The Best Hearty Roasts in Sydney

Nothing beats the winter blues like a hearty Sunday roast. Whether you're after the whole hog or a contemporary take on the traditional feast, the perfect hot meal is being served up weekly at some of the best venues in Sydney. We've scoured the town to find some of the most innovative and most comforting roasts on rotation.

Whether it's a giant Yorkshire pudding or a whole roasted suckling pig, order any of these packed plates, and you can count on a full belly and that magical feeling that you're a million miles away from Monday morning.

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THE LORD NELSON, THE ROCKS

The Lord Nelson at The Rocks puts on a proper British roast every Sunday to cure those winter blues. Available from midday until sold out, the roast is a take on a centuries-old tradition. The Solo Roast for $35 features a weekly-rotating roast meat with crispy potatoes and veggies, Yorkshire pudding, and gravy, but go for the Shared Roast ($70) if you've come with your hungriest mates. The platter showcases three roast meats with all the trimmings. The only thing that makes this better is a cold beer, brewed onsite since 1986.

FORRESTER'S, SURRY HILLS

Every year since 2021, The Big Yorkie at Forrester's in Surry Hills has been one of Sydney's most popular winter dishes. The key to its success is simple yet ingenious: everyone knows that Yorkshire pudding is the best part of the roast, so Head Chef Patrick Friesen made it the main event. That's right, the Big Yorkie is a massive Yorkshire pudding. And it's filled to the brim with roasted meat, crispy spuds, seasonal veggies, and loads of gravy. Even better, it's available every single day of the week, from midday till sold out.

THE CUT BAR & GRILL, THE ROCKS

For an especially indulgent lunch, book a table at The Cut Bar & Grill in The Rocks. For $49, you'll be feasting on a signature Prime Rib, alongside Yorkshire pudding, smashed peas, glazed carrots, twice-cooked potatoes, and fried onions. They all come bathed in a rich, red wine-infused gravy, and be tempted to follow up with a hot fudge sundae for dessert. The roast is available everyday from midday–3pm. 

BISTRO MONCUR, WOOLLAHRA

Winter in Woollahra has become unimaginable without a Sunday roast at Bistro Moncur. And, now that the chilly weather has set in, it's back for another round — with a menu that rotates weekly. In the past, we've seen the likes of Dewsbury pork belly and Riverina lamb rump, so we can't wait to see what's on the menu for this winter. Accompanied by the likes of Yorkshire pudding, duck fat potatoes, pumpkin puree, petits pois à la francaise and rosemary jus, you won't be heading home hungry. Every dish is the creation of London-born chef Tom Deadman, who took over the 30-year-old kitchen in 2022 after working at Read's in the UK (which had a Michelin star at the time) and Becasse in Surry Hills.

WOOLLAHRA HOTEL, WOOLLAHRA

In the same building as Bistro Moncur, you'll find the Woollahra Hotel. And it has a Sunday roast all of its own. For $35, you'll get a plate loaded with your choice of either a roasted half chicken with onion and sage stuffing and mustard gravy, or a roasted pasture-fed striploin with horseradish gravy. Both are accompanied by duck fat potatoes, roasted root vegetables, garden peas and Yorkshire pudding. Red wine is always a good idea on a cold day, and you'll find plenty of drops to choose from on the list, including many that are organic, vegan, and preservative-free. Grab a seat in the shiny public bar, which was polished within an inch of its life during a major reno in 2023, or head for the neon-lit, greenery-splashed courtyard.

BISTRO RED LION BY MANU, ROZELLE

Sometimes, there's nothing better than keeping your Sunday roast simple at a neighbourhood pub. If that sounds like you, factor the Red Lion Hotel in Rozelle into your weekend plans. Every Sunday, you can kick back with a hearty feast for just $40. Chilly day? Grab a seat by the fire, where you'll warm up in no time. There's nothing quite like dining in front of roaring flames while the wind's howling outside. Alternatively, rug up and head out to the balcony, where you'll catch lovely sunset views.

THE GOLDEN SHEAF, DOUBLE BAY

In the Golden Sheaf's pretty, warmly lit, greenery-filled beer garden, you can tuck into a roast for $36. Your plate will arrive loaded with roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, golden potatoes, honey-and-mustard parsnips, carrots and rainbow chard — all doused in gravy. Add an entree in the form of charred Tassie octopus or crispy calamari, along with a glass of Untitled pinot noir from Victoria or a Right Bank shiraz from the Barossa Valley, and you'll be all set for a long and cosy afternoon. The beer garden is well-heated, but if you're still cold, it's even warmer inside.

SINCLAIR'S, PENRITH

Sure, a classic roast beef with potatoes will satisfy ordinary Sunday cravings, but what about when you want something really memorable? Head to Sinclair's in Penrith for a one-of-a-kind roast offering: a whole suckling pig. The Taluc Park Suckling Pig share menu features the whole hog served with a selection of seasonal dishes from Head Chef Scott Mills. The menu is available all week and requires pre-booking 10 days in advance, with a minimum of 10 guests (at $95 per head). The crackling roast is carved tableside and served with the likes of grilled corn with chilli mascarpone and manchego.

THE BOTANIST, KIRRIBILLI

This cosy neighbourhood spot is bringing back its crowd-favourite take on a winter roast: the Beef Wellington. Available in June and August (specifically, not July), the comforting feast includes grass-fed beef fillet wrapped in mushrooms, spinach and golden pastry, served with a thick jus, buttery mash, fresh salad and roasted carrots. Given the dish's complexity and growing popularity, pre-orders are essential to get your hands on a slice of this magic. At $72 per person, this is perfect for a special-occasion weekend celebration.

THE PADDO INN, PADDINGTON

The always-busy Paddo Inn is celebrating Christmas in July with its Christmas-themed Sunday roast. Available throughout July with sittings at 1 and 5pm, the $60 per person menu includes the main roast with seasonal vegetables, crispy potatoes, additional classic trimmings, alongside complimentary mulled wine upon arrival. It feels like Christmas without the stress, preparation and hassle.

MAGMA, CANLEY VALE

At Dany Karam's fire-driven steak restaurant Magma in Western Sydney, you can find a new roast menu that puts as much effort into the sides as the meat. Speaking of the meat, find a premium cut Coppertree Farms Cube Roll that is rubbed in a signature spice blend, served with vegetables, condiments and sauces. The innovative sides include grilled corn with shichimi, roasted chestnuts, a Yorkshire pudding elevated with duck liver and onions, and a baked potato with créme fraîche and smoked speck.

Feature image: Forrester's.