Tucked away on Sopwell Lane, just a short stroll from the centre of St Albans, The White Lion is the kind of pub that understands the enduring appeal of good food served in comfortable surroundings. Combining the atmosphere of a traditional village pub with a menu that looks beyond standard pub fare, it offers an appealing destination for everything from leisurely lunches to celebratory dinners and long Sunday gatherings.
The setting certainly helps. Inside, cosy corners and crackling fires create a welcoming backdrop during the colder months, while outside, the orchard-style beer garden provides one of the area's most attractive spots for alfresco dining. Filled with rustic planters and greenery, it's a place where lunch can easily stretch into the afternoon over a bottle of wine or a cocktail in the sunshine.
The menu takes a similarly balanced approach, pairing British pub classics with lighter, contemporary dishes. Starters showcase quality seasonal ingredients, from Devon crab crostini with chilli and cucumber to creamy Italian burrata served with heritage tomatoes and basil pesto. The wild mushrooms on toasted sourdough are a simple but satisfying option, while a shredded British chicken Caesar salad offers a lighter beginning.
For main courses, there's British rack of lamb with summer grain salad, baby spinach and crumbled feta, while king prawn and Devon crab linguine combines fresh seafood with chilli butter. Elsewhere, South-West monkfish is paired with a rich butter makhani sauce and fragrant rice, reflecting the menu's willingness to draw inspiration from beyond traditional British cooking. Vegetarian diners are well looked after too, with grilled French goat's cheese served alongside Waldorf salad, hazelnuts and thyme honey.
As for dessert, you can't go wrong with a proper sticky toffee pudding, served with chocolate and Guinness ice cream, while the peach melba sundae and lemon meringue tart provide lighter alternatives.
Then there are the Sunday roasts, which have become something of a local institution. Served with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire puddings and plenty of gravy, the beef, chicken and pork options embody everything people love about a traditional British Sunday lunch.