The best places to enjoy a roast dinner in the UK
What Sunday's are for
As a nation, we love a good old-fashioned roast dinner. But finding somewhere that cooks a good one can be a difficult task. We’ve sifted through award winners and TripAdvisor favourites to round up the UK’s best places for a Sunday lunch to savour.
The Edwardstone/ Facebook
The Edwardstone White Horse Inn, Sudbury, Suffolk
This Suffolk pub prides itself on locally-sourced meat and an idyllic location for a Sunday lunch. The pub, which has featured in the Good Pub Guide for years and won CAMRA’s Pub of the Month award in November 2016, is set among lanes and fields, providing the perfect opportunity for a long walk before gorging away. Menu specials include the roast lamb and pork belly with chorizo and cassoulet. An average main course will set you back around £13.
The Crown at Woodbridge/Facebook
The Crown at Woodbridge, Woodbridge, Suffolk
Located between Aldeburgh and Southwold in Suffolk, the Crown at Woodbridge is a perfect resting spot for a Sunday lunch. You’re guaranteed a delicious roast in the hands of Stephen David and Rebecca Mackenzie, who have scored a 4.5-bubble rating on Trip Advisor for “great service and a fabulous roast”. On the menu, you’ll find the likes of local rabbit with black pudding and guinea fowl with rosti potato.
The Bull and Swan, Stamford, Lincolnshire
The Bull and Swan is a popular nominee for food industry awards and was featured in the top 50 best pubs in 2014 by the Times and shortlisted in the Best Inn category at the Great British Pub Awards. On the Sunday lunch menu, you can choose from the likes of roast topside of Lincoln Red Beef with all the trimmings or the Bull & Swan’s pie of the day with creamed mash and buttered greens.
The Old White Hart, Northampton
The Old White Hart opened in 2005 and is building up a stack of awards and glowing reviews. It won a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2015, as well as the award for the Best Pub in Northamptonshire in 2016 at the National Pub and Bar Awards. The pub’s roast is raved about on TripAdvisor, with emphasis on the roast beef and pork duo.
Jugged Hare, Barbican, London
Winner of the Best Pub in the City of London at the National Pub and Bar Awards, the Jugged Hare, located right on the doorstep of the Barbican Centre, is a gastropub with all the traditions of an old-fashioned London pub, except it also has lots of stuffed animals in the window (yes, really). TripAdvisor soundbite: “Great venue, excellent service and the food was divine!"
Hawksmoor, Seven Dials, London
When rounding up any of the best places for a meat-based meal, Hawksmoor will always feature highly on the list. The high-end steak specialist, headed up by Richard Turner, has won numerous awards for its quality beef, and doesn’t falter on a good roast either. For £20, you can get a roast rump of Longhorn beef with duck fat roasties, Yorkshire puds and lashings of bone marrow and onion gravy. Yum.
The Albion, Islington, London
Nestled on the backstreets behind Islington’s Upper Street – commonly known as ‘Supper Street’ – you’ll find this Georgian mansion with a private walled garden akin to a country pub (a huge bonus in the big smoke). Former winner of the Best Sunday Lunch at the Observer Food Monthly Awards, the Albion serves up a range of roasts, such as slow-roasted Hampshire pork belly, sirloin of beef and roast leg of lamb for between £15 and £18.
Hambleton Hall, Oakham, Rutland
With a 5-bubble TripAdvisor rating, Hambleton Hall is endlessly praised for its Michelin-starred menu, which includes the likes of sirloin of beef with horseradish hollandaise on a Sunday. Three courses might set you back £45, but for an afternoon of walking the grounds and dining on a meal like this, it’ll be worth it.
The Yorke Arms, Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire
Another Michelin-starred restaurant, the Yorke Arms is headed up by Frances Atkins and focuses on serving seasonal ingredients in a classic way. Menu highlights include the grouse and red deer, as well as the Dexter beef, served with all the trimmings.
The Robin Hood, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Winner of the Best Pub in South Yorkshire at the National Pub and Bar Awards, the Robin Hood prides itself on sustainable food and local ingredients. It recently won the 2016 Good Egg Award for compassion in world farming, and it still serves up a roast with all the trimmings for under £10. Bargain.
