The most celebrated Sunday roast in Bristol is at the Bank Tavern in the Old City, but be warned: its entire 2026 diary sold out in about 11 minutes, so it's more legend than practical plan. For a roast you can actually book, the Kensington Arms in Redland, Pasture for steak-quality beef, and the harbourside Ostrich are the ones locals point you to. Here are eight worth your Sunday, and how to get in.
Sunday roast is close to a religion in Bristol's pubs. Most of these need booking a week or more ahead, and kitchens usually run from noon until the meat runs out, so go early.
1. The Bank Tavern
Old City, John Street. The famous one: an award-winning roast that's won national and local best-roast titles. The catch is real, though, its whole 2026 booking diary sold out in around 11 minutes, so treat it as aspirational or go for a weekday lunch instead. Around £22 for a main, £32 for three courses if you ever get in.
2. The Kensington Arms
Redland. The "Kenny", from the Eggleton family, does a proper set roast (beef, pork or veg with all the trimmings) and lets you bring your own wine. Set menu around £32 for two courses; kitchen noon to 6pm; book ahead. One of the most reliable top roasts in the city.
3. Pasture
Photo: primebypasture.com
Redcliffe. The city-centre steak specialists turn their live-fire kitchen and top-quality local beef to the Sunday roast, so this is the one for serious beef. Booking recommended; £££.
4. The Ostrich
Bathurst Basin, harbourside. A waterside pub with a terrace, dog-friendly, doing confit Somerset pork belly and Angus and Hereford beef, plus a proper vegan option. Book for the prime lunchtime slots. ££.
5. The Lansdown
Photo: thelansdownclifton.com
Clifton Village. A Grade II-listed traditional pub with a big heated garden and a relaxed, family-friendly roast served noon to 7pm on Sundays. A good all-rounder up in Clifton. ££.
6. The Greenbank
Easton. A much-loved community local doing a generous, locally-sourced roast with slow-cooked beef. Books up, so reserve ahead. ££.
7. The Coronation
Southville, Dean Lane. A proper CAMRA-listed community pub whose roast is a local institution: strong value and unusually good vegan options. Casual and cheerful. ££.
8. The Green Man
Kingsdown. A well-regarded roast (traditional and veggie) in a snug pub that also happens to stock over 100 gins. Book ahead. ££.
How to get a table
- Book early. A week ahead is normal for the good ones; the Bank Tavern is effectively a lottery.
- Go at noon. Roasts sell out, and the best cuts go first.
- Ask about veggie and vegan. Most of the above do a proper meat-free roast, not an afterthought, but numbers can be limited.
The honest alternative
If everywhere's booked, don't despair: plenty of Bristol pubs do a walk-in roast that won't make a "best of" list but will do the job nicely, and you can always aim for a weekday version at somewhere like the Bank Tavern that's impossible on a Sunday. For the wider dining scene, see the best restaurants in Bristol and our area food guide.
FAQs
Where is the best Sunday roast in Bristol?
The Bank Tavern in the Old City is the most awarded, but it's almost impossible to book. For roasts you can actually get, the Kensington Arms in Redland, Pasture for beef, and the harbourside Ostrich are among the best.
How far ahead do you need to book a Sunday roast in Bristol?
Usually about a week for the popular pubs, and much further for the Bank Tavern, whose entire 2026 diary sold out in roughly 11 minutes. Booking is strongly recommended everywhere, and kitchens often sell out by mid-afternoon.
Where can I get a good vegan or vegetarian Sunday roast in Bristol?
The Coronation in Southville is known for strong vegan options, and the Ostrich, Green Man and Kensington Arms all do proper vegetarian roasts. Mention it when booking, as meat-free portions can be limited.
Can you still book the Bank Tavern roast?
Realistically no for 2026, as its full year of Sunday bookings sold out within minutes of release. Your best bet is to visit for a weekday lunch instead, or choose one of the other excellent roasts on this list.