The Engineer serves up a quietly confident roast with fresh flavours, a sun-soaked courtyard, and feel-good energy that lingers long after the last bite.
There’s a particular kind of magic to a great British Sunday roast. It’s not just about the food though of course that matters it’s about timing, atmosphere, company, and place. At The Engineer in Primrose Hill, all of those elements align with ease. On a warm, early summer afternoon, we settled into the pub’s leafy courtyard, and for a moment, it genuinely felt like we’d slipped out of London and into a sun-drenched long lunch somewhere in the Med.
The meal began simply: warm sourdough with whipped garlic butter, and crisp courgette frites that disappeared far too quickly. Then came the standout creamy burrata and seared scallops dressed with lemon juice. Unexpected for a pub roast menu? Absolutely. But the freshness, balance, and Mediterranean lightness made perfect sense in that setting.
For mains, I chose the Aged Sirloin of Beef, served pink with a golden, puffed-up Yorkshire, crispy-edged potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and glossy gravy classic components, all cooked with care. My guest went for the Root Vegetable, Almond & Walnut Roast, which turned out to be just as satisfying: hearty and nutty, yet still light. It didn’t feel like a compromise. It felt considered.
Dessert brought more comfort, but never heaviness a sticky toffee pudding that was rich but not cloying, and a silky chocolate mousse with just enough bite. Everything felt portioned with thought indulgent, but never tipping into overkill.
It’s worth noting: this was Father’s Day, and the pub was packed. Yet the staff never faltered. Service was warm, calm, and utterly on it. Every table seemed to be enjoying themselves families, friends, couples, dogs curled under chairs all soaking in that special Sunday alchemy.
We finished our drinks at the front of the pub, watching the rhythm of Primrose Hill go by. The whole afternoon had that elusive sense of ease: of a place that doesn’t need to try too hard because it simply gets it right.
The Engineer isn’t flashy. It’s just quietly excellent and sometimes, that’s exactly what you want. I will definitely be returning.
The Engineer, Primrose Hill
65 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8JH
For bookings theengineerprimrosehill.co.uk
