I just celebrated my 40th birthday upstairs in the function room on the weekend. What a beautiful night! Maureen is just absolutely wonderful to deal with and was so accomodating to all of my requests. The staff were just wonderful on the night. In particular Neil, who was so attentive, and so helpful. The food was bloody delicious as well and I just had a fabulous night! To all the team at The Royal Oak. Thank you all so much ♥️

Delicious , friendly and great atmosphere . Dinner was delicious After we finished we were presented with handmade gift from neighbouring patron GIGI DELIGHTFUL TIME

Reviewing the restaurant section, not the pub itself. Great food, average service. This venue feels like it tried to fit into Balmain but is like the step brother/sister to rest of the pubs in the area. We dined in the atrium restaurant, it was a Friday so we booked expecting it to be somewhat busy, we were one of only 4 tables. The food was very good, though did feel expensive for the serving size. The drinks are well priced. We had the lamb shoulder for 3-4 people. We had 4 people and it was pretty small for 4 people, I would say it is for 2-3. The potatoes served with the lamb were next level Yum! The only reason this was not a 4 star review is because the service was very slow.

MISSY THE CAT RETURNS Yet another good solid honest neighbourhood pub that's well worth visiting when passing by. As with so many pubs today, The Royal Oak does tend to fall between two stools: is it a pub, or is it a restaurant? I maintain that it is virtually impossible to be a stand-out as both things at the same time. The shiny, clean, open, contemporary setting that today's restaurateurs love usually makes for a pretty ordinary pub. In the present example, the restaurant vibe tends to crowd out the soulful heritage pub in which it's located. That said, the helpful, friendly staff, a decent beer selection, the outdoor tables and the heritage neighbourhood still make this one worth your visit. Missy The Cat Star Ratings: 5 - a place of rare genius that merits repeated return visits 4 - a strong effort with no major shortcomings 3 - a solid, worthy effort with perhaps one important thing to fix 2 - several important things wrong, but at least one important thing right 1 - can't be given a zero, doesn't deserve a dollar (as of review date)

Decided to head to the Royal Oak for drinks and a bite to eat with our friends and their 2 kids. We literally walked in to the bar where they were seated said hello, when a man in a shirt “ possible manager” came over, no excuse me or any manners but basically and rudely ushered out of the bar and made us sit in the restaurant, because we had children. We then ordered our food earlier than we wanted due to being made to sit in the restaurant which had no atmosphere, my husband choose the Ravioli which cost $31.50 and all he got was 6 pieces which looked like they had been heated up in the microwave and which he said were tasteless . The kids choose their meals but requested some gravy on the side, 2 tomato sauce dispensers with gravy came out and to our shock when coming to pay the bill we were charged $5 for a thimble of gravy. Super disappointing, won’t be back there again

My wife and stopped in for an early dinner yesterday and were greeted by the owner with a huge smile. The food was outstanding and the wine list exceptional! The staff were very attentive, especially our young waiter Ben. He is an asset to the business. Thanks again for a great night Royal Oak Team, looking forward to coming back again soon. Cheers Chris

A lovely local with friendly service, fabulous food and reasonable prices. It’s location makes it a lovely local to visit away from the hustle and bustle of Darling street. Menu is good with gastro pub food menu. You order drinks and food at the counter and they bring it out for you. Plenty of indoor seating in different parts of the pub and also a good amount of outdoor seating too. I absolutely loved my Wagyu Cheeseburger in a brioche and I did wolf it down ;-) fabulous well done fries and nice brown sauce made it a fantastic meal. I would come here for a burger any day. It’s high quality beef and cooked medium. Happily come here any day. Good food and friendly service and dog friendly.

Nice pub had the Sunday Roast, I got Beef but wife got Pork which looked way better and ended up with food envy!

I went to The Royal Oak by chance and then a couple of additional nights following. I found the atmosphere friendly and inviting. Every single time the food was of a very high standard. Go there, you will enjoy yourself and won’t be disappointed.

Went to get a bottle of wine and was assisted by a short blonde woman (I didn't get her name unfortunately). I really appreciated her assistance. When I asked for a paper bag, there were none, they were in the cellar. Despite this, she offered me what I understood to be the "wrong" kind of bag, I accepted and left. I know this seems like a strange thing to call out in a review, but the fact that she was more interested in helping me have a convenient experience than slotting me into the correct business process really shows a genuine interest in quality customer service. What could have been a long wait was easy and pleasant :)

Great place to while a way a Sydney afternoon. Limited but decent range of beers on tap. The menu offers a good variety of of options catering for all tastes. Prices are reasonable and service is friendly.

