Winter is drawing in and with it our craving for a great Sunday roast. So we’ve done the hard work for you and gathered together our particular favourites in Oxfordshire which we can’t recommend enough. Enjoy our guide to the Best Roasts in Oxfordshire!
The Perch, Binsey – Not only idyllic, but fabulously cosy inside. The conservatory offers views down to the river whatever the weather, while the 17th century interior boasts log fires and comfort. As for the roast, it’s marvellous. Seasonal wherever possible, the sides are as good as the roast itself, our table overflowing with goodies. There were two veggie/vegan options when we went; the roast butternut squash, leek and spinach wellington with beetroot relish an absolute winner. There are also other alternatives such as burgers or fish for non roast eaters (whoever they are!). Book here https://the-perch.co.uk
Oxford Blue, Iffley Road – There’s a lot of noise around this recently opened pub on Marston Street READ ABOUT IT HERE not just due to the new landlords hailing from the fabulously popular Green Routes Cafe down the road, but also because their plant based ethos followed them. Having just introduced their Sunday roasts into the mix (every other week), they also throw the occasional jazz roast (book now for this Sunday Nov 5). Try the Oxford Wellington, the Redefine Roasted Flank or roasted stuffed squash, all served with garlic and rosemary roasties, maple glazed root veg, creamy leeks, parsnip puree, cauliflower cheese, autumn greens and red wine jus. https://www.greenboxfoodco.com/oxfordblue
Back Lane, Woodstock. Exceeded our expectations recently with a stonking roast REVIEW: ‘Definitely one of the best roasts in Oxfordshire’ Totally at odds with its weekday tapas style ethos, this is the real deal. Bountiful, lots of meat choices, and the veg! Lots of little unexpected extras. The veggie roast was a pithivier and came with all the trimmings and we had to order more of the little jugs of gravy because it was so good. Plus last orders are at 4pm for anyone who can’t make the traditional lunchtime slot, making it a no brainer. https://backlanetavern.co.uk
Feathers, Woodstock – A new entry which comes highly recommended, the Sunday roast being talked abut all over town. The smart hotel was recently re-opened and refurbed READ OUR EXCLUSIVE ON THE FEATHERS HERE where brilliant young chefs Luke and Shannon head up the kitchens READ OUR FEATHERS FOOD REVIEW HERE. Pop in on a Sunday for the 28 day aged sirloin of beef, West country pork loin with all the goodies and an extensive further menu to give you more choice and an extensive veggie-vegan offering. https://www.feathers.co.uk/dine
Plough, West Hanney – if it’s atmosphere and conviviality you’re after then head down to this historic village pub where the good times roll. The Sunday lunch is pretty special too with two courses for £35 and three for £40. From roast beef to pan roasted lamb pave with all the trimmings, throw in some seriously good trad puds such as crumble and sticky toffee pudding and you’re in business! https://theploughathanney.co.uk/sample-sunday-menu/
Frilford Heath Golf Club – Yes it’s a golf club, but the public are welcome and with Jamie King at the helm, the food is mighty fine, especially the roasts which we had the privilege to sample recently. READ OUR REVIEW HERE. Everything is done properly from the pâtés, terrines and soups for starters to the main attraction – medium rare beef rib with all the extras. And don’t miss the Frilford mess for dessert! The prices are also very attractive at £19.50 for one course, £27 for two and £33 for three. Throw in the special carvery at Easter, Mother’s Day, Christmas and Father’s Day and you’ve got a full house, literally! https://www.frilfordheath.co.uk/sunday_lunch_and_late_night_dining
White Hart Fyfield, no valid list would be complete without this award-winning pub, whose Sunday lunch offering boasts roast dry-aged sirloin of beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes or roast chicken supreme, pork and sage stuffing, roast potatoes, both served with cauliflower cheese, seasonal vegetables from its garden and a red wine jus. Or opt for the 12 hour slow cooked belly of Kelmscott pork, roast potatoes, apple, celeriac, crackling, cider jus, the pan roasted lemon sole, crispy mussels, samphire, shallot, garlic, Pernod and white wine sauce, sea purslane, chive oil, pomme purée or for vegggie/vegans the raw al hanout spiced butternut squash, chickpea and apricot tagine, shallot, carrot and cumin purée, puffed wild rice, Zhoug. 2 courses £40, 3 courses £45. https://www.whitehart-fyfield.com/sunday-lunch
