The period leading up to Christmas is one of the busiest and most profitable times of the year for pubs. From festive parties to family gatherings, customers come with high expectations and they’re not afraid to share when those expectations fall short.
We had a dig around the internet to find out what real customers are saying about their Christmas dining experiences. By identifying the most common pain points, you can make sure your pub’s Christmas menu hits all the right notes this season.
Some of these may surprise you – others might sound all too familiar – but here are the top 4 things pubs are getting wrong about Christmas menus (and how to fix them).
The fix: Go big on the classics. Offer generous portions of the key festive trimmings and make sure they’re cooked and seasoned perfectly. Using premium ingredients, like authentic German sausages from The Sausage Man, can elevate your festive plate from ordinary to unforgettable.
Missing or substandard trimmings
Customers expect a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings – and that means roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, Brussels sprouts, stuffing, and gravy.
According to Statista, these festive staples consistently rank among the UK’s favourite Christmas dishes. When they’re missing – or served in small, underwhelming portions – diners feel shortchanged and not quite in the festive spirit.
As one reviewer put it in the Mirror’s review of a Wetherspoons Christmas dinner:
“Customers expect a traditional spread with plenty of trimmings. Anything less leaves you feeling underwhelmed.”
Failing to Cater to Dietary Requirements
More people than ever are making conscious choices about what they eat. In fact, 6.4% of UK adults – around 3.4 million people – plan to follow a vegan diet in 2025, according to Finder.
Pubs that overlook this growing group risk alienating potential customers. A single token vegan option isn’t enough – it needs to be thoughtful, tasty, and festive.
The Fix: Include at least one standout vegan or vegetarian option per course, and make sure it feels just as festive as the rest. Think hearty plant-based mains, or creative dishes using The Sausage Man’s vegan or halal range, which make menu planning simpler while ensuring every guest feels included.
The fix: Focus on a few dishes you can execute flawlessly, using premium, easy-to-prepare ingredients. For example, The Sausage Man’s pre-cooked sausages and schnitzels are ideal for maintaining speed, consistency, and quality during the Christmas rush.
Overcomplicating the menu
When it comes to Christmas, less is more. A long, overcomplicated menu can overwhelm both your kitchen staff and your customers.
For years, pubs have succeeded with a simple set menu – usually offering a choice of two or three starters, mains, and desserts, with a clear price point for two or three courses. It’s easy to execute, keeps quality consistent, and speeds up service during busy sittings.
Compromising on food quality
When handling large group bookings, it’s tempting to cut corners with cheaper ingredients or prepare everything in bulk. But nothing kills the Christmas mood faster than cold, burnt, or mushy food.
Even if you’re serving hundreds of covers, quality should never take a back seat. Customers will remember the meal that exceeded their expectations – and they’ll book again next year.
The fix: Stick with trusted suppliers who prioritise quality and consistency. With The Sausage Man’s Christmas menu solutions, you can serve authentic, high-quality festive dishes that keep customers coming back – from traditional bratwurst to indulgent pigs in blankets.
