WINNER

Hawksmoor, London

There's no better place for classic roast beef with all the trimmings than this London steakhouse, the joint initially cooked over charcoal, for added flavour. They don't skimp on the creamy-tasting slabs of meat and the Yorkshire puddings are the size of dustbin lids. Soon to open in Covent Garden.

157 Commercial Street, E1 6BJ, 020 7247 7392, thehawksmoor.co.uk

RUNNERS UP

LONDON

The Garrison

Gastropub with quirky touches – lampshades made from teacups. Modern British seasonal classics. Booking is essential, but Sunday lunch is served until 4pm.

99-101 Bermondsey St, SE1 3XB, 020 7089 9355, thegarrison.co.uk

The Table Cafe

A fantastic place for a weekend brunch – pancakes, smoothies, or the epic "breakfast stack", homemade baked beans, chorizo and poached eggs, all perched on a bagel.

83 Southwark Street, SE1 0HX, 020 7401 2760, thetablecafe.com

SOUTH

The Meadow Hove

Linger over Middlewhite pork or Ryeland lamb cooked by Will Murgatroyd, who trained under Marcus Wareing.

64 Western Road, BN3 2JQ, 01273 721 182, the-meadowrestaurant.co.uk

The Swan at West Malling Kent

This smart bistro in a converted pub is the place to go for roast Longhorn beef, local chicken pie or perhaps a loin of English veal.

35 Swan Street, ME19 6JU, 01732 521 910, the-swanwestmalling.co.uk

The Hope and Anchor Bristol

Worth the wait for a table and some classic pub grub – sample the real ales to pass the time. If the weather's nice the beer garden is a good bet.

38 Jacob's Wells Road, BS8 1DR, 0117 929 2987

The Bull Bridport

Plenty of local fish as well as meaty options and good veggie choices too.

The Bull Hotel, 34 East Street, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3LF, 01308 422878, thebullhotel.co.uk

NORTH

The Hare Inn Scawton

13th-century inn serving traditional Sunday roasts with Dales beef and lamb, or fillet of venison with roast shallots.

Scawton, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 2HG, thehareinn.co.uk

The Milestone Sheffield

Cheerful gastropub whose owners are so committed to provenance that they have their own rare breed pigs, and the chutneys are in-house creations.

84 Green Lane at Ball St, S3 8SE, 0114 272 8327, the-milestone.co.uk

Lockwoods Ripon

This family-run cafe and restaurant opens for Sunday lunch only once a month, so check the website and book.

83 North Street, HG4 1DP, 01765 607 555, lockwoodsrestaurant.co.uk

MIDLANDS

Wollaton Pub and Kitchen Nottingham

With eight or nine options (from roast pork belly to cauliflower and cheddar pie) for grown ups and a proper kids menu, local ales and big wine list, this is a great place for a family lunch.

Lambourne Drive, Wollaton, NG8 1GR, 0115 928 8610, thewollaton.co.uk

The Castle Inn Bungay

Straightforward and delicious food served in a simple setting, with a frequently changing seasonal menu. Plus, at £14 for two courses, it's seriously good value.

35 Earsham Street, Bungay, Suffolk NR35 1AF, 01986 892283, thecastleinn.net

SCOTLAND

Joseph Pearce Edinburgh

A Swedish couple bought up and redid this Leith boozer, turning it into a family-friendly lunchtime hangout (with play area) serving Scandinavian inflected food (always including meatballs and pancakes).

23 Elm Row, EH7 4AA, 0131 556 4140, bodabar.com

Sheep Heid Inn Edinburgh

There's been a pub here for 650 years and they still serve Scottish classics – fidget pie, haggis, neeps and tatties – as well as a roast. A lovely spot.

43-45 The Causeway, Duddingston EH15 3QA, 0131 661 7974, sheepheid.co.uk

WALES

Harbourmaster Hotel Aberaeron

Looks out over the harbour and serves local produce – lobsters, Welsh Black burgers, cheeses – and on Sundays does a three course set menu for just £21.

Pen Cei, Ceredigion, SA46 0BT, 01545 570 755, harbour-master.com

Clytha Arms nr Abergavenny

A great pub for real ale lovers with an inventive restaurant– local produce is married with international influences, so expect roast duck with figs and merlot or wild boar with chorizo and rioja.

Clytha, NP7 9BW, 01873 840 206, clytha-arms.com

NORTHERN IRELAND

The Merchant Hotel Belfast

Take your pick from the comfort food at the Cloth Ear Bar or go for a full-on Sunday roast in the opulent Great Room, with its pillars, red banquettes and gold ceiling.

16 Skipper Street, BT1 2DY, 028 9023 4888, themerchanthotel.com