The best Sunday roast in Bristol is widely reckoned to be at The Bank Tavern, a small, much-loved pub in the centre, with a main course from £21.95, two courses from £28.95 and three from £31.95. Tables are released once a year in January and go fast, so it's not a same-week booking. For something easier to actually get into, The Lock Up in Redfield and The Barley Mow near Temple Meads are both well-regarded locals' picks that take bookings closer to the date.
The Bank Tavern: the one everyone talks about
The Bank Tavern, 8 John Street, BS1 2HR, is small, busy and punches well above its size. The gravy is the standout: a rich, velvety base that regularly gets singled out as the best in the city, alongside strong trimmings, crispy parsnips, buttery leeks, braised red cabbage and a smooth cauliflower puree. The meat is well cooked, usually with the beef served rare, and the pub typically runs beef, chicken, pork and a vegetarian option so it works for mixed groups. The catch is availability: tables are released for the entire year in January and tend to go within the day, so this is one to plan for well in advance rather than book for next Sunday.
The Lock Up, Redfield
In East Bristol, The Lock Up has been feeding the neighbourhood since 2016 with a Sunday roast that goes further than most pub versions, generous portions at a comfortable, non-destination price point. It's a solid pick if you're over on that side of the city or want a neighbourhood roast without the Bank Tavern's booking scramble.
The Barley Mow, St Philips
A short walk from Temple Meads, The Barley Mow is a modern pub with a large range of carefully chosen keg beers and cask ale, often including Tiley's and Bristol Beer Factory. Sunday roasts are one of its busiest services, alongside its pub quiz, so expect a fuller room than a quiet weekday pint. Worth knowing: it's closed at lunchtime on Monday and Tuesday, so that's not a fallback day if you miss Sunday.
Other names locals mention
Across the wider pub scene, the names that come up most often for a good roast include The Hope and Anchor, Hort's Townhouse, The Blaise Inn, The Grace, Cord Kitchen, The Rose and Crown, The Kensington Arms and The Alma Tavern and Theatre, spread across different parts of the city rather than clustered in one area, so there's usually a decent roast within reach wherever you're staying.
Comparison at a glance
| Pub | Area | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bank Tavern | Central | Main from £21.95, 3 courses £31.95 | Released once a year in January |
| The Lock Up | Redfield | Mid-range | Standard advance booking |
| The Barley Mow | St Philips, near Temple Meads | Mid-range | Advance booking recommended |
| The Kensington Arms | Redland | Mid-range | Advance booking recommended |
Planning around it
If The Bank Tavern's booking window has already closed for the year, don't treat it as the only option, Bristol has no shortage of good roasts and several of the names above are genuinely comparable, just easier to actually get a table at. Sunday lunch service generally runs from midday into the afternoon, and roasts are the busiest single sitting of the week at most of these pubs, so book ahead rather than turning up on spec, particularly in winter when a roast after a cold walk is in high demand. If you're pairing it with a pub crawl, see our best pubs in Bristol guide for what else is nearby.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Sunday roast in Bristol?
The Bank Tavern is the one most frequently named the best, known especially for its gravy and generous veg, with mains from £21.95. The catch is booking: tables are released once a year in January.
How do I book a table at The Bank Tavern for Sunday lunch?
Tables are released for the entire year on New Year's Day in January and go quickly. If you've missed that window, The Lock Up in Redfield or The Barley Mow near Temple Meads are easier to book closer to the date.
Is there a good Sunday roast near Bristol Temple Meads?
The Barley Mow, a short walk from the station in St Philips, does a well-regarded roast alongside its wide beer range, though it gets busy and is worth booking ahead.
How much does a Sunday roast cost in Bristol?
At The Bank Tavern, a main course starts at £21.95, with two courses from £28.95 and three from £31.95. Other pubs around the city are generally in a similar mid-range bracket, though exact prices vary by venue.
Do Bristol pubs offer a vegetarian roast option?
Most of the pubs on this list, including The Bank Tavern, typically run a vegetarian option alongside beef, chicken and pork, making them workable for mixed groups.
What time does Sunday lunch service run in Bristol pubs?
Most pubs serve Sunday roasts from around midday into the afternoon. It's the busiest single sitting of the week at popular spots, so arrive on time or book ahead rather than turning up late and hoping for a table.