Real Italian pizza has arrived at the renovated Royal Oak Pub in Beccles, but is it good?
Food
The menu here is simple and small, but that's not a bad thing. There's a selection of appetising salad starters or cold meat and vegetable sharing boards, around eight pizzas, including specialities and gourmet options. And they use a real oak-fired pizza oven and the freshest ingredients.
We opted for the meat and Mediterranean vegetable sharing board, which differs each time depending on seasonality, yet remains crisp, fresh and beautifully prepared. Our board included butternut squash, salami, rocket salad, figs, gorgonzola, tomato, Parma ham and focaccia with a hint of rosemary and sea-salt – which dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, was absolute heaven. The perfect starter for two. Now to the pizza.
You could taste the oak fire on the perfect thin, crispy crust. The base itself was so good I could have happily eaten that on its own! I opted for the pollo pizza - chicken, gorgonzola mushroom and artichoke with a tomato base. The flavours combined together were mouth watering and the gorgonzola cheese gave it a complementary kick. It's making me hungry thinking about it.
My husband chose the gourmet pizza, a 'surf 'n' turf', topped with steak, prawns and rocket. He asked to add an egg to it as well, which was no trouble. The steak was cooked beautifully. Juicy and tender and the combined flavours worked really well together. On a previous visit I had the Sunday gourmet pizza, 'The Smokey Oak' - smoked sausage meat, pancetta, peppers, buffalo mozzarella and chipotle tomato sauce. Each flavour on the pizza came through and the combination of flavours was absolutely divine.
The pizzas are large and the perfect size for one person, but if you didn't want too much you could share one, although my advice would be to ensure you're hungry when you go and opt for one to yourself. You and your taste buds will not regret it.
I'd like to say I had a dessert but I couldn't manage one which is a shame because I wanted to sample the lemon tiramisu. Maybe next time...
Ambience
The restaurant itself is laid back and relaxed with a very friendly atmosphere and a warm welcome from all. The design is contemporary with an oak-inspired twist and split into two halves with the bar and pizza oven/counter in the middle.
Drink
We opted for a crisp bottle of Sauvignon Blanc to go with our meal, which perfectly matched our pizza choices, priced at £17.95. You can also just nip in for a drink and sit at the tables by the bar, if you don't want to eat.
MORE: The Eagle, Norwich, restaurant review: 'Not your average pub grub'
Service
The staff were very friendly, inviting and as we had been before they were really pleased we had returned. The service throughout was relaxed but attentive and helpful – nothing is too much trouble.
Toilets
The toilets are fresh and very roomy, despite there only being one toilet for the ladies.
Location
Oakfired Pizza is on Ravensmere in Beccles the road that leads up from Beccles Quay. It's about a five-minute walk from the main town centre but definitely worth the venture.
Parking
The restaurant doesn't have a car park, however there are spaces outside if you are picking up a takeaway. Beccles has plenty of car parks dotted around the town and most are only a short walk away from the restaurant. Plus most car parks in Beccles are free after 6pm.
MORE: The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe, restaurant review: 'Breathtaking' Price
Oakfired Pizza offers great value for money. The pizzas are a generous size and start from £8 on the main menu, up to £14 for the gourmet pizza. There are also various deals throughout the week, lunch time specials, such as two courses for £10, set menu and a small lunch of pizzette and soup for £6 and on Monday's take advantage of the Monday Club where you can get a pizza and a glass of wine for just £10, a perfect weekday treat.
Highlight
Pizza… of course!
My favourite has to be the gourmet pizza The Smokey Oak – delicious.
In summary
This is a true taste of Italian pizza in Beccles. There is no need to go anywhere else. Never compromise ,always go for the real pizza oven and the freshest ingredients. The added bonus is they also do take out too. It's pizza heaven. This is an independent review.
To see all of our food reviews click here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here