One of my all time favourite pubs in Sydney. The atmosphere is always inviting, the food is delicious, the service from the staff is friendly and helpful. Today I had the rump with mashed potatoes, and it was cooked perfectly, the garlic butter sauce was very moreish. My elderly friend had the spinach and walnut salad, and she thought it one of the best salads she's had in ages. Thanks to the lovely young man who served us at the bar today too.

Commenting on the Restaurant/Dining area. Visited Anzac Day and was met with prompt and friendly service. Menu veers away from "pub favourites" it seems to make way for a finer dining experience. The menu has limited food options, though I ordered the Trout Salad and my daughter had the Fish & Chips. Both meals were very good as was the service from the friendly waitress.

nice meals & good service!

been to restaurant as well as pub a few times. love it. food is great and super service.

Loved this place. the cheeseburger was really good compared to a lot of other places. Good options for cider too. Kinda busy at times. Really good vibes. If you’re in balmain area do check it out.

Nice pub, outside street has character Couple of local White Bay brewery on tap too

We were excited to try this venue after moving to the area. We looked at the menu before we arrived to get a sense of what we could expect at the restaurant. Ultimately this venue is trying to be something that it isn’t. It juggles the responsibility of a bottleshop, bar, pub and restaurant simultaneously. They have overhyped their menu, which really isn’t anything more than standard pub fare, but at a price which is really not acceptable for the standard of food being delivered. No one cares where you flathead comes from if it costs you and arm and and a leg and comes out soggy. I will say that the space is good, and very kid friendly. Look elsewhere in Balmain for good food at a better price this place won’t be missed.

Awesome food. Awesome value. Great beer on tap. Very family friendly. We have been here a couple if times with our kids and they gave bent over backwards to accommodate. Love these guys!

Very lovely place for dinner and a drink. We celebrated our dad's birthday there and all the staff were extremely attentive and were able to cater to our requests when we needed to move to a quieter spot as my dad is hard of hearing. Food was delicious and the atmosphere excellent. Will definitely be back in the future.

Very nice food, friendly attentive service in a pleasant atmosphere

Lovely Place to Hag out With FRIENDS and have a Drink Nice Atmosphere

The Royal Oak event space upstairs must be one of Sydney’s best kept secrets. We had our wedding there recently and it was absolutely brilliant and beautiful - and incredibly reasonable and flexible. The space looked amazing (terrace, lounge and dining room), the staff were gorgeous, the food was exceptional, the wine list to die for, and it all worked seamlessly. Thank you to Maureen, Sophie and the team - we could not be more grateful. The lovely relaxed but elegant mood you created was perfect and our family and friends had the most wonderful time, which was so important to us. We are still receiving calls and texts about the sirloin steak!!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you. Xxxx Letitia and Claudia

Overpriced, limited menu, food was very disappointing, staff were overly attentive to the point that it was weird and uncomfortable. Not sure what they’re trying to achieve but this was not a good experience

Lovely venue and bar staff, food was also great but my friends were subject to homophobic and racial abuse by the old regulars that stuck out like a piss stain on a toilet seat, and management insinuated that we should leave. Pretty piss poor form.

We had a fantastic time performing at a 50th birthday party last Saturday at The Royal Oak. The team provided excellent assistance, and the entire event ran seamlessly. We eagerly anticipate future opportunities to return to their venue for more memorable events. Thanks to Maureen for all the help!😊

One of Sydney's best pubs

Absoluetly amazing food! The steak was cooked to perfection! The atmosphere was nice and homely and the service was highly efficient. Best pub in the peninsula by far!

Nice place to kick back over a beer with some great food. Plenty of space. Food is more like restaurant quality, much better than the standard pub food.

We dined in the restaurant and the food was absolutely delicious. So tasty. We were celebrating my mum's 84th birthday. Staff were amazing and very helpful with our queries.

Overall a good experience. Nice room, attentive staff. Food good quality pub food. But portion size was quite variable. Ribs came on a platter with a mountain of chips. Steaks normal size. Risotto more like an entree and only just warm. But my Fish & Chips nowhere to be seen and after a minute waiter came and apologized 'very sorry it was missed and they're working on it now'. So three stars. Deserts very nice. Ice cream superb and huge. Fourth star is for the ice cream :-) Spicy Marguerita worth a try if you like heat!

My husband is a coeliac. Despite repeatedly asking for the meal to be gluten free and checking with the kitchen to see if it’s coeliac friendly, the food was most definitely not gluten free. We had to leave quickly because his ears were starting to ring and face was turning beetroot red. Will not be returning.

Nice spot for a pub lunch. Great selection of classics to choose from. Staff were very nice.

