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Everything you need to know about the pub lunch

Stomach rumbling after a long morning walk? Catching up with friends at the weekend? Maybe you’re just in the mood for a pub meal on a sunny day. Whatever it is, it sounds like you need a classic British pub lunch!

From fresh summer favourites to warming winter dishes, it’s second nature to tuck in when you find a great pub lunch near you. But what makes a perfect pub lunch and where can you get one? Let’s find out.  
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A little bit about the pub lunch

A pub lunch is exactly what it says on the tin: lunch at a pub. People across the UK have been enjoying them for many, many years. It’s usually an old British favourite like pie and mash or fish & chips.

These days, pub menus have a lot more variety, meaning your pub lunch can look a lot different than your friends and family’s. The best pubs for lunch have all sorts of choices inspired by dishes from around the world, from burgers and steaks to lasagne and pasta.

At Hungry Horse, our lunch menu hits all the classics, but if you want something a little lighter, try out our Mexican Pasta Salad or Lamb Kofta Wraps. For more finger food, try our Wings ‘n Things — we’ve got a range of Crispy Chicken Strips, Chicken Wings and even Impossible Nuggets for all to enjoy.

What to choose for a pub lunch

It really depends on how you’re feeling, what the weather’s like or if there’s a special occasion.

Whatever the weather

If it’s a hot summer's day, when all you want is a light bite and pint in the beer garden, a Fish Finger Sandwich or wrap can hit the spot. Although if it’s cold outside and you’re in the pub for a piping hot meal, you can’t go wrong with gravy-filled Steak and Ale Pie.

Whatever the occasion

Maybe you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary. If so, you might want to treat yourself to a succulent Steak and Chips, or even the pub classic Mixed Grill. Either way, you’ll want to ring in the occasion with a full stomach to go along with the good times.

However you’re feeling

Need a pick-me-up on a Sunday afternoon? Check out Sunday lunch pubs near you for an epic midday meal. From juicy beef to tender turkey, get a plate of roast meat and a selection of veg covered in thick gravy all throughout the year.

What is a cold pub lunch called?

A cold pub lunch can range from sandwiches and wraps to crisps and other snacks. That said, one of the most famous cold pub lunches is undoubtedly the ploughman’s…

What is a ploughman’s lunch?

A ploughman’s lunch is a classic British pub meal that’s made up of a group of fundamentally British cold foods. It became popular in the 1960s and this simple but effective group of foods has made it a favourite even today.

What’s in a traditional ploughman’s lunch?

A standard ploughman’s lunch includes, but is not limited to:

  • A chunk of cheese
  • Crusty bread and butter
  • A pork pie or scotch egg
  • A pickle
  • A pot of chutney or relish
  • A selection of fruits and salad, like grapes, apples and celery

 Why is it called a ploughman’s lunch?

The lunch itself dates back to the 1950s when the unnamed dish became popular with farmers. Strangely, the term ‘ploughman’s lunch’ was coined by the Milk Marketing Board in the 1960s when they promoted the meal to sell more cheese.

Why do some British people call lunch dinner?

The UK has all sorts of funny ways to say things. Depending on where you live in the country, one of these differences is what folks call their midday meal.

In the south, most people call it lunch, but the further up north you head, the more you’ll hear it called dinner. This is likely because ‘dinner’ refers to the main meal of the day, which in the north would have been in the middle of the day to give hard-labour workers more energy in the middle of the day to carry on their work.

We’re not even going to get into supper, tea, afternoon tea and brunch. Suffice it to say, dinner and lunch are light on the list of strange British language habits.

Five of the best pub lunches

 
On the lookout for epic pub lunches? We’ve picked out five of the best cities with pubs that serve them up around the country. 

 

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Birmingham

In the West Midlands? Enjoy a nice pub lunch near you at the Beeches in Birmingham. It’s a great spot to take the kids, with both indoor and outdoor play areas. Grab an old pub favourite like fish & chips, pie & mash, or try one of our flavoursome light bites. Our lunch menu, made up of Smoked Haddock Fishcakes, wraps and baguettes and much more, is perfect as the kids burn off some energy. 

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Nottingham

Grab a signature burger at the Sherwood Manor in Nottingham. Explore the city all morning and then sit down to recharge at the pub for lunch. Catch some live sports while you tuck into a delicious Ham, Cheese and Egg Melt or Cheeseburger Quesadillas.

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Bristol

Looking for pubs for lunch near you in Bristol? Duck into the Brunel for a juicy Sunday roast dinner or one of our super specials — like the Lamb Keema Stack. Round off your meal with an Apple and Berry Crumble or Chocolate Torte, part of our perfect puds menu.

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Liverpool

Heading to Liverpool? Get a great deal when you try out our take on scampi or our super special seabass as you watch the waves from the beer garden of the Seahorse. It offers one of the best pub lunches near you if you’re exploring the New Brighton area.

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Manchester

The best pub lunch near you in Manchester has got to be the Matchstick Man in Salford where you can try a selection of sharers, sides, main meals and more. From sizzling Salt and Pepper Fries to sharing Nachos, there’s something for everyone.

Head to your local Hungry Horse for an epic pub lunch

Pub lunches are a British staple for a reason. At Hungry Horse, it doesn’t matter if you want a hot meal in the middle of the day or a light bite in the sunshine – our pubs have everything you need for a great lunch near you.

What’re you waiting for? Find a Hungry Horse pub near you and dig in!