The Dandy Lion, Market Street, Bradford on Avon.

(01225) 863433

We were lucky to get the last table in the bustling Dandy Lion in the centre of Bradford on Avon at around 8pm on a Friday.

The pub advertises itself as a family run pub serving top class food and drink.

It has two dining areas, the more traditional downstairs with nooks and crannies and picture windows from which to view people going up and down the street.

Upstairs is the more contemporary Garrett’s Restaurant where a more sophisticated menu is served at weekends.

Downstairs the menu offers modern dishes like flatbreads, Greek and Spanish-style sharing platters, battered Tiger prawns and fish cakes. Veggie options include a nut and seed roast with smoked paprika sauce. It also offers no-nonsense traditional pub fare including steaks, pies, fish and chips.

We opted to stay downstairs, where the atmosphere was lively and friendly and it looked a cosy and welcoming place.

Looking around at what other people were eating, we were both tempted by a chicken flatbread which looked delicious.

I was also torn between ordering a steak and 6X pie, but in the end opted for a burger and Kate picked the ham and egg with triple-cooked chips.

We ordered at the busy bar and only had a short wait before our food arrived.

The burger was delicious, well cooked and juicy, accompanied with a tasty relish and salad and a good-sized portion of French fries.

The ham, egg and chips also came in a good sized portion and Kate declared all of it a delight, although she would have perhaps liked some salad on the side as well. The chunky triple-cooked chips were particularly good.

After deliberating what to choose from a well-stocked dessert menu, Kate selected the sticky toffee pudding and I had a chocolate torte.

Both desserts were delicious. The chocolate torte was outstanding; smooth and rich, literally melting in the mouth. Service was friendly and prompt and we felt the menu was very reasonably priced, if the drinks were a touch expensive. Two main courses, two desserts and two drinks came to £29.60.

We were very happy with the meal and wouldn’t hesitate to return.

Wadworth real ales, Butcombe bitter, Cask Marque

Bar menu downstairs, full menu at Garrett’s Restaurant

Large picture windows opened when sunny to watch world go by

Board games, plus mix of eclectic snacks like jelly babies, Minstrels and spicy nuts

Our Eating Out is an independent review carried out by the Times without prior knowledge of the owners.