One of the best British traditions, a Sunday roast, is basically a necessity during the drab months that comprise much of the year. Served alongside seasonal vegetables and various sauces – plus a cheeky cauliflower cheese, if it’s on offer – the meal is satisfying and rich, ideal to enjoy with several glasses of wine or a Bloody Mary.
The ideal roast is subjective, and the atmosphere plays a huge role in the meal’s enjoyment. With those qualifiers in mind, read on for our pick of six of the best Sunday roasts throughout England’s capital.
~ No. Fifty Cheyne ~
The Sunday roast at No. Fifty Cheyne is so popular that it’s now offered on Saturdays, with a takeaway option so you can enjoy it at home. Featuring a picturesque dining room and a smaller drawing room that offers views across the Thames, this is a great place to visit for a special occasion or with a group. It’s also accessible enough, however, to just pop over on a whim – the warm service has the best feel of a neighborhood restaurant.
The roast itself is offered in four iterations, including a cauliflower steak for vegetarians. All the accompaniments are served as well – we really love the glazed carrots – and there is a side of leek and cauliflower cheese that should most definitely be ordered, too. Save some room for dessert; the sticky toffee pudding is a decadent finish with clotted cream and ice cream.
~ Claridge’s ~
One of London’s most fabulous hotels serves one of the city’s greatest roasts. A new addition to the repertoire of the recently revamped Claridge’s Restaurant, we’d argue there’s no better place to spend a Sunday. Relax in a spacious booth in the art deco interiors, choose a bottle from Claridge’s wine cellar and sit back to enjoy incredibly attentive service.
As far as the food goes, the Parker house loaf is baked fresh to order and served warm, the seabass and crab fishcakes taste like a fancy fish stick, and the Herefordshire beef is cooked perfectly. The pièce de résistance, though, is the dessert. While the menu may insinuate a choice between the five options listed, that is not the case – each of them is served for the table to share and enjoy, an indulgent finish to an excellent meal.
~ The Jugged Hare ~
If you’re planning to attend some of the excellent cultural happenings at the Barbican, factor in lunch, too. The Jugged Hare is a pub with an old-school sensibility: dark wood walls, leather booths, iron accents. True to its name, there are several hares onsite – those of the taxidermy type. There are actually many animals suspended from hooks and adorning the walls; this is not a destination for vegetarians.
So instead, visit with fellow meat-lovers, who will surely be happy. Always busy, the dining room has a bustling atmosphere. The roasts are classic with a focus on meat over vegetables and giant Yorkshire puddings – request an extra side of the moreish gravy, and they’ll happily oblige. This is an ideal place to eat with a group.
~ The Pelican ~
Another neighborhood destination, this former Victorian pub was resurrected into a prime dining venue in 2022 and has since earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Book well in advance, and come hungry – the food is seriously delicious and the cozy environs will make you want to sit and stay, especially if you score a table near the fireplace.
The Pelican is considered in every sense; attention to detail is supreme, from dinnerware to cutlery to washed stone walls. Expect that of the food as well – from suppliers to reductions to garnishes, this is a special Sunday meal.
Stepping beyond the confines of a classic roast, order a la carte cuts of perfectly cooked beef, cabbage with roasted garlic butter and crispy chips. The wine list is also particularly good, so ask what the specials are and choose a bottle to savor.
~ The Audley Public House ~
Featuring the beloved lived-in feel of an old-school pub, this airy destination features wraparound windows and a prime corner on Mount Street. The sister to one of our favorite restaurants – located just above the pub – Mount St. Restaurant, the food here is cozy and classic.
Featuring local suppliers and British-grown produce, the Sunday menu’s roast features the prerequisite beef but also Durslade lamb shoulder, served for two with heaps of seasonal roast vegetables and giant Yorkshire puddings. If you want something a bit different, the chicken and Marmite pie is accompanied by rich butter-laden mash and broccoli; it feels like a worthy alternative to a roast while being just as satisfying.
~ The Marksman ~
If The Marksman is your local, consider yourself lucky – aside from being a reliable boozer with good food, they serve a prime Sunday roast. One of our favorite activities on a gray Sunday is visiting the Columbia Road flower market, then popping over to The Marksman for lunch.
The menu is seasonal but typically includes a whole roast chicken and a Hereford rump. Start with whichever soup is featured; recently, we tried a celeriac soup, which was surprisingly flavorful and rich. The side of greens is delicious and should be added whenever it’s on the menu, as should the brown butter and honey tart – their iteration of the classic treacle tart is softer with deeper toasty notes, thanks to the browned butter base.
