Roast season may be every season, but a gravy laden plate of comort food tastes best in autumn and winter.
Here's where to go when you're in Notting Hill, Kensington or nearby and hankering for a hefty, hearty Sunday roast lunch.
1 The Counter, Golborne Road
This contemporary ockbasi restaurant has a seafood take on the traditional roast with its Aegean Sundays set menu. The 12 sharing dishes on this feasting menu explore Turkey’s coastal cuisine are designed to be enjoyed family-style and include treats such as samphire salad; sourdough, aubergine salad; fried squid and sauteed prawns in garlic butter and lemon. The feast’s centrepiece is your choice of a whole fish of the day or lamb chops.
Address: 108 Golborne Road, Notting Hill W10 5PS
Website: thecounterlondon.com
2 The Elgin, Ladbroke Grove
A traditional pub, preparing modern British meals, the Sunday roast here is full of classic hits a traditonal favourites. The Elgin also has an extensive gin list and a descent wine selection, with most drops available by the glass or bottle. Look out for quiz nights.
Address: 96 ladbroke Grove W11 1PY
Website: theelginnottinghill.co.uk
3 The Eagle, Ladbroke Grove
Homespun and lovely, The Eagle whips up a hearty Sunday roast, alongside a long as la carte menu. Go for your own roast, or if you're with a group or family, the sharing platter doesn't scrimp and is a feast to stuff four, complete with all the meats, sides, all the trimmings and unlimited gravy.
Address: 250 Ladbroke Grove, W10 5LP
Website: theeagle.co.uk
4 The Pelican, All Saints Road
A Michelin Guide recommended pub, The Pelican won't serve you up your standard Sunday lunch. With ex-The Wolseley and Sketch chef, Owen Kenworthy in the kitchen, the pub plates up family style feast being served on Sundays. The meal changes weekly and must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.
Address: 45 All Saints Road WII IHE
Website: thepelicanw11.com
5 The Princess Royal, Hereford Road
The Princess Royal comes with a large dining room and bar, a walled garden, private dining rooms and four bedrooms should you want to stay over. There's roasts to share as well as individual roasts, and good selection of puddings. You can even be really fancy and start the meal off with a round of freshly shucked oysters.
Address: 47 Hereford Road, W2 5AH
Website: cubitthouse.co.uk
6 The Holland, Earls Court Road
Standing where the old Princess Victoria once stood, The Holland is the latest venture by chef Max de Nahlik (ex- the organic certified Duke of Cambridge, Islington) and another Michelin Guide recommended pub. Head here for an elegant roast made with seasonal produce of the likes of confit chicken leg or roast beef rump, and spiced brown crab on toast, or sweetcorn, tomato and miso butter with chili peanuts to start with.
Address: 25 Earls Court Road W8 6EB
Website: thehollandkensington.co.uk
7 Parlour, Regent Street
Sundays are an institution at Parlour – they offer a full all-day breakfast brunch menu and then their take on what they call The Great British Roast, which, you guessed it, is a compact menu of traditional roasts, done well. There's a Posh Sharing Platter too, if you're in the mood for a proper feast, and plenty of a la carte options also.
Address: 5 Regent Street, Kensal Green NW10 5LG
Website parlourkensal.com
8 Maggie Jones, Kensington Church Street
***Currently closed*** This rustic, romantic and home-spun spot makes for a charmed backdrop for a Sunday lunch. A long, luxurious affair, feast on the likes of asparagus vinaigrette, duck liver pate or haddock or Stilton mousse to start, then Welsh roast lamb or South Downs pork belly before moving on to a quintessential British dessert, like a smashing apple crumble.
Address: 6 Old Court Place, Kensington Church Street W8 4PL
Website: maggie-jones.co.uk
9 The Westbourne, Westbourne Park Villas
Rub shoulders with the locals and their pooches as you tuck into a homely roast. The pub is usually busy, and the Yorkies come oversized. The terrace is always packed come summer.
Address: 101 Westbourne Park Villas W2 5ED
Website: thewestbourne.com
10 The Windsor Castle, Campden Hill Road
The Windsor Castle’s old nooks and crannies make it a simply charming spot for a Sunday lunch – especially when it’s decked out with the Christmas decorations from November onwards. Right on the Kensington/Notting Hill border, this pub does a cracking nut roast for the vegetarians among us and if their glazed gammon joint with orange and whiskey is on the menu, chose this.
Address: 114 Campden Hill Road, Kensington W8 7AR
Website: thewindsorcastlekensington.co.uk
11 The Hillgate, Hillgate Street
When Sunday lunches come with margaritas, bloody Marys and Irish coffees, you know you’re in for a treat. The Hillgate is tucked away a stone’s throw from Notting Hill Gate station among the rainbow-painted houses of Hillgate Street and offers Sunday lunch favourites and a stack of sharing plates or starters as well.
Address: 24 Hillgate Street, Notting Hill W8 7SR
Website: thehillgate.com
12 The Mall Tavern, Palace Gardens Terrace
Sundays at the Mall Tavern are busy and brilliant. A cosy, varied menu make for a delicious treat at the end of the week. A lovely little outdoor area winds around the back of the pub, complete with heaters, if you want to sit outside and enjoy your long Sunday lunch with a nice glass of Merlot, and the Scotch egg starter is a winner.
Address: 71 Palace Gardens Terrace, Notting Hill W8 4RU
Website themallw8.com
13 Britannia, Allen Street
The Britannia pub, is a Youngs venture tucked away off the bustle of High Street Kensington, serves up a classic pub roast as British as its name. Go all out, and get a serve of pigs in blankets and the apple and pork balls, if they're on the menu.
Address: 1 Allen Street, Kensington W8 6UX
Website: britanniakensington.co.uk
14 The Whippet, Chamberlayne Road
This lovely little pub on the Chamberlayne Road offers speciality G&Ts and boasts a fantastic heated terrace too. The ‘Full Whippet’ roast comes with either beef, chicken or pork. The slow-roast lamb shoulder for two is particularly good, as is the burrata to start.
Address: 64-66 Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Rise NW10 3JJ
Website: thewhippetinn.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here