First noted in the Domesday Book of 1086, Horsforth has a long history with it’s name deriving from Old English horsa (‘horse’) and ford (‘river’). More recently, though, in 2017 to be exact, Horsforth was named one of The Sunday Times top ten most desirable places to live in the UK, largely thanks to its abundance of bars and restaurants, excellent schools, and impressive transport links.
Well, we have another reason why you should pay a visit to this West Yorkshire town; for Sunday lunch. Brimming with cosy pubs and trendy restaurants, you’re guaranteed a delicious Sunday roast in Horsforth. Whether you’re looking for a traditional pub lunch or something a little different, we’ve picked out the very best Sunday lunch in Horsforth in 2024.
Be sure to check out our guide to the best Leeds coffee shops, too!
5 Best Sunday Roasts in Horsforth
The Forde
First up on our list of the best Sunday roasts in Horsforth is The Forde. If you’re looking for a proper posh, award-winning Horsforth Sunday lunch, The Forde won’t disappoint. Headed up by Horsforth born, Masterchef: The Professionals runner-up Matt Healy, this rustic bistro has gained an outstanding reputation, earning a 2020 Michelin Plate and a spot in The Good Food Guide. The space provides a small and intimate setting, with an open kitchen at the far end and a large, fully-stocked bar stretching along one wall.
Day-to-day, the restaurant serves up a selection of small plates with Mediterranean influences; think 24-hour pressed potato with wild garlic Aioli, grilled octopus with Bloody Mary, and miso glazed sea trout with puffed rice, radish, and avocado. Each Sunday, though, The Forde serve up hearty dishes of meat, veg, Yorkshire puddings, and gravy. Guests can choose from two or three courses; opt for the soup of the day with toasted sourdough to start, choose from a selection of meats, and enjoy all the trimmings, from truffle roasted potatoes to honey butter roasted carrots.
The Brownlee Arms
Named in honour of the Brownlee brothers, who won medals at the 2012 Olympics and grew up in the local area, The Brownlee Arms is a contemporary pub serving one of the best Sunday lunches in Horsforth. A cosy, intimate space inside provides the perfect spot for a family get-together or lunch with friends. There’s also outdoor seating areas at the front and rear of the pub where guests can enjoy a roast on warmer days while soaking up some Yorkshire sun.
The menu features something for everyone, serving up hearty plates of traditional pub grub. Choose from all the pub classics you’d expect such as beer battered fish & chips, toad in the hole, and burger and chips. On Sundays, The Brownlee Arms cooks up their renowned Horsforth Sunday lunch, from which you can choose two or three courses. Wash it all down with one of the locally-sourced Yorkshire cask ales on tap.
Escape Restaurant & Bar
Situated in the heart of town, Escape serves up contemporary British and Mediterranean cuisine in a newly refurbished modern space. Inside, the neutral colour scheme provides a calm setting for enjoying your Sunday lunch in Horsforth, while on summer days, natural light streams through the windows. Alternatively, on the warmest of Yorkshire days, guests can dine al fresco and make the most of the spacious outdoor terrace.
The menu at Escape Restaurant has been meticulously created using the finest fresh and local produce, and each meal has been diligently pared up with carefully selected wines. On weekdays and Saturdays, you’ll find the usual classics, covering the likes of pasta, pizza, steak, and fish. Visit on a Sunday, though, and discover their delectable Sunday dinnersin Horsforth. Choose from the usual selection of meats and trimmings, all topped with lashings of rich gravy. Be sure to finish off with a must-try palette-cleansing Italian dessert, from creme brulee and tiramisu to Sicilian lemon cheesecake and traditional affogato.
The Horsforth
If you’re looking for a budget- and family-friendly Sunday lunch in Horsforth, look no further than The Horsforth Hotel. This warm and welcoming pub serves up delicious plates of your usual Sunday roast favourites in a friendly and laid-back setting.
When it comes to the food, the Sunday lunch menu at The Horsforth features everything from hand-carved beef and turkey to mushroom and ale pie. Whichever option you choose, each plate will come with all the trimmings, including crispy roasties, mash, seasonal vegetables, sage & onion stuffing, Yorkshire pudding, and gravy. So, if you’re looking for the best Sunday dinner in Horsforth without all the fuss, you can’t go wrong with The Horsforth Hotel.
Miller & Carter Horsforth
Fancy taking your Horsforth Sunday lunch up a notch? Why not head to Miller & Carter this weekend? This steak restaurant doesn’t serve up your usual Sunday fare, but puts a steakhouse twist on the classic meat and veg. Here, instead of your usual joint of beef, you can indulge in an award-winning (World Steak Challenge Awards 2023) 30-Day Aged, 12oz Ribeye. And, in place of the bog standard roasties, you can savour succulent baby new potatoes, seasoned fries, or thick-cut chunky chips. Hungry for more? Peruse the selection of mouth-wateringly good starters, from salt & pepper calamari to spiced cauliflower wings. Be sure to finish off with a delectable dessert too; choose from the likes of double Belgian chocolate brownie, sticky toffee pudding, and Bramley apple pie.
Now you’ve discovered the best Sunday lunches in Horsforth, be sure to check out some of our other Leeds guides:
Techno-Mads 