The Lion - Farningham
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Reviews
Food
Service
Ambience
9-10
7-8
5-6
3-4
1-2
What diners said about this restaurant:
Harry P. • 1 review
August 1, 2024
10/10The service offered by Fork is useless. Booked an appointment with this company and The Lion had no record of booking
MJ H. • 2 reviews
July 21, 2024
10/10Fabulous find. Great food great service and great location. Only complaint from my family was ‘why haven’t you brought us here before?!’ Thanks so much Lion team. We will be back
Luke T. • 2 reviews
June 29, 2024
7/10Food was delicious, however had to ask for clean tea cups, they were Rotten and stained. Customer service could of been better, had to order drinks twice because the bartender forgot, tap water would you believe.. considering they had 6+ staff in the bar I expected better. The ambience was terrible, in the bar area, which should be for adults. Snobby parents with screaming kids with no consideration for other diners. Not the best on my first visit.
Stephen P. • 1 review
June 23, 2024
10/10This was our third time of visiting this year. The food and service is always very good. There is always a welcoming feel when you walk in the doors.
Barry D. • 1 review
March 5, 2024
9.5/10Waitress was very polite and helpful, menu had good variety and the food was delicious. Lots of parking spaces and the deco of the restaurant was nice
Hannah K. • 1 review
January 27, 2024
10/10I absolutely love the lion! Food was incredible and service brilliant. We brought our dog with us and sat in the restaurant with him. Staff were really accommodating and friendly and atmosphere was nice and cosy! Would recommend to anyone that wants a nice country pub meal in a nice setting!
See 2 photos
Elizabeth M. • 1 review
November 24, 2023
10/10Friendly and very professional staff. Very enjoyable evening
Carole W. • 2 reviews
November 10, 2023
3/10We were most disappointed with the new menu found it hard to choose anything Plus it’s written on sort if grey paper with the dim lighting could hardly see it. Wanted s quiet space to eat so chose the Thirties Room It had 3 tables I had requested the one by the window but was told to sit on the other one Half way through our dinner a waiter came behind us and pushed the other two tables together and a party of about 7 with young children rocked up Goodbye to our quiet dinner !!!! My partner has to ask for the music to be turned down as we arrived as the speaker was right above our heads We left after our meagre meal I could hardly believe the size of it and the price it was ridiculous We visit Farnjngham vintage inn quite a lot The staff weren’t friendly Thank god for the lovely Claire who we only saw at the end Who’s smiling face is always the same She saved the day for us We won’t be coming back Very disappointed indeed.
Ross P. • 5 reviews
September 14, 2023
7.5/10This is a very nice venue, especially so if you can eat outside in good weather. We have been a few times before. There is no obvious check in when you get there, staff busy preparing drinks. This can be improved and most people like me will find this unprofessional and frustrating. It’s not the fault of the staff. They were super super busy. They were very polite but clearly under a lot of pressure. Because it was so busy, service was slow. The quality of the food was above average with really good portions.
Suzie C. • 1 review
September 9, 2023
10/10The Lion was a fantastic place to find in this small village. A beautiful, historic building with so many original features. The food and the service was exceptional. We ate sundried tomato arancini, King prawn cocktail, rib eye steak cooked to perfection, sea bream , creme brulee and the most exceptional little chocolate honey pot I think I've ever eaten! 3 rounds of drinks all for £100. A very busy place, definitely worth booking ahead. Great tables, inside and out .
See photo
Tracey T. • 2 reviews
August 23, 2023
9/10The beautiful riverside setting and Yiannis the waiter made the experience 5 star. We were looked after so well even though it was a really busy. Food was good, nothing special though.
julie d. • 1 review
August 25, 2023
10/10We went for a meal on Friday night and had a great time. Our waitress Claire was extremely friendly and efficient and made our night. Would definitely go to the Lion again.
Wayne S. • 2 reviews
April 29, 2023
10/10Brought some family and friends here after a hike from Horton Kirby. The location is picture perfect. While I've had a pint here a time or two, this was the first time eating here. It was a beautifully sunny day and we were famished. The pub itself is beautiful. I hadn't appreciated just how big it was and such an ornately decorated pub. The staff were very friendly and food and drink service was very prompt considering this was a busy Saturday afternoon. We had a lovely time here and will return.
Sarahann C. • 25 reviews
April 16, 2023
8/10Nice food nice service all very enjoyable
Evelina S. • 1 review
February 14, 2023
6/10Well… I booked and specified that I wanted a corner table because I hoped for a romantic valentines night and yet we were seated in the very middle, very near to other people, it felt like we were all sitting together and having dinner, terrible. When I came I mentioned I wanted corner table but the hostess said none left even when there was few tables empty. Food took forever to come. Waited more than 30min for starters which were lovely, and more than 40min for mains. Somehow chefs still managed after 40 minutes to send mash potatoes cold for my main whilst my partner’s mash was hot. I ate it because I was starving after waiting so long. Can’t complain about the taste main was good apart from the cold mash. Desert came broken in half but at this time I just couldn’t care less just wanted to eat and go home.
Janice M. • 1 review
September 18, 2022
10/10Throughly enjoyable afternoon Sunday lunch was lovely service brilliant will definitely be going back.
Maggi W. • 1 review
June 26, 2022
10/10Second visit with 97 year old person with mobility issues. This was noted and a table with lots of space was provided down stairs. The Sunday roast was really good. There was plenty of food with gravy served on the side just as we like it all of good quality. Service was friendly and attentive. Will visit again.
