Best Sunday Roast In London? Check Out Our Map

By Londonist Last edited 6 months ago

Last Updated 30 April 2024

Best Sunday Roast In London? Check Out Our Map
Roast dinner at The Drapers Arms Islington: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
The Draper's Arms, Islington

A Sunday roast is one of the most eaten-out meals in London. But where will you find the best roast dinners in London? Here, we present nearly ravishing roasts across London, arranged geographically, and on a map too. Oh, and if you're looking for meat-free options, check out the best vegetarian and vegan roast dinners in London.

Mapped: best Sunday roasts in London

Track down the city's hottest roasts at a glance:

The best Sunday roasts in north London

The Albion, Islington

Roast dinner at The Albion Islington: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
Sunday roast at The Albion

Gutsy mains and a wide choice of meats from carefully selected farms are among the best features of the Sunday roasts here. Veggie and vegan options on the Sunday menu include nut roast, fish and chips, and spinach and mushroom gnocchi. A wide selection of ales wash it down in style, while either a roaring open fire or a floral garden set the perfect scene whatever the time of year.
The Albion, 10 Thornhill Road, N1 1HW. This pub features in our guide to the best pubs in London.

The Jolly Butchers, Stoke Newington

It's hard to decide what we like most about this excellent pub; it does ales, ciders, pub grub and Sunday roasts with aplomb. The roasts in question are notable particularly for the generous quantity of meat (it's good quality, too), some especially sizeable Yorkshires which more than justify their 50p extra charge, and a healthy portion of varied seasonal veg to boot. The vegetarian nut roast is pretty special, too. The pork, rib eye and nut roast meals are available in kids' portions.
The Jolly Butchers, 204 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7HU. This pub features in our guide to the best pubs in London.

The Pig & Butcher, Islington

Roast dinner at The Pig & Butcher Islington: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
Sunday roasts at The Pig & Butcher

The clue is in the title of this pub, not far off Upper Street: it takes meat very seriously indeed. Not only does it buy all its carcasses whole and butcher on-site to ensure quality, but it also prides itself on its gravy, taking three days to make it by gradually reducing down stock. The effort pays off — we can confirm that it’s full-on, richly-flavoured stuff. The lamb and beef are served rare, and the Sunday menu is updated on the website weekly. Find out what London's roast dinner expert Lord Gravy made of the roast at Pig & Butcher.
The Pig & Butcher, 80 Liverpool Road, N1 0QD

The Drapers Arms, Islington

This superb gastro pub does a mean roast. The menu changes with the seasons so you can expect to find guinea fowl, grouse and other treats alongside the traditional meats at different times of year. Sides of seasonal veg are generous, with roasties, a giant Yorkie and gravy. The little touches here make the roasts special, like the gingerbread stuffing in the chicken, and the quality of the gravy with the darker meats. There's a neat wine list too, and the warmest hospitality. Cod, sea bream and grilled hispi cabbage are among the veggie and vegan Sunday options.
The Drapers Arms, 44 Barnsbury Street, N1 1ER

Smokehouse, Islington

Roast dinner at The Smokehouse Islington: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
Sunday roast at Smokehouse, Islington

As the name suggests, this pub has a penchant for all things smoky and fire-inflicted. The kitchen knows its way around a piece of meat, so you're in safe hands whether you opt for rare breed roast beef, slow smoked lamb shoulder or pan fried salmon. All are served with potatoes, veg, jus and Yorkshire puddings. Read our full review of the pub when it opened in 2013 for more idea what to expect.
Smokehouse, 63-69 Canonbury Road, N1 2DG

The Prince, Wood Green

For a twist on the traditional roast dinner, head to this north London pub for a Chinese-inspired roast dinner. Yorkshire puddings come with spring onions, crispy pak choi takes the place of the usual veggies, and the chicken is a soy joy. Pork wasn't available when we visited, but we've heard good things about it.
The Prince, 1 Finsbury Road, Wood Green, N22 8PA

Rudie's, Stoke Newington

For another international twist on the classic, Rudie's serves Sunday roasts with Jamaican flavours. Think jerk-rum gravy, marinated chicken, roasted yam and crispy potatoes, washed down with your choice of 50 types of rum.
Rudie's, 50 Stoke Newington Road,N16 7XB.

