The Royal Oak Hotel

Best Known For

Slow-roasted lamb shoulder served with Greek salad, crushed new potatoes rosemary salt, charred lemon, tzatziki and red wine jus.

The Royal Oak Hotel on College Street has occupied Balmain's leafy back streets since 1878 and locals look set to occupy it for many years to come. It's not hard to see why, the heritage-listed watering hole has cosy old-world character in spades, but it's also kept with the times, imbuing its bar, bistro, function area, balcony and conservatory with contemporary style. The open kitchen bustles while patrons relax over drinks and seasonal dishes; start with salmon and kipfler potato cakes and a herb salad, or Szechuan fried squid, aioli and lemon. For the main, opt for linguine with prawns, garlic, chilli and parsley, or goat curry with Himalayan relish, cucumber yoghurt, basmati rice and papadums; finish indulgently with a dessert of rhubarb bread and butter pudding and crème anglaise.