From crispy potatoes and lashings of gravy to succulent cuts of meat and fluffy Yorkshire puds, little compares to the joy of a Sunday roast, especially when someone else is doing the cooking and washing up. And, no matter which city in the UK you’re travelling to, you’re sure to be able to find a cosy spot for a delicious Sunday lunch, and Bristol is no different.
Straddling the River Avon in the Southwest of England, Bristol is a cultural hub with a prosperous maritime heritage. Packed full of interesting museums, contemporary art galleries and plenty of incredible restaurants and shops, you won’t be stuck for things to do in this vibrant city. But, if you’re looking for one of the best places to get a Sunday roast in Bristol, we’ve got you covered.
From cosy locals to gartropub restaurants, there are plenty of places to get a great Sunday lunch in Bristol. To help you pick from the endless options, though, we’ve put together this handy guide to the best roast dinners in Bristol.
Be sure to check out our guide to the best cocktail bars in Bristol, too.
Best roast dinners in Bristol
The Bank Tavern
If you’re searching for one of the best roast dinners in Bristol, look no further than The Bank Tavern, 2019 winner of Bristol’s best Sunday Lunch at the Observer Food Monthly Awards, 2018 winner of the Good Food Awards and the 2020 winner of the Bristol Life Best Foodie Pub award. If that doesn’t scream “best Sunday lunch in Bristol”, I don’t know what will!
But the food isn’t the only award-worthy aspect at this Bristol Sunday roast spot, with the pub itself boasting a sort of art-deco feel. The building it’s housed in also has an interesting history, having stood since the 1800’s and survived two world wars. Pretty picnic benches and hanging flower baskets provide a lovely warm welcome to the relaxed atmosphere inside, with dark wood paneling throughout.
When it comes to this Sunday dinner in Bristol, you can expect a legendary plate with all the trimmings. For starter, try the Greek squid balls, the Masoor dahl pakoras, or the maple sriracha glazed pork belly. Moving onto main, you can choose from three meat options, including 30-day dry aged rare topside of beef, slow cooked pork belly, and honey and rosemary roasted leg of lamb, as well as an option for veggies – usually a vegetable and lentil loaf or nut roast. Each of these options come with a selection of indulgent sides, such as Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, parsnip puree, creamy leeks, seasonal veg and lashings of gravy. Got room for dessert? Choose from raspberry yoghurt panna cotta, strawberry and white chocolate pavlova, and limoncello tart and blueberries.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for the best roasts in Bristol, you can’t go wrong with The Bank Tavern. With a stylish interior, laid-back vibe and, of course, out-of-this-world food, this pub is a must-try for one of the best Sunday dinners in Bristol in 2022.
Bar 44
For a Sunday lunch in Bristol with a difference, visit Bar44, a Spanish restaurant serving platters of deliciousness. Opened in 2002 by Tom and Owen Morgan, this Bristol Sunday roast spot has rapidly grown in success over the past 16 years. With a focus on using the highest quality sourced ingredientsto create dishes that have been inspired by their travels around Spain. And, infused by their love for all things Spanish, they have even turned created the very first tapas-style Sunday dinner in Bristol, composed of smaller plates of all your usual favourites. The space itself is also super trendy; set within an old bank, the team have transformed two former vaults into private dining rooms. Meanwhile, the main dining hall is kitted out in wood panelling, plush upholstery and marbled table to create an exclusive feel.
With a glance at the menu, you’ll see that their Sunday lunch signature is a roast platter, designed to be shared between two people. Choose from the likes of 35-day dry aged picanha of Hereford beef with horseradish aioli or overnight slow-roasted Duroc pork belly with sherry apple sauce. Each of these are served with trimming with a twist; think chorizo Yorkshire puddings, JamΓ³n fat roast potatoes, Manchego cauliflower cheese, Savoy cabbage, herb butter roast carrots and honey and thyme red wine gravy to finish it all off. Not so much of a Sunday roast fan? Don’t worry; they also have some Bar44 classics on the Sunday menu, such as tortilla and patatas bravas.
So, if you’re looking for a Sunday roast in Bristol that’s not just your usual meat with five veg, then Bar44 is likely to spot for you. Head down to this trendy pub/restaurant and try out one of the best Sunday dinners in Bristol… then thank us later!
Pasture
This unpretentious steakhouse, located opposite St Mary Redcliffe Church, serves up one of the meatiest and most delicious Sunday roasts in Bristol. Renowned chef, Sam Elliot, has really made a name for himself here, with the success leading to another site that has recently opened in Cardiff. Set across two floors, with a steakhouse upstairs and a live music venue and bustling bar at the bottom, the dΓ©cor is elegant and glamorous. The food here is always of the finest quality and is sourced from local producers, meanwhile the staff seem passionate, knowledgeable and genuinely happy to be there.
