Reviews of The Royal Oak

I have always been a fan of the Royal Oak since moving to SE1

This is the only Harvey’s owned pub in London and they keep the Harbverys and guest beer very well

I like having a Sunday Roast and a pint which is always a very reasonable price. They do english food all week long

It is a very traditional pub – no fruit machines or juke boxes - which I like

Food average, service below average. Try somewhere else!

Sunday roast time. Made the brunette walk a bit firther today and we sampled the royal oak. Was definatly a good idea. The beef for her and the lamb for me. Plenty of spuds and loads of vege. Good to see brussel sprouts in the line up. My only beef was that there could have been a bit more meat. The guinness i had was a good order. The yorkie pud looked homemade but didnt try it as she wasnt sharing. All in all a good dinner and worth the walk. Will def return

Have been to The Royal Oak for meals during the week many times - which are always excellent, so thought I would give the Sunday Roast a go.

Top tip: get there early - folks start reserving tables by fone between 1 and 2 which limits available space - get there for about 12 ish.

There were 2 of us but, based on the week day portion sizes and because my lady friend does not each much we ordered a single lamb roast and an empty plate. The portion size was as expected and more than enough for 2 - nice touch was that the empty plate was warmed too!. The Royal Oak is renowned for it's vegitables that acompany the meal and looks like Sunday is no different - loads of fresh steamed veg, not boiled to a mush watery rubbish. We had carrots, red cabbage, runner beans, white cabbage and parsnips - realy crunchy and fresh. The veg comes on a separate plate for you to help yourselves. The lamb was excellent and loads of it - served with roast potatoes, roast parsnip and excellent thick gravy. Not bad for £9.50.

I really, really like and rate this place but remember, get there early or reserve a table!

So many great reviews of this place - adding this to assure you all is still well!

The SE1 crowd chose The Royal Oak for the 2008 Xmas dinner because of it's previous track record and the fact it has a private room upstairs. I had the warm goats cheese on toast starter - fantastic. I also had a slurp of the minestrone soup and the melon (my chums either side not being as greedy as me) - both were excellent. Had the turkey for main - wow - did not know it was possible to slice turkey so thick! - really nice. The veg (tons of roast spuds, sprouts, collie, beans, carrots) were really crunchy and tasty - no soggy stuff in site. A gut busting Xmas pud followed - and then a cheeky brandy. Want to say a huge thanks to the staff - Charles the chef - job well done, and the serving ladies - marvellous. This has to be the finest pub to have a meal in SE1. Long may it be so!

Having previously been in The Royal Oak only for drinks, I finally made it there to try out their Sunday Roast.
We arrived about 3pm and already most of the tables were taken and many were already eating. Anyway I had the roast lamb and my wife had the roast chicken.
The place mats and cutlery were placed in front of us, and then the lunch was politely placed on the mat.
We both looked wide eyed as the plates were full of meat and roast potatoes, then the vegetables were brought, served in a separate dish. Four vegetables: carrots, suede, green beans and cabbage. All well cooked and well displayed.
We ate as much as we could, I even had to help out with some of my wife's chicken, but we still had to leave some of the potatoes, and I can eat a lot.
I also like to cram down about 4 pints with my lunch, but was so stuffed I could only manage 2 pints of excellent Harvey's Best Bitter.
I would go as far as to say this was one of the best Pub Sunday Roasts I have had, and will definitely return.
One teens-weensy point, I found the mint sauce lacking in mint, it was a bit watery for my liking, but perhaps they had, had a run on it.
Excellent all in all.

Went there last night and am unsure if I got it on a bad night or what.

As the title goes this pub is "Not for everyone". If you are with friends who don't like real ale then this is most definitely NOT the pub for them. There is one alternative that I could see - Carling at a scarey £3.10 for a very flat pint.

That said it appeared busy so perhaps they don't see a reason to cater to a more "general" style of punter but, on my experience of last night, if this is the best that Harvey's Brewaries can provide then I don't see them being a lot of threat to the likes of JDW.

Won't be rushing back

Drink: The selection of excellent Harvey's Ales is complete, very well kept and properly offered in this traditional tied pub. I suggest the "Old Ale" which is available during the cold months; dark ruby, malty and very flavorful - perfect for the season.

Food: The menu offers a variety of traditional English fare. The Steak and Ale pie is outstanding and a personal favorite. Be hungry - or plan to share.

Summary: A wonderful place to gather for good conversation. I've met many who regularly make the journey to the Royal Oak from far beyond SE1.

Expect to have healthy cometition in getting a table on most days, in my experience.

Unique pub (in this area). No music, great real ales, all sorts of people, very good simple/traditional food, good wine. Shame I've already had lunch...

Drink
Superb range of hand-pumped beers from Harvey's of Lewes, including a range of bottled beers too. The only place I know to serve Herefordshire 'Stowford Press' cider, goes very well with roast Pork. Try porter in the winter - a rich, very dark beer, somewhere between a dark bitter and a stout.

Food
Fantastic old-fashioned british pub-food at great value. Steak and ale pie and chips is about £6, and it's so big it's difficult for most to finish. Sunday roasts are popular and again, fantastic value. Usually a choice of pork, beef, chicken and lamb, with vegetarian options too, for less than £8. Nothing flash, but good honest filling food just like your nan used to make. Expect to have difficulties getting a table on fridays.

- mogoot
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