Really nice, Cod, chips and mushy peas, to take away.Freshly cooked to order, so a little bit of a wait.Not a problem, just shows how popular they are.Another local pub I frequented years ago, but haven’t been to for a long time.I really must start to get out more?
N Brownie
Stopped here after riding Bedgebury bike trails with a mate as was rather hungry & can honestly say the beer battered cod and chips I had along with peas was the most delicious cod/chips I've had in years. Owners are really nice, proper good price on the Stella too? Will definitely be returning again??
Dawn Nash
The food was ok. Seemed like it had been left under heat lamp for long
Jon Williams
Literally just walked out of the Royal Oak and four of us had a lovely Sunday lunch after a long walk around the forest. Three beef roasts and one pizza. All lovely food, no complaints and no issues with any of our meals. We were here about 3 or 4 years ago when it was owned by someone else. It’s a little bit run down now and not much available on the menu, but the food we did have was lovely. Also if you’re visiting Bedgebury forest, I’d recommend parking here and walking into the forest, but only if you plan on having some food or drink in the Royal Oak as you have to register your car on the tablet inside the pub.Staff were all nice and the other punters (locals) were also nice and friendly.
monbijou83
Stopped after a long drive, absolutely dead and it felt like we were in the middle of nowhere! Depressing, dull and absolutely FREEZING cold. Not an inviting place to eat. We left
Lewis Ather
We had takeaway so I don't atmosphere can apply here but the fish was really oilly, the chips were okay but nothing special.
Nathan29
Stopped after a long drive for a takeaway fish & chips. Driven past numerous times and always thought I must try that at some point. Waited around 10-15 minutes which reassured me it was cooked fresh, staff friendly, few other customers in there too. Fish was a very small, thin piece of cod, the thick greasy batter made it inedible. Not sure really how you could get the batter so wrong… oil obviously not hot enough ! Very large portion of chips which were just about ok but certainly on the soggy side. Curry sauce was good ! Can only imagine this place survivors by being on an arterial route in a great position, can’t imagine it has regular returning customers with this quality. My advice is keep driving to Hastings and there are plenty of far superior fish & chip establishments. Felt pretty disappointed.
Tim M
Off chance stop off for lunch. Awesome meals and atmosphere. Checked out our requirements (a veggie in the family) and made sure there were no issues. Portion sizes were great, fish and chips out of this world. Highly recommended.
Gary W
We arrived at 1.30pm on a Saturday, on our way home. The first sign was, the car park was empty, but we have always given smaller pubs a chance. Boy, were we wrong. We walked to the side door where an older chap, turns out he was the landlord, saw us through the window by the door. He promptly shut the inside door in our face. This could have been to stop the two small whippet type dogs from getting out, but I'm sure he could have done that without being rude. Even a smile from him or the older woman (through another window inside the pub) would have been nice but no, very cold and unwelcoming. The young lady behind the bar (and the other lady from the kitchen) were lovely, and that's why there is a star on this reviewo otherwise, I would have liked to given no stars. The aspalls apple cyder was not on and, according to Mr Grumpy (who was struggling to light the coal fire as the room was so cold, you could see your breath) hadn't been on for a long time and neither had another one of the taps. Whilst this was going on, the two small dogs, who were lovely, were trying to greet my wife and I and were very welcoming. We ordered a pint to give the pub a chance, but there was zero atmosphere. My wife used the ladies, but everything was wet in there due to the condensation and the freezing temperature (it was, we later discovered, warmer in the car park). I highly recommend that you don't go here, if you do, don't say I didn't warn you. It's a shame for the barmaid and cook as they were lovely but the owner(s) were unwelcoming and colder than their pub.
JayneyWales
Had a lovely meal here this evening with my sister - I had the beef pie and my sister had the mushroom tagliatelle. A lovely welcome and a spot by the fire. Food was delicious. Would commend it to anyone in the area.
