The Royal Oak in County Durham

**Review: Royal Oak Game Casserole** The Royal Oak Game Casserole is an absolute triumph of hearty, rustic cuisine. From the first bite, it's clear this dish has been crafted with both care and an expert understanding of flavor. The tender, slow-cooked game is perfectly complemented by the rich and velvety gravy, which boasts an exceptional depth of flavor. The subtle hint of juniper berries adds a delightful, fragrant sharpness, while the cinnamon provides a gentle warmth that lingers beautifully on the palate. This unique combination transforms a traditional dish into something truly memorable. Every mouthful is a comforting balance of bold, earthy flavors and delicate spice. Whether you're a fan of game or simply appreciate refined comfort food, this casserole is a standout option. The Royal Oak has taken a classic dish and elevated it to something extraordinary. Highly recommended! Staff were amazing , highly recommended..

Nice food for the price, friendly staff

It's a while since we visited the Royal Oak but the food and service was just as good as before. I especially enjoyed my sweet, that being vanilla and biscoff cheesecake! Sweet Heaven!

The food is lovely never had a bad meal and the service from staff is amazing

Visited yesterday 10 January. The food and the choice on the menu was excellent. Very reasonable prices. A big shout out to the lovely Kim who is a huge asset to this place. We had our little dog with us and he was well looked after too. Will definitely be back. Thank you.

Was part of a large party for Christmas works night out. Two people dropped out beforehand. Although we had actually chosen from the menu several weeks beforehand our orders were taken again with several other starters/mains that we weren’t aware of. I chose pate to start. I have to say that I’ve never tasted anything so bad in my life. It was the consistency of hummus. My dog would have turned his nose up at it. The best part was the limp side salad. The main course was better although it was described on the menu as a beef casserole. It was actually a lovely piece of braised steak. Sadly the vegetables were brought 10 minutes after my plate and were stone cold. There were also a load of vegetables out at one end of the table and not the other who had to ask for more. One diner was missed out completely and when asked about her food was told ‘sorry I’ll knock something together for you’. I originally hadn’t chosen a dessert. I think a few people thought that they’d be too full. Sadly we were all mostly still starving because of the bad food, therefore most people opted for a dessert which was ok. The cheesecake could have been better as the base nearly broke a tooth. I’ve noticed that someone has also left a similar review and the highly professional proprietor has angrily made accusations which frankly are over exaggerated and untrue. I don’t know how you thought we left a decent tip as no one enjoyed their meal and we all said we weren’t leaving any tip. Everytime the door opened our table was blasted with freezing cold air too. I didn’t even have a drink because of the other people that were drinking, I could see that their glasses were filthy. So in brief. Starter inedible Main ok but not what it was advertised as Dessert because we were still so hungry. Maybe the chef was having an off day I don’t know. But from that experience alone I would never ever go back nor recommend to anyone else. Biggest disappointment of 2024 by a clear mile. We said the meal was ok out of respect for the staff and not wanting to cause a fuss. I do not like leaving reviews like this but when accusations are made that aren’t true I feel that someone should set the record straight. There won’t be a next time.

Went for xmas work party ordered weeks in advance they had to come and asked for starters main pudding all again meal was very late coming out, and it was awful

Friendly staff, delicious food, lovely atmosphere. The only spoiler was a barking dog but that's not the pubs fault!

Christmas fayre lunch today, turkey with all the trimmings was absolutely delicious. Fantastic, smiling service from Imelda, who gave us a lovely warm welcome.

Never been here before but will certainly be back. Staff are very friendly. The food was fabulous. Hubby went for the pork loin and I had the Mediterranean lasagne. Being vegetarian this was a fabulous choice for me.

We enjoyed a 4 day break away from it all and I booked The Royal Oak for Sunday dinner fir four of us and our staffie. OMG. I can honestly say it was absolutely delicious! I'm sure there was 7 varieties of veg and a good slab of meat on the plate. Amazing glazed parsnips, carrots, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, mash and roast spuds. Absolutely brill. The ladies that served us were very friendly and we would 100% return again. We'd have loved a pudding, but we're absolutely stuffed. Thank You.

Enjoyed a fantastic Sunday lunch it was real tasty and yummy then enjoyed our drinks in the pubs beer garden plus plenty of free parking definitely be dining there again

Pat & Phil the best of hosts, charming staff Value meals & my local. Who's a lucky boy! Wee Ran.

Great food and service lovely staff

Great atmosphere and friendly service, only surpassed by the food. Top marks to Kimmy in the kitchen! Couldn't fault anything!

Staff were very friendly and helpful! Food was lovely and fairly priced

Really lovely meal. Took a long time but worth the wait. Lasagne was superb

It's a while since we've been to the oak but I have to say the food was excellent last night, lovely friendly staff couldn't have asked for more, will definitely be back.

