The Red Lion Inn, Penderyn in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Had the grilled aubergine with tahini paste and the halloumi burger..both delicious. Very narrow track to get there but def worth the visit, service was quick and waitresses were all really friendly and helpful.x

Very enjoyable experience and an amazing place to go will definitely go again fully recommend

My sister and brother-in-law took me here for lunch, and I have to say it's a hidden gem. The location is down a very tiny little country road, barely enough room for 1 car, but most definitely worth looking for if you're in the area. It's a fabulously cozy and comfy little spot, service and food are also excellent. I highly recommend it.

Great pub to pop in for a relaxing pint.

Outstanding- superb food all locally sourced and an excellent selection to cater for all tastes. Wine menu lacked variety however, more old world wine needed perhaps.

Absolutely brilliant food, on a par with some fine dining restaurants in London. It however must be remembered that this is a public house and serves walkers etc and people popping in for a beer (or three). There is also an outside area with pods and a pizza stove, all in all it’s heaven to me. Excellent beer as well!😃

We love the red lion. Food unreal, views, good ales- right next to our favourite waterfall trail. Sunday roast was nice and by the roasting fire!

Excellent food and friendly service. A real gem

We had high expectations following our waterfall walk. Location was beautiful, the food smelt amazing HOWEVER we felt the pricing did not reflect what we thought would be gastro pub quality. It was not. My Welsh brie and cranberry ciabatta was very disappointing. Looked like shop bought ciabatta and far too much cranberry which over powered the meal. Small portions of chips and the salad had far too much red onion. Would have been better with a home made coleslaw. My husband had shepherd's pie. Very small portion.and we weren't too sure what the hard vegetable that it came with...whatever it was it added no value but merely filled space kn the plate. Two main meals 2 pints and a coffee over £50. Really? I wouldn't mind if it was wow, but it failed and quite frankly was the biggest disappointment of the day. I feel sorry for all the other tourists who will do what we did this coming Summer. The pizza outside I think would have been a better option.

Beautiful country pub. Roaring fires and the best food we've had on an evening out for as long as I can remember. The last mile or so getting there is a tight country lane and may be awkward if the lane is busy but it is so worth it. Natalie, the landlady was lovely, as was Meghan who waited on us perfectly and a huge thank you to the chefs who cooked our fabulous meal. It was my wife's 64th birthday and she had a card waiting for her signed by all the staff, such a lovely thought. The wine my wife had was lovely with what seemed like generous measures and the smooth bitter was a throwback to when beer was beer. It tasted of hops, was, clean, fresh and an absolute joy to drink. 100% we will be going back and I highly recommend a visit!

We had a lovely evening. Food is always top-notch, and the staff are so nice and friendly.

Consistency great food service and quality ! Good quality real ales. Highly recommend a visit. You may even see Mr Depp on his random visits. 🤭

Really lovely pub from the moment you drive up to it. I was there on my own and the staff were really attentive and helpful. Food was amazing - at the higher end price wise but worth it, wouldn’t say it was expensive at all for the quality.

Just a few beers for an hour or so. The warmest cosiest environment you could imagine and hope for in a pub. Excellent service and a pint of Bass that I'd give 10/10. The mountain top area that it's located at is superb. Give it a visit, you won't be disappointed.

Thoroughly enjoyed. Food was very nice, and we were sat by the fireplace

It is a lovely pub with good atmosphere inside. We didn't have food inside as it was full but we ordered chips from outside at the pizza place which were £5 for just a handful of small thin chips! Very disappointed.

Booked a table for my first time at the Red Lion and lucky I did. The restaurant area was pretty full with a great atmosphere. We were sat right next to the fireplace which was perfect as the weather outside was pretty awful. Service was fantastic and the lamb Sunday roast was absolutely delicious. Would highly recommend for anyone in the Penderyn area or passing through.

We had the leak and potato for starter , it was amazing,the best soup Iv ever tasted The lamb dinner was very tasty , the cauliflower cheese could of been cheesyier . Highly recommend this place for Sunday dinner .we will be back

Lovely roast in a good old pub!

