A Sunday lunch with family and friends is a quintessential part of British culture and, for locals, the debate over the best roast to be found in London is never-ending. This is our pick of the best Sunday roasts in London.
We’ve put together a list that covers everything from the city’s latest hot launches to long-standing forever favourites, and several with their own unique and delicious twist. Whether you’re after a roast served in an iconic London landmark, a Georgian mansion or a cosy, neighbourhood pub in the middle of Mayfair, there’s something for everyone to help fill your Sunday with fabulous food.
Classic Pub Lunches
The New Kid On The Block At The Ox
A new Clapham pub, The Ox blends the warmth of a traditional pub with an elevated, modern British menu, which spotlights seasonal British ingredients through a range of refined yet comforting plates. The classic Sunday roasts champion quality cuts, from dry-aged fillet to roast rump of British Luing beef, alongside all the trimmings. A porterhouse for two offers a sharing feast, while the impressive vegetable wellington ensures there’s something for everyone. With a welcoming atmosphere and a roof terrace for warmer months, we predict that The Ox is set to become a neighbourhood favourite for many years to come.
A South London Roast To Share At The Alma
A long-standing South-West London pub, The Alma is regarded by many to offer one of the best roasts in town, whether enjoyed individually or served up as a sumptuous family-style feast. Opt for the Sunday Best for a classic single serving, or take it up a notch with the Sunday Better sharing selection for some true indulgence with friends or family. The menu is full of showstoppers, like Thor’s Hammer (48-hour slow-braised shin of beef), whole Suffolk chicken, whole Highland venison shoulder, or côte de boeuf – all served with duck fat roast potatoes, maple-glazed carrots, and towering double-egg Yorkshire puddings. And if you’ve overindulged, there’s the option to stay the night in one of the pub’s boutique rooms.
Local Pubs In The Heart Of London: Cubitt House Group
With over 3,000 pubs in London, finding the perfect spot for a Sunday roast can feel overwhelming. But if you’re after a true local, complete with roaring fires, dogs curled up at your feet and a menu of perfectly executed British classics, then seek out a Cubitt House venue. With eight historic pubs across central London, these are the places to settle into after a long weekend walk through one of the city’s parks or a spot of shopping in the West End. Overseen by chef director Ben Tish, each Cubitt House pub balances heritage with contemporary flair. Our favourites, where we admit to regularly being found, include The Barley Mow, Mayfair – a landmark Mayfair institution dangerously close to Bond Street for that pre-lunch splurge, and The Orange, Pimlico which was originally built as a brewery in the 1800s. The Pimlico venue has recently undergone a dramatic revamp, reigniting its grand atmosphere across four stylish floors, and is the perfect place for Sunday afternoon catch-ups with friends. We’ll see you at the bar.
Forever Favourites: Long-Standing Lunch Icons
A Grade II-Listed Lunch At The Quality Chop House
The Quality Chop House is a London institution, serving diners since 1869. While its history is long, the focus today is firmly on the present with a contemporary menu that respects its ‘meaty’ legacy – so much so that they have even opened a butcher’s next door. At the helm, executive chef Shaun Searley and head chef Nathan Chapman champion the best of British produce, sourced from top-tier suppliers across the isles. Guests dine in the Grade II-listed dining room, perched on the restaurant’s signature wooden benches, to enjoy a three-course set menu featuring expertly cooked meats and seasonal sides – including their much-loved crisp roast potatoes, a must-try. And despite the name, the menu caters to all tastes, with standout pescatarian and vegetarian options ensuring no one is left out.
Georgian Sunday Splendour At Brunswick House
While Dove in Notting Hill may be Jackson Boxer’s latest hotspot, his long-standing culinary playground, Brunswick House, remains one of London’s most striking dining experiences. Set in a Grade II Georgian mansion, it blends historic charm with bold, modern cooking. Sunday lunch here is no ordinary affair, starting with refined snacks before moving on to indulgent mains. Think whole Suffolk chicken with Dorset clams, rich moqueca broth, and jalapeño pistou, or wood-fired côte de boeuf with beer mustard. This is in every way a decadent Sunday lunch best enjoyed with a glass of something special from the restaurant’s exceptional wine list.
