10 Best Pub & Tavern Dishes: Satisfy Your Food Preference!

Heading to the pub or tavern with friends and family can be a lot of fun. The conversation is great and the drinks are always flowing, but what about the food? Luckily, most pubs and taverns offer a variety of delicious dishes to satisfy everyone’s cravings. From classic fish and chips to your favorite Mexican tacos, here are the 10 best pub and tavern dishes to choose from.

The Classic: Fish & Chips

Who can resist this classic pub dish? Crispy, deep-fried fish, accompanied by crispy, deep-fried chips. Serve with a squeeze of lemon and a side of tartar sauce for extra flavor. Fish and chips are a great option for those who like a traditional pub dish.

A Vegetarian’s Dream: Veggie Burger

For the vegetarians in the crowd, why not try a veggie burger? This delicious veggie patty is served with lettuce, tomato, and a secret sauce, all sandwiched between a freshly-baked bun. Add some French fries and you have a filling and tasty vegetarian meal.

Vegetarian veggie burger. Serving size 4 people.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans drained and rinsed chickpeas (about 3 cups)

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/2 cup rolled oats

• 1/3 cup chopped onion

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

• 1 egg, beaten (for vegan option, use flax egg)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 4 hamburger buns

• Lettuce, tomato, and sliced onion for toppings (optional)

• Secret sauce (mayonnaise, ketchup, and pickle relish mixed together)

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, mash the chickpeas with a fork or potato masher until they are mostly broken down but still have some texture.

2. Add the breadcrumbs, oats, onion, parsley, garlic, olive oil, soy sauce, salt, and pepper to the bowl and mix well.

3. Add the beaten egg and use your hands to mix everything together until the mixture is evenly combined and sticks together.

4. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each one into a patty.

5. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.

6. Cook the patties in the pan for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside and heated through on the inside.

7. Toast the hamburger buns in a toaster or in the oven if desired.

8. Spread the secret sauce on the bottom half of each bun.

9. Top with a lettuce leaf, a tomato slice, and some sliced onion if desired.

10. Place a veggie patty on top of each hamburger bun, and serve with some French fries on the side.

Enjoy this delicious vegetarian veggie burger!

Gourmet Comfort Food: Mac & Cheese

Mac and cheese is a favorite comfort food of many. And at the pub, you can savor this classic with a gourmet twist! Made with creamy cheddar cheese and topped with crunchy breadcrumbs, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone.

Mix Up Your Salad: Caesar Salad

Give your salad a nutrition boost with a Caesar salad. This delicious combination of crisp lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and creamy Caesar dressing is the perfect accompaniment to any pub meal.

Timeless Caesar salad:

Ingredients:

• 1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped

• 1/2 cup croutons

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Caesar dressing

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Caesar dressing:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped (optional)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. To make the Caesar dressing, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, anchovy fillets (if using), minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth.

2. In a separate bowl, toss together the chopped Romaine lettuce, croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese.

3. Drizzle the Caesar dressing over the salad and use tongs to toss everything together until the lettuce is evenly coated.

4. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

5. Serve the Caesar salad as a side dish or as a main course by adding some grilled chicken or shrimp on top, if desired.

Enjoy your delicious Caesar salad!

Note: If you prefer a vegetarian option or to make it vegan, you can skip the anchovy fillets and use a vegan parmesan cheese substitute instead. Also, to make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free croutons or omit them altogether.

A Hearty Appetizer: Potato Wedges

Potato Wedges are a great appetizer for any pub or tavern. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, this dish is usually served with sour cream dip or garlic mayonnaise for an extra kick.

Enjoy Some Seafood: Grilled Salmon

Satisfy your seafood craving with a delicious grilled salmon. Flavorful, tender and juicy, it’s the perfect accompaniment to any pub meal. Serve with a side of vegetables for a nutritious and delicious meal.

Grilled Salmon. Serving Size 4 People.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• Salt and black pepper

• Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.

2. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and black pepper.

3. Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the top. Let the salmon marinate for 15-30 minutes.

4. Remove the salmon from the marinade (reserve the marinade) and lightly pat it dry using paper towels.

5. Grease the grill grates and place the salmon fillets on the grill skin side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes.

6. Flip the salmon over and brush the reserved marinade on top. Continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes, until cooked through and slightly charred.

7. Serve the grilled salmon hot with lemon wedges on the side.

Grilled Salmon with a side of steamed vegetables and a garden salad makes a nutritious meal

An Irish Classic: Shepherd’s Pie

Take a trip to Ireland with Shepherd’s Pie. This traditional dish consists of minced lamb, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. It’s a hearty and comforting meal perfect for pub-goers.

