Best 22 Sunday roasts in London

Blacklock Soho proclaims that its roasts are “almost as good as mum’s”, and who are we to argue. Its meats are sourced from a family farm in Cornwall, with chops the focus during the week. But come Sunday, its choice of beef, lamb and pork cooked over coals and oak, plus inventive veg sides, make it one of the best roasts in London. 

Where: 24 Great Windmill Street, W1D 7LG

You don’t get more traditional than a hunk of meat cooked on a rotisserie, and that’s exactly what celeb chef Tom Kerridge does at his only London restaurant, Kerridge’s Bar & Grill. Devour stuffed chicken with chicory, pork belly with roasted onion, or lamb rump and belly; or opt for rib of beef for a little extra, as part of the three-course set menu.

Where: 10 Northumberland Avenue, WC2N 5AE

The clue's in the name... Roast is serious about aiming for the best Sunday roast in London. Its location in Borough Market means fabulous ingredients are right on the doorstep: lamb, beef and pork are all available, served with beef-dripping roast potatoes. Vegetarian and vegan options are also offered, but this really is one for the meat-lovers.

Where: The Floral Hall, Stoney Street, SE1 1TL

Sit back and soak up the history of this spot – only three families have owned Rules restaurant in Covent Garden since it opened its doors in 1798. You might want to study the menu in advance to save time, as the choices are mouthwatering and extensive. The crowd of weekly regulars is always a good sign.

Where: 35 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7LB

Meat lovers can find their calling at The Guinea Grill. This traditional Mayfair steakhouse offers hearty beef, pork belly, rack of lamb or sirloin joints served with beef dripping gravy, Yorkshire pudding, onions with bacon and a variety of veg. Veggies won't feel left out with a delicious blue cheese, truffle and walnut gratin served alongside tasty vegetable gravy.

Where: 30 Bruton Place, W1J 6NL

Cast your mind back to when Islington was fields and farmland, as it once was, believe it or not! With its wisteria-covered facade, picturesque walled garden and log fires, The Albion provides the perfect location to relax and forget the stresses of modern life. Choose from all the usual roast options, or book ahead for a sharing roast of beef, chicken or lamb that's perfect for families.

Where: 10 Thornhill Road, N1 1HW

Rub shoulders with the well-heeled folk of Belgravia at The Alfred Tennyson, a relaxed pub that’s perfect for a long Sunday lunch in London after a stroll around the area’s pretty squares. Start with the likes of rabbit terrine or cured trout, before plumping for beef, pork or lamb (or all three in a “trio of roasts”). End with its signature apple pie, served with pecans and ice cream.

Where: 10 Motcomb Street, SW1X 8LA

While riverside pubs The Cutty Sark and The Trafalgar Tavern serve mean roasts of their own in maritime Greenwich, a local’s pub tucked away in the back streets has been quietly making waves in the top roast stakes (not steaks) in recent years... You'll know why the moment you sink your teeth into The Guildford Arms' epic Sunday specials.

Where: 55 Guildford Grove, SE10 8JY

Wander into The Holly Bush and you'll get the feel of a cosy village pub rather than a busy London spot, thanks to its open fire, stripped wood floors, excellent ales and very popular Sunday roast lunches. Take a long walk on Hampstead Heath beforehand to work up your appetite.

Where: 22 Hollymount, NW3 6SG

Try a roast at the only Michelin-starred pub in London. The Harwood Arms, which sits quietly in the back streets of Fulham. This gastropub champions wild food and game, so expect some alternatives to traditional Sunday fare of beef, pork, lamb and chicken.

Where: Walham Grove, SW6 1QP

Stylish mini-chain Hawksmoor takes Sunday very seriously at its Air Street, Borough, Spitalfields, Seven Dials and Knightsbridge venues. A favourite roast in London for locals and visitors, the succulent slow-roast beef rump is first cooked on a barbecue over charcoal before being finished in the oven, and then topped with glistening bone marrow and onion gravy.

Enjoy a Sunday lunch cooked on The Jugged Hare's rotisseries – it doesn't get more back-to-basics in the art of roasting that. Chicken, mutton and beef are all cooked on the spit; or you can opt for steaks from the grill, seasonal game, or fresh fish sourced daily from Billingsgate Market.

Where: 49 Chiswell Street, EC1Y 4SA

Former music venue The Wilmington in Clerkenwell has been lovingly transformed into an elegant public house. Diners sit in an airy 19th-century glass atrium, while enjoying some open kitchen action as its veggie roast hits the spot with a wild mushroom and goat’s cheese wellington, with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings.

Where: 69 Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4RL

Join the regular crowd at Bull & Gate, which serves up a variety of roasts every Sunday. The menu features tasty vegetarian options, such as inventive nut roasts and wellingtons, as well as traditional meat roasts. Every roast comes with mouthwatering sides, Yorkshire or vegan puddings, plus meat or veggie gravy.

Where: 389 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2TJ

Enjoy top-notch vegetarian and vegan dishes at Mildreds venues across London. Try the animal-free vegan chick’n roast, which comes with butternut and lentil stuffing and is served with roast potatoes, carrot and swede mash, tender stem broccoli and white wine gravy.

Enjoy seasonal plant-based Sunday roast at Brixton’s colourful vegan hangout Cafe Van Gogh. This not-for-profit social enterprise trains people with learning difficulties and mental health conditions. It also serves a top vegan Sunday roast in London: nut and butternut squash Wellington served with kale and pumpkin seed pesto, and red onion gravy.

Where: 88 Brixton Road, SW9 6BE

Snap up a bargain Sunday lunch at Islington’s Old Queen’s Head pub, featuring a lively vibe in a traditional setting. Longhorn beef, lamb and chicken are all tempting options for a lazy afternoon with Bloody Marys, board games and Sunday newspapers. But its vegan mushroom wellington with vegetable gravy is a perfect match for all that meatiness.

Where: 44 Essex Road, N1 8LN

Get dressed in your Sunday best and book a table at The Dining Room at the Goring. Members of the royal family have stayed and dined here, so if you want to feel like a king or queen during your Sunday roast lunch, this is the spot for you. Watch succulent roast beef being carved from a silver trolley as part of the three-course set menu, or splash out with one of its seasonal specials for a little extra.

Where: 15 Beeston Place, SW1W 0JW

Head to The Ritz for when only the most fabulous Sunday roast will do. This is British roast lunch at its most elegant with roast sirloin, rib of beef or seasonal specials carved at your table. Remember to order the crêpes Suzette ahead of time for that final touch of theatre.

Where: 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR

Get into the swing of things  with a three-course Sunday lunch plus live jazz at Boisdale Canary Wharf. Full of tempting Scottish produce, this menu features the likes of haggis and oak-smoked salmon; followed by roast chicken, pork or beef. End with a choice of desserts or a selection from its unctuous cheese board.

Where: Cabot Place, E14 4QT

Savour a stylish Sunday lunch with jazz in London, as soothing tunes and the saliva-inducing whiffs of roast beef and pork fill the air at Cora Pearl. Modern takes on much-loved starters and desserts, such as devilled eggs, trifle and Neapolitan ice cream, complete the old-school yet trendy vibe at this Covent Garden eatery.

Where: 30 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8NA

The Great British roast "needs no introduction”, according to the Swan next to Shakespeare's Globe. But here's a taster... pork, beef or chicken, plus all the trimmings and mouthwatering puddings, are all present on the menu. And why not sit back and enjoy a show at the home of Shakespeare in London afterwards?

Where: 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT