“BORN from the smoky tap rooms of yesteryear now stands a modern bar/restaurant.”

The Royal, in Low Moor - our T&A Pub of the Week - has changed a lot over the decades, says Matty Waller, assistant manager at the welcoming family-run pub on Wooller Road, whose website promises ‘vibrant and elegant decor with warm lighting creating a truly relaxing environment to unwind and enjoy.’

“With the help of several local tradespeople, we invested a lot in the pub in 2020. We updated the interior décor including the carpets and upholstery and the toilets too. The look is very contemporary, and is one of the main positives we consistently receive on Tripadvisor, helping us to rise into the top five restaurants in Bradford.”

The emphasis on outdoor dining during the pandemic led to investment in the front of the pub, with gazeboes erected and new tables installed to create a welcoming atmosphere inside and out.

“We have nine outdoor tables on our new decked area at the front of the pub, providing a very popular spot for people to eat or drink outside, especially on long summer evenings,” says Matty.

“The old Royal sign hanging by the bar is the original from more than a century ago - a traditional stained glass piece that shows off our history.”

The stylish pub was originally a hotel, providing a place to stay for the workers of the nearby industrial estate.

It has been family-run since September 2018, and forms part of a three-pub business, alongside The Manor House in Eccleshill and The Dog & Gun in Wibsey.

Food is served every day from midday, with a varied menu including a range of traditional pub classics “and more elaborate dishes if you fancy for something special.”

“The menu is ever-changing - we listen to customer requests and reviews and keep our menu fresh and up to date,” says Matty. “There is something for everyone and invariably something new to try, but you can’t go wrong with the classic Royal Pie with a healthy helping of rich meat gravy.

“The menu is decided by the head chef, but we occasionally have MasterChef style days, where the chefs all come up with unique meals, which they all cook on one day and are tasted by everyone. This helps us come up with new fresh ideas and allows all the chefs to have input into the menus.”

The Royal has many regulars from the local community, with many of them frequenting the inn for decades. “There is a good balance of regular drinkers and diners from further afield, creating a good atmosphere,” says Matty, who joined the team in 2020. “I am split between a couple of sites, but mainly based at The Royal,” he says. “Many of our staff are split between multiple sites, and this helps us give the same standard of service across all of our pubs.”

Matty loves his job. “I suit the fast paced energy of working in a restaurant/bar, and the team of people that we have working here is brilliant. Being able to say that you are a manager at two of the top five restaurants on Tripadvisor - the other being The Manor House - in Bradford is pretty good too.”

Booking is always advised, although staff try to accommodate walk-ins where possible. “There is nothing worse than having to turn customers away when we are fully booked with no tables, so we recommend that people give us a call, as booking takes less than a minute and might save you a trip,” says Matty.

The Royal holds a steak night every Thursday, offering two steaks and a bottle of wine for £30 and also offer special menus for occasions such as Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and at Christmas.

*theroyallowmoor.co.uk