Try Some BBQ: Chicken Wings

A favorite bar snack, chicken wings are a great pub dish. Crispy and succulent, these wings can be served with hot sauce, BBQ sauce, or any other sauce of your choice.

BBQ Chicken Wings. Serving Size 4.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs of chicken wings

• Salt and black pepper, as needed

• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 1 tablespoon hot sauce

• Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C).

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Pat dry the chicken wings using a paper towel.

4. Season the wings with salt and black pepper on both sides.

5. Place the chicken wings on the prepared baking sheet.

6. Bake the wings for 45-50 minutes in the preheated oven or until they are crispy and cooked through.

7. While the wings are baking, mix together the BBQ sauce, melted butter, and hot sauce in a bowl.

8. Remove the wings from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.

9. Toss the chicken wings with the BBQ sauce mixture until they are fully coated.

10. Return the wings to the oven for another 5 minutes to bake and caramelize the sauce.

11. Serve the BBQ chicken wings hot with lemon wedges on the side.

You can enjoy your delicious and crispy BBQ Chicken Wings as a pub snack, appetizer or main course, or share them with everybody.

A Classic Chinese Dish: Fried Rice

Chinese food always hits the spot at a pub. Try the classic fried rice, made with eggs, veggies, and your choice of protein. It’s a great combination of flavors that the whole family will love.

Classic Chinese Fried Rice. Serves Four.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked white rice, cooled and preferably day-old

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 3 eggs, beaten

• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 chopped scallions

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• Salt and black pepper, as needed

Instructions:

1. Heat up the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium heat.

2. Once heated, add the beaten eggs and scramble them until just cooked. Remove the eggs from the wok or skillet and transfer them to a plate.

3. Add the onion, garlic, peas, and carrots to the wok or skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

4. Add the cooked white rice to the wok or skillet and stir-fry with the vegetables for 2-3 minutes until the rice is heated through.

5. Add the scrambled eggs, scallions, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper to the wok or skillet and stir-fry everything together for another 1-2 minutes.

6. Transfer the fried rice to a large serving dish and serve hot.

7. Enjoy your delicious Classic Chinese Fried Rice!

This recipe is customizable and can be made with various proteins such as diced chicken, shrimp, or tofu to provide a complete meal. Add some hot sauce or Sriracha for an extra kick, and you can even serve this as a main course instead of a side dish.

A Mexican Favorite: Tacos

Tacos are a great way to get a taste of Mexican cuisine at your local pub. Choose from soft or hard tacos, and fill with your favorite ingredients. From beef to black beans, you can customize your tacos for a truly unique meal any day of the week.

Tuesday’s Best Beef Tacos. Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

• Salt and black pepper, as needed

• 1/2 cup beef broth

• 12 taco shells

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 tomato, diced

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:

1. Heat up the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking up the meat with a spatula as it cooks.

3. Add the onion, garlic, jalapeño pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the skillet and stir everything together.

4. Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.

5. Simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes until the liquid has evaporated and the beef is fully cooked and flavors are well mixed.

6. Meanwhile, heat up the taco shells according to the package instructions.

7. Once the beef mixture is ready, spoon it into the taco shells.

8. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomato, and fresh cilantro over the beef mixture.

9. Serve the tacos hot and enjoy!

You can also customize the recipe by adding your favorite taco toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, or salsa. Also, for vegetarian-friendly tacos, you can swap the ground beef with cooked black beans or grilled portobello mushrooms.

A Sweet Bonus Treat: Chocolate Mousse Cake

Finish off your pub meal with a sweet treat: chocolate mousse cake. The perfect combination of creamy chocolate and light mousse, it’s the ideal way to end the night.

Dreamy Chocolate Mousse Cake!

Ingredients:

For the chocolate cake layers:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 3 large eggs

• 1/2 cup buttermilk

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/2 cup hot water

For the chocolate mousse:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin

• 2 tablespoons cold water

Instructions:

For the chocolate cake layers:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

2. Butter and flour two 9-inch cake pans.

3. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

4. In another bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

5. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

6. Add the flour mixture and buttermilk alternately, mixing after each addition.

7. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and hot water, then mix it into the batter until well combined.

8. Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans.

9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

10. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans.

For the chocolate mousse:

1. In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream together with the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt until stiff peaks form.

2. In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let it sit for a minute.

3. Microwave the gelatin mixture at 50% power for 20 to 30 seconds, or until the gelatin has melted and is clear.

4. Slowly add the melted gelatin to the chocolate mousse, folding it in gently.

5. Refrigerate the chocolate mousse for 15 minutes to set.