Rating: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars)
Welcome to the Shakespeare’s Head Review! Only a short but steep hill away from Brighton train station, away from the seafront – there is just enough separation from the town centre to give Shakespeare’s head a proper local vibe. That, and because it fills up and has a bit of energy. Whilst this place is renowned for its unique “customisable bangers and mash”, this time I was here to try out the Sunday lunch, and here’s a spoiler… it was damn tasty. Check out the Sunday menu here 📖
TLDR
A decent Sunday roast, particularly good at catering to a variety of dietary needs – Sensible portion sizes (not huge) – close to the train station – book ahead
🥦 Vegetarian options? Yes, multiple
🌱 Vegan options? Yes, multiple
🌾 Gluten Free options? Yes, most things
Address: Shakespeare’s Head, 1 Chatham Place, Brighton, BN1 3TP
Time to see what all of the fuss is about
It was a cold, drizzly January afternoon when I entered the warm pub and found a small, low table for two. I couldn’t help but grin as I was glad to find a seat! With my mouth watering, I went up to the bar to order my food, only to be met with shocking news: ‘Sorry, we’ve had to stop taking orders.’ My world collapsed because, despite finding a sneaky seat, I hadn’t considered that the chefs were running out of grub! I sat with a drink and pondered my life choices…
Fast forward a few months, and I’m older, wiser – the kind of guy who has foresight, who knows exactly what he’ll be doing on the weekend and ‘books ahead’. So, with a puffed-up chest, this time I waltz in and claim my table. It’s just as busy as last time, but the only difference is, there’s a plate with my name on it.
While I wait, I admire the many Shakespeare portraits adorning the walls, which collectively project quite a charming aura into the pub. A specific niche, but it works. As I stare into William’s eyes, enjoying my drink and suddenly my Portobello mushroom and spinach Wellington roast dinner arrives!
The vegetarian Wellington has landed
Immediately, I can tell you that the yorkies looked stunning, nicely cooked on the top and outside, with an intentional, light char. Upon my first bite, I discovered that the Yorkshire is also airy and a little bit doughy in the middle, properly cooked for maximum enjoyment.
Onto the main event, the veggie Wellington was served warm, but I would have preferred it to be a bit hotter. It was generously packed with a blend of Portobello mushrooms, leafy greens, herbs, and even a hint of celery – and while I’ve never been a massive fan of the latter, this gave the main a bit of an aromatic taste, which was a nice adventure for the taste buds and worked well. The pastry outer was, as expected, cooked well but didn’t leave any lasting impressions; it did its job for encasing the goodness inside. All in all, a very enjoyable veggie main.
On the other side of the plate sit a couple of roast potatoes. You don’t get loads of spuds, but at least they’re tasty, with a satisfying crunch because of the crispy skin and pre-salted to perfection (a bit too salty for my partner, who I believe is ‘salt sensitive,’ but spot on for me).
Something I particularly liked about this roast was that it comes with cauliflower cheese by default. Thank you, chefs of the Shakespeare’s Head, for not asking everyone to order this separately as a side ✨
As for the veg, there were seasonal leafy greens, which were pleasant and fresh, as well as some sharp-tasting red cabbage. This worked well with some of the heavier foods on the plate. I only got a sliver of carrot which was strange, but I chalk this up to the randomised, fast scooping in the kitchen and didn’t mind.
The star of the show, however, was the gravy. Vegetarian gravies are often mediocre, but this was banging. The consistency was velvety, and it made everything it touched taste twice as good! If you are into your gravy, give this roast a whirl.
It’s worth a visit!
All things considered, this was one of the better roasts that I’ve had in Brighton, and it was also a good portion size – leaving me with a slight stretch of the stomach. The bar staff didn’t offer us a dessert menu, but we had already agreed to get another beer instead.
However, it’s very much a pub first, restaurant second, so if you’re a demanding and fussy customer, I’d suggest staying clear. Order at the bar, sit down and enjoy it. The staff are lovely, but they’re not there to wipe your chin.
Highly recommended but remember to book in advance – it’s busy all year round!
Thanks for reading!
Fancy a roast delivered to your door? Check out this list of pubs that deliver a Sunday roast in Brighton.
Based in Brighton since 2023, Mitch is all about uncovering hidden gem restaurants and supporting independents over chains. With a seasoned palate developed from years of eating out, he’s your go-to for discovering the best local spots.
