SOUTHWOLD'S ICONIC PUB ON THE GREEN

Our traditional, dog friendly pub with its welcoming atmosphere, deftly juggles drinking and dining with real local ales, premium lagers, speciality spirits and home cooked food.

Sat overlooking the famous Gun Hill in Southwold, The Red Lion has been the shelter for those seeking a friendly atmosphere, food in their belly and an alcoholic beverage in their hand for over 500 years.

The Grade 2 listed building still retains many of its traditional characteristics and so does the pub itself – anyone is welcome and good times are a must!

Red Lion Events

Sunday 30th Nov 2025 Music
Bully 3pm-6pm

Wednesday 31st Dec 2025
New Years Eve music
Bully 8pm till midnight

EAT

DRINK

RELAX

EAT

Make a reservation

Please complete form to request a booking. We will contact you via phone to confirm your booking. £5 deposit per person will be required.

Please note, restaurant closed Thursday & Sunday evenings.

Out of season, restaurant hours may differ, so please call to check.

Food times may vary please check with us before visiting.

Private Events

Are you planning a get together? We have the perfect space for you with our restaurant that accommodates 24 seated people. If you are looking for something bespoke, from courtyard wedding receptions to birthday parties we can accommodate you.

REVIEWS

The food is very good in here. A good varied menu, attentive smiling waiting staff and quick service. Good prices too. We ate here on 3 consecutive nights so was very happy. Sitting outside on a warm day you have a lovely sea view. Highly recommended

We got here a few minutes before the kitchen was closing but they quite happily catered for our group of seven. Each of us said the food was very nice. Bar has a decent selection of drinks, nice relaxed atmosphere and very clean.

Lovely interesting pub with a great story of ghosts. Chips are amazing, chicken and bacon roll was good. Leg was falling off the table outside but we managed to prop it up. Toilets are downstairs and not particularly pleasant. Would return

Good menu, plenty of options for families who all want something different to eat. Decent beer as you'd expect in this town. We liked the pub enough to come back two times in our visit to Southwold.

Excellent customer service! Very nice food, small menu, and can accommodate GF options. The Gluten Free fish and chips is absolutely the best. Thin, light and crispy. Delicious! Nice fireplace in winter and wonderful seating outside in summer. We visit Southwold very often. It is our go to every time we are there and we have never been disappointed. Highly recommended!

Really nice pub and close to the sea! They had a real fire going (we visited in February) and the friendly / helpful bar staff served great food. If you're looking for a pub that's really light and airy and close to the sea.. this is great.

We hadn't booked but the young red head lady found us a table for the 4 of us. This was a friday evening so it was quite busy. The service was perfect and so was the food. I would definitely recommend this pub for a nice evening meal.

We had a very enjoyable meal at the Red Lion, fish of the day was haddock cooked to perfection, restaurant waitress was polite and friendly. Would highly recommend.

Great evening meal tonight during our holiday in Southwold. Actually eaten here before (3rd time!) Staff really friendly and attentive, food lovely, good choice and generous portion size. Had pudding as well this time, very nice. Keep up the good work all at The Red Lion. I'm sure we'll be back