The Theydon Oak in Epping Forest

Very disappointed. Have been going there for years but not just recently. There were no menues on the tables. We had to stand and read from a blackboard. Not very satisfactory for people who find it hard to walk. Luckily not many people were there or you would need to stand over someone’s table to be able to read it. The wine we ordered was not available and the two items we wanted on the menu were not available including cream. The fish pie was poor with just white fish and a small amount of salmon and no other fish. The mashed potato was very salty. The sticky toffee pudding was the strangest I have seen and was dry and heavy. The spotted dick had been over cooked in the microwave and was burnt and solid on the base, so was inedible. This was pointed out but no reduction was offered. We will not be returning. It is nothing like it used to be.

Went for long sunday walk ending up at theydon oak had a fantastic lunch much needed .food was so nice and dessert was the best apple bread pudd and custard omg it was good . Well done to the staff who were so friendly and happy to see and serve you we stayed for drinks fantastic after such a good vibe

Mediocre food ( Sunday lunch) and poorly trained serving staff, virtually empty so no real excuse. Tables crammed in and no real ambiance

Beautiful old English pub..sadly let down by it's food. The menu was very limited.. I've more choice in my freezer at home. .. and then told there's only chips - no other potato choice, only 1 salmon left etc. Friendly staff and food served promptly. Definitely not a gastro pub however charming it looked. Wine was expensive and not the best.

Wedding Anniversary dinner. Nice table for two with a cool draught. Pleasant old-fahioned place, horsebrasses etc. The waitress seemed a bit hard pressed; seems they were a bit down on staff - but coped and was friendly. Food quite good - whole scampi, white bait (with chili sauce?), sad that steaks were off ("had a run on them recently), but there was a reasonable belly pork on the specials board. verynice desserts - lemon chesses cake was homemade. Fair value

Awful expensive experience. The pub was very cold, and I don’t feel the cold! The food was cold, the beer very expensive . ^£25 for 3 pints and a glass of wine. It’s no wonder why the place was deserted. Food not even average. Will not be using again.

Elton john party night.had a fantastic fun night food was amazing as always everyone was up dancing a night to remeber thank you iain and staff for your very good service cant wait for the next one

The perfect stop after a winters walk from loughton. Great food, great service, great value, great atmosphere and a log burner. Perfection

My daughter and husband had discovered this pub, whilst walking in the area. They enjoyed the food so much, we returned for a Sunday lunch. Pub is quirky, absolutely smothered in brasses of all description. The staff were young and very welcoming, extremely efficient. The food was as good as their previous experience. Clearly, as the pub was full, others shared the enjoyment. Our meals were served quickly and professionally. Three of us had the steak and kidney pie, which was home made and so tasty. One of our party had the Sunday roast and the fifth person had a burger. Everyone enjoyed the meal. This is such a find, good food, reasonable price and excellent staff. Well done, we will be back.

Went for a post Birthday Celebration. Had a 2 course meal and a glass of Prosecco. Steak was amazing, cooked exquisitely and was full of flavour. A Rod Stuart impersonator sung, great fun. Many people took to the dance floor. Staff were welcoming, place is lovely and customers were friendly.

Saturday night with friends singing dancing along to Rod Stewart. Food was excellent had a fantastic time thanks to Iain and staff for making us so welcome, can’t wait for diva night

Myself and a group of friends went there for a meal. We ordered Sea Bass, accompanied by potatoes and salad. The potatoes were unedible, owing to the fact they were rock hard. My husband (who was having steak).also tried cutting them 'with his steak knife' and barely made a dent in them. When I returned them, the cook said 'l am doing my best' !! Where I realise that these things happen sometimes, when I complained to the manager, she said 'yes I know, we are going to be making a complaint'. I don't know where to, the farmer ? The fact that the potatoes weren't cooked for long enough, didn't seem to occur to them. ''Not a sorry, or any offer of a discount was offered''. Overall, a very unprofessional attitude. When food is inedible, they should own up to it and offer a discount !!

Had a fantastic night singing and dancing to rod stewart lookalike the food was really good .met some old friends and made some new one’s the staff were so helpfull and friendly well done all thanks iain and staff cant wait to come back again for more music nights and great food

A dead Monday made better by friendly and helpful staff. Fabulous range of drinks. Food menu looks amazing .I will go back. Only warning is beware the ghost.

