The best Sunday roast in Manchester

The versatile Ducie Street Warehouse does a lot of things right, and Sunday roasts are one of them. This buzzy modern venue on the edge of the Northern Quarter serves a roast dinner with your choice of sirloin, leg of lamb, half chicken, or the weekly vegan alternative. They're all served with a Yorkie, roast potatoes, gravy, greens, and honey-glazed carrots, and you're welcome to pile on additional sides such as cauliflower cheese as well.

Ancoats' popular neighbourhood bar and restaurant is a slick industrial-inspired venue serving food throughout the weekend. On Sundays, they offer a roast dinner menu all day long. Their Sunday roasts come with serious pedigree, as you can choose dry-aged Welsh Wagyu or slow-cooked Yorkshire lamb shoulder, accompanied by all the classic sides and recommended wine pairings. A kids' version at half price is available, too.

This culinary hotspot in Manchester specialises in contemporary European cuisine, but they stick to their British roots when Sunday lunch rolls around. The roast dinner menu at this relaxed, spacious restaurant includes the likes of beef sirloin or a vegan wellington, complete with roast potatoes, carrot and swede mash, Yorkshire pudding, savoy cabbage, and other classic companions. An à la carte menu is also available in case someone in your group isn't up for a roast.

Pot Kettle Black is a Mancunian brunch institution, but its modern flagship in Angel Gardens also seamlessly transitions from brunch to lunch on Sundays. Their Sunday lunch menu features roasts made with locally sourced produce, including Yorkshire rump of beef, Cumbrian chicken breast, and vegan and vegetarian nut roasts. A kids' roast is also served, and you can top it all off with French toast for afters.

The Refuge offers an elegant and modern setting for eclectic dining in a relaxed yet glamorous atmosphere, ideal for both special occasions and casual gatherings. Serving one of the best Sunday roasts in Manchester all day long, the restaurant is known for its hefty roast platter for two, which includes all three meaty mains – beef, chicken, and porchetta – along with heaps of sides. Individual roasts are available, too, and there's even a dog roast bowl for any canine companions.

Launched by a pair of brothers as a tribute to their mum, The Jane Eyre swiftly went from a fledgling neighbourhood bar in Ancoats to two buzzy spots for drinks and small plates. Both venues serve a now infamous roast dinner on Sundays, featuring your choice of two or three courses. Mains include roast beef sirloin, confit pork belly, chicken supreme, or a vegan nut roast, with accompaniments like duck fat roast potatoes or cavolo nero and comforting optional sides such as dauphinoise potato or pigs in blankets.

The Edinburgh Castle pub has been a mainstay of Sunday lunch in Manchester for over two centuries, having initially opened in 1811. These days, it's a premier foodie destination for Sunday roasts served in a smart, traditional setting. The two or three-course menu opens with indulgent treats such as cheese doughnuts or oysters, followed by the likes of pork saddle chop or mackerel, with sides for the table. The kitchen uses British produce exclusively and places emphasis on transparent local sourcing.

Considered one of the best steakhouse groups in the world, Hawksmoor is a reliable choice for a quality roast wherever you find them. The Manchester branch is set in a Victorian courthouse and serves Sunday roasts where the meat is started on real charcoal and finished in the oven for an authentic open-fire flavour. In addition to their signature slow-roast rump, tables of two or more can order any of their daily blackboard-sharing cuts for a proper Sunday feast with all the usual sides. Those in the know like to add the decadent house stuffing as an extra.

Maray is a colourful Middle Eastern restaurant in Manchester City Centre that serves a regularly changing menu of small plates. Sunday roast is a seasonal speciality here, available only from September to April, but it's worth trying out if you have the chance. The restaurant offers a Levantine-inspired take on the classic roast dinner menu, kicking off with mezze before continuing with mains such as lemon, za'atar and saffron-roasted chicken or fenugreek potatoes.

