The best Sunday roasts in Sydney

How much? $24
What time? Sundays from noon
Beef or lamb? “Definitely the lamb,” says the bartender, without hesitation. “The meat is really good, but do it for the cauliflower mornay.” He’s not wrong. Three very generous slices of leg meat arrive, perfectly rosy in the middle, draped over an avalanche of sides dressed with a (thankfully) light gravy: a colossal wedge of pumpkin, roasted potatoes, braised red cabbage and more than a ladle’s worth of that cauliflower and leek mornay. It’s every bit as creamy, salty, buttery and allium-rich as you’d hope. The value for money here is worth emphasising – this bad boy could feed two moderately hungry people, no doubt. The choice of two meats changes every Sunday, but there’s always Guinness on tap, comfy Chesterfield lounges to sit on and Jenga to play. What else could you possibly want? Dessert? It’s only $6 extra.

How much? $28-$32
What time? Sundays from noon
This primo spot for a counter meal doesn’t let the standards drop on Sundays when the kitchen downstairs pumps out a roast lunch that deserves a podium finish amongst Sydney’s best. The medium rare slices of beef come with creamed leeks, mashed swede and broccoli, and fried brussel sprouts. On the side comes a dish of spectacular beef-fat roasted potatoes and a little individual boat of dark, rich gravy – the same sauce that comes with their schnitzel. It’s not a cheap roast, the beef costs $32 and the vegetarian version with roasted cauliflower and vegan gravy is $28. But you taste the quality across your plate, it’s a generous serve, and you can book tables, making it our go-to on the day of rest.

How much? $24-$28 
What time? Sundays from noon
Few plates come to mind that are as fundamentally English as the Sunday Roast. It’s only fitting, then, that the Duke of Clarence, arguably Sydney’s most English boozer, has a Sunday menu dedicated exclusively to the almighty weekend lunch. Traditionalists will relish the choice of sirloin, pork belly or leg of lamb, all of which come with Yorkshire pudding, Dutch carrots, broccolini, peas and beef-fat roasted spuds. Vegetarians, meanwhile, can get their fix with a generous portion of roasted pumpkin and wild rice, while a roasted cod fillet with clams, cherry tomatoes and pickled samphire makes for a sophisticated addition to the standard line-up. Should you add a juicy pig in a blanket to your order for the extra $3? Absolutely. And you should probably make a booking, too; there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room here, especially if you want to snag a spot near the fireplace (which you definitely do).

How much? $25
What time? Sundays from noon
The Union Jack flies outside this British boozer every day, but on Sundays it feels particularly patriotic. There’s cricket on the telly, whole generations of families gathered by the bar, and plates of roast pork with all the trimmings coming out of the kitchen. Take a pew at one of the dark oak tables, under the 17th century hunting pictures, and order the $25 hug from home. Choose between two meaty cuts of pork loin or lamb rump, set on a bed of pumpkin and greens, roasted potatoes and doughy Yorkshire puds that are perfect for mopping up the thick gravy. Homesick Poms, you can’t beat the vibe of this busy pub to cure that pang. For the hybrids, don’t worry – they’ve got Hawke’s lager, Three Sheets and VB on tap.

How much? $19.90
What time? Sundays from 11am
A longtime favourite for those on the hunt for a bargain (and let's face it, who isn't in this town?). This is one of the better value roasts in Sydney, and they don't skimp on the portion size either. They change things up here each week, and you can always check the website for what's coming up. The best part is they don't always stick to an obvious script, so one week might even include smoked honey-glazed ham to honour Christmas in July. What could possibly make this deal even sweeter? Five-buck schooners and $8 pints all Sunday long. There are over 20 taps here if you want to spend a little extra, but wasn't it you that was keen for the bargain?

How much? $28
What time? Sundays from noon
City dwellers aching for tree-change should head to the Riverview. Nestled between the quaint cottages and terraces of Balmain, this corner pub fits in easily beside its country village cousins: expertly poured Guinness on tap, friendly but no-nonsense bar staff, and a constant rabble of adorable kids and dogs bobbing about. Upstairs you’ll find a rather posh dining room, but the ground level by the glowing fireplace is where you want to be. You’ll also want to be a fan of mustard, as the tender roast beef and baked winter veggies – crisp taters, parsnips, beetroot and caramelised onion on our visit – comes doused in a seeded mustard jus. For a tad more tang, you’ll also find a mild sauerkraut hiding under the onions. The massive Yorkshire pud isn’t messing around, either.

How much? $25 
What time? Sundays from noon
This corner pub has had a recent renovation, but its downstairs main bar is precisely that – a bar – with high wooden stools and tables propping up Swans fans as they nurse a paddle of the pub’s famously froth-worthy selection of independently-owned beers. It’s rowdy on game days, but all ages are welcome (especially if they’re in red-and-white kit). You get the option of a beef or pork belly roast, both cooked for nine hours and plated with crisp potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, steamed broccoli, a thick draping of gravy and a tough, pillowy Yorkshire pudding. It’s slow moving on our visit, but if you’re happy to sink a couple of red ales from Two Birds or Philter XPAs as you wait, then pinkish slices of tender beef will be your prize. You won’t leave hungry. Bonus points for the veggie fritter option, too.

