
Lion - Earls Colne
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Quick info
About Lion - Earls Colne
Lion - Earls Colne is a pub on High St in Colchester that pairs its food menu with a tapas night and a karaoke event. The kitchen serves a Sunday roast with Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and gravy, and the menu also runs to a rucola pizza and ribeye steaks. Chips are home-made, and veggie and vegan choices sit on the menu for guests who skip meat. A fixed menu is available at two or three courses. Aspall is on tap at the bar. Dogs are welcome, so regulars can bring them along.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pizza, sunday roast, fixed price menu and tapas night.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pizza, sunday roast, fixed price menu and tapas night.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often point to the pizza, with the rucola pizza described as having generous toppings and another diner finding it light with fresh tasting ingredients and excellent home made chips. Close behind are the fixed menu starters of mushroom soup and ham terrine, a tapas night, and a Mothers Day Sunday roast with proper Yorkshires and crispy roasties. Reviewers repeatedly describe friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere, and families mention how the team accommodated a toddler. Several note the pub is dog friendly, and one praises the veggie and vegan choices. The criticisms are small but specific: one diner found the chicken burger a bit on the dry side, was told after ordering that there was no Stilton, and saw a fair few items unavailable. Another mentions a draughty door that took away from the cozy vibe. A recurring detail is the kitchen's care over orders, such as a staff member apologising for a burnt burger and offering chicken nuggets that were not on the menu for a tired child.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often point to the pizza, with the rucola pizza described as having generous toppings and another diner finding it light with fresh tasting ingredients and excellent home made chips. Close behind are the fixed menu starters of mushroom soup and ham terrine, a tapas night, and a Mothers Day Sunday roast with proper Yorkshires and crispy roasties. Reviewers repeatedly describe friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere, and families mention how the team accommodated a toddler. Several note the pub is dog friendly, and one praises the veggie and vegan choices. The criticisms are small but specific: one diner found the chicken burger a bit on the dry side, was told after ordering that there was no Stilton, and saw a fair few items unavailable. Another mentions a draughty door that took away from the cozy vibe. A recurring detail is the kitchen's care over orders, such as a staff member apologising for a burnt burger and offering chicken nuggets that were not on the menu for a tired child.
Featured reviews
- Bethany Slee
“I’ve just got home from an amazing night at the lion! Amazing people running it! Have made it into a really welcoming pub with great atmosphere! I had the rucola pizza which was unbelievably amazing with generous toppings and great pricing! karaoke event was 10/10 with everyone joining in so friendly will definitely be returning to try out there roast made by one of the best chefs! Cannot think of a bad thing to mention! Toilets clean, service was quick and staff friendly and helpful! Above all the people make it so great in there! Love love love what they’ve made of this pub! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
- Abi Freeman
“Very warm welcome to the newly reopened Lion! Aspalls on tap which is wonderful to see. Although we didn’t eat, the pizzas coming out looked phenomenal and we will be back to eat soon.”
- Darren Carter
“The staff were absolutely brilliant and attentive from start to finish. Our youngest was tired and grumbling, and without hesitation they offered to do chicken nuggets — not even on the menu. Our eldest ordered a burger, and about ten minutes later a member of staff came over to apologise: it had been burnt and they weren't willing to send it out in that state. That kind of honesty and pride in what leaves the kitchen is rare. The two ribeye steaks were cooked perfectly, exactly as requested. The pub itself is clean and tidy with plenty of room inside and out. Food is fairly priced too — four meals and several drinks came to around £110. We'd happily return. Perfect for families.”
- Kim Quirk
“We popped in to the Lion on a Friday night for a couple of drinks and some food with family. The team were brilliant, so funny and provided a great service, and the food was delicious. We'll definitely be going back next time we're near Earls Colne.”
- Raf Ghani
“I had an enjoyable lunch here with my family over the bank holiday weekend. The pizza was light with fresh tasting ingredients and the chips were really excellent and home made. The staff were friendly and accommodated my slightly excited toddler no problem. The only small downside was the draughty door which took away some of the cozy vibe. Otherwise we are looking forwards to coming back again and trying more of the menu.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Takeout
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Beer
- Food
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Parking· 3
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Parking
- Highlights· 4
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Dining options· 3
- Outside food allowed
- Seating
- Table service
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Bars near Lion - Earls Colne
- Kings Head Pebmarsh4.85052.8 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
huge portions, sunday roasts, dog friendly
- The Three Pigeons4.71043.1 mi£20–30Wheelchair accessibleOutdoor seatingWi-Fi
beer festival, real ales, live sports on tvs
- The Cricketers4.41,4885.8 mi away£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
beer garden, pie of the day, wood-fired pizza
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lion - Earls ColneReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.3452 | — | £10–20 | pizza, sunday roast, fixed price menu |
| Kings Head PebmarshReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.8505 | 2.8 mi | £20–30 | huge portions, sunday roasts, dog friendly |
| The Three PigeonsWheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating · Wi-Fi | 4.7104 | 3.1 mi | £20–30 | beer festival, real ales, live sports on tvs |
| The CricketersReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.41,488 | 5.8 mi away | £20–30 | beer garden, pie of the day, wood-fired pizza |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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