Not a great steak at all... The Oaks used to be famous for great steak with great chargrilling and flavour. Unfortunately,I have not been to the Oaks for quite some time and the steak was totally underwhelming and to be honest I could have done better at home. I went there looking forward to having a great chargrilled steak and instead got a slightly seared steak, lacking any real flavour and tough to boot. Looks like I will need to find another steakhouse in the area that can cook a great steak, as this was certainly dissapointing. read more

Okay, this isn't actually the easiest of pubs to get to, and the nature of the road that it is one is an absolute nightmare, but I won't be penalising the pub for that - that would be unfair. No, this is actually pretty cool pub, though due to the inaccessibility it isn't one that I'd be going to all that often. Still, the place has a charm about it, and a huge beer garden as well. Oh, the staff are awesome, and they have some pretty decent beers on tap as well, so, yeah, points for that as well. read more

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Delicious Saturday lunch. It was lovely sitting in the courtyard of the pub. The weather was delightful. The cheese burger with bacon, beetroot was yummy to eat. The Chips were thick and fresh. None of those sad French fries Some min our group had salad and barramundi. When asked about their dinner. The comment was " expensive, but beautiful " I had the Thai steak salad without dressing. The salad was huge with a generous serving of meat. read more

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LOVELY, LOVELY Dinner spot! Not pretentious, just comfy, with really GREAT food. We ate in the Bistro section where you can drink & eat at your own pace. You order your food at a window, then pick up, no table service except they do clear the table. I had been told the steaks were the BEST in Sydney ~ can't say it was, however it was excellent ( I don't give 5 stars, easily!!) Didn't really think the potatoes were excellent, as I prefer mine more smashed, not whipped. Make sure you have dessert, the CHOC cake was outta site!!! read more

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We love the Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay, so much so, that it ranked one of our top venues in 2017. When we heard of a new event being hosted at the Oaks, called 'Stop and Smell the Roses', we were there in a heartbeat. This event was a Rosé Masterclass, held on 21 March and was a trail of Rosé tastings, paired with light and refreshing canapés. It was a time to try a number of different Rosé options, whilst having a educational experience about each one. We enjoyed 5 Rosé options from different regions of Australia and France. With each wine, the host explained the origins of the wine, flavours and textures and we had time to take it all, pair it with our food and socialise. Rosé is becoming increasingly popular as it is light and it can go with all foods. Their flavours hint at floral tones, citrus and they don't need rich foods, it can accompany a light meal or snack and is very refreshing for that afternoon drink. We began with my favourite of the night, because who doesn't love bubbles! The Josef Chromy 'Pepik' Sparkling Rosé NV, Relbia TAS. Josef is a pioneer of wine in Tasmania and this is a popular Sparkling Rose. Rose gets its flavour and colour from contact with the skin. In this particular wine, only had a little bit of skin contact, mainly Pinot Noir. The rose with a light salmon colour, tasting floral features and a hint of strawberries. The Josef Chromy 'Pepik' Sparkling Rosé NV is vibrant, easy to drink, and is a great aperitif. Regarded to be the perfect pairing with salmon or light seafood, this was paired with oysters and a delicious Viniagrette. · Oakridge 'Over the Shoulder' Rosé 2017, Yarra Valley VIC. This wine ranking in James Halliday's top 100 wines. It pinkish/orange in colour and has a rich and flesh style, rosehip, redcurrant and pear with spiced blood orange to finish. This wine is great to accompany a salads, this was nicely paired with smoked trout on sourdough with diced beetroot and radish. · The Lane Rosé 2017, Adelaide Hills SA. This is a blend of Shiraz, Merlot, pinot noir and reisling. Its colour has lychee and bright salmon Hues throughout. It's flavour exudes poached rhubarb, strawberry and rose petal flavours with other tones of watermelon and pink grapefruit. A dry savoury finish. This one is also Vegan friendly. This wine pairs well with lightly cooked shellfish or cheese. This was in contrast with some super tasty mushroom and cheese Arancini balls, cutting nicely through the rich flavours. · Hancock and Hancock Grenache Rosé 2017, McLaren Vale, SA - savoury notes and a touch of rose petal. Bright, crisp and medium bodied. This wine, by Chris Hancock, deputy executive Chairman of Robert Oakley Vineyards. Using fruits sourced by the Vineyards at McLaren Vale region, it showcases Grenache fruits, pomegranate and sour cherry, with a bit of sugar to balance the tartness. It has a delicious finish and an attractive bouquet of flavours. We had this paired with tempura prawns which was perfectly suitable. · Mirabeau 'La Comtesse' AOC, Cote de Provence FRANCE. This is the company's highest selling and we can see why. It is like angels dancing on your tongue. Intense fruit body and aromas, red berry fruit with strawberry and raspberry flavours. A balanced and fresh acidity. This was paired with a delicate salmon mousse atop a mini potato rosti. This marked the end of the experience and overall we loved being introduced to some new wines and it inspired a love of Rose. We will certainly consider Rose as a choice for when we host our next soiree or for a light seafood pairing. At $42 this class and dining experience is incredibly reasonable value for money. Thanks to event organiser Amy for yet another great event and to the Oaks for hosting read more