Pipe and Glass, Beverley, Yorkshire
This Michelin-starred pub was taken over by James and Kate Mackenzie in 2006, who transformed it into the award-winning pub it is today. Despite its Michelin accolade, it’s still very much a local and friendly pub serving up hearty roasts, which include roast breast of guinea fowl, barbequed rump of lamb, roast 30-day aged sirloin of Yorkshire-reared beef and, of course, all the delicious trimmings.
Facebook/ Freemasons at Wiswell
Freemasons Country Inn, Wiswell, Clitheroe, Lancashire
Winner of the Best Food Pub at the Great British Pub Awards 2016, the Freemasons Country Inn at Wiswell serves up five- and seven-course tasting menus, but also a cracking Sunday lunch, priced at £25.99 per person for three courses. Although the menu varies, you’ll usually find specials such as a slow-cooked shoulder of lamb and aged beef with duck fat potatoes and cauliflower cheese.
The Bull, Ditchling, East Sussex
This charming pub/hotel in East Sussex claimed the title of Great British Pub of the Year at the Great British Pub Awards 2016, fighting off competition from over 1,000 pubs over the UK. TripAdvisor soundbite: “Delicious Sunday roast. Perfectly cooked meat. Veg cooked well and the gravy was very tasty indeed. The best Sunday roast I’ve had in a long time.”
The Horseguards Inn, Tillington
This laid-back, friendly pub was crowned Pub of the Year 2017 by The Good Pub Guide, and offers a small menu that is full of local suppliers. Longhorn cattle are matured on pasture for 34 months, meaning the roast beef is one of the menu’s finest specialties.
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The Swan Inn, Chiddingfold, Surrey
Winner of the Best Pub in Surrey at the National Pub and Bar Awards, the Swan Inn is a traditional country inn, and a guaranteed winner for a good roast. TripAdvisor soundbite: “Just perfect. Great atmosphere, friendly and efficient service, inventive, gastronomic menu and delicious food. Couldn't fault it and will definitely return.”
The Wheatsheaf Inn, Northleach
This AA-recommended trendy Cotswolds pub is for serious foodies, with a roast menu that includes the likes of pork belly with chorizo and butter bean mash, roast chicken with gnocchi and a côte de boeuf for two. Staying at the inn won’t be a disappointment either – the hotel was named one of the best in the world by Condé Nast Traveller readers.
The Thatch, Oxford
This perfectly thatched gastropub is everything you’d want from an Oxford pub: low-beamed ceilings, flagstone floors and big armchairs. On top of that, the roast is impressive too, with options such as a leg of Cornish lamb, Long Crendon Manor shoulder of pork and spinach and mushroom nut roast. With that in mind, it’ll probably come as no surprise the pub won the title of Best Pub in Oxfordshire at the National Pub and Bar Awards.
Facebook/The Hand and Flowers
The Hand and Flowers, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
The fact that Tom Kerridge’s name is behind this two Michelin-starred venue probably tells you all you need to know about this Buckinghamshire country pub. If not, then his menu showcases dishes such as treacle-cured chateaubriand of beef with Yorkshire pudding, roasties and red wine sauce. It will come at a price though; this dish will set you back £27.50. But we’ve no doubt it’ll be worth it.
The Kensington Arms, Bristol
One of Josh Eggleton’s many ventures, the Kensington Arms – or the Kenny as it’s more popularly known – is a local pub, which is teetering on the edge of Michelin stars. In the heart of Redland, it has long been a hot spot for foodies. The menu boasts a range of different roasts, such as salt marsh lamb and suckling pig, all of which are accompanied with the likes of cauliflower cheese, spuds and a generous portion of veg.
Facebook/Woods Bar and Restaurant
Woods bar and restaurant, Dulverton, Somerset
Somerset isn’t short of contenders for some of the best pubs in the UK, but Woods certainly tops the list. As well as its great food and atmosphere, the pub is also acclaimed for its wine list, winning National Wine Pub of the Year from the Good Pub Guide eight times since 2007. TripAdvisor users rate its “epic Sunday lunch”.
