Royal Oak Braithwaite

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#2 of 5 Restaurants in Braithwaite££ - £££, Bar, British, Vegetarian friendly

+44 17683 92355+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

12:00 - 22:00

Mon

12:00 - 23:00

Tue

12:00 - 23:00

Wed

12:00 - 23:00

Thu

12:00 - 23:00

Fri

12:00 - 23:59

Sat

12:00 - 23:59

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.0

841 reviews

#2 of 5 Restaurants in Braithwaite

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Bar, British, Pub, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options

“Fantastic country pub atmosphere in the heart of our favourite place, it is a...”

“... we were there, I had gammon, scampi and a Sunday roast beef all three wer...”

“The steak and ale pie was amazing, the pints were lovely and the service was...”

“Food is amazing, we had the traditional staple of scampi, chicken wings, stea...”

Location and contact

Braithwaite, Keswick CA12 5SY England

+44 17683 92355

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Is this restaurant good for brunch?

Yes

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Details

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About

A beautiful nine-bedroomed hotel in a small village situated in the Lake District National Park, offering peace and quiet, beautifully cooked local food and a great selection of beers and wine.

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Non-smoking restaurants

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4.0

841 reviews

Excellent

474

Very good

203

Average

Poor

Terrible

Philip H

Manchester68 contributions

4 day stay with partner

Aug 2020 • none

Before I start the full review I feel the need to warn anyone staying in August. We started our stay last Monday and had booked a table in the restaurant that evening.We had our meal and it was added to our tab. However on the Friday morning when I cleared the tab they hadn't applied the eat out, help out discount. When I queried this I was told that I should have paid on the day to claim the discount.I said why wasn't I told that on the day and was told I should have been but there wasn't anything she could do. Considering how much I had spent in the hotel she could have offered some compensation or at least asked for permission. I was very annoyed about the failure to communicate the rules which cost us £20.However as the above is a one of occurrence I haven't let it affect my scoring of the establishment. When we arrived we had a pleasant walk into Keswick before we booked in. When we booked in they explained that she couldn't show us the room just tell us where to find it. What she didn't say was that no staff would be entering the bedroom to service it but she left some new tea bags and milk outside our door when requested. The breakfasts were always very good the only slight criticism being the service was slow but I never complained because the 1 member of staff working was always rushing from table to table apologising for any delays.The evening meals we had on the Monday and Thursday were both very good, on the Monday I had creamy garlic mushrooms followed by chargrilled chicken breast while my partner had chicken liver pate followed by a small scampi. On the Thursday we swooped starters while I had a burger while my partner had a small steak pie.We both enjoyed our stay , the bedroom was comfortable and the bathroom facilities were good. Overall apart from the issues caused by the virus I would recommend it to anyone

Written 17 August 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lynn M

Winscombe82 contributions

Great place to stay !

Mar 2020 • couples

We have been staying here for 5 nights last day today . The whole place is outstanding, really clean and cared for. I would guess it has had a a refit lately, all the furniture is tasteful and of good quality. The food has been brilliant we ate here for breakfast and for our evening meals after a day out exploring the area we didn’t see the point in trying somewhere else, the food is cooked fresh to order, pipping hot and delivered with a smile. All the staff are very friendly and made helpful suggestions of where to visit well done to the Royal Oak team x

Written 5 March 2020

Jane G

United Kingdom41 contributions

Welcoming pub with good food.

Jan 2020 • none

We both had the steak pie and enjoyed sitting by the fire on a rainy afternoon. We thought the food was excellent and the young lady behind the bar was extremely pleasant and helpful - will definitely call again and would recommend. I thought the portions were massive and I was more than happy with my smaller plate but I could imagine if you had walked all morning you might be able to tackle the larger portion - will give the Sunday lunch a go next !

Written 30 January 2020

Fredi1650

Southampton2 contributions

Family Big Birthday Dinner

Feb 2020 • family

We booked the Royal Oak on 17 February 2020 to hold a birthday dinner for 39 family and friends. Gemma and her team were excellent in helping us organise this and the food on the night was superb. A great time was had by all. Thank you so much. The Royal Oak is a truly great hostelry, well worth a visit.

Written 13 March 2020

IanBetty

Sheffield56 contributions

Generous portions and good beer

Feb 2020 • none

Called in at this pub for an evening meal. This pub is dog friendly outside food serving times but dogs are not allowed in during lunch times and evening meal time. The menu includes both standard size portion meals and meals for those with a smaller appetite. We both chose to have bacon chops which were absolutely delicious. There is a good choice of well kept ales and the service is attentive, friendly and efficient. Great meal.

Written 4 March 2020

Rover51

10 contributions

Excellent food and professional, helpful staff

Sept 2020 • none

We booked an evening meal at this pub during a short stay nearby, The whole experience was a pleasure. The arrangements around the current Covid-19 situation were excellent, and the staff were very professional, yet friendly and helpful. The social distancing arrangements didn't spoil the atmosphere at all, and the food was delicious.I would recommend the Royal Oak to others without hesitation.

Written 13 September 2020

The Truth

Bulkington11 contributions

10 years a cutomer but wont be back

Jun 2021 • none

My wife and I visit Braithwaite twice a year both summer and winter for a week of walking and have been using the Royal Oak for over 10 years. We have always enjoyed a few drinks after our walk and have been taking our springer spaniel with. We stay at the nearby Scotgate/ Braithwait village touring caravan park and would spend most evenings in the pub leaving our dog in the caravan when we ait and then bringing him inside when they stopped serving food. This was a rule that worked for everyone dog owners and not however on returning this year I was informed the pub has new owners and no dogs are allowed in at anytime. For a pub in what is a location used predominately by walkers a large proportion who have a dog as a walking companion this is disappointing. I was informed dogs are only allowed outside which is fine when its a nice hot day but not in January. Im afraid I and many other other ex customers will now be using the Colldale Inn approx 100 meters further on who welcome dogs and owners even at food times.

