The Royal Oak — Restaurant in Mid Suffolk

Just a disclaimer that, despite the three stars I've given, this pub can be nice and I do recommend going, but there's one main thing that's knocking it down a couple of stars which is discussed later. Keep in mind that I mainly come here for food, and visit solo or with one other person.

Firstly, the food is quite nice to me! Very good prices too, it's part the reason I come by as lots of other pubs that serve food are either quite expensive, gastropubs, or a wetherspoons. Not much in between so it's nice that this place offers that.

Atmosphere is hit or miss. I think lots of people visiting are going to their local for drinks which is nice to see (I enjoy the dogs and their owners chilling by the bar) but it does mean the customers and environment are sometimes kinda loud and I can't hear that well sometimes. Overall however it's nice and might even be your vibe.

Service and staff are friendly, nothing on them personally! But, this is what knocks the stars down as there have been about 4 or 5 separate occasions where communication has been pretty bad or unreliable. I tried to come with a friend visiting from uni, two separate occasions and months apart. Both times, our order and payment was taken, and we waited possibly up to an hour both times before we asked and were told that the kitchen was actually closed for the day and were refunded. This also happened yet another separate time when visiting by myself.

Because of the repeated experiences of orders being taken and then the kitchen actually being closed, one day I recently called to ask when the kitchen closed that day so I could be sure to come in good time. They said the time (I don't remember specifics but let's say 6pm for simplicity) and I figured I had time to do work before going.

I arrived an hour before the closing time they mentioned over the phone, but when going up to the counter it turns out that actually, their kitchen closed earlier in the day and was always going to, so I was told the incorrect time over the phone. It was quite annoying as I specifically called ahead to prevent this from happening and yet it still did.

Lastly, on another occasion I ordered food, waited quite a while until I asked for an update and it turns out my order wasn't put through. This time the food did come though! I know this stuff happens, life happens, so I didn't mind this too much.

But out of the times I've come here a good chunk of them have had issues regarding kitchen opening times. I'm not really sure what's going on with this? But I do think that the communication should be better, both to your customers and amongst staff as it seems the front of house staff are sometimes unaware or not told of kitchen closures as well. Even if it's simply bobbing your head into the kitchen and checking, no harm in that and would prefer that the person serving forgot the official times and went to check before taking my order, rather than assuming and then me waiting for an hour with no food to come.

ALL that being said, when the service goes smoothly I really enjoy this place, but I do find I don't visit as often because I'm never sure if the kitchen is open or not. I recommend this place but definitely HAVE A BACKUP place in mind if you...

Was like having lunch at crufts. We visited as a family at lunch time and there were dogs everywhere. Most pretty well behaved but there were loads. There had only one person working the bar and he was ok. No real sense of urgency and a bit overwhelmed. A bit disappointing that they wouldn't allow us to swap peas for beans but that's their choice and I respect that, may mean we are less keen to return. The clientele was a mix of very friendly people who make a pub feel welcoming and younger lads in their stone island 3 or 4 pints in at half 12 doing jager bombs and then rudely knocking in to you without so much as a sorry( partly because they were having to climb over dogs to get to the door) . The Food was a slight step up for the wetherspoons. Pie was really nice, chips and sides were pretty bland unthoughtful cafeteria quality. Not bad but not one to rush back to. Could be made much better by having a dog area ( same as pubs used to have smoking areas pre the ban) and a little bit more...

Been coming to the oak since the reopening and wow what a change. They have entertainment every Friday and Saturday and karaoke on Sunday which loads of family attended to as children are welcome till 9. They always have offers on alcohol and food. The food is great, my favourites are the katsu curry and the burgers, they offer late night pizzas which can be eaten in or takeaway. They do quiz and bingo once a month, quiz is on a Monday night and bingo is a Wednesday night. On the First Thursday of every month they do an open mic night with jax and co. They also offer a trip down memory lane once a month where they have a singer in during the day singing all the classics from the...