The best Sunday roasts in Melbourne

What is it? A traditional classic roast dialed up a notch with local, quality produce. Think 100% grass-fed and dry-aged beef from the sustainable, ethical Snaith family farm in Clonbinane, Victoria. 

Why we love it: The Lincoln is not your standard pub, so don't expect your standard roast. Each week, the menu rotates between free-range pork, grass-fed lamb and beef, all served with glorious Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and seasonal veg – familiar enough ingredients, to be sure, but prepped and primed with just enough cheffy technique to give the roast that proper gastropub edge. We love the perfect umami-rich gravy and on cold days, the meal is best washed down with a stout. It's $34 a serve, available from noon until sold out and one of the finest roasts you can get in all of Melbourne. 

Time Out tip: Though you can try your luck, we wouldn't risk a walk-in for this tasty deal. Book your seat in advance if you don’t want to miss out – the word's out!

Address: 91 Cardigan St, Carlton VIC 3053

Roast's available: Sunday noon until sold out

Expect to pay: $34 for the roast, $15-16 for a dessert, and about $12-17 for a glass of wine

What is it? A proper British-style roast (weekly-rotating meat) in a cosy popular Thornbury restaurant.

Why we love it: The Sunday roast was brought to us by English tradition, so it makes sense that British chef and owner Michael Slade does a mean one. It also doesn’t hurt that he used to be a butcher, so he gives that meat some much-deserved respect. While the roast changes weekly, expect the typical beef, pork or lamb with sides like roast spuds, brussels sprouts or cauliflower gratin with the obligatory Yorkshire pudding and gravy. It's guaranteed to be better than your mum’s.

Time Out tip: Missing the wintry, white Christmases of Europe and the UK? Book for Gitmas in July, a mid-year festive feast at the restaurant, and share in the nostalgia with expats. 

Address: 757 High St, Thornbury VIC 3071

Roast's available: Sunday noon until sold out

Expect to pay: $38 for the roast with all the trimmings included, $24 for a dessert share plate 

What is it? When you call up this Fitzroy neighbourhood fave to ask what the day’s roast is, don’t be surprised if the answer is a tad vague. We were greeted with, “I’m not sure yet, but it’s always changing, and it’s always delicious.” Correct on two points, Mr Marquis.

Why we love it: The roast changes but on one particular weekend, the cosy backstreet pub was dishing out slow-cooked lamb shoulder with golden kipflers, a savoury lick of gravy and a bitter note from the charred radicchio. Another time, visitors could get grilled eye fillet with Bordelaise sauce, remoulade and crispy artichokes. Expect something just as sophisticated, often with a fantastic (and ginormous) Yorkie pudding.

Time Out tip: The pub sometimes rotates 1.5-litre magnums of wine to give locals something bold and intriguing to try. Get a glass of what's on offer that week to pair with your roast.

Address: 411 George St, Fitzroy VIC 3065

Roast's available: Sunday noon until sold out

Expect to pay: around $38 for the roast, $3 for a Yorkie pudding and standard pub prices for beer and wine

What is it? A three-course set menu consisting of sourdough and shared entrées, followed by the roast of the day or a vegetarian alternative.

Why we love it: Similarly to other top picks in this guide,  Neighbourhood Wine takes well-loved flavours and dials up both the taste and presentation in line with what you'd expect from a top Melbourne wine bar. The rotating menu changes according to what's in season, from porchetta, roast cabbage and potatoes (with a Yorkie pud and jus, of course) to velvety potato and leek soup followed by a porterhouse. We especially love that in this deal, dessert's icluded. 

Time Out tip: Missing the wintry, white Christmases of Europe and the UK? Book for Gitmas in July, a mid-year festive feast at the restaurant, and share in the nostalgia with expats.

Address: 1 Reid St, Fitzroy North VIC 3068

Roast's available: Sunday lunch until 4pm or sold out

Expect to pay: $65 per person, plus drinks (and at Neighbourhood Wine, you really ought to order a wine)

What is it? The Lion and Wombat is one of Melbourne’s most respectable watering holes for traditional British pub food and drinks, and that's in no small part due to its epic Sunday roasts; choose from a beef, chicken or nut roast each week.

Why we love it: From the generous pots of housemade gravy to the Yorkie puds, peas and carrots, everything here just has that homely British taste you're unlikely to detect in just any old Aussie pub. Bonus points: the drinks list here is excellent. The house cocktail list has been developed by Dav Eames from Cocktails and Eames, (try a Paddington, featuring marmalade and whiskey or a Pimm’s Cup). 

Time Out tip: The Lion and Wombat is also known for its hand-pulled cask ale, so don't forget to grab a pint.

Address: 107 Grey St, St Kilda VIC 3182

Roast's available: Sunday noon until 10pm

Expect to pay: $29 for the roast beef, $27 for the roast chicken or $27 for the vego nut roast, sides like cauliflower cheese and pigs in blankets cost $12

What is it? Every Sunday, the Orrong Hotel in Armadale offers a different pub roast special with all the trimmings.

Why we love it: Now that the weather has cooled down, the pub has cranked up its open fireplaces giving pub-goers the perfect opportunity to defrost. After all, a Sunday roast isn't just about what you eat; a cosy environment goes along way in adding to the occaison. They've got a solid list of Australian wines and beers to pair with your toasty roast, too.

Time Out tip: The pub's Instagram page is where you can feast your eyes on their most recent roasts 

Address: 709 High St, Armadale VIC 3143

Roast's available: lunch and dinner on Sunday unless sold out

Expect to pay: the website itself may state $25, but last we checked on socials it's currently $28 for the roast, which includes a protein, sides, gravy and a Yorkshire pudding, $6.50 for a pot of Orrong's house lager

What is it? This roast is 100 per cent plant-based and a perfect alternative for vegans, vegetarians or simply those looking to get their five-a-day in the form of a tasty winter warmer.

Why we love it: Okay, so it's not meat, but carnivorous roasts in this town are a dime a dozen. While more and more pubs are offering a plant-based roast option. these days, the one at Green Man's Arms isn't just a cauliflower-based after-thought; it's one of the best in the biz. Behold a superb lentil and nut roast (gluten-free), served with roast veggies, peas, a freshly made Yorkshire pudding, gravy and crunchy hasselback potatoes and mint jelly.

Time Out tip: Since you're on the Lygon strip, why not make a whole day of it? Fuel up with this pub's roast at noon, then wander over to nearby bookstore Readings for a browse. Stock up on cute spice blends at Gewürzhaus to up your cooking game, then you can't go past a hot choccie from Heartattack and Vine (one of our faves in town). You might as well catch a Sunday night flick at Cinema Nova too!

Address: 418 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053

Roast's available: from noon on Sunday unless sold out

Expect to pay: $29 for the roast, $12-16 for a pint of kombucha or beer, desserts around $16