This place has gone badly down hill! The pub now smells like mouldy carpets, there was an older gentleman behind the bar (with facial hair and wearing a striped apron) serving drinks in dirty (and wrong size!) glasses, couldn’t have been less friendly considering its dead in there and Christmas! Sloppy service, nothing on tap… what are you guys playing at?! This is a local pub within walking distance of so many locals… get your act together! Sharpen the place up, give it a clean (because it was VILE and dirty!) and go back to basics. Service is everything, give that at least!
snoaks
What has happened to this lovely fish & chip shop???? I’ve been ordering takeaways from there since it’s opening, also told loads of people about it. I believe it’s changed hands recently. I ordered a takeaway by phone last Friday, turned up at the time designated, still waited fifteen minutes, not one person in the shop during this time. There was a younger chap running around, waving the most revolting tea towel around, which probably put me off. The shop looked dirty, and untidy. When the order finally arrived and I took it home, most of it went in the bin. The chips were nice, but the fish was horrid (meant to be cod) but tasteless and the batter had all stuck to the boxes. Shame, this takeaway was one of the best I’d ever bern to, sadly no more
Pebbles St Leonards
The lady behind the bar was fabulous, and couldn't do enough to minimize the problem of the 'missing chef'. The menu is extensive and varied, so it was a shame the chef had gone AWOL. However, another chap who worked there was able to make us delicious fish & chips. If I were the owners, I would do everything possible to keep these two employees... they saved the day!
Keith Brown
A 2 month old venture, with a previous period out of use, was enjoyable.The drinks are not over expensive, well-kept, and correctly served.Attached to a fish and chip takeaway, which I had used previously, I chose fish. Which was well presented with a small bowl of tartar sauce and wedge of lemon. The chips were cooked in untainted oil and arrived hot and crisp. The restaurant menu was not enormous (always a good sign). But catered for vegans and vegetarian requirements. A slight delay confirming it was all freshly cooked. Takeaway pizzas, dog friendly, a large venue with a dance floor and small garden. The toilets were spotless with no unpleasant smell.The hosts were very naturally friendly.There is a large car park with easy access directly from the A21 London to Hastings Road.Certainly, we will revisit.Wheelchair accessibility: Ramp and low threshold entry.
Daphne Horne
Had a lovely meal there on Tuesday 19/09/23 Lunchtime. Staff friendly and welcoming, would visit again if we are in the area.Vegetarian options: I'm not a vegetarian but there were vegetarian optionsParking: Found a disabled spot right at the entrance. It was a large carpark.Wheelchair accessibility: It was easy getting in and out with a wheelchar
Really nice, Cod, chips and mushy peas, to take away.Freshly cooked to order, so a little bit of a wait.Not a problem, just shows how popular they are.Another local pub I frequented years ago, but haven’t been to for a long time.I really must start to get out more?
Stopped here after riding Bedgebury bike trails with a mate as was rather hungry & can honestly say the beer battered cod and chips I had along with peas was the most delicious cod/chips I've had in years. Owners are really nice, proper good price on the Stella too? Will definitely be returning again??
The food was ok. Seemed like it had been left under heat lamp for long
Literally just walked out of the Royal Oak and four of us had a lovely Sunday lunch after a long walk around the forest. Three beef roasts and one pizza. All lovely food, no complaints and no issues with any of our meals. We were here about 3 or 4 years ago when it was owned by someone else. It’s a little bit run down now and not much available on the menu, but the food we did have was lovely. Also if you’re visiting Bedgebury forest, I’d recommend parking here and walking into the forest, but only if you plan on having some food or drink in the Royal Oak as you have to register your car on the tablet inside the pub.Staff were all nice and the other punters (locals) were also nice and friendly.
Stopped after a long drive, absolutely dead and it felt like we were in the middle of nowhere! Depressing, dull and absolutely FREEZING cold. Not an inviting place to eat. We left
We had takeaway so I don't atmosphere can apply here but the fish was really oilly, the chips were okay but nothing special.
Stopped after a long drive for a takeaway fish & chips. Driven past numerous times and always thought I must try that at some point. Waited around 10-15 minutes which reassured me it was cooked fresh, staff friendly, few other customers in there too. Fish was a very small, thin piece of cod, the thick greasy batter made it inedible. Not sure really how you could get the batter so wrong… oil obviously not hot enough ! Very large portion of chips which were just about ok but certainly on the soggy side. Curry sauce was good ! Can only imagine this place survivors by being on an arterial route in a great position, can’t imagine it has regular returning customers with this quality. My advice is keep driving to Hastings and there are plenty of far superior fish & chip establishments. Felt pretty disappointed.