Went down there for the first time. Staff and food was amazing. Steak cooked to perfection as we all ordered it different. Gorgeous quality meant. Such a lovely traditional pub. Not many left. Will definitely be returning. Thank you for a very enjoyable evening.

Dreadful food. Jerk chicken and sauce tasteless, not the range of ginger, garlic and spices expected. Rice also tastless, the worst I've ever had and we cook a lot of rice and grains including basmati, jasmine, quinoa, bulgar, couscous, beans. My husbands fish and chips was overcooked and dry. Shame as the service from Tania was good and the cider and wines as expected although £30 for a NZSB seemed high for a pub.

Been here before and it was ok, however this time the food was awful, my fish and chips mostly consisted of inedible greasy batter and very little actual fish, the bowl the onion rings were served in had a large puddle of rancid oil that appeared to have seeped off the onion rings, the presentation of other dishes was haphazard, mostly looking as if the food had been slung at the plates rather than served up. I wouldn’t return!

What’s a lovely place. Staff are so friendly and food was amazing. Great gardens and restaurant and even a playground for kids. Attracts nice people too. All in all a well run family pub. Keep up the good work.

Went for lunch with my elderly father in law, sons and husband. Very accomodating staff, turned down the music a little so father in law could hear. A short menu and therefore lovely food. We will definitely go back.

The food was amazing we all had The Theydon Oak burger, served with chips and Cole slaw Service good friendly staff. Will definitely return

A lovely spot for a gathering with friends. We love the outside garden & the kids park was brilliant for my 3 year old who loved it . In the garden there was also plenty to keep her entertained with the swing chain& bridge. Unfortunately the food let us down. Cheese burger was £15!! I don't remember it being that pricey & that small. Husband agreed portions seem to have got smaller. Our pescatarian friend ordered a fish finger sandwich and ate half of it when she opened the other side to put ketchup in she found bits of STEAK inside !!! The lady inside did come out & ask did she wanted another but unfortunately she was already put off eating anything else. I did however enjoy my chips with the burger they were crunchy & delicious. I would visit again just not for food.

Me and my family came here for my mothers birthday and the service is great and the food is 9/10 and I love the park but the down sides is that the pub is quite broken the one of the stairs caused me to fall over because it is held up really badly and the table is broken it caused my sister to spill her drink all over me and her and some of the stuff in the park is broken old and badly kept so I give the theydon oak a 3/5

I’ve been on strike at home from cooking roast dinners and I was craving a roast so I brought the family to the Theydon Oak for a Sunday roast. Well, I think they’ll be happy if I carry on striking because the roasts were amazing. Three of us had different two-meat roasts and the meat was thick cut and lovely. Huge portions with potatoes, yorkie, stuffing and veg. We ordered pigs in blankets on the side and, even though we were stuffed, we had pudding as well. I now won’t eat for a week! Will definitely be back.

All round excellent ~ well cooked, good quality food ~ pleasant & willing service ~ bit crowded but all round a place we want to go to again ~

Had lunch here for the first time. As mentioned by other guests young staff seemed very inexperienced. We ordered 2 mains and was served with 1 starter and 1 main instead of 2 main lunches. Waitress unapologetic but didn’t seem overly bothered anyhow that order...

Had the most delicious roast Turkey dinner at this pub, Turkey was moist, potatoes crispy and fluffy and the gravy was flavourful. The homemade sticky toffee pudding was a delightful end to our meal. Lovely, helpful staff. Couldn’t recommend this pub more. Can’t wait to...

Me and my family booked a table for three at Theydon Oak to celebrate Mother's Day.I was never told it was a set menu at £40 per head regardless if you have 1,2,3 dishes.When we arrived, we had to wait 20 minutes which meant loitering...

I’m beyond confused why this pub is always so busy when I drive passed. We booked a table for Mother’s Day and I have to say I will never, ever be returning. I can’t actually quite get over how awful the food was. The mac...

Wow, what a fantastic place with the best staff and atmosphere. We decided to have our children’s christening reception at The Theydon Oak and so glad that we did. Nothing was too much trouble, the staff were so attentive and polite and the food was...

We celebrated our Golden Wedding anniversary at the pub, and had 20 people and the staff were very helpful and obliging. The only criticism we made was that the chef was over doing it with the salt and we did mention this to the staff....

