As Londoners say goodbye to the weekend, one faithful ritual bridges the gap between leisurely brunches and the looming work week: the beloved Sunday roast.
In the bustling British capital, the options are as diverse as the city itself. Quaint pubs by the river, fine-dining restaurants, and cosy family-run taverns promise there’s a Sunday roast for every palate and occasion. Pair your lunch with a parkland walk in Richmond, go large with a group of pals in Islington, or head to an iconic haunt into central for a roast that pulls out all the stops.
Read on for the top Sunday lunches to enjoy in the city right now, and book a stellar roast on OpenTable.
The best Sunday roast in London to book ASAP – read on for a guide.
For a Sunday roast at a neighbourhood gem – try The Thomas Cubitt in Belgravia
Watch the the world go by as you tuck into roasts from The Thomas Cubitt’s outdoor dining space. Credit: The Thomas Cubitt
The Thomas Cubitt is a Belgravia bastion that delivers a Sunday roast experience embodying the essence of community dining. Housed in a unique Georgian building, (and named after one of London’s most influential builders) the pub radiates a welcoming vibe that locals love. Appetisers like sea bass crudo and burrata with Romana courgettes let diners leave room for the full-fledged feast ahead. For the main course, free-range chicken with sage and garlic butter, a cashew and mushroom Wellington, Angus beef rump with horseradish crème fraîche, or a leg of lamb with fresh mint sauce are among the options, served with all the trimmings for a quintessential Sunday experience.
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For a homestyle roast – book Blacklock in Soho, Bank, Shoreditch, Covent Garden or Canary Wharf
Get a mix of meats if you can’t decide at Blacklock. Credit: Blacklock
Blacklock takes the art of roasting to the next level. Whole joints are cooked over open coals and English oak, ensuring each bite is heavy on the flavour and juiciness. Plates come with duck fat-roast potatoes, a selection of seasonal vegetables, and an abundance of house gravy as well as a crowning glory—fluffy Yorkshire pudding. Portions are generous but don’t miss the side of cauliflower and four cheeses, which—the restaurant promises—arrives at your table “bubbling like Mt. Vesuvius”.
Blacklock has a few locations across London, so make sure you’re booking your preferred location:
📍 Soho — Check availability
📍 Bank — Check availability
📍 Shoreditch — Check availability
📍 Covent Garden — Check availability
📍 Canary Wharf — Check availability
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For groups with a range of palates – go to The Drapers Arms in Islington
The elegant dining room at The Drapers Arms is a gorgeous space to enjoy a quality roast. Credit: The Drapers Arms
The Drapers Arms is the perfect venue for those looking to enjoy a Sunday roast with their crew. While the traditional roasts are outstanding, the menu also boasts other options making this the perfect group go-to. Starters include the stuffed tomato with puy lentils, cheese, and pickled garlic. For the main course, the roast pork belly with all the trimmings is a favourite, as is the rare roasted 48-day aged sirloin, red Norwegian haddock, or a boeuf bourguignon pie with a stunningly flakey suet crust. Don’t miss the sharing options, including a 35-day aged bone-in sirloin or the whole roast chicken.
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For a splurge-worthy Sunday roast – visit Hawksmoor at Piccadilly, Canary Wharf, Borough, Knightsbridge, Bank, Spitalfields, and Covent Garden
Enjoy over-the-top portions at Hawksmoor. Credit: Hawksmoor
Hawksmoor is the ultimate feasting destination. Choose from a blackboard of top-notch cuts, including sharers like prime rib or Chateaubriand. While the slow roast rump takes centre stage, even the sides have a cult-like following. Picture beef dripping roast potatoes, giant Yorkshire puddings, crunchy carrots, greens, and roasted shallots and garlic, all smothered in a rich bone marrow and onion gravy. To make the most of your experience, pair your roast with a signature cocktail like the Breakfast in Bed, a contemporary version of award-winning mixologist Salvatore Calabrese’s gin-and-marmalade-based breakfast martini.
Hawksmoor has a quite a number locations across London, so make sure you’re booking the right one:
📍 Piccadilly — Check availability
📍 Canary Wharf — Check availability
📍 Borough — Check availability
📍 Knightsbridge — Check availability
📍 Bank — Check availability
📍 Spitalfields — Check availability
📍 Covent Garden — Check availability
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For roasts with a fine-dining flourish, pick Berners Tavern in Fitzrovia
Lose yourself in the opulent dining room at Berners Tavern. Credit: Berners Tavern
Berners Tavern, led by MICHELIN-starred chef Jason Atherton, offers a roast that adds a dash of luxury to your Sunday. Set in the stunning Edition Hotel, the dining room exudes opulence, with claret-coloured chairs and intricate stucco work. Diners are surrounded by framed paintings that provide plenty of conversation starters and feel like a journey through different time periods. The food is equally picturesque, featuring house pork and pistachio pie, luxurious prawn cocktail with lobster jelly, and Buccleuch Estate sirloin with traditional accompaniments—ideal for spoiling someone special.
