As the weather cools and the wintry chill sets in, roast season is officially upon us. Here's where to find London's best.
The hallmark of a Sunday well spent is a full belly from a hearty roast dinner. Homemade is certainly enticing, but letting a talented chef do the hard work for you is equally (if not even more) satisfying.
Of course, London is a city known for its culinary chops, so tracking down the best Sunday roast can seem like a mountainous task. Fear not, The Sybarite have done the hard work for you.
Discover our picks of London's most mouthwatering roast dinners below. A glass of red wine is optional but highly recommended...
Blacklock
‘Almost as good as Mum’s roast’ is the hook that gets people through the doors of Blacklock every Sunday. Expect crispy potatoes piled high, fluffy Yorkshire puddings and whole joints roasted over open coals and English oak for a beautiful smoky flavour. For two or more people, the 'all in' concept is the best way to experience everything the venue has on offer. For just £27pp, enjoy all three cuts of meat (beef, lamb and pork) with all the trimmings. If your stomach allows room for dessert, be sure to order the white chocolate cheesecake. Served table-side from an oversized tray, it's the only way to make your dining experience even sweeter.
When this beloved Chelsea dining institution announced a Sunday roast menu, it came as no surprise that the reservations flooded in. Renowned for creating mouthwatering Mexican fare, Ixchel was eager to put its signature spin on a cult-loved classic (and it hasn't disappointed).
Vegetarians can opt for the roasted cauliflower but Ixchel's meat menu is too good to pass up. The half-grilled chicken adobado is perfectly juicy, while the braised lamb shank falls off the bone at a knife's touch. Each dish comes generously loaded with a selection of sides, some classic and some distinctly Mexico-inspired. The queso fundido (meaning melted cheese) is a moreish dish of stringy, wrap-around-the-fork perfection. It's perfectly complimented by the addition of chorizo which gives an added bite of saltiness and some delicious added oils. The mini corn jalapeño breads are reminiscent of Yorkshire puddings, but are far more interesting flavour wise making it hard to stop at just one! Roast purists will be pleased to know that the usual suspects including crispy potatoes and roasted vegetables are equally done to perfection.
You can't visit Ixchel without ordering a margarita and the tequila menu continues to get better and better with time. A recent collaboration with Kendall Jenner's 818 Tequila has led to the creation of the Angel Moon — a blend of 818 blanco, spiced hibiscus infusion, lime juice and grapefruit soda. Beautifully pink in colour and perfectly balanced between citrusy and floral notes, it's the perfect tipple to top everything off.
Covent Garden on a Sunday might scream hectic for some, but stepping foot inside the cosy confines of Cora Pearl makes a visit very worthwhile. For a lucky few, the cosy corner booth in the front window offers a prime vantage point for people watching, while sinking into the plush velvet seating.
To kick things off, a serving of the steak tartare with shoestring fries and pecorino can do absolutely no wrong. Delectably tangy and zesty with a little crunch, it's worthy of a visit in its own right. For the main event, the usual, meaty suspects are front and centre for the roast (think pork, lamb and chicken). The pork crackling is cooked to perfection while the sirloin comes succulent and juicy with plenty of flavour. Each roast comes with a generous serving of crispy potatoes, cauliflower cheese, honey glazed carrots, hispi cabbage and a Yorkshire pudding. The crispy potato bites are something to write home about with their fluffy centres and golden outer coats. The inclusion of cauliflower cheese is also appreciated, given it's usually reserved as an add-on side. Plates arrived packed with volume and flavour, so there can be absolutely no complaints.
While the food is divine, the service is equally worthy of a shoutout. Our servers were warm, friendly and always eager to offer a suggestion or two. It's those kinds of interactions that propel a dining experience from 'great' to 'exceptional.' All in all, central London is made all the better on a Sunday with a roast from Cora Pearl.
Clapham's newest gastropub has proven a very welcome addition to the Sunday roast scene. Serving sizes far exceed generous, so be sure to come hungry! All of the venue's beef and lamb have been ethically and sustainably reared on its farm in Melrose located in the Scottish borders. The dry aged roast striploin of Scottish Luing beef is a particular standout, with liberal slices of meat proving juicy and succulent. For the side selection, the truffled cauliflower cheese is not one to be missed with a devilishly moreish, creamy sauce. The Ox has a great wine selection, and for those not drinking, the cucumber and elderflower mocktail is a lovely, refreshing option.
This Kiwi-owned restaurant is one of Brixton's biggest draw-cards. With three classic roasts on offer (vegetarian, roast pork belly and 28-day aged Hereford sirloin), it's perfect for anyone who typically battles with indecision. The meat is perfectly cooked and packed with flavour, while the sirloin's side of creamed horseradish can be described as nothing short of heavenly. Both inside and outside the ambience is always buzzy and electric, with the added bonus of being dog-friendly. The venue's New Zealand roots mean there's a local spin or two to be found, so don't skip on the chocolate chip cookie with hokey pokey ice cream for dessert!
The aesthetic of Isabel sets a glamorous tone for anyone seeking an indulgent Sunday outing. Sexy and cool, the main dining room makes it feel as though you're inside a jewellery box, courtesy of brass lamps and gold-lined walls. Meat roasts sit around the £30-35 mark, with chicken poussin, lamb saddle and beef sirloin on offer, alongside a vegetarian option. Each roast is served with all the traditional trimmings and is equal parts refined and indulgent.
Bringing a fine dining edge to the Sunday roast experience, CUT at 45 Park Lane is considered a Mayfair institution for a reason. Floor-to-ceiling drapes and shimmering chandeliers set an opulent tone, with the menu reflecting the same level of decadence.
Three roasts are priced at £65, with the option of beef sirloin, beef wellington or vegetarian wellington. While this is on the pricier end, the cost is more than made up for with the generous assortment of sides on offer. Each roast is served with roast potatoes, tenderstem broccoli, roasted carrots and parsnips, cauliflower Cheese, and wagyu dripping Yorkshire pudding and gravy. With all that in mind, there is no possibility of leaving without a very full belly.
Famed for championing the use of ex-dairy cow on their Sunday roast menu, Fallow offers a fresh new take for those seeking something different. The venue's Sunday offering is fairly comprehensive, with middle white pork belly, maitake mushroom and whole rotisserie chicken to share all equally worthy of a mention. With a clear sustainability focus and local ingredients front and centre, this is one of those meals you'll be thinking about for a long time after your last bite.
Whisky and chocolate are a perfect pairing, and I love both, so I was delighted when House of Hazelwood invited me to try some of their rarest whiskies with some delicious mouthwatering chocolate.
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