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Dining room interior - The Royal, Saint Leonards-on-sea, East Sussex
Award-winning

The Royal

4.7
4.7
67 Reviews
£26 to £40
Gastro Pub

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 7 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for groups
The Royal is operated by James Hickson, who has a solid hospitality background having learned his trade at well-loved restaurants and gastropubs including St John, Great Queen Street, The Canton Arms and Moro. James is hands-on at the pub, overseeing the relaxed yet lively atmosphere, friendly service and sophisticated food and drink. The kitchen is led by head chef, Andrew Taylor-Gray, who has previously worked at Petersham Nurseries, Hix and The Canton Arms.

The Royal has been included in the Michelin Guide since February 2020 with Bib Gourmand status, which we have maintained ever since.

A welcoming gastropub for locals and visitors alike in St. Leonards-On-Sea and Hastings, low-key and down-to-earth, The Royal occupies an historic corner site right opposite St. Leonards Warrior Square station.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    Gastro Pub, British, Modern European
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Bar Mon–Thu 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:45 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:45 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    01424 547797
  • Website
    https://theroyalstleonards.co.uk/
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Andrew Taylor Gray

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 67 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

  • East Sussex

    Best Service

  • East Sussex

    Neighbourhood gem

  • East Sussex

    Vegetarian-friendly

  • East Sussex

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Royal is a charming gastro pub praised for its "impeccable service" and "outstanding food." With a cozy atmosphere and a menu that blends traditional and contemporary dishes, it offers great value, especially with its fixed-price menu. Guests appreciate the "warm and inviting" ambiance and "knowledgeable staff."

67 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Just lovely. Made us very welcome. Superb food. Great for dogs too.

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  2. Gary

    East Sussex

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    A very imaginative menu in comfortable surrounding with attentive service

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  3. Andy

    Gloucestershire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and the staff were fantastic - I would highly recommend

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  4. Rhoda

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 20, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    All the choices were interesting and diverse. Good quality meats, fish and vegetables. Tasty and lots of choice for a party of 6 people. Great wine list and friendly services

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  5. Lisa

    Brighton

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is not just gastro pub food, this is a place that creates beautiful well thought out food, generous portion sizes, and extremely great value if you visit midweek and have their fixed price menu. There is always something a little bit different on the menu and that’s what makes it so interesting. Would highly recommend.

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  6. james

    VIP

    London

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on December 12, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Superb! As usual! Great service - amazing food! Thanks!

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  7. Ellen

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 6, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great atmosphere, old pub vibe but not a sterile gastronomic pub. The smoked trout and remoulade starter was incredible. The guinea fowl pie was the best pie I have ever had! If you’re visiting St Leonard’s, you have to eat here.

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  8. Janette

    East Sussex

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 4, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We tried the Royal for the first time. Not disappointed the attention given was v nice as my friends mobility isn't great, she was given a key to the ladies on ground level so avoiding going down a fair few stairs to where more mobile visitors would go & we were seated near a radiator, which was thoughtful being a v cold day and we ain't young anymore! I had the braised oxtail with mash & red cabbage and the choc torte with sour cherries and creme fraiche. My friend had the cheese toastie with leafy and pickles followed by yoghurt Panna cotta, plums & white chocolate. The black Americano was quite strong but enjoyable and my friend had a very nicely decorated hot chocolate with the cacao drawn across the top a bit like a latte. Really delicious and nicely presented. You can tell the cuisine at this place is above average. Nicely decorated too, the kind of place you feel you can get away from it all, so glad we tried it. Definitely returning! Regularly!

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  9. Michael

    East Sussex

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Comfortable welcoming bar and dining room. Blazing log fire, interesting menu, glass of primitivo, all good. Attentive knowledgeable and helpful team, orders taken and served w charm. Food v tasty, though I should remember that by November lamb neck will have loads of flavour, and a robust texture. I'll be back to explore the rest of the menu.

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  10. Emily

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 22, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always lovely to eat at The Royal. Great food, service and ambience.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Royal is rated 4.7 stars by 67 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 7 times today
Google Map for The Royal

1 St Johns Rd, Saint Leonards-on-sea, East Sussex TN37 6HP

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2024
  • Neighbourhood
    St Leonards-On-Sea
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Bar Mon–Thu 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:45 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:45 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    Gastro Pub, British, Modern European
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Andrew Taylor Gray
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Vegan, Wine
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