A pleasant, plant-based place to be
100 Ditchling Road
Brighton
BN1 4SG
01273 235884
Since opening in 2018 The Roundhill has quickly cemented itself as a beloved independent community asset. COVID hit all the pubs hard, but just as things were picking up, a major fire in the summer of 2021 might have put an end to this great pub for good, if not for the excellent local Fire Brigade.
PUB DESCRIPTION
The pub looks like it might have once been a shop of some sort as there are big windows on the front allowing passers-by to gaze in wantingly, as well as letting the sunshine pour in.
Inside, the space isn’t huge but the open plan space is filled with plenty of tables and chairs without feeling cramped. There’s a soft and calming aesthetic of wood and foliage throughout . Green wood panelling and lots of plants sprout and hang from all corners of the pub. There are little rustic touches of character around: a ladder on the ceiling for instance, and the use of old crates to house some books and plants on one wall.
While the whole pub is used for food, you feel that the more intimate dining experience is in the slightly more dusky rear of the pub nearer the kitchen. That said I’ve always found the pub to be very dog friendly and child friendly throughout.
There are a couple of outside booths to the side and larger tables on the front. These make very good use of the incredibly sunny South facing corner, but there’s no garden space.
FOOD
The green-fingered vibes all make sense when you realise that The Roundhill Brighton is best known for their 100% plant based menu. In 2022 The Roundhill won a couple of categories in the local BRAVO awards and best roast in 2020 despite offering no meat, shocker!
On this visit myself and friends tucked into their plant based Sunday Roast. Most of us went for the Wellington and it was excellent. I’m not vegan or vegetarian and I honestly did not care that there was no meat in sight, nor would I have noticed that the food was completely plant based if no one had mentioned it. The gravy and cauli cheese could have fooled me, absolutely delicious and very filling.
Away from Sundays you can expect: a variety of starters and snacks, including loaded fries, Poke bowls, a burger and a couple of other ‘bun’ focussed mains. The desserts are also phenomenal so I’m told. On Wednesday’s it’s Pasta night, £10 gets you a bowl of rotating pasta dishes plus a glass of wine or 1/2 pint of beer.
BEER OPTIONS
The drinks menu may not be huge, but I am always pleased to see some local breweries supported here, and always have a good cask option. This visit there was a Gun Brewery pale ale and a Deya option on tap, alongside their own branded Lager, no doubt contract brewed locally. The Low/No option is Lucky Saint.
I washed down my plant-based Roast with a pint of cask though, Hophead, and it was gorgeous. The great balance of light, sweet, musty and hoppy just makes this beer the perfect roast accompaniment.
CONCLUSION
The staff have always had a bright and friendly attitude here and it’s a real pleasure every time I’ve visited The Roundhill Brighton.
Considering the pub has won various food awards over the years, the prices are very reasonable and the pub doesn’t feel too up its self and gastro foodie. I doubt you would be turned away for only wanting to sit for a drink, but you may find the pub is booked out for food on popular nights. I would always recommend booking in advance if you plan to eat here. There is a simple reservation form on their website.