The perfect excuse for a family get together, the Sunday roast is a great British institution. From family-friendly carvery to fine dining, we pick 10 cosy country pubs and traditional boozers in Suffolk to devour a roast
Nothing epitomises a successful weekend quite like a good Sunday lunch - golden roast chicken and crispy potatoes or rare roast beef and the all-important Yorkshire pudding – and if it can be enjoyed in a Suffolk pub alongside a pint of local real ale, even better.
Luckily, there are also a number of dog-friendly pubs and restaurants in the county, meaning that no-one in the family has to miss out (apart from the cat).
Brandeston
Head to the pretty village of Brandeston, near Framlingham, to find fine-dining pub, The Queen. The team here have been receiving rave reviews on Tripadvisor recently and with good reason. Since it’s rebrand under new owners in 2015, the menu at The Queen is packed with seasonally inspired options – including one or more roast meats to choose from alongside their inspired dinner menu on a Sunday. Don’t forget to save room for dessert, we love the sound of the rhubarb, rose geranium, crème fraiche and oats.
Cretingham
Step inside the pale pink Grade-II-listed building to find a selection of local real ales – including Roger Porter from the brewery just down the road in Earl Soham – waiting to accompany a Sunday feast. The traditional pub boasts a locally sourced Sunday menu that includes roast loin of pork with apple sauce and golden roast potatoes and lamb casseroled in red wine gravy. If you’re not too full to move afterwards, there are some great circular walks starting at the pub – perfect to work off those calories.
Snape
The Plough and Sail at Snape is a cheerful spot to indulge on a Sunday afternoon. Dogs are welcome in the older part of the country dining pub, which includes a cosy snug, balcony area and a courtyard that is ideal for soaking up the weekend sunshine. The roast changes regularly in addition to a tempting menu that includes roast fish of the day with anchovy, herb and caper butter. If desserts aren’t your thing, there is an enticing range of starters – try the homemade potted shrimps with sourdough melba toast.
Ufford
The team at the Ufford Crown know how to celebrate a Sunday, they even have a dedicated Pink Fizz cocktail especially for the Sabbath day. When it comes to lunch, there is an appealing selection, choose from rare Ketley beef with celeriac remoulade, Dingley Dell pork belly with Bramley apple sauce or lamb shoulder with salsa verde. For pudding, make sure you try the dark chocolate fondant with salted caramel ice cream.
Walberswick
On the beautiful Suffolk coast, the Bell Inn is a charming 15th century pub complete with beer garden and, as you would expect from a village this close to Southwold, Adnams real ales. Known for serving a cracking Sunday lunch in a family friendly setting, expect to find a children’s menu to please even the fussiest of eaters and a delicious dessert menu. We say, indulge in three courses (it is the weekend after all) and then walk it off with a stroll along the beach.
Dennington
Full of character, the country pub in Dennington, near Woodbridge offers an unpretentious, chilled out dining experience – and Sunday is arguably the best day to visit. Choose from top rump of roast beef with Yorkshire pudding and horseradish sauce, venison with red wine gravy or slow roasted belly of locally-reared Blythburgh pork, served with bubble and squeak and apple sauce. If you still have room for desert, the Baileys crème brulee with all butter shortbread makes an indulgent end to a scrumptious supper.
Ramsholt
On the banks of the River Deben, The Ramsholt Arms is a popular riverside pub that is a beautiful spot for lunch in the summer months. Owned by the same team behind another recommended dining pub, the Ufford Crown, we know lunch here will be a slap up Sunday feast. The hardest part will be choosing between corn-fed chicken, Dingley Dell pork belly, or roast Ketley beef – all accompanied by roasties, Yorkshire pudding and seasonal vegetables.
Bromeswell
The 16th century inn in Bromeswell is a pub that takes food seriously. Champions of fine Suffolk produce, the menu at the Unruly Pig showcases local ingredients while adding an Italian twist to flavours. There is an enticing range of starters, try the confit chicken, with pickled cockles on toast, before moving on to the main event. Choosing between roasted 35 day aged sirloin and dripping roasties, cutlet of Pork with crackling, bacon mash and roast apple or slow roasted shoulder of lamb with boulangère potatoes and root vegetables is going to be a challenge. We say, encourage everyone at the table to order something different so you get to try them all!
Bury St Edmunds
The independent freehouse and brewery in Bury St Edmunds is the place to go for real ale lovers – with three beers available that are brewed in-house, plus a selection of guest ales. But its not just about beer at The Old Cannon , foodies will love the Sunday menu that in addition to the daily ‘Cannon Fodder’ with dishes such as three-pea-spaghetti with minted pea pesto, garden peas and mange tout, also includes a roast of the day.
Westleton
A boutique hotel and pub near to Aldeburgh and Southwold, the Westleton Crown shows a passion for hearty, locally sourced food. Start with a feta, beetroot, blood orange and chicory salad before tucking into one of the delicious sounding main courses that include options such as grilled plaice with new potatoes, tenderstem broccoli and shrimp butter if you fancy a lighter alternative to the traditional roast.
P.S. Sunday lunch is a popular time to eat out. We recommend calling ahead to book to ensure you don’t miss out on those roast potatoes!
Still hungry? Check out the best places to go for afternoon tea in Suffolk.