How much? $30
What time? Sundays from noon 
Nobody ever just drops into the Woolwich Pier for a casual roast. It takes careful planning, because they only make 30 of them each Sunday and they often sell out by 1pm, which means your window for hearty roast satisfaction is criminally slim. Select from pork belly or Riverina lamb; the former is a large juicy cube topped in a perfectly brittle wave of crackling, alongside a sweet and herby pumpkin mash, well seasoned potatoes, carrots, little onions and a big, wonderfully airy Yorkshire pud for sopping up the gravy. The tender saddle of lamb comes with all of the above plus a wobbling square of super-sweet mint jelly. In short, these are premium roasts worth the effort and the price tag, but don’t turn up late, and pre-book a table to be sure of a tan leather booth in the gorgeous light-filled main room, or a bench in the lively courtyard with its black-and-white striped umbrellas and city views. 

How much? $27
What time? Sundays from noon
When your roast arrives in very timely fashion on a Sydney Swans home game day, you know a pub has its systems in order. And for all you sauce fiends out there, this is the place to go when you're after a sea of gravy to go with your meal. A puffy Yorkshire pud is part of the trimmings, plus parsnips baked down to a squishy paste, carrots, potatoes and wilted kale for some fresh reprieve from the starchy carbs and medium-rare beef slices. There's a solid condiment collection on the bar, so you can add some horseradish, mustard or hot sauce to the mix. You can also add a side of cauliflower cheese for $8, which could reasonably stretch one roast lunch between two people. You can bring your pooch with you too, but it’s worth remembering that this place heaves even when there isn’t a game at the SCG. Get in early for a shot at those comfy booths.

How much? $25
What time? Sundays from noon
Ah, the Courty. You'd be hard pressed to find a more inviting beer garden in the Inner West, and the lived-in vibe is exactly why a small army of locals pretty much do live here. Pub feeds here are consistently good across the board, and the Sunday roast is no exception. The meat in question changes every week, but you can always expect a hearty serving, roasted veggies and gravy. There's no Yorkie pud on the plate here, but who needs those extra carbs when the selection of craft beers is this cracking? Dog-friendliness is another plus, as are the pinball machines. In short, a Sunday arvo here is never a bad idea. 

How much? $27
What time? Sundays from noon
While this historic pub in Rozelle follows the wintery Sunday roast trend, they’re serving a new take on the classic week to week. You could be demolishing roast pork with crisp potatoes one Sunday and a fall-off-your-fork beef dish the next. On our visit, we were met with two incredibly tender lamb chops, a silky smooth mash, roast carrots and the requisite crunch of a Yorkshire pudding. Rather than laying in a bath of gravy, this happy roast family saw just a splash of the warming salty sauce alongside a dash of cream. Nice.

How much? $25
What time? Sundays from noon
The Four in Hand kitchen has seen some pretty serious chefs manning the pans in its time, including Colin Fassnidge and Guillaume Brahimi. It's good to know that, even now, this Paddo stalwart takes this roast meats business pretty darn seriously. The sunny bar is often less crowded at lunch, so the early bird really does snag the proverbial worm here. Each week, the choice of beast rotates between pork, beef and lamb, with the traditional supporting cast: seasonal vegetables, gravy and a Yorkshire pudding. Throw in a spiffy crowd, a rather sophisticated pub wine list that spotlights some Aussie classics, and there you have it: the perfect soigné Eastern Suburbs Sunday session.

How much? $28
What time? Sundays from noon
Given Bondi’s large British expat community, it's no surprise to see roast mode in full swing on Sundays, despite the sunny beachside location. The Anchor  – a vaguely nautical-meets-rock’n’roll small bar on Campbell Parade – fills up with punters vying for a plate of the good stuff every Sunday. Here, it’s all about options – you can choose between lamb shanks, roast beef and pulled pork, or go with a combination of the three. We try them all, and the tender lamb meat outshines the pork and beef. The crisp Yorkshire pudding is a standout, and the hefty serve of cauliflower, broccolini, pumpkin mash and roasted carrots is very filling. Perhaps the best value way to tackle this one is to share a single serve between two people, and add some more gravy and another Yorkshire pud. That way you can spend the extra cash on a big glass of shiraz.

How much? $27
What time? Sundays from 11am
For a family-focused suburb, Willoughby lacks in the great pub department, which makes the Bridgeview Hotel quite the charming ticket. It does a great counter meal every night of the week, but Sundays are all about the roast. Soccer teams and families fill out the dining room, and in the main pub area, you'll find plenty more locals watching footy and playing pool. For $27 you’ll get half a chook, which is more than enough meat to warm your loins. It veers more towards Portuguese chicken than a classic roast (think a peppery, paprika rub) and the bird is pretty juicy. Charred corn, roasted carrots and broccolini up your veggie quota, and a simple gravy adds comfort. You’ll also find a sticky date pudding on special if you want to really round out those winter-meal-feels, and sink into the big Chesterfield lounges.

How much? $25
What time? Sundays from noon
There are worse places to spend a lazy Sunday than the leafy, undercover beer garden at this Petersham boozer. For a venue with a former life as a topless bar (you can still spot some stripper poles in the front bar), it’s got a pretty family-friendly vibe during the daylight hours, with large groups claiming prime position tables in the garden. If you can’t get one out back, there’s always plenty of space to relax inside with some roasted goodness and local brews on tap. You’ve got three choices: tender beef brisket, sticky and crunchy pork belly (our pick of the meats), and a very welcome pulled jackfruit. They come loaded with crisp potatoes, steamed broccoli, a sweet and soft honey-roasted carrot and a Yorkshire pudding to swipe through the hot gravy. Service can be a little on the slow side (we were warned by bar staff), but it's Sunday – what's the rush?