oadby owl in Leicester

Have visited this pub so many times and it keeps getting better every visit. Visited yesterday and had a seriously gorgeous 3 course Xmas dinner. All cooked to perfection and served by fantastic staff. This is easily the friendliest pub I have visited in Leicester and the amount of people who revisit is a testament to how the pub is run. Alas the curry night is no more but there are still a lot of great choices for everybody's taste. The new decor inside and out also gives this place the edge over other pubs. Lots of seating, inside and out. Well done all

Just had a 3 course Xmas meal in the newly refurbed Owl. Absolutely fantastic. Gorgeously laid out table and the food was just perfect. All of the staff in this pub are so friendly and helpful and ready for a chat. Been going here since COVID and just keeps getting better. Well done all and will see you all soon (with Dave )

All the Bar staff are very polite,. & All the drinks are good value,. I specially enjoy poker night's 😉. Pet friendly pub 5/5. 👍

We booked breakfast with Santa, was greeted by lovely staff who showed us to our table. Explained everything re the visit where Santa was and that he would do some table visits. Staff were on hand to take some family pictures food was amazing. Didn’t feel rushed at all, staff were all so friendly with the little one. Will deffo return soon was nice atmosphere and generally overall a nice breakfast with Santa. Hope they do it again next year

Had a Sunday roast tasted nice but for fithteen pound for 3 small roast potatoes 2 thin slices of meat tiny bit of vegetable had to ask for my coliflower cheese glad I ordered a pudding but that was child size to went home hungry never again.

We used to visit Oadby Owl regularly between 2012-2015, around twice a month. However, as the food quality started to decline, we reduced our visits to just twice a year. After hearing about the recent revamp, we decided to give it another try, but unfortunately, it was not worth the money. While the staff remain as friendly and helpful as ever (it’s not their fault), the food was a major letdown. Portions were extremely small, even when compared to the kids' portions or to others at our table. The quality was inconsistent — some items were cooked nicely, but others were poorly prepared, like dry meat and overcooked eggs. It's a shame to see a place that once had great food decline this much, even after a revamp. Sadly, we won’t be returning anytime soon.

food and drinks were amazing!!!!!! thank you Liv, Mickey and Ethan for a wonderful christmas dinner!!!!!

Where do I even begin to describe the extraordinary experience I had at The Oadby Owl with Steve and Meg? Honestly, words almost fail to capture just how spectacular the entire visit was—it's the kind of evening that stays with you long after you’ve left, and it's nearly impossible to express just how perfect it truly was. From the moment we walked in, the warmth and hospitality from Steve and Meg created an atmosphere that was nothing short of magical. The pub itself exudes a cozy, welcoming charm, but it’s the personal touch from these two that elevates it to a level that’s nearly impossible to beat. They weren’t just hosts; they were like old friends who made you feel like you were at home—every detail of the experience was meticulously crafted to ensure we had the best time imaginable. Now, let’s talk about the darts. A simple game? Hardly. It was an experience in itself, a thrilling display of skill and laughter that brought out the competitive spirit in the best way possible. The energy in the room was electric, yet laid-back, and the camaraderie shared over the dartboard felt like the stuff of legends. The joy was palpable—this wasn’t just a game, it was an unforgettable memory in the making, thanks to the laid-back yet utterly professional approach of Steve and Meg. And then—the chicken strips. I don’t know how they do it, but Steve and Meg have somehow perfected the art of the chicken strip. Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, these strips are nothing short of a revelation. It’s the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-bite and say, “How is this even possible?” Every mouthful was pure bliss, and paired with the pub’s incredible atmosphere, they were the perfect accompaniment to an already extraordinary evening. The care and attention to detail that Steve and Meg put into every aspect of the night were evident at every turn—from the service to the atmosphere, to the food and drink. It’s hard to put into words how special this experience was, but suffice it to say: if you’re looking for a pub night that combines the perfect balance of fun, relaxation, and absolutely mind-blowing hospitality, The Oadby Owl is the place to be. Steve and Meg truly set the gold standard for what a night out should be, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. A genuinely unforgettable experience that I would recommend to anyone—truly, the best pub visit I’ve ever had.