Mark this as an "off the beaten path" gem in Sydney! If you're looking to step away from the normal touristy spots, head across the harbour bridge to The Oaks. Easy to get to by bus, this place is impressive. Grab dinner or a cocktail in the courtyard and marvel at the giant oak tree lit up with fairy lights. But don't forget to explore the rest of the HUGE space and second floor. Hidden rooms and private terraces provide for a magical experience. They had a great butcher selection, but we decided to go a simpler route for the evening. No one in our party was disappointed in their meals- steak sandwich, fish and chips, and pizza. Definitely check it out! read more

How is this joint only rocking 3 stars? There are some realllly high standards out there. Or, mine are abominably low. No, that's unpossible. Ugh awful start to this review, but I'm throwing a hat filled with 5 stars into this ring a ding ding. The Oaks is like 4 different pubs in one. Old man sports bar? Check. Huge bistro with pork crackling sitting within grabbing (and stealing) distance? Check. Outdoor beer garden under giant oak tree laden with Chistmas lights? Check. Upstairs area with pool rooms and secret rooms and other kinds of rooms as well as a smoking balcony? Check. Young, dark, grope-friendly nightclub room? You better believe check. And you can walk from one to the other. In a matter of seconds. With a drink. Seriously, what's not to love? (A: nothing. There's nothing not to love.) read more

I'll give this place 5 stars whole -heartedly because I feel it's well deserved. I don't venture out to Neutral Bay often, but once I saw a post about Oak's Cabin Fever, I knew I had to go check it out. After all, if winter isn't the time to stuff your face with delicious food and boozy hot drinks, then I do not know what winter is for. The atmosphere at the pub was so nice, warm and cozy...it didn't even really feel like a pub. Staff was super friendly and took their time to go over all the menu items with us, as well as the cocktails. We decided to order the truffled cheese toastie, bourbon, bacon and caramel popcorn, deep fried pickles with bacon aioli and the 'pigwich' (pulled pork sandwich). We also ordered the cocktail 'nutty jam jar' and a couple of boozy hot chocolates: baileys with hot chocolate and marshmallows and hazelnut, bacon and bourbon hot chocolate. Yes, the drink has a strip of bacon in it. And I loved it. I just can't say enough about the food, everything was off the charts delicious. The friend I went with messaged me this morning to say he was craving the truffled cheese toastie for breakfast and I had to agree that I have been too. The drinks were the highlight for me though...every bar and pub in Sydney should be serving boozy hot chocolate all throughout winter. Seriously. It would make the cold season way more bearable and fun. read more

Oaks Hotel - Hazelnut, bourbon and bacon hot chocolate & Baileys hot chocolate with marshmallows - from the Cabin Fever winter menu - Hotels Near Me - Neutral Bay, NSW

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I dunno how you can't love this place!?! It's got the lot, huge sunny courtyard, grill your own steaks, boutique beers on tap, and a killer mains menu. Including some serious mussels, a must try! Sunday afternoons are usually very busy, which can be a bit annoying as hovering over your cooking steak isn't the most fun while all your friends keep an eye in the table. But if you pick any other day, it's awesome! read more

