A Londoners guide to the best Sunday roasts in the capital

A Sunday roast is a true British favourite, especially now we’ve entered peak cosy season. In fact, UK Google searches for “Sunday roast” have jumped 78% in the past three months alone, with hungry Brits hunting down the perfect plate of roasties, gravy and all the trimmings.

London is brimming with plenty of top-rated pubs for a roast, so where should Brits go to satisfy their cravings? To find out, we analysed the capital borough-by-borough – looking at the number of top-rated venues and the sentiment behind roast-focused reviews to score and rank the ultimate roast destinations. We’ve also highlighted the top pubs for both traditional and vegetarian roasts.

So, whether you’re planning a roast-hunting trip to the capital, or you’ve just settled into your new London home and are on the lookout for your new local, we’ve done the hard work for you. Dig in!

The best boroughs for a Sunday roast

1. Islington

Our research crowns Islington as London’s top borough for a Sunday roast, earning a standout score of 95 thanks to its high concentration of well-rated venues and glowing roast-related reviews. This stylish North London spot boasts 29 exceptional roast destinations, paired with an average sentiment score of 93.

Islington is packed with inviting neighbourhood pubs, including Charli XCX’s favourite roast stop, The Pig and Butcher in Angel. Other standout pubs dishing up hearty plates include The Compton Arms, famed for its classic-but-creative approach, and The Bull, a cosy spot serving generous plates with all the trimmings.

2. Greenwich

Following in second place as a roast hotspot is Greenwich, boasting an overall score of 93. The Southern borough is home to 24 top-rated roast venues, with a near perfect sentiment score of 96.

Known for its historic charm and village-like feel, Greenwich is home to a brilliant mix of traditional boozers and modern gastropubs. Top contenders include The Guildford Arms, praised for its seasonal roast offerings and leafy garden; The Trafalgar Tavern, a historic riverside pub serving generous plates with stunning Thames views; and The Old Brewery, set within the iconic Royal Naval College.

3. Newham

Newham follows in third place with an overall score of 91. The borough has no shortage of top-rated roast venues, with a count of 36, it’s the highest in the research. Newham also has an impressive sentiment score of 84 towards its roast-related reviews.

Stratford’s The King Eddie remains a local favourite thanks to its perfectly crisped roasties and homely feel, while The Abbey Tap delivers generous plates ideal for post-match gatherings.

4. Kensington and Chelsea

In fourth place, Kensington and Chelsea earns an overall score of 89 for its pub Sunday roasts. The borough is home to 32 top-rated venues, with a solid sentiment score of 88.

Standout spots include Fox and Pheasant, known for its classic roasts and cosy atmosphere, and Cadogan Arms, which offers seasonal ingredients and generous portions. The Pig’s Ear is also a local favourite, praised for its tender meats, great vegetarian options, and delicious trimmings.

5. Lambeth

Fifth on the list, Lambeth scores 89 overall, with 26 top-rated roast venues earning high praise.

The borough is a mix of bustling traditional pubs and modern spots, each bringing its own character to Sunday lunches. The Sun of Camberwell stands out for its hearty vegetarian roasts and relaxed, dog-friendly atmosphere, while The Windmill impresses with generous beef and chicken plates.

The top pubs for a Sunday roast

1. The Alma, Wandsworth

A lively Wandsworth pub that packs in locals on Sunday afternoons, The Alma serves generous, traditional roasts with all the trimmings. Yorkshire puddings are famously crispy, and the sharing roasts are top-notch. Prices start around £22, making it a great choice for a hearty, no-fuss Sunday meal.

2. The Guildford Arms, Greenwich

Set on a quiet street in Greenwich, this pub is known for its seasonal ingredients and polished take on Sunday roasts. Its garden is a real draw in summer, perfect for enjoying beef, chicken, or vegetarian options. Roast plates start from £20, making it a well-priced choice for London.

3. The Pig and Butcher, Islington

For meat lovers, this is the go-to Islington spot. Whole-animal butchery ensures tender cuts and golden crackling. The cosy interior feels rustic yet modern, and a roast here starts at £25 – a little pricier, but the quality speaks for itself.

4. The Drapers Arms, Islington

A traditional Georgian pub with a welcoming atmosphere, The Drapers Arms serves generous roasts with seasonal veg and rich gravies. Starting at £24, it’s a classic spot for families and groups wanting a comforting Sunday lunch.

5. Fox and Anchor, Islington

Nestled near Smithfield Market, this Victorian alehouse makes the most of locally sourced meats. Roast plates from £21 come with all the classics, and the historic, cosy setting makes it ideal for a leisurely weekend treat.

The top pubs for a vegetarian Sunday roast

1. The Albion, Islington

The Albion is a floral-clad gem in Islington, where the Sunday roast is all about its standout butternut squash and chickpea wellington. Served with crispy roast potatoes and perfect gravy, this indulgent vegetarian option starts at £20, making it a picture-perfect spot for a leisurely Sunday lunch.

2. The Old Queen’s Head, Islington

This lively Islington pub puts its vegetarian Sunday roast front and centre, featuring a hearty mushroom wellington served with all the trimmings. Priced at £18.50, it’s a generous, plant-based option that pairs perfectly with the pub’s weekend music vibe, making for a fun and relaxed Sunday lunch.

3. The Sun of Camberwell

A South London favourite, The Sun of Camberwell serves flavour-packed vegetarian roasts, including butternut squash, mushroom and spinach wellington, and a vegan vegetable nut loaf – both £16. The relaxed, dog-friendly setting makes it a comfortable choice.

4. The Spread Eagle, Hackney

Being Hackney’s fully vegan pub, The Spread Eagle naturally shines in our research and is celebrated for its expertly crafted plant-based Sunday roasts. Dishes range from inventive nut roasts, slow roasted celeriac to beet wellington, all served with flawless Yorkshire puddings and the trimmings. Prices start at £18, and even meat-eaters often leave thoroughly impressed.

5. The Black Heart, Camden

Camden’s Black Heart puts a rock-and-roll twist on Sunday roasts with vegan options like roast mocken breast, tofu belly wellington, and seitan ‘chicken’. Veggie sides such as roasted sweet potato, mustardy leeks, maple glazed carrots, and collard greens are served alongside a crispy Yorkshire pudding and roasties. Roasts start at £18.

Methodology and sources

To identify the best London boroughs for Sunday roasts and vegetarian roasts, we analysed venues using data from the Google Maps API. We searched for “Sunday roast” and “veggie roast,” keeping only establishments where reviews explicitly mentioned these dishes and with overall ratings of 4.0 or higher.

For each venue, we performed sentiment analysis on roast-related reviews to calculate average scores for both traditional and vegetarian options. We also estimated the number of 5-star reviews to gauge popularity and consistency.

Borough rankings were based on a weighted index: 30% for the number of top-rated venues and 70% for average roast sentiment. The same weighting applied to vegetarian roasts. The resulting indices highlight boroughs that offer the best combination of high-quality establishments and positive customer experiences.