If you’re planning a visit to Alton Towers and looking for a dining option, you might be considering the newly refurbished Oak in Chains Bar & Grill. We recently visited to see if it lives up to expectations, and while the food impressed, the service and overall atmosphere left much to be desired.
First Impressions Matter – But Not Here
Arriving around 6 PM, the restaurant was only about a third full, yet we stood at the entrance for four minutes (yes, we timed it) while staff simply looked at us through the window. No greeting, no acknowledgment, just awkward glances as if each staff member was expecting someone else to seat us.
Eventually, a young lady opened the door and, instead of welcoming us, bluntly asked, “Allergies?” Not exactly the warm greeting you’d hope for at a family-friendly resort restaurant.
Pricing: Prepare for a Shock
Once seated, we enquired about using our Merlin Annual Pass (MAP) discount, which was applied at the point of sale without issue. However, when looking at the drink prices, we were left stunned:
- A Coca-Cola costs a whopping £4.75
- Basic fruit juices (the same kind offered free at breakfast) were £3.50 each
- A glass of Prosecco came in at around £9
While we expect theme park prices to be on the higher side, these seemed particularly excessive, even by Alton Towers standards.
The Food: A Highlight
Despite our disappointment with the initial service, the food was actually very good. Since we had already indulged throughout the previous two days, we opted to share the Italian Garden Pizza Fries (£7.50). These were fantastic, generously topped with mozzarella, peppers, and pizza sauce, a perfect snack even though we were already quite full.
Our three kids ordered from the children’s menu (£8.75 each), selecting:
- Cheeseburger with fries and beans x 2
- Crispy chicken tenders with fries
Each portion was generous and good value, especially with the 20% MAP discount, which saved us £1.75 per meal.
Service: A Tale of Two Halves
After our rocky start, the actual table service was quick and efficient. Our drinks arrived in just 2-3 minutes, and our food followed within 4-5 minutes. The young lady serving us was friendly and polite, which made us wonder—had she been the one to greet us at the door, our experience might have been completely different.
Ambience & Atmosphere: Lacking the Alton Towers Magic
One of the strangest aspects of Oak in Chains Bar & Grill is that it doesn’t feel like part of the Alton Towers resort. While there’s themed decor, the atmosphere lacks the warmth and enthusiasm that makes the park feel special.
This was reinforced by small yet telling details:
- Two staff members stood near a discarded napkin on the floor, seemingly debating for a full minute whether to pick it up.
- Upon leaving, there was no farewell or enjoy the rest of your day, unlike most other areas of the resort.
Final Verdict
Oak in Chains Bar & Grill is a mixed bag. While the food quality and portion sizes are solid, at least for what we ordered, the service inconsistencies and high drink prices make it a less appealing dining option at Alton Towers. We plan to return in a few weeks to try more of the menu and see if improvements have been made.
For now, our rating stands as follows:
- Service: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
- Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Would We Recommend It?
If you can look past the service issues and don’t mind theme park pricing, the food is worth a try. But if friendly service and immersive atmosphere are a must for you, you might be better off exploring other dining options within Alton Towers.
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We’ll update this review after our next visit, stay tuned! Why not read our Flambo’s Jambo review?