Good looking art deco frontage, recently repainted to illuminate the bay window metalwork. Does good pub food l. 4 ales on, GK IPA, Abbott, Hen, and a festive ale so hopefully a rotation tap?) Served well, reasonable prices. Offers CAMRA discount. A good boozer opposite sainsburys

Unfortunately the second time we ate here the food was dismal. Dry, small portions and extremely slow in being served. Had been the week before and had a good experience but won't go back again now.

Had a great meal, the facility to order at the table was great. The food was good & terrific value. Excellent choice of drinks & friendly staff. Particularly 'Mickey' who was attentive, friendly & provided excellent service. 5 stars to her.

Great food ,nice to be remembered, always helpful staff, great atmosphere, awalys very busy ,a regular place to visit Will call again soon

Its was perfect the new environment the staff still the same which is brilliant and friendly, but the decor is amazing and the new seating areas are great

Shocking….. not only waited an hour for food it was cold. So many people sending food back including a Christmas party….. never again.

The staff were very helpful and friendly

The worse Christmas meal every, it was cold not much of it, their were 10 of us, potatoes were not roasted, pigs in blanket was not cooked. But the dessert was ok. Staff did their best for us.

What has happened to the Oadby Owl? We used to come here a lot, but hadn't been for a while and decided to revisit for lunch. Firstly the pub was cold, the warmest part of the pub was the entrance to the toilet area, if the heating was on then it isn't effective, it is uncomfortable to eat at that temperature. Secondly, I ordered a side of fries with my order, because I wasn't allowed to swap the included sides (that I didn't want and didn't eat) for what I really wanted. Fair enough I paid the extra £3.29 and almost fell through the floor when I saw the size of the dish., it was miniscule and contained dry, tepid chips I couldn't believe it was actually considered a side dish. Lastly, the service was really slow and no one came to ask if everything was okay with the meal, it was just very poor. It's been a while since we visited and it will be a while before we visit again. I left feeling annoyed and cold.

Great service from mickey very friendly and helpful. Food and drinks excellent. Will definitely come back. Thanks guys

Food was great place them sort better restaurants got everything not for single like in all restaurants look out of place

After recent renovation works, it's an upgrade to the building generally speaking. Staff are always good no matter how stressful it looks. Price hikes all round but still a decent place to hang out anyways. The only con here is the food. Pre-renovation had good value for money food that tasted good on average. Now it's a fairly limited menu at a lower standard with a few good dishes still standing. Been here with 3 friends not to long ago. Burgers have become poor to ok whilst a fish n chips was perfectly fine. Small plates are okay as long as you eat them when they come to the table.

New decor very nice and cosy. Beautiful wallpaper. Food options OK but deals not as good as when it was a Hungry Horse. Service was friendly and polite.

Whenever I drove by, I always stopped for a meal or a drink. The Sunday before last was the last time. I parked as usual and today I received a fine, it was my fault I should have noticed that you had installed parking cameras. It is all the more ridiculous because there is no store in your area whose customers could use your parking lot. Yet another one who tries to make money on the distraction of his guests.

Great evening out, food was top notch and the service was brilliant. Thank you. We'll be seeing you again very soon .

The place recently had a refurbishment, but what hasn’t changed is the friendly and sweet staff, their kind attention, and excellent service. We love spending time here as a family from time to time. We wholeheartedly recommend it.

Liked the decor and the atmosphere. Tuesday afternoon celebration for us. They did run out of the beer - eek.

Excellent quality food and drink this lunchtime Charlotte went over and above to ensure that everything was ok, all staff are very friendly and welcoming

The staff were all super friendly (especially Meg!), always on hand to help and made small conversations which was lovely. Lovely atmosphere, I love the decor! Food tasted lovely, good portion size. Me and my friends always love a trip to the pub after work for a catch up as it’s good food but a comfortable/ cosy atmosphere.

All I can say is the main meal I had was wonderful and the place was lovely and clean but when it came to me ordering dessert and it resulted in myself and a few other customers waiting around 10 minutes and not one member of staff in sight. I then left really disappointed.

