The Royal Oak

The Royal Oak at Paley Street is an award-winning English pub and restaurant, located just outside Maidenhead. It’s owned by celebrity talk show host Michael Parkinson and his son, and is known in the area for its traditional warm ambience and wide selection of drinks.

Head Chef Dominic Chapman – who was named editor’s choice Best Pub Chef in the 2009 edition of the Good Food Guide – brings to the Royal Oak his philosophy of preparing the best seasonal produce very simply gained from his time in the kitchen with Rowley Leigh. The menu changes regularly, and features starters such as potted Devon crab and toast; or rabbit pithivier with green peppercorns with main courses including peppered haunch of venison with creamed spinach and grilled diver-caught plaice with anchovy butter. The Royal Oak also features daily specials, and a special Sunday lunch menu including a roast with all the trimmings.

In the past year, the Royal Oak has been awarded a Bib Gourmand, has been ranked number six in a list of Britain’s best gastropubs, and won the Restaurant of the Year (England) award from the AA. The Royal Oak also has a michelin star, and is one of only 10 pubs in the country to have achieved this.