The Royal Forest

Decent food at decent prices with friendly staff :) the menu gives a good range but could be improved with the quality of food and presentation. Pub is very big and seats lots of parties, suited decorations which accompany friendly atmosphere. Would go again!

Don’t come here expecting the worlds best grub; reason for 4 stars is as follows–
1.location — in middle of Epping Forrest where you can have a gentle stroll or a 5 hour walk BUT this place is easy to get to on public transport (where other pub– restaurants of a better standard are not) — it’s also beside Henry 8ths hunting lodge — amazing free attraction
2. Beer garden — fab any time of year to relax and enjoy nature
3. Food is chain– it is what it says on the tin
4. Unlimited free Coata coffee — enough said

As with other reviews, good ale and a friendly place

i decided to try the royal forest for a change. i used to go there years ago when it was a Charlie Chalks with the kids and it was good value and good food. I cant say the same on this visit. we went late in the evening in the week as we thought it would be quieter. on enetering the restaurant, there were people outside the doors but in the entrance smoking! even though it clearly stated not to do this. This resulted in myself and my husband getting a lung full of smoke (disgusting), where was the Manager I asked. I soon found out! We we sat down in a quiet corner of the restaurant decided on out food and drinks and my husband went over to order the drinks. we were not told that the drinks were self serve. he came back to our table which i hasten to add was filthy and i
had to clean it myself! we waited for 15 minutes for the drinks (no sign of the starters either). finally my husband went to the bar to ask where the drinks were to be told oh ive forgotten what were they!!! my husband asked the young lady if she had rememebred our food to which she replied yes I have. Apparently she had not as 35 minutes later!!! my hsband and i were about to leave when we were told that there was an order sitting int he kitchen for two starters but they didnt know who they were for!!! obviously by now we wanted to just leave. However, Ian who I gather is a the Bar manager came over and could not apologise enough. He explained that there were only two of them in as someone had allowed the rest of the staff to go on leave at the same time! I asked if this was the so called manager who we had noticed wandering around with a face liked a smacked bum! and yes it was him. i posed the question of why he was not up there helping out the staff to which I was met with silence. Obviously Ian was far too professional to answer this question, unlike the rest of the staff there. we waited for our starters and finally got them 45 minutes later. Sadly the rack of ribs which were for sharing were not even cooked and the sauce and the ribs were stone cold!!! yet another complaint to Ian which he handled very well (lets face it not his fault) more that the chef clearly cant cook. we then proceeded to order out dinner and yep youve guessed it another disaster. my meal was missing the bread, the smothered chicken wasnt smothered, instead it was meant to have melted chees, bar b q sauce and bacon, the bacon was like leather as was the chicken, the bar b q sauce was in a pot! and the garlic bread wasnt there. my husband who is not as fussy as me said his steak was the worst he had ever had and the whole meal was stone cold. by this time we had had enough (not of food sadly)! and asked for the bill. Ian was fantastic, very professional and agreed that this was not the norm but I doubt it somehow. The one major problem here is the manager, where was he I asked, he made abdolutely no attempt to come over and try to sort out the problem, ian and his colleague were rushed off their feet and yet he was nowhere to be seen. When we did see him it was only to witness him virtually bullying his staff. this emplotyee clearly hates his job and should be sacked. on speaking to other people who have been to this restaurant they have said the same regarding the manager. On leaving the restaurant I told the Manager how brilliant Ian was and all we got was yes hes a good bloke!!! on leaving we witnessed him laying into Ian and the others verbally. I feel so strongly about this chain of events that I am now writing to the Head Office to formally complain. One of the reasons for us going to this restaurant was to check it out for an events party for the olympics involving a lot of senior people in the industry. definitely will not even consder this while its in this state.

Great location! Great looking pub! Well priced beer and the food is what you expect from the Brewers chain (good sized portions at a reasonably price).
On the down side… is waiting time to be served and is very busy, so arrive early!
All in all well worth a visit, but expect to be patient!

This is a spacious pub set quite near to the shopping area of north chingford and is also easily accessible from Loughton by bus or car. It is set near to the forest which makes it ideal for a leisurely stroll after dinner. There is also a big car park.
It can get quite busy at peak times but the wait is not usually all that long.
The food is your average ‘pub grub’ and could be better but the staff are usually friendly and the only real downside is the occassional family that let their kids run riot while others are trying to enjoy a quiet meal.

A great family pub on the edge of Epping Forest, part of the Brewers Fayre chain. One of the biggest pubs in the area, yet still you may have to wait for food tables on Sunday lunchtimes. Great for kids, especially with the wide open spaces on its doorstep. Interesting building with some history to it, I have heard it was quite a well thought of jazz club at one point.

This is a beautiful old (looking) building set in Epping Forest, is a Brewers Fayre franchise, so the food ranges from nuked lasagna to really nice roasts, still good value for money.
The access is good, and there is a large car park.
Its also reputed to be HAUNTED!