, interesting menu, enjoyed the food, ambiance fine. Clearly fairly up-market. The manager clearly likes to get to know regulars (I am not one!). Good car park off the road. We enjoyed the sausages and mash - recommended by a friend. But they had removed Sticky Toffee pudding from the menu (my preference), although the alternative chocolate-based option was good. No dogs allowed, regretfully.

Went to the Red Lion for a 16th Anniversary to see friends Dougie and Mandy who owns the place I've known them for a lot of years now and always try to get there once a year food excellent as always service from the waitresses is faultless and can highly recommend we always stay in the little barn which is a self-catering unit at the side which has all the mod cons you could ask for and can highly recommend hope to see you all again soon

Visited with a girlfriend as we were in the area on a walking weekend, and had heard this was the best food locally. Absolutely not disappointed - the food was stunning - literally the best chateaubriand I’ve ever had. Starters were also amazing, I had a halloumi and apricot salad, and my friend the smoked salmon.

Our first visit even though we have lived on the peninsular for around three years. Lovely ambiance and friendly welcome. Thursday lunchtime, so not overly busy. Lovely touches like proper serviettes and jugs of water already on the table. Not that much choice of real ale. Food was superb. I had the calves liver and my wife the cod and prawn linguine. Not open Sundays & Mondays. We will be back

I just love this restaurant - the standard of food is always the same .... perfectly delicious every time!! As usual, we were welcomed even though we hadn’t booked and enjoyed wonderful service and friendliness from the team. We had nibbles of olives and freshly made garlic bread with a crisp cool glass of Sauvignon blanc, followed by sea bass on a bed of leek and saffron risotto (me) whilst my friend couldn’t resist having the calves liver and bacon again because it is so tasty every single time! We couldn’t manage desserts, much as we were sorely tempted, (especially by the sticky toffee pud!), so we finished off with freshly brewed coffee which rounded off the meal perfectly. What a great place to meet up for a girly catch up teamed with the best meal you can have around here! Thank you to Mandy, Dougie and team!

We have just had a great meal at the red lion, Meal and service were exceptional. Beautiful place ,this was are first time here it will not be are last.

Went for lunch today at the red lion as not been there for over 12 years and before that since it was a traditional pub! My mum grew up in the village so I treated her to lunch there!!

Lovely decor, lovely welcome and service. Food was faultless. Enjoyed a Saturday evening in chilled surroundings.

Excellent food, and top star service. Lovely and welcoming atmosphere will definitely be returning!!

Everyone had a superb meal. The meat was exquisite. I would strongly recommend. We have tried all other pubs in the surrounding area and none come close.

Wonderful fish lunch with my parents. The haddock was divine and cooked so beautifully. Nothing like pub fish and chips I can promise you. added to that Mandy the owners caring approach and you cant ask for a better formula. Staff we met were all great.

A perfect overnight stay and dinner with the best hosts Dougie and Mandy.

Very pleasant lunch served here yesterday ...I had the cod and chips ...delicious and my husband enjoyed a generous portion of lamb and vegetables. Carefully and nicely served...fair prices We will go again 😊

Perfect evening great atmosphere, food, service and company. it was a lovely evening, not rushed, great service from Mandy and her team. The menu was really good and everyone were really satisfied with the fabulous food.

We enjoyed a very pleasant evening meal in a very quiet restaurant. Every course of the meal "pleased" with good quality ingredients, cooked well and served appropriately. We would return

All our family went to The Red Lion on a Saturday evening in November. We were welcomed warmly but urged to choose quickly as they did have another large birthday party as well as other people. This did not matter as we were hungry.

Although a few of us had dined here before, those that hadn't were equally delighted and 100% happy with the food and service. We had pre-ordered our 3-course lunch costing £22.50per head, inclusive of VAT, which was excellent value and we were shown to a beautifully set-out table.

We had a two course meal, which was fabulous! Friendly and superb service, amazing food and a relaxed environment. Well done to all the staff

Visited the Red Lion last night after not visiting for months and the food was still outstanding! Skate to die for and the liver and bacon equally good - not to mention the yummy sticky toffee pudding! Thank you Mandy - a super evening!

My family (8 and 11 year old boys) and I were amazed at this gem of a restaurant/ pub. We ate Skate, Cod, Pork and Beef; all of which exceeded all our expectations. I write a lot of reviews and this is one to try

We had dinner at the Red Lion and it definitely lived up to our expectations! The skate wing was superb, the cod was brilliant and the pork belly out of this world! The service was excellent, attentive and very friendly. I would recommend this place 100%. One to visit!