Also recommended in north London:

The best Sunday roasts in east London

The Gun, Docklands

It’s the mix of top-notch cooking and a great atmosphere that makes The Gun a real winner. Hearty portions, creative sides, waterside views and a bustling bar area that backs onto the dining space combine to unique effect — perhaps why Londonist readers voted it the best pub on the Isle of Dogs. It’s hard to get to, but worth it for the riverside views.
The Gun, 27 Coldharbour, E14 9NS. This pub features in our guide to the best pubs in London.

Jones & Sons, Dalston

Pork, lamb and whole roast chickens to share are on the menu at this restaurant and bar that also does a good line in cocktails. Top-quality meat and well-sourced accompaniments shine through and we like the generosity of hefty Yorkshires, gravy top-ups and ramekins filled with homemade horseradish cream. A vegan option is available on request. Read our full 2015 review of the Sunday roast at Jones & Sons, when it was in its original Arcola Street location.
Jones & Sons, 3 Gillett Street, N16 8JH (with a second location at Upper Street, Islington)

The Jugged Hare, City

A delicious looking roast finner
The roast chicken at the Jugged Hare (at which jugged hare is also an option). Image: Londonist

From the game strung up in its windows, it's clear this tile-encrusted City gastropub goes the whole hog both literally and metaphorically. Sunday options include a Welsh leg of lamb, 45 day aged Longhorn rump, and — if you're feeling adventurous — its namesake jugged hare (not technically a roast but rather, stewed in its own blood). This is caveman cooking but with finesse — large portions of meat to chow down on are accompanied by creative sides (think tenderstem broccoli and smoked almonds), duck fat roast potatoes and massive, fluffy Yorkshires, which taste fresher than most. With the chefs toiling away in an open kitchen setup, and punters babbling away while quaffing on pre-dinner negronis, the atmosphere at the Jugged Hare verges on electric. Twin lunch with a cultural trip to the Barbican, and you've got a very good reason to pay the City a weekend visit.
The Jugged Hare, 49 Chiswell Street, EC1Y 4SA. This pub features in our guide to the best pubs in London.

Duck and Waffle, City

A sky high view of London, looking down on the Gherkin
Live the high life at Duck and Waffle. Image: Londonist

Best known for its eponymous dish and languorous weekend brunches, who knew sky-high eatery Duck and Waffle also rustles up a mean roast? Rib of beef, chicken, or a mushroom and camembert wellington are the three choices; we plumped for the first two, and were rewarded with plates piled with industrial amounts of tender meat, crisp roasties, and satisfyingly crunchy broccoli. There's a three-course 'deal' although unless you haven't eaten for the best part of a week, we'd suggest you hold off the starter, and save room for the Biscoff cheesecake (on a par with Blacklock's cheesecakes). And if the idea of shooting up the side of a 40-story building in a glass lift tests your nerve, we'd also suggest a Tropic of Conversation as soon as you reach the summit. Londonist visited on an invite, although we wouldn't include here unless we thought it was worth including. Duck and Waffle, 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY.

The Marksman, Hackney

This place was the first London pub to be awarded Michelin Pub of the Year, and you can see why. The dining room upstairs serves well-cooked, and full-flavoured meat, buoyed by crispy roasties, lovely soft Yorkshire puddings and some hearty gravy that tastes like it's had some love given to it. A true local, but equally well worth travelling for.
The Marksman, 254 Hackney Road, E2 7SJ. This pub features in our guide to the best pubs in London.

