Food & Drink
The Best Sunday Roasts in Manchester, Ranked
Finding the best Sunday roast in Manchester can mean a table dressed for an occasion in a converted courthouse, or a plate of dripping-cooked potatoes served over the bar of a Victorian ale house before the kitchen sells out. We researched the city's dining scene to find the standouts. Here are the five best Sunday roasts in Manchester worth clearing your afternoon for, ranked on merit.
Our top picks
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 31 August 2026
- Updated
- 31 August 2026
- Last verified
- 31 August 2026
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
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The top 5 Sunday Roasts in Manchester, Ranked
- Rank 1Hawksmoor ManchesterWATTB Pick— Best overallWATTB96/100From ~£30pp (indicative)
- Rank 2Hispi— Best chef-led bistroWATTB92/100~£20-26pp (indicative)
- Rank 3Sam's Chop House— Best traditional roastWATTB86/100~£18pp (indicative)
- Rank 4The Marble Arch— Best pub roastWATTB84/100~£16pp (indicative)
- Rank 5The Britons Protection— Best cosy pub atmosphereWATTB80/100~£15pp (indicative)
The WATTB Score is our own research-based editorial assessment out of 100 — not a customer-review average.
The picks in depth
Hawksmoor Manchester
Why it won
The city's benchmark roast: beef-led and carefully executed in a grand courthouse setting — the top pick for a special occasion, if you will pay the premium.
Exceptional dry-aged beef and a rich bone-marrow gravy
Vegetarian Wellington roast alternative available
Spectacular Grade II listed former-courthouse setting
Trade-off: The most expensive option here, and it books up fast
Hispi
Why we recommend it
Gary Usher's Didsbury bistro delivers a nationally acclaimed roast at bistro prices — the value-for-quality pick, if you will travel out of the centre.
Chef-led cooking at bistro, not fine-dining, prices
Generous portions and an enormous Yorkshire pudding
Thoughtful vegetarian roast alternative
Trade-off: In Didsbury rather than the city centre
Sam's Chop House
Why we recommend it
A Victorian chop house serving a straightforward traditional roast in a genuine 1868 heritage setting — the central-city pick if character and value matter more than adventurous cooking.
Genuine heritage setting dating to 1868
Straightforward, well-priced traditional roast
Central location, walkable from the tram and Victoria
Trade-off: Cooking is classic rather than adventurous
The Marble Arch
Why we recommend it
A historic tiled ale house where a reliable, well-liked roast meets a celebrated cask range — the pick for a beer-led Sunday afternoon.
Outstanding cask beer selection to match the food
Stunning heritage interior and relaxed pub atmosphere
Strong value for the quality on the plate
Trade-off: Roasts can sell out, so latecomers may miss out
The Britons Protection
Why we recommend it
A characterful old boozer near the Bridgewater Hall; it lands last because the roast is an occasional, atmosphere-led affair rather than a guaranteed draw, but the setting is a genuine one-off.
Wonderfully atmospheric historic interior and open fires
One of the UK's great pub whisky selections
Handy for the Bridgewater Hall and St Peter's Square
Trade-off: Pub-standard cooking rather than a destination roast
Map of Manchester, UK
How we ranked this list
We assessed each venue on the quality of the meat and gravy, the crispness of the potatoes and Yorkshire puddings, value for money and consistency, drawing on current published menus and a wide read of local reviews and diner feedback. All prices are indicative and change seasonally, so check the current menu before you book.
Read our full ranking methodWhy you can trust WATTB
Independent & unbiased
We rank on merit. Commercial links never change which picks make a guide or where they rank.
In-depth research
Official information, specifications and aggregated expert and user reviews — compared, not guessed.
Clear pros & cons
Every pick gets its real advantages and at least one honest trade-off, so you can weigh it.
Transparent sourcing
We show how we rank and the sources behind each guide, and re-check them as things change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Sunday roast in Manchester?
For an all-round best, we rate Hawksmoor on Deansgate, which serves a beef-led roast to a very high standard in a grand former Victorian courthouse. If you want something more wallet-friendly but still chef-led, Hispi in Didsbury is our runner-up and regularly appears on national best-of lists. Both prices are indicative and change seasonally.
How much is a Sunday roast in Manchester?
As an indicative guide, expect roughly £15-20 per person at a good pub such as The Marble Arch or The Britons Protection, around £20-26 at a bistro like Hispi, and from about £30 per person upwards at a premium restaurant such as Hawksmoor. Always check the current menu, as prices vary.
Do you need to book a Sunday roast in Manchester?
Yes, booking is strongly advised. Sunday is the busiest lunch of the week and the better spots fill days in advance, especially Hawksmoor and Hispi. Pubs like The Marble Arch famously stop serving once the day's roasts sell out, so if you cannot book, arrive early rather than late.
Which places do a vegetarian Sunday roast in Manchester?
Several quality venues offer a vegetarian roast alongside the meat options. Hawksmoor does a vegetarian Wellington, and Hispi runs a seasonal vegetarian roast that changes through the year. Vegetarian mains can be limited in number, so it is worth flagging dietary needs when you book.
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