Wonderful Sunday Lunch. I had the beef & my wife had the lamb. Both dishes were presented beautifully with a fabulous gravy.

We have visited this pub for many years from the olden days when Phil and his wife had it up to the present day. We have always have always been greeted warmly . I can honestly say the staff have always been fabulous and welcoming and nothing is too much trouble. The food has always been fabulous and in fact recently i would say it has got even better. We have seen more variation on the menu recently which is great. If I had to make one observation I have noticed recently that they seems to be an awful lots of dogs in the pub (some running across the furniture which is a bit off putting when you are eating ) and a extremely large dog seems to take up the whole of the bar which also makes it difficult to try and order a drink at times. Whilst I appreciate it is a dog friendly pub it would be great to have an area for just eating should you wish to which is pet free. Like i say this is a fantastic pub it’s just an observation.

Outstanding food , Great environment, polite service. Food served in a timely manner , food was good perfectly , vegetables not to hard , meat succulent

We had a really lovely evening meal. The staff were welcoming and the food was great. This accommodation above the pub is very good value for a stay in the area. Very spacious- three rooms two doubles and a twin- a large living room with comfy sofas and a dining kitchen with a washing machine and tumble drier. We had a fabulous weekend 😊😊

Delicious home cooked food and a cosy pub with friendly staff. I can recommend the Mediterranean Lasagne and the Sunday beef roast. Dessert too were lovely and well presented.

The Royal Oak pub truly stands out for its exceptional food, impeccable service, and amazing staff. From the moment you step in, you're greeted with warmth and hospitality. The menu boasts a wide variety of delicious dishes, each prepared with care and attention to detail. Whether you're craving classic pub fare or something more gourmet, they have something for everyone. The staff go above and beyond to ensure a memorable dining experience, making you feel like royalty. It's no wonder the Royal Oak is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Highly recommended for a delightful meal and top-notch service.

Visited here for the third time today as holidaymakers, once again excellent choice, excellent food and the staff are extremely helpful and friendly, nothing is too much trouble and overall good value. Take away treacle pudding to die for thank you.

Just been to the Royal Oak this evening and I had the hot beef sandwich and chips, which was delicious with lovely homemade chips. My husband had the curry and he said it was gorgeous. The service was great and staff are very friendly 😊 I would definitely recommend x

We decided last minute to call into the Royal Oak after a hard day at work/school. Was a relaxing, warm and welcoming atmosphere that eased everyone from the start. We opted for the starter and main which were all very good quality and as you can see on the photos big portions. We ended up with takeaway boxes that would feed us for another meal! All in all, nothing was a problem for the staff and safe to say we will be calling back again! 😁

Lovely pub, good prices Fabulous Sunday lunch and salmon

Recently revisited The Oak after it's latest takeover. The food is a huge improvement over what used to be served. Brilliant Sunday lunch (cost around £13 per person). Atmosphere was calm and settled, no drunks clashing around, although it was only half full when we went so a little too quiet. Staff were lovely and helpful. Will go back.

I booked Christmas Dinner here and was amazed at how good it was. I enjoyed the food, atmosphere and friendliness x

Christmas day, arrived at 12 for first sitting, starter came within half hour, then waited for main course until 2.20 pm, half of the pub was in the same situation, the next sitting of people started arriving at 2.15,for their sitting to start at 2.30 with nowhere to sit, so trying to eat main meal with hoards of people knocking the chairs, we asked at 2.45 for our sweets to be put in takeaway boxes as it was impossible to sit and eat them in such a packed pub. It was absolute chaos, no explanation or apology. As a regular for over 18 months it was a massive disappointment for our family Christmas meal, and it was a shame we didn't get the chance to eat our meal, there was very few staff front of house, not even possible to speak to a member of staff on the day, so disappointed

Food is very hit and miss .. went thru the week on Monday and it was really nice .. Saturday - poor .. won't be going back

I was working in the area so called for tea. Chose a curry from the specials board and loved it. Well done chef. Nice beer too. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Lovely, fresh, delicious food. Nice cosy relaxing atmosphere, dogs welcome. Staff very attentive, friendly, approachable. Definitely be back soon

Excellent place. Best Guinness around

Food of a good standard and reasonably priced. They cater to allergens (gluten and lactose) and are easy to ask about options.

Great place for an afternoon drinking sesh

We booked a table for 4 , I ordered off the specials board a chicken chasni curry and it was one of the best curry's ive ever had. I would recommend trying this pub out.

Lovely food and atmosphere at reasonable prices.

This is now our local and since it’s always my turn to cook on Saturdays, we usually end up here! Tasty home-cooked style food and great specials on the blackboard. :)

I would have given more stars if I could.. Food was lovely.. The staff were 2nd to none.. So helpful and friendly.