Oaks Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Neutral Bay, NSW

Came here as part of a mission set by my companion and was glad we checked it out. He'd had a great dining experience here a few years back. From the front it's not much more than the local pub with a hotel attached, wandered through the bar and couldn't understand the fuss until we emerged in the courtyard where a giant Oak tree wrapped in fairy lights dominated the space. Nice setting, but how about the food? We had a couple of appies, potato scallops and chicken tenders, followed by 2 pizzas, and a lovely chocolate molten cake, soufflé style. I would come back just for the potato scallops! Deep fried, beer battered, with a mashed potato consistency, talk about a winner. The lamb pizza had generous helpings of grilled lamb and arugula. All in all a great place to dine in a casual, outdoor environment with good food. Portions are reasonable, so I'd probably just order a handful of appies next time we're in town. However, to indulge in some appies, a main, shared dessert and a few drinks, be prepared to watch the bill add up. Oh btw, you order and pay at the counter and once your buzzer calls, it's up to someone on the table to collect the goods. read more

Really awesome vibe, the pub is massive and you can totally forget that if you just view it from the outside. There are sections that make you feel like you're completely separated from the other parts of the building, each with their own respective vibe and theme. As a Odd on the side note, I can also vouch that the toilets are pretty good and not in that completely offputting condition that some pubs have. The downside to the awesome space is that staff are a bit meh, flat and really just trying to churn you in and out (it's busy so I guess fair enough) and the food is a little on the pricey side plus it's very ordinary for the price too. Otherwise, it's a great space with a killer atmosphere and it certainly draws in the crowds. read more

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Who can resist nice tomahawk steak? Well, you can find nice range of steak here, and the tomahawk is one of them. Good steak accompanied with crunchy potatoes and green bean, is worth to try for meat lover. Some more at outdoor sitting, the have LCD light wrapping the famous oaks tree, will leave you happy feeling. read more

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If you venture north across the bridge for a bevvy, chances are you'll wind up at The Oaks. It's the lower-north-shore pub of choice, very much in spit of the fact that it's situated on bustling Military Road and parking can be super annoying. The beautiful oak from which the pub takes its name is a wonderful place to pull up a pew on a lazy Sunday afternoon. There's also plenty of room inside - but that boasts quite the old-fashioned pub/hotel feel, so alfresco is definitely my preference. You can grab some delicious pizzas or order a piece of steak to bbq up yourself. It's good, hearty pub food that makes spending a whole evening at the Oaks as probable as it is pleasant. Upstairs are a series of pool table/function rooms that you can hire for slightly more organised gatherings. Depending on the room they can be 'hired' free of charge, and though they can get a bit stuffy in the summer, it's still a great way to get a group of friends together without having to wrestle for a table under the oak downstairs. read more

Oaks Hotel - The upstairs 'Dining Room' - Hotels Near Me - Neutral Bay, NSW

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The inside of the pub is no big deal and I wouldn't recommend hanging out in there unless you absolutely had to. The real action and the beauty of the Oaks takes place outside, in the back, under the massive umbrella of an enormous, old oak tree. It's an absolutely stunning way to spend a few hours in a sunny afternoon sitting under that magnificent oak tree. Add to this a short but perfectly good cocktail list and generous sized meals of mussels, salads, grilled fish and chips, and naughty pizzas, and you really do have all the components for a spectacularly lazy afternoon. Try the Kiki Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc with a dozen oysters, and say yes to having a strawberry in your champagne flute. You'll love it. read more

