Riverside Tavern

Ah, the pub lunch, truly one of the great British institutions. What’s not to love? Convivial company, a great atmosphere and a menu that offers the reassuring familiarity of the classics, along with a few palate-provoking outliers.

On the reasoning that few people will turn down an invitation to lunch (or dinner) at a great local pub, today’s Big Deal serves up a meal for two at Lanark’s Riverside Tavern, purveyors of superior pub food in a scenic setting.

Lanark local

The clue is in the name. The Riverside Tavern is right by the Clyde, on the walkway in the village of Kirkfieldbank in the Clyde Valley, just a short stroll along the river from Lanark. Art cognoscenti will know the site as the location of the Falls Of The Clyde Mural, a 25ft by 4ft high artwork created by Alasdair Gray in 1969.

After reopening in November 2015, this vibrant local pub has picked up plenty of positive word-of-mouth for its excellent menu, freshly prepared on the premises by the head chef and his team. Pub food classics dominate but international dishes also feature.

​Comfort food classics

Available seven days from 12pm to 8pm, the Big Deal offers two diners a starter and main course each, chosen from the a la carte menu, followed by a tea or coffee.

Starters feature such creations as hand-breaded mushrooms with garlic mayo, duck and port pate with orange, cognac, brioche and onion chutney, or chicken and vegetable pakora.

Mains serve up great versions of the classics, including home made steak pie, Scottish whole tail scampi, Chicken Chasni, and butcher’s pork and leek sausages with mash.

There are also vegetarian options and a range of handmade burgers.

If there’s still any space to be filled, desserts are an extra £3 and include sticky toffee pudding, chocolate fudge cake, caramel apple betty and Belgian waffles.

Happy diners

The Riverside Tavern has been open in its current form for almost a year and has plenty of positive reviews on TripAdvisor, including the following:

‘Very good value and high quality pub food from the set menu. We both had starters which came very quickly and were cooked to perfection with very nice dressing. Main course came after a good break but again was really tasty and came on hot plates that kept the food warm to the last bite.’

‘Superb sausages, creamy mash and a good gravy along with carrots and peas. One of my all time favourites.’

Hearty fare

Today’s Big Deal meal at the Riverside Tavern offers the perfect reward after a refreshing walk along the river. The menu is a cut above your average pie and a pint establishment, and a relaxing meal here will round off a great day out by the river.