Written 4 June 2021

Fiona L

Hi There, I do apologise but i think you have been misinformed. We have built a covered outdoor area specifically for dog owners, which after Covid is done with we will be building sides on for you to be able to eat 'inside' with your dogs - which we have been very vocal about. We do now serve food all day from 12pm- 9pm but dogs are more than welcome after 9pm. As 95% of the pubs in Keswick and Braithwaite allow dogs in, we do like to accommodate for people who don't like to eat with dogs.

Written 5 June 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

tom t

England15 contributions

Great Stay

Jul 2020 • none

Stayed at the Royal Oak for four night. It was a great stay. Breakfast was fantastic. You must have the sausage with what ever you choice is. They are locally made in Cockermouth, just meat, delicious and will set you up for the day. Good selection of beers. The steak and ale pie for evening meal is a must. My room was ideal. Lot's of hot water for a relaxing bath after a long day on the hills

Written 25 July 2020

50N1A

Newcastle upon Tyne156 contributions

Fantastic Valentine's meal

Feb 2020 • couples

Amazing food at this pub. We ate there on numerous occasions during our summer break in 2019 and booked up again whilst staying in Bassenthwaite for Valentine's night. Food was delicious and we couldn't fault the service. Look forward to visiting again in the near future.

Written 18 February 2020

Newcastle upon Tyne18 contributions

Not really dog friendly.....

Dec 2021 • none

We came to Braithwaite for our Minimoon following our wedding for a weekend of walking eating and drinking with our small well behaved dog between Christmas and new year. Headed to the Royal Oak on our first night and on first impressions it looked great but were promptly told that as we had a dog we would have to leave at 5pm! We really wanted to eat here but were told we were unable to eat here if we had the dog! I've never come across this before...especially in the Lake District!!..you are either dog friendly or not...I understand that not everyone likes dogs but given this pub is split into 3 distinct areas (restaurant, bottom bar area and upper bar area) it would make common sense to allow one small section where dog owners could book and enjoy pub meals with their well behaved dogs in winter. I really don't understand the logic here and all of the other dog owners in the pub raised the same concerns as we were all promptly told we had to leave at 5pm as the food service was beginning - and the pub promptly emptied as most people had a dog! We did pop in a couple of times more during our stay for a drink simply for convenience to our holiday home during the dogs allowed timings! The bar staff were completely miserable too I don't think I saw them smile once! Luckily someone else mentioned that the Coledale Inn just up the hill was dog friendly and we had a fantastic meal and drinks there during our stay and the staff couldn't do enough for us - real service. I would completely recommend going there instead especially if you have a dog. I would love it if someone from the pub could explain the logic of only allowing dogs in from 2-5 and then 9pm onwards?

Written 8 January 2022

Eric C

Liverpool15 contributions

Not recommended

Sept 2021 • couples

Sadly you can’t simply have a drink at the bar before or after your meal. It’s a pub that hasn’t told anyone it’s just a restaurant. Whilst we were eating five or six times people came in asking if they could just have a drink. ‘Only outside’ was the reply. I had the belly pork and it was quite tasteless and the mash quite watery. We certainly won’t be going there again. Staff were generally quite pleasant although the older gentleman serving was a little abrupt.

Written 30 September 2021

gerryld

Cirencester302 contributions

Great Pub.

Sept 2020 • couples

This is a really nice, relaxing pub that serves great, traditional pub food. It catered nicely for my gluten-free needs as well (I highly recommend the Cumberland sausage). Book early now to avoid disappointment.

Written 11 September 2020

Christy

London279 contributions

Lovely pub

Aug 2021 • none

A lovely local pub, but clearly exceedingly busy so make sure you book well in advance if possible! We were seated straight away and the service started off well, bur gradually declined as the evening wore on. I'm aware of how busy they were and the extra cleaning measures in placed must add more time on to the staff's schedule, but we were sitting on a table in prime view & several staff walked past us! Apart from that, the under cover outside area had a relaxed atmosphere, particularly in the sunshine and the food was top-notch. Would recommend a visit here.

Written 7 August 2021

NottsPanther

Nottingham474 contributions

Fantastic meal out

Aug 2020 • family

On our family holiday away in Keswick we booked in here for a evening meal. Lovely pub in great surroundings. Staff were attentive and friendly. Seemed to be working well under the current guidelines. I had a lamb Henry as my main which was amazing. Wife had salmon and my young daughter had macaroni cheese and both said they enjoyed theirs. All in all a great meal out.

Written 29 August 2020

Mark S

York21 contributions

Not dog friendly

Sept 2021 • couples

We've been coming to the lakes every year for the last 10 years, predominantly Keswick. You'd be hard pressed to find somewhere that doesn't accommodate dogs. This pub is one of them. Apparently they don't allow dogs whilst they serve food. Is like to highlight a couple of things- 1. The pub is in a small village at the foot of a fell. Therefore their primary clientele are walkers, the majority of whom will have dogs and will be coming in in search of food and drink. All would therefore be forced to sit outside, which causes an issue at any time when it isn't warm and dry. Anyone who has been to the lakes will know the only other things more certain than rain in the lakes are death and taxes. 2. It's s pub. Not a restaurant, not a gastro pub, but somewhere serving fish/pie/burger and chips. Get over yourself. Most people coming in will be sweaty and covered in mud, not in a black tie and you serve average grub. I've never heard a pub in the lakes have this policy. If you're a dog owner, I'd say don't bother and take your money elsewhere.

Written 11 September 2021

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