Food was ok. Service was great.
Thought it would be fresh cold crab but it was hot in a warm over complicated sauce.
A Truly Exceptional Pub Experience at The Red Lion & Sun – A Hidden Gem in London
From the moment you step through the garden entrance of The Red Lion & Sun, you’re greeted with the unmistakable charm of a traditional British pub – but with an elevated, almost boutique atmosphere that instantly sets it apart. Nestled in leafy Highgate, this place combines countryside comfort with the buzz of urban London life.
The outdoor seating area is simply idyllic. Surrounded by greenery and classic pub architecture, it’s the perfect spot for a sunny afternoon with friends or a cozy evening with a glass of wine. The rustic wooden tables and soft lighting give the space an inviting, relaxed vibe.
The food? Absolutely outstanding. We tried the lamb chops, and they were cooked to perfection – tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. The garlic butter prawns were another highlight: served generously and grilled beautifully, they brought a touch of seaside indulgence to our table. Portion sizes are generous, yet everything feels thoughtfully presented.
Drinks-wise, the wine selection is impressive, and the beers are served cold and crisp – exactly as they should be. Whether you’re a craft beer lover or a wine enthusiast, there’s something on the menu for you.
Inside, the atmosphere is warm and lively. The bar is well-stocked, the staff are friendly and attentive without being intrusive, and the crowd is a lovely mix of locals, families, and travelers. You can tell this is a place people come back to again and again.
It’s rare to find a pub that balances high-quality food, a welcoming ambiance, and genuinely great service – but The Red Lion & Sun nails it. Whether you’re popping in for a casual drink, a full dinner, or Sunday roast with the family, this place delivers every time.
Highly recommended. One of North London’s finest.
*Just a bit disappointing* . I would rate this 3.5 stars if I could.
Not quite good enough for 4 stars, but a bit better than 3...This pub is rated number 5 in terms of the Best Gastropubs in the UK and I was expecting a bit more, especially from the cooking. This is especially the case when my main course of Lamb Cutlets was £28. There was nothing about any of the courses that was especially delicious or particularly innovative. Of course, a gatropub doesn't need to serve innovative or creative food if it is amazingly cooked and super-tasty. But it wasn't. It was in no way bad. The dessert of chocolate and caramel tart was actually pretty good (though it could have done with a bit more chocolate and better quality chocolate), but it was tasty, well balanced and well made. The presentation of the food was good. The atmosphere in the garden was pleasant. But the vinegar that went in the oil for dipping the focccia was a bit thin and cheap, the starter of trout was tasty but not especially great and the lamb was too salty with not enough other flavours on the plate to balance this. I couldn't really taste the anchovy in the anchovy and butter sauce, and when I asked for mint-sauce it was way to vinegar-y. The service was pleasant and helpful, but at no stage did anyone ask how my food was. This was disappointing in itself, because I was just a bit disappointed. If my meal had been £30 all in I'd rate it 4 stars, but at this price it has to be a 3 overall.
We booked The Red Lion after spotting some glowing reviews on social media. The place looked fantastic, so I was genuinely excited to give it a go.
It’s a beautiful pub—bustling and lively—with a connected cocktail bar outside and a tented outdoor space that I imagine gets uncovered in summer.
Our waiter was attentive and personable, and the menu had loads of tempting options. We chose to share the beef cheek and bone marrow pie as our main, and kicked things off with a couple of starters. The Korean fried chicken wings were just lukewarm when they arrived, which was a shame, but the Korean fried cauliflower was excellent.
We brought a birthday cake along, so didn’t get around to trying the desserts.
As for the main event—the pie was a bit of a letdown. Too much pastry which overpowered the meat, and the beef cheek itself lacked depth of flavour. And I say that as someone who loves a good crust! My wife had the chicken schnitzel, which was well cooked and really tasty.
I’m glad we went—it’s a great setting and clearly a popular spot—but I think I just made the wrong call on the main given the other options on the menu.
Nice and friendly local pub. They allow dogs in there as well.
The crab starter was exceptional! I would order two of these as my main course next time. The clams, on the other hand, were a bit disappointing - most of the clams turned out empty, only came with the shell.
The lamb was very well cooked, slightly overused the butter though. It wasn’t bad at all and probably the main that I liked the most.
Their signature pie was also a bit disappointing. The crust was very heavy, we couldn’t finish it.