The Royal Oak

Fantastic - we are here on holiday and looking for somewhere to enjoy some lunch after a walk around the town - we were very impressed!! Staff were so welcoming and managed to sort food that my daughter would eat and she loved it so thanks again so much for that!! My husband and I also enjoyed our sandwiches - if we are ever in the area again wouldn’t think twice about returning!!

My wife and I recently got married in Lewes and we selected The Royal Oak as the venue to hold our wedding reception. The main pub is very spacious, with a cosy atmosphere and different sporting events aired. It has a really great vibe, whilst sports are shown and will appeal to those wanting to watch a game (they schedule matches on their website) you'll be well catered for at The Royal Oak whether you're there to watch a match or have a few drinks with friends (or both!). The outside seating is delightful and a bit of a hidden gem, it's well designed for the space available, particularly as the sun sets and the fairy lights come to life. The function room is a great asset and is where we held our wedding reception. It's equipped with a pool table, audio system, a wall mounted TV and a large projector screen - all of which are available to use if you hire the room out. The TV was an absolute asset and we were allowed to hook up a games console to keep the kids entertained which sounds ridiculous but was one of the best decisions I have ever made! The function room has a small private bar which can be hired, its own entrance and a separate toilet meaning guests don't really have to navigate to the main bar area unless they want to. I want to give a particular shout out to the manager, Max, who went above and beyond to make sure our day went smoothly. We dealt with lots of people when arranging our wedding and Max was by far one of the best people we came across, he was very communicative and accommodating and gave us free reign to decorate the room as long as we put it back as we found it. He understood how important the day was to us and he really showed that with his diligence and attention to detail with the planning and his (and his teams) hard work on the day. The food at The Royal Oak is prepared on site by Chef & Butcher and is outstanding. We had numerous platters ordered, catering for vegetarians and meat eaters (as well as a couple of coeliacs) and we received so many positive comments from our guests about the quality of the food which I can attest to. It was superb! To top this all off, the pricing for the bar hire and food was all extremely competitive which makes it really easy to recommend a trip to The Royal Oak, whether that's for a quiet drink, a wedding reception, or anything in between!

We held a private quiz night upstairs in the function room, 50 quizzers attended and had an amazing evening with an incredible atmosphere,
Max and his crew were incredible, looking after us from start to finish,
The chef provided a stunning buffet using locally sourced ingredients, this was delicious with all quizzers raving about the food,
Highly recommend this venue, we will be returning,
Thank you to all at The Royal Oak,

Popped in for lunch today. From the welcoming service to the amazing food, quick service and choice we couldn’t find fault. A must if in Lewes. The ribs and buffalo cauliflower both dish recommends

I can't speak highly enough of Max, Shawn and the whole team at The Royal Oak for turning a disaster into a success in 48 hours. Our wedding venue suffered a fire two days before the reception and I was recommended the pub as a place with a function room. After my first chat with Max I was reassured that they could host us and all would be well. The food was delicious, plentiful - catering for a variety of dietary requirements - and excellent value. Same with the drink. I’m pretty sure it was the two of them that organised the sun to come out after ten days of rain as well! Brilliant communication throughout and 100% accommodating of our wishes. I cannot recommend the service of the pub and hospitality enough. Everyone had a fantastic evening and the best compliment I was given was that, ‘if no one had known (about the fire), no one would have known (it wasn’t our first choice venue). Definitely my new favourite pub in Lewes with great beer.. And it shows the cricket!! Thank you all so much for both saving the day and making our day.

Nestled in the picturesque town of Lewes, UK, the Royal Oak is an absolute gem that effortlessly blends historic charm with modern comforts. From the moment you step through its doors, you're enveloped in an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality. The exterior, adorned with traditional Tudor-style architecture, sets the stage for a truly memorable experience. As you enter, the cozy interior welcomes you with its rustic yet elegant decor, featuring exposed beams, glowing fireplaces, and comfortable seating areas perfect for intimate gatherings or lively conversations. The menu is a culinary delight, showcasing a tantalizing array of dishes crafted from locally-sourced ingredients, each bursting with flavor and expertly prepared by the talented kitchen team. Whether you're craving a classic British pub fare or seeking a more innovative culinary adventure, the Royal Oak delivers with finesse. Pair your meal with a carefully curated selection of wines, craft beers, or signature cocktails, and indulge in the art of gastronomy. But it's not just the food and drink that make the Royal Oak shine; it's the impeccable service and genuine warmth of the staff that truly elevate the dining experience. Their attention to detail and passion for hospitality ensure that every guest feels like royalty from the moment they arrive until the last sip of their nightcap. Whether you're a local looking for your new favorite haunt or a visitor seeking an authentic taste of British hospitality, the Royal Oak in Lewes is a must-visit destination that will leave you longing to return again and again.

Great pub with amazing food and very friendly, welcoming staff! Lovely cozy atmosphere with good music. Sport is shown daily and big games will have sound on but they’re happy to seat you further away if you’d prefer a quieter meal. Cocktails are definitely worth a try too!

Ok, so this I will say is one of the best experiences I have had in a british establishment. Fried jackfruit was out of this world. The risotto with mint n pea risotto was finger lickin and the Cajun chicken moist on the inside.

The staff and the owner chef were also delightful people.
If you're in Lewes, do not leave without getting a drink and a meal here.

Great traditional pub. Really good bar staff. Had the fish finger sandwich, it was amazing.

Stopped here after a hike, the food and beer are amazing and i will definitely be coming back if i visit Lewes again. I can’t recommend enough the mint lamb shoulder Sunday roast.

Loved their old menu but have been told that the new one is just as tasty if not better. Will be returning at some point to try it out. Lovely pub and the staff are so friendly.

I went to a music evening upstairs. It was an excellent venue for that.
Downstairs, the bar was well-decorated, clean and characterful.
The staff were very friendly and one of the barmaids helped me to carry my drinks upstairs because I have a bit of a limp.

Went here in September, to celebrate finishing college. Absolutely gorgeous place tucked away from the highstreet. Wonderful welcoming atmosphere, great food and lovely staff. Tad bit expensive but so worth it. Would definitely recommend! x

Great pub and the food was delicious 👍

Lovely pub with friendly staff and a cute little beer garden. Well worth a visit

Exceptional. Everything was just right, the atmosphere, service, friendly, delicious food, good prices. If only every pub could get the balance right, just like The Royal Oak. Good job.

Really nice decor, friendly staff and a nice little beer garden which gets the sun. We had drinks and food on a quite Sunday afternoon.

Attended a Quiz Night in the function room last night, Buffet food provided was excellent and staff/service were the same. Would highly recommend them for an event.

Lovely pub, quality beer, nice friendly staff and a great history 👌🏻

Absolutely LOVED it. We had heard the Food was now under a new Chef and team who were 'Something Else'... Well.. ? They were, as was the food! Mind-blowing good... great Service and atmosphere too.. We cannot rate this highly enough.. A real jewel in the Crown that is Lewes... 5 * Food Service and Ale! We will be...regulars.