The Royal Oak in North Kesteven

Really nice country pub. Excellent food. Nice location. Friendly staff.

Traditional village pub, excellent food, great atmosphere and lovely staff. We have here most weekends for the last three years and can't fault anything at all. Customers are friendly and the menu is extensive. Recommend the steak and stilton pie but please don't eat it all as it's my favourite......enjoy

Food and service was great found the place cold and dead no one in for meals.

We ate Sunday lunch here twice. A few weeks ago, and today. The previous beef roast dinner was fantastic. Everything very nicely cooked and we followed up with a delicious sticky toffee pudding. An easy five star. We sat in the back room which was fitted out as per a restaurant. Today we had the same meal. The beef was very tough and gristly and my partner sent hers back. On both our plates, the parsnip was hard and the carrot wasn’t far behind. The Yorkshire pudding was soggy. Both offerings of potato were good and the cauliflower cheese and gravy did their duty. Afterwards we ordered the sticky toffee pudding. It arrived with the texture of a rubber ball and the sauce was tepid. We sent it back without bothering for a replacement and got the bill. A generous three star. I’ve rounded the two meals to four star. This time we were in the snug. We were comfortable in the corner but two older couples were struggling with the stools. Just be aware to ask to be in the back room. The front of house staff were efficient and very welcoming. I’ve barely ever had to return food and to have to do it twice in one meal is a bit rum. I guess the chef had an off day.

Yesterday evening we had dinner here. We were served by Hayley who was a great ambassador for the pub, being attentive and efficient and clearly thoroughly happy in her work. We ordered fish and chips and were presented with a large and perfectly cooked piece of fish and plenty of chips. Luckily we had room enough for a delicious pudding of home cooked chocolate brownie. One of the best pub dining experiences that we have enjoyed in a long time. To be thoroughly recommended!

We had the vegetable lasagna meal and it was beautiful very tasty I can recommend it👌

The food was excellent, we had the fish and chips, the fish was that big it only just fitted on the plate. Very good efficient waitress service with perfect timing.Cannot fault any of it.

Arrived 10 minutes early for a 3pm reservation to be told the table was not ready and to have a drink in the bar. After 30 minutes of waiting in the bar I enquired if the table was ready and we were shown through to the restaurant to a table that was not set (clearly forgotten we were waiting and the cutlery was quickly taken from another used table). We were handed menus and despite booking for a Sunday afternoon in the hope we would be able to order a traditional Sunday lunch were informed that there was Gammon and Nut Cutlet only if we wanted a roast. (No beef, lamb or turkey.) Despite this we decided to stay and choose from the menu regardless. Unfortunately we waited another 20 minutes and despite at least 5 members of staff being in the restaurant/bar that was no longer busy we were not attended to at all. After being on the establishment for an hour from arrival with no service or food we decided to pay for our drink and leave. We are extremely disappointed with the lack of service and general apathy we received today, we will not be retuning again. Shocking service Royal Oak.

Only had gammon for Sunday lunch at 3pm… So many people complaining..We ended up having pie, steak and burgers for Sunday lunch between us. The burger got left as he was so looking forward to beef dinner. The kitchen had caught fire so it took ages to come out. Sooooo expensive for what you get. And the decor in the back room looks like whoever did it was on acid. Spoils the look of the pub. Very distasteful. Would look better on a beach somewhere. Staff were nice. Not their fault…

Good value and tasty foid. Friendly staff in a good atmosphere. Great selection of beers and drinks, and proper British food.

Haven't been for while but well worth the visit looking forward to a revisit soon

We have been here many times & as usual the staff are very welcoming & the pub was very warm & cosy on a cold January evening. My husband chose the steak pie which looked & tasted delicious, I however made the bad choice of the chicken curry, the chicken was very tender, the onion bahji was delicious but unfortunately it wasn’t a curry, it was just a tomato sauce. As usual the Espresso Martini was to die for, but on this occasion I’m afraid the dish I chose was very disappointing.

Had a lovely meal all home cooked pie was full of braised beef proper pie crust fresh veg not the cheapest but you get what you pay for

This was a great experience. Having been here with family for a drink the evening before and hugely enjoyed it, my wife and I booked in for lunch before returning later to Scotland. This felt to us everything an English country pub at its best should be. It was warm and cosy, we sat beside a log fire (this being January), the staff were extremely friendly and helpful, we had good conversations with some of the locals, the food was superb (best fish and chips ever) and the portions extremely generous. We booked the same table we were at the evening before - in ‘Alan’s corner’, beside the fire. Highly recommended. We look forward to a return visit.

