Best Sunday roasts Manchester delivers — from Hawksmoor’s bone-in short rib at £28–35 to the Marble Arch’s £14–18 traditional Victorian pub roast. Manchester’s Sunday roast scene rivals London’s, with everything from gastropub gold standards (Edinburgh Castle Pub) to luxury fine-dining roasts (Bull and Bear at the Stock Exchange Hotel) and reliable pub classics. The city takes Sunday lunch seriously.

This guide covers the best Sunday roasts in Manchester for 2026 — gastropub Sunday lunches, pub classics, fine-dining roasts, vegan and vegetarian roasts, and the practical advice on booking. Every entry includes location, signature dishes, price guidance, and our take on which type of Sunday lunch each suits.

For broader food coverage, see our main Manchester food guide, our pubs guide, and our city centre restaurants guide.

Manchester’s Best Sunday Roasts

1. Hawksmoor (Spinningfields)

Widely regarded as Manchester’s best Sunday roast. Bone-in short rib that falls apart when you look at it, properly crisp Yorkshires, triple-cooked roast potatoes, and serious gravy. £28–35 per person, books up by Wednesday for the weekend. The experience is fine-dining-level cooking.

Best for: Special-occasion Sunday roasts.

2. The Edinburgh Castle Pub (Ancoats)

One of Manchester’s most-talked-about gastropub roasts. The kitchen reinvents the format with seasonal touches; choices typically include beef, lamb, chicken, and a serious vegetarian/vegan option. £20–30 per person; book weeks ahead.

Best for: Foodie Sunday lunches at a relaxed pub.

3. Elnecot (Ancoats)

Named one of the UK’s top 10 Sunday roasts. Choose from dry-aged Wagyu topside beef, confit leg of roast chicken, slow-roasted crispy pork belly, slow-cooked shoulder of lamb, or a nut roast. £25–40 per person.

Best for: Adventurous foodies.

4. The Black Friar (Salford)

Sunday roast from chef Ben Chaplin’s kitchen. Two courses £30, three courses £37. Options include classic roast beef, chicken, vegan roast, plus crispy porchetta and monkfish osso bucco. Available 12pm until it runs out.

Best for: Chef-driven Sunday lunch experiences.

5. The Marble Arch (Rochdale Road)

A Victorian pub with original tiled walls and its own brewery. The Sunday roast uses local farm meat at £14–18 per person — exceptional value. Sells out early; arrive by noon or book ahead.

Best for: Traditional pub Sunday lunches at affordable prices.

6. Banyan Bar & Kitchen

Solid and consistently good Sunday roasts at multiple Manchester locations. Beef, chicken, or vegetarian. Bottomless drinks option for two hours adds value.

Best for: Bottomless Sunday lunches.

7. Sams Chop House (Back Pool Fold)

The Victorian chop house’s Sunday roast feels like a step back to 1880. Roast beef with all the trimmings in the historic dining room. £25–32.

Best for: Heritage Sunday lunches.

8. The Bull and Bear (Stock Exchange Hotel)

Tom Kerridge’s Manchester restaurant runs Sunday lunch on the original trading floor. Premium British roast at £35–50 per person.

Best for: Luxury Sunday lunches.

Manchester Sunday Roasts by Type

For Traditional Pub Sunday Roasts

The Marble Arch, the Briton’s Protection, the Castle Hotel, the Hare and Hounds — classic British pub roasts at affordable prices.

For Gastropub Sunday Roasts

Edinburgh Castle Pub, the Knott Bar, the Oast House, Banyan Bar & Kitchen — modern pub-style cooking elevated with serious chef attention.

For Fine-Dining Sunday Roasts

Hawksmoor, the Bull and Bear, Elnecot, the Black Friar — chef-driven Sunday lunches at fine-dining prices.

For Vegan & Vegetarian Sunday Roasts

Edinburgh Castle Pub (excellent vegan roast), Elnecot (nut roast), Bundobust (Indian-vegetarian Sunday alternative), the Marble Arch (vegan options).

