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Hours
Sun
9:30 - 20:00
Mon
9:30 - 20:00
Tue
9:30 - 20:00
Wed
9:30 - 20:00
Thu
9:30 - 20:00
Fri
9:30 - 20:00
Sat
9:30 - 20:00
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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CUISINES
Bar, British
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
features
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Details
CUISINES
Bar, British
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Table Service
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3.5
270 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
68
Average
59
Poor
34
Terrible
23
LPC
Deal15 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Went to the Royal today for a light lunch with my two older daughters . Set out very well and cleanliness 100% . Ordered several small dishes which arrived promptly considering how busy they were. Loaded chips were good as well as the peppered squid . Two portions of chips were good , onion rings fair ,but really disappointed in the crab pate for the price. Totally tasteless, one very small slice of toasted sourdough bread and no butter. When asked for butter I was brought one tiny wrapped portion . Not good for £7.95.
The service was good though and waitresses/ waiter very attentive . I’m sure they have raised their prices .
Written 30 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.
JK4221
Walmer58 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
I felt very safe - regulations are being followed accordingly. Food was average. I ordered a fish finger sandwich and it was served in classic white bread that you can buy in the supermarket. It would have been nicer with doorstep bread. I couldn’t taste the tartar sauce and the chips came without any sauces (we weren’t asked either).
Overall, it’s okay.
Written 22 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.
Steve6244
Chatham614 contributions
Looks like this Bar also gets reviewed under The Royal Hotel.
Had been for a long walk along the seafront on a lovely hot sunny day and decided to treat ourselves to lunch.
Plenty of outside tables which were obviously all full, but inside table was just as good. Details taken for track and trace, cutlery and condiments delivered to the table. All food and drink delivered on trays from which we took our own items.
Staff were friendly, service was good and quick.
Food was good. Fish finger sandwich was served in lovely fresh bread, though I'm not sure about the addition of a slice of tomato.
Menu stated it was reduced but looked pretty good to us.
Will return one day for dinner.
Written 15 September 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.
Ian M
Deal51 contributions
Oct 2021 • family
We so looked forward to our visit to The Royal but sadly were very disappointed by the intrusive service we experienced. We hardly had time to sit down and were asked several times in quick succession what we would like to drink, we wanted to look at the menu first to see what would compliment our meal choices but this didn’t seem to fit with the person who was waiting table.
We were served our food fairly quickly, no complaints there but again we were interrupted several times asking if we would like more drinks when it was obvious we weren’t anywhere near finished what we had in front of us. This continued throughout the meal to the point we felt we were outstaying our time and the table was needed though there were other tables free.
The food was a little disappointing. The sausage and mash lacked taste, particularly the sausages and the mash which was a shame as the sausages sounded so appetising on the menu. The chicken schnitzel was quite tough which is surprising for a dish which should be pounded before cooking.
The Royal just did not live up to expectations sadly.
Written 2 October 2021
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.
Sue W
2 contributions
Jul 2021 • friends
We called in person on the morning that we wanted to book an evening meal. Having booked for a 7.30 slot we arrived at the Boathouse bar to be told " theres a table at the top over there or you can use the restaurant". The Boathouse bar is family friendly but as a small group of 3 friends who were having a catch up we did not want children running around shouting and squealing as they were doing so opted for the restaurant. Whilst being shown to the restaurant a staff member said that it was full and that we could eat in the function room. We were the only people in the room so, although at least we could hear each other, the room lacked any atmosphere.
I ordered the crab pate which was bland and tasteless. The accompanying sour dough bread tasted burnt but was soggy as if it had been dampened down. My companions ordered the squid which was at least passable. I chose to eat my starter without complaint as l thought it was perhaps my fault for choosing badly. However when the main course arrived l realised the only bad choice l had made was booking The Royal Hotel to eat!
I had ordered the duck breast. The vegetables were absolutely cold and the last time l had a rubber duck was when l was in the bath! I tried to cut the meat but did not even manage to make a dent in it.