This was one of our many trips to the Royal Oak, as it is fairly local to us (Waddington) and it never fails to disappoint! The waiting staff was lovely, attentive and really looked after us. Myself and my husband had the beef and Stilton pie with vegetables and chips, which was absolutely delicious, and the chips are to die for! We didn't have room for dessert unfortunately as we had both finished every mouthful. We love the quaint, country-feel of this cosy homely pub and it's lovely welcoming atmosphere. Such a hidden treasure, and I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone.

Very good food and lovely staff!

This is a lovely village pub , always a warm welcome with friendly staff and a great atmosphere. Highly recommend giving it a try , summer is great for the lovely outside areas and winter for the warm open fire . My favourite little pub

Recommended by another pub which was too busy to fit us in. This free house is lovely & inviting. We had lunch & a pint. Curry & a pie for my husband & me. Delicious, quick & friendly folks. Would come again if we’re in the area.

Disappointing visit today . Will not be returning . A long wait on our food order . There were only 7 adults and 2 kids . The chips are frozen . The gravy wasn’t in a jug and poured over the plate which ruined the dinner as it was so salty . Kids pizza was burnt . 2 kids ice creams came with soup spoons to eat with . Staff all nice apart from one who was rude .

Food was middle of the road, nothing exceptional. Not all elements of the meal were delivered. Teriyaki burger should have come with salad but no salad on the plate when it arrived. Ordered it with no bun and only got a slice of tomato and gherkin. No dogs allowed. Tiny toilets, if the nappy changer was needed, nobody else could get in or out of the ladies

Not a good meal at all on Sunday We went at 3pm to have a Sunday lunch Beef and turkey was warmed up on a griddle !!! With burn marks all over it Raw veg also had to send it back Stuffing burnt Yorkshire pudding was the best bit Roast tates over cooked and heated up Asked how they had cooked the meat and never got an answer !!!!!! Very disappointed that could had been a good meal in a local country pub Will not be going back anytime soon

Can't really rate the food on this occasion. Only went to get a voucher for a Christmas present. 20 mins later I was still stood at the bar like a spare wheel. Asked what the problem was and was informed "the boss was there and would have to wait until he was finished". Anyway I obviously left, but the good news is, I then popped to the Thorald Arms just up the road in Harmston and got a voucher straight away and it looks lovely in there and the food smelled amazing.

Great pub in a great location, good selection of drinks and really good food, miss going, miss out. A proper, traditional pub with a lounge and a bar, where you can eat and drink, as well as a seperate dining area out the back. Highly recommend the Thai fishcakes as a starter

It's a nice place , but wasn't to happy with food as asked for a medium rare and got almost well done steak, everything aside steak was a bit spicy to my taste. But overall food was good .

Absolutely fantastic! Staff amazing! Very accommodating and friendly! Chef is excellent! Food to die for! Couldn’t manage dessert as was too full! Lovely setting! We are already booked in for the Christmas meal 😍 First class in all areas x thank you

Was a 1st date & was a lovely atmosphere

Average meal, shame the staff were more interested in having a chat than maybe asking us if we would like another drink or if we would like any dessert. So went to McDonald’s on the way home for a McFlurry. Shame, just wasn’t as good as I remember.

Food was amazing. Venison burger was huge and meaty. Chips crunchy and fluffy!

Been here several times. The staff are lovely. Food always good whether traditional pub grub or specials. I had fish pie - couldn't eat it all but they were happy to doggy bag it and it was just as good reheated the next day! My husband had braised pigs cheek which he said was tender + tasty. Unfortunately couldn't fit a desert in. Will definitely be back when in the area again.

We popped in here for an impromptu lunch early one lunch service. We walked in & were asked if we wanted to sit in the bar or restaurant area . Only visited here for drinks before. We ordered a tuna melt baguette & the Lincolnshire sausage baguette Very tasty served with a fresh side salad & delicious chips. Large portions but we did eat most ! Very pleasant gentlemen on service Restaurant was bright , clean & we will definitely make another visit for lunch & look forward to trying the evening service

Liver and bacon was superb on the friday but not so well done on the sunday

They do not respect the times. They close before their schedule. They closed just because they didn't have many clients, so they didn't let us in, although we had driven from far away

All good. A bit pricey. Coffee luke warm. Steak medium not medium rare as asked for, but a good flavour.