Attend a wake. Food was fair Plenty of vegetarian options

My husband held his 70th Birthday party in the lovely garden at the Royal Oak. It was a rather wet day but the Large gazebo they have in the garden proved an excellent venue. Our duo of musicians set up in there and the Buffett was served inside the pub with plenty of seating. I can't speak highly enough of the food. All the guests were raving about it. The chef, Stephen and his team especially Kim and Juliette did a great job. Nicky was most helpful checking on us and making sure we had everything we needed. The bar staff were amazing making everyone feel welcome. The day was a great success!

Disappointed. Unfortunately the service was poor. Everyone who came after us were getting served their meal and finished and we didn't even get started. Even the bar staff didn't understand why we were waiting for a long period of time. Pub wasn't even busy. Decided to leave as becoming frustrated at the length of time we were waiting. They offered us to take it home for free. We refused. All we wanted was good service. Won't be rushing back.

This is my favourite pub! Staff is amazing. Dogs are welcomed with a biscuit every time. Food is is superb too. It's just a warm hearted lovely place.

I accidentally found this pub. Stopped off for lunch and was impressed by the menu. When the food came was well presented and plenty of it, all home cooked. Both food and beer was lovely. Staff and service was excellent. Will definitely be making a return visit

Nice place for a drink and meal. Reasonable prices.

We came on a Sunday lunch time and even though all the staff were extremely busy we were well looked after. Lovely to have other options and not just Sunday dinner on the menu. I opted for the roast beef and was not disappointed! Beautifully cooked and very tasty. Lynsey was especially helpful. Really enjoyed our visit and will be back again

Called in for Sunday lunch with the family, had a choice of beef, pork, lamb and chicken, just over £8 (dec 2019)we ordered a few different choices service was reasonably quick and food arrived all together even although we had got several different choices not always the case, it was very well cooked and very tasty, we will certainly go and try the meals again

Superb Sunday Lunch, just as per the other reviews. If your in the area ,you've got to try. Very friendly staff, £11 a bargain.

the food was delicious and the people there were really kind and friendly! worth every penny👍🏻🥰

Lovely pub with tasty food and friendly staff, highly recommend

Lovely food and very clean staff are lovely and friendly plus helpful car park

Lovely pub. Super friendly staff. Very tasty food and very good service. Family friendly and dogs welcome. Would recommend.

Last minute booking for a Sunday lunch as we couldn’t get a booking for the place we originally wanted. I’m so glad we came here instead. Despite being a busy Sunday, we were offered drinks within minutes of sitting down. Once we ordered, the food arrived within 10 minutes! It was piping hot and obviously freshly cooked. Portions were huge, and we struggled to clear our plates (but we forced ourselves. Just to be polite, you understand). Desserts were similarly delicious. The place was packed out, yet not at all noisy. Music was kept to the background so we weren’t deafened and we were able to hear each other talk, a rarity these days. This was a really excellent lunch in a lovely pub. Special thanks to the lovely friendly serving staff who looked after us so well and brought us food and drinks so quickly. The staff make the place what it is, and these lovely people were absolutely fantastic. We will most definitely come back, and I can’t recommend the Royal Oak enough. Thank you for a lovely afternoon!

Lovely atmosphere, food was lovely. Had a great evening.

Lovely friendly staff 😊 meal was lovely and hot , very good value

Haven't been here since before the lockdown. Good food friendly staff. Win win

Good service and selection of drinks. Well worth a visit.

Good food, good value, lovely bar staff. Comfortable, friendly and relaxed.

Lovely food and friendly staff as always.

It's so original staff are so helpful would recommend food highly

We went here last summer and it was full so we started going next door.. So this time we decided to book a table and visit. Upon walking in, it became apparent that we were actually the only customers in the whole pub, maybe its because its mid January after a winter snowfall. We got shown to our table & were told we could actually sit where we liked. The beers on draft are the usual fosters, carling,moretti, I ordered the beer batter fish and chips, if anyone follows me you will see im trying all the fish & chips in all the places i visit. When it came, it was a nice sized fish on top of a plate of chips with skin on & garden peas. Looked epic, but i couldn't taste beer batter at all, so that was disappointing, and personally being a lancs lad, i would have liked the option of mushy peas. We sat there for about 2 hours and basically had the pub to ourselves. The staff were nice and toilets clean & basic . Would i go again, possibly, and try another meal, but the fish & chips were nothing special 🤔. Ohhh and theres zero wifi and zero signal for phones so i didnt even get mine outto take pics.

Lovely menu, with great choice. Homemade chips were to die for! Opted for mince and dumplings and it was delicious- huge portions (which are wasted on me) so small plate option would’ve been good. Food was piping hot and fresh. Two lasses working were outstanding - friendly, bubbly and helpful. What a credit to this pub they are. Nothing was a bother for them. Good choice of beers, lagers etc. and drinks brought to the table. Very quiet today but on other occasions it’s been too busy to get in! Car park is very small. Though I’m sure there’s parking of road nearby. Zero wifi or phone signal - I know not everyone wants to be on their phone but was waiting on an email. Would love to return in summer and try a dessert!