Beautiful country pub, with great local beers and a very friendly atmosphere. We didn't eat, but enjoyed trying some of the local ales, their own special whisky, and some bonus whiskies for comparison! Very friendly landlord, staff and locals. Looking forward to going back when we're next in the area.

Went here for a couple times of a few local ciders after a day walking. This is a charming pub with a roaring fire in the hearth. The staff and locals are very friendly. Great to meet a fellow Dartford lady in the Brecon Beacons .😃🥰

First time visit, excellent food and loved the Ale, Bass, straight from the Keg, could fault service, Looking at menu it looks pricey but as a treat well worth it.

What a place, we had the best food and service at a warm and cosy friendly immaculate value for money experience at the Red lion. Looking forward to our next visit. Regards Dai Groesfaen Farm

Lovely warm Christmas decorations made a cosy atmosphere. Friendly and attentive staff. Service was quick and food was fresh, tasty and of good quality

Lovey country style bistro pub , log fires, dog friendly and a fabulous menu and restaurant food was excellent and reasonable price Good selection of wine and drinks Staff are very attentive and friendly An excellent lunch what a find

Lovely atmospheric pub, book in advance because it was jam packed full.

Came here after a lovely walk to the waterfalls. Food was absolutely gorgeous (we ate from the festive menu) and service was really good - thanks

Ate here in November with my OH. Food was absolutely delicious and good value. Service was excellent and the place is just a warm, friendly place to enjoy a meal. My brother has just got my parents a voucher for here as a Christmas present. Can totally recommend.

Warm cosy atmosphere in a plush environment. Food looked exquisite, top of the range and excellent, very fancy. Large car park with wood fire pizza van outback. Really excellent church over the road a bit run down but different from most churches. The road is quiet, and the pub is secluded and away from the main roads. Lovely views over the brecons through the trees.

Lovely review of the pub in the Western Mail - 30th November 2024 - Welsh Pubs with cosy fireplaces! There is nothing cosy about a pub fire that is completely dominated by people who think they can strip down to their base layer and hang their wet smelly clothes on the polished rail over the fire and then - pull the tables in front of the fire selfishly spoiling it for everyone else in the bar! What is it about some people who think they can do this? Really - would you ? This is a country pub that welcomes everyone, locals and visitors alike, almost everyone brings their own manners and you are very welcome - if you can’t ….. then use your own local and warm your arrogance where it is welcome. The Red Lion Inn is a beautiful country pub - enjoy a warm welcome and a warm fire 🔥

It could be such a nice pub… We went there on a very rainy day to get out of the weather. The young woman behind the bar was very friendly. We sat by the fireplace to try and dry out.l whilst enjoying some of the wide range of drinks. Unfortunately we were not allowed to have food served in the room by the fire for some unbeknownst reason, only drinks. The landlady was very rude to us for no particular reason. We tried to be friendly again on our departure and she was blunt to us again. I wouldn’t recommend this place.

Such a fantastic pub and the staff are just incredible. Beautiful pub in a stunning location and the food is just out of this world. Best roast dinner and the red snapper was gorgeous. Highly recommended:)

Amazing food here. A Warm friendly atmosphere. Polite staff. Definitely make this my local if I lived near by

A lovely welcoming pub with great food and friendly staff. They allowed us to stay in their overflow carpark in our self contained campervan in return for eating and drinking with them. The food was excellent, we both had steak, and the service good. Restaurant gets very busy so make sure you call ahead to book a table. Decent Welsh ale on tap and a roaring log burner made for a cosy atmosphere. We liked it so much we stayed a 2nd night when we had local Welsh cider and pizza from the outside van on the well lit terrace. Again delicious food. Really picturesque area with some great walking. Thank you for letting us stay, we had a super weekend.

Absolutely stunning food! One of the best cuts of beef I've ever had. The only recommendation is for the Welsh Beef Rump to come with a jus. The deserts were amazing 👏

Great place for food and a drink. Great atmosphere with open fire on cold winter nights. Would go more often if I did not live so far away

Best Sunday lunch in years. Efficient friendly service. If you have a dog remember to book the bar area

Always a pleasure arriving from the welcome of Natalie and her staff to the amazing Sunday Lunch huge thank you to the Chef and of course his Sous chefs and all who help make this a special experience.