Cold food, slow service, missing items, no apologies, untrained young staff, no one checked if food was okay (it wasn’t), tables far too close together, no room to move, half the unavailable, only two of the 9 ice cream flavours available, bar is cold.

A very cosy beams and brasses pub serving a good selection of the usual gastro style food at reasonable prices.Enjoyed a leisurely meal and great service.

We went to this pub again as we had been before and it was really good. However, this visit the pub was so cold we had to sit with our coats on. Service was beyond awful (two young girls doing their best so I don’t...

Recent visit to Motown Night at Theydon Oak. Starting with the meal. Lamb was so raw in the middle, you couldn’t cut it. Entertainment was advertised as Motown Party Night. They sung two Motown song’s because I asked them to and the rest were Ibiza...

I visited the Theydon Oak with two friends immediately post-Christmas and we were delighted with the experience and, in particular, the service provided by young Stanley, a lad of only 14 years old, who was serving customers and doing it very well! A fresh-faced youth...

Had the best time last night,great pub with good atmosphere,we had drinks,food and dancing. The staff were great,the food was delicious and portion sizes were huge,I’m a big eater and was more than satisfied. Overall a thumbs up from my wife and I to the...

We should have had a great night out but the whole evening was a huge expensive disappointment. The girls chose the night because it was Mowtown music but what did we get? Clubbing taped music all night except for two songs. The pub is small...

My friends and I had a brilliant night at the pub last night, fantastic food, great atmosphere and service, and the live music was perfect! I’d highly recommend the forerib of beef.

Our night at the Theydon oak did not disappoint! Service was spot on even when the pub was busy and was always served with a smile , we went there for a Christmas party and danced the night away . Safe to stay none of...

Had the best time! The pub itself is beautiful, staff are friendly and welcoming. Food was fab with nice portion sizes. This event was for us gym buddies to get together for our Christmas night out. The entertainment was really good and got us all...

Brilliant night at the Theydon Oak Friday 16th December 2022. Great food, huge portions, excellent service and danced till late to live music. Highly recommended!

My first time visiting the pub and will certainly not be my last! We all had the best time and the food was delicious. A great night out and would highly recommend. Thanks to all the staff who went above and beyond for us! X

Had a fantastic night at the theydo oak music was motown girls and was amazing food was good as usal great party night staff were very busy but had smiles on faces all the time cant wait for another party night

We had the most amazing night at the Theydon Oak. The waiting staff did a great job and provided an outstanding service, the food was plentiful and very delicious. The entertainment was superb and we didn't stop smiling and dancing all night! I will definitely...

Visited the Theydon Oak last night for a Christmas meal out with friends. We all had a brilliant time, the food was lovely. Service was 10/10. The singers got everybody up dancing a great time was had by all.

Absolutely delicious, really lovely Sunday roast, perfect portion and great variety of veg. Would definitely go back and recommend, thank you for a lovely lunch

Set in an attractive rural hamelt close to the town of Epping. The pub has kept all the traditional elements of the historic pub with beams, stone floors and wooden tables and chairs. The portions are large and prices reasonable together with friendly staff.

My partner and I had been meaning to book dinner at the Theydon Oak for a while now. Finally got round to doing it and so glad we did. The Sunday Roast was truly amazing. Portion size was incredible, staff were young and cheerful and...

Our first visit to the pub and what a lovely evening... Carla made us feel very welcome... Price for drinks and food was very reasonable.... The food was good.... Service was very quick... Will definitely recommend this pub....

7 of us came for a Sunday roast yesterday and it was so tasty. Service was excellent, the young waitress had a lovely manner. All staff were welcoming and polite. Cannot fault our experience in the slightest! Will be back

Very disappointed in the portion size as one small sea bass fillet, small basket of chips plus raw green beans. Thought at £16 it was expensive for the size of portions. Although they replaced the sliced beans they were brought to the table when had...

Our Daughter and Grandsons paid us a visit .It was a nice Summers evening , so we decided Al Fresco dining was the theme for the evening .We was warmly welcomed at the Theydon Oak, and given menu's to decide upon whilst our Grandsons played...

Met up with my sister from Epping. Happy to discover my favourite Doombar available but was served in a London Pride glass. There followed some banter about "can't get the staff" joined in by some locals. Their range of drinks (and glasses) is impressive and...

Arrived at 5:55 and asked if there was food as we had travelled for two hours to the area to for a wedding. We were told that they started at 6pm and it would take about 10 minutes for the oven to warm up. We...