Oslo, Hackney

'Epic' is the best way to describe this towering roast dinner. A huge Yorkshire pudding sits atop medium cooked beef, roast potatoes, parsnips, kale, and carrots, and a small personal jug of gravy is placed to the side. The nut roast looks and proves to be equally delicious and filling.
Oslo Hackney, 1A Amhurst Road, E8 1LL

The Princess Of Shoreditch, Shoreditch

Roast dinner at The Princess of Shoreditch: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
Sunday roasts at The Princess of Shoreditch

Older sister pub of The Pig & Butcher, just as much care has gone into the meat sourcing at this venue, where Aberdeen Angus beef, slow roasted lamb and poussin are all on the regular Sunday menu. Slow-cooking enhances flavours and textures, while crisp duck fat roast potatoes are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Plus, if you look up through the windows, you can see Londonist Towers.
The Princess Of Shoreditch, 76-78 Paul Street, EC2A 4NE. This pub features in our guide to the best pubs in London.

The Merchants Tavern, Shoreditch

Choose from two or three courses at this smart Shoreditch venue. Despite leather seating and a shiny interior, the atmosphere is generally pretty chilled. The regularly changing roast menu at time of writing includes a half roast grouse, chicken liver croute, parsnip crisps and bread sauce.

The Merchants Tavern, 36 Charlotte Road, EC2A 3PG

Beef & Brew, Haggerston

Roast dinner at Beef & Brew, Haggerston:  the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
Roast dinner at Beef & Brew, Haggerston

Prepare to spend a few hours relaxing with a roast in this East London chic local. Gravy is probably the hardest thing to get right but Beef & Brew have cracked it with their dark sweet viscous sauce drizzled over charred hispi. Whether you're a rump or chicken fiend, you'll find yourself in good hands with classic sides of carrots and a giant Yorkshire pudding, although be prepared to pay extra for parsnips. Don't miss out on the their sweet sundaes afterwards. Even just a scoop of their miso ice cream or chocolate sorbet will steer you right.

Beef & Brew, 33 Downham Road, N1 5AA

Also recommended in east London:

The best roast dinners in south London

The Old Nun's Head, Nunhead

Roast dinner at The Old Nun's Head, Nunhead: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
Does NOT accurately reflect the sheer volume of food you'll get on your plate at The Old Nun's Head

Which came first: the name of the pub or the name of the village? Honestly, with food this good, you won't care. Many a grey Sunday lunchtime we've found ourselves loitering outside those beautiful wooden doors before they open, keen to bag a seat and order our food (roasts are served until they run out).

It's a proper cosy pub, with squishy leather armchairs, mismatched wooden tables, and board games to play until your food arrives. And by gosh, you'll see it coming: a gargantuan Yorkshire pud piled hazardously atop a mountain of meat (a basic choice of chicken, pork or beef), potatoes, veg and gravy. We'd spend every winter afternoon here if we could.
The Old Nun's Head, 15 Nunhead Green, SE15 3QQ

The Crooked Well, Camberwell

Roast dinner at The Crooked Well, Camberwell: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
The Crooked Well

The Sunday menu here features a nice line in sharing meats for two, be it roast leg of lamb or a whole chicken. Single options are also plentiful, and though the meat is excellent we found perfectly cooked veggies and suitably splendid roasties to be among the points that make this gastropub stand out from the crowd.
The Crooked Well, 16 Grove Lane, SE5 8SY. This pub features in our guide to the best pubs in London.

The Anchor & Hope, Waterloo

This gastropub arrived on the scene long before they were everywhere, and operated a no reservations policy way before it was cool to do so. Thankfully they now let you book for your Sunday lunch — though there's no such luck at other times of the week. The roasts are the best thing anyway: whole joints come to the table for carving, oft slow-cooked meat is juicy and tender, seasonal veg is properly cooked, and the roast potatoes are epically crispy. We’re pleased to say that in spite of such impressive foodie credentials, the pub atmosphere remains and you can easily grab a pint at the bar.
The Anchor & Hope, 36 The Cut, SE1 8LP. This pub features in our guide to the best pubs in London.

