London
Parlour, Kensal Green
For those needing succour, all-day breakfast and bloody marys slide into roasts, with the option to “go large” or share a “posh” roasting platter, and finishes with trad arctic roll in non-trad flavours.
5 Regent St, NW10 5LG; 020 8969 2184; parlourkensal.com
The Camberwell Arms, Camberwell
An overall winner in 2015, the kitchen’s approach to making almost everything (charcuterie, pickles, not-to-be-missed ice-cream by the scoop) and its justly famed Sunday menu (that feels traditional but goes beyond roast meat with standard trimmings) make those who live nearby smug and a trip across town worthwhile for anyone else.
65 Camberwell Church St, SE5 8TR; 020 7358 4364; thecamberwellarms.co.uk
The Castle, Walthamstow
A friendly and relaxed local with simple but hearty Sunday options, perfect for nursing hangovers, the Sunday papers, or children – especially as kids’ portions are half price.
15 Grosvenor Rise, E17 9LB; 020 8509 8095; thecastlee17.com
East
Fox & Hounds, Hunsdon, Herts
The menu may travel around the globe, but it’s done with a sure hand and safe flavours – spaghetti vongole; crab tacos and guacamole and the real interest on a Sunday comes from the Josper oven. Hope there’s still whole West Mersea lemon sole with samphire.
High St, SG12 8NH; 01279 843999; foxandhounds-hunsdon.co.uk
Duck Inn, Stanhoe, Norfolk
Expect East Anglian sourcing credentials front and centre, and a more fine-dining approach. Local beef comes as expected with roasties and veg, but trout is poached in butter and comes with roast chicken sauce, clams and new potatoes.
Burnham Rd, PE31 8QD; 01485 518330; duckinn.co.uk
Church St Tavern, Colchester
A runner-up last year, this giant tavern keeps the masses happy by keeping it simple – their regular menu runs along two seasonal Sunday options: choose meat or vegetarian.
3 Church St, CO1 1NF; 01206 564325; churchstreettavern.co.uk
Midlands
Lord Nelson, Burton Joyce, Notts
The LN knows what families want, and it’s well-made classics: prawn cocktail, roasts (with options to share), kids’ meals, sticky toffee pudding and, because sometimes roasties aren’t enough, a side of chips and gravy.
Chestnut Grove, NG14 5DN; 0115 931 1800; lordnelsonpubandkitchen.co.uk
Red Lion, Hockley, Birmingham
There may be a comedy club on site but a Sunday roast is taken seriously. They’re trad, come with veg, yorkies, roasties and mash; small portions are available; and you can order an extra jug of gravy.
95 Warstone Ln, B18 6NG; 0121 233 9144; redlionhockley.pub
The Pheasant, Neenton, Shropshire
Three courses of Sunday classics for under 20 quid is a delight at any time, but especially at this warm and friendly community-run village pub showcasing Shropshire produce.
Neenton, Bridgnorth, WV16 6RJ; 01746 787955; pheasantatneenton.co.uk
North
The Woodmans Arms, Whickham, nr Gateshead
If you don’t want homey roasts, their woodfired pizzas and ice-cream sundaes are popular with large groups and families.
Fellside Rd, NE16 5BB; 0191 488 8998; thewoodmansarms.com
TNQ – The Northern Quarter Restaurant, Manchester
Of course the meat (beef rump, lamb leg, pork belly) is well-sourced, and the potatoes are roasted in dripping, but the four extra veg that complete the plate, all for £12.95, make a Sunday lunch punching well above its weight.
108 High St, M4 1HQ; 0161 832 7115; tnq.co.uk
Queen o’ t’ owd Thatch, South Milford, Yorkshire
They took they crown last year thanks to dedication to putting local produce on the menu and their devotion to Yorkshire puddings – every roast gets one; some even have it for a starter (perhaps foolishly overlooking the crab mayonnaise on shrimp pancake with tomato jelly).
101 High St, LS25 5AQ; 01977 685096; theqott.com
South
Compasses Inn, Crundale, Kent
In 2015, the Guardian reported that “the Compasses is quietly going about its business of being genuinely excellent” and locals don’t think anything has changed. Expect big flavours, done deftly: a venison brioche comes with wild garlic, while cod comes with braised oxtail and parsley oil.
Sole St, CT4 7ES; 01227 700 300; thecompassescrundale.co.uk
The Thatch, Thame
There’s more than a touch of the Med in this 16th-century building: lots of vegetarian choice; pomegranate salad is a side to roast chicken; and the cheery customers can build a meal from the small plates section if they prefer.
