Top tips: Seven ways to incorporate Mediterranean food on your pub's menu

1. Storming success​

The Charles Lamb, a freehold in Islington, north London, run by Camille Hobby-Limon, specialises in annual celebrations for Bastille Day on 14 July. Chef Clair Robeson says Pernod is a good match for her galettes — savoury buckwheat pancakes — that are ideal as a tasty festival snack.

Cassoulet is also high on the Charles Lamb’s French festival agenda, with individual bowls at £9. “People come year after year for our Bastille celebrations in July,” says Robeson. “It’s worth making your mark with dishes and drinks that add authenticity.”

2. Grand tour​

Freeholder Robert Holt, who has family connections with Avellino in Italy, ensures that the Railway Inn in Forden, Powys, retains its traditional pub identity, while offering a Mediterranean-themed menu featuring Italian and French dishes. Local campsite visitors enjoy
the Railway’s takeaway options, including lasagne, cannelloni, and moules with frites.

3. Paella party​

The annual outdoor family-friendly paella party at freehold the Walter de Cantelupe Inn, which is in the village of Kempsey, Worcestershire, was inspired by owner Martin Lloyd-Morris reading about Spanish villages offering giant paella at their fiestas.

He says: “Our car park becomes ‘la plaza’ for the day, featuring trestle tables and benches, bunting, Spanish music, and our 1.5m-wide paella pan. “Tickets cost £14 for sangria, help-yourself salads, paella (or vegetarian option), local strawberries and cream, plus games.

“Despite high-cost ingredients — whole raw tiger prawns, chicken, chorizo, arborio rice, white wine and saffron, catering for up to 200 covers returns a GP of more than 62%.”

4. Children’s choice​

Controversy about the high levels of salt in some children’s pub meals means parents are likely to be vigilant in their venue and menu choices. Mini pasta dishes feature strongly on the children’s menu at freehold the Chequers, in Matching Green, Essex, which also runs a Wednesday evening pasta offer with a different weekly dish, plus glass of wine or pint of beer for £13.

Owner Roberto Zeolla says: “Being family-friendly means taking nutrition seriously. Our kids’ dishes are home-made. These mini-meals, such as meatballs with fusilli & Napoli sauce, are designed with children’s health and visual appeal in mind.”

5. Swanning around the Mediterranean​

At freehold the Swan Inn & Bistro in Olney, Buckinghamshire, restaurant manager Linda Dobbs says consistency and a women-friendly environment combine to ensure the popularity of antipasti, which includes chorizo, mixed salami, cannellini beans, olives and prawns (£6.50).

“Customers, especially women, often choose this starter as a main, especially for lunch,” says Dobbs.  “They appreciate flexibility — we can substitute olives or chorizo, for example. Some don’t look at our menu board — they know what they like and order it, often with rosé. We ensure the menu evolves while noticing what brings people in.”

6. Step up to the plate​

Bi-monthly Greek nights are just one of the events at freehold the Old Yard Tapas Bar, local Best Bar None winner in Darlington and recommended in Darlington Campaign for Real Ale’s pub guide for its six weekly-changing guest beers.

Greek meze is served and entertainment includes a belly-dancer, plate-smashing with the Filodelphi Boys and dancing. The pub’s other menus and events involve Spanish tapas and British cuisine.

“Wedding parties with Spanish and Greek entertainment are very popular, especially since we opened our extended function space holding more than 140 covers,” says owner Peter Turnbull.

7. Passion for pizza​

At the Stoke Pub & Pizzeria, a Spirit managed house in Guildford, Surrey, general manager Ahmed Chaaban is “passionate” about the home-made pizza range, with many available to take away.

“We have an open kitchen and everything is fresh,” says Chaaban. "We sell up to 30 takeaway pizzas daily. Customers look for good quality and value, and our two-for-£10 deal, available to eat here on Mondays and take away all week up to 11pm, offers both. They normally sell for about £8 each. Diversity is key, so our full English breakfast pizza and dessert pizzas are part of this deal.”