Situated in a refurbished Victorian fire station, The Firehouse is one of the hottest spots in town due to its robust British cuisine prepared over an open flame. Between the setting and the cuisine, Sunday lunch is a big hit here, with the menu featuring traditional mains such as roast beef or slow-cooked lamb, accompanied by classic sides and your choice of sauces like cranberry or horseradish. Polish off a sticky toffee pudding afterwards, and you might need a firefighter to carry you home.

The Wharf by the river in Castlefield occupies a large venue, meaning there are lots of cosy nooks and crannies to find inside, along with plenty of sun-soaked alfresco seating. This buzzy local favourite serves an elevated take on classic British pub grub throughout the week, culminating in their Sunday lunch menu. Pair it with one of The Wharf's spritzes and some sunshine, and you're golden.

Situated in a majestic historical building in Albert Square, The Fountain House is an elegant gastropub featuring striking decor and a terrace for enjoying the city's lively atmosphere. Their kitchen serves a menu that changes with the seasons, infused with international flavours. For Sunday lunch, guests can order a classic roast dinner with all the trimmings or go for one of the more low-key à la carte options.

Evelyn's is a solid bet for any best-of lists you might come up with, and it's no different when it comes to Sunday roast in Manchester. This well-rounded Northern Quarter favourite serves globally inspired food in a stylish setting, including Sunday lunch with mains like lamb in Moroccan marinade or a puy lentil wellington. All the roasts are served with seasonal vegetables, unlimited house gravy, and a Yorkie.

The Black Friar, nestled in the outskirts of Manchester in Salford, is set in a heritage-rich building enhanced with modern elements. This fashionable gastropub offers an eclectic menu featuring elevated classic pub fare and artisanal cocktails. Their Sunday menu includes your choice of two or three courses, with mains including staples such as roast beef or chicken, as well as à la carte options.

A Northern Quarter institution, Trof is a self-described "dandyish den of indulgence" with a classically chic interior of exposed brick walls and vintage furnishings. Their Sunday service starts with brunch in the morning and then progresses to an all-day roast dinner menu once the clock strikes noon. There's plenty to choose from for Sunday lunch, including topside of beef, roast lamb, or a beetroot wellington, and it all comes with the standard trimmings.

The Bay Horse Tavern, a classic Victorian pub in Manchester's Northern Quarter, was revitalised in 2017, blending traditional charm with contemporary flair, lively events, and tasty food and drinks. There's a choice of four Sunday roasts here, complemented by a giant homemade Yorkie and all the trimmings. To complement your meal, they offer an extensive selection of cocktails, wines, beers, and a wide variety of gins.

Wholesome Junkies is one of Manchester's best-known vegan restaurants, serving a varied menu of indulgent, comforting food all day long. On Sundays, they offer a proper plant-based roast alongside their signature burgers. The roast comes with buttered seasonal greens, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, carrots and parsnips, roasted onion gravy, fried stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Wash it all down with a spiced apple pie-tini and that's Sunday sorted.

TNQ, a friendly independent eatery located in Manchester's fashionable Northern Quarter, prides itself on serving British culinary delights crafted exclusively from ingredients sourced within the British Isles. They've won multiple awards for their Sunday roasts, and with dishes like potatoes roasted in garlic, rosemary, and beef dripping or Gloucester Old Spot pork belly covering the table, it's not hard to see why.

Located in the iconic Great Northern Warehouse, James Martin Manchester, an acclaimed restaurant by celebrity chef James Martin, specialises in creative and seasonal British cuisine crafted from top-quality ingredients. Welcoming adults only, the sophisticated restaurant is among the top choices for an elegant Sunday roast in Manchester, featuring mains like corn-fed chicken or roasted bream alongside roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and delightful desserts to finish.

