What is it about a Sunday roast? The finest cuts of meat dripping with juices (or nut roast, if you prefer), crispy roast potatoes, crunchy seasonal veg, pillowy Yorkshire pudding and lashings of gravy. It’s almost the perfect comfort food, as well as one of the dressiest meals for any occasion.
If you’re visiting the UK, you can’t leave without trying one of these traditional British dishes. And if you’re searching for a really good Sunday roast in north London, I can point you to a handsome pub called The Belrose. Scroll further down for our pick of the most delicious Sunday lunch choices around town!
Babes Review: Sunday Roast at The Belrose Pub
Nestled between Belsize Park and Chalk Farm, The Belrose is a new neighbourhood local with on-site microbrewery and an open kitchen with authentic clay oven. They serve authentic Italian pizzas, all-day rustic Mediterranean-inspired dishes (like pan-fried hake with haricot beans) and an amazing Sunday roast. We were invited** to check out the Belrose and their new Kids Menu, so we booked in for a Sunday slot at 7pm. They told us the kitchen would typically sell out of roasts by that time, but very kindly, they agreed to keep some back for us. Abiye and Ezra ordered a beef roast, I went for roast chicken, Jed chose to order off the kids’ menu.
Now I had a few concerns. My husband and firstborn are both quite fussy eaters, and the mister is something of a Sunday roast snob. We’ve actually stopped eating at one of our locals, because he said the roast had become sub-standard. And I don’t remember the last time he had a beef roast that he didn’t find disappointing.
On top of that, we’d had a fairly crappy day. So it was with an attitude of ‘oh well, what could go worse?’ that we headed to The Belrose for our meal. Ladies and gents, you’ll be pleased to know that dinner at the Belrose didn’t just exceed our expectations, it completely rescued our day.
Our friendly host Daniel was quick to greet us and seat us and tempt us with the starter menu. We had the fiery chicken wings (with fire sauce on the side), rosemary and garlic pizzettes and chorizo with rocket mayo.
We discovered it was a mistake to order just 1 of each: everything was so yummy, we were practically chewing each other’s fingers. I’m not sure who’d win in a smackdown between the chicken wings and the chorizo, but my money’s on those wings. Mmm mmm mm.
Young Jed was struggling with two Kids Menu choices: kid-sized roast or Margherita pizza? Before he got us tossing coins and picking out of a hat, I told him to go for the pizza and he could have a taste of my roast. Sorted. His little face lit up like Christmas when he saw the size of his pizza. Ezra had a slice and said it was ‘peng’ (translation: holy cowbells, that’s really tasty!).
Then the roasts arrived, and we all broke out singing Hallellujah. Unlike those rubbery slices of shoe leather you sometimes get in pub roasts, Abiye and Ezra were drooling over their tender, rare cuts of prime rib-eye.
My roast chicken was off the hook, like crazy good. Succulent, meaty, flavourful. Abiye ate some and declared: ‘I think that’s the best roast chicken I’ve ever had in a pub.’ The sides were outstanding too: herbed breadcrumb cauliflower cheese, braised red cabbage, Chantenay carrots, peas and horseradish cream.
We were full to bursting but Daniel insisted we try some dessert. We shared a selection of Nutella calzone (chocolate stuffed pizza) with pistachio ice cream, raspberry cheesecake and tiramisu.
Jed had two scoops of ice cream as part of his Kids Meal. I’ll admit I couldn’t manage more than a couple of mouthfuls, but everything tasted great. We paired our meal with a hearty Malbec, and Abiye also sampled the Belrose Pale Ale, which is brewed on site.
Afterwards, I could just about roll off my seat to go and compliment the chefs, and take snaps of the pizzaiolos working their magic. The open pizza oven adds to the warm, nourishing vibe of the pub.
The Belrose offers first-class gastropub nosh with zero pretentions. We absolutely loved it and will be back again, most likely for another Sunday roast!
The Belrose is at 94 Haverstock Hill, NW3 2BD (Chalk Farm/Belsize Park tube, Kentish Town West overground). The Sunday Roast (beef, chicken or nut roast with all the trimmings and unlimited gravy) is all-inclusive at £18. The Kids Menu costs £10 for a starter, main and ice cream dessert. Food is served 5pm-10pm (Mon-Wed), 12pm-11pm (Thu-Fri) and 11am-10pm (Sat-Sun). Visit www.thebelrose.co.uk
**We were guests of The Belrose but all opinions are our own.
Where Else Can you Eat the Best Sunday Roast in London?
