We’ve all got somewhere in London that means a lot to us. For me, it’s Blackheath and nearby Greenwich, two remarkably village-like areas I’ve been visiting since childhood, that straddle the historically important Prime Meridian Line aka 0% longitude. This brings me nicely on to the aptly named Zerodegrees London, a comfy microbrewery and restaurant. When we heard about their new roast dinner menu? I couldn't help but drop by on a glorious Sunday in April.
Our gigantic roast dinner at Zerodegrees London (pictured), plus the hidden suntrap is a stunner too.
DesignMyNight Review Of Zerodegrees London
The location was all we could have expected and more; only a short stroll from Blackheath station and the pretty, floral-draped string of shops down the charmingly sounding Tranquil Vale. Zerodegrees microbrewery Blackheath was ideally placed directly opposite the sprawling green lawns and some stunning Victorian townhouses, with an outdoor terrace making the most of the springtime sun. Inside, you’ll see an actual working brewery to the far left, which was pretty cool, and upstairs was a treasure trove of extra seats perfect for private parties, including a secluded open-air rooftop space, alongside bright pink neon lettering contrasting with lush jungle wallpaper. We also liked the industrial decor and copper lighting, giving off a stylish but cosy vibe.
As we sat back to admire the views (oh, and adorable doggos), a paddle of beer tasters arrived at our table. This is free for those who wish to test-drive three varieties ahead of committing to a full pint, ideal if you can’t make up your mind. Although I loved the So Good Mango, a fruity, summery special, a schooner of Every Day Session Lager 4% (£3.25) called my name. This home-brewed delight (one of nine made on-site) was touted as the ideal lunchtime lager, and I can totally see why - bright, refreshing and golden.
Make sure to ask the staff for a quick
guide to the brewhouse, it was fascinating.
Although known for pizza, Zerodegrees microbrewery launched their Sunday lunch just in time for Easter... And let me tell you - the portions are absolutely massive. I made a beeline straight for the cauliflower steak (£18), a slab of roasted, soft florets that had a nice herby flavour. A recommendation would be finishing this off more on the grill; an additional charred element would really enhance the dish. As for my date? He opted for porchetta (£19.50). The homemade, zingy apple sauce was incredible and a match made in heaven when paired with succulent pork belly and crunchy crackling. Both veggie and meaty plates benefitted from a delicious, earthy celeriac purée, bitter yet sweet cavolo nero and wood-roasted, nutty chunks of parsnip, finished off with rich gravy served in cute pouring pots. The fluffy potatoes were really tasty but, in my opinion, could have been crispier.
As for the sides on the Zerodegrees Blackheath menu? My partner reminisced about Christmas dinners with the juicy pigs in blankets (£6), nicely balancing salty meat with sweetness from the grain mustard and honey glaze, while the cauliflower cheese (£6) was lovely. The rich cheddar and taleggio gave the plate a more tangy flavour than I was expecting, but it was heavenly. Just make sure to get your phones out to capture the great cheese pull.
Yes, you’re reading that right, we both had double pork and cauliflower. And not once did we regret our decision.
Say cheers to Zerodegrees' crisp, cold brews while taking in the blue, pink and gold decor upstairs.
It was then time for desserts and these were excellent. My banoffee pie (£7), a special for the day, was as light as a cloud, combining a crumbly biscuit base with cream, slices of banana, drizzles of caramel and a dusting of cocoa on top. It was so good, I actually shouted ‘hands off’ to my lunch date. He also loved his tiramisu brownie (£7), a boozy, silky pud served in a vintage ice cream glass, most notably the hot pieces of chocolate and powerful coffee hit.
Zerodegrees Microbrewery Blackheath Review: Overall
Having opened in 2000, followed later by Reading, Bristol and
Cardiff, Zerodegrees microbrewery and restaurant certainly is a
cool place to dine, and now they’ve added a weekend lunchtime
staple to the menu. Having an in-house brewery is a great USP,
slinging out fine brews that tasted fabulous on a lush spring day.
But trust us, you won’t leave hungry when visiting for a Sunday
roast, that’s for sure.
|
💰 Price: £69.70 excluding service. 📍 Address: 29-31 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath, London, SE3 0TJ. 👌 Perfect for: Relaxing after visiting the Blackheath Farmers Market. ⭐ Need to know: Keep your eye on the specials board, both for food and beer, as you might find your new fave. |
Love craft beer? These London bars and experiences are well worth a shout.