The Gurnard’s Head, St Ives, Cornwall
Formerly a run-down walker’s pub, the Gurnard’s Head has been spruced up with its local beers, local ingredients and sustainable food. Trip Advisor users rate the pub for its “delicious Sunday lunch”, which includes the likes of pork loin with a generous serving of crackling, crispy roast potatoes and an ample portion of veg.
The Victoria, Birmingham
Much like the rest of the Southern-American inspired menu, roasts at The Victoria are served ‘deep South-style’. As well as being voted for numerous awards, such as the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2015, the Victoria is also highly rated among Trip Advisor users. Dine here for a slightly more unusual Sunday lunch consisting of the likes of cola-glazed ham and Cajun rubbed beef.
The Bridges, Ratlinghope, Shropshire
If the Shropshire hills weren’t already beautiful enough, you can add in this cosy country pub serving locally-sourced Sunday roasts with a great selection of local beers. TripAdvisor soundbite: “Sunday lunch was excellent value; the rib of beef was delicious served with a good selection of vegetables and homemade Yorkshire pudding cooked to perfection.”
The Yellow Heifer, Armagh, Northern Ireland
The Yellow Heifer has a reputation not just for its bright yellow exterior, but also for its good atmosphere, traditional pub fare and classic Sunday lunches. As well as winning the Best Pub in Armagh at the National Pub and Bar Awards, the Yellow Heifer also bagged an award by Hospitality Ulster for its commitment to local food.
The Poacher’s Pocket, Down, Northern Ireland
Featured in the Michelin Guide, and winner of the National Pub and Bar Awards for the Best Pub in Down, is the Poacher’s Pocket. On the Sunday lunch menu, you’ll find rolled turkey and cured ham with celeriac puree and herb stuffing; slow roast sirloin of Hereford beef with chicken dripping Yorkshire pudding; as well as other options, such as pan-seared black cod with a chorizo and tomato cassoulet.
Facebook/ The Bunch of Grapes
Bunch of Grapes, Mid Glamorgan, Wales
As well as its great name, the Bunch of Grapes is also recognised for using local ingredients, brewing its own beer and baking its own bread (which is highly recommended). The well-loved 19th-century pub has won the 2016 Dining Pub of the Year from the Good Pub Guide, the AA Pub of the Year for Wales 2015, the CAMRA Pub of the Year for Wales 2016 and, more importantly, the Best British Roast Dinner 2016. Need we say more?
Y Polyn, Capel Dewi, Wales
Formerly a country pub, this no-frills restaurant serves up a quality Sunday lunch. You’ll find all the traditional roast ingredients on the menu, all of which are sourced locally. TripAdvisor users have rated the restaurant with 4.5 bubbles and recommend the crispy roast belly pork with caramelised apples.
The Lodge at Carfraemill, Lauder, Scotland
Full of history, the Lodge is where, back in 1997, co-owner Jim Sutherland challenged the ban on serving beef on the bone by serving up a rib-roast banquet for local farmers, suppliers and supporters. Two years later, proper roasts were back on the menu. Now the restaurant offers a full roast for £14.50, which of course includes a freshly-cooked rib roast of Scottish beef, and comes with all the trimmings.
Facebook/Sutor Creek Cafe
The Sutor Creek Café, Cromarty, Scotland
This harbourside café in the Highlands boasts a wood-fired oven, which is dedicated to firing up a succulent roast on a Sunday. TripAdvisor soundbite: “I can honestly say it was the best Sunday lunch I have ever paid for. Fantastic value for money, amazing portion size and everything on the plate was delicious.”
Kyloe, Edinburgh, Scotland
With views looking over Princes Street and the castle, the location is already enough to entice you here. But it’s 4.5-bubble TripAdvisor rating and highly-rated Sunday lunch is another. The menu highlight has to be the fine rib roast from pedigree grass-fed Aberdeen Angus, served with duck fat potatoes and all the trimmings.