This was my wife's birthday and was supposed to be my treat. The food was perfect, as was the unobtrusive attention of Mandy and her team of lovely girls.

Three of us had lunch here and enjoyed our meal. The menu was diverse and the portions very large! Unfortunately we mostly all had the same (fish and chips!) so can’t comment on many of the dishes but other diners’ meals looked equally good. The batter on the fish was light, the cod was perfectly cooked and moist and the chips were crispy and puffy. We also had vegetable bhajis which were extremely tasty. We didn’t have room for dessert! Stylish decor in muted tones and friendly hosting by Mandy. The only slight negative was a rather long wait due to a busy restaurant with only two people serving and the acoustics - we were in a small room to the right of the bar at the back which was full, and it was quite hard to hear ourselves and (not listen to other conversations!). We should have asked to move into another room but no matter. (To be fair we were with a person who is hard of hearing so it was more difficult). Overall it was worth the trip from Colchester and I’d like to go back to try the cheese plate and sticky toffee pudding next time!

Unable to access our favourite location (not necessarily restaurant) en route for lunch at home we discovered The Red Lion. What a delightfully serendipitous find. Food, wine and service par excellence. An extremely full restaurant necessitated a slight delay in the arrival of our meal. However, a glass of the delicious South African red helped to pass the time. Our meals were well worth the wait. Veal cooked to perfection, served with a delectable bubble & squeak and (presumably) local bacon: Duck with pommes dauphinoise and wilted spinach. The piece de resistance was the shared hazelnut Bavarois with praline topping. Definitely one not to be bypassed.

Thirty seven members joined together at The Red Lion for a fabulous evening. We were warmly welcomed with Prosecco on arrival and were shown to our tables once everyone had arrived. We had all pre-chosen from the menu and nothing was too much trouble. One of our number had not chosen a starter because of her allergy but she was offered smoked salmon instead which she loved. Other starters were soup, king prawn skewers and wonderful duck salad. Freshly made bread was brought to us which was very good. The main courses were excellent as well, people enjoying the pork fillet gnocchi, cod fillet, Hake and risotto. We were given enough time between courses to enjoy one another’s company. The desserts included a superb cheese platter, lemon posset, and sticky toffee pudding. The meal was rounded off with coffee or tea according to people’s wishes.

This place takes it food seriously. All fresh, carefully cooked with attentive service. A professionally run pub restaurant with good menu selection and Fair prices. Recent refurbishment has made it comfy smart and welcoming. You will not be disappointed. Robert.

Me and my partner treated the in laws to dinner, told them to pick wherever they’d like and they picked here. We’d never been here before but we wasn’t at all disappointed! The staff are so friendly and welcoming. The place was quiet but it was nice & cosy. We asked for a booth table and they were more than happy to arrange it for us. And the food was - OMG - literally amazing. Very reasonably priced too!! Cannot fault this place at all! Would definitely recommend and we will be back!! Thank you so much

The red lion never faults, the quality of service and food is exceptional, and it’s cooked to perfection every time!

The greeting you get when you first walk in sets the tone of your time in this wonderful pub. But don't think this is a normal pub. The decor and surroundings are first class, the service extraordinary and the food simply wonderful.

We came to the Red Lion Tuesday evening. Having been before (last year) we knew how good it was! The food was amazing and offered generous portion sizes. The recommended wine was lovely and the front of house staff worked effortlessly and smoothly to ensure a pleasant evening was had by all. The young waitress Molly ran the front of house excellently and couldn’t have been more helpful. Definitely recommend.

We had set out to eat at another pub down the road, but couldn't even park, so my clever daughter had already googled local pubs in the area "just in case" and recommended we came here. We are so glad we did! What a gem of a find! From the superb, attentive, timely service, to the quality of the food, price, portion size ... we could not fault it! We were delighted, a very happy family lunch that exceeded our expectations. We will be back and very soon, thank you Red Lion!

The food was great, the wine excellent and service superb. Will definitely be going back. I was in a wheelchair and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful.

Went to the Red Lion for anniversary meal excellent as always and very busy and can highly recommend owner Mandy who runs front of house she's always there to make sure everything is run smooth with her front of house team nothing is too much trouble and behind the scenes is her husband Dougie and his team which send out the most remarkable food always hot and always very tasty and cater for all Needs gluten-free vegetarians nothing is too much trouble we also stayed in the little Barn right next to the restaurant which is of a very high standard B&B; which is self catering with all mod cons can't wait to go back

What a terrific, warm, friendly community welcoming pub. We walked for the first time ever into a community coffee morning and were treated like old friends.

