The Royal Oak Pub Poynings
Quick info
About The Royal Oak Pub Poynings
The Royal Oak Pub Poynings is a village pub in Brighton on Poynings Rd, with a garden that hosts Sunday barbecues and has a children's play area for younger visitors. The kitchen serves fish and chips in a crispy batter, with a gluten-free version for those who need it, and a ploughman's sits on the menu too. Sunday lunch includes a pork belly roast. Harvey's ale is on offer at the bar. The pub works on a walk-in basis, so tables are not reserved. Inside, a table sits by the fire.
Good to know
“Smart pub with a menu of classic and modern dishes, plus a garden hosting Sunday barbecues.”
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, seating
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, beer garden, cosy fire table and ploughman's.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, beer garden, cosy fire table and ploughman's.
Customer Review Summary
Fish and chips is the dish reviewers raise most, with a light, crispy batter that stayed crisp to the last mouthful, a gluten-free version, and a scampi and chips plate that was not oily. Close behind are the pork belly roast and Sunday lunch, plus sea bass, a courgette pasta special, and vegan starters of mushroom pate and Padron peppers. The garden is a regular highlight, buzzing with hikers, locals and families on sunny weekends, and staff are called friendly. The main complaint comes from one reviewer who twice waited far too long for food, found staff defensive about the missed order, and thought the Ploughman's underwhelming, with ham that looked like it came from a supermarket packet. Another reviewer praised that same dish. One table by the fire was surprised with a little cake and candle.
Customer Review Summary
Fish and chips is the dish reviewers raise most, with a light, crispy batter that stayed crisp to the last mouthful, a gluten-free version, and a scampi and chips plate that was not oily. Close behind are the pork belly roast and Sunday lunch, plus sea bass, a courgette pasta special, and vegan starters of mushroom pate and Padron peppers. The garden is a regular highlight, buzzing with hikers, locals and families on sunny weekends, and staff are called friendly. The main complaint comes from one reviewer who twice waited far too long for food, found staff defensive about the missed order, and thought the Ploughman's underwhelming, with ham that looked like it came from a supermarket packet. Another reviewer praised that same dish. One table by the fire was surprised with a little cake and candle.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“I’d like to say that I had a lovely time at the Royal Oak. The setting is beautiful, and the ambiance is very laidback and chilled, making it a great place to relax and have a drink. Unfortunately the service let the experience down. This isn’t the first time I d had to enquire about my food after waiting more than 30 minutes. When I’ve asked about it the staff seemed quite defensive and offered excuses rather than simply acknowledging that the order had been overlooked. Oddly the same thing happened on my previous visit. It shouldn’t take 30 minutes or more to prepare a Ploughman’s. As for the Ploughman’s itself, it was okay, but nothing particularly memorable. The meat was a slice of processed ham that had literally appeared to have come out of a supermarket packet, which made the dish especially underwhelming. So for me the Royal Oak is a great setting for a drink, but that’s probably about it. Sadly I won’t be eating there again.”
- Google user
“Fantastic village pub! Stopped in on the way through from hiking the Devils Dyke, staff were super friendly and service was brilliant Grabbed some lunch both the fish and shop, and scampi and chips were great, fish batter was so light and crispy and not oily at all! One of my top 10!!! Beer garden was lovely in the sun and the guys let us refill out water bottles for the hike back Would highly recommend if you are passing through!”
- Google user
“Had lunch here yesterday. The food and service were excellent. Plenty of parking and the pub is nestled in a small village off of the main road. Highly recommend! The Ploughman’s was amazing.”
- Google user
“Lovely garden, friendly staff, enjoyable play area for children, a wonderful Sunday spen in a pub garden.”
- Google user
“Great village pub! Turned up late afternoon without a booking but had a superb Sunday lunch. Our young lady server was so friendly and attentive. She made us feel like locals! The food was top notch and the Harvey's best likewise.”
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Bars near The Royal Oak Pub Poynings
- The Park View4.31,2074.3 mi£20–30ReservationsGood for kids
haloumi fries or burger, sharing roast board, steak pie
- 4.6 miWheelchair accessible
scallops, oysters, mussels
- The Joker - Brighton4.41,4635.1 mi away£10–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
chicken wings, curly fries, upstairs event hire
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Royal Oak Pub PoyningsWheelchair accessible | 4.31,033 | — | — | fish and chips, beer garden, cosy fire table |
| The Park ViewReservations · Good for kids | 4.31,207 | 4.3 mi | £20–30 | haloumi fries or burger, sharing roast board, steak pie |
| The Urchin Brewery & Shellfish PubWheelchair accessible | 4.61,078 | 4.6 mi | — | scallops, oysters, mussels |
| The Joker - BrightonReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.41,463 | 5.1 mi away | £10–30 | chicken wings, curly fries, upstairs event hire |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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