Last minute booking in which they accommodated us. A lovely warm welcome and was seated quickly. Service in the restaurant was good and food AMAZING, the portion sizes were huge! Would definitely recommend Sunday lunch to anyone.

Had a really fantastic sunday roast with friends this pub is so friendly . Its like being with family and long lost friends food is so good makes you want to keep coming back well done all

Visited this beautiful pub for Mother’s Day. Had the most amazing butternut squash soup, Roast sirloin of beef with all the trimmings and apple and black cherry crumble for dessert. Food was full of flavour, well presented, couldn’t have asked for a more lovely place...

Lovely staff, bubbly atmosphere and good quality hearty meals. Everything ordered by my family looked appetising and well presented in this beautiful rustic setting. Service was great, prices are very reasonable and choice is very good. The family atmosphere allows you to relax and enjoy...

We had a table for 3 kids and 2 adults. Mother’s Day is usually busy when eating out but this pub is something very special, our table was ready for us (last sitting 5.30). I had Halloumi to start, followed by Turkey roast then the...

Without doubt, the worst Sunday lunch I have ever had the misfortune to be served. Undercooked prawns to start. Burnt roast potatoes that were totally black and a flaccid Yorkshire pudding that resembled a cow pat, veg that was overcooked, pigs in blankets that were...

Sorry to say this place disappoints in most ways. Yes , huge portions, but if they are cold and undercooked it doesn't do it for me. Went there out of nostalgia from years ago. The plates were cold. Vegetables luke warm. My sister couldn't even...

So so pleased we decided to give this place another try after a previous disappointing meal. We have just had a fantastic Sunday roast. My husband had the mixed meat roast- beef, turkey, pork and lamb and it was all cooked to perfection. The portions...

Served up a pie that was cold in the middle first time around, waited over 10 mins for the second one to come out which the meat seemed tough and overcooked and the pastry on the underneath wet and stogy. Cold vegetables. Chips were ok....

Absolutely lovely staff and service, someone is clearly an avid gardener as the planting and gardens are beautiful. Sadly though the food was dire. It’s really not that hard to do a decent roast. This was tasteless, rubbish watery gravy, the beef (bearing in mind...

What a fabulous day, great food the staff were great and helpful. Fabulous day. Garden was very nice and Iain was very welcoming. Plenty of drink, went home very tipsy.

Finally had a Sunday lunch to celebrate my Mums birthday and it didn’t disappoint !!! The staff were amazing from the booking to the service throughout our lunch. The jerk chicken wings were epic !! The Sunday lunches were spot on and so we’re the...

Visited this pub with family of 7 . Lots of fussy food eaters but all tastes accounted for.food was lovely hot and fresh . Service friendly and attentive. Will definitely be going back.

Myself and a few friends visited the theydon oak on Friday for dinner. We were pleasantly surprised at the gin and vodka selection they had to offer, they must have had nearly 20 different gins! The food menu was full of delicious options for everyone...

Lovely meal on Friday with family food was delicious staff friendly and helpful Will definitely be visiting again.

Good experience. Loved the Mushroom vegan burger. Friends enjoyed the kebabs. Great friendly service in a lovely location. We will be back.

I visited this pub with 4 family members for Sunday roast today and all I can say is that it was cooked to perfection! The roasts even came with pigs in blankets, stuffing and cauliflower cheese, (which you rarely ever get anywhere else unless it...

Visited with family, lovely friendly staff and amazing food as always. All roasts was delicious and deserts was tasty. Nothing but 5 stars. Recommend as always. Will be back 😊

Went with family as had previously had lovely mid week lunch. Completely different this time. Not told until we went to order that roast turkey had run out. Roast beef full of gristle. Too much on the plates. When we ordered sweet told there was...

Went for lunch with friends in the week food n service was so very good sat in the sunshine .great place to meet up withyr friends cant wait to go back to this great pub

You can only dine outside at the moment so lucky for us it was nice weather. Our food was OK. The cappuccino was awful, I do not know if it came out of a machine but it was nasty. Nothing like a cappuccino at all....

Finally 8 friends meeting for lunch after 18 months of lockdown, so really looking forward to it. One of the friends had been on a Saturday and recommended it. It was quite terrible, we had to send 4 meals back: The squid was so rubbery...