Take a look at some of these delicious, family-friendly Sunday lunches around London.
NORTH
The Albion
We reckon it’s the venue itself with its fantastic garden, a real treat in the summer, that draws the crowd. But Sunday roasts here are quite legendary, with a popular nut roast amongst the veggie options. Come with a team of fellow foodies for their sharing platters, like a whole slow-cooked shoulder of lamb (order 48 hours in advance). Side note: my boys live for their sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. Address: 10 Thornhill Road, N1 1HW. (Highbury & Islington/Angel tube)
The Bull & Last
If you love your Sunday roast in one giant pile, look no further than the plates at the Bull & Last. The stacked meat and trimmings are smothered in gravy and sealed with a Yorkshire pud. A warm and welcoming pub to visit with your family, then take the kids for a romp around Hampstead Heath afterwards. Address: 168 Highgate Rd, Highgate NW5 1QS (Gospel Oak overground/Tufnell Park tube)
The Draper’s Arms
One of our neighbourhood favourites, the mister is a tiny bit obsessed with the pies at this posh but super child-friendly establishment. You can spend a lazy Sunday indulging in hot chocolates and board games by the fireplace. But don’t sleep on their Sunday roast: superior quality meat (anything from beef, lamb and chicken to grouse depending on the timetable), giant Yorkshire puddings, and some of the best roast potatoes. Seriously, don’t sleep as this venue books up fast. Address: 44 Barnsbury Street, N1 1ER (Highbury & Islington/Angel tube)
The Pig & Butcher
It’s advisable to book early for the pub roast at this popular spot off Upper St, N1. For about £18, you’ll get heaps of prime meat (beef and lamb served rare), beef dripping roast potatoes and sides of creamed leeks. The Pig & Butcher gets it name thanks to the fact they butcher whole carcasses on site, as they’ve done since the mid-1800s. Address: 80 Liverpool Rd, N1 0QD (Highbury & Islington/Angel tube)
Smokehouse Islington
Serving up the tastiest and most original smoked and grilled food in London, the Islington smokehouse doesn’t joke with its Sunday roast. The slow-smoked lamb simply slides off the bone, and there’s whole mackerel, pork, rare beef and more to work your way through too. Address: 63-69 Canonbury Road, N1 2DG (Highbury & Islington/Angel tube, Essex Rd rail)
EAST
Galvin La Chapelle
Enjoy a jazz soundtrack and a child-friendly atmosphere at a family Sunday lunch in the Michelin-starred restaurant. There are toys for kids and a Children’s menu for under 12s of Roast Chicken, mash, French beans and sorbet dessert for £12.50. Hop over to Spitalfields Market afterwards, for a leisurely wander around this vibrant part of town. Address: 35 Spital Square, E1 6DY (Liverpool St tube/rail)
The Jolly Butcher’s
We love the name of this pub and it comes highly rated, especially for their veggie nut roasts, and traditional meat carvings, with massive Yorkshires. Everything is available in kid-sized portions on request. Address: 204 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7HU (Hackney Central overground)
The Marksman
London’s first Michelin Pub of the Year, the Marksman has earned its reputation for premium gastro-fare. Topnotch roasts (try the Hereford T-bone with Yorkshire pudding) with standout gravy, plus a family-friendly vibe at this East End institution. Address: 254 Hackney Road, E2 7SJ (Hoxton overground, Old St tube)
Rudie’s
A standard British roast is always a treat, but sometimes you want to switch it up. Rudie’s puts a Jamaican remix on the Sunday roast, with jerk roast chicken (marinated for 24 hours), roast yam and roast tatties, and a yummy-sounding jerk-rum gravy. Address: 50 Stoke Newington Road, N16 7XB (Dalston Kingsland overground)
CENTRAL & CITY
The Admiral Codrington
An old staple on the Chelsea scene, the Admiral Cod is great for a Bloody good Mary after a big night out. But you can also bring the whole family along for a traditional roast with Scotch stripling beef, garlic lemon and thyme chicken, or pork loin crackling. Yum. Address: 17 Mossop Street, SW3 2LY (South Kensington tube)
Blacklock Soho
Don’t worry about its shady past (it’s set in the basement of an old brothel), and focus on the amazing food at this West End favourite. Choose from 55-day aged rump beef, Cornish lamb leg, Middlewhite pork loin, or a mix of all three. Duck-fat roast potatoes, Yorkshires and bone-marrow gravy round things off nicely. Address: The Basement, 24 Great Windmill Street, W1D 7LG (Piccadilly Circus tube)
