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Best Sunday Lunch in York

8 Seriously Good Sunday Roasts in York

Nestled in God’s Own Country, York brings together the region’s best produce to create a brimming plate of nostalgia. With many options for Sunday Lunch in York available, we’ve put together a list of restaurants that provide the epitome of classic Sunday lunches in deeply comforting spaces.

If the humble roast has fallen from your view, this list will excite your taste buds and tempt you into these fantastic York restaurants faster than you can say “more gravy please!”

Pearly Cow York Sunday Lunch

Pearly Cow

Located close to the city’s iconic Minster, No 1 GuestHouse is a charmer of a boutique hotel with a restaurant and spa. Inside this Grade II listed regency townhouse, expect stunning sash windows, high ceilings and a sweeping staircase.

Step into No.1 Guesthouse’s Pearly Cow restaurant, for a Sunday roast like no other. Tuck into garlic-baked oysters with Wensleydale cheese for starters, and choose between 45-day salt-aged beef sirloin, shoulder of lamb or roast chicken for mains that is served with all the delicious trimmings. Other main courses include wild mushroom and tofu Wellington, black Angus burger and more.

1 Clifton, York YO30 6AA – 01904 644744

The Elmbank Hotel York - Bar

Elmbank Hotel

A strong contender for York’s most stunning Sunday Lunch location, The Elmbank is a beautiful 19th-century boutque hotel with a rich history. Located within minutes from the city centre and York Racecourse.

A traditional Sunday roast, complete with all the trimmings is served in the stunning art-filled Leetham Brasserie. Highlights from the menu include locally sourced ham hock terrine to start, Yorkshire Dales pot roast beef for mains, followed by Yorkshire ginger parkin, toffee fudge sauce, and vanilla ice cream.

Gravy pour Middletons Hotel York

Middletons Hotel

The Middletons Hotel boasts more than just being one of the county’s finest hotels, it’s also home to one of the best spots for a Sunday Lunch in York. Just over the river from the historic Clifford’s Tower, you’ll find your new favourite place and their super ‘Sparkling Sunday Lunch’.

With your choice of two or three courses, enjoy an impressive range of fantastic food offerings; from chicken liver parfait and baked camembert to pork loin with crispy crackling and maybe topped off with a cheese board showcasing some of the finest Yorkshire cheeses. And what makes this Sunday Lunch sparkling? A complimentary glass of Ayala Champagne to top off your experience.

Cromwell Rd, York YO1 6DS – 01904 611570

The-Star-Inn-The-City-Sunday-Lunch-York

The Star Inn The City

Situated delightfully next to the River Ouse, beside the Lendal Bridge and Tower, The Star Inn The City is a destination restaurant like no other. Its unequalled riverside location provides glorious views of the city and could distract from the food, were the dishes not equally excellent.

Their selection of decadent starters moves from seared sea scallops with Yorkshire rhubarb, to salt-aged Yorkshire beef ‘Tartare’ and pressed Thirkleby duck. The sirloin of beef or loin of woodland reared pork cannot be missed and all come with all the trimmings you could imagine. The Star Inn The City is the eatery to go to when you want to take your time with an indulgent Sunday lunch in York while gazing into gorgeous views.

Lendal Engine House, Museum Street, York – 01904 619208

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Guy Fawkes Inn york beer garden

Guy Fawkes Inn

Sundays are often for planning the following week out – and at the 1-AA-Rosette-awarded Guy Fawkes Inn, enjoy the atmosphere of wooden floors lit by candle and gas as you feast Elizabethan style. The menu boasts all the classics, with Butter Roast Chicken Breast, Roast Sirloin of Beef or Roast leg of Lamb just being the tip of this fire. To complete the devilish experience, the Guy Fawkes Inn offers a King’s ransom of White, Red and Rosé wines and extensive hand-pulled cask ales and draught lager range.

25 High Petergate, York  YO1 7HP – 01904 623716

Chopping Block Walmgate Ale House York sunday lunch

The Chopping Block at Walmgate Ale House

The Yorkshire Puds make a Sunday lunch in York. So, The Chopping Block makes their Puds huge. Served with their whopping Yorkshire Pudding, this sturdily simplistic meal comes with either Roast Pork or Beef and seasonal vegetables, plus roast potatoes with lashings of gravy.

Proud of being independent, the team’s passion for food shows in the flavours on the plate and smile in the service. Michael and Lucy Hjort have created a picturesque landmark steeped in the history of saddle and rope making the building began with. The rustic bar area is a wonderful place to retire after a hearty meal to sample their locally-sourced ales from Yorkshire breweries which they change regularly.

25 Walmgate, York YO1 9TX – 01904 629222

Sunday Lunch in York at The Whippet Inn

The Whippet Inn

This hidden gem set inside York’s historic walls and tucked away from the tourist trail is one of York’s best-kept secrets with its classically Yorkshire atmosphere and fashionable restaurant. For a Sunday Lunch in York, the Whippet Inn invites you to ‘Get Roasted’ with their sumptuous Sunday roast menu, comprised of only the freshest, finest Yorkshire produce. With this set menu, the chefs have designed it to take the stress out of your meal, leaving you to do as Sunday does – simply relax and eat.

Specialising in steak, they know how to make a mean roast and the team are proud to bring to your table what has been described as ‘the best Sunday roast in York’. To complement your roast and further swell your good mood, the Whippet Inn has an extensive wine list with changing Magnums and vintages displayed on their blackboard.

15 North Street, York YO1 6JD – 01904 500660



The Fat Badger York Sunday Lunch

The Fat Badger

Set in the heart of the city centre, The Fat Badger is Yorks most characterful Inn with delicious cuisine, hand pulled ales and a secret beer garden. Choose from roast beef rump or slow cooked pork loin for mains, both paired with Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and red wine gravy. Sunday lunch in York has never been so historic. The spectacular private beer garden has been described as the best in the city, with unmatched views of York Minster.

2-4 High Petergate, York YO1 7EH – 01904 612078

Bosuns York Sunday lunch by the river

Bosun’s

Just a short walk outside York city centre and set in the idyllic location on the River Ouse is Bosun’s. Wrapped in a panorama of nature, this riverside restaurant is the perfect spot for a Sunday lunch. Using innovative cooking techniques to create a contemporary menu, locally-sourced, quality seasonal ingredients are at the heart of what they do.

Working with several local suppliers, their Sunday menu boasts delicious options for starters, mains and desserts. Choose from roast topside beef, honey roast ham or cod fillet, all served with duck fat roast potatoes and all the trimmings. For desserts, enjoy a classic sticky toffee pudding or lemon posset for a bite of freshness. This is a Sunday lunch in York you should try out soon!


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Written by

Jozef Ashley

05/04/2023

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