The other meals again were passable. Both of my companions said that they were not impressed but it was edible. The lovely young lady that served our table was apologetic and asked if l would like a different meal. I chose the belly pork which obviously arrived as my friends finished their meal leaving me rushing my food in order to catch up. It was ok but not particularly good.
We did look at the dessert menu ( about 3 choices) but decided we would not risk it.
The service from the waiting staff was fine and we did leave a tip as none of the disappointment was due to them but l would not bother again to eat at The Royal.
Written 28 July 2021
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.
Chris S
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • solo
I had calamari starter and whole lobster with chips and salad. All cooked perfectly well washed down with Añuela sauvingon blanc which was perfectly chilled.
The service was excellent and the price was good.
Overall a fantastic lunch in a lovely location.
Written 9 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.
Ausra A
1 contribution
Oct 2020 • family
The food was not great. My son had tummy ache and I felt sick for the rest of the day. Potato mash was tasteless and looked like someone’s vomit.
Oven roast chicken schnitzel was dry, hard and didn’t taste very good. Cheddar cheese and bacon burger was so so, fries were ok. No salad on a side just few pieces of pickles. British crab and crayfish linguine- felt like something is missing and there was only one piece of crab in a whole plate.
Overall it seems like the person who was making the food, does’t like his/her job and is not using any spices or salt.
The staff were nice and helpful though.
I would not come back and would not recommend this place for anyone.
Written 24 October 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.
christopher jj
United Kingdom8 contributions
Jul 2022 • friends
Absolutely disgusted with the customer service at this establishment!
Super rude waitresses when I asked for the gluten free menu which they did not have, felt like they couldn’t be bothered with catering for my needs. They made me pay £20 for a 50p loaf and minimal salmon. Sort of sandwich you can acquire on the Tesco £3 meal deal with out the drink and crisps
Will never return there again!
Was with friends so paid the money and didn’t complain as everyone else was enjoying there time and didn’t want to ruin it for them.
Paid for pornstar martinis which tasted nice with fruit but have a feeling at the bottom of my stomach they had watered down the alcohol.
Enjoyed the taste of 8 with many tequilas amongst Prosecco else where and woke up feeling refreshed after a wonderful sleep.
Gluten free is as big of a thing as veganism so the NORMAL needs to be the standard!
Written 14 August 2022
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.
LucyB
London44 contributions
Feb 2022 • couples
I so wanted to love this old, characterful pub, with rooms.
it’s located on the seafront in the pretty little village of Deal. Right next to the public care park-useful, as it offers no parking.
We stayed there on a deal rate which included dinner.
Firstly the good points:
The staff are wonderful. They work so hard and smile! The house keeping team particularly are first class, as the bedrooms are pristine.
The rooms are generic “shepherd Neam” furnished. Grey MDF units. Comfortable bed, cheap lumpy pillows. Side views of the sea. Usual service tray. immaculate!
The public areas are need an upgrade, they are shabby and tatty. Breakfast is served on the bar, as opposed to a rather pretty little widining room.
The food is dire. Mass produced, cheap ingredients, microwaved puddings, paxo stuffing,, Pub grub - no gastro in site.
Clearly major investment is needed to return this shabby hotel to a modicum of its former glory. All the basics are there: great position, interesting building and fabulous staff.
Come on Shepherd Neame get your act together !
Written 28 February 2022
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.
jo b
4 contributions
May 2022 • couples
Having lived in Deal for 23 years and eaten out everywhere here, this gives me no joy.
We arrived Monday evening 7.30pm
We just wanted to eat a quick good meal.
I ordered beef and onion pie, husband prawn nasi gorang.
My pie was a marvellous 'Brakes' or Kff frozen offering with microwave lumpy mash and tasteless cabbage and peas.
The biggest disappointment was the nasi gorang.
£14.95 for 5 north Atlantic prawns with sloppy paprika rice served in a dog bowl with a knife and folk.
The lady who came over to ask if everything was ok looked as though she had just left the potwash
Wearing a bright blue apron.
Apologies made and speaking with apathy which denoted a familiar customer reaction to the meal presented, the response 'would you like more prawns?' 'No thankyou' (even more prawns couldn't save this dish.)
