There are few British traditions more sacred than the Sunday roast, and York honours it well. Between the cobbled lanes and ancient stone walls, pubs and kitchens across the city plate up towering tributes to roast beef, crispy pork belly, golden potatoes, and York’s most famous culinary export - the mighty Yorkshire pudding.
Whether you're a local looking to elevate your weekend ritual or a visitor craving a proper taste of Northern comfort, we’ve rounded up the very best Sunday roasts York has to offer. From restaurants that put a gourmet spin on the classics to gastro pubs that practically bleed gravy, this guide is your ticket to roast dinner nirvana.
The Sunday Roast: York's Top 10
1. The Hole In The Wall
- Where: High Petergate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7EH
- Price: from £14.79
Just a stone’s throw from York Minster, The Hole In The Wall serves up a Sunday roast in York city centre that’s anything but ordinary. It's where the meat is melt-in-your-mouth tender, the Yorkshire puddings are homemade and gloriously puffed, and the roast potatoes? Ruffled, golden, and primed for soaking up ladlefuls of rich, velvety gravy.
You’ll find all the classics here - beef with horseradish, turkey with a giant pig in blanket, and even a half roast chicken for those who like their Sunday served with a side of indulgence. Vegetarians and vegans are well looked after too, with hearty options like the spinach tart or meat-free sausages. Everything is generously plated and reasonably priced, with the option to upgrade to a large portion if you’re feeling brave. Plus, add-ons like pigs in blankets, extra mash, and crispy roast potatoes mean you can truly build your dream feast.
You can enjoy some seriously delicious Yorkshire puddings at The Hole In The Wall.
2. The Fat Badger
- Where: 2-4 High Petergate, York, YO1 7EH
- Price: from £17.95
On the hunt for the best Sunday roast? York's The Fat Badger is a strong contender. Situated within the city's historic bar walls, it's become a favourite local hangout, renowned not only for its warm, inviting atmosphere and delightful beer garden, but also for its mouth-watering Sunday roasts that are the talk of the town. Kick back and enjoy a great pint and hearty lunch, all while soaking in the history of a building dating back 400 years.
Every Sunday from midday until 8pm, this spot serves up a truly scrumptious roast, complete with all the Yorkshire trimmings you could dream of. Picture this: succulent slow-cooked beef rump, crispy roasted pork loin with crackling, or a perfectly roasted chicken supreme, all paired with roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, creamy mash, and seasonal vegetables, and generously doused in rich red wine gravy. And for those who prefer a plant-based option, there’s the irresistible vegan feta, leek, and potato pie.
The Fat Badger's interiors are incredibly cosy, featuring forest green walls and soft pendant lighting.
3. Elements At The Aldwark Manor Estate
- Where: Aldwark, Alne, York, YO61 1UF
- Price: two courses for £32, or three for £38
Set against the backdrop of 200 acres of breathtaking Yorkshire countryside, Elements at The Aldwark Manor Estate offers a dining experience where luxury meets nature. Established in 1978, the Aldwark Manor Estate has long been synonymous with indulgence and elegance, and the restaurant, Elements, continues this tradition by combining the finest natural ingredients with stunning, elemental design; think panoramic views of the estate and a dining room adorned with striking wall art and sophisticated interiors.
The Sunday menu at Elements brings a touch of refinement to this beloved British tradition. Whether you opt for the mouthwatering Yorkshire salt-aged beef with all the classic trimmings or the succulent pork loin paired with apple sauce, roast potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding, you’re in for a treat. No roast is complete without a decadent dessert, and Elements doesn’t disappoint. From a light and refreshing coconut panna cotta with confit pineapple and chilli syrup to a comforting sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch and clotted cream, there’s something to satisfy every sweet tooth.
Spend the weekend at The Aldwark Manor Estate and enjoy a Sunday roast before heading off.
4. Pearly Cow
- Where: 1 Clifton, York, YO30 6AA
- Price: two courses for £38, or three for £44
Nestled in the heart of York, Pearly Cow is a celebration of the very best of Yorkshire’s bountiful land and rich waters. With farming traditions passed down through generations and the coastlines brimming with fresh catch, Yorkshire's culinary legacy is truly revered here, set within a warm, character-filled Georgian building adorned with art and local produce. For Sunday lunch, choose from a perfectly roasted 45-day salt-aged beef sirloin, tender roast chicken, or a wild mushroom and butternut squash Wellington for a plant-based option.
Each dish is served with all the classic trimmings: golden Yorkshire puddings, roasted parsnips, cauliflower cheese, glazed carrots, and crisp roast potatoes. But don’t stop there. Why not start your feast with some North Sea oysters, dressed simply with merlot vinegar and shallots, or a hearty serving of freshly baked sourdough with Longley Farm butter? With a hand-picked selection of sides (beef fat chips, anyone?) and indulgent desserts like the rich Valrhona chocolate tart or a comforting bread and butter pudding, you’re sure to end your meal on a sweet note.
Gobble up gravy-soaked potatoes at Pearly Cow on a Sunday.
5. The Whippet Inn
- Where: 15 North Street, York, YO1 6JD
- Price: two courses for £29.95, or three for £34.95
Tucked away on one of York’s more unassuming streets lies The Whippet Inn. Housed in a stunning Grade II-listed building, the restaurant’s unpretentious approach to food, unapologetic decor, and relaxed, sultry atmosphere make it a must-visit for anyone in search of an unforgettable dining experience, especially a Sunday roast.