The Eagle in Little Coxwell. Just reading through the Sunday lunch menu has our mouths watering. That will be down to chef patron Marcel Nerpas who makes delectable offerings such as the blue brulee made with Oxford Blue cheese, sour apple sorbet, caramelised pecans and a port reduction to start, or mussels cooked in cider and cream. Then move onto the beef, lamb or chicken with all the goodies, the stuffed peppers or day boat fish, and an epic chocolate fondant for pud! Hell yes! https://www.eagletavern.co.uk/menus
Three Horseshoes, Witney – Since the renowned Witney pub was taken on by Mike, Hannah, Amanda and Tommy last year, it’s gone from strength to strength, and their hugely popular Sunday roast is no different. Choose from local sirloin of beef, roast loin of pork, roast chicken breast or baked vegetable wellington, plus burgers and fish and chips for the non-believers. Throw in brownies, crumble and sticky toffee puddings for afters and you’re in the right place. https://www.threehorseshoeswitney.co.uk/sunday-lunch
Magdalen Arms, East Oxford – take your time over Sunday lunch here where sharing is the way forward. Order the slow cooked lamb with gratin dauphinoise and pickled red cabbage for 4-5 people, the six hour venison shank, mashed potatoes, greens and poached quince for 2-3 or the rare roast Hereford rump of beef and Sunday trimmings to share, served in their wonderfully communal dining room. https://www.magdalenarms.co.uk/page/sunday-menu/
The Chester, East Oxford – No valid roast round-up would be complete without it. Notorious, infamous even, for its Sunday lunch, be prepared to wait because you can’t book and the queues start mid-morning and last until the final table has been seized, such is the demand. It’s easy to see why. Share a whole roast chicken, try the overnight roasted slow roasted pork with crackling, or dive into the roast beef, all served with roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, savoy cabbage, carrots, Yorkshire pudding & gravy. https://chesterarmsoxford.co.uk/food/roast-dinners/
The Lamb, Crawley continues making waves in the under the tutelage of Seb and Lana Snow who’ve created a fun, sociable environment where the onus is still firmly on the food. And for those who like a roast but prefer to have lots of other options, the traditionalists can enjoy roast rump of beef or cracked pork belly, cauliflower cheese, roast potatoes, york pud, caramelised root veg, alongside all sorts of enticing options from steak and kidney pie to quesadillas. https://www.lambpub.co.uk/food-drink
The Old Crown Coaching Inn, Faringdon – Start in style with a Bloody Mary and enjoy head chef Samuel Squires‘ delicious fare. Winner of the BEST RESTAURANT award at 2024’s OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS, his food must be tried. And Sunday lunch is a good place to start! As for the prices we had to fact check them they are so reasonable – £30 for two courses and £35 for three – incredible value for food of this calibre! Think 28-day aged rump of beef, roast leg of lamb, or roasted garlic and herb chicken, served with carrot puree, seasoned greens, roasted potato, carrots, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire Pudding and pan jus. See you there!
Killingworth Castle, Wootton – always a contender in Oxfordshire due to the continual strides made in the kitchen under the helm of exec chef Adam Brown, think two courses for £39 which includes a warm parsnip velouté with hazelnut and parsley pesto and truffle chantilly and then the roast porchetta, prune and sage stuffing with pork gravy and roast potatoes. Or go all in with the 18oz Hereford chateaubriand to share, Yorkshire Pudding, bearnaise, red wine sauce for an extra £10 per person. Other trimmings are extra. https://www.thekillingworthcastle.com/sunday-lunch-menu
Golden Ball, Assenson – A new one on us, but having sampled their delicious lunch this week we’re keen to return on a Sunday! Bearing in mind there is roast sirloin of beef with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish cream and gravy to be had, roast pork belly with quince and apple sauce or the roasted loin of local venison with crushed potatoes, spring greens, pickled blackberries, maitake mushrooms and venison sauce, and you’ll understand why. https://www.goldenballhenley.co.uk/menus
Farm & Table, Wykham Farm, near Banbury – using as many ingredients from the farm as possible, Sunday roast here is the real deal. Think beef sirloin, pork belly, leg of lamb, portobello mushroom kiev or a trio of meats
and you’ll see where we’re coming from. Fish and chips and burgers are also available and the puddings sing! But you’ll need to book! https://farmandtable.uk/menus/sunday-menu/
