The Red Lion, Boldre - New Forest

I was very disappointed by this pub restaurant. Most of the seating was uncomfortable. The food was poor e.g. liver promised to be pink was overcooked so that it could have been shoe leather. Both the first course and the desert appeared to have been bought in not what I go out for; I can have a bulk cooked item delivered to my home by the supermarket. What promised to be a traditional pub with home cooked grub did not live up to expectations.

The trouble with this pub is that you can never tell whether the food is going to be good or mediocre and sadly the £30 Festive Christmas Menu is appalling indecipherable salmon starter, gloopy gooey white ? French onion soup, plates heaped up with thinly sliced roast turkey all piled up on mountain of veg not very tasty, quite dry and the ubiquitous very large Yorkshire pudding ? definitely quantity over quality. This all looks to have been bought in and not from last year’s supplier as it was good then…. Such a shame as nice ambience in the pub and the staff are super friendly helpful.

Had an excellent meal for whole family (35 of us). Excellent service and food catering well for vegans and celiacs (gluten free). Lovely cosy feel in a traditional pub with beams and open fire. Highly recommend

Lovely pub and good food. Haven't been for a while but from memory portions felt smaller.. but could have been what I ordered. Dessert prices seem a little high compared to other pubs. Overall love the pub and ambience and the friendly staff.. if we visit forest next year definitely hope to eat here.

We popped in for a drink and a light lunch and to do a recce for a family get together. We did this because some of the reviews were not that great and we didn’t want to book for the family if we were to be disappointed. Far from being disappointed we had a really warm welcome from Jack who found us a table in what appeared to be a very busy pub. A good range of beers and an excellent choice of wines, the comprehensive menu offered local produce and a varied selection of home cooked food. We enjoyed the local venison salami and a couple of baguettes. Without hesitation, we booked again for lunch a few days later for us and family members. This time it was less busy but the welcome was just as warm and the food just as good. Between us we had fish chips, steak ale pie and ham, egg chips. Typical pub food and very delicious. Don’t be put off by some iffy reviews, give the Red Lion a go and if you find it as good as we did you will enjoy your visit.