Best Sunday roasts in London – the ultimate guide
A typical weekend in London: a run along the canal, a hunt for the best Guinness outside of Dublin, small plates at a dimly lit location, a morning croissant from your favourite bakery, and always a roast dinner to finish on a Sunday afternoon.
As the glistening gravy hits your plate, you can see your weekend sail away in the form of a gravy boat. No need for Sunday scaries when roast potatoes exist.
The start of roast dinner season is one of the only things that makes saying goodbye to a London summer feel OK.
But winter, oh winter, is when red wine stains your lips, pubs light a fire and it’s around six months of weekly Yorkshire Puddings.
And these are HeadBox’s top picks for a good roast dinner across the capital.
North London
The Holly Bush
This Hampstead pub does “elevated basic”, it’s not just a tartare starter, it’s Owton's beef tartare with beef confit potato, pickled enoki and caviar. It isn’t just a pork roast dinner, it’s roasted porchetta served with roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Always that head above.
Hampstead, NW3 | hollybushhampstead.co.uk
The Pig and Butcher
This Islington local was built in the 1800s, when it sat among farmer’s fields, using meat direct from them to serve at the pub. The Pig and Butcher keeps that ethos now, too, specialising in rare breed meats and sourcing from the best suppliers across Europe. Grab another roast lover and get one of the sharer plates, complete with honey-roasted root veggies.
Islington, N1 | thepigandbutcher.co.uk
Spread Eagle
Not only does this heart-of-Camden pub do meat-focused roast dinners well, but the vegan option is just as good. Serving a heritage beetroot, haricot bean and spinach wellington with rosemary and thyme potatoes, as well as slow-roasted pork bellies or lemon and garlic roast chicken plates.
Camden, NW1 | spreadeaglecamden.co.uk
The Old Queens Head
The side dishes available at The Old Queens Head are almost as good as the roast dinner itself. Go for the corn-fed chicken, but stay for the creamed corn, tenderstem broccoli with anchovies and chillies and roast potatoes with aioli. That’s the recipe for a special kind of Sunday.
Islington, N1 | theoldqueenshead.com
East London
The Prince Arthur
London Fields locals will confirm that The Prince Arthur is all about the sauces. Although the menu changes seasonally, you know your roast will be drizzled in goodness. Like wild garlic butter, preserved lemon salsa verde or a Salmorejo Sauce. And a Yorkie here may not come as standard, but you can pop one onto your dish for just £1. Cheaper than the bus ride that’ll get you there.
London Fields, E8 | theprincearthure8.com
Jones and Sons
Two East London locations for your buck with Jones and Sons; Dalston and South Woodford. And each spot has a special something. For Dalston, it’s a meat platter with rib eye, pork belly and lamb chops, where you can add sides like mac and cheese (it’s a Sunday, why not). South Woodford is for seafood lovers with a fish menu, including a cod loin with buerre blanc.
Dalston, E18 and South Woodford, N16 | jonesandsonslondon.com
The Nelson’s Pub
This boozer has been serving Hackney locals since 1825. That’s nearly 200 years of the good stuff. The roast menu is extensive, with main plates and sides for all dietaries – from a vegan cauli Wellington to pork belly. And wait until you hear what is on the dessert menu – a cornetto. Take it classic or vegan, but you can't beat it.
Hackney, E2 | thenelsonspub.com
The Princess of Shoreditch
Forget passenger princess, it’s time for the roast princess to take the wheel. Just set back from the hubbub of Shoreditch, The Princess serves up roast dinners with the added ease of a Sunday set menu. The automatic, if you will. And there’s a sticky toffee on the dessert menu, so you know it’s a true spot to try a roast dinner.
Shoreditch, EC2 | theprincessofshoreditch.com
South London
The Alma
If you're after a cosy pub, The Alma should be top of your list. The roast dinner list has something for every dietary requirement and you’ve got to add the hispi cabbage with a salad cream and bacon crumb from the sides menu, trust me. The wine list has a focus on family-run producers; from a Cab Sauv to a Sauvi B, the extensive options will have you accidentally wine-drunk at 4 p.m.
Crystal Palace, SE19 | thealmapub.com
Buster Mantis
A roast dinner with a Jamaican twist, borrowing the best bits from the British dish but with delicious additions from the Caribbean. Start your Sunday lunch with saltfish fritters with pineapple salsa and move to the main where the roast is served with roasties and rice and peas. The perfect pairing.
Deptford, SE8 | bustermantis.com
Camberwell Arms
Sharing a roast dinner is my love language, and no one does sharing roast dinners quite like the Camberwell Arms. Its roast line-up changes regularly, but it’s always for two to share. So, take your best friend, partner, or lover and get romantic over a rolled leg of lamb.
Camberwell, SE5 | thecamberwellarms.co.uk
The Palmerston
This Dulwich pub is big in the roast game. You get that ye olde pub feel at The Palmerston, but the roasts bring a contemporary twist. The maple-glazed carrots here are especially delectable.
Dulwich, SE22 | thepalmerstondulwich.co.uk
West London
The Audley Public House
Firstly, you have to start with a Scotch egg at this Mayfair pub – gooey middle and crispy outside. The perfect way to kick off a decadent Sunday. The roasts will make your mouth water, but its Sunday menu also serves up other classic dish options like bangers and mash, which, I’d argue, is almost as good as the roast – almost.
Mayfair, W1 | theaudleypublichouse.com
The Mall Tavern
The roasts here come with a complementary beer pairing as suggested for you on the menu. So, if you like a pint with your Sunday dinner, The Mall Tavern is calling your name. The dessert menu also features tiramisu from the tray – I’ll take an extra heaped spoonful of that, please.
Notting Hill, W8 | themalltavern.com
Harwood Arms
London’s only Michelin-starred pub, the Harwood Arms takes its craft seriously, and that is evident in the roast offering. It has a focus on game, wild food and championing British produce. The mains are for two to share and bring a delicious simplicity to the board.
Fulham, SW6 | harwoodarms.com
The Swan
The menu of this Chiswick pub sees inspiration from all over Europe – Italian bruschetta to start, crème brûlée on the dessert menu and roasts that are quintessentially British. A must-visit for those whose tastebuds want to travel, without leaving West London.
Chiswick, W4 | theswanchiswick.co.uk
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