I had heard about the Royal Oak having a refurb and didn’t have particularly high expectations. No good reason other than after over 8 years I had grown used to there not being a single pub in Harlesden where I’d want to meet a friend for lunch and a drink (sadly Harlesden Picture Palace doesn’t do food yet).  I love spending time in Harlesden, shopping on the high street but let’s get real, if I want to go out for laid back food and drink I normally go to Kensal Rise/Green. If you’ve been to The Chamberlayne, Paradise by Way or Whippet Inn, you’ll get what I mean. So when I saw tweets about the Royal Oak’s 25 Feb opening, I was underwhelmed. 

Boy did I get that wrong.

About a week after the Royal Oak re-opened its doors, my wife and I walked past and were intrigued enough to go for lunch there the next day.

What I immediately liked about the Royal Oak was it felt like it gave Harlesden its due respect. Why shouldn’t Harlesden have a pub that serves Sipsmith gin, organic ginger beer and good wine? Sure, I can’t afford it every day but I want to know I can treat myself. I also like the fact that they keep traditional beers on tap (at competitive prices) to cater for regulars of the previous iteration of the Royal Oak.

So what’s the food like? My wife had the beef burger (cooked medium well) with fries and coleslaw – good portions and seriously tasty. 

I had to go for the rotisserie chicken. With jerk marinade. Really good, but would be excellent if it was much more spicy, this is Harlesden after all! 

For dessert, Treacle tart was great, but sticky toffee pudding needs more sauce please!

After the meal, we walked outside and realised that we were standing only yards away from two gastropubs, a Costa coffee, Holland & Barrett and a new Park Kitchen all a few yards from each other. 

Is this the dawn of the ‘New Harlesden’?