Here’s Where To Get A Good Sunday Roast In Central London
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3 weeks ago
Stellar Sunday lunches in the city centre
If the constant rain didn’t clue you in, autumn is on the horizon – which means Sundays are about to get a whole lot more exciting. Roasts are back, and we can’t wait to spend this season sampling the city’s best. Here, we bring you the crème de la crème of roasts in central London, from cosy pubs in Marylebone to glitzy Soho members’ clubs.
Where To Find The Best Roasts In Central London
Sussex Bar & Restaurant, Soho
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It might be located on the streets of Soho, but only a few steps inside Sussex Restaurant and you’ll be feeling like you’ve ambled into a cosy countryside pub in, well, Sussex. And that’s replete with a menu from the area, too. The Frith Street outpost from the Gladwins – also behind Rabbit, The Shed, and The Pig’s Ear – you can expect a plateful of wild, foraged and Sussex-grown produce and meats from the culinary family’s biodynamic farm in Amberley. When it comes to the Sunday roast, expect the works: your choice of meats (lamb, pork or partridge for solo ventures, beef, chicken or wellington to share with a fellow diner), seasonal Sussex vegetables, fluffy Yorkshire puddings and particularly exceptional golden roast potatoes. It’s worth adding a side of cauliflower cheese to the selection, if you want to experience a good cheese pull. The snack menu runs on a Sunday, too, so consider taking this as a chance to try their famous mushroom marmite eclairs – not that you’ll have room. Expect to waddle away with a full belly and a very happy outlook on the week ahead. Charlie Colville.
Hero dish: The roast potatoes here are on another level. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside – and best served with a glass of Nutbourne wine.
Address: 63-64 Frith Street, Soho, Greater, London W1D 3JW
Book via sussex-restaurant.com
The Audley Public House, Mayfair
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Long-standing Mayfair pub The Audley was revamped a few years ago under the helm of Artfarm, the hospitality arm of Hauser & Wirth. The smart venue features two spaces: a traditional British pub, The Audley Public House, alongside a more formal restaurant upstairs, Mount St. Restaurant. If you’re after a roast in central London, head to the former, a stylish and relaxed space decked out with an impressive collection of art (typical of Artfarm projects). You’ll be served a generous portion of premium quality beef, perfectly crispy and fluffy roasties, seasonal veg and a large Yorkshire pudding filled with some extra pulled beef inside. Ellie Smith.
Hero dish: The cauliflower cheese side is pure buttery, crispy, cheesy joy.
Address: 41-43 Mount St, London W1K 2RX
Book via theaudleypublichouse.com
Estiatorio Milos, St James
Scroll on now if you’re a Sunday roast purist: the slickly decorated Estiatorio Milos offers a compelling alternative inspired by the traditions of the Greek Easter table. Okay, so the Sunday lunch menu has some of the foods you might come to expect – it culminates in an absolutely enormous serving of lamb and roast potatoes – but it’s all prepared through a Grecian lens. The lamb, thus, is herby and spit-roasted for six to seven hours, and there’s a lot more spanakopita than you’d find in the classic format. You can expect moreish gigantes in tomato sauce, fried and crunchy Greek cheeses, and grilled sausages, over an enormous eight plates. With so many courses, expect to take your time over the meal. But if we’re talking tradition, surely that’s completely in the spirit of the perfect Sunday roast. Tessa Dunthorne
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Hero dish: The lamb has astonishing moisture for how well-seared its outside is, and given it is the last in a deluge of dishes, it is a testament to how tasty it is that you will still find it in yourself finish it. The pitta and olive oil at the start of the meal deserves honourable mention, too; the team snip fresh herbs straight from a pot into the oil before you begin.
Address: 1 Regent Street Saint James’s, London SW1Y 4NR
Book via estiatoriomilos.com
The Libertine, Bank
Set in the vaults beneath the Royal Exchange, The Libertine is a totally unique place to enjoy your Sunday lunch. It’s a big beef affair, if you’re so inclined. Choose between the 42-day dry-aged beef rump (basted with thyme and garlic beurre noisette), the butcher’s cuts of beef to share (chateaubriand, porterhouse or cote de beouf) or – if venturing beyond the bloody stuff – there’s a free range chicken supreme as well as a vegan-friendly squash pithivier. Alongside that, you can expect crispy rosemary roast potatoes, plump Yorkshire puddings, roasted maple glazed carrots, moreish confit garlic greens, mellow parsnip puree, and rich Bordeaux red wine gravy. Top it all off with dessert (there’s always space). The comforting treacle syrup sponge pudding is an obvious finale, but if you’re feeling indecisive, you can plump for a selection of petit fours: macarons, salted caramel truffles, treacle tarts, and brownie bites. Last thing: befitting the name, The Libertine has a longstanding tradition of revelry, occupying the site where Britain’s first royal alcohol licence was granted. They have their own dry gin – don’t miss it. Olivia Emily
Hero dish: Don’t overlook the cauliflower cheese: think al dente cauliflower immersed in rich cheese with a perfectly crispy top.
