The best Sunday roasts in Sydney

How much? $30
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 $7 extra.

How much? $28-$33 
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, chicken or 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. Should you add a juicy pig in a blanket to your order for the extra $3.50? 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? $28-$34
What time? Sundays from noon

Swing on down to Woolloomooloo’s beloved theatre-pub the Old Fitz, which now slings a French-British bistro menu featuring not one but three roasts, plus soulful live jazz music on Sundays.

Choose from beef striploin, chicken Maryland, or slow roasted Japanese squash, with all the trimmings: crispy roast potatoes, carrots, seasonal greens and a Yorkshire pud. Or come with a mate and get all three. 

How much? $27
What time? Sundays from noon
For 125 years, the Royal on Norton Street has been delighting locals and those who travel alike. If it ain't broke, don't fix it and this is true for the Sunday roast, which sells out super fast and you'll soon see why. The slow-roasted sirloin comes with all the trimmings so you'll have a happy full belly which will leave you ready for a little nap afterwards.

How much? $27.90
What time? Saturdays and Sundays from noon
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. There's beef, lamb, vegetarian and vegan roasts each week and they like to shake things up so no two weeks are the same. The best part is they don't always stick to an obvious script, so there might even be a smoked honey-glazed ham to honour Christmas in July. 

How much? $35
What time? Daily from noon
Home of The Big Yorkie, the Forresters in Surry Hills aren't holding back when it comes to the "Sunday" roast. Serving an entire roast dinner of potatoes, carrots, roast beef, peas and gravy inside a giant yorkshire pudding, you can be sure that this is a roast not to be missed. 

How much? $32
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 where the Sunday roast is king. Slow roasted beef, baked vegetables, seeded mustard jus, Yorkshire pudding, it's a no-brainer.

How much? $33 - $35
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? $33
What time? Sundays from noon
"We'd be hung, drawn and quartered if we ever stopped doing the roast." Read: book a table and get in early. While this historic pub in Rozelle follows the wintery Sunday roast trend, the point of difference here is a choice of pork belly with roast fennel and applesauce, or Angus beef loin with 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. Vegos and vegans are also covered. Nice.

How much? $30
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? $24-$34
What time? Weekends from noon
This Newtown favourite has had a few big changes in the last couple of years, most notably a refurb that has brought a touch of the modern age (cleaning) to the retro-style pub. What has stayed though, is the epic Sunday roast. Changing monthly, you'll chow down on slow cooked roast beef, mashed potatoes, seasonal roast market veggies, horseradish and sour cream, and red wine gravy. If you're not of the carnivorous persuasion, there is a roast pumpkin substitute that's equally hearty. 

How much? $28-$31
What time? Sundays from 11am
The Charo has gone all out on the fancy gastro-pub front, complete with comfy chairs near the fireplace and, of course, a Sunday roast. There are five options to choose from here, with a roasted pork belly with cider-poached apples, roast sirloin with market veggies, a slow-roasted leg of lamb with housemade mint sauce (nice) and vegetarian and vegan options of miso-glazed Japanese pumpkin with sage and hazelnut stuffing (there's a yorkie pudding and roast potatoes option in there for the vegos).

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? $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 juicy slice of pork comes with apple sauce, mash, roasted carrots, beef fat roasted potatos, and peas. Expect a healthy drizzle of dark, rich gravy – the same sauce that comes with their schnitzel. It’s not a cheap roast, the pork 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? $199 (serves three to four)
What time? Sundays from noon
"Why is a fancy French bistro on this pub-leaning list?" you might ask. And we get you. But hear us out. If you're in the mood to dress up on a Sunday and still want a delicious roast feast, Franca is a great choice. You and three friends can share a classic French chateaubriand, featuring a 600g pink tenderloin served with a creamy Diane sauce and a variety of seasonal sides. When you consider it's Franca, the cost per person isn't too bad. Plus, this leaves you with some extra cash to spend on wine.

How much? $29
What time? Sundays from noon

The London may be one of many in the Paddington pub cluster but this prettied-up old terrace keeps sport-loving locals on side with friendly staff, cold beers and a tasty English-inspired menu including one heck of a Sunday roast. Your choice of pork or beef, you'll get a generous helping as well as all the trimmings, including Yorkshire puddings.