The Royal Oak

Walked in at random for a little lunch. Had great service from the barman who just had a massive table come in. Asked fir his suggestion and was not disappointed. Good food. The place is nicely set up. Really big and cozy with a real fireplace.

I happened upon this pub after my trip to Windsor Castle. Unfortunately most places around there are just the same old regular chain restaurants you can find in London as well. This was the first non-​franchise place I found, so I gave it a try before hopping on a train.
It was incredibly empty, probably due to it being a rainy off-​season day. They also have a small restaurant in the back of the pub, but I decided to go for pub fare.
Prices are pretty standard pub prices, the bar staff was a bit bored and distracted, but I can’t blame her, I was the only customer for most of my stay there.
I had the spare ribs and they were great, very juicy and tender. Unfortunately the bbq sauce they were smothered in was rather bland and not very exciting.
Still, it wasn’t a bad meal! And the pub itself is quite pretty with a wood burning fireplace and traditional décor.

Service in the Royal Oak is really unfriendly and impolite. They added lemon automatically to my white wine and soda and were really rude when I asked for a new one! Food is also overpriced and bland. The location of the pub isn’t particularly good on a busy road. Only reason to go here is if you’re early for a train from the Riverside station. Otherwise head straight to Eton or Windsor town.

Most putrid food I’ve ever been served. I’ve posted a picture of my tuna melt, and yes, it tasted as plastic as it looks.
And the barman had obviously been given some stick before about the cost of the drinks: when I ordered a pint of orange juice and lemonade, he asked me if I was sure, given that it cost £3.20.

The pub itself is lovely — old and traditional and yet comfy. However, the setting isnt great as its opposite the train station, out of the centre of town — and right on a busy road. This kind of ruins the outside area. Not to mention its fairly noisy, so will need to stay inside even on a hot summers evening.
The staff are friendly although not if you want to moan! They gave me the wrong wine — certainly not the one i asked for, when i asked them to swap it they decided to argue. so much for customer is always right. I got the right one in the end but only by standing my ground and i did not get an apology.
The thing that really ruins this place is the OBSCENE pricing. I know this is windsor but over £3 for a pint of fosters is awful when your not even paying for the view.
Try heading to one of the central old pubs on the cobbles by the castle instead.