Food is unbelievable! What a gem!

What a cracking pub. Haven't tried the in house menu yet, but the wood fired pizza from the little lion in the beer garden is truly amazing! Well worth a visit!!!

The food was perfect. We had burgers and chips, and they were delicious. I would highly recommend the place for food. The only minor letdown was not being told to go to the bar to pay for the food afterwards. We sat waiting to pay for 15 minutes before we found out.

Main meal not so good today. Ordered rump of Welsh beef £26 to be well done. It came pink with blood. Had to be sent back to the kitchen when it was returned the rest of the vegetables were cold. We had rhubarb and apple crumble which was delicious.

Exceptional spot - the food was truly on a different level. You’d expect fairly decent food but this is levels above. A real gem in the Brecons. The owner is a lovely chap too recommend some local walks, great place great people even better food and Lager. Will be back again

So glad we ventured out here. Lovely pub, nice staff and amazing food. A must try if you're in the Beacons.

What a place to have food... beer was great, too... I CAN NOT put into words how good this place was.. The car park is rubbish but I could live with that.. Definitely be booking there again!!!!

Loved the wood fired oven outside! Best tasting pizza in south Wales? Possibly.... 😋

Atmospheric, traditional country pub with an extensive menu of tempting and tasty food

Lovely pub in the Brecon Beacons NP and close to the Penderyn Distillery. Superior food and an epic Sunday lunch.

We had Sunday lunch here and felt there wasn't enough meat on the plate, although it was a very well cooked meal as a whole

Beautiful pub with very traditional decor and a fantastic beer garden out back with a converted shipping container selling pizza as well as their own food inside. The staff were very pleasant and the food was absolutely amazing!! Would definitely recommend to anyone visiting the area.

What a discover. Thanks to a friend of mine that lives around the area I was pleased to gave a dinner here. Service, food and atmosphere is fantastic. It's worth it every pound spent. Yet not the cheapest but you pay for quality and they are top tier. The variety on the menu is great and the list of drinks it's awesome as well. 100% Recommended

A complete gem of a dining experience. It is one of the most inventive and tasty menus I've had from pub dining in many years. Long may it thrive. Recommend the Panna Cotta as something a little bit different.

Loved this place. Food was at the higher end of the proce range, but was superb.

Pub is gorgeous, but the Google listing says the kitchen is open until 8:30 but we were turned away at 8:00.

Great place to go to for a well deserved pint after returning from the waterfalls walk.

Nice pizza, at the rear. lovely quaint pub

Such an amazing venue, amazing food and drink inside and equally amazing food out on their patio.. made even more special on this occasion with the added bonus of a pop up bakery at the location.

Great place for a pint after the waterfall walk

Lovely local pub with a great outdoor area

The Sunday roast lamb was simply to die for. Everything was perfect.

Didn't eat here just popped in for a drink. Lovely pub, nice atmosphere. Will be going back to sample the food soon.

What a fantastic special place to eat, beautiful inside and very good meals, we came for my husbands birthday and I'm glad I chose this place, it also got recommended to us.

As we have come to expect at The Red Lion, the food was exceptional. However, in our visit today, the kitchen was seriously let down by the waiting staff and their slapdash service. Everything was ‘off’. Had to request forgotten drinks, replacement of flat beer, vegetables to be served at the same time as the main dishes, more gravy, forgotten condiments, and just generally slow responses to everything. Not blaming the staff who were all quite pleasant but they need to be trained and managed better. We saw no senior managers on duty - all young kinds just doing their best. Please address this so you don’t lose customers who generally love the Pub.

Brought a party here today in minicoach,and when I went to pay for my 2nd non alcoholic drink was told by the Lady behind the bar,im assuming the Owner,that my drink was on the house due to me being the bus driver,really lovely gesture,totally unexpected,lovely venue,idyllic setting,,Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Fantastic gem of a pub. Little bit isolated but that doesn't detract from the overall ambience. Pub was extremely well looked after. Food was delicious. Service was friendly. Dog friendly, they even let me borrow a hose to wash my absolutely filthy springer Spaniel after we had walked the 4 waterfalls route. Would we go there again? In a heartbeat.

