When it comes to the British roast dinner, opinions are often as varied as the gravy recipes that accompany them.  

And it’s no wonder – the roast dinner is a national institution, as much a part of Sunday tradition as a cosy nap on the sofa afterwards. As the days grow colder and winter starts to creep in, the humble roast becomes even more sought-after, offering a hearty, warming escape from the chill outside. 

With so much love for this quintessential dish, the question of “where to find the best roast dinner in England” is one that sparks endless debate. To help settle the matter – or perhaps to add fuel to the fire – this study set out to rank the very best offerings across the country. 

Starting with Tripadvisor’s top five highest-rated results for “best roast beef” main meals in each English county, each contender was scored based on a mix of key criteria. These included the Tripadvisor rating itself, the number of reviews and, crucially, the cost of the roast (a meal under £15 earned extra points). Variety and inclusivity were also considered, with extra marks for menus offering multiple meat options, vegetarian roasts and the all-important Yorkshire pudding. 

The result? A comprehensively compiled ranking of England’s finest Sunday roasts.

The search for the country’s finest roast dinners has led to some mouth-watering discoveries. Topping the list is Loxley’s Restaurant and Wine Bar in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, scoring an impressive 75 out of 100.  

With over 6,500 glowing Tripadvisor reviews averaging 4.5 stars, Loxley’s WOWs diners with a succulent roast dinner priced at just £15.95. Boasting five mouth-watering options, including rib or striploin of beef, pork loin, leg of lamb, roast chicken, and even a nut roast, it’s no wonder this restaurant claims the top spot. 

Top 10 Roast Dinners in England (Score out of 100) 

Loxley’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, Warwickshire – 75 

The Masons Arms, Northumberland – 69 

The Fox at Peasemore, Berkshire – 68 

The Masons Arms, Staffordshire – 67 

Fifi’s Pizzeria, Kent – 66 

The Fortescue Arms, Devon – 65 

The Railway, Merseyside, 60 

The Green Tree, Durham – 60 

The Lamb and Flag Welney, Cambridgeshire – 59 

The Corner House, Kent – 58 

In an unusual coincidence, both The Masons Arms in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and The Masons Arms in Warkworth, Northumberland, made the top five, despite being completely unrelated and more than 220 miles apart!  

The Northumberland version claims second place with over 2,000 reviews and an impressive 4.5-star rating. Their roast beef is priced at £15, making it a top contender. Meanwhile, the Staffordshire Masons Arms took fourth place, thanks to a perfect 5-star average rating and a slightly more affordable roast beef at £13.95. 

In third place, The Fox at Peasemore in Newbury, Berkshire, made a strong showing, with over 2,000 reviews and a roast dinner priced at £18.95. 

And rounding out the top five is a surprising entry: Fifi’s Pizzeria in Maidstone, Kent.  

Yes, you read that right… a pizzeria made it into the top five!  

With a perfect 5-star rating from over 2,000 reviews, Fifi’s serves up a roast beef dinner for £15.95. Its menu offers five roast options, including beef, chicken, pork, a trio of meats, and a vegetarian nut roast – proof that great roasts can come from the most unexpected places. 

When it comes to enjoying a classic British roast, price can vary quite a bit across the country. Whilst our research revealed that the average cost of a roast dinner in England sits at £19.08, there are some places that serve up a top-notch roast without breaking the bank.  

Here’s a breakdown of some of the best value-for-money roasts, along with the most wallet-friendly and splurge-worthy options across the UK. 

The Woodmans Arms in Wootton, Isle of Wight, proudly claims the title of the most affordable roast dinner in England. For just £10, you can tuck into a full roast beef dinner with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings – Martin Lewis would definitely approve! 

Coming in joint second for price is The Lazy Trout in Meerbrook and The Feathers Inn in Lichfield, both offering a roast for just £10.95. These two establishments, both located in the same county, have collectively earned nearly 3,000 reviews, proving that great value doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality. 

If you're after a three-course roast experience, The Railway in Liverpool, Merseyside, offers a set menu for just £18.95, with the roast beef portion coming in at an average of £12.63.  

In Durham, both The Green Tree in Spennymore and The Royal George in Peterlee serve up roast beef for under £13, making them competitive options for those looking to enjoy a hearty Sunday lunch without breaking the bank.  

The Most Affordable Roast Dinners in England 

Isle of Wight - £10 (Woodmans Arms) 

Staffordshire - £10.95 (The Lazy Trout) 

Staffordshire - £10.95 (The Feathers Inn) 

Worcestershire - £11 (The Queen Elizabeth Inn) 

Kent - £11.50 (Mortimer’s) 

Northamptonshire - £12 (The Sun Inn) 

Merseyside - £12.63 (The Railway) 

Devon - £12.95 (The Fortescue Arms) 

Durham - £12.95 (The Green Tree) 

Durham - £12.95 (The Royal George Old Shotton) 

On the other end of the spectrum, Bread Street Kitchen in St. Paul’s, City of London, offers the priciest roast beef in the study, with a serving costing a whopping £33.50 – three times more than the bargain at the Woodmans Arms! However, if you’re after a fancy roast with a side of city glamour, this might just be the place for you. 

When it comes to England's best roast dinners, the number of reviews speaks volumes about a restaurant’s popularity and reputation.  

