Best Beer Gardens in Barnsbury

We loved the surroundings, this is a cosy pub with old fashioned feel but with very high quality of food. Usually this is a quiet option - the Marquess is off the beaten track and has the vibe of a place where locals in the know go. This time there was an event on in the back room (a wake) which meant it was very crowded and a bit louder than usual. So it was not what we expected, having visited many times before. But it did make me think that if I had to choose a venue for a wake then this would be on my list. Overall an excellent dining experience - I just hope it doesnt get too well known or we wont be able to get a table!

The old fountain were very accommodating with my initial booking as I had the amend the table numbers a couple of times. I’d eaten there before, which I really enjoyed. This time did not disappoint! The food and the service were both excellent. Definitely going back for more.

Very friendly, no, VERY friendly. Not just the staff but had a chat at the bar with a regular too. The pub was warm but not too hot, just right. Very clean, my local, which thinks it's a gastro pub, should check out The Golden Lion's toilets and take notes. A reasonable wait after ordering for us to enjoy our first drink, a lovely craft beer and a very well made Bloody Mary. I then sampled a different craft beer while my girlfriend moved to her wine of choice to accompany the meal. When the food did arrive it was a good size plate portion. Enough food to fill but not leave you stuffed. The brisket was slow cooked and delicious with horseradish sauce, perfect red cabbage and carrots, and roasties with a top notch gravy. Only slight niggle was the Yorkshire puddings which were frozen, not kitchen made. Very reasonably priced. We will return to this iconic, impressively designed pub.