The Oakfield

Name: The Oakfield
Address: Chester Zoo Upton-by-Chester, Chester, Cheshire, United Kingdom, CH2 1LH
Telephone: 01244 389710
Price range: £25 and under
Rating: 4.5

4.5

2727 Reviews

£25 and under

International

Top Tags:

The Oakfield is set in a stunning property at the heart of Chester Zoo, making this a truly unique contemporary British pub.

With pride and passion we’ll be serving freshly prepared locally sourced food and hand-picked beers, wines and spirits. The Oakfield has been lovingly restored and our new garden room offers incredible views of our award winning gardens.

So, whether you are enjoying a day at the zoo or want to pop in for lunch you’ll get a warm welcome from our team.*

*Usual zoo admission fees apply but our members can visit as often as they wish.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 4, 2022

11:30 PM

Booked 15 times today

Experiences are available.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
International
Hours of operation
Daily 10:00 am–4:00 pm
Phone number
01244 389710
Website
http://www.theoakfield.org/
Payment options
MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Ben Finchett

Location
Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester, Cheshire CH2 1LH
Neighborhood
Chester
Parking details
Private Lot
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Afternoon Tea - MUST be booked 48 hours in advance
£18.95 per person
Prepaid
Sep 5, 2022 - Sep 6, 2023
***Please note: Bookings must be made 48 hours in advance and full prepayment is required at the time of booking. This is non refundable, non transferable.*** In the comfortable surroundings of The Oakfield, you shall be welcomed with freshly prepared sandwiches, freshly baked plain and currant scones, a selection of classic cakes, pastries and macaroons. This sumptuous selection shall be accompanied by the finest of teas, coffees or herbal infusions.

What 2,727 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.5Service
4.5Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Cheshire
Most Booked
Chester
Best Overall
Chester
Best Food
Chester
Best Service
Chester
Best Ambiance
Chester
Best Value
Chester
Most Booked

