Sunday Best: Why The Westie’s Roast is a Brighton Rite of Passage

In Brighton, the Sunday Roast is a competitive sport. Every pub in the city claims to have the crispiest potatoes and the richest gravy, but The West Hill Tavern consistently finds itself at the top of the «Best Roast» rankings. They’ve achieved this by combining high-end culinary techniques—led by renowned local chef Phil Bartley—with the unpretentious, cozy atmosphere of a neighborhood local.

Sourcing the South Downs

The secret to a Westie roast is the pedigree of the ingredients. The pub leans heavily on its Sussex roots, sourcing meat from local farms that prioritize welfare and flavor. The Pressed Rare Breed Pork Belly is a masterclass in texture, featuring a melt-in-the-mouth fat layer and glass-shattering crackling. If you’re a traditionalist, the Roast Rump of Dry Aged Beef is served perfectly pink, while the Rolled South Downs Lamb Shoulder offers a rich, gamey depth that only local grazing can produce.

The Vegetarian and Vegan Revolution

For too long, the «veggie option» at a roast was an afterthought—usually a dry nut roast or a pile of extra vegetables. The Westie has shattered that stereotype. Their Squash, Mushroom, Spinach, and Cheddar Wellington is a savory powerhouse, encased in buttery, flaky pastry. Even better, they offer a dedicated Vegan Wellington (which contains nuts) that is served with a vegan-specific gravy so rich and dark you’d swear it was meat-based. In a city as vegan-friendly as Brighton, the Westie has set the gold standard for plant-based Sunday comfort.

«Outrageous» Sides and the Perfect Yorkshire

A roast is defined by its accompaniments, and this is where the Westie truly flexes its muscles. The potatoes are roasted with garlic and thyme until they achieve a deep golden crunch. The Truffled Cauliflower Cheese is a frequent sell-out, offering a decadent, earthy twist on the classic side. Other highlights include the Pork, Apricot, and Sage Stuffing and massive, airy Yorkshire puddings that act as the perfect vessel for their signature gravy.

The Sunday service at the Westie is a slow-motion celebration. It’s the kind of place where you sit down at 2:00 PM and realize at 5:00 PM that you’re still there, sipping a glass of red wine and contemplating a Nut-Hella-Good dessert pizza. Because thewesthilltavern.com of its reputation, booking is essential—this is a pub that fills up fast with families, hungover groups of friends, and couples looking for the ultimate Sunday «hug in a bowl.»