The Royal Oak, Leighterton

Loving the new team in the pub! Absolutely superb food that isn’t the usual boring pub parade. Lovely caring staff. A changing menu with creative dishes that keep us coming back. We love that they support local producers and that they make almost everything in house: smoking their own food and making their own ice-cream. We live nearby and often see the chef at the back labouring away around his smoker. What a treat not to be condemned to ultra-processed nonsense! It is a shame that they stopped serving Flying monk but the wine list is still excellent - which is unusual for a pub! We took a friend who was coeliac for a Sunday lunch and everything on the menu was available gluten free - even the Yorkshire puddings - and there was no compromise on the quality or flavour. We absolutely recommend all the game dishes and the mushroom starter. Without a question, it is one of the best pubs for food and drink in the area.

We were staying at a local airbnb for a few days and were recommended the Royal Oak by the host and it did not disappoint! We first went for Sunday lunch and it was one of the best Sunday lunches we’ve had! I am coeliac and can find eating out awkward however, not here! I let them know of my dietary requirements before my visit, but didn’t realise it would mean there would be gluten free cauliflower cheese and Yorkshire puddings!! I didn’t miss out on any part of the Sunday lunch that I usually have to go without! There are also many things on the menu already gluten free - highly recommend the Popcorn Cauliflower and the Banana Cheesecake. The team are super knowledgeable and accommodating on dietary needs. The chef had said on Sunday he could make me a gluten free version of the Rhubarb Tart, and just to let them know when for - so we booked in for dinner on Tuesday. It was another fab meal with wonderful service and - the Rhubarb Tart was amazing! My fiancé had the non gf version on Sunday and said he couldn’t tell the difference between. It was a coeliacs dream! A big, big thank you to the team for making us feel so welcome, for great food, service - and, for spoiling an always hungry coeliac!