Oaks Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Neutral Bay, NSW

Ahhh the Oaks, despite only having been in Sydney for a fairly short period of time this hotel bar/restaurant already has a firm place in my heart. Split into 4 different (at least! I bet there's more) areas there really is something for everyone here. The immediate bar area of the hotel is charmingly shabby with lots of slightly uncomfortable stools and sofas to allow everyone to perch on with a drink. For the colder nights, simple meals can be ordered here too but I'd recommend venturing through the inconspicuous door at the side of the bar for more scenic seating. Outside is the big namesake of the hotel, a sprawling oak tree which is draped in fairy lights. About 20 tables are arranged around it which makes this courtyard an ideal space for dining. Off this area is a bar, another smaller restaurant and a very complicated system of eating! As well as a salad bar, there's a sort of DIY BBQ option through in this restaurant. You just point at a slab of meat that you fancy and they'll hand it over to you to BBQ on one of the big ranges in the beer garden. Slightly takes the point out of going out for a meal doesn't it?! My friend ordered some garlic bread this way and had to constantly pop back and forth between the BBQ to check on it before forgetting about it and finding a smoldering bit of charcoal in its place! My advice? PIZZA! The Oaks is famous for its fantastic pizzas, particularly it's barbecued lamb one (they do that bit of barbecuing for you!). They're about $20 each and 100% worth it. Drinking...food... I have yet to mention dancing! Yes, believe it or not that shabby bar area I mentioned earlier gradually transforms into a club as the evening progresses. Those stools and sofas get pushed to the sides and the sound system is cranked up for some post-dinner shape cutting on the dingy carpeted floor! If you're prepared not to take yourself too seriously then this is a fantastic and hilarious end to an evening and, like anywhere where anything goes, you'll find yourself best friends with half the room by the end of the evening! Young or old, cool or uncool, drunk or sober, local or tourist, I'd highly recommend this place for a cracking evening! read more

Oaks Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Neutral Bay, NSW

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Every time there's a big game on my housemates go to The Oaks - a five minute walk from our home. I myself am not much of a footy fan but if I was I'd say I'd probably frequent this place too. In the evenings they have a large screen and projector to show a game big and burly style as well as TVs broadcasting sports inside. Meal wise they have some pretty inventive pizzas (Alfonse with prawns, fresh asparagus, roasted yellow capsicum with fig and chili jam for $23) and a pretty typical pub menu (steak and mushroom pie $20) if you fancy something a bit more restaurant style. But the unique selling point for The Oaks is that they sell steak meat (Rump, T-Bone, Scotch Fillet, Prime Eye Fillet) that you can BBQ yourself if you wish - great if you are particular about how you have your meat (given you can be bothered cooking it of course). Another selling point is the garden. There are plenty of tables, it's away from the brewery smelling interior and it's very leafy so if you're like me and love the idea of beer gardens on a sunny Sunday arvo then this is a decent place to enjoy the good life. Comes complete with The Garden Palace Bar. The art deco style interior and resident DJ make this a 'young' persons pub - I guess by this the owners mean it's not a typical blue collar after work old man's pub? One of the staff members is always surly and has never been particularly friendly. That doesn't go for all the staff however who are pleasant and efficient. read more

Oaks Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Neutral Bay, NSW

The Oaks is the go to bar on the Lower North Shore and a behemoth of a venue that caters for all types, as other reviews will testify. I wanted to talk specifically about the function rooms. They have a number of rooms upstairs, the larger of which can be 'hired' in the traditional sense if you use their staff and catering (no room hire fee however). However they also have a number of smaller rooms, some with jukeboxes and pool tables, which can be reserved in 2 hour stints by contacting the venue manager. The rooms are a great option for less formal gatherings and are a good way to get at least a few hours of group socialising in before people start wandering off. The only issues with the rooms are that is the posturing that can happen around cross-over time from one party to another. Depends very much on the parties involved though. The venue is good at policing responsible drinking even in the Hunter S. Thompson inspired nightmare that is the orange hued raucous 1938 bar. Don't even think about insisting that it's your first night out since you had your baby and definitely don't produce a rattle from your bag to prove it. They will still think you're a lush and not serve you anymore. Thank you The Oaks. read more

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An absolute joke I sit at table in bistro, wine list on table $80 minimum red on list, I order steak oh no table service, go to bar one lady trying to cope, said she pushed service twice! Young barmaid said wine list on table is reserve list. Price list on bar much better! Rude attendants and just bad ambience in up market bistro no table service! Let's hope the steak is good! Update streak not bad not up to the hype on the menu, it's the lack of table service I don't get, one does not get up mid meal wait at a bar in the hope to get served in a timely manner as meal goes cold. Massive let down, never again which is sad as the courtyard has a good vibe with the oak tree and fairy lights. The buzzer when foods ready is so 1996. Amazed it's still trading as well! read more

