Hidden away in a quaint North Wales village, a historic pub has just been named as one of the best for food in the country. The White Lion Inn can be found in the village of Llanelian yn Rhos, near Old Colwyn in Conwy.
The business recently picked up the award for the best gastropub in North Wales at the Food Awards Wales 2023. With that in mind, it seemed like the perfect time to check the place out.
I'll admit, I'd not heard of this pub before I saw it mentioned in the list of award winners. Its location makes it easy to miss to all but those in the know.
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After a perilous uphill journey that my car very nearly gave up on, I eventually found myself turning a corner and almost driving right past the White Lion Inn. The pub sits on the corner next to St Elian Church - and it is very clear that it is the village's beating heart.
![The White Lion Inn](https://i2-prod.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/article27225115.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_The-White-Lion-Inn.jpg)
Looking at pictures of the pub back when it was first built and comparing them to today, the building has hardly changed at all, apart from with the extension of a beer garden. As such arriving at the pub feels like stepping back in time, and this is only compounded once you step inside.
The décor is a real smorgasbord of looks, with rich red walls in the main dining area, dozens of tankards and mugs hanging overheard in the bar area and a classic wooden bar by the door. I felt like stepping in today probably felt much the same as it did back in the 17th century, briskly heading inside after a long day's travel and eager for food and drinks.
![Inside the award-winning inn](https://i2-prod.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/article27225114.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_The-White-Lion-Inn.jpg)
This is very much a food-focused pub from the vibe I got. Even visiting on a weekday at lunchtime, many of the tables were already full of people enjoying their meals, with more pouring in behind me.
That's not to say you couldn't stop by and just enjoy a few drinks, as there is plenty of space to go around. I picked up a nice golden ale from the bar, and opted to have some food to help wash it down. The pie of the day was steak and Guinness, which I could not say no to.
It was brought out to me so swiftly I'd barely had a chance to begin sampling my pint. It was a massive portion of pie, chips and peas.
The food was delicious, to put it simply. It was good old-fashioned honest pub grub, but still clearly made fresh to order.
![The whole pub has a great décor](https://i2-prod.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/article27225110.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_The-White-Lion-Inn.jpg)
Stuffed on food I finished my pint while looking over the interior of the venue. Many pubs opt for the classic travellers inn look, with the décor to boot, but there was something about the White Lion Inn that made it feel more real.
Perhaps it was the remote location, or its unusual neighbours or simply the customers all coming in and talking, disconnected from the hustle and bustle of the world outside. Whatever it was, the inn had a certain kind of magic to it, sprinkled with a healthy dose of history.
I can see why so many people voted for this pub to pick up the award, and for those you like me, who didn't know it existed - well now you do, so get out there and give it a visit.