As the only Sunday lunch in Bristol where there’s a Chateaubriand option, this spot should certainly be reserved for the real meat-loving carnivores among us. You can also choose from roast rump of beef, roast local pork belly, lamb shoulder, Tomahawk steak and the Porterhouse (fillet and sirloin in one). If you are veggie, though, don’t fret; there is always the option of a nut roast. All of these mains are served alongside roast potatoes, leek gratin, greens, pumpkin puree, Yorkshire puddings, and bottomless gravy. Not satisfied? Order some extra sides, including grilled Portobello mushrooms, roasted beets, mac n cheese, and cabbage with bacon butter. Read for dessert now? Choose from delights like chocolate dome, smoked cheesecake and coconut and lime parfait.
A true rival for the crown of best Sunday dinner in Bristol, Pasture sure knows how to do meat well. And, as a large part of any Sunday roast, that equates to an incredible plate. Go ahead and indulge in steak on steak on steak at this Bristol Sunday roast spot.
Caper & Cure
Caper & Cure is a laidback, blue and gold fronted restaurants set on the corner of Stokes Croft in what was once a chemist. The restaurant, today, still retains many of its original features, including floor to ceiling windows that fill the space with natural light from outside. Along one side of the room runs banquette seating, along with small counter and the back and an open kitchen.
When it comes to the food, you won’t be disappointed by this Sunday dinner in Bristol. On the menu, you’ll be greeted by a good range of starters, mains, sides and desserts. For starter, choose between Galician octopus, Isle of Whyte tomatoes with olive tapenade, or pollock with crab, scallops and fennel. The mains are your usual classics with a bit of a twist; think aged beef rump with braised feather blade, pork shoulder with crispy crackling, roast Frampton lamb shoulder, and mushroom and lentil wellington for the non meat-eaters. All come with roast potatoes, red cabbage, honey roast carrots, cauliflower puree, crushed swede, Yorkshire puddings and gravy. If you’ve still got room for dessert, be sure to sample the wildflower honey panna cotta, walnut and coffee baked Alaska, or the chocolate sorbet and coffee liqueur.
For a classic Sunday roast in Bristol, Caper & Cure should be at the top of your list. With a fabulous hosts of sides to accompany plenty of meat options, you’ve sure to leave this pub stuffed to the brim.
The Lock Up
With their ethos of sustainability and, of course, one of the best Sunday roasts in Bristol, there is so much to love about The Old Market Assembly. As proud members of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, this Bristol Sunday roast spot has a no food waste policy and locally sources all of their ingredients.
While weekdays welcome stone-baked pizzas, you have to visit this pub at the weekend to appreciate one of the best Sunday dinners in Bristol. Their seasonal roast menu features the choice of goats cheese croquettes, rabbit rillette, shrimp bon bons, and Serrano ham for starter. For main, choose from the likes of rare West Country beef rump & beef shin ragu, cider braised pork belly with black pudding fritter, slow roasted lamb shoulder, and salt baked celeriac. All these are served alongside Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy, and you can add extra sides in the forms of cauliflower cheese and wilted greens. If you’ve still got room left, why not try one of their decadent desserts, too? From rhubarb semifreddo and dark chocolate brownie to baked lime and ginger cheesecake and affogato.
The Cauldron
Stepping into The Cauldron is like stepping into a sorcerer’s cave, complete with cast-iron cauldrons that bubble away over charcoal, a wood-fired oven and an original Victorian stove. A huge hit with locals, this Sunday roast spot in Bristol has a homely vibe about it. But don’t underestimate the power of the cauldrons in making some top-notch grub; this restaurant-come-pub came second at the Observer Food Monthly Awards for the Best Sunday Lunch in 2019.
But it’s not just the decor that is magical, they also serve up one of the most fascinating and award-winning Sunday lunches in Bristol, too! Their Sunday dinner menu features something for everyone, with the meat options including aged beef, crackling pork, lamb or a combo of all three. They also cater for the veggies out there, with a non-meat option of fruit and nut loaf, as well as a vegan plate of red lentil, cumin and paprika bake. Each main is served with sides of smoked beef dripping or coal oil roast potatoes, cumin roast carrots, jerusalem artichoke, braised red cabbage, smoked butter greens, turnip, beetroot, root veg mash, Yorkshire pudding and four-day cauldron-brewed gravy.
So, if you’re looking for a Sunday roast in Bristol that delivers some real magic to your tastebuds, look no further than The Cauldron. Not only do they serve up one of the best Sunday dinners in Bristol, but they also create a real experience that’s worth it on its own.
Techno-Mads 
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