Here's what you need to know: -it's large -it's fantastic -people's parents used to kick it here back in the olden days If you don't fall in love with this place, you probably have an aversion to people and awesome things in general- I don't know exactly how to deal with that so we'll just move on. We arrived to this blessed establishment on foot (because we'd just consumed a large meal across the bridge) and spent the remainder of the evening, talking, laughing, drinking beer, playing pool, wandering inside, outside, downstairs, upstairs, and drinking some more beer before calling it a night. I made sure to spend some quality time beneath the grand oak tree (my favorite species of tree, btw) before catching a cab back across the bridge. This place and this tree are an institution and must be enjoyed if you're in the area. It would be rude not to. It's like driving by your grandma's hometown and not stopping in to say hi. So, don't be rude. Stop and pay this place a proper visit- you can taunt your children about it when they're older. read more

What better way to spend a Sunday arvo than a few beers with a mate, and a good Sunday roast. The Oaks serves up a mean roast, with a huge serving of meat with all the trimmings. Perfectly washed down with a few schoonies of little creatures - which they have on tap here. The place was pretty packed out with families whilst we were there (2pm ish), but we were able to find a decent table near the fireplace. read more

The Oaks - oh how you have changed with the recent renovation. What's changed? - The top bar has a new fit out and more comfortable chairs - The paved area around the tree has been re-done - you can actually sit without a wobbling chair now - You can cook your own steak, OR have a chef cook it for you. For me, it's the last point that is the single biggest change. The Oaks has won awards for the best pub steak in Sydney - and that is true, but if you cook a $42 steak yourself, it may turn out charcoalled. They don't mind either way though - if you want to cook it, you can, outside under the tree. read more

This place is huge! There is just about every kind of setting available at this establishment - relaxed casual sports bar, nicely dressed fine dining & cocktail room, beer garden, covered beer garden for rainy days, pool tables upstairs, etc. There is a huge oak tree in the center of the beer garden decked out in lights - one of my favorite things about this place. This place is so big that it can get confusing and feel like a maze hopping bar to bar. The one annoying thing is that certain bars sell certain liquors, so if you want something in particular, you have to navigate your way to that bar. Good way to force yourself to get a lay of the land. I like that their default schooner size is actually pretty large. Beers on tap & cocktails are around ~$8-9, specialty ciders in the bottle were $15. Perfect setting for birthdays and large groups. Didn't try any of the food but it look really good with adequate portions. read more

If you want to spend a sunny summer afternoon to dusk sitting in the shade of a huge tree drinking wine or cocktails and eating some delicious pub food then you should definitely come to The Oaks! Or even if you want to catch a game in a sports bar or bring your kids to the bistro you should come here. It's got something for everyone! The food is quite good, maybe a little pricey but I don't know what else to expect from Neutral Bay. Wine is pretty reasonably priced though. What I love the most is sitting outside and waiting for the fairy lights on the tree to turn on just as the sun starts to go down, it's somewhat magical. AND if you find yourself without something to do on Christmas Eve there's always a big party here with good vibes and good drinks so bring a couple of friends and relax in the sun (hopefully cause you know Sydney in summer can be weird.) read more

Great food, always good portions. Lovely venue both in winter as it is cozy by the fire and in summer out under the oak tree. Service is usually friendly but can be a bit hit and miss. read more

I like The Oaks, it's a great Sydney institution. It has an extensive range of beers, with the usual suspects on tap and a few craft option in bottles. Food is good but I think a bit expensive for pub food. Upwards of $24 for a pizza in a pub is asking a little much for me, especially when there is a huge array of higher quality options nearby. The multiple options of bars is good depending if you want sports, a trendy setting or the RSL feel of the bistro! The Oaks greatest feature is it's huge beer garden around the huge oak tree. A great spot for a sunny Sydney day. It does get really busy on weekends and sunny evenings and especially for big sports events where they roll the big screen outside. read more

Other than a beautiful sprawling oak tree in the outdoor space, this is just a big generic pub. But that is not a bad thing, the outdoor space is what makes this place worth stopping by. Get yourself a few mates, get some beers, order some pizzas or steaks and just enjoy a good old Sunday Sesh while people watching. read more

Come to this place for great steaks (you can self-cook them if you prefer, therefore coming for the atmosphere only), and great tap beer selection (they have Three sheets brew from the Lord Nelson Brewery on tap!) Best time to come is during the week when its not as busy or early in the evening on weekends. read more