Sarah M. • 2 reviews
June 5, 2022
10/10Hi There, We dont usually do this... but felt it necessary to give credit where credit is due. Yanis (the Greek), was such a gentleman and excellent waiter. He made it a special meal.. His friendly character, making the kids laugh. Genuine, nice guy and great at his job with added bonus of a great personality. Well done, Yanis.. Keep up the great work. Your new friends, Steve and Steve Coy.
Joe C. • 1 review
May 11, 2022
9/10Our waitress Emma was very attentive ,very pleasant Would highly recommend
Marion T. • 2 reviews
January 29, 2022
8.5/10I always like going to the mixed reviews places to see whether the reviews are fair. Lovely building. Made booking easy, and were accommodating when we called ahead to sat we were late. Kind welcoming reception. We were asked for drinks early on. There is a delay for food but it was not unreasonable, it was a busy time and it was nearly full. Lovely choices on the menu, good variety. Good choices for kids, although it didn’t stipulate that the kids mash had spring onions and my daughter (as I expect many kids would) wanted plain mash. Or at least stipulate on the menu and we could choose to avoid. Food was nice enough, but processed. It arrived a good temperature and tasted nice enough. The service was the best part of our experience and is why we gave the rating we did. Very friendly attentive young lady, who was very polite and regularly asking if we needed things. Spot on.
Paul E. • 5 reviews
January 9, 2022
10/10Dine here on average once a month. Always have a very enjoyable time.
RAY E. • 1 review
December 26, 2021
10/10Been coming here for 15 years, always a pleasure, very cosy, very intimate, service is outstanding, staff are polite and courteous, food is great, brilliant. Keep up the great work.
Paul E. • 5 reviews
December 19, 2021
10/10Another great meal. Our waitress Clare was extremely friendly and helpful. Bar staff were excellent as well. Will definitely return soon.
Nicky W. • 1 review
November 23, 2021
10/10I was so happy I booked here!!! Booked after a chance find on line but will definitely be going back. The staff were friendly and efficient, the venue was just gorgeous classic traditional and stunning and the food was so amazing you would expect it in a posh restaurant!!! Starters and main course were so good and really good portion size too. Thankyou to everyone for a lovely lunch we will definitely be coming back
Juliet B. • 1 review
November 22, 2021
10/10Love the atmosphere and Christmas decor. Lovely country pub and food delicious. Service brilliant ????
Emma C. • 1 review
November 11, 2021
10/10Always a good meal here and my dog loves it too really friendly staff and great tasting food the fire was lit so it had a lovely warm atmosphere dogs bowls in restaurant too and they all make a fuss of her
Lell M. • 1 review
November 10, 2021
10/10We were late because of a crash in the A20, and the restaurant were really understand. Met with friends and the service was great chatting lovely young lady. The food was so good, really hot and variety for everyone. Kids food is nice sized portions and we all like the desserts. Can’t complain at all
Carolyn J. • 3 reviews
November 7, 2021
5/10Limited choice for a Sunday menu only roast available was Turkey…. and was advised only six portions at that for our table of 10 booking on a Sunday which was disappointing. When the food was served it was also cold sadly.
Naomi L. • 1 review
November 7, 2021
10/10Very welcoming staff and nicely located near the river for a walk afterwards. Good veggie options and baby friendly. The veggie sausage roll and sticky toffee pudding were very nice.
Lily B. • 1 review
November 7, 2021
10/10Lovely roast dinner! Every course was perfect. Bradley looked after us and he was so friendly and nothing was too much to ask. Thank you for a lovely afternoon
Paul E. • 5 reviews
November 7, 2021
10/10First visit on a Sunday. Tried the roast dinner. Another great meal with great service
Janice D. • 1 review
November 3, 2021
9/10Met friends and had a lovely lunch. Ambiance lovely, despite having a group near us with two young children and two dogs! Food could have been warmer, but it was nice. Would definitely return
Carolyn J. • 3 reviews
November 2, 2021
10/10Visited again today for late lunch first class food was excellent enjoyed by all
Barbara H. • 1 review
October 28, 2021
10/10The whole lunch treat was super thanks to careful and polite staff. We put in special requests and all were met. Thanks we had 4 to 84 year old. Portions good
Arthur E. • 1 review
October 17, 2021
10/10A great location steeped in history. Food and service from many members of staff was excellent. A restaurant we visit regularly.
Karen G. • 1 review
October 24, 2021
6/10Although the food was nice we waited 40 minutes for it to be served and not all that hot. The two of us were shown to a table where right nearby on the next table a group of people had two dogs with them. I don't think dogs should be allowed in the restaurant, so I asked if we could move further away which we did. I am not happy to look at a dog whilst eating and I feel very strongly that this should never happen in a restaurant. It is too unhygenic!!
Susan M. • 1 review
October 23, 2021
10/10The food was excellent; plenty of choice and really good quality. It was the best banoffee pie ever! The staff were very welcoming and attentive.
Paul E. • 5 reviews
October 20, 2021
10/10Lovely lunch time meal. Food and service great as always.
Rachel S. • 1 review
October 2, 2021
9.5/10Great service good food and all round good night
Margaret K. • 3 reviews
October 1, 2021
8.5/10We all enjoyed our food very much. There was quite a delay between courses though, but as we weren’t in a rush it didn’t particularly worry us. Our waitress was very nice and friendly but we had the feeling that she was new and wasn’t very knowledgeable about the menu or the beers that were on offer. However we felt that she was trying hard and doing her best, but perhaps needed a little training to help her and give her confidence, especially to say” I’m sorry I don’t know, but I will find out for you”. We did enjoy our time there & I’m sure that we will return sometime.
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