I so wish we had photographed the meal. Imagine red porridge with a frazzled fried egg on top and 5 baby prawns in the whe dish.
Please don't waste your money. The economy needs you in Deal but spend it more wisely when choosing where to eat. Victuals, The Courtyard or even Whetherspoons would have served a better meal.
Never had to write a poor review for a meal in Deal before and please up your game.
Oh and one last point.
Stop calling people 'guys' you are running The Royal Hotel for goodness sake.
Written 23 May 2022
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.
Theresa L
Orpington244 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
We stayed at The Royal Hotel on a Winter Stay offer with Shepherd Neame which offered dinner, bed and breakfast. It was a fantastic room with a huge bed. We decided not to eat in the lower bar area because of the annoying music that was being played in the bar area from speakers above our table, we were lucky enough to find a table in the upper eating area which was much more comfortable. We were given our menus both food and drink, we had decided what we wanted but once we told the waitress that we were on the Winter Stay offer she explained that there were supplements on some of the items on the menu, the supplements were particularly high, the confit duck had a supplement of £8. We would normally not have worried about a supplement but felt this had not been explained on arrival at reception or on arrival in the restaurant. We choose dishes that did not have a supplement and the food was excellent, our server was great too.
Written 23 February 2023
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.
PSDW
Surrey8 contributions
We were visiting Deal for a weekend break and booked a table through the hotel website for two people at the later slot available at 9pm. After a two hour journey we were hungry and looking forward to enjoying a meal out on the first evening of our weekend away. Arrived at the Royal Hotel restaurant to be told dismissively by the manager that last food orders were at 8.45pm and it became apparent that he wanted to dismiss us as quickly as possible. When we explained that we had made a table booking online for the 9 pm slot and asked why the restaurant website offered this time as an option for dinner when they actually didn’t serve food at this time, we were told the restaurant couldn’t be responsible for what the website said. We were offered no apology whatsoever and made to feel extremely unwelcome and uncomfortable. A very disappointing experience and appalling customer service.
Written 11 June 2021
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.
ehailwood
Deal12 contributions
Dec 2022 • none
I am a regular customer of the Royal hotel, mainly lunch hours or coffee.
I attended the ABBA tribute evening last night.
To say it was cold is an understatement , guest who smoked regular left via the door nearest the sea creating cold draughty room, when asked about heating was told the side by the windows are heated, I explained how cold it was, answer was poor you, the cold is coming up through the floor boards.
Starters beetroot salmon was lovely.
Nut roast I think they added sugar instead of salt, vegetable's were poor and not terrible hot.
Lemon meringue was lovely.
Drinks were over priced over £10 for a large glass of wine.
As a hotel they could have provided blankets as it was so cold.
Other parts of the hotel were very warm, but not the part that had the ABBA tribute.
The tribute band was excellent, but we left early as it was too cold.
Considering 50 in the room, each paying £45 .the meal was poor, heating abysmal, plus staff after complaining did nothing about it.
In between serving they huddle around a small radiator by their serving bench.
So disappointing ,as I was a regular customer over a very long period of time.
Written 14 December 2022
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.
Ldn1987
London403 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
Chips and onions rings were good. However, the sandwich was a poor attempt - slices of cheap supermarket bread with very average filling - all a bit limp. The pasta was soggy and totally over cooked, bland and water downed sauce. Definitely not worth the c. £14. Also came out within 2 mins so probably microwaved some leftovers... It's how it tasted.
Good location and friendly service were the only redeeming features however, don't settle for this place. You have so many options in Deal right in the same postcode. Give this a definite miss.
Written 20 June 2021
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.
Julie D
Maidstone49 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
Was visiting family on my birthday and decided to try The Royal Hotel as they are dog friendly. We ate at 3.30pm in the upper bar. We had the hummus & scallops for starts which was very tasty. My husband then had the sea bass & I requested the prawn & crab meat linguine with no chilli and they cooked it exactly as I wanted it. Never felt rushed or ignored will there. I also down loaded the free main meal birthday voucher and got my meal (£16.00) off the bill. Will definitely visit again.
Written 19 March 2023
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.
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