The Golden Ball of Longton

The Golden Ball of Longton reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. I

   Ian VIP

   Lancashire19 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on April 20, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Booked Sunday dinner over Easter, but very quiet inside the pub so lacking atmosphere , possibly due to lovely weather. Food was average but staff very warm and friendly
   

   Is this helpful?

2. N

   Nate

   Lancashire2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 6, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food is great, staff are great, it’s our local and our first choice.
   

   Is this helpful?

3. G

   Gillian

   Manchester1 review

   2.0

   Dined on April 6, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 2

   I had been to the Golden Ball before Christmas and really enjoyed the vegetarian roast dinner with excellently cooked veg and particularly good roast potatoes. However what was served up today was very different and quite poor quality. Overcooked potatoes and not very hot soft mushy vegetables which all looked like it had been cooked some time before and reheated. The apple crumble was pleasant enough but overall the meal wasn’t good. There was only one other table of people eating when we were there which is a bad sign on a Sunday lunch time. They also appeared to be unhappy with their food. Such a shame for what used to be a lovely place to eat.
   

   Is this helpful?

4. JB

   JanisB

   Lancashire2 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on April 4, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   Our booking was on a Friday evening (6.30pm) and we were surprised that the pub was relatively quiet although as the evening progressed more customers did come in but mainly for drinks rather than to eat. The menu choices were ok, mainly pub classics eg. Burgers, pies, breaded chicken, fish (all of which probably came out of freezer), there were no specials on offer which was disappointing. We only had a main course and they were ok except for the tough as old boots gammon and overcooked egg. The staff were good and prices were reasonable but I wouldn’t rush back.
   

   Is this helpful?

5. D

   Daniel

   Manchester1 review

   1.0

   Dined on March 30, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   Mothers Day meal - really disappointing.. Where to start Menu was a five course fixed price menu: 1st course - was a slice of a loaf of bread, with a small bowl of olives. Extremely poor - the chef could not have been proud sending that from the kitchen, and that surely is not a course? Starters were OK but a very long wait for what were all cold starters. Mains - roast dinners were extremely disappointing. The beef was massively overcooked. We paid a £4 supplement for 'Rump of lamb'... what arrived was 6 small discs of some cut of lamb? Absolutely not what you expect when you pay more for rump of lamb. Again, a very long wait for dishes to be cleared and desserts to arrive. The sticky toffee pudding was great, but to be expected as they are Cartmel (not homemade as stated on the menu). The apple and raspberry crumble was really bland - no flavour and wasn't really a crumble topping - was some powdery, oaty topping. The fifth course was similar to the first (and basically a marketing con to warrant overpricing the fixed menu). Coffee and truffles - they were not a truffle! Service was really slow all the way through our meal - the restaurant was a quarter full and waiting staff were just talking around the bar rather than attending to tables. Overall extremely disappointing - overpriced, poor food quality and slow service despite only being a quarter full. Will not be returning which is a shame as there is so much potential here.
   

   Is this helpful?

6. A

   Andrew

   Lancashire1 review

   4.0

   Dined on February 23, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   We had a well behaved dog and were made to feel welcome. Service was timely and the food was very good. Staff were friendly and attentive.
   

   Is this helpful?

7. S

   Sylvia

   Cheshire1 review

   4.0

   Dined on January 5, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Our starters were very large overall but could have done with a bit more toast with the pate. Main course was exception more than enough to satisfy the biggest appetite. Only the children had desert but there were clean plates so that too was a hit. Service was a little slow with clearing away empty glasses and bottles but overall very lovely time was had by all
   

   Is this helpful?

8. R

   Richard

   Lancashire1 review

   3.0

   Dined on December 25, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Great food, struggling with service staff with no leader
   

   Is this helpful?

9. F

   Francesca

   Lancashire1 review

   5.0

   Dined on December 25, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was lovely, very busy and well handled under pressure.
   

   Is this helpful?

10. J

    Joanna

    Lancashire1 review

    4.0

    Dined on December 25, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4

    Really super meal, lovely food and great staff, not rushed at all. The lamb could have had more vegetables with it instead of just the red cabbage, but overall lovely meal.
    

    Is this helpful?