I really enjoy going out to the Oadby Owl pub with my family in the weekends. The dinner at Oadby Owl is really tasty. I enjoyed eating the selection of burgers as well as eating the fish and chips too. The drink selection is really good too. The atmosphere at the Oadby Owl is really relaxed and usually not too noisy and busy as I would usually go on a Sunday afternoon or an afternoon in the weekday.

Very friendly service and food exceeded expectations. Particularly the vegan options. Great value too.

Recently under new ownership, this is now part of the Greene King chain of pubs. It has been fully refurbished in a modern eclectic style and looks amazing. There's a central bar, a lounge and a large central seating area, divided into sections. Food is of good quality and portions are generous. Can order at the bar or via their app and both work well. The staff are friendly and welcoming as always and the service is quick. It's not a traditional countryside pub, nor is it a high end gastro pub but strikes the balance between the two, offering good food at a fair price. They also have a Seniors menu, with smaller portions, which my elderly mother LOVED! Would recommend.

Lovely service by Libby and Meg! Good food and nice atmosphere :)

Just been her for my wife's Birthday. Ordered x2 Sunday Dinners x2 Burgers Katsu Curry and Chilli Pepper Chicken. Worst meal every had both Sunday dinners Stone cold sent back came back out Microwaved and still cold. Sea Salt on one chips so much could not eat both Burgers Cold and Salt and Pepper Chicken Spice not mixed and Sauce congealed. Hat to argue for our Money back as we used Blue light card. Other places to eat close by go there as this has just been done up but the food is unbelievable bad.

We received a warm welcome by Mickey, made to feel welcome

Nice food, staff all very friendly.

We visited this place about two weeks ago. The place is nice and cozy with the food being just about the same as any other pub. No complaints there. We came with our car and parked at the parking facility given by Oadby. We spent about 45 mins there. And now we have received a Parking Charge notice stating that we are being fined on the grounds of 'Parked without registering vehicle at the bar or reception'. Now how is that normal? We used the parking facility just like the rest. There we no signs that said we were to do that. How is this even normal? We used Oadby's services so obviously we will use their available parking facility too. Just like any other parking facility that is provided by other pubs. No one asks to go register the car at the bar. Again, there was no such signs or boards mentioning this rule. We are now being fined a huge amount for something like this. Extremely disappointed and are caught off guard with this.

Sunday roast was disappointing- beef was tough the stuffing was rock hard roast potatoes were not roasted and the meal was only warm not hot- for the price of nearly £15 I was expecting better - On a positive the staff were friendly

Lovely friendly guy Ethan made our brunch so special will definitely return xx will return xxx Lovely day xxxxxxxxxxxx

Ethan was brilliant really looked after our table ,amazing services made our birthday brunch !

Great service with a smile Katie was very helpful

Dominique always giving us something to laugh about, very good at her job and provides a very personable experience. Recommend going to the Oadby Owl, best pub in Oadby!

Its Friday night and you want fish and chips try the Oadby Owl. The fish and chips were good no washing up of plates afterwards.

Haven’t been here since I was a kid but was told it was way nicer since the refurb so decided to give it a try. I’ll start with the positives- staff were really friendly and food came out in good time. However, my food was stone cold, dry and tough (i had the halloumi flatbread) my partners meal (mixed grill) was luke warm and tough as well. Other guests and their children noisy and poorly behaved, although i recognise they cant control this. They don’t seem to do table service either so nobody checking if the food is okay. Altogether not worth it!!

Not very impressed with the food it cold when I ask should the flat bread and chicken be cold the lady shurged her shoulders and said it can be or not the flat bread was like the sole on my shoe the pub as been done nice but the food much better before went be going back

Fabulous food and service, as always. Great team, thanks to Steven for looking after us on our parents wedding anniversary.

My wife and I always popped in for a drink or meal after a day out, unfortunately our last visit was just a few weeks after there refit and wasn't awere of the parking charge, so I ended up paying £60 for the visit, won't be going back, shame on you Green king😔

Had the roast beef it was alright tasted good. On the down side for the price of it I expected a bit bigger and not a child's portion

Brand new super refurb! Feels so much more upmarket

Nipped out for a bite to eat. Pleasant surprise of peroni in tap. Very nice feel to the place. Staff were very friendly. Disappointed they have parking issues, but plenty available.