Address: 1 Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3LL
Book via libertinelondon.co.uk
The Barley Mow, Mayfair
‘Tis almostthe season to zip between Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street, with the twinkling Christmas lights casting a magical glow across your path. When you need to refuel with a really great British roast, add The Barley Mow to your shopping agenda. The ground floor offers an upmarket British boozer restored to all of its glory and complete with bar stools, chevron wood floor and a huge marble-topped wooden bar, but head up to the first floor to find an intimate dining room with light pouring in through the windows and bountiful roasts flooding out of the kitchen. Chef Chris Fordham-Smith is at the helm, injecting French decadence into his all-day cuisine – but, of course, we’re here to talk about the roast. Choose between market fish, mustard cured sirloin, slow roasted lamb shoulder, pork belly, Cotswold chicken or herb roasted romanesco cauliflower and prepare yourself for a feast: perfectly cooked, tender meat accompanied by a classic jug of rich, warming gravy alongside crispy roasties and seasonal greens. Divine. If you’re feeling indulgent, why not add a decadent cauliflower cheese? And if that doesn’t defeat you, the chocolate mousse pud is not to be missed. OE
Hero dish: The mustard cured sirloin comes with a huge Yorkshire pud filled with pulled beef – delicious.
Address: 82 Duke St, London W1K 6JG
Book via cubitthouse.co.uk
The Twenty Two, Mayfair
While part of Mayfair hotspot The Twenty Two is members’ only, the restaurant is open to all – and it’s well worth a visit to try the top-notch roast. Executive Chef Alan Christie has crafted a traditional Sunday lunch menu with high-quality ingredients, offering a choice of chicken, lamb or beef served with a Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese and seasonal vegetables. Pair with wines from the impressive list – and be sure to get a snap or two of the gorgeous interiors: think blue walls, velvet banquettes and brass chandeliers. ES
Hero dish: The beef gets our vote here.
Address: 22 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 6LF
Book via the22.london
Oblix West, Southwark
Oblix Restaurant – The Shard, London, Copyright – Richard Southall/Ilona Zielinska
When it comes to Sunday lunch with a view, they don’t come much better than Oblix West at the Shard. Check out the open kitchen en route to your table to see what takes your fancy, but be sure to start with your meal with an excellent Bloody Mary. You may want to dive straight into the main (the roast here is pretty sizeable) but if you do want something to start, the burrata is our pick. Book early for a table by the window and settle in for a long and leisurely lunch with all the trimmings. ES
Hero dish: The rib of beef is perfectly cooked but the surprise hero was the creamy mash, that threw the roast potatoes into the shade.
Address: The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
Book via oblixrestaurant.com
Jones Family Kitchen, Belgravia
The roast has returned to The Jones Family Kitchen, located in Belgravia’s buzzing Eccleston Yards. If you remember just one thing about The Jones Family Kitchen, it should be that they know how to cook meat that melts in your mouth. Renowned for their Josper grilled steaks – which should be consumed dripping in red wine beef jus and scoffed with truffle macaroni cheese for the full luxurious experience and foodie memories that’ll last for weeks – it’s safe to say that the beef picaña is a roast dinner winner. All their meat is sourced from The Ginger Pig, who farm their contented free-range animals up north in Yorkshire. Plus, each roast is served alongside duck fat roast potatoes, honey roast parsnips, seasonal greens, Yorkshire puddings and gravy. A special shout out must also go to their lovingly and cleverly curated wine menu – they have incredibly knowledgeable staff and a well recommended red will round your meal off to perfection. ES
Hero dish: The succulent beef sirloin, chosen for its tenderness and rich flavours.
Address: 7-8 Eccleston Yards, London SW1W 9AZ
Book via jonesfamilykitchen.co.uk
temper, Soho
The smell of the leeks and shallots roasting over coals will have you salivating from the moment you walk through the door. Extra bonus points for being the only roast that starts with a round of tacos. On offer to guests is a selection of smoked meats such as smoked pork belly with smoked apple sauce and smoked baby chicken with chimichurri served with all the trimmings and a wicked 16-hour gravy. There’s an ever-changing selection of roast meats, plus sharing platters like the Three Beast Feast, which includes smoked and pulled lamb shoulder, roast aged beef and roast pork, a perfect sharer for two people. ES
Hero dish: This is the best cauliflower cheese in town. Forget tasteless milky mess: this is smoky, cheesy, gloopy goodness.
Address: 25 Broadwick St, London W1F 0DF
Book via temperrestaurant.com
Savoy Grill By Gordon Ramsay, the Strand
If it’s glitz and old-school glamour you seek for your ultimate Sunday roast in London, check into the Savoy Grill for a lunch date to remember. Here Sunday means rib of Hereford beef and Yorkshire pudding. Allow the sommelier to recommend the perfect accompaniment to your meal and remember to start with bubbles – after all, this is not your everyday beef dinner. ES
Hero dish: Nothing polishes off a delicious roast dinner quite like sticky toffee pudding. As you’d expect, the Grill’s take is absolute perfection.
Address: 100 Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
Book via gordonramsayrestaurants.com
How We Curated This List: The C&TH Food & Drink Promise
From Michelin-starred dining rooms to hidden neighbourhood gems, the C&TH team is dedicated to guiding you to the best culinary experiences. Our editorial independence is paramount. While our editors and writers occasionally accept press invitations to review a menu, nobody pays to be featured in our guides – nor will we include anything that doesn’t meet our editorial standards. On those occasions, we will typically give feedback to the restaurant on exactly why we couldn’t include them. Whether a restaurant has been rigorously tested by our team on the ground, or included for its undeniable industry reputation and exceptional chef credentials, we only ever recommend places that will be worth your time and money.
Reviews by: Charlie Colville, Ellie Smith, Olivia Emily and Tessa Dunthorne.
