The Royal Oak in West Dorset

Stopped here for lunch on way home from Cornwall. Very friendly staff and so helpful for sorting us a table for 8 people. Lovely food.

Stopped by for lunch on the drive home from Weymouth to Essex. We had a really nice lunch at the Royal Oak, recently under new management and looking very smart inside. Our trip home from a short holiday was made much better by this gem of a local pub, with friendly staff and great food.During the 4 hour drive home a quick Google for villages along the A35 turned up Bere Regis, an interesting sounding place with two open pubs. We left the busy A35 and quickly found it, a pleasant little village with a long high street through the middle. At one end of the village you leave Bere Regis and enter the hamlet of Shitterton. Worth visiting just for the photo opportunity.The Google search for pubs turned up the Royal Oak, so we headed there and past the other open pub. Approaching from the East it is not immediately clear that it's open. We parked up in the road, and got out thinking it was closed. The main and only entrance is round the corner on the West side. They have an area of grass and seating outside with more parking and a more impressive approach.Being a bank holiday they were running both evening and lunch menus all day. The choice was good, classic pub dishes and some more interesting dishes. We chose bellypork and game sauages, the kids had pasta with sauce. Everything was good quality, well cooked and served with a veg side dish. On the bar they had a decent choice of ales and wine.The gents is downstairs in a basement area. To our amazement, the pub boasts a large second bar downstairs with its own traditional 9 pin bowling alley. Complete with wooden balls and pins for an impromptu game.

Fantastic food catering for all dietary requirements and lovely friendly staff!There is an extensive gluten free menu for my Dad who is a coeliac, and they were more than happy to provide a vegetarian option for the roast that wasn’t on the menu. The quality of the food was also super!The new furnishings are stylish and contemporary, and a much needed upgrade from the previously tired decor.Really couldn’t fault anything, and look forward to our next visit!

Stopped off Friday lunch time on a hike. We had a delicious toasted cheese sandwich which came with fresh salad including rocket and a lovely home made coleslaw and some Dorset Apple cake. The coffee was good, the service friendly and efficient. The pub is nicely decorated with a relaxing atmosphere. Would definitely visit again.

I literally can not thank the staff enough. I came in yesterday as a tourist with a really silly question, I felt so welcome and the staff really helped me out with warming up my son's milk before we set off back home. Very close to the Durdle Door. Amazing staff. Food smelled amazing. Wish we had time to stay. If we go back we will definitely come back for food. Thank you so much again 😊

Staying locally on holiday, we went there for Sunday lunch, and although the pub was not particularly busy we were shown to a nice table in the window, the bartender came out ver promptly and took our drinks order, then a few minutes later our food order, we all ordered roasts of varying descriptions. The food arrived fairly soon after, was nice and hot, plenty of it and excellent quality and taste. We all had another drink and left very contented indeed. Think the pub has recently had new ownership, but from our experience will be a big asset to the town, and tourists alike, very enjoyable.

Recently been taking over with new owners. Very stylish majestic pub with an open fore which is great especially this time of year. The food was awesome. The cheese board display was delightful. The service was very friendly. Recommend a visit.

Small, cosy pub. Quite simple but very welcoming. The barmaid who greeted us was very pleasant and loved our dog whom she spoiled with treats. We made do with coffee and couldn't resist a slice of Dorset apple cake. Both of which tasted lovely and were very welcome after a stroll around the village.

Wowser. Stopped off here on the way back from Portland just by chance. This place was friendly. Nice elegant vibe. And the food was ridiculously good. I had a roast. My fella had the oak burger 🍔. It was outstanding. I wanted to eat everything all over again. When we are passing through that way again we will be going there. No question. In fact I can't wait...... Well done you guys... Top knotch.

Just eaten there & thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Very friendly welcome & service, we both had the Turkey Roulade followed by the Christmas pudding with brandy gelato. Both were absolutely delicious. With a roaring fire to keep the place cosy, it’s a great place to eat & or drink. Well worth a visit.