29-30 Lower High St; 01844 214340; thethatchthame.co.uk
The Art House, Southampton
The roasts at this not-for-profit, volunteer-staffed space are vegetarian and dairy-free, made from organic ingredients, and come with onion gravy, stuffing, and often acoustic music sets, too.
178 Above Bar St, SO14 7DW; bookings via web thearthousesouthampton.org/sunday-lunch
West
Cauldron, Bristol
There is an actual cauldron at the Cauldron: its name is Bertha and it spends four days of the week making gravy. Mains come from a wood-oven, potatoes are done in dripping (unless they’re coal-roasted to go with the haricot, celeriac and caper wellington), and bookings are essential.
98 Mina Rd, BS2 9XW; 0117 914 1321; thecauldron.restaurant
Eat Your Greens, Bristol
The only way you’ll get to eat the wildly popular vegan roast – with rave-worthy cauliflower “cheese” – is to book.
156 Wells Rd, BS4 2AG; 0117 239 8704; facebook.com
The Pony & Trap, Chew Magna
The Eggleton siblings don’t let their Michelin status slip on Sundays at this picture-perfect country pub. Roasts are elevated by additions from their own garden – beetroot tops partner butternut and smoked cheese wellington, while in summer blackcurrants make an appearance in a bakewell tart and accompanying sorbet. Little people eat for little prices, and the cheese supplement may be the lowest in the land (£1.50!).
Moorledge Rd, BS40 8TQ; 01275 332627; theponyandtrap.co.uk
Scotland
Cafe Strange Brew, Glasgow
Sundays needn’t always mean a roast; here it means easy starts and coffee with Turkish eggs, fluffy pancakes with vanilla cream, fattoush salad, and a Stornoway black pudding stack.
1082 Pollokshaws Rd, G41 3XA; 0141 237 4321; facebook.com
The Roseleaf, Leith
Decisions decisions… Is this quirky spot a pub, a café or a bar? Will you sit in the fun front area, or the quieter back room? Will you choose a traditional roast with billowing yorkies, or linger over the papers with a brunch recognised as one of the best in Edinburgh? There are no wrong answers.
23-24 Sandport Pl, EH6 6EW; 0131 476 5268; facebook.com
The Hebridean, Glasgow
This gastropub is keeping Sundays on brand with haggis, neeps and tatties and an Islay sauce, then local roast beef, and cranachan to finish.
333 Great Western Rd; 0141 339 3701; the-hebridean.co.uk
Wales
Pryd O Fwyd, Ferryside, nr Carmarthen
Pryd o fwyd means bite to eat, which rather undersells Sunday lunch here, when smoked haddock to start is glazed with Welsh rarebit, and roast pork comes with a pulled pork pithivier, fondant potato and sauce of local cider.
Calon Y Fferri, SA17 5TE; 01267 240411; pryd.co.uk
Morgans Wine Bar, Ebbw Vale
There’s lots locals love about this friendly bar: it’s good for families; portions are big; they’ve managed to make a vegan Yorkshire pud; the menu is pleasingly old-school – think garlic mushrooms, then meat, fish or veg, and sponge pudding; and you get three courses for £12.95.
62-64, Bethcar St, NP23 6HG; 01495 350135; facebook.com
Y Polyn, nr Carmarthen
Sundays are like any other day at this old coach house: exceptional. Expertly cooked seasonal European fare; a local focus; good wine; bookings essential.
Capel Dewi, SA32 7LH; 01267 290000; ypolyn.co.uk
Northern Ireland
James St, Belfast
You don’t have to be an early riser to have a full Irish fry or crepes at James St. Sunday brunch begins at noon, as does lunch – the roast is beef, though you’ll have a choice for starters and pudding.
19 James St S, BT2 7GA; 028 9560 0700; jamesstandco.com/james-street
Bushmills Inn, Bushmills
Join tourists who’ve been admiring the Causeway Coast and local families celebrating special occasions at the carvery, where the meat is a cut above standard – if you’re lucky, there’ll be goat and venison to go alongside turkey and Belted Galloway beef.
9 Dunluce Rd, BT57 8QG; 028 2073 3000; bushmillsinn.com
Noble, Holywood
A bright a casual friendly neighbourhood restaurant in Co Down does Sunday roasts (of course) cooked with care and the seasons, so expect potted pastrami and mustard remoulade before suckling pig, baby turnips and caramelised apple, or a vegetarian main of burrata and grilled asparagus.
27 Church Rd, BT18 9BU; 028 9042 5655; nobleholywood.com