The Camberwell Arms, Camberwell

This relaxed gastropub (twinned with the Anchor and Hope above) likes to be seasonal and it likes to be meaty. Charcuterie and pickles galore are made on-site, while a large amount of the cooking is done on a spit roast or charcoal grill. Spit-roast chicken drips with its own flavourful juices, while a slow-cooked lamb shoulder is melt-in-the-mouth soft.
The Camberwell Arms, 65 Camberwell Church Street, SE5 8TR

Canton Arms, Stockwell

This gastro boozer is best known for its toasties — particularly the foie gras one. But don't overlook the Sunday roasts. Long and slow are the buzzwords for the cooking here; expect meat to fall off the bone and almost dissolve in the mouth. Look out for regular game options, which are especially good, and get your chops round sides such as the indulgent potato gratin.
Canton Arms, 177 South Lambeth Road, SW8 1XP

The Dean Swift, Bermondsey

Roast dinner at The Dean Swift, Bermondsey: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
Roast dinner at The Dean Swift

Chicken, beef, lamb and pork are available every week at this local craft beer haunt, but they're more special than they might sound. On our roast beef there was no such thing as going easy on the fat — rather, the meat was cooked slowly until it melted to become part of the dish, a behemoth of flavour in a pool of gravy. Starters and sides tow a happy line between foodie fanciness and gastropub gutsiness, while there are countless beers and board games to while away your post-roast afternoon.
The Dean Swift, 10 Gainsford Street, SE1 2NE. This pub features in our guide to the best pubs in London.

The Three Stags, Kennington

This friendly local pub close to Lambeth North tube balances its dining and drinking credentials well. It also has a strong eco-ethos, which means not only is the meat you're getting for your roast excellently sourced, but some of the veg is locally grown or foraged, too. Not a single ingredient is taken for granted — and this shows in the final result. Vegetarian options are also well above the norm.
The Three Stags, 67-69 Kennington Road, SE1 7PZ. This pub features in our guide to the best pubs in London.

Roast, Borough

Roast dinner at Roast, Borough Market: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
A roast at Roast

You’d expect good things given the name, and you’d be right. Be warned that this is very much a restaurant rather than a pub or gastropub, and has prices to match. But it's all-too deserving of being listed among London's best roasts. From careful sourcing to even more careful saucing, every detail of this Borough Market institution's namesake dish has been painstakingly thought through. A roast beef dinner is available all week, but if you're a roast dinner fan, the Sunday menu is something to behold.

The atmosphere is a tad formal for our liking, though its setting above the market's bustle allows for some fine people-watching of a Sunday afternoon, as shoppers and traders go about their business — oh, and you'll be dining in the former Royal Opera House. Read our reviews of the brunch menu and veggie menu too.
Roast, The Floral Hall, Borough Market, Stoney Street, SE1 1TL

Also recommended in south London:

The best roast dinners in west London

The Admiral Codrington, Chelsea

Roast dinner at The Admiral Codrington, Chelsea: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
Fancy roast dinners at The Admiral Codrington in Chelsea

There's something serene about this plush, off-the-beaten-track pub — but its roasts are not something to keep quiet about. Highlights include moist-fleshed chicken, juicy beef or crackly pork, along with buttered veg, crisp roasties and punchy bloody marys. The burgers are worth a try, too.
The Admiral Codrington, 17 Mossop Street, SW3 2LY

The Harwood Arms, Fulham

Roast dinner at The Harwood Arms, Fulham: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
Posh Sunday nosh at The Harwood Arms

It's the poshest pub on this list, and has gained a Michelin star to prove it — but this pub headed up by Brett Graham, who also runs The Ledbury, hasn't lost its charm. The kitchen has a real fondness for game, so expect to see a fair bit of deer and the like popping up, but the ultimate — to our mind — might be a roast rump of beef with bone marrow. The menu's always changing, so check ahead. Expect to pay perhaps a little over £20 for your main, but it's sizeable and sensational enough to warrant it.
The Harwood Arms, Walham Grove, SW6 1QP. This pub features in our guide to the best pubs in London.