Off chance stop off for lunch. Awesome meals and atmosphere. Checked out our requirements (a veggie in the family) and made sure there were no issues. Portion sizes were great, fish and chips out of this world. Highly recommended.
We arrived at 1.30pm on a Saturday, on our way home. The first sign was, the car park was empty, but we have always given smaller pubs a chance. Boy, were we wrong. We walked to the side door where an older chap, turns out he was the landlord, saw us through the window by the door. He promptly shut the inside door in our face. This could have been to stop the two small whippet type dogs from getting out, but I'm sure he could have done that without being rude. Even a smile from him or the older woman (through another window inside the pub) would have been nice but no, very cold and unwelcoming. The young lady behind the bar (and the other lady from the kitchen) were lovely, and that's why there is a star on this reviewo otherwise, I would have liked to given no stars. The aspalls apple cyder was not on and, according to Mr Grumpy (who was struggling to light the coal fire as the room was so cold, you could see your breath) hadn't been on for a long time and neither had another one of the taps. Whilst this was going on, the two small dogs, who were lovely, were trying to greet my wife and I and were very welcoming. We ordered a pint to give the pub a chance, but there was zero atmosphere. My wife used the ladies, but everything was wet in there due to the condensation and the freezing temperature (it was, we later discovered, warmer in the car park). I highly recommend that you don't go here, if you do, don't say I didn't warn you. It's a shame for the barmaid and cook as they were lovely but the owner(s) were unwelcoming and colder than their pub.
Had a lovely meal here this evening with my sister - I had the beef pie and my sister had the mushroom tagliatelle. A lovely welcome and a spot by the fire. Food was delicious. Would commend it to anyone in the area.
Restaurantji Recommends
This place has gone badly down hill! The pub now smells like mouldy carpets, there was an older gentleman behind the bar (with facial hair and wearing a striped apron) serving drinks in dirty (and wrong size!) glasses, couldn’t have been less friendly considering its dead in there and Christmas! Sloppy service, nothing on tap… what are you guys playing at?! This is a local pub within walking distance of so many locals… get your act together! Sharpen the place up, give it a clean (because it was VILE and dirty!) and go back to basics. Service is everything, give that at least!
What has happened to this lovely fish & chip shop???? I’ve been ordering takeaways from there since it’s opening, also told loads of people about it. I believe it’s changed hands recently. I ordered a takeaway by phone last Friday, turned up at the time designated, still waited fifteen minutes, not one person in the shop during this time. There was a younger chap running around, waving the most revolting tea towel around, which probably put me off. The shop looked dirty, and untidy. When the order finally arrived and I took it home, most of it went in the bin. The chips were nice, but the fish was horrid (meant to be cod) but tasteless and the batter had all stuck to the boxes. Shame, this takeaway was one of the best I’d ever bern to, sadly no more
The lady behind the bar was fabulous, and couldn't do enough to minimize the problem of the 'missing chef'. The menu is extensive and varied, so it was a shame the chef had gone AWOL. However, another chap who worked there was able to make us delicious fish & chips. If I were the owners, I would do everything possible to keep these two employees... they saved the day!
A 2 month old venture, with a previous period out of use, was enjoyable.The drinks are not over expensive, well-kept, and correctly served.Attached to a fish and chip takeaway, which I had used previously, I chose fish. Which was well presented with a small bowl of tartar sauce and wedge of lemon. The chips were cooked in untainted oil and arrived hot and crisp. The restaurant menu was not enormous (always a good sign). But catered for vegans and vegetarian requirements. A slight delay confirming it was all freshly cooked. Takeaway pizzas, dog friendly, a large venue with a dance floor and small garden. The toilets were spotless with no unpleasant smell.The hosts were very naturally friendly.There is a large car park with easy access directly from the A21 London to Hastings Road.Certainly, we will revisit.Wheelchair accessibility: Ramp and low threshold entry.
Had a lovely meal there on Tuesday 19/09/23 Lunchtime. Staff friendly and welcoming, would visit again if we are in the area.Vegetarian options: I'm not a vegetarian but there were vegetarian optionsParking: Found a disabled spot right at the entrance. It was a large carpark.Wheelchair accessibility: It was easy getting in and out with a wheelchar