Yeah what an absolute brilliant pub staff absolutely excellent really looked after us and the food was 2nd to none

Had a lovely Sunday lunch there yesterday, food was great and staff were very welcoming. Live in Sunderland but will defo be back

Booked for 5 for Sunday lunch. Arrived right at the start of service just after the place had opened. Staff were lovely. Food was distinctly average. Beef came only one way, very well done and tough, lamb was cooked in a similar way. Chicken looked and tasted good. Vegetables were boiled to death and reminded me of school dinners.. Potatoes both mashed and roast were nice as was the Yorkshire Puddings and gravy. Desserts were presented nicely. There is lots of competition for this kind of meal in this area. I would seek it out.

The Royal oak never disappoints friendly welcoming atmosphere

Phenomenal local village pub, staff are and patrons are all extremely friendly and helpful, lots of great entertainment weekly, the quiz on a Sunday is fantastic

Homely, friendly, nice food expensive drinks

Amazing value for money Not cheap food... hearty good home cooked food The blonde waitress was lovely & very attentive I can’t remember her name But we had wine and 2 adult meals & 2 children’s meals & drinks for £45! We are used to Cheshire prices so this was a refreshing change Thank you Royal Oak

Sunday night is quiz night. And bingo night. And competition night. Very crowded, quite noisy. Lots of oeople.

The nicest Philly Steak Sandwich I’ve had in my life.

We regularly come to the Royal Oak for a meal, food is very good chips and onion rings are the best ever, very friendly staff, i highly recommended this pub,

Had sunday lunch, vefy nice, staff very helpful, all good.

First visit to The Royal Oak and will definitely return. The meal was tasty and well presented and the staff extremely pleasant and welcoming.

This is the first time in 55years, since I have been in the Royal Oak. Big surprise too see, and the food was great and the staff were magic we had 3 children with disabilities who were a little bit noisy nothing was a problem thanks Steve.

Always consistently excellent! Favourites are Thai curry, mixed grill, gammon. Great service and always welcomed. You’ll not be disappointed.

People are always friendly and the food is always good

Set away from the road, small car park, staff very helpful and cheerful, the starters were very nice, the mains could have been done several minutes longer, and the desserts, 1 was ok but the other needed baking more, but it was a lovely day and a look out

Brilliant meal had the best mixed grill I’ve ever had 👍👍

Great food at a great price, staff are on the ball and friendly. Pub was clean and tidy and a lovely atmosphere, had an all day breakfast and it was beautiful (the dog approved of the Sausages as well haha!)

fab night with jade and Liam singing and playing well done guys x

Consistently excellent! Another superb visit to the Royal Oak in Medomsley. Always great food and service. Whether it be the steak, gammon, scampi or Thai curry - our favourites are always excellent! Thank you Lindsay and team. We’ll be back

A really welcoming, family and dog friendly, homely, atmosphere. With a varied menu to suit all. We will definitely be returning.

Great local!! Service always friendly and attentive. Nice choice of wines.

A family and dog friendly pub, serving a varied menu, to accommodate all hungary Horaces.. Friendly and attentive staff, make your visit even more pleasurable.

Lovely hot food..quick service and friendly staff 🙂

Food OK, nice pleasant, good service

Lovely food, pleasant staff. Was a little busy and noisy due to 80s music night but really enjoyed.

Arrived and ordered starter and main course with a pint of excellent beer. Left at 2.30 having not had the Main course, Paid for what we had.

Looking forward to going for a meal. Cosy village pub

Smoked haddock and mozzarella fishcake scrumptious and lemon mayo . Scampi great and real chips lush.

Great lunch, working our way through the menu

Warm and friendly, good Americano coffee..

Just had an amazing take-away beef dinner - it was so delicious, hot, fresh and huge portions!! I don’t normally bother leaving feedback or reviews but just thought this so warranted a ‘pat on the back’ - Well done all at The Royal Oak!!

Excellent service lovely food 10 out10

Lovely friendly pub with very welcoming and friendly staff the food is quite nice and the portion sizes are always very good you are fit to burst when you leave, there's a couple of things I would say though firstly it was quite chilly in the pub we were all cold and the gravy we had was quite thin and tasteless it's only minor details and not a criticism at all just something to tweak maybe all in all its a great place we had a party of 8 and we all enjoyed it and will return

Great pub, Soon to be my local, Nice friendly staff and great stake and ale pie, Good portion, See you again shortly.

Very welcoming staff when we arrived. Very attentive to looking after us all. We had a table of 9. All our food came out together and was lovely. Great value and excellent menu.