Top Sunday Roasts in Manchester
The perfect way to end the week in Manchester is with a tasty roast, here are our top 5…
By Hari Khan | Updated Aug 22 2024
If there’s anything that will warm you up on a brisk Sunday, or satisfy cravings… it’s a Sunday roast. It may be the perfect way to end the week but with so many great places to choose from in Manchester, selecting can be a bit of a headache. So we’ve scoured the city and found the best places in Manchester to enjoy a Sunday roast, and in the mean time we’re also saving you a mountain of pots to wash… you can thank us later.
The Edinburgh Castle
17 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5EP
The Edinburgh Castle pub offers a Sunday roast experience that's hard to beat. With chef Shaun Moffat at the helm, this 19th-century establishment serves up roasts that are nothing short of legendary. Picture this: Tamworth pork belly or Robert Phillips' farm roast beef, accompanied by the crispiest dripping-cooked chips that practically sing with flavour. The set menu, priced at £15-£28 for large plates, lets you choose between two or three courses, ensuring a hearty and satisfying feast. Specials include the pork saddle chop for two, perfect for sharing. Start your meal with tantalising starters like Mrs. Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese doughnuts or fresh oysters, and finish with desserts that range from £6-£8. With its rich history and commitment to local ingredients, the Edinburgh Castle promises a Sunday roast that’s both a nod to the past and a delicious embrace of the present. So, gather your loved ones, settle in for a cosy afternoon, and let the feasting commence!
Elnecot
41 Blossom Street, Cutting Room Square, Manchester, M4 6AJ
Less options means less trouble choosing right? Elnecot have managed to cleverly combine mouth watering flavours to satiate the desires of anyone craving a good ol’ fashion roast dinner. From crispy slow roasted pork belly to lemon and thyme butter nut roasted poussin, go for the beef or head in for a surprise and let the waiter tell you what their roast of the week is. There’s a sumptuous nut roast available as a vegan and vegetarian option also.
Each meal comes with sides and roast is served from 1.30pm until they run out. Better hurry and book your table now, the earlier the better… these meals go fast!
The Fountain House
Nestled in the heart of Manchester’s iconic Albert Square, The Fountain House is a delightful blend of elegance and tradition. The grand exterior, reminiscent of a posh hotel from a bygone era, gives way to an interior that exudes the charm of a classic British pub. Renowned for its "classic British cooking with a modern twist," this spot is a haven for Sunday roast enthusiasts. Choose from succulent roast chicken, slow-roast pork belly, or a delectable vegan Wellington. For the indecisive or the ravenous, there's the indulgent trio roast, featuring pork belly, chicken, and beef—all served with essential Sunday trimmings. If you're in the mood for traditional pub fare, options like cider-battered fish and chips or a mouth-watering short rib and flank burger won’t disappoint. For a quintessentially British dining experience in a quintessentially British venue, The Fountain House is your go-to for a stellar Sunday roast.
Refuge
Oxford Street, Manchester, M60 7HA
Refuge by Volta, formerly known as the Refuge Assurance Building after the insurance company, is a grand historic building that has been transformed into an elegant fine dining venue. If you are looking for a restaurant that will make you feel like you are in the upper echelon of society, this is the venue for you. Its exquisite all-day Sunday roast menu is the place to look if you are after an unforgettable Sunday Roast experience. For £28, you get the choice of either rump of beef, suckling pig, half roast chicken infused with garlic, thyme and butter or a vegan roast. This comes with all the usual trimmings to complete a luxurious Sunday dinner. They also offer a roast platter for two for £68, which includes a little bit of everything. Refuge also has a Winter Garden as well as a bar, making it a great place to enjoy a Sunday afternoon in a classy venue. Be sure to start the meal with a master Bloody Mary to help cure the woes of the night before.
Albert's Shed
18-20 Castle Street, Manchester, M3 4LZ
Situated in the Castlefield area (near Deansgate Station), Albert’s Shed is renowned for being an upmarket eatery. Its ‘rustic meets class’ décor makes it a great spot for enjoying a hearty meal in a top-quality setting. Its à la carte menu does not drop its standards when it comes to the British classic of a Sunday roast. On the set menu, you get a choice of a roast rump on beef, loin of pork, the day’s fish, Malayan chicken or a Lancashire cheese and onion pie.
There’s also vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options available on request.
All in all, Albert’s Shed is a great spot for an afternoon or evening of fine dining, making it a great place to enjoy one of the country’s favourite meals. They also have Albert's restaurants in Didsbury and Worsley!
