Food doesn't come much more comforting than a classic Sunday roast. Here are a few of the best in and around Bristol...

You’re never too far from a great Sunday roast in Bristol. Bristol has an eclectic mix of venues to enjoy a classic roast dinner, from cosy pubs to stylish restaurants. 

Many restaurants and pubs in Bristol are passionate about sourcing ingredients locally from great producers, in addition to having vegan and vegetarian options. Many are also able to do gluten free versions of their roasts, although please check with the venue if you require dishes to be catered for a coeliac diet.

The Ostrich

The perfect place to warm up and refuel after a harbourside stroll, this large and historic pub not only boasts some great waterside views, but a tasty menu of popular pub grub too. Choose from beef, pork, chicken or butternut squash wellington, all served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal greens, crushed carrot and swede, maple-roast parsnips, and red wine gravy. There are also other menu options if you want something lighter, from fish and chips to hummus and pitta.

Image: The Ostrich

Harbour House

A traditional Sunday lunch is served all day every Sunday from 12pm at Harbour House, with locally reared Hereford beef, Gloucester old spot pork to choose from. All served with crispy roast potatoes, buckets of gravy and the best cauliflower cheese. They occasionally have live music to accompany Sunday lunch sessions too!

Image: Harbour House

Riverstation

Another roast location with wonderful harbourside views, Riverstation offers a choice of starters before you tuck into the main event. Choose from Dingley Dell roast pork loin, chicken supreme or 21 day-aged Angus beef rump, all served with double egg yolk Yorkshire pudding, roasted seasonal root vegetables, roast potatoes, greens & red wine jus. The vegan option of roast courgette, fennel & red onion Pithivier with vegan jus comes without a Yorkshire pudding.

The Old Market Assembly

The Old Market Assembly serve their roasts up until 6pm every Sunday, which is handy if you're going to a show at The Wardrobe Theatre (located at the back of the venue) later in the evening! They're committed to using locally sourced ingredients on their menu, and their meat is always free-range high-welfare and ethically farmed. Choose from options including veggie wellington, nut roast, 28-day aged silverside of beef, roasted pork belly or shoulder of lamb. Kids roasts are also available. 

Image - The Old Market Assembly

The Ox

The Ox is known for being one of the city's top steakhouses. If you're looking for a decadent roast, this is the place to come! Choose from dry aged beef rump with horseradish, slow roasted porchetta with apple sauce, or if you’re vegetarian, butternut squash with veggie gravy. Sharing roasts are also available for those with larger appetites. The Ox is also does kids roasts for ages six and under. If not everyone in your group is in the mood for a roast dinner, The Ox also run their menu of small plates, steaks and sides alongside roasts every Sunday. 

Image: The Ox

Bocabar

Choose from two Bocabars in the city - relax at their airy and modern cafe-bar in Finzels Reach, or get cosy in one of their vintage chairs at the quirky warehouse in Paintworks. Choose from a roasted strip loan of beef with Yorkshire pudding, gluten-free cauliflower cheese and beef gravy. If you don’t want a meaty roast dinner, try their vegan spiced mushroom, kidney bean and almond nut roast with sweet potato potato crisps and tomato basil gravy. 

The Cottage

Tuck into your roast with a view of the Floating Harbour and iconic painted houses. All roasts are served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal greens, crushed carrot and swede, maple-roast parsnips, and red wine gravy. A reduced menu of pub classics is also available every Sunday.

Image: The Cottage

The Cow & Sow

Head to this relaxed chophouse on Queen Square for a Sunday roast with all of the trimmings. Alongside porchetta or slow cooked beef brisket (or sweet potato Wellington for a veggie main), you'll also find a range of small plates and sharing steaks.

The Maple Lounge

Looking to indulge in a Sunday Roast? Visit from 12pm to 9pm every Sunday and indulge in a feast of flavours. Start with irresistible bar snacks like duck Scotch eggs and Maple flavoured crisps, or try one of our starters, including Soup of the day, smoked beef ribs and more. For the main event, choose from a variety of Roasts including beef rib, pork belly, trio of roasts, or pick from the select Maple classics they offer on a Sunday, like The Maple Burger or whole crown prince squash. Don’t forget to save room for a delicious dessert!

Image - The Maple Lounge

Hort's Townhouse

Roasts are served at spacious city centre gastropub Hort's Townhouse from 12-9pm every Sunday, with a choice of beef, pork or chicken if you want a meaty roast, or a celeriac, courgette, spinach & shallot pithivier for a veggie option. 