The Hero of Maida, Maida Vale

Roast dinner at Hero of Maida - best Sunday roast dinners in London
Hero of Maida

When this place was open as the Truscott Arms, the roasts were downright epic. We have to be honest, we haven't yet tried a roast here since it became The Hero of Maida, but the new team were keen to keep serving roasts to draw the crowds in, and we've heard good things. Sunday menus change weekly — current seasonal offerings include roast grouse, armagnac gravy, foie gras toast and bread sauce. All roasts come with buttered greens, roast potatoes, broccoli & cauliflower gratin, gravy and Yorkshire puddings.
The Hero of Maida, 55 Shirland Road, W9 2JD

Fifty Cheyne, Chelsea

Gravy being poured over a roast
Image: Londonist

With its wisteria-enveloped frontage, glimmering chandeliers and starched white table cloths, Fifty Cheyne is a dainty place, although its roasts are anything but. Chef Iain Smith makes sure the beef is stacked high, and the Cumbrian chicken breast is aided and abetted by hearty stuffing and toasted bread sauce. Our plates were  practically gravy-boarded by the waiter (it's homemade of course, and very good). Most importantly, the potatoes are crisp/flocculent perfection. If the whole carrot perched atop each meal seems overkill, you could always save it for building a snowman. Get dessert if you've got room. We're usually sticky toffee pudding people but ordered the panna cotta instead — and boy are we happy we did. Exquisite. By the way, Fifty Cheyne is one of those rare breeds serving roasts not just on a Sunday, but a Saturday too. To this we say: use it or lose it.

Fifty Cheyne, 50 Cheyne Walk, SW3 5LR

The Princess Victoria, Shepherd's Bush

Roast dinner at The Princess Victoria, Shepherd's Bush: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
Sunday lunch at the Princess Victoria

Originally a Victorian gin palace, the high-ceilinged PV — as the locals know it — isn't short of grandeur. On Sundays more than ever, this translates onto the plates. Impeccably sourced and carefully cooked meats — such as rib of beef, pork belly and spiced chicken — form the cornerstone of the menu, while charcuterie, steak tartare, dressed crab and homemade scotch eggs make excellent supporting acts. There are also no fewer than four different bloody marys on offer — including a dirty one, made with olive brine — and the wine list is known to be exemplary.
The Princess Victoria, 217 Uxbridge Road, W12 9DH. This pub features in our guide to the best pubs in London.

Also recommended in west London:

Hawksmoor, various locations

Roast dinner at Hawksmoor: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
Oh hi there Hawksmoor

Yes, we know that Hawksmoor is all about the steak, but it has no problem turning its hand to a roast either. Unsurprisingly, beef is the meat of choice — Longhorn from Ginger Pig, to be exact — and when paired with a glug of onion and bone marrow gravy, some roasties and a bit of veg, there's little that could be improved upon. Find it at the Covent Garden, Air Street, Knightsbridge and Spitalfields branches.
Hawksmoor, various locations

Blacklock Soho

Roast dinner at Blacklock Soho: the best Sunday roast and roast dinners in London
Sunday cooking at Blacklock in Soho

West end, rather then West London. Still, this might just be the best Sunday roast in the whole of London. Blacklock actually specialises in chops, except on Sundays when they hang whole joints of meat over English oak to cook slowly, their meat juices dripping below, sending up sizzles, smoke and the most incredible smell. The medium rare meat is then served with gargantuan Yorkshires, duck-fat roasted potatoes, carrots, broccoli and bone-marrow gravy. Extra sides are available too — cauliflower cheese, roots with gremolata (a peppy seasoning of lemon, garlic and parsley) and minted peas. There are sauces of course (horseradish, mint, apple) and you can order a meat combo for two or more people to avoid any arguments.
Blacklock Soho, The Basement, 24 Great Windmill Street, W1D 7LG.