Basingstoke and Deane
Royal Oak

Royal Oak

Hydes Platt, Basingstoke and Deane, United Kingdom

Soup • Steak • Salads • Coffee


"Updated 2023 11 2 stars : We visited a few months back and several times before under the previous landlord. Our visits were always fantastic: tasty real ales and great food choices. The pub just recently reopened under a new landlord. We really hope that the pub will rise back up to previous standards, but today at least it fell far short for us. We hope this feedback can help the new landlord get a good footing for our intended return. Our reservation that was made through Google Dojo did not make it through to the pub the staff says that this wasn 't the first time that that had happened . Nevertheless, it was great to see this wonderful pub open again, and so busy. Thankfully a table was found for us. Friendly service ensured we got our drinks and food order right away. Great! The lunch menu was quite basic pub grub. I ordered the burger, and my wife the fish chips. For drinks we had their Wainwright Amber real ale. The ale was lacking conditioning, tasting flat which was not enjoyable. We tried their other real ale later and it too suffered the same lack of conditioning. Our food took about 30 40 minutes to be brought out. The presentation was bland it was not at all like what you see on their website . My burger was overcooked: it was crunchy ! at the edges of the thin patty. The white bun was crumbly as if it was not fresh bread. The accompanying potato wedges were not flavourful: I had to add salt and ketchup I don 't usually . My wife 's fish chips also was overdone: the batter was inedible but the fish inside thankfully was good. No one came to check if everything was to our liking. No bill was given to us when I asked at the bar, instead just the credit card reader was presented with the total to be paid. I asked for the itemised bill and was told it would come after payment. When the bill did get printed off, it had no prices beside the items it was a gift receipt. I asked a third time and finally was handed a receipt which did show prices but strangely showed 0% tax but a total tips of 10%! We did not know that this service charge would be added on. As we got dressed to depart, one staff member did apologize for our long wait for food, which we appreciated them saying. We truly do hope this is just start up pains with the re opening because we do so love coming for walks around the countryside here, and want to look forward to a cozy meal in this pub with great beer. We do intend to return, to support their re opening. I have uploaded 7 more pics from today, of which 3 are of the lunch and dinner menus. 2019 4 stars : Delicious Sunday roast lunch at this country pub! Very friendly staff with quick service. Good selection of real ales conditioned and served perfectly . We cycled here from Whitchurch through the lively countryside. One star off because the gents could do with a refresh."