The Red Cat
Quick info
About The Red Cat
On Red Cat Lane in Saint Helens, The Red Cat is a pub positioned along a countryside walking route, drawing customers who stop in mid-walk. The menu pairs pub favourites with small plates tapas options, and lunch includes a roast beef and onion baguette. Pie of the day comes with handmade chips and veg, and those chips turn up elsewhere on the menu too, described at different visits as thick-cut and as salt and pepper fries. It operates on a walk-in basis, with waits reported for tables at busy times and between courses. Some listed menu items run out before evening service ends.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention small plates tapas, salt & pepper fries, roast beef and onion baguette and long wait times.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention small plates tapas, salt & pepper fries, roast beef and onion baguette and long wait times.
Customer Review Summary
Small plates tapas draw repeat praise, with reviewers noting generous portions and a free mid-week side dish, while the roast beef and onion baguette, chicken and broccoli pie, and salt and pepper fries with onion rings also earn mentions as standout dishes. Diners repeatedly call the food delicious and reasonably priced, and several single out friendly, helpful staff and a dog-friendly, relaxed setting. Complaints recur around availability and booking: one reviewer describes arriving to find multiple menu items had run out by 6pm, and another says a confirmed reservation was undercut by an unannounced hour-plus wait behind a party of 22, with a manager unavailable to discuss it by phone. A separate diner notes a wait between courses, though staff had flagged it in advance. One reviewer suggests booking ahead given how busy a midweek visit turned out to be. Several say they would return to try more of the menu.
Customer Review Summary
Small plates tapas draw repeat praise, with reviewers noting generous portions and a free mid-week side dish, while the roast beef and onion baguette, chicken and broccoli pie, and salt and pepper fries with onion rings also earn mentions as standout dishes. Diners repeatedly call the food delicious and reasonably priced, and several single out friendly, helpful staff and a dog-friendly, relaxed setting. Complaints recur around availability and booking: one reviewer describes arriving to find multiple menu items had run out by 6pm, and another says a confirmed reservation was undercut by an unannounced hour-plus wait behind a party of 22, with a manager unavailable to discuss it by phone. A separate diner notes a wait between courses, though staff had flagged it in advance. One reviewer suggests booking ahead given how busy a midweek visit turned out to be. Several say they would return to try more of the menu.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Lovely lunch at the mid point of a long walk. Helpful & friendly service. Delicious salt & pepper fries & the onion rings are mega!”
- Google user
“The food was delicious and very reasonable price. The service was second to none. The staff was so friendly and helpful. Definitely going back there again.”
- Google user
“Booked a meal on a Sunday the 20th June for the 26th June Friday for birthday meal was booked for 7pm 2 people told no problem. Upon arrival at 6.50pm after being shown to our table. We were informed that there was a party of 22 to be served before us, so this would be an hour or more wait. We had to leave as the wait was to long. We rang later to speak to a manager to ask why our booking had been taken, knowing that the booking for 22 had been booked around the time of our booking. We wanted to know why we hadnt been informed before hand so we could make other arrangements. The manager would not come to the phone. The girl we spoke to although polite could only say Sorry theres nothing we can do. So after this I would NOT recommend the Red Cat. Mr A Gore 26th June 2026”
- Google user
“Visited the Red Cat in Crank today for lunch and was not disappointed. Food was delicious and service was great from the two young male staff ! We both had the Roast beef and onion baguette . Great value for money and cooked perfectly! Will definitely be back 👍😁”
- Google user
“Amazing pub with great staff. We stopped off here last week whilst on a countryside walk, it's in a beautiful location with amazing views. The food looked really good, so we decided to come back. The food is delicious and all freshly cooked. They have a really varied menu, with pub favourites and small plates. We'll definitely be coming back again.”
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Location
Bars near The Red Cat
- The Moss Bank4.54431.3 mi
bottomless brunch, full english breakfast, long wait for mains
- Poacher4.25903.8 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleWi-Fi
live sport, new menu burger, chicken wings
- Venture4.21,5643.9 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleGood for kids
signature bbq burgers, mac and cheese, gammon egg and chips
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Red CatWheelchair accessible | 4.2687 | — | — | small plates tapas, salt & pepper fries, roast beef and onion baguette |
| The Moss Bank | 4.5443 | 1.3 mi | — | bottomless brunch, full english breakfast, long wait for mains |
| PoacherReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Wi-Fi | 4.2590 | 3.8 mi | £10–20 | live sport, new menu burger, chicken wings |
| VentureReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.21,564 | 3.9 mi | £10–20 | signature bbq burgers, mac and cheese, gammon egg and chips |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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