The focus is always on quality, with the team dedicated to sourcing only the finest locally and sustainably produced ingredients. The star of the show? Beef, of course. Known for their ever-changing cuts and breeds of excellent beef, it takes this classic protein to the next level. And it's not just the meat that impresses. Vegetarians will be delighted by the puff pastry Wellington filled with mushrooms and puy lentils, paired with a watercress and spinach pesto. Make sure to leave room for dessert, as the signature sticky toffee date pudding with molasses toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream is a classic that never disappoints.
Venture over to North Street for a mighty meaty Sunday.
6. The Drovers Arms
- Where: York Road, Selby, YO8 5SF
- Price: from £18.95
We're heading over to the pretty village of Skipworth now for the best Sunday lunch on the outskirts of York at The Drovers Arms. With its stunning countryside location, it’s no surprise that this pub has become one of the area’s most popular spots for dining and drinking. Head chef Mike Cummings and the talented kitchen brigade at The Drovers Arms focus on creating dishes using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients from some of the finest producers around.
Known for their famous Sunday roasts, they offer a range of mouth-watering options, all sourced from Yorkshire Dales Meat Company. Choose from 28-day aged Aberdeen Angus topside Yorkshire beef, herb-roasted loin of pork, traditional roasted turkey breast, or honey-roasted gammon - all served with potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, carrot and swede mash, and buttered seasonal vegetables. Want a little bit of everything? The Drovers Quartet offers a generous slice of four roasted meats, complemented by sage and spring onion stuffing and rich red wine-roasted pan gravy.
The Drovers Arms (pictured) is a multi-award-winning venue.
7. The Star Inn The City
- Where: Lendal Engine House, Museum Street, York, YO1 7DR
- Price: from £23
The Star Inn The City is a true riverside delight, beautifully perched on the banks of the River Ouse. Born from the vision of Andrew Pern, of Michelin-starred Star Inn at Harome fame, the restaurant brings the heart of the countryside into the historic city of York. With a focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and an unwavering dedication to quality, this is a place where every dish tells a story of Yorkshire’s rich food heritage. It’s no surprise it’s earned an AA Rosette for culinary excellence.
This venue does what Yorkshire does best: a proper roast, done to perfection. Choose from the roast loin of Escrick-reared pork with crackling, the roast sirloin of salt-aged beef, or rosemary-roasted breast of Yorkshire Wolds chicken - each served with crispy duck fat roast potatoes, seasonal buttered greens, carrot, swede and horseradish stump, Yorkshire pudding, and rich, proper gravy. It’s comfort food, elevated.
Since opening in 2013, The Star Inn The City has earned its place as a local favourite.
8. Bosun's At The Riverfront
- Where: The Boatyard, Ferry Lane, Bishopthorpe, York, YO23 2SB
- Price: two course for £30, three for £37
Bosun’s at the Riverfront is where tranquil views meet top-tier Yorkshire cooking. Tucked away along the scenic banks of the River Ouse, just a short trip from York city centre, it offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of city life. Led by chef Kurtus Auty, Bosun’s takes pride in showcasing the very best of Yorkshire’s seasonal produce, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a modern flair in the kitchen.
Come Sunday, the restaurant rolls out its roast menu with all the comforting classics, served with a touch of elegance. Each roast is accompanied by beef dripping roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, rich gravy, and a golden Yorkshire pudding - exactly as it should be. Choose from roast pork, topside of beef, or honey mustard-glazed ham, or opt for the nut roast for a plant-based take that doesn’t compromise on flavour (P.S. it's also gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly).
Tuck into towering roasts at Bosun's At The Riverfront.
9. Eagle & Child
- Where: 9 High Petergate, York, YO1 7EN
- Price: from £17
For a pub Sunday lunch, York's Eagle & Child is a go-to. Built in 1640 and steeped in centuries of charm, this Grade II-listed gem offers everything you’d want from a traditional Sunday lunch: character, comfort, and a plate piled high with the best of Yorkshire’s local produce. Enter the timber-framed beauty and marvel at the three floors, with cosy corners, lively bars, and even a top floor where the Rolling Stones once left their lipstick signatures.
With meats sourced from the renowned Yorkshire Dales Meat Company, you can expect prime topside of beef, roasted pork loin with crispy crackling, succulent chicken, or tender lamb rump, all served with crispy roast potatoes, mashed potato, braised spiced red cabbage, seasonal vegetables, a Yorkshire pudding, and plenty of red wine gravy. Plant-based? The nut roast is a hearty, flavourful alternative that’s sure to satisfy.
Get cosy in this historical pub and enjoy a cracking Sunday roast.
10. Guy Fawkes Inn
- Where: 25 High Petergate, York, YO1 7HP
- Price: from £19.95
Step into the shadow of York Minster and the pages of British history at Guy Fawkes Inn. This historic inn, said to be the birthplace of Guy Fawkes himself, invites you to dine where history was made. Inside this atmospheric 17th-century inn, with its flickering gas lamps, dark wood beams, and whispers of centuries past, you’ll find a Sunday roast that's as rich in flavour as the building is in stories.
Every Sunday from midday until it’s all been devoured, the inn serves up a classic British roast with a signature twist. Choose from slow-cooked beef rump, pork loin with crispy crackling, or a comforting vegan applewood, potato and leek pie, each served with all the trimmings. You’ll also get a stuffing croquette - a little extra indulgence. In addition to the fantastic food, you can enjoy regional real ales, wines, and a warm welcome that has earned this inn an AA Rosette and glowing reviews.
Guy Fawkes Inn has thirteen bedrooms for you to stay in, so you can make a trip of it.
Eggs and toast more your thing? Check out our guide to the best brunches in York.