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For the best vegan roast in town – look no further than The Maynard Arms in Crouch End
Enjoy lashings of gravy at The Maynard Arms. Credit: The Maynard Arms
This charming pub was built in 1851 by the Maynard family and retains its original Victorian features with modern accents for a comfortable atmosphere. Chesterfield sofas and cosy booths fuel a warm, inviting ambience. Whether you’re in the mood for a chilled-out Sunday or a lively lunch that goes late into the evening, The Maynard Arms has you covered with a gorgeous beer garden. The Sunday roast highlight is a vegan Wellington, a giant log of mixed veggies encased in crispy pastry. The roast also features potatoes, mixed kale, maple-roasted carrots, mulled red cabbage, Yorkshire pudding, and a generous helping of gravy. Meat lovers can choose from chicken, beef, porchetta to complete your Sunday feast at this local gem.
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For an occasion-worthy roast to elevate your Sunday – try The Twenty Two (The 22) in Mayfair
Roasted lamb garnished with sage and rosemary is served with all the trimmings at The Twenty Two (The 22). Credit: The Twenty Two (The 22)
This slick West End spot is known for a roast that leaves a last impression. The Twenty Two’s executive chef Alan Christie leads this hotel and members club in a lavish Edwardian manor. The food is British with a Mediterranean twist and roasts are in full swing on Sundays until 3 pm. Expect succulent Cornish Red chicken, Mount Grace farm lamb, or Aberdeen Angus beef sirloin, sourced from the family farm in Sussex. The wine list is extensive, with knowledgeable servers committed to finding you a glass to round off your meal in style.
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For an Asian-inspired roast – head to The Victoria in Mortlake
The pork belly at The Victoria is especially popular. Credit: The Victoria
The Victoria, a leafy spot near Richmond Park, offers traditional Sunday fare with an Asian twist. The picturesque pub is every bit the traditional spot with exposed brickwork, Chesterfield sofas, and a roaring fireplace— ideal for chilly London afternoons. Alongside pork, lamb, and beef, the diverse menu changes with the seasons. Sample dishes could include the Asian salad, a flavourful medley of plantain chips, edamame, avocado, bean shoots, pickled ginger, chilli and roasted peanuts. Also, look out for the chargrilled chicken, served with crispy bhel puri, pomegranate and yoghurt. Vegetarians can enjoy nut roast, or go for a warming chickpea, cauliflower, and coconut curry with steamed rice, mango chutney, and poppadoms.
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For a roast in a MICHELIN-star pub – check out the Harwood Arms in Fulham
The cheese tarts at Harwood Arms are a must. Credit: Harwood Arms
Tucked in a tranquil nook of leafy Fulham, the Harwood Arms is London’s sole MICHELIN-starred pub. Chef Josh Cutress crafts a menu that’s all about game and wild food. But don’t skip the red onion and goat’s cheese tart or the Sika deer pâté en croûte to start. The main act showcases premium meats like monkfish and brown crab sauce, bacon-wrapped Sika deer with honey-mustard glaze, Iberian pork and apple sauce, and a stunning Belted Galloway sirloin with horseradish cream. End your rich feast on a sweet note with the intricate blood orange trifle.
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For a scenic, dog-friendly roast – enjoy The Fat Badger in Richmond
A pillowy Yorkshire pudding crowns a generous roast at The Fat Badger in Fulham. Credit: The Fat Badger
Perched near the Thames, The Fat Badger offers a serene backdrop for your Sunday roast. The restaurant is owned by the famous Gladwin brothers and serves locally sourced ingredients from their Sussex farm. Must-tries include the mushroom Marmite eclair, a savoury twist on a Yorkshire pudding. Show up for “Sundays on the Farm” and get towering plates of beef, pork, chicken, and lamb along with seasonal game, served with all the trimmings and sides like cheesy creamed cauliflower and truffle-smoked mac and cheese. Bonus points for its dog-friendly vibes – pooches get water and snacks to enjoy alongside their humans -, which make The Fat Badger an ideal pit stop after a Richmond Park walk with your pet.
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