London's Premier Sunday Roast Experiences
Savor the Weekend: A Culinary Journey Through London's Best Roasts
Hawksmoor: A Refined Steakhouse Experience
Hawksmoor, with its multiple London locations, provides a sophisticated setting for a classic Sunday lunch. Patrons can indulge in expertly slow-roasted beef rump, complemented by rich bone marrow and onion gravy, alongside crisp roast potatoes infused with garlic, fluffy Yorkshire puddings, and a zesty horseradish. The ambiance, characterized by dark wood panels and subtle lighting, creates a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a leisurely meal.
Blacklock: Soho's Chic Chophouse Delights
Nestled in a historic Soho location, Blacklock's chophouses are celebrated for their enticing Sunday roast offerings. Diners can start with invigorating cocktails before diving into whole joints of meat, including beef rump, lamb leg, or pork loin, all roasted over open coals. Accompaniments feature golden Yorkshire puddings, parsnips, tenderstem broccoli, and duck fat roast potatoes, generously coated in a rich gravy, with optional additions like creamy cauliflower cheese.
Rosewood London: An Elegant Gastronomic Affair
The Holborn Dining Room at the luxurious Rosewood London elevates the Sunday roast to an art form. Guests can choose from pork belly, Norfolk sirloin, or a vegetable Wellington, with a strong recommendation for the roasted corn-fed chicken for two, carved dramatically at the table. This substantial dish is served with buttered greens, maple-glazed carrots, creamy duck fat roast potatoes, and tangy red cabbage, all enhanced by bottomless gravy.
Temper: A Fiery Twist on Roast Traditions
Temper's vibrant Central and South American-inspired barbecue restaurants offer a dynamic departure from the traditional roast. With locations across London, guests can witness chefs grilling meats over a central fire pit while sipping on spicy margaritas. The menu boasts beef, pulled lamb shoulder, pork belly, and particularly noted, a smoked baby chicken slathered in chimichurri, accompanied by excellent roast potatoes and a crisp Yorkshire pudding.
Kricket Canary Wharf: Indian Flavors Infuse the Roast
Kricket's Canary Wharf outpost presents a unique Mughal-style Sunday roast, a delightful fusion of Indian culinary traditions with British comfort food. The experience begins with mango lassi and savory pani puri, leading to the main event: charcoal-grilled tandoori chicken served with musallam sauce, laccha paratha, berry pulao, chicken seekh kebabs, and refreshing raita and salad. The butter pink fir potatoes and shahi tukda dessert complete this unforgettable meal.
Claridge’s: Mayfair's Pinnacle of Roast Luxury
Claridge's in Mayfair offers a truly opulent Sunday roast, distinguished by its impeccable service and stately dining room. After enjoying cocktails and exquisite starters like seabass and crab fishcakes or baby beetroot salad, guests choose from porchetta, roasted Herefordshire rib of beef, or Norfolk black leg chicken with truffle stuffing. These are served with classic trimmings and followed by an impressive family-style dessert selection, including a chocolate mousse requiring a tiny hammer to crack.
Rake at the Compton Arms: A Homely Pub Retreat
For a cozy and authentic Sunday roast, Rake, located at the picturesque Compton Arms in Islington, delivers exceptional quality. The inviting pub setting, with its moody lighting and leather stools, sets the scene for a menu featuring giant slices of house bloomer, fresh tomato and radish salad, and juicy marinated beef rump. The roast is accompanied by clapshot, crunchy roast potatoes, a Yorkshire pudding, and generous portions of salted collard greens and parmesan-topped cauliflower cheese.
45 Jermyn Street: St James’s Elegant Hideaway
Tucked away from the bustling Piccadilly, 45 Jermyn Street offers an elegant dining experience. While the menu includes caviar and oysters, the roast Cumbrian sirloin is the star attraction. This delectable cut of meat is served with a velvety gravy, roast potatoes, a Yorkshire pudding, and an exquisite leek and cauliflower cheese. The meal concludes with a light and creamy apple crumble soufflé.
Hicce Hart: Islington's Charming Pub Feast
Hicce Hart, an old-school Islington pub, provides a comforting Sunday roast experience in a setting of squishy armchairs and a roaring fireplace. Diners can choose from roast beef, herb-stuffed pork belly, a barley, ale and hazelnut tart, or a succulent half chicken with surprisingly complementary mushy peas. The meal is rounded off with buttery potatoes, herby carrots, gravy-soaked cabbage, and sculptural Yorkshire puddings, with craft beers from a local brewery.
