The perfect excuse for a family get together, or to recuperate from the excesses of the weekend, Sunday lunch is a great British institution. From gastro pubs and traditional boozers to boutique hotels, we pick 13 places to devour a roast in Norfolk.
A proper pub, perched on the corner of St Phillips Road and Stafford Street - this friendly local with its laid back vibe is the ideal spot to while away a Sunday afternoon. Diners can choose from top-side of beef, roast lamb, pork loin and crackling or homemade nut roast - each served with the all important Yorkshire pudding, plus roast potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli cheese, carrots, parsnips, kale, swede mash and gravy. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert, the menu comprises of delicious comfort food favourites, just bear in mind a post-supper nap may be on the cards for the remainder of the day. Served until 5:30pm on Sundays. 01603 621784
The Wymondham institution may be known for its CAMRA award-winning real ale selection, but the town’s oldest pub is also home to fab roasts. The medieval public house dates back to the 14th century and has a relaxed, homely atmosphere, plus a pretty beer garden perfect for sun worshipping in the summer months. The hearty home-cooked food shows a passion for Norfolk produce, with a locally sourced Sunday menu of roast beef, pork belly, lamb or a veggie nut roast served with all the trimmings. Served until 8pm on Sundays. 01953 607907
Well known in Norwich for serving up a cracking Sunday lunch, The Reindeer, on Dereham Road, also boasts 22 craft and world beers on the bar to wash down the roast potatoes and gravy. Passionate about British produce, the pub’s Sunday menu changes seasonally from Norfolk black turkey, red poll beef and Lincolnshire pork to roasted butternut squash with truffled white beans. Make sure you try the spiced apple and pepper cake with spiced cider jelly for pudding. Served until 8pm on Sundays. 01603 612995
Run by foodies, for foodies, the team at The Crown source fresh local produce to create their dishes and Sunday is arguably the best day to visit, with an enticing menu including confit of duck leg with blackberry jus, slow roast belly of pork, and brie, artichoke and sun-blushed tomato wellington. If you can manage more than one course, make sure to try the pear and elderflower parfait. Open until 10pm on a Sunday. 01953 797070
The coaching inn on the edges of the Oxburgh Hall estate has a local, welcoming atmosphere – it’s even dog friendly. Local ingredients, including lamb sourced from the family farm, are a priority here, as is the selection of cask ales ranging from Adnams and Bombardier to guest beers. Make sure you try one of the yummy sounding starters, the spicy broccoli and beetroot soup gets our vote, before tucking into roast pork or beef. If you can’t quite decide between the two, opt for the combo roast. Served 12-3pm and 6-9pm on Sundays. 01366 328300
A popular pub on Saturday evenings, The Stanley, on Magdalen Road, also serves a Sunday lunch to get you through the following day. Choose from a locally sourced selection, including Swannington pork and Norfolk chicken, served with duck fat roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and fresh vegetables. Plus, there are two vegetarian options, roast butternut squash loaf or the golden glazed carrot and wild mushroom tart. Served until 5pm on Sundays. 01603 615988
A popular choice with the Golden Triangle locals, the Georgian Townhouse is sure to be bustling with happy diners on a Sunday. Served ‘family-style’ on wooden boards, the roasts are cooked with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and are served with all the usual trimmings, plus a couple of extras depending on whether you opt for chicken, pork or beef. Don’t miss the TGT peach mess for dessert – that’s Chantilly cream, honey glazed peaches, meringue and toasted pistachio. Served throughout the day until 9:30pm on Sundays. 01603 615 655
Traditional in its approach to Sunday dinner, Stower Grange prizes local produce, with its butcher, located within a mile of the country house hotel. When it comes to lunch, there is an appealing selection to choose from including roast sirloin of 28 day aged Norfolk beef with Yorkshire pudding and baked breast of Hevingham chicken, fondant potato, tarragon and leek sauce. If desserts aren’t your thing, there is a tempting range of starters – try the feta and watermelon salad with cumin dressing and pumpkin seeds. 01603 860210
For a traditional roast dinner, head to the 17th century freehouse pub, restaurant and Inn in Bawburgh. Choose from roast English sirloin of beef or roast pork loin with crackling - all served with Yorkshire pudding, seasonal vegetables, duck fat roasties and gravy. Served until 4:30pm on Sundays. 01603 744977
Relaxed and family friendly, The Cellar House serves classic pub food, plus an appealing selection of starters, including crab and smoked paprika croquettes with a saffron mayonnaise dip and pickled cucumbers. For the main event there is roast chicken, beef, pork or a veggie option, all served with rosemary roasties, honey-glazed parsnips and homemade Yorkshire pudding. Served until 5pm on Sundays. 01603 454 511
The SugarBeat Eating House, SwainsthorpeJust outside Norwich on the A140, the SugarBeat Eating House is a cheerful spot to indulge on a Sunday. In addition to the roast options of beef sirloin and chicken the menu, there are a number of other tempting dishes ideal for chilled-out weekend grazing – we love the sound of the Falafel burger served in a brioche bun with a finishing touch of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, yoghurt dip and sweet potato fries. Served until 7pm on Sundays. 01508 471611
The Wildebeest in Stoke Holy Cross is all about embracing the seasons with the freshest available produce. Chef patron Daniel Smith aims to raise the profile of the fine-dining pub on Norfolk’s culinary map with fantastic ingredients and diverse tasting menus. Head down on a Sunday for an innovative take on the traditional roast – instead of the standard trimmings, expect dishes such as roast leg of lamb with fondant potato, buttered tenderstem broccoli, confit beetroot, buttered scallions and rich red wine jus. Served 12-3pm and 6-8pm on Sundays. 01508 492497
A traditional village pub in North Norfolk with a super-local policy on ingredients – think mussels from Mark Randle in nearby Morston and Willie Weston Crabs from Blakeney. Head here for a pit stop following the Sunday stroll, safe in the knowledge that both wellies and dogs are welcome in the bar area. Feast on the 28 day matured beef sirloin or roast loin of pork with crackling served with duck fat roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, seasonal vegetables and Yorkshire pudding – plus the essential homemade hot horseradish or apple sauce. 01263 740101
•Like this? Check out 10 cosy cafes in Norwich
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