Had a lovely family meal. Service was excellent, I took one star away because on my mixed grill I found the chicken quite dry

Ordered a Sunday roast. The food was cold, the carrots were rock hard. It was not enjoyable whatsoever. Its not difficult to make sure the food is hot before serving it surely? Get a new Chef!

Had an amazing meal. Beef a bit tough so sent back for turkey replacement absolutely beautiful. Never asked for refund but they gave us one such amazing customer service well done

Looking good following the refurbishment . Service was prompt and efficient. There were three in our party. My fellow diners enjoyed their steak and the salt and pepper chilli chicken but I was disappointed with the Whitby Scampi. Small portion of scampi and chips and the garden peas were hard, some were cold and not fully cooked. I mentioned this to the server who immediately offered to bring some more but by the time they arrived I had finished the scampi and chips. We would go again but I wouldn't have the scampi.

Since the refurbishment I have visit 5 times within the last two months. I have bought family and friends with me as I am so impressed. The decor is delightful, the food choices are great and the staff are so very friendly. Well done to all, I look forward to coming back soon.

5 of us went for lunch sat 21/09/2024. one had their soup and main delivered together, soup was cold, told staff, they offered to warm it up, but main would have gotten cold. 2 others had their main brought out then 10 minutes later their soup. All we were offered was a round of coffees next time. We wont be back.

Very busy, but very friendly pub. Also doggy friendly. Staff were full on busy. But took the time to find us a doggy friendly table. Bar staff were helpful and nice, told us might be a wait on the food, but it came really quickly. Football and music on, good Saturday pub. Made us feel very welcome

Don't accept tesco club card voucher. Don't waste your time

Some of the best pub cooked food I've had. Unfortunately with the worst service. Honestly, the food was so good. Service was lacking in every area. Dirty table surfaces, tables around us not being cleared for ages, we had to ask for sauces and presumed they'd bring us some cutlery. They didn't so we had to ask for some. No napkins even though we had chicken wings. No care or attention. Chairs and menus all over the place with staff just walking past them. Such a shame considering how much we loved the food. Nice interiors since the refurbishment as well. It could be a destination pub for the area but I won't rush back. It's so frustrating to walk out of a place when I'm spending my hard earned money on treating my family. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for the chefs. Producing delicious food, only for it to be put on a sticky table with no knives, forks or napkins. Rant over, but I was so disappointed.

Portions very small and they ran out of turkey and yorkies, not brilliant for a Sunday, we also asked for no salad but salad was put on the plate, no chips imc with the lasagna or the flatbread, had to pay extra, unfortunately won't be back

Just been refurbished and it's a beautiful place to go and have drink and food.i recommend every one to go once and try it out for your self.

Food was good but the portions were very small Friendly staff

We visited on a Friday evening it was VERY BUSY and VERY LOUD meal was lovely although we waited 45 minutes for dessert then got told we had ordered 3 instead of 4 but I definitely had ,but the waitress was lovely and we got a free dessert and a drink for the long wait .

Ordered using my phone, was charged but the order didn't go through. Manager wasn't really interested in helping and told me I'd have to order (and pay) again, and trust that I'd be refunded by PayPal for the other order. Safe to say I didn't do that, we went elsewhere where I knew my time and custom would be better respected. Won't be returning.

Love the new renovation and updated menu, staff are wonderful especially Meg, fast and friendly service. Definitely a stand out in Oadby!