Marksman: Hackney's Michelin-Starred Boozer
Marksman, a refurbished Victorian pub in Hackney, has earned acclaim for its innovative and hearty dishes, including a Michelin Pub of the Year title. The three-course menu, though pricier, is justified by offerings like beef and barley buns, followed by roast Hereford rump or whole roast chicken with bread sauce. Gigantic Yorkshire puddings, heavenly potatoes, and a signature brown butter and honey tart ensure a truly indulgent meal.
The Tamil Crown: A South Indian Roast Revelation
The Tamil Crown in Islington offers a gloriously unconventional South Indian-style roast, a unique culinary adventure. Starting with light onion bhajis and potent gunpowder margaritas, the main course features tender roasted masala chicken or succulent lamb shank. Served with coriander-topped gravy, a flaky roti, spicy curried potatoes and peas, deep-fried cauliflower, and an array of chutneys, this roast is a flavorful explosion.
The Jugged Hare: Barbican's Hearty Gastro Pub
Adjacent to the Barbican, The Jugged Hare is a cozy gastro pub offering a satisfying Sunday roast year-round. Guests can settle into red leather nooks amidst eclectic taxidermy and whimsical illustrations. The menu boasts Longhorn beef with horseradish cream, roast pork belly with apple sauce, lamb shoulder with mint sauce, or a tender baby chicken with all the traditional trimmings, including pigs in blankets and a giant Yorkshire pudding.
The Parakeet: Kentish Town's Scenic Roast Spot
The Parakeet in Kentish Town provides a picturesque setting for a Sunday roast, featuring wood-panelled walls and stained glass windows. Chefs Ben Allen and Ed Jennings curate an impressive menu with flame-grilled lamb, succulent roast beef, crispy roast chicken, or a celeriac Wellington. These are served with rich gravy, dressed spring greens, squishy roast potatoes, and sweet carrots, topped off with a delightful sticky toffee pudding or blackberry and cream dessert.
The Laundry: Brixton's Lively Bistro with a Twist
The Laundry, a vibrant bistro in Brixton, offers Sunday lunches with playful twists. The menu includes roast squash and sage tart with miso caramel chestnuts, and failsafe options like roast pork belly or Hereford sirloin with creamed horseradish. These are paired with Yorkshire puddings, bottomless gravy, and a medley of roast vegetables, with optional additions like pigs in blankets and macaroni cheese gratin, concluding with dreamy desserts.
Cut at 45 Park Lane: Mayfair's Decadent Dining
For a lavish Sunday roast, Cut at 45 Park Lane in Mayfair sets a grand stage with live guitar music, sparkling wine, and canapés. The main event features roast beef sirloin or a delicious beef Wellington, served with Yorkshire pudding, wagyu dripping, bubbly cauliflower cheese, and truffle-sprinkled potatoes. Classic, hearty desserts like Granny Smith apple crumble and berry pavlova provide a sweet finish to this indulgent experience.
The Audley Public House: A Mount Street Gem
The Audley Public House on Mount Street appears as a classic British pub but offers much more. With an eye-catching ceiling mosaic and a menu by chef Jamie Shears, it combines inventive pub grub with hearty roasts. Start with Durslade Farm lamb scrumpet, followed by roast beef served on a bed of carrots, accompanied by a Yorkshire pudding stuffed with additional meat, ensuring a robust and satisfying meal.
Cafe Kitty: Soho's Art-Filled Sunday Hideaway
Cafe Kitty, an art-filled Soho retreat, offers a fresh perspective on Sunday lunch. The experience begins with creative cocktails and starters like devilled eggs and scallops rockefeller. The roasts include squash and harissa, chicken and dill mayo, and sirloin and horseradish, served with crispy potatoes, hispi cabbage, cauliflower cheese, and giant Yorkshire puddings. The meal concludes with an incredibly creamy boozy plum knickerbocker glory.
The Wolseley City: A Grand City Institution
The Wolseley City brings its signature casual grandeur and monochrome interiors to a grand 1920s bank building. Essential starters include lemony dressed Dorset crab or seared scallops. The three signature Sunday roasts feature celeriac with sage and onion stuffing, corn-fed chicken with bread sauce, or sirloin of Herefordshire beef with a crispy Yorkshire pudding. Delectable desserts and a live jazz band complete the luxurious Sunday afternoon.
The Camberwell Arms: South London's Shared Plate Delight
The Camberwell Arms in south London offers a unique Sunday lunch featuring a selection of scrumptious, ever-changing small plates like spiced celeriac with smoked pollock hummus. The main event comprises spit-roasted chicken with spinach and chilli yoghurt, aged Dexter steak with wild garlic butter, lamb with Italian greens, or rolled pork belly with Savoy cabbage and mustard, all designed for sharing, followed by potato fritters and fine wine.