Basic, ‘lazy’ unoriginal food; great for those people who are more than happy with a pizza or a burger and chips and are not too discerning. We booked a table for my birthday as friends were visiting. The menu is nothing special, consisting of the usual meat pie, numerous types of burgers, fish and chips etc. Hubby opted for the ribs which came with a very dry cornbread (he thought it was stuffing of some kind!) My friend’s hubby chose the liver and onions which comprised of a slab of liver, mash and half an onion. He like us, assumed the liver would be seasoned and sliced, not a whole slab served up. He said he found it unappetising. Vegetarian options are very limited; veggie burger, veggie sausage, veggie lasagne or butternut squash and chickpea dhal. I opted for the latter (as veggie burgers and sausages I can pick up at the supermarket for a couple of pound so why would I pay over the odds for something so unimaginative?) The dhal tasted like it contained a Patak sauce from a jar with a few chickpeas thrown in and a chunk of roasted squash. I couldn’t taste any garlic. The meal wasn’t awful just average. I’ve made dhal at home many times and mine tastes far better. Longer to prepare but better. We don’t eat out that often as choices in pubs seem to be limited to so called British Classics, mainly burgers or anything else which is quick and easy to heat up. I do understand that it is a case of supply and demand and that unfortunately a lot of customers nowadays have very low expectations when eating out. Many think a burger in a bun with some fried chips is wonderful. Sorry this was not a meal to remember for us.

Fantastic little Village Pub, great beer, great service, lovely food and even a lift home👍 Just what a village pub should be

Wow just wow amazing food and beautiful wine we’ve had a wonderful afternoon What more the landlady gave us a lift back to Skybarn farm campsite because we couldn’t get a taxi Service above and beyond They also do a takeaway service the food is fantastic we will be back x

Great food, service and atmosphere. Staff were exceptional. Best meal we have had for a long time. Thank you.

Food was very generous portions which is good, the staff were friendly, fast and efficient. The only snag was how small the eating area was. Can only sit 32 people (or at least that’s how many chairs were out when we were there). No music in the background or anything so you could hear a pin drop and was very awkward at times as you felt you had to whisper with whoever you were with because of how quiet it is.

Food was very generous portions which is good, the staff were friendly, fast and efficient. The only snag was how small the eating area was. Can only sit 32 people (or at least that’s how many chairs were out when we were there). No music...

We have visited here many times over a number of years & last Saturday we stopped for lunch. 5* throughout, from the welcome we received to the moment we left. The guy on front of house was very welcoming & obliging even when having to...

A very nice friendly family pub, food very good served very hot and good portions. Just on a warm day uncomfortable as no air con or fans and lack of windows something that needs looking at. Bit expensive but all good quality

Stopped here on a walk, having our dog with us we struggled to find somewhere to sit, dogs aren’t allowed inside or in the large grassed area at the back. As it was a gorgeous sunny day the front area was very busy all tables...

Great food and beer at reasonable prices. Nice beer garden. Good service

Great pub and great beer garden

Lovely local pub, with great atmosphere and an amazing garden just right for the summer

Been here a couple times for food and drinks . Each time the food has been fantastic and the service excellent. Definitely recommend this little gem of a pub to anyone. Definitely back again soon

Had a lovely meal here tonight, steak and ale pie was delicious, full of meat and piping hot, relaxed atmosphere, would highly recommend a visit. Thank you Royal Oak.

I had 2 really good meals here in February, but this visit was disappointing. We were seated at a very cramped table, squeezed right up to the next table, so neither table could get in and out without moving each other. I didn’t understand this...

The best pub in Lincolnshire, bar none. I’ve been multiple times and never had a bad time there. A great selection of drinks and superb, quality food. Each member of staff go out their way to make you feel welcome and make sure everything is...

Fantastic food and friendly service would highly recommend and will definitely be hoping again.

Lovely pub and been a fair few times, always Lovely hot food, attentive staff and a good atmosphere BUT not this time. 6 adults for lunch and waited well over an hour for our meals. Food was ok but not hot like it usually is,...

Food ok but think there are better local options.

Had great time with family. The meal was delicious and plenty of it. Nice atmosphere Lovely little pub.

Very good meals, we can recommend.

Visited today(30th March)lovely clean pub,friendly staff & the food was excellent, I fully recommend the sticky barbecue pork ribs,delicious

Went for dinner with family. The staff were extremely friendly and the food was excellent, especially the meat pie which was full of really delicious meat. The pork rib was huge and so tasty too. Will definitely come back

Wow. Took a group of ten work colleagues here for lunch today and was blown away by the quality of the food. I can honestly say that the burger was certainly one of the best I’ve ever had. Service was great considering such a large...

Fantastic environment with a real country pub feel, pleasant and attentive staff. Sunday Roast was of good quality and well priced with a generous portion. Only criticism is there could have been a little more meat.

Been a few times now to the Royal Oak it’s fairly local to us we had a busy day and we decided to book a table. It wasn’t busy we were shown to our table we were told that only a couple of Sunday roasts...

Food very expensive for what it is. The menu wasn't that inventive. Burgers £15 wow...... I don't know what they have done to the decor in the back room....Looks cold and cheap for a lovely old pub..Cheap ornaments, nothing seemed to match. Young girl who...

Real pub, great fire, lovely lunch. Very hospitable.