Sort by

Filters

DB
DeniseB
Yorkshire
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was first class. Service was very good helpful friendly staff great food in a great location.
IE
IanE
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Superb menu & a lovely environment. I had a great Birthday treat in there. I love the Zoo and the Oakfield is a superb asset. I'm really looking forward to returning!
GL
GarryL
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall3food2service4ambience5
Food service , nice ambience food portion size to small. I had venison. Two tiny strips , half portion of potatoes and little veg. Very poor value for money.
AR
AnnR
Exclusive
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely food as usual, and friendly, efficient staff as usual. A perfect interlude for a November day at the Zoo.
T
Trevor
Cheshire
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The turkey dinner was excellent........no need to say more.
GB
GemmaB
Cheshire
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fabulous meal off the festive menu, lovely portion and the gravy is the best. Always great service here
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cheshire
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent fish and chips with crispy batter. Staff as friendly and helpful as always. Great for kids.
RW
RosalynW
Cheshire
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on November 23, 2022
overall3food4service3ambience4
Disappointing lunch menus this time I had fish cake which was tiny Last time we had a Sunday roast which was lovely
BM
BarbaraM
Liverpool
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent as usual. Service was faultless and the waitress was polite, friendly and efficient.
GJ
GregJ
Worcestershire
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
We are regular visitors to the Oakfield, being members of the zoo. On this occasion, we met friends for lunch, and a few drinks. As usual, food was excellent, and we had very good service from the waiting staff. There were not many people in the restaurant when we were there, so the atmosphere was a little quiet, but the weather was absolutely foul the day we went, probably deterring visitors to the zoo.
p
paulh
South Wales
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall3food2service3ambience4
A very disappointing visit, having dined at the Oakfield many times previously. The first course was very good but the Sunday Roast was very disappointing, Only 1 very very thin slice of Beef, Roast potatoes were tough and not crisp as they should be. I requested a little more gravy and it came but was surprised to find a charge for it when the Bill arrived. The overall cost of the 2 course Sunday lunch was not cheap but compared very much with many other establishments of approx £25.00, and then to be charged extra for a small jug of gravy certainly Not value for money. Policy and overall quality needs to be reviewed, and improved. Service was good the sever was very god.
S
Shirley
Liverpool
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Sunday lunch was amazing and the staff were lovely
CM
CMCJ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really friendly staff, couldn't do enough for us. We were a group of 4 adults and 1 baby. We had 3 courses each and all enjoyed them. See you again soon.
DB
DebbieB
Cheshire
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience3
Really enjoyed it, lovely food. Would have preferred the option to have eaten in the house not the conservatory as I was frozen
PW
PhilippaW
Cheshire
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely quiet oasis in the middle of the zoo, with great food and somewhere to sit
IH
IanH
Edinburgh
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Only one word needed ‘Excellent’ Thank you for a lovely experience and some very tasty food
LH
LindaH
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is one of the best places we have dined in not only for the superb food but also for the excellent service. We tried to book a table for six on line but could only get two separate tables for three but on arrival they managed to place us on one table.
ST
SallyToast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is a great venue. Building is interesting and nicely decorated. We were seated quickly and our order was taken by a waitress. Our drinks arrived quickly, and so did our food. The food was good quality, large portions and cooked as requested. I couldn't fault it. We had a great time and will be returning.
LG
LynnG
Cheshire
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 19, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience4
Delightful! lovely surroundings, staff courteous and welcoming.
TM
TarynM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely setting, wonderful food and great service.
DW
DavidW
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on November 18, 2022
overall2food2service3ambience2
Very disappointed in the gluten free option (there was only one so cannot say options) and, if my wife did not like curry there was not alternative, Even then the curry was not particularly her obvious choice as she is not keen on sweet potato or chickpeas. My steak ciabatta was OK but for the price was vastly over rated. Clearly we shall not return and it is a shame as this place used to do good food with good gluten free options
Z
Zoogoer
Cheshire
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 14, 2022
overall4food3service4ambience4
Portions on main meal exceptionally large, couldn’t eat it all. Eton mess strangely served in a tall glass, tasted fine, but had large ready made meringues which were not broken up , hard to break with just a spoon. Also had incongruous blob of ice cream on top! Service good
LO
LynnO
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful setting and delicious food. Friendly staff and lovely Christmas decorations
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really lovely restaurant with very kind service. Even possible to get a filling GF meal for a tenner! I ordered food that would be quick and was disappointed that it still came very slowly despite being one of the only diners. Despite that, it was great.
S
Sophie
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We all loved it. Beautiful room , great table in bay window next to the fire, very good service and everyone enjoyed their meal.
SW
SharonW
Cheshire
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 11, 2022
overall4food3service4ambience1
Staff very good, afternoon tea enjoyable but would have preferred to eat this later than 2pm (this was the latest slot). Main issue was the smell of fish in the restaurant when we walked in - obviously the fish lunch was popular was we were having afternoon tea and the smell of fish hit you as you walked in - a shame
GH
GeoffH
Cheshire
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Have dinner here everytime I visit the Zoo (ie every week) Great staff and service?
KB
KarenB
Cheshire
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely, well presented food, with great service. A real treat, we love to eat there on our trips to the zoo. I’d give them 10 stars. X
GB
GemmaB
Cheshire
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on November 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always a pleasure to done here a great roast dinner, lovely staff and quick service
J
Joho
London
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 5, 2022
overall4food2service4ambience4
The place itself was beautiful, the staff were very friendly and helpful. Service was a little long but good. The food was far to salty and the chicken was pink.
w
waynei
Derbyshire
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on November 4, 2022
overall3food1service3ambience3
not worth the money. 2 scones 1 bap. 5 finger size sandwiches. 6 small cakes. in my eyes it should of had 2 of everything. very disapointed in my afternoon tea. not very special for my wifes birthday. cant fault the place or the staff just the food let it down
AM
AmandaM
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 4, 2022
overall4food4service3ambience4
Just a few things we asked for, water for example were forgotten. Felt a bit rushed to order and once finished eating to pay the bill and leave but we still had full glasses. Otherwise a pleasant meal. Thankyou.
D
Dolly21
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on November 4, 2022
overall3food5service1ambience5
Food was very nice (compliments to the chef). Although the service wasn't too great as the waiter had to ask us if we had our starters which we hadn't and he had said he had forgotten. Then we had to wait 40-45mins from finishing our starters to receive our main course. The waiter kept saying "awesome" in every sentence he said which was very annoying!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cheshire
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding service, as always. Staff often go above and beyond here.
NJ
NigelJ
London
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 3, 2022
overall4food3service4ambience3
Being Life Members of the Zoo we aim to visit 3-4 times a year and always lunch at the Oakfield. It was outstanding when it reopened after the major refurbishment serving top quality food from an extensive menu in an excellent environment. Unfortunately as time has passed the choice of dishes has reduced and the menu has remained the same for some time. It does now need to be refreshed having, frankly, become staid, limited and somewhat boring. The quality of the food, level of service and value for money remains very good. I would highly recommend the Oakfield to the first time or occasional visitor but just wish that there was an alternative for the regulars.
PG
PeterG
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We took our grandson with us and all had fish and chips of which was good portions and very enjoyable and well worth the price. The service was good too very polite and helpful.
AR
AnnR
Exclusive
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
A lovely way to make the trip to the zoo more special.
C
Catherine
Cheshire
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 2, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience4
Great service, good foi6d, accomodated our 2 yr old granddaughter's needs really well. Helpful friendly staff
OT
OpenTable Diner
Yorkshire
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on October 30, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Love this place ❤️
D
Dan246
Cheshire
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 30, 2022
overall5food3service5ambience5
Burger was basic. Bun looked plain and burger needed to be a little browner

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The Oakfield is rated 4.5 stars by 2727 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 4, 2022

11:30 PM

Booked 15 times today

Experiences are available.

Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester, Cheshire CH2 1LH

Additional information

Neighborhood
Chester
Hours of operation
Daily 10:00 am–4:00 pm
Cuisines
International
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Private Lot
Payment options
MasterCard, Visa
Executive chef
Ben Finchett
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.theoakfield.org/
Phone number
01244 389710

The Oakfield

Make a reservation

Additional information

Experiences

Afternoon Tea - MUST be booked 48 hours in advance

Menu

What 2,727 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Sort by

Filters

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Screening

FAQs

How is The Oakfield restaurant rated?

Is The Oakfield currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information