The Lion

We were originally treated to The Lion in Cliftonwood by my sister-in-law as being a proud Bristolian for 26years I had moved south I can honestly say this is probably the best thing she has ever done on this occasion I took my parents and grandmother on a trip to visit which may have started by me needing a cauliflower cheese croquet. If you go you'll understand I emailed on Tuesday trying and hoping for a table as we were coming up to Bristol Friday to Sunday and was informed 3 pm would be the best they could do I explained coming to see my parents and now living in Southampton we would sadly have to decline 10mins later I got an email back .. 12.15 will get you in. We entered the bar was meet by the lovely owner and seated our orders taken the owner is very friendly and open for a natter sadly we didn't have much interaction with the rest of his staff but they seemed polite and well presented we order our food came out and silence hit our table from our 2year old to my 87year old grandmother a first in my house I can promise. They made my son a "baby bowl" which to be honest could have fed any normal-sized adult but the silence continued for a good 15mins The food was outstanding from the meat itself to the sides of cabbage roast potatoes and whole roast carrot and cauliflower cheese croquet all cutlery hit the table at the same time and the out and out vote was Best Roast we had ever had while eating out. We finished our meal and had a brief chat with the owner to find his mum was the chef we can only say it makes sense that mum's in the kitchen it had that mums Sunday roast feel it didn't feel overdone and snobby it felt warm and l Homely our 2year did what and we'll feed and tired boy does and has a little melt down over how tired he is and out of nowhere 2 chocolate biscuits from the owner little man happy , parents and grandmother happy you defiantly have return customers. Please go please enjoy but please make sure I can get a booking next time I'm in the city hahaha.

Always fabulous, food and well-kept beers. Friendly family-run local. Getting ever harder to get a table, especially for their excellent Sunday lunch. One year on, we've not changed our minds. Just as fabulous post pandemic. Another year on and the welcome and friendship is just as lovely but now The Lion excels with their Sunday lunch menu and new rice pudding dessert. It's all absolutely delicious.