Lovely food, atmosphere, and service. Mandy, Doug and the team are consistently good. What more is there to say? Try it, you will not be disappointed 👍👍

Excellent evening, we enjoyed every course, food was cooked to perfection, good choice of wines, very good table service, lovely hosts, and the little barn is great for a short break, with everything you need , well worth a visit .

This was the second visit within a few weeks. The first was with a friend on her birthday and then a family visit. Both times the staff were very welcoming. The interior was very clean, light and comfortable. A great choice of menu. Our starters were smoked prawns, smoked salmon and asparagus with garnish & egg coated in panko crumbs. Mains were cod in chorizo & tomato sauce, liver & bacon and fish and chips. Desserts were sticky toffee pudding, praline cheesecake. Top marks for fantastic tasty food and attentive service. I would highly recommend The Red Lion and look forward to returning with friends.

The food was amazing and the seafood platter was cooked to perfection and must admit the skate wing was unbelievable.. will Definitely visited again when in the area.

Visited here once again with a girlfriend for a belated birthday lunch and was not disappointed. My friend had the Pork Fillet and I chose the Hake fillet. Only downside with mine was there were several bones in the fillet, which I reported to the waitress, as this might have been a problem for anyone with less than good eyesight or, indeed, anyone believing a fillet would be without bones! We both had excellent desserts and 2 175ml Pinot Gris Rose. The bill came to £51.10.

We only intended to pop into The Red Lion for a quick coffee following a walk at Pin Mill yesterday. What a great discovery! If I’m being honest I don’t think the frontage of the pub does it true justice. As soon as we walked through the doors we received a friendly greeting. The pub has a warm, comfortable and contemporary feel to it. All staff were polite and super efficient. Having seen the menus were felt compelled to accompany our coffee with some food! Food was amazing. We will certainly be back to try out more of the menu! How wonderful to find such a super pub which is able to produce beautifully prepared food, using local ingredients without over inflated prices.

My friends and I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening yesterday. The surroundings were pleasant, the atmosphere relaxing, the staff friendly and efficient and the food in terms of choice, quality, presentation and taste was excellent. Many thanks to Mandy and her team for welcoming us so warmly and for looking after us so well throughout the evening.

We have eaten here in the past on several occasions. We stopped going as the menu was "samey"....WOW what a pleasant surprise 18 months on from our last visit the menu is vibrant, the atmosphere is good and the food was fabulous. A real gem to find and it is not far from Ipswich.

My wife and I stayed at The Little Barn on Saturday and it was absolutely fabulous! From the moment we arrived Mandy made us feel very welcome and was a great host. We had supper at The Red Lion that evening and the food and drink were of excellent quality. Both the pub and accommodation is well thought out with great attention to detail. We would certainly return when we are next in Suffolk.

WoW! WoW! WoW!!!!! Amazing. Warm friendly greeting upon arrival to attentive waitresses/waiters to outstanding food.

We had a one night stay in the Little Barn. Fantastic modern accomodation with every facility you could wish for. The DIY breakfast was brilliant with quality food and masses of it. Could have fed 4 people! The welcome when we arrived from Mandy was warm and during our stay we felt that nothing was too much trouble. We ate in the Red Lion on the Saturday night and the food was great. The staff were attentive and friendly and again Mandy was there checking all was ok. Great place, great food and beer, great weekend. Thanks.

Had lunch today with my sister and elderly parents. My father has recently started dyallis they were so helpful even prepared special onions for him, we will definitely be back, big thank you

A few days back home in the U.K. and being treated to some home cooked food,having heard rave reviews I...

I have eaten here 4 times over the last 2 years. Twice on New Years Eve. On every occasion the...

Red Lion was recommended by a friend and didn’t disappoint. It’s definitely more of a restaurant than a pub. The...

From the very pleasant reception to the last moment of our visit, this was an evening out to remember. The...

Stopped on the off chance for lunch and feel the need to report how brilliant the red lion was. The...

We recently stayed in The Little Barn adjacent to the Red Lion for a 4 night mini-break. The Little Barn...

Tuesday lunchtime and not busy, but service from the kitchen was very slow. Skate wing and steak pie were good,...

We were staying for the weekend in nearby Freston, and visited the Red Lion on the Friday evening. The interior...

