Our Review Of The Barley Mow In Westminster’s Sunday Roast

When I was little, I used to love roast dinners. My mum would make Yorkshire puddings in batches of 24, knowing that my sister and I would challenge each other to see who could eat the most. One day, I consumed 12 and, naturally, felt quite ill afterwards. The sensation put a stop to my quest, and slowly my affection for the hearty Sunday staple dwindled, puds in tow. That was until my visit to The Barley Mow in Westminster where I experienced a roast breakthrough.

Glossy wooden floorboards and soft red lampshades make up The Barely Mow's interiors. 

DesignMyNight Reviews The Barley Mow In Westminster

Sandwiched between Victoria and Westminster, the unassuming pub was bathed in light when my partner and I visited - it was a warm, bright day, peppered with marathon runners in sports gear. The first thing I noticed when we walked into the ox blood red dining space was a red postbox where you could send postcards from the pub, with stamps available at the bar. An adorable notion that got me thinking about the last time I ever received a postcard. Probably, fittingly, around the same time as the fateful Yorkshire pudding incident.

Among Private Eye illustrations framed on the wall (this was Westminster after all), and gleams of TVs playing football, we were seated and ordered a chicken supreme (£21) and vegan roast (£19), which featured a lentil loaf. Our food arrived fairly quickly and when it did, we were thrilled to see two plates drenched in gravy. It was the definition of a generous helping; delicious, silky, and salty, I could’ve drunk a jug-full and the consistency was perfect.

When roasts look this good, they're hard to resist. 

The amount of food we were given was impressive too - our plates were a Jenga block of roast potatoes and parsnips with fondant textures and crispy coats, a blizzard of shredded cabbage and one long, singular carrot that was sweet and soft. On top of all of this was a juicy lemon and thyme roasted piece of chicken on the bone for my partner, and a loaf with the earthy and herby flavour profile of my second favourite roast component: stuffing. Crowning these were a sprinkling of crispy onions which were a welcomed addition and elevated the dish.

Now for the Yorkshire pudding the size of my fist. It had risen beautifully and was firm and buttery, working great as a vehicle for vegetables and gravy. As I inhaled mouthfuls of the batter, it took me back to my early pudding days and a contented smile crept in. I’d learnt from experience though - when I began to feel full I stopped with a knowingness that my love for a Sunday roast had been reignited.

Overall: The Barley Mow

The Sunday roast at The Barely Mow was a dark horse - I arrived with tempered expectations and they were comfortably exceeded. As a gravy fiend, I loved the amount we were given but found the overall portion size a little difficult to conquer and would’ve loved another carrot or two - certainly not a dig, but a testament to the carrots. I’d highly recommend booking this humble pub for your next roast fix.

Can't get enough of crispy potatoes? Check out our guide to bottomless roasts in London.