Picture this: it's 2pm on a brisk Sunday afternoon, you've just finished a trip down Northcote Road, and you're starting to flag. You need a slap-up Sunday roast, and you need it fast.
Luckily, this South London neighbourhood is bursting with sleek eateries, gastro pubs and cosy boozers complete with roaring fires and mouthwatering menus. From free-flowing gravy to piles of golden roasties and Yorkshire puddings as light as a cloud, here is our guide to the very best spots for Sunday lunch in Clapham.
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Located just a short stroll away from Clapham Common, No 32 The Old Town is a bright and contemporary restaurant with a fairy light-lit terrace perfect for al fresco dining. From noon on Sundays this place offers a range of roasts, expect 28-day-aged beef, free-range chicken and tasty vegan alternatives. Opt for a side of truffle macaroni cheese for the ultimate weekend indulgence.
The Thieves (formerly The Four Thieves) has become the latest 'adult playground', centred around competitive socialising. But it's not just the Thieves Gambit floor upstairs - complete with darts, pool, RC racing, and classic arcade favourites like Mario Kart and House of the Dead - that makes this a pub to remember, as top brand Balans are providing the food too.
Starting in 1987 as the Old Compton Cafe in Soho, serving late-night coffee to club-goers, Balans has grown into a staple brand serving British all-day dining with an international twist, brunches, and late-night dinners to the likes of Lady Gaga and Amy Winehouse. They're also serving Sunday roasts at The Thieves.
Located in the heart of Old Town and just a stone's throw away from the urban oasis of Clapham Common, The Sun is a traditional British boozer serving up some seriously cosy vibes. Choose from a selection of classic roast dishes or a range of mains (complete with tonnes of veggie and vegan options) and settle yourself in for a drawn-out Sunday session, with a glass of wine in hand.
Here at DesignMyNight, we reckon that anywhere that serves sides of extra cheesy macaroni balls deserves a special mention. With a list of sides that will have your eyes sneakily darting down the menu, you wouldn't be blamed for forgetting about this place's main show - but to do so would be a mistake. And with interiors as enticing as the food? The Plough is a repeat visit kind of place.
All of the Sunday lunches served at The Northcote come with double egg Yorkshire puds, goose fat roasties, honey glazed parsnips, creamed leeks, rainbow chard and lashings of super-thick gravy. Located in the heart of the Clapham action, be sure to book ahead if you're planning on coinciding your visit with one of the Six Nations matches, as this place gets packed out.
Boasting tonnes of space and private nooks, The Belle Vue is the perfect place for a group Sunday lunch in Clapham. A friendly neighbour pub conviniently located opposite Clapham Common station, this spot is also known for serving some of the best vegan-friendly roasts.
Somewhere between a cosy pub and sophisticated eatery, The Abbeville offers the perfect lazy London afternoon setting. Curl up in a corner with a pint and a plate piled high with some of the best roast potatoes in the capital. In the summer months, the sunny terrace and street-side tables fill up quick - so be sure to head here early.
The Windmill is a friendly neighbourhood pub with ample space for summertime al fresco lunches. Kick off a mammoth Sunday feast here with one of their signature sharing boards, before digging into a classic roast served with all the trimmings - with the option to add a bowl of roasties smothered in uber-rich gravy. We're not drooling, you are.
Located just a hop and skip away from Clapham South station, The Nel is the perfect spot for a family affair. Bursting with space (and with a dog-friendly policy), this place offers a two-course Sunday feast for only £20, with a range of cocktails and international wines to wash it all down with.
Recently undergoing an art-deco inspired makeover, Lost Society does the weekend quite like nowhere else in Clapham. With roaring parties every Saturday night, Sunday see this place launch into recovery mode with mellow acoustic tunes, bottomless bloody marys and mouthwatering roast dinners.
The Saxon is up there with the best place for a Sunday lunch in Clapham, offering a colourful and contemporary setting for your weekend feasting. Whether you're cosying up inside or on the terrace, this bar will blow you away with its signature plates and expertly crafted cocktails.
Located right on the high street, The Railway Tavern is a cute, cosy pub with scrumptious roasts to boot. Not only can you bag sirloin of beef, a half of chicken and a tasty nut roast, but also Southern-fried chicken with jacket potato mash, corn and gravy.
Head to The Clapham North Pub for a mouthwatering roast that'll blow your socks off. Choose from lemon and thyme chicken, slow-roasted rump of beef, rolled pork belly or a vegan Wellington, all accompanied by spuds, vegetables, gravy and a hefty Yorkshire pud.
A short walk away from Clapham North station, The Phoenix is a modern, trendy pub that's best known for its Indian fusion menu. Every Sunday, they're cooking up marinated roast chicken, lamb or a nut roast, served with cumin-infused Yorkshire puddings, Bombay potatoes, chaat cabbage, spiced carrots and homemade gravy. Prices start from just £16.50 each, and on a summer's day you can even enjoy this feast in their spacious beer garden.
Looking for a hearty and satisfying Sunday lunch? Look no further than The Landor Pub, where the classic roast is served up with all the trimmings.
Whether you're craving tender roast beef, juicy chicken, or a delicious vegetarian option, their Sunday roast menu is a hit. Add a crisp pint or a glass of wine to the mix, and you've got yourself the perfect end to the weekend.
Located just down from Clapham South station, The Avalon is a cosy, modern boozer that mixes elegance with rustic charm. Think exposed brick walls, a roaring fireplace and wooden furniture, as well as a gorgeous beer garden.
They serve up a range of hearty roasts, both individual and to share. From a slow-cooked lamb shoulder to juicy pork belly or a butternut squash and spinach Wellington, there's something for everyone here.
Situated on Northcote Road, The Bolingbroke is a charming local boozer that's filled with pretty, colourful decor. Think rustic wooden furniture, luscious greenery and hanging lights, with multiple different seating areas available.
Their Sunday roasts offer a choice of slow-roasted pork belly, roast chicken, beef or a lentil Wellington, or a Chateaubriand for two. Plus, you can expect plenty of Yorkshire puddings, potatoes and gravy.
Seasonal British cooking and traditional gastropub vibes reign supreme at The Ox, with contemporary features and snug seating areas making the place feel cosy and stylish all at once.
Settle in for an impressive roast with dry-aged beef, pork belly with crackling, Norfolk chicken or a veggie Wellington as the centrepiece. Roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, veg and braised red cabbage come as standard, with truffled cauliflower cheese, buttered greens and gravy jugs available to add on the side.
Booking ahead is sensible for popular Sunday lunches, especially at busy pubs. Check each venue's booking options before you visit, as the article's booking links were not confirmed in this check.
The Avalon is located just down from Clapham South station, and the guide describes it as a cosy spot. Its Sunday roast details were not visible in this check, so confirm the menu before recommending it.
The Landor Pub's Sunday roast menu includes a vegetarian option alongside tender roast beef and juicy chicken. Check the current menu before you visit, as roast options can change.
The area mixes sleek eateries, gastro pubs and cosy boozers, many with roaring fires. Plates come piled high with golden potatoes, with top-quality joints of meat and plenty of vegan options.