I went I a couple of years ago and I had gone severely downhill, I vouched to never go again, when I saw it has been refurbished I thought great maybe they have new management, but alas it's still run just as badly. I wenthere for a drink and a pudding evening time 7pmish with the wife as a tester before coming and spending properly with the entire family and spending a lot, first of all, almost every table had stacks of plates on them not cleared, the ones that were cleared were not wiped down and absolutely splattered with food. The app didn't recognise a deal and didn't prompt for the drink to go with it (part of the deal) so I went to the till, the girl here went though the deal and the price was let's say £19 I then presented my AA discount and was told that's £18.70, I said that's not 15% off and she argued and argued that's what the till says. So I shown her the same bill with exactly the same items with the same deal and discount on the app showing the 15% off obviously far cheaper with a breakdown of the costs. She refused this and got shirty asking so I want it or not, I said if you cannot match your greeneking app price then forget it and ordered on the app mysefl and then had to argue to get my drink that was included as part of the meal as the app did not prompt which coffee to include. The same time I was there there was a guy behind me complaining that he hadn't had his starter after 55mins (nachos sharer) and that he doesn't understand as it's not really been particularly busy and was looking for a refund. Tl:Dr looks pretty, has real potential, sadly it needs some real staff training and regular cleanups and plates removing ect. Then and maybe then it will be worth a visit, until then probably avoid and go to one of the many many other far better Greene king pubs

Tool the children here for my wife's birthday. Food was decent pub grub, good value for money. It was busy but the food came out in good time and was all well cooked and warm. The refurbishment is good too, definitely worth a visit if looking for a decent meal at a good price.

First visit after refurbishment. Was a regular beforehand. Tastefully done with ample, covered outside seating with a massive TV on the wall. A bit sceptical about the menu changes however, was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. Went for 5 small plates for £22.50, which was enough for 3 of us. For us though, the only downside was the lack of San Miguel on tap. Overall still worth it but, will probably consider going to Bees Knees too.

First time coming back here since it’s been renovated and it looks great! Food is much better from what it’s been like in the past, garden is also lovely!

Modernised, comfortable and food has improved alot

The food was good and fairly quick service as it was lunchtime and not to busy

Been since the refurbishment (2024) beautiful. So much lighter then before. The staff are very helpful, reminded us to add number plate to the car park! New menu. Food was lovely. Will be visiting again soon. 2 mains for £15.49 bargain, worth it! 👍

Had great customer service, especially from Gracie, she was lovely. Food was amazing and came out quick.

Amazing experience, staff were great. The food was tasty, and atmosphere was very pleasant. Lovely visit

Lovely food and great service, especially Steve who was very friendly and efficient at sorting out a small mixup

Absolutely amazing all round great staff and atmosphere special mentions to Libby and Reuben very attentive and key to detail in there work

First time in since the pub was shut and was not disappointed. Really nice food with some good deals as-well and although price has increased it’s definitely worth it! Staff were attentive especially Gracie who served us at the bar who was very kind and polite and recommended some food options for us. Definitely will be returning!

Had a lick of paint . New furniture outside . Still the same old s hole 🕳

I went out for lunch with my parents and it was a great experience. We’ve been there a couple of times before the pub was refurbished and the difference is amazing! - The space is much more open and feels lighter. The food was fab and the service was amazing too (George was especially nice). Our food was served swiftly after ordering and was nice and hot, the toilets were also very clean, so overall we had a lovely time out.

I came in yesterday and was received with cheap and cheerful food. The service was absolutely outstanding from Alix in particular. She was attentive towards me and always had a smile on her face. Would definitely recommend to others and will absolutely be returning.

Being the school holidays, we thought we would take the children for a quick tea on the way back from soft play. Lovely food, came quickly and Charlotte was lovely and even checked in to see how the kids had spent their holiday so far which was so nice. Not been in a while but definatly be back again soon.

Being the school holidays, we thought we would take the children for a quick tea on the way back from soft play. Lovely food, came quickly and Charlotte was lovely and even checked in to see how the kids had spent their holiday so far which was so nice. Not been in a while but definatly be back again soon.

We went last night and our waiter, George, was really attentive. The food was great, and there was a really positive vibe about the whole place. Much improved followed the refurb 👌🏼

I ordered fish and chips. The staff are very friendly. The Environment and Service are top-notch.

Poor menu with not much option, food was nice though

Haven’t been since before the refurbishment and I can honestly say it was so worth it!! And I will not only be retuning but also recommending to others as it was such a lovely meal, with a modern ambience alongside great service!!

I went to the restaurant Charlotte was very attentive and made us feel very welcome. She was very warm and welcoming. I would definitely attend again.

Great food, great staff and the new refurb is fantastic. Will be a regular visitor. Lovely outside area also good to use in cooler weather.

