I love to go out for a Roast Dinner on a Sunday lunchtime as its not something I cook often at home but in London, it can get pretty pricey. Luckily, one of London’s oldest and smallest pubs, The Grapes, isn’t far from where I live and it serves up a fantastic Sunday roast.
The pub itself is tucked away in Limehouse, East London and overlooks the river thames. It’s been standing for nearly 500 years and has even featured in a Charles Dickens novel, who was a regular at The Grapes.
It’s quite an intimate and cosy pub where you can’t book a table in advance so I usually try to arrive for 12.15 which is 15 minutes after it opens on Sundays. Unsurprisingly the pub is already packed when we normally arrive but there’s normally a few tables left. As you walk through the bar, (we usually find a table in the restaurant upstairs) you’ll pass Gandalf’s staff! The bar is co owned by Sir Ian McKellan who played Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
I should mention that The Grapes is not to be confused with Planet of The Grapes which is a small chain of wine bars in London (but worth a visit – they do a fab cheese board!).
The Grapes – What We Ordered
On Sundays The Grapes operates a small limited Sunday menu which can vary weekly, but last time we visited they served roast pork, roast beef and roast lamb but once they’re gone, they’re gone so you have to get in there fast. The menu is normally displayed on a chalk board in the upstairs dining room.
Once you’ve grabbed your table, make a note of your table number and head back downstairs to the bar to make your order. Be careful on the stairs; they’re quite narrow and steep. I ordered the roast beef which is one of my favourite meats and my boyfriend chose the roast pork. You get proper roast potatoes, a generous serving of soft meat, a giant Yorkshire pudding served with lashings of gravy and delicious vegetables for the table on the side. The best bit is the price – its only £12.95 for a delicious roast dinner which is really good value for London.
The Grapes – 4/5
One of the best Sunday roasts in London at a fantastic price, but you’ve got to get there quick!
Food – 5/5
Service – 3/5
Decor / Ambience – 4/5
Our roast dinners cost £37 for two people, including service and drinks.
Have you visited The Grapes before? Feeling Inspired? Check out my London restaurant hit list!
The Grapes
76 Narrow Street
Poplar
London
E14 8BP
