Best Roasts In Manchester
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1 year ago
Where to spend Sundays in the northern city
During cosy season, a Sunday afternoon is simply not complete without a hearty roast. Northern England is an expert in the British tradition (it’s the birthplace of the Yorkshire pud, after all), and the city of Manchester is no exception, with an impressive array of buzzy restaurants to choose from. Whether you’re after a Middle Eastern-inspired affair, a traditional feast with all the trimmings or classic pub vibes, read on for the C&TH pick of the best roasts in Manchester.
Best Roasts In Manchester
The Refuge
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Found within the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, The Refuge is huge, spanning 10,000 sq ft – yet it has a friendly, intimate feel. The eatery is also known for serving one of the best roasts in Manchester, perfect for big Sunday gatherings with friends or family. Join forces with a pal to tackle the sharing platter, a generous helping of either beef, chicken or porchetta, plus all the trimmings: cauliflower cheese, charred hispi cabbage, salt roasted potatoes and more. Individual roasts are also available, with the option to go plant-based with a vegan wellington. Still hungry? You can add extra helpings of your favourite sides – from pigs in blankets to crispy bacon and sage stuffing balls. Yum.
Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA, refugemcr.co.uk
The Counter House
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An all-day restaurant in Ancoats, The Counter House is perhaps best known for its brunch offering, but it also serves a notably good roast. Available from 1pm every Sunday, the menu includes a choice of beef, chicken or veggie wellington, paired with a ginormous Yorkshire pud, lots of crispy roasties and all the trimmings. There are puddings to suit all tastes too, including a dark chocolate mousse, a yuzu and coconut parfait, or a refreshing sorbet if you’re after more of a palette cleanser. Plus, the venue’s lively vibe and bright, plant-filled decor will banish all thoughts of the Sunday scaries.
35 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AJ, thecounterhouse.co.uk
The Jane Eyre
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With two outposts across the city – the first in Ancoats, and a newer branch in Chorlton – The Jane Eyre is a neighbourhood bar and restaurant helmed by two brothers, who opened the original in memory of their mother. While the small plates are inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, the Sunday roast is pure British goodness. The roast beef is legendary, served with some of the fluffiest potatoes in the city, alongside agave roasted carrots, greens, stuffing and lashings of gravy. It’s a great option for veggies too, with a hearty nut roast on offer alongside a daily changing roast of the day. Be sure to save some space for dessert: Jane’s chocolate biscuit cake is a must-try.
14 Hood St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6WX and 60 Beech Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9EG, thejaneeyre.co.uk
Evelyn’s
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For a roast with a Middle Eastern twist, head to Evelyn’s in the Northern Quarter. During the week, it’s all about small plates, but fear not: the Sunday roasts won’t leave you hungry. Think roast chicken with harissa buttermilk, beef sirloin with a mustard rub, or lamb with Moroccan marinade, served with seasonal veggies, Yorkshire puds and optional (but very much recommended) cauliflower cheese. Plant-based? The puy lentil wellington is cooked to perfection. Enjoy alongside one of the popular cocktails (the lychee and rose pornstar martini is a nice way to kick things off), or keep it classic with a glass of Malbec.
44 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LA, evelynscafebar.com
Ducie Street Warehouse
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Offering everything from breakfast to cocktails, this social hub in the city centre is a crowd pleaser, renowned for its relaxed vibe. It also serves one of the best roasts in Manchester, best suited to very hungry diners with a penchant for gravy. The roast here is sizeable, with choices including rosemary roasted leg of lamb, dry-aged beef, chicken or a vegan option, all served with roasties, seasonal veg, a big Yorkshire pud and a large helping of gravy. Can’t choose? Get one cut of each type of meat. The menu also has an entire section dedicated to cauliflower cheese, with the option to add truffle, a garlic crumb or vintage cheddar. Everything is locally sourced too, with potatoes plucked from the Cheshire fields and meat from nearby butchers.
Ducie St, Manchester M1 2TP, duciestreet.com
The Marble Arch
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For a traditional pub roast, head to The Marble Arch, a historic spot on Rochdale Road fondly known as The Arch. The flagship venue for the Marble Brewery, it’s famous for its brewery-fresh cask beer, but the pub also has a strong food offering. Roasts are served from 12pm on Sundays until they’re gone, so get there early to tuck into big plates of lemon and thyme roast chicken, slow roasted pork belly, ‘drunken’ slow roast beef or vegan strudel with ratatouille. All are served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire puds, root veggies and buttered steamed greens, drizzled in ‘boozed up gravy’ made with beef stock.
73 Rochdale Rd, Manchester M4 4HY, marblebeers.com
The Black Friar
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Another of Manchester’s long-standing pubs, The Black Friar was built all the way back in 1886, undergoing a big revamp in 2021 after lying dormant for over 15 years. The venue’s interiors were lovingly restored, and chef Aiden Byrne was brought in to give the menu a new lease of life. Sundays are arguably the best day to come, with The Friars Sunday Feast including a choice of beef, chicken or vegan roast, served with all the trimmings – plus the option to add starters such as truffle arancini and artisan breads. What’s not to love?
174 Queen Victoria St, Greater, London EC4V 4EG, theblackfriarsalford.co.uk