The Coal Shed
Coal-roasted rare breed meat is their specialty, so it comes as no surprise that their Sunday roast is a cut above. Their Sunday Sharing Roast (£40 for two) features a 500g Black Aberdeen Angus, dry-aged for 35 days, with smoked gravy, honey roast root veg and beef fat potatoes. Oh, and accompanying kids eat free from the children’s menu before 7pm! Address: 1 Tower Bridge, 4 Crown Square, SE1 2SE (London Bridge/Tower Hill tube)
The Jugged Hare
Roast whole game birds are on the daily menu, and on Sundays you can try delicious meats off the rotisserie grill. Longhorn rump, whole roast mutton or Suffolk free range chicken are just a sample of their Sunday roast. Address: 49 Chiswell Street, EC1Y 4SA (Moorgate/Barbican tube, Liverpool St tube/rail)
Rules
A distinctly British, traditional menu, with a focus on game cookery (pheasant, venison, hare) mark this heritage restaurant. Rules also impresses with specialities like their pot roast bacon chop, or rib of beef for two, along with a range of delicious puddings. Address: 35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2E 7LB (Covent Garden)
WEST
Hawksmoor Seven Dials
The award-winning Hawksmoor is best known for amazing steaks, and their Sunday roast is on another level. Enjoy a mouthwatering roast beef, sourced from esteemed butchers, The Ginger Pig. For extra flavour, all their joints are started on charcoal and finished in the oven. Address: 11 Langley St, Covent Garden, WC2H 9JG (Covent Garden tube)
Parlour
This is a beautiful spot, much-loved by locals, where you can book in for The Great British Roast. Try the Parlour’s Posh Roast platter if you’re happy to share with a friend, or why not tuck in to ‘a little bit of everything’? Address: 5 Regent Street, Kensal Green NW10 5LG (Kensal Rise overground)
The Westbourne
A popular hangout from back in the day, the Westbourne is still a huge draw for a good Sunday roast. The menu changes frequently according to what’s available from independent suppliers, but you can guarantee some prime meats and massive Yorkies. Address: 101 Westbourne Park Villas W2 5ED (Westbourne Park/Royal Oak tube)
SOUTH
The Camberwell Arms
Spit-roast chicken, roast pork belly or Saltmarsh lamb bring the hordes to the door at this chilled-out bar/restaurant. Seasonal meat and veg with a gastropub edge, plus really decent prices, make for a winning combination. Voted 1 in the Guardian’s Top 50 Sunday Roasts (2017). Address: 65 Camberwell Church Street, SE5 8TR (Denmark Hill rail)
The Harwood Arms
The Michelin-starred pub is renowned for posh nosh and has the prices and atmosphere to match. Head here for a special Date with Dad, and have a foodie adventure. Try dishes like braised jowl of Tamworth pork with black pudding and pale ale. Or a marmalade ice cream sandwich for dessert! Address: Walham Grove, SW6 1QP (Fulham Broadway tube)
No 29 Power Station West, Battersea
There’s tons of activity for families at weekends in Battersea Power Station’s Circus West Village. Head to No 29 Power Station West for a super cosy vibe, and a cracking Sunday lunch. Enjoy roast chicken or topside of beef, duck fat potatoes, grilled truffle cabbage, and kid-sized roast for £7.50. Address: 29 Circus West, Battersea Power Station SW8 4NN (Battersea Park overground/rail)
Roast
Last but not least, the aptly named Roast. Right in the heart of Borough Market, it’s a classy joint to follow up some market browsing with the family. Roast beef is on the menu all week, but Sunday lunch is where it’s at. It’s not your average kiddie zone, but they do have a Young Diner’s menu and kids eat free during UK school holidays (per paying adult). Address: The Floral Hall, Borough Market, Stoney Street, SE1 1TL
Any other suggestions? We love trying out foodie spots, let us know what we should add to the list!
I am salivating and I’ve just finished dinner. R is also a huge roast snob and does not eat roast unless he has cooked it! But I think these places could be just the ticket. The Belrose sounds mouth wateringly awesome and I literally feel like going now. But definitely going to bookmark and head there over the festive period. xx
I was drooling as I wrote this post Nomita, perils of food blogging lol! We were honestly so impressed by the food at the Belrose and it’s a lovely setting too, really chilled out vibe. So many great places to enjoy a full roast, it’s one of our fave meals and Abiye also cooks a mean roast chicken, so that was high praise from him :-)