The English Lounge
64-66 High Street, Manchester, M4 1EA
From the outside, The English Lounge looks like a luxury hotel, but on the inside, it’s a touch from home. This traditional English pub is a perfect destination for a ‘good old’ Sunday lunch. Finally re-opening on July 29th, you can enjoy mouth-watering half a British roast chicken or a cut of 21-day aged topside of beef, and for £12.25 you can choose a veggie Butternut squash tart, all of which comes with bottomless gravy and unlimited yorkies. You can also add a pudding for just £3! The English Lounge also serves up pub classics meaning that it’s a perfect spot for families. The pub, situated on the edge of Manchester’s famous Northern Quarter, is highly rated for serving great quality meat, as well as being great hosts to all customers due to its exceptional customer service.
The Firehouse
40 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JG
For a Sunday roast that truly sizzles, The Firehouse on Swan Street is the hottest spot in Manchester. Known for its vibrant atmosphere filled with DJs, live music, and entertainment, this venue is where your Sunday should roast and toast. Their 'slow fire' cooking method guarantees a roast that’s smoked to perfection. Choices include lemon, garlic, and thyme roast chicken, a succulent roast rump of Cheshire beef, or an oyster mushroom Wellington for the plant-based posse. Each plate comes piled high with all the essential trimmings: massive Yorkshire puddings, crispy roast potatoes, honey-roasted carrots, parsnips, and lashings of gravy. Prices hover around £18-£22, ensuring you get a bang for your buck.
Housed in a former garage depot and sharing space with Ramona's Detroit-style pizzeria, The Firehouse offers a laid-back yet electric vibe, complete with white shutters, bleached brick, and glitter balls. While you’re here, don’t miss out on their signature Firehouse Chicken or the Firehouse Pita—a fluffy bread perfect for wrapping everything together. With a cocktail menu featuring margarita masterpieces like the Paloma and watermelon caipirinha, your Sunday roast experience will be smokin’ in more ways than one.
The Hawksmoor
When it comes to a Sunday roast that’s a cut above the rest, The Hawksmoor on Deansgate is a prime choice. Nestled in a late Victorian courthouse, this swanky spot serves up roasts that are the toast of the town. Their signature slow-roasted rump, accompanied by beef dripping potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and a luxuriously rich bone marrow and onion gravy, is a steal at £25 per person. For those feeling particularly ravenous, the sharer of slow-roasted prime rib for two to three people is an indulgent feast. The sides are nothing short of legendary—don’t miss the cheesy Tunworth mash, though be warned, it sells out fast! With interiors that echo the grandeur of the building’s history and a menu that’s grilled to perfection over real charcoal, The Hawksmoor makes every Sunday a cause for celebration. Add in their bespoke cocktails and a fine wine list, and you’ve got the ultimate recipe for a decadent afternoon.
The Black Friar
35-37 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1NA
If you’re hankering for a Sunday roast that’s the mane event, trot over to The Bay Horse Tavern in the Northern Quarter. This Georgian-era gem, revamped with a modern twist by Lyndon Higginson, is renowned for its rotisserie meats and roast mastery. Choose from succulent beef topside from Deep Clough Farm, roast chicken, rolled pork belly, or a butternut, sage, and walnut roast, all served with the trimmings: crispy roast potatoes, their famous pigs in blankets, and a superlative cauliflower cheese made with Black Bomber cheddar, parmesan, and smoked applewood. At £17.50 a plate, it’s a steal for such top-quality fare. Nestled on Thomas Street, The Bay Horse Tavern blends historic charm with contemporary comfort, making it the perfect spot to eat, drink, and savor the finest Sunday roasts Manchester has to offer.
The Bay Horse Tavern
35-37 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1NA
If you’re hankering for a Sunday roast that’s the mane event, trot over to The Bay Horse Tavern in the Northern Quarter. This Georgian-era gem, revamped with a modern twist by Lyndon Higginson, is renowned for its rotisserie meats and roast mastery. Choose from succulent beef topside from Deep Clough Farm, roast chicken, rolled pork belly, or a butternut, sage, and walnut roast, all served with the trimmings: crispy roast potatoes, their famous pigs in blankets, and a superlative cauliflower cheese made with Black Bomber cheddar, parmesan, and smoked applewood. At £17.50 a plate, it’s a steal for such top-quality fare. Nestled on Thomas Street, The Bay Horse Tavern blends historic charm with contemporary comfort, making it the perfect spot to eat, drink, and savor the finest Sunday roasts Manchester has to offer.