21 pub food recipes

A plate of golden chicken lollipops with a pot of bright red sauce on a wooden table with a green background

Pub food starters and sides

Mince on toast

Start your pub-themed feast with this comforting starter of slow-cooked beef mince in red wine and tomato, brought to you by London restaurant The Pelican. Heap onto toasted sourdough brushed with beef dripping and top with grated cheddar.

Mince toast on a plate with hands grating cheese on top

Spicy chicken lollipops

Chicken is coated in chilli, garlic, garam masala and turmeric before being fried and baked in this crowd-pleasing snack, best served with beers. This recipe comes from The Tamil Prince in London.

Doubanjiang mushrooms

Mushrooms are cooked in doubanjiang paste and served with hummus and crispy wonton wrappers in this sharing dish. This recipe comes from Ling Ling's at The Gun, Hackney.

Panisse with yogurt dip

Dashi powder adds an extra savoury hit in these moreish chickpea chips, brought to you by Michelin-starred The Bridge Arms.

A white bowl of pannise next to a small pot of yogurt dip on a wooden table

Lamb scrumpets

Swap chicken nuggets for this upscale bar snack. Coat lamb breast in panko breadcrumbs, fry until golden and crispy and top with flaky sea salt, a squidge of lemon and serve with anchovy mayonnaise.

Ricotta dumplings

Nothing says comfort like a bowl of dumplings. Combining ricotta, parmesan, nutmeg and parsley, and served with buttery peas, this vibrant green dish makes a change from standard pub fare.

Shrimp maque choux

This shrimp starter gets its kick from a homemade Creole spice mixture, made with paprika, cayenne, garlic, ginger, thyme and oregano. You can find this on the menu at London-based Plaquemine Lock.

A white bowl filled with pink shrimp covered in chopped herbs

Buttermilk fried chicken wings

Coming straight from the kitchen of The Fox at Oddington, try this recipe for crisp-coated chicken wings slathered in a sweet and spicy sauce.

Ham hock terrine

A classic ham hock terrine will never go out of style, especially when served with homemade piccalilli. This recipe comes from The Merry Harriers, based in the small picture-postcard village of Hambledon.

Smoked cod's roe dip with spring vegetables, soft-boiled eggs and flatbreads

From the Sun Inn, Dedham, try this multicoloured platter of crunchy spring veg, soft-boiled eggs and salted cod’s roe dip.

Smoked cod's roe dip on a plate with vegetables, boiled eggs and flatbreads

Pub food mains

Roast spatchcock chicken mojo rojo

Roast chicken is drizzled in a garlic pesto and served with salad and veg for a Mediterranean touch. This recipe comes from The Sun Inn pub in Dedham.

Roasted cod, brown shrimp and parsley sauce

Crisp-skinned cod fillets with a buttery parsley sauce and brown shrimp – it's a beautifully simple dish that's perfect for a special Sunday lunch. This dish comes from Marylebone pub, The Coach Makers.

Larb sandos

This vegan sub from Mondo Sando, the London sandwich experts, has a few different elements, but the results are epic.

Blackened chicken with beans and rice

This Louisiana-inspired recipe from Plaquemine Lock sees chicken thighs coated in a punchy spice blend before being blackened in a pan and served with beans and rice.

A white plate topped with a blackened chicken thigh, pot of beans and rice

Pumpkin gnudi

Recreate this impressive vegetarian main from The Baring pub kitchen, where pumpkin and ricotta dumplings and crisp radicchio lie in a tangy buttermilk sauce.

Turkey, leek and bacon pie

The Pelican in Notting Hill shares its comforting turkey, leek and bacon pie, although you could substitute the turkey for chicken thighs. Serve with your sides of choice, such as gravy, glazed carrots and stuffing.