Came here Sunday with the family, sat outside, lovely seating area. On entering the pub staff were welcoming and helpful thank you and food was lovely, we had baguettes, sausage and onion and the chicken baguette were amazing and we will return again

Absolutely great Sunday roasts , the staff made our visit everyone of them on point and especially one very funny , we’ll be back and recommend,

1st time at this pub all I can say is very fantastic food well worth a big visit again

Lovely village pub with a warm atmosphere! Not dog friendly inside but they’re was a water bowl outside which is nice.

It's been a very long time,but it was fantastic to know that we can still have a fabulous meal with friendly professional waiting staff. I always get nervous of revisiting favourite restaurants if I haven't been there for a while, but The Royal Oak has...

The staff were very friendly, good was good and the ambience cosy

My wife got a lasagne that had no cheese or white sauce on just literally sheets of pasta mince and a runny tomato puree...food took 35 mins in-between starter and main....my father in laws beef dinner was a slab of overcooked beef not beef slices...the peppercorn sauce was the saltiest thing I've ever tasted....overall we were in there for 2 hours...didn't wait around for dessert and had to ask 4 times for the bill so we could get out of there and watching the chef go into the toilet with his hat and apron on really wasn't the best thing to see on the way out....don't recommend

We had a nice meal in the restaurant. The service, food and drink was good. The menu was high quality pub grub which is both a compliment and slight criticism. Would I go back - yes.

My wife and I went here in October 2022 for my birthday and could not fault it, the service and food were exceptional, this is why on the day we booked a table for 3 for boxing day, my Wife, and her 88year old Mother...

Food was amazing. Very friendly. Substantial portions x

Great snack meal , soup, chips and falafel plate. To be honest, I didn't know exactly what to expect but I love the interior. It was pretty traditional in the small snug bar at the front and the food was great. The chips were actually...

We went to my sister in laws 60 th birthday had the steak pie it was beautiful 10 out of 10

A very good meal served by very friendly staff 👍

Lovely christmas dinner. Lots of attentive staff and really busy. You need to book

Great pub, amazing food and gluten free options. Fish and chips was outstanding.

Lovely pub. This was neither our 1st nor last visit.

Was dubious about visiting again as we had an awful meal at this pub a couple of years before and I swore I would never return... but our children eat here on a regular basis and asked us to join them for a meal with...

Not a good pub if you have a dog with you.

Fantastic little pub,Fantastic home cooked food .Great friendly staff and reasonable priced. Will visit again.

Great value meal in pleasant surroundings . Awesome Lasagne

Lovely lunch out with family, friendly staff, good food and beers. We have booked a table for Sunday lunch and are looking forward to trying that too.

Traditional old English country pub, great beer selection, wine and spirits. Good service and fantastic pub food freshly cooked. One of the only places around Lincoln that I’m never disappointed with. A great pub, recommend to book a table if you are dining.

Generous portions, fast, efficient service and great price. Have been before and will definitely return.

The food was very good but the service was slow and the waitress a little moody. Waited a while for drinks and generally slow with our drinks and sauce requests.

If you are in the area this is a great place for lunch (just as well as there isn't anything else!). The menu was wide but not too wide. Everything was beautifully cooked and everyone in our party really enjoyed their meal

Amazing carrot cake, love their chips, pulled pork a bit fatty for me but I'm picky. Fantastic service

Lovely location but sad to say food didn’t live up to expectations! It was a birthday celebration and as we are relatively new to the area we wanted try a nice pub meal and not too far away! We booked a table for three and...

Food excellent, staff very friendly 👌 shall return soon

Booked very last minute and a managed to squeeze us in on a Sunday lunchtime. Food was excellent and really friendly staff

Food was nice , service very slow , partner told the waiter about undercooked ham and couldn’t eat , said he’d mention it . Heard nothing . Had to go get our own sweet menu / staff just chatting behind bar . Shame as last time we visited it was too 5 stars .

Lovely pub and staff but the food was disappointing.Gravy salty and beef dried

Great place to visit, great service and food but not able to take your dog into pub or the garden, think thay are missing out on a lot of visitors

Nice little country pub and restaurant. Good ales and a varied menu. The food is good and the manager takes care of her customers.

Had family over from sweden and took them here, I was embarrassed to have made such an error. Poor service worse food and terrible attitude. If you have an allergy or are celiac keep a good distance I got my gluten free burger delivered in...

Thanks to everyone at the Royal Oak for hosting our wedding reception in the private garden at this lovely country pub in June 2022. We had a spacious marquee for nearly 50 guests, excellent food (thanks to Chef Jack we had lots of positive comments...

Very friendly staff, great food ,nice atmosphere! Would highly recommend!

Great pub for drinks before or after visiting the Globe. Decent food and plenty of drink choices.

Friendly staff and regulars. I look forward to a return visit.

Enjoyed a lovely meal. Friendly staff