Best Sunday roasts in Manchester: 20 top roasts worth booking

On the hunt for the best roast in Manchester? You've come to the right place. We've rounded up all our favourite Sunday roast spots in the city, from city centre hangouts to soothing country pubs in Didsbury, Stockport and beyond.

What is it about a Sunday that has us hankering for thick, rosy pink slices of beef, rich gravy, Yorkshire puddings and crispy roast potatoes? Whenever we meet people who question the validity of a roast dinner, we just start talking about everything you get on the plate. Do you like golden roast chicken? How about the angry, blistered top of a cauliflower cheese, fresh from under the grill? How do you feel when you fill a Yorkshire pudding with gravy and discover that it’s watertight? What's not to love about all that?

A good roast lifts the spirits in many ways. It’s warm, comforting, and full of all your favourite things on a plate. There was a time when the only place to have a good roast was in the comfort of your own home - heading out to a pub for a roast was a surefire way to end up eating thin, brown slices of beef and gravy that was either water-thin or grainy sludge.

Those days are gone, though. We’ve entered a new era of British food and roasts all over the country are delivering. In Manchester, the food scene is booming and Greater Manchester residents have all sorts of roast options, from quaint country pubs, to exciting city centre restaurants. Even vegetarian options - typically so underrepresented - are hitting new heights at restaurants.

As such, we’ve been eating our way around Greater Manchester to see where one can find the best roast or the best carvery in Manchester. You’ll find a wealth of options in Manchester city centre, Manchester Northern Quarter and Ancoats, but there’s no lack of great roasts further afield either. Keep scrolling for our pick of the best roasts in Manchester.

Best Sunday roast Manchester city centre

From Ancoats to the Northern Quarter, Manchester is bursting with quality restaurants that do a great Sunday roast.

Kala Bistro

What: In a restaurant that does British classics so well, it’s no wonder that the roast dinners here are second to none. We believe there are a few elements of a roast that separate it from the rest; crispy potatoes, a rich gravy, and perfectly cooked meat, and we can confidently say they’ve nailed them all. Plus, the yorkshires are pretty impressive too..
Where: 55 King Street, M2 4LQ
Book now: Kala Bistro

Hawksmoor Manchester

What: It’s no surprise that the bona fide steak kings of the UK are on this list. Hawkmoor is right up there amongst Manchester’s more expensive roast offerings, but you absolutely get your money’s worth, not just from the outstanding roast beef but also the low-key glam of the building, wonderful service and knockout cocktails.
Where: 184-186 Deansgate, M3 3WB
Book now: Hawksmoor Manchester

Elnecot

What: Elnecot fans vociferously proclaim that this is the best roast in Manchester, and they might just be right. Choose between slow-cooked lamb shoulder, crispy slow-roast pork belly, or the dry-aged Welsh Wagyu topside. All the trimmings are out-of-this-world good as well - make sure you book well ahead if you want a table here on a Sunday.
Where: 41 Blossom Street, Cutting Room Square, M4 6AJ
Book now: Elnecot

Ducie Street Warehouse

What: Ducie Street Warehouse is known for its Sunday With Sides menu that hits you with starters, nibbles and then a big plate of roast with heaps of sides and a pool of gravy. You get a choice of beef sirloin, chicken breast, lamb leg and a weekly changing vegan roast, or you can have a slice of each on the plate, with pride of place on the sides going to the exceptional cauliflower cheese, which comes with six different toppings.
Where: Ducie Street, M1 2TP
Book now: Ducie Street Warehouse

The Refuge

What: This gorgeous event space and restaurant frequently reviews well when it comes to food, so we’re not surprised there are so many that claim it’s their favourite roast spot in Manchester. You’ll find grass-fed beef rump, Cumbrian chicken and a Yorkshire porchetta on the roast menu alongside a solid vegan Wellington, and lots of great sides. Dogs get their own mini roast bowl as well.
Where: Oxford Street, M60 7HA
Book now: The Refuge

TNQ Restaurant

What: TNQ’s roasts are legendary in Manchester and beyond, so you’ll want to book in advance if you’re expecting to get in on the action here. You can’t go wrong with any of the options but the Gloucester Old Spot pork belly is sensational.
Where: 108 High Street, M4 1HQ
Book now: TNQ Restaurant

Pot Kettle Black Angel Gardens

What: You may know Pot Kettle Black for its cracking Aussie breakfasts and coffee, but at Angel Gardens it also turns a hands= to a mean roast. We’re easily won over by little pots of pigs in blankets (acceptable at any time of year) and the cocktails are great too.
Where: 1 Rochdale Road, M4 4HS
Book now: Pot Kettle Black Angel Gardens

Albert's Schloss

What: For most of the week this Manchester bierkeller serves up alpine fare and German favourites, but come Sunday, it’s Yorkshire puddings for the masses. Alongside Lancashire beef with Yorkshires and Cheshire chicken with pistachio and pork stuffing, there’s also a lovely veggie winter strudel, and some serious puds too (save room to share a baked Alaska flambe).
Where: 27 Peter Street, M2 5QR
Book now: Albert's Schloss

10 Tib Lane

What: 10 Tib Lane has been a massive hit since opening in this smart central townhouse, and the Sunday lunches are equally heavily-booked, with masses descending for a slab of Tib Lane porchetta or some chunky slices of dry-aged sirloin. The sides are generous too, and you can load up on cauliflower cheese on the side.
Where: 10 Tib Lane, M2 4JB
Book now: 10 Tib Lane

