THE SUNDAY ROAST.
the 8 best sunday roasts in london for some delicious meats, roast tatters, yorkshire pudding, and buckets of gravy
⏺ THE ALBION
THE GARDEN OF ROAST DREAMS
If you haven’t spent a Sunday under the wisteria at The Albion are you even a North Londoner? This Georgian beauty is the ultimate out-of-office sanctuary. We’re talking massive Yorkshire puddings, roasties that actually crunch, and a log fire for when the British weather inevitably turns. It’s elegant without being stuffy, and the roast pork with perfect crackling is practically a religious experience.
Islington
the-albion.co.uk
photos from @thealbionpub
⏺ THE SPANIARDS INN
HISTORY, HOUNDS, AND HEAVY GRAVY
Dating back to 1585, this is one of London’s oldest (and most atmospheric) pubs. It’s where Dick Turpin supposedly hid out, but these days the only thing worth stealing is a bite of their roast lamb. With wood-panelled walls and roaring fires, it’s the ultimate winter bolt-hole. It’s dog-friendly, history-steeped, and the perfect reward for tackling the beautiful Hampstead woodlands surrounding it.
Hampstead
thespaniardshampstead.co.uk
photos from @thespaniardsinn
⏺ BLACKLOCK
MEAT, MEAT, MEAT
Tucked away in a Soho basement, Blacklock serves a piled high roast that has become the stuff of legend. If you fancy something a bit different from the standard Sunday roast, then go for the "All In", a glorious mountain of beef, lamb, and pork chops served on top of charcoal-grilled flatbread that soaks up all those holy juices. The cauliflower cheese is bubbling like a volcano, and the gravy is served in unsparing quantities. It’s loud, it’s meaty, and it’s the best value-for-money feast in Central London.
Soho
theblacklock.com
photos from @blacklockchops
⏺ THE HOLLY BUSH
A COSY FIRESIDE TIME CAPSULE
After a brisk walk on the Heath, there is only one destination. The Holly Bush is a Grade II-listed gem filled with nooks, crannies, and centuries of history. Their roast is a masterclass in tradition—think 2 AA Rosette standards with zero pretension. The beef dripping potatoes are faultless, and the gravy is so rich you’ll want to drink it by the pint. It’s the kind of pub that makes you want to stay for "just one more" until the sun goes down.
Hampstead
hollybushhampstead.co.uk
photos from @thehollybushpubhampstead
⏺ DARBY’S
SOPHISTICATED SOUL IN SOUTH LONDON
Robin Gill’s Darby’s brings a bit of NYC-inspired glamour to the shadow of the US Embassy. Their Sunday roast is a refined affair, featuring premium Dexter beef and those SpongeBob-shaped beef-fat potatoes that are crispy icons in their own right. With live jazz playing in the background and a high-ceilinged, airy vibe, it’s the roast for when you want to feel a bit more grown-up without losing the fun.
Vauxhall
darbys-london.com
photos from @darbyslondon
THE LONDON 100 WINNER / BEST SUNDAY ROAST
⏺ THE PIG AND BUTCHER
SERIOUS MEAT FOR SERIOUS PEOPLE
This is a roast with a pedigree. The Pig and Butcher handles its own butchery on-site, meaning the quality is unparalleled. Whether it’s the Tamworth porchetta or the 35-day aged beef, the meat is always the star. Expect a rustic, farmhouse vibe where the chalkboard menu changes based on what’s fresh from the farm. It’s bustling, it’s high-energy, and you absolutely must order the scotch egg while you wait. mmmm scotch eggggggggs…..
Islington
thepigandbutcher.co.uk
photos from @pigandbutcher
⏺ THE OLD NUN’S HEAD
THE RYAN GOSLING OF ROASTS
This Peckham legend is as quirky as it is welcoming. The Old Nun’s Head is famous for its ‘well fit’ roasts and a rotating lineup of street food pop-ups. The vibe is community-focused, featuring local art on the walls and a soundtrack that’ll have you nodding along between bites of rare beef. It’s unpretentious, dog-friendly, and arguably the best place in South London to spend a lazy gravy-soaked afternoon.
Peckham
theoldnunshead.co.uk
photos from @theoldnunshead
⏺ THE CULPEPER
ROOFTOP VIEWS & FARMHOUSE FLAVOURS
Spanning four floors of an East London townhouse, The Culpeper is a Shoreditch institution. Their first-floor restaurant serves a seasonal, ingredient-led roast that highlights the best of British produce (some of which is grown on their own roof!). While the menu is refined, the portions are generous, and the atmosphere is always buzzing. After you’ve polished off your Yorkie, head to the rooftop garden for a pint with a view.
Shoreditch
theculpeper.com
photos from @theculpeper