We had two different pizzas and liked them both very much, the service was prompt and friendly and the atmosphere very welcoming, days are more casual than evenings. read more

Oaks Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Neutral Bay, NSW

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Love this place. Lots to do and eat and drink. Came here in 2011 and cooked my own steak. They've remodeled so there isn't a grill in the open any longer but you can still cook your own if you want. I would recommend having one of there great chefs do it for you. The pizzas are also incredible. I recently had the Wagyu and the scotch fillet and both were great. Only 2 choices for sides, chips and salad or .... The range of beer is the best in the area, expensive compared to the U.S. but similar to other bars. The main attraction is the outside area with the great Oak tree which is beautifully lit. Several different bars downstairs and pokies and lots of unique billiard rooms upstairs. Signs say since 1885 so they are doing it well. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is the food service. Wait staff is attractive and friendly but you stand in line to order, then you get a vibrating pager, then stand in line to pickup your food. For $30-80 a steak I'm used to having a server take the order and put it on the table for you. For a bar it's 5 stars for food its a 4. read more

I love the Oaks, it's a great local beer garden and sports bar. The food is pretty good, albeit on the pricey side and lately they have added some great beers on tap. There is a lot to choose from. They are slightly odd about spirits (no scotch on the rocks or anything on the rocks) and they've turned the lounge into a bit of a cocktail bar (no more DJ on Sat nights). Recently there have been a few changes, one being that they now close at midnight on all nights. It's a bit disappointing, but I think what is further disappointing is that they really start closing at 11. I don't really like being told to 'finish up' when there is still 50 minutes left of the bar open, only have to have the hospital level bright lights come on at about 11:15. It's a little rude to the patrons so if you are going to keep the bar close time as midnight, that's fine but no need to start pushing us out at 11. I still love the place and will continue to use it for weekend day drinking and watching sports (they are very accommodating about putting on my american sports), but don't love these new hours! read more

The Oaks can only really be adequately described as a Sydney establishment. My dad emigrated to Australia from the UK in the 1960s, and this was his local haunt on a Friday night after work when he and his workmates got paid. Very little appears to have changed in its function since that time. The Oaks is a pub. Not a gastro pub or a fancy pub particularly, it's just a good, honest pub that gets incredibly busy on a Friday night and Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Under the large oak tree in the courtyard you can buy a steak and barbecue it yourself. My dad no longer lives in Sydney, but I suspect this is almost exactly what he'd do on a Friday night at The Oaks all those years ago. Without sounding like I'm trying to be too poetic, it's a bit cool to think of all the stories this place could tell. Anyway. The Oaks. Drink. Eat. Be Merry. read more

Most patrons are aged between 25-35, with many working professionals frequenting The Oaks. It may be difficult to get to without a car, but there is plenty to do once you step through the door. Sample the gourmet pizzas or cook your own steak on one of the many open barbeques. This venue plays hosts to plenty of 21sts, 30ths and even 40ths! Play billiards in one of the upstairs room or dance to the old and the new with the likes of 90s music and R'n'B. The Oaks easily caters to large groups and the drinks are reasonably priced. Equivalent to the size of a large mansion, The Oaks is perhaps a little too big. Negotiate the maze that consists of upstairs rooms and balconies to find jukeboxes and pool tables. The Oaks is famous for its beer garden and steaks, making it impossible not to visit! Host a 30th birthday here and your friends will be vying for a repeat visit! Mon - Wed 10.00am - 12.00am Thur - Sat 10.00am - 1.30am Sun 12.00pm - 12.00am read more

Currently the oaks is open with mandatory reserved seating, we were shown our table and sat down browsing the menu. A short while into this an older man came to our table and took our reserved sign and said you guys owe me a drink. The four of us were confused and just looked at this guy not quite understanding what he was on about. He came back to our table and repeated himself followed by "does your generation not say thank you". Again we were stumped, he came back again and said "the table is for Greg, this is my table I know the owner".... he kept on and on and made everyone feel quite uncomfortable. I politely told him to check the reserved sign he took and that it clearly said "Blake" on it. Greg shut up pretty quick after he went to his table and checked. All in all, the owner's self entitled friend Greg is a cantankerous boomer who needs to wind his neck in because he certainly isn't doing his owner friend any good by driving away business. read more