Visited in a large family group and a very enjoyable day was had by all. This was not my first visit and had no hesitation taking family who had not been been before and was not disappointed. Service was excellent, staff were polite courteous efficient...

18 of us went on Sunday 8th August. The food was amazing as always. The staff were friendly and attentive. We all had a lovely day and enjoyed our dinner. Would recommend the Roast Turkey.

I was looking forward to visiting today as my mother in law mentioned this was a place she frequented years ago. However, on arrival we learnt that it's a marquee only set up (not mentioned at the time of booking). But OK, even if we...

Yep, still awful, tried it again as was in the area and nothing is different. No doubt the management will comeback to this review with another rude response, re car envy etc lol, strange chap! Considering he doesn’t know what I drive! Food not good,...

Went with 10 people , food served cold , vegetables served as mush , not how we remember Theydon Oak of old , very disappointed, never returning

Another outstanding experience with staff super helpful and quality food. Visited with several families to celebrate an occasion and from start to finish all needs catered for with politeness from staff, fast and efficient service and amazing food ! The curried goat was tremendous !!!

Went with friends tonight. Waited ages for food. 4 out of 5 meals were below standard Fish full of bones and overcooked. Lamb--- pieces raw and pieces burnt. Salmon and prawn salad over powered with too much onion. Staff lovely. Garden lovely. Food poor.

The best pub/restaurant in Epping! Amazing food and service from Ian and the Team! If you haven't been... You are missing out! Can't wait to go back!

Over priced poorly service and at best second rate food!! Waited an age to get any attention and then well over half an hour for food on a quiet day!! Good prawn cocktails however old pats of butter cannot be spread on bread! For the...

Beer festival had a fantastic day with friends we all sat in garden trying the many beers and ciders in the sunshine . Live music was so good everyone was having a great time . Hogroast was amazing well done iain and team

Fabulous time great food brilliant music. Customer service good. Governor and his wife so very friendly. Amazing day. Xxx

Theydon Oak came highly recommended by several people so thought we’d give it a try lunchtime today, but sadly, despite high hopes, it was a decidedly very average pub/dining experience. Seating was not available inside the pub itself but plenty of tables outdoors in the...

I was initially “put off” by the review written by a recent Essex lady visitor & I almost pulled out from making the visit to this Pub. Thankfully I made the drive. Where has this lady been for past 14 months 🤔 - another planet...

Sunday lunch after lockdown had a n amazing roast in this beautifull pub . Delicious food great atmosphere well done to iain and all the staff pub looks amazing

Had a really lovely Sunday roast staff were really amazing considering how busy they were food was so good you must give this pub a try family friendly well done Iain and staff

This is the second Sunday in a row I've been to the Theydon Oak and the only negative thing I have to say is I wish I'd visited sooner! Such a beautiful pub tucked away in an indealic setting, you'd never know you were less...

Wow what can I say I had a fab time last night with my friends, service was great, the food was AMAZING and the staff was so nice and friendly. Highly recommend this place. I’ve actually booked to go back next week. Thank you guys,...

What has happened to this place? The staff could not be more unwelcoming. The garden has been blocked off by a marquee. This place is beyond scruffy and filled with a rowdy all man crowd .... and so many smokers (at least have some non smoking table areas). Drinks served in plastic cups. Friends had commented that this place had gone downhill and we can’t disagree, will not be returning. Such a shame for a lovely village! Not in keeping with the surrounding area.

We enjoyed a lovely takeaway Sunday roast today. It was delicious and the portion sizes were huge. We will definitely be making it a weekly occurrence!

We ordered a takeaway roast for three today. Size of the portions are amazing. Was enough food to feed 4 or 5 of us. The beef melted in your mouth and the turkey was so moist. Such a selection of vegetables too. If you haven’t...

Just polished off an amazing Sunday roast. Will be full and happy for hours - thank you guys, will be back!

Sunday takeaway roast was amazing the beef was to die for and the yorshire puds were the best iv everhad reall homemade and the gravy was so good keep up the good service will deff be coming back week after week

We are very fussy about our Sunday lunch but was so happy with this! Tasted exactly like a home cooked dinner. All the trimmings and all the flavour. Catered for gluten free too. Huge portions which we all managed to eat. Thanks Iain, we will...

We had our first takeaway Sunday roast from here and it was quite simply AMAZING. We’ve been having takeaway roasts from various different pubs around the area during the COVID period and this is by far the best, the taste was amazing and everything was...