5 Best Sunday Roasts in London: A Traditional Feast

Unveiling London's Top Sunday Roast Destinations Food and Drink Guide

Alright, listen up, roast dinner aficionados! If you're hankering for a proper Sunday roast in London, you've come to the right place. Forget those sad, lukewarm carveries. We're talking about the real deal: crispy roast potatoes, succulent meat, Yorkshire puddings the size of your head, and gravy so rich it should be illegal. London's got a Sunday roast scene that's booming, and we've scoured the city to bring you the absolute best. Get ready to loosen your belt and dive in!

Roast #1 The Guinea Grill Mayfair A Classic British Pub Experience Food Review

First up, we're heading to The Guinea Grill in Mayfair. This place is an institution. It's a proper old-school pub with a serious reputation for its meat. They've been serving up prime cuts for decades, and they know their stuff. The atmosphere is cozy and bustling, perfect for a relaxed Sunday afternoon. Expect dark wood, leather armchairs, and the comforting smell of roasting beef. But it's not just about the ambiance; the roast is truly exceptional.

The beef is cooked to perfection, with a beautiful crust and a tender, juicy interior. The potatoes are roasted in beef dripping (of course!), giving them that irresistible crispy exterior and fluffy inside. And the Yorkshire puddings? Massive, light, and airy. They soak up all that delicious gravy like a sponge. Speaking of gravy, it's rich, meaty, and deeply flavorful. It's the kind of gravy you want to swim in. The veggies are also top-notch, usually including carrots, parsnips, and greens, all cooked just right. This isn't just a roast; it's a complete experience. Expect to pay around £30-£40 for the roast, but trust me, it's worth every penny.

Product Recommendations: While you're at The Guinea Grill, be sure to try their selection of British ales. They have a great range of local brews that pair perfectly with the roast. I'd recommend the Fuller's ESB, a classic London ale with a rich, malty flavor that complements the beef beautifully. Or, if you're feeling fancy, try a glass of their house red wine. They have a carefully curated wine list with options to suit every palate.

Roast #2 Hawksmoor Seven Dials A Steakhouse Twist on Sunday Roast Dining Guide

Next on our list is Hawksmoor Seven Dials. Now, Hawksmoor is known for its incredible steaks, but their Sunday roast is equally impressive. They take the same care and attention to detail that they apply to their steaks and apply it to their roast. The result is a truly exceptional Sunday feast. The atmosphere is a bit more upscale than The Guinea Grill, with a more modern and stylish decor. But it's still relaxed and welcoming, perfect for a special occasion or a treat.

The roast beef at Hawksmoor is legendary. They use longhorn cattle, known for their incredible flavor and marbling. The beef is cooked slowly and carefully, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture and an intense, beefy flavor. The potatoes are roasted in beef dripping (again!), and they're some of the best I've ever had. Crispy, fluffy, and perfectly seasoned. The Yorkshire puddings are also excellent, although they're a bit smaller than the ones at The Guinea Grill. But what they lack in size, they make up for in flavor. The gravy is rich, decadent, and utterly divine. And the veggies are cooked to perfection, usually including carrots, parsnips, and greens. Expect to pay around £35-£45 for the roast, but it's an investment in a truly unforgettable meal.

Product Recommendations: Hawksmoor is famous for its cocktails, so be sure to try one before or after your roast. Their Shaky Pete's Ginger Brew is a classic, made with ginger, lemon, and rum. It's the perfect aperitif to cleanse your palate and prepare you for the feast to come. Or, if you're feeling more adventurous, try one of their signature cocktails, like the Hawksmoor Collins. They also have an extensive wine list with options to suit every taste and budget.

Hawksmoor vs. The Guinea Grill: Both Hawksmoor and The Guinea Grill offer exceptional Sunday roasts, but they cater to different tastes. The Guinea Grill is a classic British pub experience, with a cozy atmosphere and traditional roast. Hawksmoor is a more upscale option, with a modern decor and a focus on high-quality ingredients and expert cooking techniques. If you're looking for a classic, comforting roast, The Guinea Grill is the way to go. If you're looking for a more refined and sophisticated experience, Hawksmoor is the better choice.

Roast #3 Blacklock Shoreditch A Meat Lover's Paradise Sunday Dining Experience

Blacklock Shoreditch is a meat lover's paradise. This place is all about celebrating the best of British meat. They specialize in chops, but their Sunday roast is equally impressive. The atmosphere is lively and bustling, with a young and trendy crowd. It's a great place to go with friends for a fun and social Sunday afternoon. The decor is industrial-chic, with exposed brick walls and vintage furniture.

The roast at Blacklock is all about the meat. They offer a selection of different cuts, including beef, pork, and lamb. All the meat is cooked to perfection, with a beautiful crust and a tender, juicy interior. The potatoes are roasted in beef dripping (you guessed it!), and they're some of the best in London. Crispy, fluffy, and perfectly seasoned. The Yorkshire puddings are also excellent, and they're served with a generous helping of gravy. The veggies are simple but delicious, usually including carrots, parsnips, and greens. Expect to pay around £25-£35 for the roast, which is a great value for the quality of the food.

Product Recommendations: Blacklock is known for its cocktails, and they have a great selection of affordable and delicious drinks. Their Old Fashioned is a classic, made with bourbon, sugar, and bitters. It's the perfect way to start your Sunday roast. Or, if you're feeling more adventurous, try one of their signature cocktails, like the Blacklock Martini. They also have a great selection of beers and wines to choose from.

