A good Sunday roast is worth looking forward to all week. But that's not to say you want the same thing each time - it could be that you want a cosy feast in front of the fire, some stodge to soak up the sins of the night before, or just something cheap enough to sustain you while you hold out for pay day.
Luckily, big or small, vegetarian or even in a bap – Bristol’s got ‘em all:
The comforting one: The Rummer
In the depths of winter it can be difficult to muster the effort to leave a warm house, even if it's in search of a beast of roast that you haven’t had to cook.
The Rummer, with its armchairs and roaring open fire, is more than worth venturing out for, serving up cracking Sunday lunches in a homely, comforting setting that’s completely unrivalled in these parts.
The Rummer, All Saints Ln, Bristol, BS1 1JH
The fail-safe one: Eldon House
There’s nothing worse than anticipating an amazing roast only to be left disappointed by a soggy Yorkshire or a dry slab of beef.
If you need an assurance that it’s going to be a good one every time, head to Eldon House with its huge roast dinners, relaxed environment and a good selection of beers on tap.
Better still, you can pluck a board game from their shelves and entertain yourselves with ‘Guess Who?’ while you wait.
Eldon House, 6 Lower Clifton Hill, Bristol, BS8 1BT
The eco one: Bordeaux Quay
Back in 2011, Bordeaux Quay became the first Bristol restaurant to receive the highest national award for its all-round sustainability, recognised as one of only 19 restaurants in the UK as a Three Star Sustainability Champion.
As well as the eco-friendly credentials, they also knock up some great food: on a Sunday you’ll find free-range roast chicken, honey and mustard glazed gammon, 28-day-aged Gloucestershire beef topside and a veggie alternative.
Bordeaux Quay, V-Shed, Canons Way, Bristol, BS1 5UH
The one for meat lovers: Volunteer Tavern
Tucked away on New Street near Cabot Circus, the Volunteer Tavern is an unassuming little joint – but great for big appetites.
If you can’t choose between rare topside of beef in rosemary, thyme and garlic, slow-cooked pork belly in cider or lemon and thyme chicken breast, just go for the 'Trinity', a combo of all three served alongside roast potatoes, honey and orange glazed carrots, savoy cabbage fried with pancetta, broccoli and a Yorkshire pudding.
The Volunteer Tavern, 9 New St, near Cabot Circus, Bristol BS2 9DX
The Michelin starred one: The Pony and Trap
It’s always good to get out of town once in a while, especially when there’s a Michelin star encouraging you into the beautiful countryside of Chew Magna at The Pony and Trap.
Holding its star since 2011, the gastropub’s Sunday spread includes 45-day dry-aged red Devon rare roast sirloin, slow roast pork belly, plus less meaty options like whole plaice, line-caught hake or hazelnut gnocchi. Make sure you leave room for desserts such as the sticky ale pudding with stout ice cream.
The Pony and Trap, Chew Magna, Bristol, BS40 8TQ
The one for great crackling: River Cottage Canteen
When you're in the mood for pork, there's one thing on your mind: crackling. It has to be thick enough to give a deep snap when bitten into, but thin enough that you don't take a tooth out.
At River Cottage Canteen, the roast pork shoulder comes with fennel seed crackling, which serves well in all the areas it should... though at £14.50 perhaps it ruddy well should.
River Cottage Canteen, St Johns Court, Whiteladies Rd, Bristol BS8 2QY
The one on a boat: Glassboat
If you want to take advantage of Bristol's Harbourside and its floating venues, you could chow down on a great roast dinner on Glassboat.
Here, choices include slow roast pork shoulder, roast chicken or a 32oz T-bone steak to share, plus salmon and cod fish cakes or risotto Provençale, all of which you can enjoy while looking out onto the water.
Glassboat, Welsh Back, Bristol, BS1 4SB
The one for veggies: Barley Mow
Sometimes it's all of the non-meaty elements, like crispy potatoes and cauliflower cheese that we get a hankering for. Roast dinners are far from just for the carnivorous.
While there'll always be a vegetarian option on any given menu, it's often hard to get something that's a step up from an uninspiring nut roast. Step forward Barley Mow, which changes its vegetarian options on a regular basis: think spicy bean and halloumi crumble, or sweet potato and stilton crumble.
That said, The Lansdown's cashew and walnut nut roast is also a bit of a banger.
The Barley Mow, 39 Barton Rd, Bristol, BS2 0LF
The one in a bap: Maximillions
When you're strapped for cash, convention goes out the window. At Maximillions, you can get most of a roast dinner inside a massive bap: pork and apple sauce, meat and stuffing, or pretty much any filling and side you could think of, from salad and olives to Scotch eggs and quiche.
Celebrated for the sheer amount of bang you get for your buck (you'll ending up paying under a fiver), Maxi’s is perfect for when you need a Sunday lunch fix on a Tuesday – and on the cheap.
Maxillions, 43 Broad St, Bristol, BS1 2EP
The one with a Sunday soundtrack: The Cadbury
Sundays aren’t just about the lunch; they’re also about kicking back and restoring your energy before the week ahead.
At The Cadbury in Montpelier, the roast dinners come with a soundtrack of laid-back reggae beats, courtesy of a regular Reggae ‘n’ Roasts Sunday. Food-wise you’re looking at the usual suspects of chicken, beef and pork, plus vegetarian and vegan alternatives, which all come with roast potatoes, veg, a Yorkshire pudding and a really decent price tag.
The Cadbury, 68 Richmond Rd, Bristol, Bristol, BS6 5EW
Any other unusual or outstanding Sunday lunches you think should be on this list? Let us know!
Looking for a weekend breakfast or brunch instead? Check this list of some of the best in Bristol.