There's nothing more quintessentially British than delving into a traditional Sunday roast in a cosy London pub. And Blue Boar Pub in Westminster does exactly that, found just a stone's throw from the capital's most iconic landmarks, like Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. It occupies the historic Queen Anne's Chambers within Conrad London St. James Hotel, bringing a modern, elevated take on the classic British pub, and is a popular spot for post-sightseeing dining and cosy lunches with friends and family - it even won Estrella Damm's "One To Watch" in their 2022 Top 50 Gastropub Awards. So after a brisk walk through central, enjoying the sight of tourists queueing for pictures with the red phone boxes, I headed over to try out their Sunday roast.
DesignMyNight’s Review Of Blue Boar Pub In Westminster
Blue Boar Pub's interiors are slick while nodding to its old school British pub roots.
Need To Know:
- Address: 45 Tothill Street, SW1H 9LQ
- Area: Westminster
- Cuisine/Theme: British, Sunday Roasts, Classic Pub, Gastropub
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: though it was relaxing and fairly quiet during our visit, it still had the elevated air of a premium gastropub
- Perfect For: tourists, family lunches, post-sightseeing roasts, dog-friendly dining
Service & Price
- Service (Out Of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money (Out Of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: £116.50 for three courses for two
Special duo of porchetta and lamb (left), potatoes and cauliflower cheese (top right), and breaded mushroom (bottom right).
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Drinks: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Salt Brined Gloucester Old Spot 'Porchetta' (£31) - this was my favourite of the roasts, featuring beautifully fatty belly singing with herbaceous fennel. The mini roast potatoes were top-tier, crispy and fluffy, and I loved the varied selection of veg - the gravy (they bring separate jugs for each meat, a nice touch) also deserves a special shoutout.
- Lamb Leg, Dorset Breed, Pasture Fed (£31) - very generous serving of lamb, which was rich with a robust earthy flavour; however, it didn't come medium-rare as requested and was a little on the tougher side.
- Cauliflower cheese (£7) - this was excellent, exactly what a cauliflower cheese should be: oozy, cheesy and all-round delicious.
- Breaded portobello mushrooms (£12) - a simple but well-executed starter, the mushroom was expertly fried, offering a hearty crunch with each bite, and a subtle garlic flavour.
- Old Fashioned cocktail (£13.50) - this classic came on the sweeter side, which was lovely, and the whisky was warming but not overpowering - the orange peel also brought a lovely aroma.
Our Overall Experience At Blue Boar Pub
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Blue Boar Pub undoubtedly offers a quintessentially British experience, slinging out high-quality Sunday roasts in an elevated pub setting. It was incredibly charming, decorated with a huge corgi statue as a homage to our late Queen Lizzie, and figurine caricatures of past prime ministers. Those little touches, combined with its location right in the thick of it all, and an extensive menu of enticing roasts made with premium ingredients, make it a standout choice for anyone who wants a true taste of London. My only qualm would be that the lamb and beef were a little overcooked and tough for our liking (although still very delicious), but I put this down to us having a later lunch around 4pm - so would recommend arriving early if you can.