The Square Kitchen

With view across the leafy Berkeley Square, choose between a two or three-course Sunday lunch to enjoy in this modern bistro, with starters including citrus-cured salmon with cucumber, crème fraiche and cockle popcorn, or onion and cave-aged Cheddar arancini. Meat options including British beef and roast loin of belly pork. For something lighter try their black bream.  

Image: The Square Kitchen

The Gallimaufry 

The Gallimaufry on Gloucester Road has something to cater for most dietary preferences. Choose from vegan and gluten free Roasted squash, mushroom, pinto bean & walnut roast w/cauliflower gratin, Vegetarian Beetroot, lentil pate, pesto & goats cheese puff pastry wellington. Or slow cooked pork belly, free range chicken and roast top rump of beef. They also have a range of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free desserts and sides avaliable.

The Bank Tavern 

This award-winning roast may be booked up for the next four years(!), however, if you keep an eye out or call them on the day, if they've had a cancellation you may be able to get a spot at this iconic roast dinner venue. All of The Bank Tavern’s ingredients are sourced locally and starters/desserts are changed up weekly to keep things exciting.

Ring o' Bells

Head to this charming country pub just outside Bristol for a range of pub favourites, including their popular Sunday lunch. The pub is also on the doorstep of Chew Valley Lake and the Mendip hills, the perfect place to build up an appetite with a pre-roast walk!

Image: Ring 'o Bells

The Christmas Steps 

Cosy up at the Christmas Steps pub at the bottom of the Christmas Steps after taking some snaps on the iconic street. Choose from a main of beef strip loin, buttermilk chicken or their vegetarian and gluten-free portobello mushroom & stilton wellington, or lentil vegan nut roast. If you want something sweet after your roast, this has a selection of desserts which can cater to dietary requirements. 

Chris and Jo’s Kitchen 

Chris and Jo’s Kitchen on St Michael’s Hill is a small bistro set right behind the University of Bristol campus. Their great value mains include chicken, pork or beef with layer upon layer of trimmings, from vegetables and crispy roast potatoes, to a croquette and crispy veg.  

Pasture

Order their delicious roast rump of beef, pork belly with crispy crackling, or slow roasted lamb. They also do steak sharing boards for if you want to feast. Although Pasture is known for their meat dishes, they also sell a delicious vegan roasted butternut squash nut roast for if you wanted to visit with a big group. 

Image: Pasture

The Lock Up

Venture to St George in East Bristol for a top tier roast in this relaxed neighbourhood restaurant. The Lock Up is a popular local spot for its atmosphere, friendly staff, great cocktails and delicious yet simple menu.

The Hillgrove

If you're a late riser on the weekend, this is the one for you! You can book and preorder, as their Sunday roast is served from 4pm onwards. It's a homely affair, which suits the cosy setting of this backstreet Dawkins Ales pub down to the ground.

The Cadbury 

The Cadbury in Montpelier is a great place if you want to go out with your vegan and meat-eating friends, they have three vegan options! Hazelnut Walnut & Cranberry nut roast, Vegan pork with cracking and apple sauce and butternut squash and celeriac wellington with all the trimmings and a vegan dessert is available. 

The Canteen 

Another great choice for veggies is The Canteen on Stokes Croft. The Canteen is completely veggie: choose from vegan beetroot wellington with a tofu filling, caramelised onion seitan or vegetarian and gluten free Mushroom, squash and spinach savoury crumble. The bar-restaurant is also family friendly and has kids roasts available for £7.50 and desserts with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. 

Twists on a classic

Pieminister

Try Pieminister's take on a roast dinner - Sunday Best. Get any classic pie from their menu (meat, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available) with mash, lashings of gravy, Yorkshire pudding, baby roast potatoes, carrot & swede mash, topped with a honey & mustard pig  and free range pork scratching, or stuffing balls. Bookings are advised but not essential.

Image: Pieminister

Bar 44 

Try something different with a Spanish style roast! There's a Mediterranean spin on all of the traditional sides, from chorizo Yorkshire puddings, to Manchego cauliflower cheese. They're also very committed to their gluten-free options, with gluten-free Yorkshire puddings and a dedicated gluten-free tapas menu.

Bar 44 also sell a veggie roast, featuring roasted celeriac steak, yorkshire puddings, umami savoury cabbage with miso herb butter, manchego cauliflower cheese, roasted bravas potatoes, heritage carrots, heritage aioli and gravy. 

Image: Bar 44

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