Last Updated on March 13, 2025
The Best of British – Sunday Roast in Style
While many of us now go out to find the best Sunday roast in London, I’m of the generation who grew up eating Sunday lunch as the day’s main meal at home. It’s a British classic popularised in Henry VIII’s reign. Served a little later than normal; historically, it was timed to be ready reasonably soon after families returned from Church. The meat and vegetables would have been set to cook on the fire before the family left for church, with the poorest of families dropping their meal off with the village baker to borrow oven space.
Today, Sunday Roast remains a popular meal – a time for families and friends to sit down and eat together whether that’s at home or in a restaurant. Finding the best Sunday roast in London is quite a challenge because practically every restaurant and pub will have an offering. But what most of us are looking for is something that is a really special meal, with all the elements of a classic Sunday roast served ‘better than home’ and in quantities that won’t leave anyone wanting more.
Roast potatoes were always cooked alongside the meat. The other vegetables we were served were whatever was in season (I remember long winters of cabbage, carrots and Brussels sprouts!) There were always leftovers and whenever we had chicken (a treat in the pre-factory-farming days that was more expensive than beef), we’d have soup using a stock made from the chicken carcass. My father would carve, and we’d fight over the chicken breast, the end bits of a beef or lamb roast and the crackling. A walk afterwards was normal – the best Sunday roast demands some kind of exercise!
These days it’s common to see Yorkshire puddings with every roast offering. But apart from that, not much has changed from my childhood, and Sunday lunch is the perfect excuse to sit down and relax with your family. If you prefer not to cook your own Sunday roast, there are plenty of places in London where you can indulge in this most traditional of British meals. We’ve been searching out the best Sunday Roast in London and found plenty to pick from to suit all pockets. Our recommendations include everything from pubs and bistros to exclusive five-star hotels. You might be surprised though – the prices even at a 5-star hotel are often quite reasonable. Some of our suggestions are on the outskirts of London – we still think the tradition of a Sunday Roast should be preceded or followed by a walk! Check through for what we consider to be the best Sunday Roast in London and let us know if we’ve missed your own favourit
The Best London Sunday Roast
There's a handful of Blacklock restaurants in London, all specialising in traditional meat dishes. On Sunday, of course, that's a roast. This one totally lives up to the hype with a chilled vibe, and mountains of excellent food at sensible prices, even in central London (we went to the Soho Blacklock. If you want to check it out for yourself you might have to wait a month or two for a booking. That said, walk-ins are popular - if you pop your head around the door when they first open, they will book you in for the next available slot.
An unexpected treasure, the Laundry is right next to Brixton Market, a chilled and friendly venue with a fab wine list, great cocktails and, of course, a stunning Sunday Roast. Definitely one to put on your wish list!
A classic pub Sunday Lunch at the Duke of Greenwich - great value, excellent food and plenty of wine or beer to wash it all down.
We know the Blue Boar pub well and love Sally Abe's work at the Pem (all part of Conrad London St James). This time we reviewed the spectacular Sunday roasts and were not in the least bit disappointed. Large helpings of exemplary food right by The Houses of Parliament - and at a price point that belies the touristy location.
An East London pub with an East Asian flavour, the Marquee Moon offers a cracking Sunday Roast with fusion Asian flavours - think Braised Pork in Sweet Soy and Fermented Granny Smith Sauce or Short Rib Kimchi Mash. If you want a new twist on your Sunday Roast without loosing the essence of the event, this is one for you.
An excellent value Sunday roast with bistro-style starters and desserts belying the value pricing. Bistro Bleu is a charming restaurant in Bloomsbury on top of a traditional London pub - worth a visit
Despite its central London location in a five-star hotel in the heart of Leicester Square, The Londoner offers two excellent Sunday lunch options to complement their set and a la carte menus
Ember Yard's Sunday Roast is a Spanish inspired ‘Asado Domingo’ – with much of the food cooked over a charcoal grill, A great location in the heart of Soho along with some fabulous food makes this one not to miss!
We love the Jugged Hare - and their Sunday lunch offering is just as fine as we'd hope it to be with properly aged meat and seasonal game options too. The perfect haunt for an excellent Sunday Roast
Looking for a London Sunday Lunch with a view? Coq D'Argent in the heart of the city has just launched an amazing and good value Sunday lunch!
A swanky Sunday Roast in the City with all the bells and whistles you'd expect from this premium address. We were impressed by the elegant setting and thought the food was spot on, with an excellent roast complemented by all the trimmings
An excellent Sunday lunch option at the Humble Grape - we tried the Islington branch but there are other options across London. Expect some fabulous wine pairings along with an excellent roast!
In the heart of the City, Mr Fogg's offers a Sunday roast with all the trimmings in a quintessentially English setting. You'll feel as if you've walked onto the set of a Dickensian novel
We love Pivot and while we've had lunch here on several occasions we haven't managed to get there on a Sunday. It's rightly popular and in the heart of Covent Garden. A feast for four is just £85 - so check it out!
A classic and convivial pub Sunday roast done well is an excellent way to spend time at the weekend. Good food and wine at a reasonable price at The Brown Cow in Fulham
More about finding the Best Sunday Roast in London
What time is Sunday Lunch served in London?
You can normally find restaurants and pubs serving Sunday lunch from Midday or 12.30 pm through to at least 3 pm. Some places will serve a Sunday roast from lunchtime opening through to evening closing time. The best Sunday Roast in London will probably have sold out by 3pm though!
What options are there for Pescatarians, Vegetarians or Vegans?
Check before you book, but most restaurants will offer a no-meat option. Some have both pescatarian and vegetarian options. Roast whole fish is popular for pescatarians, while veggie/vegan options range from nut loaf to cauliflower steaks!
What is the dress code for Sunday Lunch?
The dress code will vary depending on the type of establishment. Most pubs will be happy with jeans and trainers, though some sports clothing may be banned. If you are visiting a hotel, you should consider wearing smart casual
How long does Sunday Lunch take?
Depending on how many courses you order, you should allow anything from an hour to three hours. Sunday lunch shouldn’t be rushed
What does a typical Sunday Roast consist of
Roast meat – generally beef, lamb, chicken or pork
A selection of vegetables, often including carrots, parsnips and peas
Gravy made with the juices from the roast meat
Roast potatoes
Appropriate trimmings – for roast beef, you should expect Yorkshire puddings; lamb should be served with mint sauce, pork with crackling and applesauce sauce and chicken with stuffing. Yorkshire puddings have become so popular that they are often served with all roast dinners today
Is there a dessert option to follow the Sunday Roast?
Classic Sunday desserts include trifle, crumble, apple pie, sticky toffee pudding or lemon posset
Do I need to book?
It’s wise to book your Sunday roast in advance. The best are very popular with local people and visitors to London
Sunday lunch is a great tradition, and London is one of the best places to find a Sunday Roast, whatever your budget. For us, there is no ‘best’ Sunday Roast in London – it all depends on what you are looking for and how much money you want to spend. So, whether you live here or are a visitor do make sure you experience a Sunday Roast yourself. Meanwhile, if you want to cook your own Sunday Roast, we recommend going to a good butcher. I’ll be sharing the recipe for a stunning Pork Roast from Swaledale Butchers in the next few weeks
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