Roast #4 The Canton Arms Stockwell A South London Gem Sunday Roast Recommendations

Now, let's venture south of the river to The Canton Arms in Stockwell. This hidden gem is a proper pub with a fantastic Sunday roast. It's a bit off the beaten path, but it's well worth the trip. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with a mix of locals and visitors. The decor is traditional pub style, with wooden floors, cozy fireplaces, and a welcoming bar. This is a place where you can settle in and enjoy a proper Sunday afternoon.

The Canton Arms takes their Sunday roast seriously. They source high-quality ingredients and cook everything from scratch. The roast beef is cooked slowly and carefully, resulting in a tender and flavorful piece of meat. The roast potatoes are crispy and golden brown, and the Yorkshire puddings are light and airy. The gravy is rich and savory, and the vegetables are perfectly cooked. They also offer a vegetarian option, which is equally delicious. Expect to pay around £20-£30 for the roast, which is excellent value for the quality of the food.

But let's get into the specifics. Let's say you're feeling like beef. The Canton Arms typically sources their beef from local farms, ensuring top quality and freshness. They slow-roast it to perfection, resulting in a tender, juicy, and flavorful cut. The key here is the quality of the beef; they often use breeds known for their marbling, like Aberdeen Angus or Hereford. This marbling adds richness and depth of flavor to the roast. You'll notice the difference immediately.

The roast potatoes are another highlight. They use Maris Piper potatoes, known for their fluffy texture and ability to crisp up beautifully. They're roasted in duck fat, which gives them an extra layer of richness and flavor. You get that perfect combination of crispy exterior and fluffy interior. And don't even get me started on the Yorkshire puddings. They're huge, light, and airy, and they soak up the gravy perfectly. They're made fresh daily, using a traditional recipe.

The gravy is made from the roasting juices, enriched with red wine and herbs. It's thick, rich, and savory, and it complements the beef perfectly. The vegetables are seasonal and locally sourced, often including carrots, parsnips, and greens. They're cooked just right, so they're not too mushy or too hard.

Product Recommendations: The Canton Arms has a great selection of beers on tap, including local craft beers and traditional ales. I recommend trying the Kernel Table Beer, a light and refreshing beer that pairs perfectly with the roast. Or, if you prefer wine, they have a carefully curated wine list with options to suit every taste and budget. A good pairing with roast beef would be a Côtes du Rhône, a medium-bodied red wine with fruity notes and a hint of spice.

Specific Product Examples & Comparisons: Let's talk about condiments. The Canton Arms usually serves their roast with horseradish sauce and English mustard. For horseradish sauce, I'd recommend Tracklements Freshly Grated Horseradish. It's got a real kick and a fresh, vibrant flavor. You can find it at most supermarkets for around £3-£4. Alternatively, you could try Stokes Real Horseradish Cream, which is a bit milder and creamier. It's also widely available and costs around £2-£3.

For English mustard, Colman's Original English Mustard is the classic choice. It's got a strong, pungent flavor that cuts through the richness of the beef. You can find it at any supermarket for around £1-£2. A more gourmet option would be Mrs. Bridges English Mustard, which is made with brown mustard seeds and has a slightly sweeter flavor. It's a bit more expensive, costing around £3-£4.

Using the Products: The horseradish sauce is best used sparingly, as it can be quite strong. A small dollop on the side of your plate is all you need. The English mustard can be used more liberally, depending on your preference. Just be careful not to get it in your eye!

Product Comparisons: When choosing horseradish sauce, consider the level of heat you prefer. Tracklements is the spiciest option, while Stokes is milder and creamier. For English mustard, Colman's is the classic choice, but Mrs. Bridges offers a more refined and complex flavor.

Roast #5 The Camberwell Arms Camberwell A Gastropub Delight Sunday Lunch Spotlight

Last but not least, we're heading to The Camberwell Arms in Camberwell. This gastropub is a local favorite, known for its delicious food and relaxed atmosphere. It's a great place to go for a Sunday roast with friends or family. The decor is stylish and contemporary, with exposed brick walls, wooden floors, and comfortable seating.

The Sunday roast at The Camberwell Arms is a real treat. They use high-quality ingredients and cook everything with care and attention to detail. The roast beef is tender and flavorful, the roast potatoes are crispy and golden brown, and the Yorkshire puddings are light and airy. The gravy is rich and savory, and the vegetables are perfectly cooked. They also offer a vegetarian option, which is equally delicious. Expect to pay around £25-£35 for the roast, which is a fair price for the quality of the food.

The star of the show is often their slow-roasted lamb shoulder. It's incredibly tender and flavorful, falling off the bone with just a touch. They season it with herbs and spices, giving it a complex and aromatic flavor. The fat renders down during the roasting process, leaving the meat incredibly moist and succulent.

Their roast potatoes are cooked in goose fat, which gives them a rich and decadent flavor. They're crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and they're seasoned with sea salt and rosemary. The Yorkshire puddings are made from scratch, using a traditional recipe. They're huge, light, and airy, and they soak up the gravy perfectly.

The gravy is made from the roasting juices, enriched with red wine and herbs. It's thick, rich, and savory, and it complements the lamb perfectly. The vegetables are seasonal and locally sourced, often including carrots, parsnips, and greens. They're cooked just right, so they're not too mushy or too hard.

Product Recommendations: The Camberwell Arms has a great selection of wines, including natural and organic wines. I recommend trying one of their orange wines, which pairs surprisingly well with roast lamb. Or, if you prefer beer, they have a selection of local craft beers on tap. The Kernel IPA is a good choice, as its hoppy bitterness cuts through the richness of the lamb.

So there you have it! Five of the best Sunday roasts in London. Each one offers a unique experience, but all of them are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings for a proper Sunday feast. Now get out there and start exploring! Remember to book in advance, especially on Sundays, as these places get busy.