Absurdly beautiful pub oposite a gorgeous old church. Stunning views, friendly staff. The menu looked amazing but we didn't try it this time. There's a connecting area out back with food trucks and more outdoor seating. The toilets were lovely and clean, the pub rooms all spacious and cozily decorated. A little gem tucked away down a country road.

Lovely pub, lovely location! Double thumbs 👍 👍

Really good quality, beautifully presented; and inventive flavour combinations. This is fine dining but affordable - starters about £9; mains £18; dessert around £9 so meal for two with three courses and a coffee is still £70-£100. The 12 hour slow roasted beef and lamb (our mains) both have a very soft texture, quite unlike home cooked. The cucumber pannacotta is definitely worth trying.

Visited for the first time after receiving a number of recommendations. Food and service was great.

Been once for a drink and again for Sunday lunch. The dinner was beautiful, we had the lamb and chicken and it was delicious. Will be back soon to try the beef! All the staff are attentive and friendly. The setting and location is stunning.

Only popped in for a pint but very nice.

Only popped in for a drink, pub was lovely and clean, great selection of local drinks. Dog friendly and lovely pub garden. Also really clean.

Lovely pub, has a great country feel to it. We found the menu a little small, but I understand why it's limited. There was 5 of us, 2 Adults and 3 Kids. Limited kids menu. 3/4 items We went for the chicken from the grill which while it was succulent, it didn't have any specific flavour. No one came to check everything was OK, I would have ordered more drinks and asked for more than one pot of ketchup which didn't go far between 5 of us. Would recommend, perhaps check out the menu first.

A welcome return for us.All round excellence , quality and delicious dishes,

I was fortunate enough to come across the Red Lion while out cycling; it was quiet (being midweek) but still felt welcoming and I'd imagine it's worth booking at busier times. I had the halloumi burger which arrived quickly, was immaculately presented and was probably the best such burger I've had. Generous portions; food was only being served inside, but they were happy for me to leave the bike in a private area around the back.

Arrived early for our booking but that was no problem Friendly attentive staff provided excellent care and service. Cracking beers and I am told the wine was lovely Food was absolutely delicious. A cracking lunch at a stunning venue.

What a lovely find in Penderyn, idyllic location, beautiful food and excellent service. Dogs allowed in also. Will be visiting again soon.

The food was of a very high standard. Unfortunately, the description of the 'Ham, egg, and chips' starter is extremely misleading. My pork tenderloin was ridiculously small for the 24 pounds that I paid. Anyone visiting with a large appetite will be sorely disappointed. For the 85 pounds we paid for lunch for two, we didn't expect to leave hungry.

Food was really good. Nice Ambience. Highly recommended

After Hiking and camping around the area I decided to have myself a hot meal. Per chance I stumbled into the Red Lion inn. I was told that the kitchen was closing in five minutes but they told me that I could still order. (I’ve worked nearly a decade in Hospitality, I know what a pain this can be) I ordered from the set menu. I cant find words to describe how good this meal was. Homey, filling, experimental. I was taken back. The pub had a lovely vibe and put me to ease. The two ladies that served me were a delight. Even though I fell through the door with all my camping gear, smelling and looking less than desirable, I was looked after very well. I will be visiting this establishment again and will be bringing friends and family as I would love to share the experience. Thanks a bunch!

Fantastic food with really excellent service… would highly recommend after a long days hiking in the nearby country. Top spot, will definitely be back. Shout out to our waiter who was really great.

Lovely place. In order to get there it's a 4 hour walk there and back for us, but it's always worth it. Stunning pizza, warm cozy fires inside, and heaters outside. Beautiful views and great service. The only pub ill willingly go to. Also, doggo friendly 🐕.

Fantastic food and atmosphere. Really friendly staff.

Great pub. Welcoming staff and friendly locals, food well above the usual gastropub nonsense. I'd give it five stars but was very disappointed not to meet Johnny Depp.

A new find for us, roaring fires, really cozy atmosphere. Food was beautiful, the smoked honey butter with home made bread was a highlight! Service was fab, the lady who looked after us was very attentive without being overbearing. Going back to try their roasts

Beautiful location. Motorhome parking available. A very high standard of cuisine and service. Long term family owned business. Well worth a visit ☺️

Had a cracking dinner in this pub, having found it completely by chance. Great mix of a bar with chatty locals, restaurant with fab food and hosts that know what hospitality means. Will definitely be returning, and look forward to the possibility of accommodation here in the future!

