Redoak Boutique Beer Cafe

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

I stumbled across this place for a quick lunch and a beer on my day off whilst out in the city and loved it. The beer is amazing and the staff very friendly. I had the beef sandwhich from the bar menu with a glass of bitter which came out very quickly and I was on my way again. Great place for a quick well priced lunch in the city.

Mar 27, 2012 

6 Average

Food  3      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  5     

The ambience and service was great. The beer was very enjoyable, but the food was very average. Not sure if it was because of Mardi Gras but it was very disappointing, especially when it cost nearly $100 a head.

The food presentation looked good but: Beef two ways, the sirloin was cooked on a dirty grill so it had a burnt taste. The brisket was very dry and needed a sauce, the potato stack was overcooked, cold, burnt and tasteless. I had trouble cutting it with my steak knife.

The Mussels were tough and overcooked. The mashed potato was over whipped. I had been looking forward to going to Red Oak. The manager told us that they had just changed menus, but they should really be making sure the food is better quality than this.

Mar 04, 2012 

7.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  4      Service  10      Value  7     

This restaurant is renowned for great beer. I didn't drink the beer but I still have plenty to say. The staff were gorgeous great attitude. We sat for 3 hrs chatting and didn't get any pressure to leave.

The food was so good and the flavored so distinct. This meal was an experience. I actually had a brief moment of deep sadness what the plate was cleared yet I was not still hungry. I had the pork, roasted tomato, caramelized onion and red cabbage.

Thank you for a lovely evening.

Jan 05, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

Good place for a group. Mains are very good, sausages and the pork dish standouts. Wine list limited, however, its a beer cafe! Would go back.

Sep 27, 2011 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

Great place with excellent mid-week specials. Pizza was excellent and a bit different, with the accompanying beers all tasty.

May 25, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  8     

Good beer, well presented meals, would go back.

Apr 10, 2011 

3.3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  5     

I can't comment on the food as we only shared a bowl of chips, which were very good. The beer was also very nice although my glass was warm when I got it which is just disappointing.

The service is shocking. Waited at least 5 minutes at the bar while the 4 bar staff rushed in and out pouring beers for people at tables I assume. Asked a waitress for more aioli for the chips, she told us its $1 and then walked off before we had a chance to confirm that we would like more. So we didn't get anymore.

Good service is very easy to provide, smiling and friendly staff make a massive difference. Go check out the Bavarian Bier Cafe where the staff are friendly. More efficient bar staff would be good as well. Also, the place feels like its stuck between a beer cafe and a restaurant and excelling at neither. I won't go back.

Apr 08, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

I have been to The Redoak on several occasions now and every time has been awesome. The service is always exemplary, and the food, especially the jewfish is to die for.

I think some reviewers here are a little confused about the purpose of the tasting boards. As it is a beer cafe, the purpose of the food is to enhance and compliment the taste of the beer as a new experience. The food is supposed to be secondary to the beer. That said - the beer there is also magnificent. It is so nice to see bars around Sydney selling good beer, and not Tooheys and VB crap.

Anyway, I have always enjoyed it here, with excellent beer, wine and food I will always enjoy going back.

Mar 04, 2011 

5.5 Average

Food  1      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  5     

Great concept with a good variety of beer. We had our Christmas party and it has a good feel. Easy going, fun, relaxed. It got nosier as people drank more into the night but that makes it non pretentious.

The service staff are excellent and cannot be more helpful and attentive. It has a perfect ingredient for a successful venue if not for its food, simply awful! The first course was seafood tasting plate (the beer with it was lovely). It was average but the minced peking duck tart was dry and tasted more like Xmas minced tart. The second course stacked BBQ vegetables, dry, boring and lifeless, accompanied by another lovely choice of beer. The third tasting plate include egg nog, pork crackle, potato stack with ham and turkey roll, a complete nightmare.

The pork was grey and dry, crackle from pre-made packet (those you buy off the streets in Thailand tasted better), the potato stack was cold, tasteless and old. The turkey roll was obviously made from minced turkey. I can only say, it was a complete disaster. The fourth course is trifle made of chopped up fruit cake normal cream and fruit jelly layers with candy floss. It is one of the worse dessert I have tasted.

The dessert was served with a stout that tasted like liquid vegemite, instead of the wholesome creamy texture you usually get, awful. This place has alot of potential to be a star if they get the food right. At the moment, the menu is sitting in all the wrong places and the beer is really keeping this place afloat. What a shame. The food has let the beers down. I will go back if they revamp the entire menu but till then, Avoid at all cost.

Dec 05, 2010 

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  8     

Went last night with half a dozen mates for a farewell. I have to admit the bar was really busy and noisy which annoyed me. But it was Thurs night in the guts of the city at 6:30, and I was thirsty. But once we were seated the good times began.
The beers were fantastic, the Oatmeal stout is a real winner I could drink that all night. Honey Ale is outstanding too.

For the mains everyone on our table was really happy. The only minor complaint was the steak would have been better with a gravy or sauce (it had a confit or cherry tomato). My seared Jewfish with mustard beans was really fantastic. The fish was so well cooked and the dish was really seasoned.

Also had the cheese plate after dinner with a few more beers. Great cheeses, the Tasmanian blue was a stand out. All in all it was a really enjoyable night. Not the best service you've ever seen but it's a beer cafe after all. Not a three hat restaurant. Good value.

Apr 16, 2010