Nothing quite beats a proper Sunday roast, and luckily, London is absolutely PACKED with pubs that know exactly how to do it right, so you rarely have to travel too far for one. From cosy, historic spots to trendy local favourites, here’s a roundup of some of the best pubs in London to have a traditional Sunday Roast..
BTW, I really recommend booking all of these in advance as they tend to get busy. If you’re in London on a whim though, definitely still try to walk-in, just be prepared to wait or be turned away.
And don’t worry if you’re not a meat-eater. Almost every single place on this list offers at least one vegetarian option (and often a vegan one too), so you can still get in on the roast-with-all-the-trimmings experience.
(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)
Image Courtesy of The Garrison
The Garrison, Bermondsey
Headed up by 2013 Masterchef winner Natalie Coleman, who has gone on to win the Great British Pub Awards and Food Pub of the Year in 2023, this Bermondsey gem is a modern gastropub with an epic Sunday menu full of consistently tender, succulent cuts. Think beef sirloin, chicken and salt marsh lamb with rolled belly. Don’t skip the sides or desserts either (especially the Baron Bigod & truffle honey croquettes), because they’re just as good as the mains. I also LOVE the staff here, they are super friendly and would love to have a chat with you.
Image Courtesy of Scolt Head via Facebook
Scolt Head, De Beauvoir
The Scolt Head is a local favourite in De Beauvoir, east London, known for its laid-back vibes and seriously hearty roasts. Think slow-cooked pork shoulder or a mushroom wellington that even meat-eaters will want a taste of. The Bloody Marys here are also AMAZING, which makes for a perfect Sunday tipple while the roast is coming together.
Pro tip: there’s a beautiful fireplace and board games available to play inside if you want to make a cosy winter afternoon of it. Alternatively, in summer, they also have a cosy, friendly beer garden that you can sink pints in under the sun, so it’s a win-win no matter what the weather is.
Scolt Head | WA
Image Courtesy of Trafalgar Tavern via Facebook
Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich
If you fancy a Sunday roast with a view, Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich won’t disappoint. Set right on the Thames, it’s a proper historic spot with grand Victorian vibes decorated with hundreds of flags strung around the outdoor area. These flags represent ships’ signal flags, which are a nod to the nautical history of Greenwich and Admiral Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. Food wise, their roast dinners are also everything you could ever want: juicy meats, crispy potatoes and perfectly cooked veggies. Pair it with a pint overlooking the river for the local Londoner Sunday experience.
Trafalgar Tavern | WA
Image Courtesy of The Windmill via Facebook
The Windmill, Clapham
Sunday is a sacred ritual at The Windmill in Clapham, a local area in the southwestern part of the city. You’ll find loads of locals absolutely pile in (or out front in the beer garden) for Chef Hamoun’s legendary roasts. From Ginger Pig meats, crispy roasties and giant Yorkies to gravy you’ll want to drink, this pub is definitely high on my list of favourites. The “roast for two” is particularly popular – and perfect for sharing (or not, no judgement). They’ve also got a pub dog called Monty, so if you’re a dog lover, you can finish your afternoon with a big puppy cuddle.
The Windmill | WA
Image Courtesy of The Coach Maker’s Arms via Facebook
The Coach Makers Arms, Marylebone
Fancy a slightly more polished roast? The Coach Makers Arms in Marylebone hits the sweet spot between cosy, hearty, but still luxe. The meat is top-notch, the service is super friendly, and the upstairs dining room makes it a lovely spot to linger over a Sunday lunch. If you’ve got a group of 4 or more, you can also order a roast served family-style for £28 per person, which comes with your choice of meat, roast potatoes, roots, greens, Yorkshire pudding and Madeira gravy.
Image Courtesy of The Devonshire
The Devonshire, Soho
This Soho pub has classic Edwardian charm and a handwritten Sunday menu that tells you the roast is 100% going to feel like a cosy lunch at your favourite grandma’s place. Think a roast rib of beef, potatoes, yorkies, roasted veg and lashings of hot gravy. I actually can’t let you leave without trying the sticky date pudding either, because it’s definitely something worth writing home about. Now this pub is one of the hardest reservations to get in London, so book early, and also keep an eye out for cancellations, as I’ve had a few friends snag a table a day or two ahead of time.
The Devonshire | WA
Image Courtesy of The Culpeper
The Culpeper, Shoreditch
If you’re looking for something a little different, The Culpeper is a four-storey London institution that knows how to nail a roast. I recommend starting on the ground or first floor for some delicious pub fare (their vegan Wellington is as good as any roast you’ve had btw), and then once you’ve finished, head upstairs to their rooftop terrace for a) some pretty epic views of London and b) a little post-roast tipple in (hopefully) whatever sun London has to offer.
The Culpeper | WA*
*The ground floor pub is WA with a completely accessible toilet. Unfortunately, the only access to other levels is via stairs.
Image Courtesy of The Windsor Castle
The Windsor Castle, Kensington
A classic spot for a reason, The Windsor Castle in Kensington delivers the heartiest of hearty roasts and a really cosy pub feel. The portions are generous, it’s affordable, the roast selection is extensive (including two different types of nut roasts for my vegan / vegetarians) AND they’ve got great sides. I know it’s not traditional but PLEASE add on the rosemary & parmesan fries with white truffle-infused oil because they just might change your life.
The Windsor Castle | WA
Image Courtesy of The Ladbroke Arms via Facebook
The Ladbroke Arms, Notting Hill
Sundays at The Ladbroke Arms are peak Notting Hill cosiness. Come after a stroll at Portobello Road Market and take your pick from classics like lemon & thyme chicken, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly with apple sauce, or a dry-aged rump of beef with horseradish cream. All my vegans won’t miss out either because they’ve also got an incredible mushroom & spinach wellington with vegan gravy on the menu. All roasts come piled high with the works: crispy potatoes, maple-roasted carrots, carrot purée, Yorkshire pudding and lashings of gravy (yes, you can also order extra). If you’ve still got room after that, the sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch caramel is basically a non-negotiable, too.
The Ladbroke Arms | WA
Image Courtesy of The Hollybush
The Hollybush, Hampstead
If you’ve seen photos of Hampstead, it’s likely you’ve already spotted The Hollybush. This historic pub was once stables for artist George Romney back in the 1790s. Now, it’s a cosy, fire-lit institution. The roast menu is veryyyy classic: think braised lamb shoulder, roasted porchetta, rump cap of beef, or corn-fed chicken, each served with golden roasties, maple carrots, squash mash, cauliflower cheese, seasonal greens, a towering Yorkshire pud, and plenty of gravy. Vegetarians are in luck too, with a roasted veg & feta pithivier. Yum!
Yes, the prices are slightly higher, but between the food quality and the real fireplace, it’s a lunch spot you’ll be glad you splurged on.
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