Our study explored some of the standout spots that have earned rave reviews, as well as a few hidden gems that may not have as many reviews but still deliver on quality. 

1. Loxley’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, Warwickshire – 6.5k Reviews 

England’s top-rated roast, Loxley’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, has garnered over 6,500 reviews, with an impressive average rating of 4.5 stars. This puts it nearly twice ahead of the second-most highly rated roast dinner – yet another clear victory for Loxley’s. 

One satisfied customer gave a 5-star review, staying “we chose to treat ourselves to the 'Lamb Shoulder Carvery for Two' and what an experience!  

“The meat was so succulent, just melting under the slightest pressure of the knife.  

The review went on to say, “Our server was just perfect with her attentiveness making our experience perfect for the day.” 

2. Bread Street Kitchen, St. Paul’s, City of London – 3.6k Reviews 

Although Bread Street Kitchen serves up the priciest roast in the UK, it certainly attracts a steady stream of customers! This London hotspot ranks second for the most reviews, amassing just under 3,600 on Tripadvisor, alongside a solid 4-star average rating. 

Upon looking at the 5-star reviews, one customer described a “wonderful” experience at Bread Street Kitchen, commenting: “Our spontaneous decision to eat at this restaurant was a superb experience.  

“We had a minimal wait for a table and were delighted by what was on offer on the menu. It was an experience for the senses – food, noise, hustle and bustle.” 

3. Alberts Shed, Manchester – 3.3k Reviews 

Albert’s Shed in Manchester, Greater Manchester, follows closely with more than 3,300 reviews and a 4.5-star average. Their roast beef dinner is priced at a respectable £18.95, offering great value for its high rating. 

This very happy customer described their fantastic meal, and left a 5-star review, stating that Albert’s Shed delivered “great service for a family birthday meal.” 

They continued: “We had the Sunday roast platter for two which was amazing quality and value for money.” 

4. Wensleydale Heifer, North Yorkshire – 3.1k reviews 

The roast dinner restaurant with the best rating per review in our study was The Wensleydale Heifer Restaurant in West Witton, North Yorkshire. With over 3,100 reviews and a perfect 5-star average, it’s truly impressive, especially considering that 2,700 of those reviews are 5 stars! 

One happy customer described their 5-star Sunday roast experience, saying,  

“We both had the chilli king prawns for starter and then had one beef and one pork Sunday lunch.  

“The meat is of extremely high quality and is expertly cooked to perfection.” 

5. The Tichfield Mill, Hampshire – 2.7k Reviews  

The Tichfield Mill in Hampshire ranks as the fifth-most reviewed roast dinner restaurant in our study. This popular spot in South East England has earned an impressive 2,700 reviews, with a glowing average rating of 4 stars. 

Among The Tichfield Mill’s 5-star reviews, one in particular named this restaurant as having a “brilliant Sunday roast”, commenting: “Quite possibly the best pub Sunday roast I've had. Massive Yorkshire and lots of roast potatoes with a good mix of vegetables.” 

Out of the 240 restaurants analysed, just 15 had more than 2,000 reviews, and a further 54 received more than 1,000.  

On the flip side, The Wolds Edge in Lincolnshire had the fewest reviews, with only 88, but still offers a tasty roast for £14. It was closely followed by The Upper Deck in Blackpool and The White Bull in Oswaldtwistle, both in Lancashire, with 248 reviews each – proving that even the lesser-known spots can deliver a solid Sunday lunch. 

Here, tombola’s award-winning Chef, Mike Wilson, has provided his professional advice on what to look for when choosing your roast dinner spot.  

“As a chef, I believe choosing the best spot for a roast dinner is all about the details. Look for a place that considers its offering and service — where the meat is perfectly seasoned with a golden, crackling crust, and there’s ample options for dietary requirements. 

“Check that the sides aren't afterthoughts - buttery, fluffy potatoes, vegetables that are vibrant and crisp, and Yorkshire puddings that puff up just right. And don’t forget the gravy - it should be rich, deeply flavoured, and a little indulgent.  

“A great roast dinner is a balance of great flavours, value for money and top-notch service. If they get that right, you're in for a treat.” 

“Finally, the average cost of a roast dinner in England was found to be £19.08 – a small price to pay for a slice of Sunday heaven.” 

In conclusion, this study has revealed not only the best-rated and most reviewed roast dinners across England, but also some interesting patterns in the world of Sunday lunch.  

For example, traditional pub names like "Red Lion" and "Plough" were incredibly popular, appearing nine and seven times respectively across the 240 restaurants analysed. 

While most roast dinner spots (77%) are catering to vegetarians with options like nut roasts or mushroom wellingtons, it’s worth noting that just under a quarter (23%) of establishments in the study didn’t offer a meat-free alternative. So, if you’re dining with a veggie friend, it’s always best to double-check the menu beforehand! 

One thing that nearly every roast dinner has in common, though, is the humble Yorkshire pudding. A whopping 95% of restaurants included this crispy, golden favourite as a standard part of their roast dinners – proving that when it comes to the perfect roast, Brits know that no dish is complete without it. 

All in all, whether you’re after a top-rated Sunday roast, a hearty affordable alternative or want to seek out some lesser-known gems, there’s no shortage of incredible spots across England to satisfy your cravings. Happy feasting!