Evelyn’s Cafe Bar

What: Popular among Manchester’s more health-conscious eaters, Evelyn’s serves a cracking Sunday roast that goes beyond the usual fare. The veggie option - a puy lentil Wellington - is genuinely delicious, but meat-eaters will go well on Moroccan lamb, harissa buttermilk roast chicken or beef sirloin, all served with vegetables, gravy and Yorkshires.
Where: Tib Street, M4 1NB
Book now: Evelyn’s Cafe Bar

The Counter House

What: Ancoats isn’t short of great roasts, but The Counter House mixes it up with the best of them, laying on a big plate of quality grub at very reasonable prices. It keeps things pretty classic with roast beef sirloin or a half chicken, but all the trimmings are top notch and the service is always brilliant. The foliage-laden dining room is very pleasant too.
Where: 35 Blossom Street, M4 6AJ
Book now: The Counter House

Firehouse

What: Firehouse’s programme of DJs, live music and entertainment in an old MOT garage is achingly cool, but it backs it up with some genuinely good live fire cooking in the accompanying restaurant. It’s not the place for a quiet catch up over a roast but if you want big flavours and plenty of atmosphere, head here and chow down on the highly popular leek and cauliflower cheese.
Where: 40 Swan Street, M4 5JG
Book now: Firehouse

Three Little Words

What: Three Little Words is more bar than restaurant - and a very good one at that - but the Sunday roast pulls in the punters nonetheless. The bar runs a ‘Feed The Soul Sunday’ event that combines live music and excellent cocktails with a hefty roast dinner that includes a choice of topside beef, pork belly, chicken supreme and vegan options alongside more trimmings than you can feasibly fit on the plate, and unlimited gravy. Not the cheapest option on the list but you get plenty of bang for your buck.
Where: 10-15 Watson Street, M3 4LP
Book now: Three Little Words

The Edinburgh Castle

What: Dating back to 1811, the Edinburgh Castle is the old veteran of Ancoats and remains incredibly popular on a Sunday. This is a proper gastropub - the roasts are beautifully done, and set two-and-three course menus give you the chance to try some other dishes too, including an absolutely sensational treacle tart with malted milk ice cream.
Where: Blossom Street, M4 5AN
Book now: The Edinburgh Castle

Best Sunday roast Stockport

A handful of good restaurants and pubs have started to put Stockport on the food map in recent years. Here are a few recommendations for a lovely Sunday roast in and around Stockport.

The Crown, Hawk Green

What: A little gem of a local pub, and not that little either - The Crown has a great terrace area as well as a spacious restaurant and bar. The Sunday menu has roast ham, turkey and beef on offer at a very reasonable £15 each, or you can abandon the choice and get all three for an extra couple of quid. Add a generous portion of cauliflower cheese and you’ve got the perfect roast for about £20.
Where: 1 Hawk Green Road, SK6 7HU
Book now: The Crown

The Arden Arms, Stockport

What: Known primarily as a bit of an ale-shrine, The Arden Arms also does a serious value Sunday roast. There’s not much in the way of choice though - just rock up on Sunday, ask what today’s roast is, and then receive said roast with all the usual trimmings. Yours for a tenner and some change - we’d suggest putting your savings towards a decent pint of beer.
Where: 23 Millgate, SK1 2LX
Book now: The Arden Arms

Best Sunday roast Didsbury

One of Manchester’s up and coming suburbs, everyone wants to live in Didsbury these days. If moving there isn’t an option, at least you can venture down on a Sunday and get stuck into a quality roast.

Hispi, Didsbury

What: Gary Usher’s Elite Bistros set are extremely consistent and Hispi lives up to that, offering some really great value for excellent bistro cooking. On Sundays that continues to the roasts, which includes a classic roast beef, stuffed and rolled pork belly with brassicas, butter-roasted chicken and a delicious pan-roasted cauliflower with butter bean mash.
Where: 1c School Lane, M20 6RD
Book now: Hispi

Folk, Didsbury

What: The roasts at this neighbourhood Didsbury favourite are excellent quality and outstanding value for money, but if there’s one thing that keeps us coming back it’s that Tunworth cauliflower cheese, which deserves equal billing alongside the meats. The vibe here is lovely too - well worth the trip.
Where: 169-171 Burton Road, M20 2LN
Book now: Folk

The Didsbury, Didsbury

What: A lovely local pub on the old Village Green, The Didsbury is based inside an old coach house and retains much of the old wooden detailing, including a cosy open fireplace. Where better to enjoy a proper pub roast, whether it be roast turkey, pork loin, beef rib or a trio of all three with all the trimmings.
Where: 852 Wilmslow Road, M20 2SG
Book now: The Didsbury

The Lime Tree, Didsbury

What: The Lime Tree has been steadily pottering on for over three decades now, which is a good sign that they’re doing right by the locals. Much of the produce here comes from Lime Tree’s own Peak District farm, and the classic roasts are ever-popular, so make sure you book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Where: 8 Lapwing Lane, M20 2WS
Book now: The Lime Tree

Prefer a curry to a roast? Check out our exhaustive guide on the best Indian restaurants in Manchester, including our top curry mile spots.