Colleen's, a beloved neighbourhood restaurant in Ramsbottom, offers a compelling reason to visit with its diverse menu of modern British fare, ranging from traditional daytime options such as fry-ups and a ploughman's lunch to finely crafted dishes infused with international flair in the evening. The Colleen's Sunday roast is a regular weekend pilgrimage for many Mancunians, not just for the flavourful food but the charming village atmosphere as well.

Zouk is a top spot for halal cuisine in Manchester, offering an exceptional array of Pakistani and Indian dishes, including a halal Sunday roast. Their Sunday lunch menu features individual roast dinners with flavourful twists, such as the raan chicken, and massive roast platters to share, piled high with all the goodies. A kids' roast is available, too.

Albert's Schloss brings the food, drinks, and good times associated with Oktoberfest to the heart of Manchester. This fun-loving venue regularly hosts live music and entertainment in a spirited atmosphere complete with crackling fires. Their Sunday service includes different Alpine-inspired roasts to choose from, such as Sauerbraten Beef or Schweinshaxe, accompanied by family-style plates of roast potatoes, root veg mash, seasonal greens, and gravy. And big steins of bier, naturally.

Offering some of Manchester's finest steaks, Dakota Bar & Grill is both intimate and contemporary, blending sleek modernity with industrial elements. The high-end steakhouse serves a three-course Sunday lunch where you can start with an appetiser such as ham hock terrine or tempura prawns, then choose between classic roasts or splurge for chateaubriand. A classic pudding such as vanilla cheesecake or apple crumble rounds things off.

A nationwide group of refined Argentinian steakhouses, Gaucho serves premium steak cuts in chic surroundings—the Deansgate branch is housed within a strikingly transformed church. They're also famed for their bottomless roasts served every Sunday. Choose from three joints of expertly roasted meats accompanied by all the seasonal veg, Yorkies, and gravy you can stuff yourself with.

The Bowling Green in Chorlton-cum-Hardy is a quintessential British pub, combining traditional charm with modern comfort in a conservation area. It features a classic interior with cosy seating, a fireplace, and an outdoor beer garden with a children's play area. The family-run pub serves an affordable Sunday menu featuring both traditional roasts and carvery sandwiches served with roast potatoes and gravy. Together with the ample outdoor seating, it's an excellent choice for a family outing.

Considered one of the best restaurants in Manchester, Osma introduces a touch of Scandinavian class to the city, with its atmospheric and modern interior setting a moody tone. This laid-back neighbourhood restaurant and bar offers globally-inspired seasonal dishes with a Scandi twist, including Sunday lunch. You can opt for a one, two-, or three-course roast dinner with classic trimmings.

Hispi, nestled in a converted bank building in Didsbury, is a cosy bistro acclaimed with two Rosettes for its straightforward but elegant cuisine, centred around seasonal ingredients. The restaurant caters to various dining needs, providing a polished yet laid-back dining atmosphere. Renowned for its roast dinners, Hispi serves mains such as confit duck leg or roasted hispi cabbage with salsa matcha for Sunday lunch.

Established in 1788, The White Hart Inn has evolved from a police station and schoolhouse to a weaver's cottage and a World War II bomb shelter. Today, it's an award-winning pub offering delicious British fare and a variety of drinks, including a notable gin collection. The inn, characterised by its cosy ambience with log-burning stoves and coal fires, also provides boutique lodging. The Sunday lunch here is considered one of the best in Greater Manchester.

Drawing inspiration from the popular TV series set in 1920s Britain, this themed bar and restaurant offers an immersive experience mirroring the show's setting. Their laidback Sunday roasts feature three courses and are served by staff donning the iconic flat caps and braces. The period-appropriate decor and an acoustic singer further enhance the cosy atmosphere.

Folk, an independent bar and kitchen situated on the lively Burton Road in Didsbury, was born from the shared passion of four friends for seasonal ingredients, quality drinks, and delicious cuisine, including an authentic Sunday lunch. Guests can savour their meals in the cosy, vintage-styled indoor space or opt for the spacious covered terrace outside.