For Bottomless Sunday Roasts

Banyan Bar & Kitchen, Albert Schloss (German-themed), various Spinningfields restaurants run bottomless Sunday brunches that include roast options.

For Family Sunday Roasts

Premier Inn-style chain restaurants (Toby Carvery, Harvester) run carvery-style options. Manchester pub Sunday roasts welcome families — book early to ensure a table.

Manchester Sunday Roast: What to Expect

Standard Roast Components

Roast meat (beef, lamb, chicken, pork, or turkey).
Yorkshire puddings (essential for beef roasts).
Roast potatoes.
Seasonal vegetables (typically carrots, parsnips, broccoli, cabbage).
Stuffing.
Cauliflower cheese.
Pigs in blankets (some venues).
Gravy.

Extras at Better Roasts

Triple-cooked roast potatoes (Hawksmoor).
Beef dripping potatoes (multiple).
Bone-in short rib instead of standard roast (Hawksmoor).
Wagyu beef option (Elnecot).
Crispy porchetta (Black Friar).
Monkfish osso bucco (Black Friar).
Sticky toffee pudding to finish.

Roast Pricing Guide

Pub classic: £14–22 per person.
Gastropub: £20–32 per person.
Fine-dining: £30–50 per person.
Hotel restaurant: £35–55 per person.
Bottomless brunch with roast: £30–45.

Manchester Sunday Roast Booking Tips

Book by Wednesday

Manchester’s best Sunday roasts (Hawksmoor, Edinburgh Castle, Elnecot) typically sell out by Wednesday or Thursday. Plan ahead.

Arrive Early for Walk-Ins

The Marble Arch and traditional pubs operate first-come — arrive by noon for the best chance of a table.

Sunday Lunch vs Sunday Dinner

Most Manchester Sunday roasts run from 12pm to 4pm or 5pm. Some serve until 8pm but dinners-with-roasts are less common.

Vegetarian/Vegan Pre-Notification

Always pre-notify the restaurant about vegetarian or vegan needs at least 24 hours in advance. Even venues with vegan roasts often need to plan stock for the day.

Children

Children’s Sunday roast portions are widely available. Most Manchester gastropubs welcome families until early evening.

Dress Code

Sunday roasts in Manchester are generally smart-casual. The Bull and Bear and the higher-end venues may expect smarter attire; pubs accept casual dress.

Sunday Roast Manchester: Sample Lunches

The Pub Crawl Sunday Lunch

Visit two or three pubs Sunday afternoon: Marble Arch (early lunch), Castle Hotel (mid-afternoon drinks), Edinburgh Castle Pub (late afternoon dinner with roast). Pace yourself.

The Foodie Sunday

Brunch at Pollen Bakery (10am), late-afternoon Sunday roast at Hawksmoor (3pm), evening drinks at Cloud 23 (6pm). A serious food day.

The Family Sunday

Late-morning Mackie Mayor (food hall, casual), afternoon Sunday roast at the Marble Arch (great for families). Or visit a chain like Toby Carvery if travelling with younger kids.

The Date Sunday

Sunday roast at Edinburgh Castle Pub or Bull and Bear, then drinks at the Refuge or a walk through Castlefield.

Manchester’s Underrated Sunday Roast Spots

Beyond the famous names, Manchester has plenty of pub Sunday roasts that locals love but tourists rarely find:

The Briton’s Protection — Traditional pub roast in one of Manchester’s most atmospheric pubs.

Sandbar (Grosvenor Street) — Student-friendly, real ale Sunday roast at affordable prices.

The Castle Hotel (Northern Quarter) — Traditional Northern Quarter pub roast.

Sams Chop House Sunday Roast — One of Manchester’s most historic Sunday roasts in a Victorian setting.

The Hare and Hounds (Shudehill) — Tiny back-street pub with traditional roast.

The City Arms (Kennedy Street) — Reliable pub roast in central Manchester.

The Lass O’Gowrie — Charles Street Victorian gem with weekend roasts.

The Peveril of the Peak — Iconic Victorian pub on Great Bridgewater Street.

