Pub in London SE1
Royal Oak
44 Tabard Street, London, SE1 4JUClosest station: Borough, about 3 min walk4.5out of 5 on Google, from 856 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Royal Oak
Traditional Victorian corner pub with tiled exterior, specialising in cask and real ales.
Victorian corner pub owned by Sussex brewer Harvey's which, when it took it over was its first pub in London, restored it to how it might have been in the 1850s. There are 4 handpumps in each bar, dispensing a range of Harvey's regular and seasonal beers. There are also several additional Harvey's bottled beers. Two bare-boarded bars are separated by an off sales area. The pub serves a choice of excellent food. An interesting collection of prints and photographs adorns the traditional interior. Quiz night Wednesday. Recorded music may be played over loudspeakers at times. The pub has a pleasant and spacious upstairs room for private parties and functions which can be booked for free. The long-term tenant licensees, Frank and John, retired in January 2019 after twenty years here, after which Harvey's elected to make it a company managed house.
May close early in the evenings when business is light.
CAMRA SE London Branch SE1 District branch Pub of the Year 2023 and then Overall Branch Pub of the Year 2023, having been runner-up in 2022.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.
Features
- Dog Friendly: Bowl and treats
- Outdoor Seating: Limited pavement seating
- Live Music: At times as advertised
- Sports TV: Arranged for major sporting events
- Family Friendly
- Games: Shelf of board games in back room
- Serves Food
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner
- Real Ale
- Cask Marque
- Function Room: The John Harvey Room on the first floor
- Events: Wednesday quiz
- Disabled Access
- WiFi
- Reservable
- Good for Groups
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accepts Debit Cards
- Accepts NFC
Opening times
- Monday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Thursday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Friday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday
- 12:00 – 9:00 PM
As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Harvey's
- Price
- 1 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
- Phone
- 020 7357 7173
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.5out of 5 on Google, from 856 ratings
5 out of 5Steve Howarthon Google, April 2024
A fantastic little pub, well kept and well served by Harvey's of Sussex. Good quality ales, the menu looked good, the staff were friendly. I envy the locals, it's not on a main road but it is only a short walk from Borough.
3 out of 5John Won Google, October 2024
Lovely pub for a quiet daytime pint with superb real ale. Would have stayed longer and scored much higher if it wasn't for the surly barman, but it's definitely worth a visit for the beer alone.
1 out of 5Deniseon Google, September 2024
This was my first visit to this pub for a party. I was excited before I came but disappointed with the service from one of bartenders who has dark hair. I stood next to the bar to order but he just ignored me. Five minutes later, he came to me. No greetings at all even after I said hello to him. He just replied “what do you want?” without even showing a smile on his face. Fifteen minutes later, the pub got much busier when more people arrived for the party. I needed to go upstairs but I couldn’t find where the stairs were. So I approached the bar and asked the bartender politely “can you…
5 out of 5Paul Walkeron Google, January 2024
Quiet and traditional pub a few minutes walk from Borough tube station. The staff were friendly and the beer was good, looks to have a decent selection of traditional pub food on the menu that would be good to try on the next visit. Worth a visit if you are in the local area and seeking something out the way and a bit more traditional.
5 out of 5Petuon Google, January 2024
Good selection of Stouts ! The Old Ale was my favorite. A little bit sweet with tones of cherry . The Sussex best was also great ( no a stout though)
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.