Simply the best. Three enormous bars, a grand garden with a massive oak tree central, d-i-y barbeque- choose your own meat or fish and cook it yourself whilst enjoying banter with other 'chefs'. I've been in a few pubs in my time, but never seen one like this. read more

We chose The Oaks because of its proximity to Toronga Park Zoo where we'd booked Vivid tickets. Online booking was very convenient and easy. On arrival, staff were pleasant and the dining room was nicely done. As we were pressed for time we just ordered mains and pudding. 3 of us ordered the 300g grass fed scotch fillets, 1 a pork belly and 1 a daily special. Ordinarily, if I got a crook steak I'd say it was the luck of the draw, mine was gristly and coarsely textured, though well cooked. However, All three steaks we similar, gristle and coarse textured. Not what I expect from a $35 steak. The pork belly was dry. Dessert was much the same. $14 each, chocolate fondant pudding, Creme Brûlée and black sticky rice with egg custard. The black sticky rice, though adventurous, was unappealing. The Creme Brûlée was on the stingy side even at $14 and the chocolate fondant, though nicely plated was more akin to something you'd get from Dominos home delivery. As I was hosting for Interstate visitors, I felt embarrassed for Sydney. The Vivid lights at Toronga Park Zoo were magnificent! read more

Really nice bar with great outdoor seating area under a big oak tree. The food and drinks are quite overpriced, but it does have a cool atmosphere. It is quite difficult to get a seat/table in the outdoor area. Really large indoor areas, that have a lot of character as well read more

Who knew you could grill your own steaks somewhere?? This would never happen in the States, as there would be far too many lawsuits. Silly Americans! I really wish I had been there in nicer weather in order to enjoy the lovely patio with its huge Oak tree! There is a variety of meats to choose from. The salad bar has many options of salad too. This place feels like my grandparents would have been regulars back in their day. I feel lucky to have experienced the Oaks while in Sydney. read more

What a great beer garden! I felt like you could have a wedding reception out there. We had tea here on Boxing Day and sat right underneath the oak tree. The hotel kinda wraps around the beer garden( it feels wrong calling it that) and there's even a special spot in a veranda, poshish, corner where it's kid free. The hotel does great steaks and we enjoyed some cocktails and food. I can see why this pub rates high. It was a great way to spend an afternoon right after Christmas Day read more

23rd February 2013 While the venue is considered by many, us included, to be child friendly, I would warn other parents to reconsider before venturing forth. On Saturday night, 5 responsible adults and 1 well behaved child arrived to watch the Super Rugby. Having been told that the bar adjacent to Ben Boyd Rd did not allow children we moved to the Nineteenthirtysix bar. Despite having watched rugby with children in this bar on several occasions previously and notwithstandinging the signage at the bar entrance that states 'patrons under the age of 18 should be accompanied by a responsible adult', the management, and I use the terminology with disdain, told us we were not allowed in the bar and that if we didnt like their rules we could just leave and go elsewhere. The manner in which the manager dealt with this, infront of a child, was absolutely disgraceful and I had other patrons come up to me afterwards independently to express their shock and dismay. So my warning to other parents who may want to go to this 'child friendly' venue, be very careful where you go or what you do with your children, do not take signage as an indicator of whether children are allowed or not, because management are devoid of people skills and are likely to treat you with the same heavy handidness and likely upset your children and humiliate you infront of them, as they did us. UPDATE 8th March 2013 Despite having emailed our grievance to the management of The Oaks, they are yet to have the common decency to respond which furth goes to prove that they really do not care about the experiences their patrons have at their venues. My advice, chose another venue. read more

Unfortunately a pretty overrated place. For the price, it's pretty OTT for getting standard Sydney pub fare. Given that you have to order at the counter and get your own food, there's no reason it should be as expensive as a table service fancy af place. My steak (sirloin) was tough and cold and all our gravies were pretty average. The mashed potatoes were cold. They were so busy that a waitstaff person came past and dumped a bunch of used cutlery on our half-full salad plate and took it away. It was sitting next to us on a ledge because the tables are tiny but we weren't done. They refunded us for the salad. But honestly, this is a loud, average pub that takes for ever and is hella expensive. read more