Manchester Sunday Roast for Specific Diets

Gluten-Free Sunday Roasts

Most Manchester Sunday roasts can accommodate gluten-free with prior notice (gluten-free Yorkshire puddings, alternative gravy bases). Hawksmoor and Edinburgh Castle Pub are particularly accommodating. Always notify 24+ hours in advance.

Halal Sunday Roasts

Several Curry Mile and Pakistani-British restaurants run halal Sunday roasts. Chit N Chaat, MyLahore, and various Curry Mile spots offer halal versions of traditional British roasts.

Dairy-Free Sunday Roasts

Most venues can accommodate dairy-free with notice — dairy-free Yorkshire puddings, alternative gravy. Vegan roasts are dairy-free by default.

Manchester Sunday Roast Calendar

January Sunday Roasts

Quieter — easier to walk in. Many venues run “January roast” specials.

March-April Easter Sunday Roasts

Easter Sunday is a traditional family roast day. Book 4+ weeks ahead.

May-September Summer Sunday Roasts

Beer gardens and outdoor seating expand options. Banyan, Dukes 92, and Knott Bar all do summer outdoor Sunday roasts.

October-November Autumn Sunday Roasts

Game season at higher-end venues. Hawksmoor and Edinburgh Castle add game options.

December Christmas Sunday Roasts

Christmas Day Sunday lunches book 6+ months ahead at premium venues. Many pubs run festive roast menus throughout December.

Why Manchester Sunday Roasts Are Special

Manchester’s Sunday roast scene reflects the city’s broader food evolution. The combination of historic pubs (Marble Arch, Briton’s Protection) keeping traditional formats alive, modern gastropubs (Edinburgh Castle, Black Friar) reinventing the classic, and fine-dining restaurants (Hawksmoor, Bull and Bear) elevating it to special-occasion territory means Manchester offers Sunday lunches at every price point and style. Combined with the city’s strong butcher and farmer-supplier network, Manchester Sunday roasts genuinely rival London’s.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best Sunday roast in Manchester?

Hawksmoor is widely regarded as the best — particularly the bone-in short rib. Edinburgh Castle Pub, the Marble Arch, Elnecot, and Sams Chop House are all also exceptional.

How much does a Manchester Sunday roast cost?

Pub roast: £14–22. Gastropub: £20–32. Fine-dining: £30–50. Hotel restaurant: £35–55.

Are Manchester Sunday roasts worth booking?

Yes — the best ones (Hawksmoor, Edinburgh Castle Pub, Elnecot) sell out by Wednesday for weekend service. Walk-ins are possible at smaller pubs but risky on busy weeks.

Where can I get a vegan Sunday roast in Manchester?

Edinburgh Castle Pub (excellent vegan roast), Elnecot (nut roast), Bundobust (Indian-vegetarian Sunday alternative), the Marble Arch.

What time should I book Sunday roast in Manchester?

2pm is the most popular slot. 12pm–1pm slots are typically available. After 4pm: limited availability at most venues; few serve roasts past 5pm.

Can I get a kids’ Sunday roast in Manchester?

Most pub roasts have kids’ portions or kid-friendly menus. Edinburgh Castle, the Marble Arch, and family-friendly chains all accommodate.

Are Manchester Sunday roasts open year-round?

Yes — Sunday roast is a year-round Manchester tradition. Christmas Day Sunday roasts are particularly popular but book months ahead.

Final Thoughts

Manchester takes Sunday roast seriously. Hawksmoor’s bone-in short rib has redefined fine-dining Sunday lunch in the city; the Edinburgh Castle Pub’s gastropub format has shown how creative the classic format can be; the Marble Arch’s £14–18 traditional pub roast proves you don’t need to spend £30+ for an exceptional Sunday lunch. Book early, plan around the £25 fine-dining and £15 pub options as your two ends, and enjoy one of British food culture’s defining institutions.

For more, see our main Manchester food guide, our pubs guide, our city centre restaurants guide, and our cheap eats guide.