The Royal Oak Hotel. A great place to go for food and conversation with friends. The chicken parmigiana was good. The chicken was cooked wonderfully. The tomato base was good but no ham. The cheese ( mozzarella) was plentiful but not overwhelming. Some chilli flakes would have lifted the dish. The chips are fresh and hot and the sauce that comes with them is bonza. I like how he jazzes it up. The coleslaw well plenty of it. No real salad dressing on it but it was seasoned with Parmesan cheese and delicious. Four and a half plates cleaned.

We have just returned from working in Qld for the past 15 plus years what has happened to the Royal Oak? It’s lost all its oldness and charm. Where are all the old naval bits and pieces. The menu looks appalling lack lustre and just a copy of all the other pubs now a days. Won’t be coming back to visit ever unless it gets its old world and maritime charm back. Below average menu with boring food.

Hospitality done right. As soon as you enter you are welcomed by attentive staff and you feel welcomed. Great little venue for a fantastic Sunday roast. Even managed to get an off menu item to make everyone happy. Go and say hi to Neil the manager and have a great experience. 10/10 I will be back.

Not good waited over 40 minutes for an entree was told am only knew. Wine from Martin was not the standard glass. Will never go back...management should be ashamed.

Great fish and chips, not too oily. Salad on the side could have been better. Nice stout on tap.

Great food, service and atmosphere

The food here is always great. We've been coming to this pub for years since we had our wedding reception here. There are plenty of tables and service is always efficient but friendly. The menu is extensive and has something for everyone, including kids.

Great food. The Tommahawk steak recommended by Ella was sensational.

Have been here several times and have never had a bad meal. Spacious dining room, though can get a little noisy at times. Some of of the best ribs I’ve ever had, finger licking good!

A local with heart

Fabulous food, great service

good stuff

Awesome local pub, the food is always great and the menu seems to always be changing and kept interesting. Great selection of beer on tap.

This Pub ticks all the boxes and more. Ben in the dining room is absolutely fantastic and a credit to his profession. Always a perfect experience. Thanks

Great pub with really yummy food, just a real shame that if you want to go with little ones who need a highchair you’re squirrelled away to a completely separate area with no atmosphere, not sure why the highchair can’t be used outside or in the main restaurant.

Delicious food, friendly service. Clean and I know there COVID cleaning is on point. Thanks we'll be back.

Great beer, great food , great atmosphere. Maureen and her daughter have certainly not dropped their standards in yonks. Newtowner Motorcycle oil is great, food was cooked to perfection. Three of us spent all afternoon in the eating area within the pub and it was quiet and the service and ambience was excellent. We only left because the 5pm family bookings were coming in. Popcorn chicken, squid, and steaks were excellent. The orange and almond tart with clotted cream was sensational. Way better than the London Hotel Balmain We will be back despite some of us being past loyal London hotel patrons.

Good service

Great Pub meals and value prices. Have been a semi regular for years.

Great place to catch up to drink or eat Friendly staff

The Oak is a great local pub. Good selection of beers on tap, and a great menu that the locals love. Try the corned beef if you're in the mood for some comfort food.

Very friendly staff, great meals, nice interior , good prices.

Ate here at the pub, the service is amazing and we’ll worth it.

Great local hotel , old pub character and service , great beers like young Henrys on tap and great feed in the bistro.

Always been a consistently great pub with friendly staff and quality food!

Great place to catch up with friends. Food, service and atmosphere is great.

Absolutely disgusting staff, never had a waiter scoff at me for asking if I could sit at a table only to cut me off mid sentence. Would avoid at all costs

Good food, good service, cold beer.

Haven't been here for a few years and the food atmosphere and staff were all fantastic. I took a photo of the Popcorn Chicken with a spicy Sricha coating and it was delicious, we also had the Cumberland Sausages with Mash and Peas but I forgot to take a photo and it was also great. Had the Young Henry Cider on tap and really enjoyed it too. The whole menu was extremely tempting, so we will have to go back again soon to try more of the food. Highly recommend indeed ??

Beautiful big place.... Good food, good drink.... Great atmosphere

Good food good people. Will visit again.

Too many rules. Management seemed a little unfriendly.

Good food but slightly pricey

Excellent food, drink and athmosphere!

The absolute best Sunday Roast

Seafood Pie is amazing and Nikola in the bistro area is a fantastic waitress.

A fantastic gastro pub, food is delicious and menu is varied so you can come a couple times and get something new each time. Drink selection is also pretty good, and the staff are always friendly.

Fantastic pub in a back street of Balmain. Great food and swift service.

A great meal in great atmosphere

Great drinks and food selection. Parking can be a bit tricky to find in the streets close to the pub so may need to park a short distance away and walk.

It's an ok pub. Food is expensive for what it is

Staff are friendly and food was great. Definately go again ?

Great food service and venue

Rude arrogant and very dirty hotel, don't go. I was so disappointed I will never go again

Fantastic hospitality