Six of us went for dinner on Wednesday night and it was delicious! Home smoked salmon was scrummy as was the skate ... in fact, not a morsel left on any plate! Friends had the lamb, liver, salmon and steak and weren't disappointed. Doug and Mandy are lovely hosts and all the staff are friendly and attentive. Will definitely be going back .... only one very teensy, tiny thing that we would change and that would be to have some background music.

Enormous thank you to Mandy & Doug for hosting and contributing to our fundraising efforts to purchase and renovate Shotley Pier. We enjoyed a rum tasting, a fabulous meal with great service and a friendly atmosphere.

We booked to take friends out for a mid week evening meal. Large menu with plenty of fresh specials. We all enjoyed our choices (empty plates all round) with one of our party commenting it was the best liver and bacon he'd ever tasted. The house red was extremely good too and the staff were very helpful. Our friends eat out often and are choosey when it comes to food quality and traditional in the way they like customer service. They were greatly impressed, we'll be back!

thought we would try the red lion following the refurb...what a lovely place this is... friendly staff. good decor comfy seating. menu sounded promising.. amd delivered.. decent well cooked.not overly expemsive. one of the best cooked skate wings ive had in ages...we have put this place back on our go to places. thankyou.

I went here for an evening meal with my sister. I have never been before and she has not been for years so we thought we would give it a go. We went early. Staff were very friendly. All good was excellent.skate and cod were very good.easy to find and easy park. Clean and modern. Would go again and recommend.

We went predominantly for the accommodation which is superb the complete opposite of chain places run by accountants counting out tea bags & coffee sachets . Their approach is simple give the customers more than they need & 99% of them will be pleased and not think that they gave to eat or take everything in the room.So we didn't eat all the toffees, or take home the crisps and bottles of water. The ingredients for the DIY breakfast are fantastic- the nicest bacon i have seen for a long time and lots of it. ( accountants take note there were about 8 rashers for two of us - I ate one ) Illy coffee,nice towels,great shower,local maps,great bread to go with croissants- the list goes on & on Dinner was fantastic, 40 day dry aged steak .Restaurant was busy and no wonder.Great food , good service- staff better than we encountered at The Sportsman, which is Restaurant of the Year & Gastro Pub of the year.Couldn't fault it .

Just been away for a weekend break on our 14th anniversary stayed in the little burn which is a self catering room to the side off the pub restaurants which we had booked a table at as we have been before and are friend s with the owners .we had a lovely meal which is off a high standard and the staff are always very polite and cannot do enough for you and can highly recommend and would not hesitate to go back all in all a very enjoyable weekend see you again soon

What a gem we found while trying to find an evening meal. The staff and Mandy were very friendly, the decor was modern and calm, and there was an excellent choice of food which was delicious.If we lived near it would become our regular place for an enjoyable evening meal.

Visited for a family birthday having heard good reports. A warm welcome was followed by quick drinks service and helpful advice on the menu. We skipped the starters and ordered two meat dishes and two fish dishes. We weren't kept waiting long and the food was well presented and beautifully cooked. I had heard that the menu was pricey but at around £15-17 for our meals they were very good value for money. Deserts were also nicely presented and interesting. Choice over the menu was very good and we were always torn between several tempting options at each course. Two rounds of drinks, four Mains and sweets, including a cheese board came to £68. Great value and well certainly visit again soon.

I know from friends who live in Chelmondiston that the the refurbishment of this pub into it's present incarnation is considered a great addition to local amenities. We ate there with these friends last night and enjoyed it very much. Having turned up early for an 8.30 slot we were able to go straight to the table, although informed in a friendly way that earlier bookings would be served first. However, we were promptly brought drinks and were happy to chat until service available. It was a little disappointing that by the time we were able to order most of the specials were sold out. However, going straight in for mains, we had two duck and two calves liver, all served pink and all delicious. The liver was very tasty and served with some good back bacon and a small patty of bubble and squeak, which was the least successful item on the plate. Something green seemed missing so we ordered a side serving of spinach, a dish that had come standard with the duck. This extra vegetable appeared very quickly. For pudding my husband and I shared an excellent frangipane and apricot tart with custard and another in the party had sticky toffee pudding with what was declared to be delicious ice-cream. The atmosphere was buzzy, atmosphere excellent and although the place was busy service was prompt and friendly. The loos are good too. I can see that some may complain about losing an old style pub to something that really cannot claim to be much more than a restaurant, but our local friends are very clear that this place attracts far more people than the old pub ever did.

