Red Lion Inn

Our first stop on the Southwold adventure, and we booked — on a Friday night, you have to either be prepared to not eat or book and take a chance. Fortunately, we’ve visited enough times to know that the Red Lion isn’t a risk.
When you first step in, the Red Lion always feels a bit chaotic. You’re instantly faced with the bar, where all orders go — both drink and food — so you have to gauge where the actual queue is and who is just meandering around. There are a few ‘pub’ tables set up, with mismatching stools and the like, but step into the back and you’re suddenly in the dining room.
Recently extended, we were sat in one of the newer parts of the room, one a large table with some bench seating. The menu is a sprawling list of everything you could possible want; fried fish, normal fish, curry, spag bol, burger, chicken and chips, cheese boards, desserts.
The one thing that really got me here was that, despite these fancy new dining tables etc, the system hasn’t changed; you still have to go to the bar to order your food. And there’s one person taking the orders. But there’s all these new tables! Be prepared to wait.
Once you do get your food, you’ll remember why you came. If you like chips. Everything comes with a mountain of the crispy, salty, skinny fries. Perfect. I went for a cheese and bacon burger, first night holiday indulgence, which was delicious — not one of the best I’ve ever had, but hearty and filling. Enough to keep most people going for a day or two.
A fair experience that I would happily have again. Especially with those fries.

Friendly, good food, music Sunday afternoons, prices above average, but well worth a visit.