The Golden Lion Info
Amenities
Service options
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Outdoor seating
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Dine-in
Accessibility
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
Offerings
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Food
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Spirits
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Wine
Dining options
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Seating
Amenities
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Toilets
Atmosphere
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Casual
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Cosy
Crowd
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Groups
Planning
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Accepts reservations
Payments
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Credit cards
Parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Best KPortal Reviews
OK let's start with curb appeal. The Golden Lion doesn't exactlydraw me in from its external looks as it appears (appears is the key here) drab, bland and in need of a spruce up. However this is where the negativity ends.
Inside the layout is beautiful and inviting with a mix of soft seating and dining area. Dogs are welcome and the music today was mostly rock so two bonus marks there.
I was expecting decent food having researched a little and looked at views and wow we were not disappointed. The potato skins were fabulous. Fir mains we both had beef in ciabatta and the beef was done to perfection, no fat, melt in the mouth and delicious. Chips were fabulous and unusually for me I loved the salad dressing!
This is a bit of a hidden gem in Hartlepool in my opinion. Very reasonable prices and friendly staff with superb food. First time eating here today, but definitely won't be the last. We both loved it.
Visited again (April 2024) for late lunch and the food was awesome and service excellent once again.
I've been wanting to go here for many years, but something always comes up when it is finally arranged. I finally went today - note to self, go spontaneously and it'll happen! - I'm so disappointed that I didn't go earlier and that I've been missing out for years!
The staff were so lovely and friendly. My sister, baby niece and myself arrived at about 12:30pm to a very busy lunch service.
The service was excellent, attentive and friendly, despite it being very busy.
The food was absolutely beautiful and the portions were very fair. I had the pâté to start, which was lovely. My sister enjoyed her potato skins. We were both really impressed with the mains. My fish was massive, and the chips were beautiful, though it did nearly kill me to finish it all! My sister really enjoyed her calves liver, mash and peas.
The coffees were really nice, the syrups are superior to what Starbucks and Costa use and actually taste like what they claim to be. The hazelnut and amaretto ones are lovely.
My sister managed some Biscoff cheesecake, which she really enjoyed. I tried a tiny bit because I'm hooked on Biscoff, and it was lovely.
It was a really nice dining experience, the food was exceptional and the service was fantastic. Will absolutely be back.
Thank you :).
We went for a late afternoon meal and were so disappointed. I used to go here a lot but haven’t been for a while and won’t be back in a hurry. When we arrived we waited at the ‘wait here to be seated sign’ and were told just to sit anywhere without a reserved sign on it so the sign isn’t needed. All of the tables were dirty and there was around 4-5 staff members behind the bar. There was a couple of tables in but it wasn’t busy. We weren’t informed of how to order so I went to the bar and was told it was table service. We had our order taken including drinks. Whilst still waiting for drinks another couple sat near us. Their order was taken, they received their drinks and their food whilst we were waiting for drinks. I asked a passing member of staff and the drinks finally came. We then waited another 30 minutes for our food. When it arrived it was Luke warm and the garlic bread side was like concrete. There was no acknowledgment of the fact there had obviously been a mistake, no apology, nothing! Nobody came to see if everything was ok. We went to the bar to pay and I asked if there had been a mistake with our order due to it taking so long compared to others around us. I was told by they staff member that she didn’t know as she hadn’t taken our order! Mistakes happen and I completely understand that but it was the lack of customer service that ruined the experience. The food was nice but not enough to make up for the lack of apology or even acknowledgement when a mistake is made. It’s a shame as it’s a nice pub
Extreemly slow service with quite a bolshy head waitress, does not appear to manage the staff efficiently. Food average. Pricey for what you get/service. Pub has gone down hill immensely in last few years. Decore tired, toilets musty with hole in celing. Best for a morning cuppa or evening pint. Not going back any time soon for food.
Always enjoyed the food here and usually the reason we call in. Despite having good beers and bespoke furniture, the place is devoid of pub atmosphere and character due to it's layout. Makes a lovely place feel like a working mans club. Easily rectified by dividing the room with walls and glass partitions. This would reduce the noise when busy or a party group in.
I know we are currently on the run up to Christmas and things are busy but we left after a drink when we had intended to dine last night. Couldn't hear ourselves speak. Poorly printed temporary menus stapled together understates the quality of the food. Good management is attention to detail. Just look at how the other chain owned pubs make the most of the space and their food doesn't compare with quality here.
Edited to say.... I hope our visit last night was a one off as it was terrible, the waitress was in a foul mood and practically threw the food at us, the chicken was overcooked and comedically rubbery, the chips looked good but they were hard and raw! A restaurant is only as good as the last meal so unfortunately it's slipped way down my list of places to eat now.
This is our regular place where the food is consistently good and we can always get a table.
The Sunday lunch is a lovely treat as is the full English breakfast.
The staff are very hardworking and always seem busy but they still manage to smile and are more than happy to deal with any queries.
My go to is the liver and mash potato, its really yummy and very filling.
We are able to take our dog in and they welcome him with a bowl of water and a treat.
Definitely worth a visit if you've never been before.
Lovely afternoon visit and waitress was really pleasant. Nice pint of Madri and only had a couple of portions of chips which were as gorgeous as usual.
Went to a wake here last week. Lovely pub, pleasant staff and the buffet food was lovely. Will go back to try a meal another time ????
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