Absolute gem of a place. We booked after calling in fir a drink before the distillery tour and loved the friendly service and cosy feel. The food was excellent, not your usual pub food. A very enjoyable meal, well done to the staff.

An absolute gem in the Welsh countryside, a must visit. The Red Lion really is a place to visit. The food was fantastic, well written and executed menu. Great wine list. Not to mention the superb ambience / look and feel of the pub. The team at The Red Lion were also superb and absolutely what the hospitality industry is all about. Definitely worth a visit. We will be back.

I visited December 27th, to meet my two best friends, for drinks and exchange of presents, as is our annual tradition. One friend visits from America and this is their favourite Christmas thing to do. Indeed, it is I've place I try to come and bring friends when they are visiting the area too. I've always found it a lovely pub, good mulled wine, atmosphere and quality food (when I've eaten there on other occasions). This year I braved the bleak weather conditions and a road closure, to come with my 5 month old baby. On arrival, the kind chef held open the door and offered to help me with the baby's carrier. Before I could make it through to the lounge, the lady owner sharply told me I couldn't come in with a baby. She spouted some line about not making any allowances for one person, as others would try and follow suit. She said it had been their policy for years and it was on the website that no children were allowed in the bar area after 6pm. I couldn't even respond. I burst into tears, at the effort it'd taken to get there and the unwelcoming, unaccommodating owner. My friends left, without touching the drinks and bar snacks, they'd spent £20. Ironically, the pub area was very empty, with only two couples in it. It's likely they wouldn't have had any objection, or wish to send a mother and baby back out into a storm. Admittedly, I hadn't checked the website as I am a local, regular visitors. But as for their policy on no children, I visited in December 2021 with a baby, and had no objections. Must have been her night off. I have since checked and their is no legal guidance on babies in pub lounges, this is just at the discretion of the owners. I should add that my previous encounters with the gentleman owner have been warm and courteous, hence giving 2 stars, not 1. Time for a new Christmas tradition, I think. Or an apology and new attitude from the female owner!

First time visitor, we (two of us) arrived without a booking on a Sunday, late lunchtime and we had a table within 15 mins. Service was very friendly and very prompt. We had two roast mains, the beef and chicken at around £16 each - not particularly cheap, but the quality was very good, and the quantity of vegetables left us completely full and satisfied. The atmosphere was lovely and cosy, with a fire running by the bar. Very much recommend. Total came to around £30 each inc two drinks each and tip.

We had an excellent meal, and great service too! It's a great place to eat, and very comfortable too. I wasn't impressed by the 200% profit on the cheap table wine though..it didn't taste like £25 a bottle! Beautiful steaks though!!

Ignorant and rude owner, overpriced food and beer, If it was good I would not complain. However the owner, a short stout woman, is truly awful and should not be let near the general public.

Looking forward to returning soon

This was our second time at the Red Lion and it matched our already high expectations. The service was friendly and prompt, and the food was out of this world. As for the atmosphere, just have a look! Next time we're in the area we'll absolutely book again. Hopefully this will be in the summer so we can take advantage of the wood fired pizza oven. 100% recommend.

Wonderful place and excellent food. I can not recommend this place enough

Very busy on a cold wet Saturday in early March. Ale was good and I guess the food must be good as everyone eating seemed to be enjoying it.

We went here for a st David's day taster meal.we hadn't been here for a long Time. It was still as nice as ever.food and service was 100 per cent.we had a six coarse taster menu.which was superb.i wish restrants would do them more often.when you're with friend talking and the food then is like lovely tasty nibbles. The drinks are flowing it makes for a lovely evening.thanks also to roy noble. Henson Castle gin and valleys veg. And the owners and staff of the red lion for a fabulous evening.

Came across this fantastic find by chance and so glad we did! Delicious, freshly cooked food by friendly helpful staff with a gorgeous real fire, simply fabulous !

Great pub, with fantastic atmosphere and friendly hosts.