8 of use had the most wonderful meal and birthday celebration. We were well looked after and the atmosphere and service were excellent. When you are made to feel welcome and the food is such great quality you know you have landed where the heart of the owners is embedded into the whole package.Great Value for money fine dining at very reasonable prices.

Set on the peninsula towards Shotley and a short drive out of Ipswich this proved to be a good choice of venue for Friday night dinner. The venue is light and bright and a friendly welcome awaits. There is a seating area to enjoy a drink before dining and the dining area is spacious and comfortable. After a tasty starter we both selected the mixed fish grill which included salmon, sea bass, skate wing and king prawns with a side of chunky chips and a green salad. The fish was beautifully cooked and tasty. As well as the main menu the daily specials offer additional choice, mainly fish and seafood as well as a dish of the day. The meal was completed for me with the cheese board which as well as cheddar and brie had a really tasty creamy Oxford blue and Cornish Yarg. This was accompanied by a chutney and a lovely selection of apple, grape, celery and walnuts. With local Adnams beer and a choice of wines and other drinks this is a lovely venue which I would be more than happy to revisit. Deserves to to do well.

used to be a great pub for meals, but no more. Now it is very thin pre-sliced meat for roasts larger plates & much smaller portionns. Not at all impressed. We did not even stay for a sweet or coffee. Will not be going back.

This must be our sixth or seventh visit since they opened and was as lovely as ever. My younger son and my daughter, with their respective families took us there for my eightieth birthday. The food was top notch, as always and Mandy's attention to detail could not have been better. The fresh skate wing was "as good as it gets " according to my son and my calves liver and bacon was "to die for"!They also took the trouble to phone us at home to ask if we had any special requests for the three children!!Thank you Mandy. The two bad reviews clearly display poor taste by the writers!Brian Fitzsimmons.

Back to the Red Lion to celebrate Dads 80th. This time with kids (8-12). Once again exceptionally well looked after. Great food all round. Skate wing once again an awesome dish. Mixed seafood platter also a huge winner. Liver also spectacular. Children well catered for. Wine still of a great quality. This place has it spot on from the kitchen to front of house. Well done and thank you again.

We are never disappointed at the Red Lion, the food is excellent - particularly the fish - and the service is brilliant! Cannot praise it highly enough - a real gem in Suffolk.

Food was OK but rather overpriced for what it was. very long wait between courses. Starter for one person advertised the ham with olives but came with one olive only!!

We were six and on a Saturday night we were lucky to get in with an early start at 18.30. I had hake and others had battered fish and chips. The cheese cake was excellent. Very good service, interesting menu and wine list. Will definitely go again.

Excellent overnight stay. After a 6 mile walk the accommodation was superb and dinner in the pub itself was well presented and delicious. One of the best skate wings I've tasted! Thank you Mandy&Doug - I'll be back!

Visited today for lunch to celebrate our wedding anniversary with friends. The hake was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection (I'd travelled 30 miles for this having enjoyed it before!). Two of the party had the calves liver which again was delicious and is another favourite. The cod was also very good.The restaurant was busy but the service was prompt, professional but unhurried - just as you'd like it.This restaurant always delivers.

This was our second visit the interior is very modern and minimal nicely done, the first visit a more senior lady served us very friendly food was excellent, Therefore we returned, this occasion it was a younger man served us, we all thought he was a little formal and cool in his manor, the food although the main dish was well cooked the trimmings left a lot to be desired my wife's dish came with a salad which consisted of a few rocket leaves and little else although we were asked if we would like side orders after the first visit we thought there would be no need all four dishes seemed lacking in some way, shame as the previous occasion was such a good experience.the deserts we're very good l must say. I think it will be a little while before we return.

Second time we have visited the Red Lion. The menu was excellent and we all wished we still had the appetite to do it full justice.Food well cooked and welcoming ambience.

Arrived about 7pm on Saturday without booking. Car park was busy so unsure if they would be able to squeeze in another table for two but Mandy and other staff were very accommodating.Interior is so lovely with the most delightful arrangement of bar, private dining, sofa area and main dining room. Decor is absolutely spot on trend - cool and modern but working cosy in with the contemporary feel. Toilets are much more boutique hotel than country pub.The wine list offered a perfect choice and the food menu's were all very tempting. Shared home baked bread to start which was so good. Both of us chose fish dishes for main course from the daily specials which looked and tasted amazing. Finished with cheese board and coffee.The Red Lion is absolutely devine and a world away from what it was previously. You absolutely should visit as the place is amazing. Those who wish to stay overnight can book the Little Barn which is just steps away and probably the best self contained B&B option for miles.