There’s nothing better than a bloody good roast dinner on a Sunday, especially when you’re in the West Country. Whether you’re after a hearty roast in a cosy pub with your mates, or something a little more upmarket, Bristol has it all. You might be after some succulent beef, crispy pork belly, or a delicious nut roast – lucky for you, Bristol has such a wide variety that there really is something for everyone. Without further ado, here’s my guide to the best roast in Bristol.
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The Bank Tavern, John Street
It’s no secret that The Bank Tavern has been dishing up the best roast in Bristol. In fact, its roast dinners are award-winning, and it’s already fully booked for 2024! That’s right – the restaurant recently won Bristol’s Best Sunday Lunch at the Observer Food Monthly Awards in 2019, as well as the Bristol Good Food Awards in 2018. If that doesn’t speak for itself, I’m not sure what will. Take my word for it and book a table from 12pm on a Sunday. Expect generous portions, reasonable prices, and excellent food made with locally sourced ingredients. Located behind The Lanes in a stunning Georgian pub, enjoy perusing the tasty menu. Favourites include their rare topside of beef or slow cooked pork belly with crackling. All roast dinners are served with gravy, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, parsnip puree, creamy leeks, and seasonal vegetables. Visit and let me know your thoughts!
Fancy brunching instead? Check out my guide to the best brunch in Bristol.
The Crafty Cow, Gloucester Road
The Crafty Cow is a family friendly, independent Bristol pub with food and rooms on Horfield’s Gloucester Road. As well as offering a great drink range including beer from some of Bristol’s best breweries, they also do one of the best roasts in Bristol. There’s a cosy bar area, a large dining area, and a large beer garden for the summer months. I love visiting for the Sunday lunch menu, enjoying a good wine, and sitting by the log burning fire. All Sunday roasts are served with a Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, parsnips, braised red cabbage, roasted carrots, and a seasonal puree. I highly recommend the stout-braised short rib which is served with a rich stout reduction.
The Gallimaufry, Gloucester Road
The Gallimaufry is a great Sunday go-to, with an excellent reputation in the city for one of the best roasts in Bristol. The restaurant offers a comfy setting with a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for relaxing with some great food. The Gallimaufry takes great pride in its Sunday roast menu, and vegetarians and vegans are well catered for with tasty roast options like the cashew and pecan nut roast served with seasonal vegetables. For carnivores, feast on Sunday roast dishes like overnight rump of beef, leg of lamb, confit belly of pork, free range chicken, and even venison haunch. All roast meats come with sides including Yorkshire pudding, bread sauce, roast potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. You can enjoy your meal in their al fresco dining area, the bar, or the mezzanine. Don’t forget to wash it all down with a Bloody Mary or two.
Pasture, Portwall Lane
Pasture is a personal favourite of mine. I’ve visited on several occasions, always for their Chateaubriand which is excellent. You can expect, therefore, an equally sumptuous Sunday roast, and it’s famous for offering the best roast in Bristol. Pasture celebrates fire-based cooking and local ingredients, both of which really place it at the top of its game. Expect some fine dining and delicious food for your Sunday roast. Choose from roast favourites like roast rump of beef roasted over wild cherry wood, local pork belly with crispy crackling and orchard sauce, and slow cooked lamb shoulder with fresh mint sauce. If you’d prefer, you can also choose their incredible house cuts to share, including chateaubriand, tomahawk, and porterhouse. All Sunday roast dinners are served with crispy roast potatoes, leek gratin, farm greens, squash puree, Yorkshire puddings, and bottomless gravy. Once you visit Pasture, you won’t be able to stop going back!
Bar 44, Regent Street
Turn up to Bar 44 for a little luxury and of course one of the best roasts in Bristol. Enjoy the plush furnishings and surroundings while you enjoy your meal, as well as the Spanish twist throughout your Sunday roast experience. Inspired by the owners’ travels around Spain, their Sunday roast takes a similar Hispanic inspiration. A sharing menu for two, Bar 44’s Sunday roast is a choice between 35-day aged picanha of Hereford beef, or pedro ximénez ruroc pork cheeks. The roast dinner is served with chorizo Yorkshire pudding, jamón fat roast bravas potatoes with rosemary, garlic, and thyme, manchego cauliflower cheese, tenderstem broccoli with jamón butter, roast carrots with honey and thyme, all drizzled off with a red wine sauce. A meal at Bar 44 is another wonderful reason to visit beautiful Clifton. Be prepared for a feast!
The Ox, Corn Street
The Ox is well known as serving up fantastic steaks and meats, so you can expect to be in for a treat when it comes to their Sunday roasts. Think tender roast beef, beautifully formed Yorkshire puddings, and the tastiest meaty gravy. You’ll discover a delicious Sunday menu and one of the best roasts in Bristol. The menu is full of prime cuts of delicious meat, all cooked in the Josper oven. Choose from Buxton’s dry aged beef rump with horseradish, slow roasted porchetta with apple sauce, and butternut squash nut roast for vegetarians. All roasts are served with roast potatoes, roast carrots, braised red cabbage, leeks and greens, Yorkshire puddings, and cauliflower cheese. You can also order a sharing roast, so grab some mates and get on down.
That’s my guide to the best roast in Bristol? Have you enjoyed a Sunday roast at any of these wonderful establishments? Are there any others you’d add to the list? Let me know in the comments below!
