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

The Royal

4.7 (106)
£25 and under
Gastro Pub
1 St Johns Rd, Saint Leonards-on-sea, East Sussex TN37 6HP

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood 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
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Gastro Pub, British, Modern European
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Sun 12:00 pm–3:45 pm Bar Mon 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–10:30 pm Sun 12:00 pm–5:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:45 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:45 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Andrew Taylor Gray
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2024
  • Neighborhood
    St Leonards-On-Sea
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Directly opposite St Leonards Warrior Square train station
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 106 people are saying

The Royal reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • East Sussex

    Best Food

  • East Sussex

    Best Service

  • East Sussex

    Best Value

  • East Sussex

    Hot spot

  • East Sussex

    Neighborhood gem

  • East Sussex

    Great for fine wines

  • East Sussex

    Lively

  • East Sussex

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Royal offers a "superb fresh local menu" and a "welcoming atmosphere" with "attentive service." Known for its "delicious food" and "great value," it features "excellent quality" meals like the sirloin and roasts. The "imaginative menu" and "friendly staff" ensure a memorable dining experience. Highly recommended for "special occasions."

106 Reviews
  1. Gary

    London19 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 4, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Enjoyable food, good service at reasonable prices.

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  2. Andrew

    London4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always an excellent experience, friendly manner, superb fresh local menu. Easy. We will return.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Eric

    Brighton1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and service was good especially as it was extremely busy. Would certainly recommend the Royal to others.

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  4. Graham VIP

    London3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious Sunday Lunch - food very good, staff friendly and efficient.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Louise

    London8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Really enjoyed our experience. Staff were attentive, atmosphere was really good and the food was top notch. The pie we had was amazing 🥰

    Is this helpful?

  6. Ann

    Brighton1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I have been a regular diner at The Royal. I stopped coming when you took Sunday Roasts off the menu. I thought I'd give it a try again when I heard you had reinstated the roasts. I was not disappointed. My daughter and I both had the sirloin and ordered the cauliflower cheese as a side. We had a bottle of Spanish Tempranillo wine to wash it down with. The sirloin melted in the mouth. The roast potatoes were crunchy and the veg was cooked to perfection. I would highly recommend a visit.

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  7. Chris

    Kent1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As usual, highest standard of food and service and good selection of non alcohol beer and cider. Small menu but that's because it's based on quality not quantity Increasingly choice and high standard food in St Leonards and Hastings but the Royal remains No 1 in my book

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  8. becky

    London1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always caring with great service and delicious food made with care and good ingredients. Our favourite place for meals out and special occasions too. Kind, thoughtful, sensitive service always.

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  9. joshua

    Brighton1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Such a welcoming atmosphere, the service was great and very attentive. the food was top tier, better than expected! Would definitely recommend and visit again.

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  10. emma

    London4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Haven’t been in for a long time for a roast and we loved it. Good portion size, great value and as always fabulous service. A big plus was not burnt yorkshire puds. Highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Royal is rated 4.7 stars by 106 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. East Sussex
  4. St Leonards-On-Sea
  5. St Leonards-On-Sea

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
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
  • Neighborhood
    St Leonards-On-Sea
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Sun 12:00 pm–3:45 pm Bar Mon 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–10:30 pm Sun 12:00 pm–5:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:45 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:45 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Gastro Pub, British, Modern European
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Directly opposite St Leonards Warrior Square train station
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Andrew Taylor Gray
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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