The Ten Best Hearty Roasts in Sydney

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Nothing says winter like a hearty Sunday roast. Whether it's the whole hog you're after 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.

With a belly full of crackling and ale at these Sydney joints, you’ll get that fancy feeling you’re a million miles from Monday.

WOOLWICH PIER HOTEL

You can't get all that much love for under thirty bucks these days — but a roasted rack of pork, pumpkin mash, baked spuds and roasted apple puree is one cracking way of spending twenty nine big ones. Pair it with a crisp James Squire amber ale or Moo Brew pale ale and Woolwich's stunning harbourside views for the win.

2 Gale Street, Woolwich; 9817 2204

THE LOCAL TAPHOUSE

The great thing about the Taphouse is their range on Sundays, roast-wise. For the chicken lovers there’s a beer-roasted, chipotle-spiced-and-rubbed chook with charred corn, red cabbage slaw. For $25 you can get rare roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with thyme-roasted carrots, duck fat new potatoes, broccoli and gravy. And for sharing, try the glazed New England lamb shoulder with rosemary-buttered kipflers, new season peas and hand-chopped mint sauce at $65 a pop. The menu changes weekly and there is also the option to host your own roast group for ten or more people. Get to it.

122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst; 9360 0088

FOUR IN HAND

The Four in Hand is tucked away in the green, leafy streets of Paddington and is a great spot to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. Go a round of oysters in the Dining Room before settling in for a mammoth Sunday roast — the Four in Hand's is famed in Sydney for the quality and variety alike. At just $24, this roast's crackling is crisp, the gravy is dark and rich, and the vegetables are always fresh (and roughly eighteen thousand times more delicious than anything you could have prepared yourself). The best part about the Four in Hand is that every week the meat and veggies on the Sunday roast menu changes — meaning your weekend routine doesn't have to. Midday on Sunday? The Four in Hand is expecting you.

105 Sutherland Street, Paddington; 9326 2254

HOTEL CENTENNIAL

This time of year Hotel Centennial is the perfect place to escape the wet, windy weather. Located in Sydney’s Centennial Parklands in Woollahra, Hotel Centennial is that ideal mix of eclectic and old-world charm. With the kitchen run by Justin North, former head of the Becasse empire and Chef of the Year in 2009, this Sunday roast with all the trimmings (and a particularly silky mash) goes down a treat at $35. And if you really want something special, give 48 hours’ notice and preorder a whole roast suckling pig with trimmings for ten people. Mad value at $100. The great news is they also take bookings, so plan ahead and lock it in. Available every Sunday for lunch and dinner.

88 Oxford Street, Woollahra; 9362 3838

NEWTOWN HOTEL

The Newtown Hotel is known for its Italian get-up of coal-roasted meats, halloumi and grilled vegetable dishes, but on Sundays you can score a Greek-style roast for just $24. The pulled lamb is of the melt-in-your-mouth variety, the bubba taters are done to perfection with thick, homemade tzatziki, and braised green beans and tomato top it all off. Enjoyed with a rich pale ale, this is one great way to enjoy a wintery Sunday afternoon.

King Street, Newtown; 9557 6399

DOVE AND OLIVE

Two words: fifteen dollars. The Dove and Olive's roast (every Sunday from 11.30am until late) is known in Sydney as the best value in town. Hearty servings of your traditional meat and three veg and enjoyed on the balcony with a rich, dark James Squire porter, Murray's Whale Ale or Young Henrys natural lager really is the business.

156 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills; 9699 6001

THE BUCKET LIST

There's really something pretty wonderful about the beach in winter — especially when you're rugged up in a warm place with friends, a drink in hand, and a steaming plate of roast lamb, creamy mash and bright veggies in front of you for $25. If you want to go one better than the traditional Sunday Roast, go a Sunday Roast accompanied by a Shave the Hair Off A Dog cocktail at the Bucket List — it's vodka and tequila and tomato deliciousness. Keep tabs on the daily menu at Bucket List via their Facebook page.

Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach; 9365 4122

THE TILBURY

The rotating roast menu at the Tilbury Hotel is a winner and the gravy is about the best you’ll get in Sydney city. The first Sunday of the month is lamb, the second is duck, the third is beef, the fourth is pork and the fifth is the Chef’s Choice. You get a lot of bang for your 35 bucks at the Tilbury and it’s a sell out every Sunday for good reason. Best to make a booking here.

12 – 18 Nicholson Street, Woolloomooloo; 9368 1955

RIVERVIEW HOTEL

This Balmain pub is a great family place — excellent food, solid selection of beers, and cruisy, comfortable atmosphere. The ‘Roast at the Riv’ is roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, and all the trimmings for $25 — cosy up with a James Squire Chancer golden ale, trusty Coopers pale ale or a locally-brewed Balmain Brewing Company pilsner while you wait for a table. This place is always packed, and for good reason.

29 Birchgrove Road, Balmain; 9810 1151

THE DUCK INN PUB & KITCHEN

This gastropub is serving up a traditional roast — the 'Duckin’ Good Family Roast' — every Sunday until sold out. With solid value for money at $26 and just a stroll from the Seymour Centre, this cosy pub is well known for its great hospitality, excellent restaurant and boutique beers. Also? It’s pooch friendly. So. That’s Sunday sorted, then.

74 Rose Street, Chippendale; 9319 4415.