What is Britain’s favourite pub dish?

14-May-2019 - Last updated on 14-May-2019 at 08:44 GMT

Roasting the competition: according to Nisbets, a Sunday roast is number one for pub diners

Almost one in five Brits have identified a Sunday roast as their favourite pub meal according to research by catering equipment supplier Nisbets.

While 17% of pubgoers wanted a roast the most, pub menu mainstay fish and chips came in a close second with 13% of Nisbets’ respondents identifying it as their favourite. Additionally, steak and chips was a far from rare choice among customers, 12% of whom said it was their first choice.

Rounding off the top five most popular pub meals according to Nisbets’ were hunter’s chicken and scampi.

However, according to Nisbets, pubgoers in Belfast are more likely to opt for a club sandwich (20%) or lasagne (19%) – with fish and chips coming in a third with 15%.

“As a nation, eating out at our local is something most of us enjoy,” Nisbets head development chef Dean Starling explained.

“A Sunday roast is the epitome of classic British cuisine so it’s not that much of a surprise it came out top of the list alongside fish and chips.

“It’s great to see that quality of produce is such a big factor for so many consumers because chefs are more conscious than ever of the quality and source of the ingredients they use.

“For consumers to be so aware just goes to show this message about produce being key is filtering down.

“When it comes to presentation, consumers prefer a simpler approach – not too many additional extras on the plate and let the ingredients to do the talking.”

Chance to indulge

Additionally, Nisbets’ survey examined what Brits consider to be the most important aspects of eating out.

According to findings, quality of produce is the most important factor for almost half (43.5%) of Brits, with one in three (33%) claiming that value for money is their key consideration when eating out – rising to 40% for thrifty 18 to 25-year-olds.

Moreover, a quarter of Brits claimed to use eating out as a chance to overindulge, stating that they order more than they would usually eat at home, although one in 10 would be too embarrassed to ask to take what they couldn’t finish home with them.

Anne Betty, a registered nutritionist and owner of AB Food Nutrition explained: “Everyone has their own individual requirements when it comes to food portion sizes. Generally, bigger, more active people can eat more calories without gaining weight whereas smaller, less active people need fewer calories. Portion sizes also depend on your hunger and fullness levels as well as your appetite – which changes from one day to the next.

“Studies have shown that if we are served a bigger portion, we will almost always eat more – because it takes time for the body to register that we are full. If you are given a large portion size when eating out, see if you can take some home with you in a ‘doggy bag’ for another time. You could even try ordering a half portion, choosing a starter as your main meal or splitting a dessert with a friend.”