Visiting The Figure of Eight Wetherspoons for a Christmas dinner on a Thursday felt unusual for me, as I usually just stop by for a few pints and a packet of crisps. Wetherspoons has a unique atmosphere—the familiar scent of beer mingling with lively conversations and no background music, coupled with the promise of quick service and affordable food.
However, that unmistakable Wetherspoons charm doesn’t quite capture the festive spirit. Apart from a modest string of fairy lights strung along the bar, the pub lacked any real winter magic. What it does offer, though, is an impressive new Christmas menu.
Ordering via the app was straightforward and my drink arrived promptly. Unfortunately, by the time my meal arrived, I had already finished my Pepsi Max—a rare disappointment in a place known for speedy service.
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Thankfully, I had my friend Hannah with me, but sadly her meal wasn’t worth the wait.
The combined cost of her meal and soft drink was £13.99 (or £15.52 with alcohol), which isn’t unreasonable. But as someone who’s frequented Wetherspoons since turning 18, I can’t ignore the steady price increases over the years.
Still, it remains one of the most affordable roast dinners in the city center and the quality is commendable.
My plate featured elegant carrots and parsnips—though the parsnips were a bit tough—alongside peas, creamy mashed potatoes, a generous helping of stuffing, and four slices of turkey. The cranberry sauce was served separately in a small pot, which is just how it should be—no mixing with the gravy.
The stuffing ball, roughly the size of an apple, was an unusually perfect sphere but a welcome addition that brought some excitement to the meal.
Despite being pleasantly surprised by my plate, there was one glaring omission that kept niggling at me—the essential centerpiece of any Christmas dinner.
There were no roast potatoes. Can you imagine?
Though Wetherspoons labels this dish as ‘turkey slices and winter vegetables,’ we all know it’s meant to be a roast dinner—and skipping the roast potatoes is simply inexcusable.
That said, the meal was satisfying overall. I left the pub feeling full and content, yet slightly puzzled to find myself on Broad Street in broad daylight on a Thursday, digging into Christmas dinner.
Would I rush back? Probably not. But I would definitely tell my friends I had a roast at Wetherspoons—and it wasn’t half bad.