15 Best Restaurants For Sunday Roasts In London

The Sunday roast has been a part of British tradition since the 15th century, a legacy carried over from King Henry VII, as a way to break the fast from meat after church. Those who could not afford ovens of their own (which was many) were said to have stopped by the local bakers on the way to church, placing what meat they could afford in their unused bread ovens to be collected after church and doled out through the week. This carnivorous practice was encouraged by cookbook author William Kitchener, who wrote in 1871 that a healthy diet included 6 1/2 pounds of meat, a pint of beer, and 4 pounds of bread each week.

Great Britain is known for its love of predictability and order. Summertime is for the Pimm's Cup, Cricket, and Wimbledon. Winter is for brisk walks swiftly followed by trips to the pub. And Sundays, regardless of the weather, tend to be reserved for the Sunday roast. Though the name suggests slow-cooked meats, this has come to signify a long lunch with friends or family, whether at the pub or at home.

Londoners are spoilt for choice, with numerous pubs and restaurants serving incredible Sunday roasts and elaborate, well-cooked lunch options. Here are just fifteen great options for where to relax and enjoy one of the nation's best traditions. Afternoon naps are served separately.

Ling Lings at The Gun in Homerton stands out from the competition for many reasons, including the seamlessly incorporated, undeniably delicious Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese ingredients and flavors, giving roast dinners a whole new dimension. Founded and run by Jenny Phung and her partner James Shepherd Yorkshire, puddings are dusted with sesame, mustard greens have nori, and even the gravy has been generously infused with miso. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, creating a dedicated Ling Ling's fan club. 

Ling Lings, like a few others on this list, takes a summer sabbatical when the weather becomes too hot for customers and cooks alike to enjoy a roast anything. However, don't despair; all think roast chicken, pork, short rib, and sea bass will resume service in September. So, mark your calendars and start building up your appetite — you won't want to miss these thrilling and unique flavors. 

Frankly, we'd eat anything that comes out of the kitchen of Cafe Cecilia, in Hackney, no matter what day or meal. Run and owned by Max Rocha, who cut his teeth at other well-respected establishments like The River Cafe and St John's Bread & Wine, Cafe Cecilia's menu reads like an homage to understated-but-exceptional traditions, encouraging hunger pangs and anticipation from even the pickiest of eaters.

Though there is no specific 'Sunday Roast' menu, there also doesn't need to be; the entire menu feels created in the spirit of the tradition of simplicity, comfort, and quality. Check the daily blackboard for seasonal offerings. A plateful of Delicia squash, butter beans, cavolo nero, and labneh or leg of lamb served with pommes Anna and Anchovy, followed by deep-fried bread & butter pudding with cold custard, offers customers Sunday roast classics on any day it's open for lunch. The Guinness bread and Guinness bread ice cream are not to be missed.

Those looking for a great Sunday roast need look no further than Blacklock. With five London locations, Blacklock takes its inspiration from the chophouse traditions of the past, known for serving cuts of meat still on the bone in an unpretentious environment.

Blacklock roasts its joints, whether beef, lamb, pork, or whole celeriac, over coals, then serves them with the obligatory Yorkshire pudding, duck fat-roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and gravy. For those who want to try it all, split an order of the "All In" between two for a mixture of beef, lamb, and pork with all the trimmings.

We beg of you to add a bowl of bubbling cauliflower and four cheese to your order, whatever it may be. For those needing a bit of hair of the dog, the breakfast martini or beefy Mary will set you right. Vegetarians, however, may want to avoid the beefy Mary as beef jus is involved.

Hawksmoor has become synonymous with all things carnivorous. Now with restaurants in three English cities, one Scottish, one Irish, and two in the U.S., it has become much easier to access the group's award-winning offerings than ever before. Londoners are spoilt for choice with eight locations, each with slightly different offerings on the lunch and dinner menus. All London locations, save The Lowback Bar, offer a Sunday Roast menu.

The Sunday Roast menu at any Hawksmoor – the Sunday Feasting section in particular – is one to seek out. It features a slow roast rump mainstay and comes with all the trimmings, including a bone marrow and onion gravy that will leave you dreaming of filling a bathtub with the stuff and then slipping in for a long soak. Cuts of meat advertised on the blackboard are of epic proportions meant for sharing between two along with all of the sides. We wouldn't blame you if you decided to add an additional order of Hawksmoor stuffing.

The Harwood Arms in the southwest neighborhood of Fulham has made a name for itself over the years. It remains the only Michelin-starred pub in London and continues to live up to the high standard as several different chefs have stood at the helm. 

It is also known as one of London's best spots for an exceptional example of a Sunday roast tradition. Using a good amount of wild game like venison, The Harwood Arms also has a rooftop garden to keep its carbon footprint to a minimum. Pubs like this practically beg customers to order scotch eggs; no matter what experience you may have had with them in the past, these will leave you wanting more.

Roasts here should be ordered in pairs with a choice of beef, venison, pork, or cod, all sustainably sourced within the U.K. Orders come with all the classic trimmings: Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, baked carrots, cauliflower cheese, and greens. Try to save room for dessert, as the puddings are also exceptional. 

Frankly, we don't think there's a bad dish coming out of the kitchen at The Camberwell Arms. The warm, worn wood-accented dining room plays host to locals and those from afar searching for seasonal, thoughtfully made dishes.

Like many other pubs, the Sunday lunch menu features a variety of dishes meant to share, including succulent spit roast chicken for two, served with spinach, chili schmaltz yogurt, and roast potatoes. The aged steaks each come with smoked garlic butter, which is reason enough to order. If you fancy fish, The Camberwell Arms offers whole grilled brill with tantalizing saffron butter and chips. Roast potatoes flow through the entire menu, so spud lovers rejoice! We beg of you to save room for dessert; a spoonful of the baked custard, blackberries, and buckwheat crumble or the apricot and almond galette will be all it takes to convince you the efforts were worthwhile.

Opened in 2013, the Smokehouse Islington is a cross between a pub and a restaurant that's made a distinctive name for itself in the city by smoking the meats and a focus on sustainability. The Smokehouse is run by a family-owned business, Noble Inns, who look after two other humble-but-remarkable pubs within London, The Pig and Butcher, and The Princess of Shoreditch.

Sunday roast lunches at the Smokehouse feature lamb shoulder, pork, chicken, and beef, all of which have been smoked, of course. There's also a lentil and nut roast for vegetarian and vegan eaters. Each protein choice comes with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, gravy, and greens, as any self-respecting joint offering a Sunday roast lunch would do.

If you manage to save room for dessert, a trio of classic and comforting British puddings are on offer, including a crumble for two, a burnt butter and honey tart, and sticky toffee pudding. There is no wrong choice unless, of course, the choice is total abstention.