Royal Oak Bistro Cessnock — Restaurant in New South Wales

Intrigued by the overall rating I decided to give this place a go. I was in cessnock for a work trip, and wanted pizza for dinner. This seemed to be a much better option than Pizza Hut and Domingo’s. I should have stuck with the latter. I waited 45 minutes for my take away pizza that finally had less then room temperature when I was served. The pizza was for take away and had been sitting on the kitchen counter for probably 25 minutes. The frontline staff has no attentiveness and their idea of service is none existing. I asked both of the bar staff where my pizza was but they had other things to do than following up with the kitchen. I finally had to go there myself. Me sitting at the bar for 40 minutes waiting and asking for my pizza was obviously not hint enough for the staff to add 2 and 2 together and check with the kitchen if my pizza was ready. The pizza was ready, 30 minutes it was sitting there and by the time I got my pizza it had room temperature. The taste was average but if you are hungry, have been waiting for 45 minutes and I had to get to an appointment you won’t bother asking for the manager ... don’t waste your time with this place. The...

We were starving after an over night flight and driving all the way to NSW. And this is the only few places that we found is open on Saturday for food.And we just broke in with super casual clothes, and choose to sit in the fine restaurant inside (outside is bar and can order some fast food). And it suprised me! The starter bread was a little salty and its skin was so crispy, chewing with the specially made butter and nuts spread, I could feel my mouth filled with pleasant grain scent. The chicken breast, my favorite part was its crispy fried skin, and lightly sweet baked onion. Having them with the chicken breast and dipping a little source below was just that nice. And the oyster, my friend who grow up with sea food, was amazed by the combination of that red source with fresh oyster. And the staff there was friendly...

Came to the hotel based on 4.2 star average, but changed mind when we realized there were only 2 staff in and the hotel was completely empty - even the front bar- at 6:30pm. We didn’t eat there as the vibe was not great and no-one eating there. We realise management has probably changed hands a few times since the last (mostly positive) reviews from 6 years ago, and suggest you choose carefully. It’s tough giving a review when you decide not to eat somewhere, so this is based purely on service and atmosphere, which simply were not present. I hope things can turn around, as this clearly used to be a great local venue...