The Red Lion

A very open pub with nice large tables to accommodate big groups. Pub serves several different cask ales and also runs an ale and cider festival now and again. The pub is split into two. A formal dining area with tables set up and then an informal pub seating area for general drinking but you can also order food here. We ended up sitting in the general pub area and went to the bar to order food, we were then asked what table we were at and still received table service even though we weren’t in the formal dining area. Unusual to say the least as I would be happy to just order at the bar and do half the work for them if I sit in the informal area, but if it works for them then why not. Went for the fish and chips, tartare sauce amazing, mushy peas top notch but could’ve down with a bigger spoonful. Chips large, skin cut and crispy and the fish thick with an amazing batter that didn’t go soggy straight away. (Visit — 03/​06/​2015 Dinner)

Friendly staff, amazing vibe, plus a street-​art adorned courtyard — what’s not to love about The Red Lion? Oh yes, the good grub. Forgot about that. Settled in on a dewy Saturday evening (as in, the clouds opened about an hour into our meal) for a delicious pub dinner of steak onglet and lamb chops. A little disappointed by my «side salad», which really consisted of a handful of limp watercress, BUT, the steak was cooked to perfection and those chips … errmygawd those chips!!! So, so good.
Lamb chops were the real winner though, and paired with a glass of Cote du Rhone, we were set for the evening — even when it began to rain. Staff were so nice and apologetic about running out of my first choice (err, the lamb chops — I was generous and let my husband have his!) and replacing it with the steak instead. Rare to find in any pub, let alone one this far east!
Definitely worth stopping by — live music on select evenings and the big space means it doesn’t get crowded too easily.

Many a pleasant evening (and afternoon) has been spent in the red lion. It’s one of two really good local pubs (along with Leyton tech) that I frequent regularly and is actually my preferred choice food wise. The portions are generous and tasty and all the times I’ve taken others down, they have been equally impressed, even family members with lots of opinions!
The bar is good and its open late with a Dj on some evenings and a pub quiz on Mondays. The garden is huge and they have an outdoor cinema in the summer and frequent craft fairs and craft beer/​cider festivals.
I can’t review this place without a mention of their new years parties which have been amazing the last two years. They’re themed and fancy dress is encouraged. The large back area has a marquee and outdoor bar. There’s always a great atmosphere. The real perk as a local, is its easy to stagger home!

A few friends took us here for a Sunday roast, and I was super impressed by their beer list (so many stouts/​porters!), the staff were really friendly, and the roast itself was super amazing! My friends ordered the pork loin and vegetarian option (unfortunately the roast chicken was sold out — apparently a hit!), and my husband and I got the roast beef, which had amazing roasted veggies and Yorkshire Pudding. Unfortunately, that evening, both my husband and I got violent food poisoning — and I don’t want to believe that it was The Red Lion because it was so good — but the roast beef was the only thing that we had eaten that day that others hadn’t! Given other ratings, I hope that this is just an isolated incident, but if not, stick to the roast chicken, vegetarian/​pork option for a late Sunday roast!

One of my favourite locals. Really fun atmosphere and the pub itself is cosy and welcoming. They have a good selection of beers apparently– i dont like beer but my friends do. The food is always really good-​bitrso pubby food, always sounds simple on the menu but ive always really enjoyed it. The music is always good and usually theres something for everyone and makes it a great place to go before a night out. Their pub quiz is probably one of my favourites and is a really good night with mates. Well recommend coming here

This is my local pub and have had many a drunken night, including a couple of New Years, here. IT has a nice atmosphere and the food is very good. They also have good music playing most nights and it’s close to Leytonstone tube so not hard to get to for non locals.

Although there are pubs closer to my house, I consider the Red Lion to be my local. I’ve been to the Monday night pub quiz a few times now, which is always good fun. The vibe is laid back, dogs are allowed, there’s a large outdoor space (not just a cramped smoking area) and a good selection of drinks.
The food is also excellent and pretty decent value!
I did once go in late on a Friday night and was a bit surprised that it was full of drunk office workers dancing to terrible music like they were at a school disco! The rest of the time it’s quite laid back, and chilled out.
They have ale festivals from time to time which offer a wide selection of brews from independent breweries which is a nice touch!
Definitely recommend!

This is a remarkable pub, it’s a fair size (with a massive gravel garden packed full of benches) and it’s always busy. It’s sucess seems to be that it attracts such a wide range of people — from young to old, groups, couples or people on their own — everyone seems to feel welcome here. Decked out in shabby chic style, with a huge care for detail, it suits the trendy arty type without exluding those for whom fashion and trends are alien concepts.
It’s a relaxed modern place, with a restaurant area, so whether you’re coming for a full three course meal or just a drink or two it really does suit all needs. The tea, coffee, and hot chocolate are all good as well so it basically ticks the café box as well if that’s what you’re looking for. The beer range is very good, with a variety of real ales and craft beers available and changing regularly. I’m sure the wine is decent also though I’ve not tried it so don’t quote me on that!
The pub is open late on Fridays and Saturdays and becomes very lively with more of a young crowd although still fairly mixed. Service here is always fast, polite and efficient, they clearly know that their staff are at the forefront of their business and put the effort in to train their staff well and make sure they’re happy.
There are a few niggles, it is a pricier place than your usual pub in the area — but it knows it can charge more because it’s the best place nearby. I’ve also found after visiting a few times that it starts to feel like something’s missing — it doesn’t have a local pub feel, and it lacks the charm of a local pub. The feel if you look past the mismatched furniture and groovy atmosphere of the place is one that’s slightly too corporate — everything is slightly too deliberate, and the staff (although lovely people) do change often, it’s never going to feel like a local pub (in the traditional, homely way) and that’s ultimately what I look for in a pub. But what this place does it does very well, and I often find myself marvelling at it as a prime example of how to run a truely sucessful modern pub.

Lovely pub in central Leytonstone serving an excellent list of popular real ales, as well as some keg stuff that is worth a taste (like Brewdog).
I could probably drink here all day. which is handy as I am not aware of any other good pubs nearby.

Fantastic atmosphere, great staff, good selection of drinks and one of the best outdoor areas of a pub I’ve ever been too.
If you’re looking for a local in Leytonstone, I’d reccommend making the Red Lion it!

Really great place. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. The crowd is mixed and the atmosphere relaxed. The place is quirky, interesting with plenty of space what a great addition to the area. hwite wine lsit needs some attention

First visit nice relaxed atmosphere and a better than average selection of good beers and ciders. Had lunch service was rather slow and the meals did not arrive together: a basic mistake. My burger arrived rare so I sent it back. New burger arrived within 5 mins which makes me wonder why the whole order took so long in the first place. Served on narrow wooden platter trendy, but not that practical. Style over substance. Vinegar served in dropper again, looks good but does not actually work that well. Overall OK, but room for improvement in service. Too much design thought; not enough thought about the needs of the customer.