Johnson’s of Old Hurst is a well-known local favourite, famed for offering some of the best steak in the county, sourced straight from their very own on-site butchery.

Having previously declared it one of my favourite steak joints, I was intrigued to discover they also offer a Sunday carvery. As part of my journey to find the best Sunday roast in Cambridgeshire, it was time to investigate. Given the high standards set by their steakhouse, my expectations were incredibly optimistic.

A big, beautiful venue

The steakhouse looks and feels purposefully built. It spans two storeys and can comfortably seat well over a hundred people. The space is expansive, clean, and styled with a unique ‘countryside steakhouse’ flair. While the mounted animal heads might not appeal to everyone’s aesthetic sensibilities, they certainly fit the theme and contribute to the venue’s distinctive character.

The Spread!

The selection offered three primary meats—pork, beef, and turkey. You are allowed three slices per plate, providing the freedom to mix-and-match. A welcome addition was also the pork crackling. Crucially, all the meat is sourced directly from their fields and butchers on site, guaranteeing exceptional freshness, sustainability, and the reassurance of high animal welfare standards.

The vegetable selection was equally impressive. You name it, they’ve got it. Every imaginable accompaniment was available and locally sourced with unlimited top-ups: cauliflower cheese, cabbage, Yorkshire puddings, swede, broccoli, carrots, and parsnips, to name but a few. With a self-service gravy station, I happily forfeited the right to complain about portion sizes and loaded up!

The two friendly chaps carving the meat were fantastic. They were incredibly chatty, full of positive energy, and clearly enjoyed their work, which was infectious. The excellent service from all the staff made the entire dining experience even more pleasant. I couldn’t fault them on a single thing.

The Roast

I created a monstrous plate of wholesome Sunday goodness, opting for two slices of beef and one of pork, which were barely visible beneath the mountain of vegetables.

The beef slices were substantial with an attractive pink centre hinting at soft tenderness. Unfortunately, the texture was quite challenging and I  found the beef rather chewy, making it harder to cut and eat than I would have preferred. It by no means ruined the beef but was just a little more challenging than I would prefer.

In contrast, the pork was absolutely delicious – soft, juicy, and utterly faultless.

The sides were a triumph. The cauliflower cheese was exactly to my liking: not overloaded with cheese, allowing the delicate flavour of the cauliflower to shine. The swede was fantastic, and the crackling was perfectly dry and crunchy. The Yorkshire pudding, loaded with gravy, burst beautifully across the plate when broken into. The carrots and parsnips were soft with a subtle, enjoyable sweetness. While I personally prefer a crunchy skin on my root vegetables, in a carvery setting, they must cater to the masses. Similarly, the roast potatoes achieved that crowd-pleasing balance of being slightly crunchy on the outside while remaining soft within. This adaptability is precisely why I typically favour a traditional plated Sunday roast over a carvery.

A sweet end

I was genuinely impressed with the children’s menu, not only for its execution but also for the generous portion sizes. The team went the extra mile with the dessert with this generous brownie and ice cream which could easily have been served as one block and still been adequate for a child but nope, the team at Johnson’s went that extra mile.

Animal photos!

The best thing about Johnson’s is its unique appeal as an entire day out – it also features a zoo with some absolutely fantastic creatures to see. This provides the perfect opportunity to walk off the huge carvery, while a decent-sized playground allows children to burn off any excess sugar. With the steakhouse catering for the parents, it truly offers a full day’s entertainment.

More than just a meal but an entire day out

Johnson’s of Old Hurst has been, and will likely remain, one of my favourite places in the county. It successfully combines some of the area’s best steak with a great carvery experience and even a zoo. The staff are superb from start to finish, and the commitment to locally sourced produce is commendable. There is very little to fault, and despite the slight disappointment with the texture of the beef, the overall experience warrants a high recommendation. I urge you to take the plunge and visit.

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