please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Came in here after a few pints in the Black Dog as they reckoned the food was great here. They weren't wrong! The cod and chips nearly beat me (and I'm no lightweight) but unfortunately we caught them with their beers down. This is a Shepherd Neame pub but their only ale up was Master Brew but a good range of lagers were available and the Oranjiboom saw us through. People in the bar were friendly, staff friendlier still and all in all a really good high Street pub. My rating only low because the beer was off but I hope to upgrade the review next time I'm in Whitstable
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Visited here on a Monday and encountered friendly service and good beer. Traditional pub interior and a nice beer garden. Nothing not to like about it.
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Ultimately, not a pub I had any predetermined plan to visit while in Whitstable for the wonderful oyster festival a couple of weekends back, but having left the beach and all its delights behind in the evening and taken a quick bite at a nearby Italian restaurant, I needed to walk myself back to my accommodation, which was conveniently situated at the south end of the main street. A few pub options present themselves on that lively and vibrant route - the Ship Centurion probably being my preference, but I'd already been in the morning - so I walked on having vowed to sample somewhere different. Having rejected the predictable if usually-sound Wetherspoon option, I discovered what appeared to be a traditional, cosy little local, and despite it being a Shepherd Neame house which inevitably narrows the cask beer field, I gave it a chance.
That pub was the Royal Naval Reserve. And by and large, I wasn't too far wrong in my estimation of the venue from its outward appearance. Once indoors one is presented with a traditional, seafaring (well what a novelty in Whitstable) sort of feel, which was small, but its limited floorspace encouraged a hearty intimacy amongst its customers - who numbered many as it was a busy Saturday night and everyone was in festival spirit. Whether it's always that well patronised remains to be seen, but the atmosphere was infectious that night. There were as many ladies as gents in attendance, although arguavly accented towards the 40+ demongraphic. Albeit that youthful vigour might have been lacking, music was playing and everyone was locked in lively conversations, suggesting a good old time was being had by all - an encouraging sign in a local.
The service at the small bar area was noteworthy - getting served quite promptly as an unknown face amongst a sea of locals with only one person on the bar was impressive. A well-poured pint of Sheps' was delivered by what I assumed was the landlady - and it was not your run of the mill offering; some sort of stout whose name I forget now without researching, but I do recall it went down a treat. A couple of other more routine SN beers featured for the less-adventurous, alongside the usual raft of mass-produced keg and bottled products for those not converted to cask.
I can't pass judgement on food, as it wasn't being served that late on, but from the previous review I'd be tempted to give it a try in future.
A very friendly and jolly establishment when busy, and I'd imagine a quiet and cosy haven when it isn't. Maybe not an outstanding pub but certainly not to be dismissed without trying, at least not by the pubgoer who favours tradition and community in their boozers.
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Was taken here as I was told the food was good - it was - steak and kidney suet pudding served in a pudding cloth bt at a tad under a tenner was marginally on the high side. Only had Sheps best on together with their mild which was very nice. A bit of "a pub for the locals" and it would have been nice to have had a bit more atmosphere and perhaps a "thank you" when we took all the empties back to the bar
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Hilarious, had a great time. Just had pubs should be (in the 70's).
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sooze29...
Yes I am always fascinated by the smell of deep fried food that wafts my way whenever I walk past the Royal Naval Reserve.
Sometimes it even makes my nipples explode with pleasure.
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Visited her over the Bank Holiday weekend and found it to be a lovely friendly welcoming pub. Was only disappointed as we had already eaten elsewhere as the food at the Royal Naval Reserve looked amazing. Will definetely go back.
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Can I just say that my nipples still occasionally explode with pleasure. It can get very messy!
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One of my favorite pubs in the area. Small, cosy and friendly. I certainly didn't notice the "smell of fried food" mentioned by another reviewer who must have a more sensitive nose than I. Very nice pint of well-kept beer. Definitely worth a visit if you're going along High Street with a thirst.
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Very friendly town centre hostelry with decent beer and a nice beer garden.
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Popped in here for a swift ale, and found it to be a welcoming, friendly little pub with a very decent Master Brew on offer. We sadly missed the lunch slot, but we've heard good things about the food here so will be coming back at some point to try it. Locals were exceptionally friendly and chatty, giving us the lowdown on Whitstable in general, it's always good to get local knowledge!
Liked it here. Will go back again to try the food.
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Further to my previous posting, can I just say that my nipples explode with pleasure?
Many thanks
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Nipped in for a light ale after visiting a nearby tie and tease parlour.
I was hungry too and opted for consomme to start, the shin of veal with baby onions and red cabbage for my main and the tiramasu for dessert.
To drink I had bucket of absinthe, several pints of lukewarm gin and a small decaf coffee.
I'll certainly be going back, if my nipples ever stop hurting.
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This place always use to smell of deep fried food and fags. Now it just smells of deep dried food. The net curtains are a real turn off while the customers are, ahem, 'salt of the earth' types. If they ever open a Whetherspoons in Whitstable this place would lose 90 per cent of its regulars overnight.
Not my cup of tea, but each to his own.
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The Reserve is a friendly hostelry in the heart of Whitstable.
The beer (Master Brew) was good and service was friendly. The interior does have the feel of a suburban steak house in about 1975 but don't let that put you off. The Reserve is well worth a visit.
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Your ships technology will be added to our own.
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Visited late afternoon, 15 May 2008. A small number of regulars in and a good pint of Sheps Master Brew. Nice and relaxing.
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Visited 7.15pm 27 March. Having brushed off the dog hairs gained from my visit to "The Smack" Walked into the RNR.....
I know every Town has to have a place for the Great Unwashed and this is it! A quick about turn and off to Canterbury Im afraid.
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It sounds more like a forces club than a pub but a pub it certainly is. The name is derived from the Navy's reserve forces, in particular the Sea Cadet Corps who first formed in Whitstable in the 1850�s and were incorporated into the Royal Navy in 1910. Situated in the middle of high street, the pub is popular with shoppers and tourists alike and can get very busy. The interior is quite dim and intimate with low ceilings and plenty of brasses, collectables, cigarette cards, old prints and photos, mainly as one would expect, of a nautical theme. The layout of the pub makes the bar a bit awkward to get to when busy but the Shepherd Neame range of beers are of a good quality and they also have mild on tap, a rarity in SN pubs. To the rear, beyond the outside toilet, is a cosy beer garden set among the evergreens where you can usually blag a table even on the busiest days. The upstairs seafood restaurant has a very good reputation although I have not personally tried it. An essential stop for anyone visiting the many pubs in the area and one day I will definitely try the restaurant.
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