All round great experience. Great refurb. Lovely run pub

Poped in for a bite to eat with the family, good value, service, and food was brilliant.

The bar staff had no idea. A long wait for service and when I asked for 3 pints,got asked if it was bottled

The staff are friendly and the food is pretty good. We enjoyed our meal but the service is painfully slow.

Its changed hands to a greene king franchise and in my opinion it is worse for it Distinctly average now

Love the refurbishment, looks nice. Like the outside area. Food a complete let down. One member of our party ordered a Burger, mist of the ingredients were missing, it was put right. We had a little 2 year old who didn't get her meal untill we had nearly finished ours. I had froth on the top of my Brandy and coke, put me off. I've never been given straws to drink a Brandy and coke before, unneeded. Staff weren't very attentive, and I thought wearing shorts waiting on tables unacceptable. Asked if our 4 year old could have a sausage with his chicken nuggets and chips, it was refused, we would have paid extra for it. Come on guys, be a bit more accommodating. Wouldn't eat here again.

Excellent value food and good quality

Great food and reasonable prices..good lagers on tap and friendly staff

So this evening me and my friend went to see what the new Oadby Owl was like. Don’t think I would go again. £7.99 for a large rose which in my opinion is very expensive my local pub which is not the cheapest is £4.70. Main meals are 2 for £15.49 ordered 2 flat breads and asked if it was chips with it total £22.00 when I asked about the deal they said chips was extra. Lovely refurb but if it’s cheap and cheerful you want then there’s better places for the same price if not cheaper. Service was long had to find someone for our table and after waiting for our order to be taken went to the bar. Food to come out was also was very long had to ask and then my food was cold. I understand prices have gone up but £7.99 for a house rosé you’d expect to be more fine dining then a pub meal.

A revisit to my most Local Pub. So THe Owl has finally had a refresh, done to a really nice standard and decor inside. Lost the booths though not all. Outside around the rear has now a dining experience with a lot of seating. Hence a lot. Felt over seated and tabled needs to loose 1 or 2 rows. IMO. A mother and her baby with a pushchair was having to ask families to stand up whilst they were eating so she could exit. I would say not wheelchair friendly in that area for this reason. The food and prices have moved up and not before time. When dining here before you would expect an OK meal, and wouldn't think a lot of it if it was lbad as it's only The Owl. I think it has moved on from preparing in advance and warming or dinging dinners where it was before. I myself had on the last day of the month sampled Chicken Burger of rthe month 8/10, other has Buttermilk Chicken 7/10 and Bacon cheeseburger 8/10 the last order was TEX MEX Sharing Platter 7/10 The disappointing thing on this front was it was ordered as a main. Unbeknown to me this has to be treated as a separate order and it arrived 4 to 5 mins after the other 3 had arrived. Overall Pub Ambience /Decor raised from 4 to 10. Food moved from 3 to 9 with a potential to be 10. Would i still yes definitely to sample other things on the memu.

As a frequent user before the revamp, there was more choice on the menu before with better pricing, the renovation is very good and decorated well seems to be alot more tables pushed in. Still can get 2 meals for 15.00 (was 11.49) but not as much choice.

Food was terrible just microwaved food absolutely shocking!! Was cold and undercooked. Service was also terrible super slow and staff was slow just lingering around. Atmosphere is good place looks lovely.

I went to the Oadby Owl today for the first time since the refurbishment. The decor and improvements look very good. There is a lot more outside seating, covered and uncovered. Unfortunately that’s where the positives end. We arrived just before 3pm, a quiet time, and was shocked. It looked like a battlefield. The challenge was to find a table. Not one which was free, there were plenty of those, but one which was clean. The entire time we were there I didn’t notice any getting cleared. We ordered on the app. Drinks took 10 mins and the meal 30 mins. Not too bad but if it was busy, I’d hate to think how long the wait would be. We ordered two burgers which were very disappointing. They came on quite small plates with small portions. It should have come with bbq sauce which was missed. They were called ‘smashed’ burgers. If that means cremating them, then they’ve perfected that. For £13.49 each, it’s overpriced. There was no welcome, no how was your food, no goodbyes. There are much better options in the area, I won’t return until things have vastly improved.