An East London Contemporary Classic At The Marksman
Ask any Londoner where to find the city’s best Sunday lunch, and Marksman will likely be on the list. An East End institution, this former Victorian pub, complete with original mahogany panelling, became the first in the capital to be crowned Michelin’s Pub of the Year in 2016. Nearly a decade on, it remains one of the capital’s best spots to spend a leisurely weekend afternoon, the menu seamlessly blending the best of British tradition with a contemporary edge. While the classic roasts never miss, chefs and co-owners Tom Harris and Jon Rotheram also serve up inventive dishes like braised cod’s cheeks with coco beans, and mussels or roast mallard with bread sauce and liver toast. This is the kind of Sunday dining experience that London does best – unpretentious, outstanding flavours, and full of history.
Sunday Roasts with Iconic London Landmark Views
A Taste Of The Caribbean At Fenchurch Restaurant
Thirty-seven floors above the City in Sky Garden, Fenchurch Restaurant is shaking up Sunday dining with a brand-new Caribbean-inspired Sunday lunch. The set-menu, from chef Kerth Gumbs begins with a mini colada – a welcome cocktail designed to instantly transport guests to tropical shores. Next, you’ll move on to a Sunday feast combining Caribbean-inspired dishes and flavours with a main-course masterpiece, with a choice from five traditional Sunday roasts such as jerk-seasoned chicken and grilled sea bream with creole peppers. Traditional sides are also given a Caribbean spin.
The Arty Lunch At The Portrait Restaurant
On the fourth floor of The National Portrait Gallery, The Portrait Restaurant by Richard Corrigan, in partnership with Searcys, now offers one of London’s most scenic spots for Sunday lunch. With sweeping views over Trafalgar Square, it’s the perfect destination for a Sunday visit. After exploring the gallery’s impressive collections, you can head to the restaurant, where chef Corrigan’s team have created a new Sunday lunch menu designed to celebrate the best of the British Isles. Starters include dishes such as roasted Jerusalem artichoke with Comté custard, and meats for the mains come from Lake District Farmers, known for their sustainable, free-range produce; and it’s all accompanied by classic sides. Make sure to leave space for pudding.
Sunday Roasts with a Twist
A Nordic-Inspired Sunday At Ekstedt At The Yard
Bringing a distinctly Scandinavian twist to the traditional Sunday roast, Ekstedt at The Yard in Great Scotland Yard Hotel offers an open-fire feast from Michelin-starred Swedish chef Niklas Ekstedt. Exclusively cooked over wood fire, enjoy a multi-sensory experience as you soak in the sights, sounds and aromas of the open kitchen. The sharing-style roasts are both rustic and indulgent; expect slow-cooked beef joints, tender game meats and fire-roasted root vegetables – all the trimmings also come Scandi-style. There’s also a nod to the UK by way of Yorkshire puddings and a vegetarian option is available too.
A Seafood Take On A Sunday Lunch At Applebee's
Borough Market institution Applebee’s is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and putting a seafood spin on the classic British roast with its brand-new Sunday menu. Championing sustainably sourced British seafood, executive chef Frankie van Loo has created a fresh, vibrant alternative to the traditional Sunday lunch. Dishes include salmon en croûte and roasted turbot, served with carefully curated sides designed to complement the delicate flavours of the fish. The drinks menu is equally considered – don’t miss the Gilda Martini, made with Vault’s coastal vermouth, infused with oyster shell and foraged botanicals.
Argentinian Flavours At Sucre
Sucre’s Sunday roast brings the flavours of Argentina to the heart of Soho. Every weekend, the restaurant’s wood-fired grill is lit up to cook premium cuts of meat, fresh fish, and seasonal vegetables, all inspired by the time-honoured South American asado. The set menu begins with sharing platters, where guests can choose from chorizo, a selection of raw fish and meats, or a vegetable option before moving on to the mains. Highlights include bavette with chimichurri and Iberico pork ‘Matambre’, both cooked over Sucre’s signature flames for a deep, smoky richness. For those looking to make an occasion of it, there’s the option to add 90 minutes of bottomless red, white, or sparkling wine for an additional (and very reasonable) £20 per person.
Spice Up Your Sunday At The Tamil Crown
At The Tamil Crown, co-founder and executive chef Prince Durairaj has put a bold ‘East meets West’ spin on the Sunday roast, fusing the beloved British tradition with the vibrant flavours of India. Guests can expect dishes like masala sea bream, lamb shank, or chicken, served with potato-and-peas masala, coconut-stir-fried cabbage, mixed-veg avial, mango pickle, and roast potatoes and gravy. Available all day every Sunday, it’s a fresh, flavour-packed take on the classic roast that is proving extremely popular with diners.
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Lead image: The Quality Chop House, photo by Sam Harris
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