FEATURES: London’s Sunday Roast Renaissance: Where to Feast This Spring

As March ushers in longer, sunnier days, Londoners are dusting off their Sunday best and heading out for the city’s most cherished ritual: the Sunday roast. From cozy neighbourhood pubs to polished gastropubs, the capital is bursting with spots serving up the ultimate comfort meal.

Discovering Hospitality’s Terry Young has rounded up the crème de la crème of Sunday roasts to suit every taste, whether your idea of indulgence is a hearty slab of meat or a plant-based masterpiece.

Sunday roast at The Mall Tavern

What Makes a Sunday Roast Truly Special?

Sunday lunch in London is no casual affair; it’s practically a sacred institution. The perfect roast balances a welcoming atmosphere, exceptional cookery, and those little touches that make the meal feel like a hug on a plate: golden roast potatoes, perfectly cooked meat, seasonal vegetables, towering Yorkshire puddings, and rich, silky gravy. Add a thoughtful plant-based option, and the scene is set for restorative, indulgent self-care.

Roast meat with Cornish day-boat fish at The Duke of Cambridge

The Duke of Cambridge – Islington

The Duke of Cambridge is London’s original organic pub, and its Sunday roast is nothing short of legendary. Since 1998, this Angel backstreet boozer has been championing ethically sourced ingredients. 

Each bite bursts with flavour; the gently crisp roast potatoes, perfectly balanced red cabbage, and towering Yorkshire puddings are flawless. The stars of the plate, chicken or lamb from North Wales’ Rhug Estate, Cornish day-boat fish, or roast squash, shine in their simple, unpretentious glory. Sunlit interiors, rustic wooden décor, and lush green tiles make it the ultimate Sunday sanctuary.

Discovering Hospitality tip: Don’t skip the starters or desserts, fresh sourdough with olive jam and a gooey, olive oil-laced Montezuma crémeux are unmissable.

Where: 30 St Peter’s Street, Islington, N1 8JT Sundays: 12:00 a.m –5:00 p.m 

Price: £24–30

Rating: ★★★★★

Old Nun’s Head

Old Nun’s Head – Nunhead

This 1930s pub with a quirky Britney Spears shrine is home to Fit Roasts, a Sunday spread that caters to carnivores and plant-based diners alike. Expect rolled lamb, pork belly, chicken, beef, or vegan haggis, served with roast potatoes, maple carrots, parsnip purée, greens, and Yorkshire puddings (including vegan versions). A hearty, playful atmosphere and craft ales complete the experience.

Discovering Hospitality tip: Visit any other day for some of London’s finest pizza, courtesy of Dough Hands.Where: 15 Nunhead Green, Nunhead, SE15 3QQ

Sundays: 12:00 a.m–6:00 p.m | Price: From £16

Rating: ★★★★★

Roast chicken with house-made peri-peri sauce at The Macbeth

The Macbeth – Hoxton

Former indie hangout turned Portuguese culinary hotspot, The Macbeth, now offers a Sunday menu with a distinct Iberian twist. Roast chicken with house-made piri-piri sauce and fluffy rice is a must-try, alongside perfectly smooshy potatoes and crisp, fresh salads. Seasonal vegetable gratins and indulgent desserts like rhubarb and banana pudding round out the meal.

Discovering Hospitality tip: Although not typically English food, the Portuguese touch is worth sampling.

Where: 70 Hoxton Street, N1 6LP

Sundays: 12:00 a.m–5:00 p.m

Rating: ★★★★☆

The Mall Tavern – Notting Hill

For a traditional Sunday roast done with style, The Mall Tavern is the place to be. Think chicken, beef with optional bone marrow, pork belly, and nut wellington, paired with endless gravy, roasties, carrots, and greens. Seasonal additions like lobster and seafood platters elevate the menu, while suggested beer pairings make the experience effortless.

Discovering Hospitality tip: The roast beef is an absolute must-have.

Where: 71 Palace Gardens Terrace, Notting Hill, W8 4DY

Sundays: 12:00 a.m –10.30 p.m | Price: £22–26.50

Rating: ★★★★☆

Spring’s Roast Revival

Whether you’re craving a cozy pub experience or a refined plate in a sunlit gastropub, London’s Sunday roast scene is thriving. From the ethical excellence of The Duke of Cambridge to playful, flavour-packed feasts at The Macbeth, Old Nun’s Head or The Mall Tavern, this spring promises endless options for a restorative Sunday meal. Book ahead, tables fill fast, and a Sunday without a roast is a Sunday wasted.