Award-winning

The Royal

Name: The Royal
Address: 1 St Johns Rd, Saint Leonards-on-sea, East Sussex, United Kingdom, TN37 6HP
Telephone: 01424 547797
Price range: £25 and under
Rating: 4.7

4.7 (108)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

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

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2 people

17 May 2025

19:00

Booked 9 times today

About this restaurant

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
£25 and under
Cuisines
Gastro Pub, British, Modern European
Hours of Operation
Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00–14:30 Sun 12:00–15:45 Bar Mon 16:00–22:00 Tue–Sat 12:00–22:30 Sun 12:00–17:30 Dinner Mon–Thu 17:45–20:00 Fri, Sat 17:45–21:00
Phone number
01424 547797
Website
https://theroyalstleonards.co.uk/
Payment Options
Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Andrew Taylor Gray

Location
1 St Johns Rd, Saint Leonards-on-sea, East Sussex TN37 6HP
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2024
Area
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 108 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

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

East Sussex
Best Food
East Sussex
Best Service
East Sussex
Best Value
East Sussex
Hot spot
East Sussex
Neighbourhood gem
East Sussex
Great for fine wines
East Sussex
Lively
East Sussex
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Royal delights with "fantastic" food and "attentive" service, offering a "superb fresh local menu" and a "warm and inviting" atmosphere. Known for its "amazing roast" and "crispiest roast potatoes," it shines with "great value" and "interesting and diverse" choices. Ideal for special occasions and everyday dining alike.

108 Reviews

S
Stephen
London7 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Nice proper pub but with a dinning area serving great food and wine. Plus knowledgeable friendly staff. What more do you need.
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K
Katie
Kent10 reviews
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
The food is always delicious here with some different choices from everywhere else. Great place to visit as a foodie.
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G
Gary
London19 reviews
4.0
Dined on 4 May 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Enjoyable food, good service at reasonable prices.
Is this helpful?
A
Andrew
London4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 21 April 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.
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E
Eric
Brighton1 review
5.0
Dined on 20 April 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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G
Graham VIP
London3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 20 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious Sunday Lunch - food very good, staff friendly and efficient.
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L
Louise
London8 reviews
5.0
Dined on 19 April 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 🥰
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A
Ann
Brighton1 review
5.0
Dined on 13 April 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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C
Chris
Kent1 review
5.0
Dined on 11 April 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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b
becky
London1 review
5.0
Dined on 9 April 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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FAQs

The Royal is rated 4.7 stars by 108 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

17 May 2025

19:00

Booked 9 times today

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

Dining areas

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2024
Area
St Leonards-On-Sea
Hours of Operation
Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00–14:30 Sun 12:00–15:45 Bar Mon 16:00–22:00 Tue–Sat 12:00–22:30 Sun 12:00–17:30 Dinner Mon–Thu 17:45–20:00 Fri, Sat 17:45–21:00
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

Website
https://theroyalstleonards.co.uk/
Phone number
01424 547797

The Royal

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

What 108 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is The Royal restaurant rated?

Is The Royal currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information