Sunday lunch: how to choose and book a good one

A good Sunday lunch is a booked table, a kitchen that cooks the roast to order or in small batches and a room that lets you stay a while. Sunday is the busiest lunch of the week, so the choosing is mostly about booking early and asking the right questions. Here is how to do both.

Book as early as you can

Sunday lunch is the meal families, friends and visitors all want, so tables go first. Book as soon as you know the day, and if you have a group of six or more, book earlier still. Where a place takes bookings on Mosey, you can see free times on its page and book at no cost.

If you cannot book, arrive when the doors open, or go for a late sitting. A place that stops serving lunch at a set time may close the kitchen early if it runs out.

Ask about sittings

Many places run fixed sittings on a Sunday, with a time by which you need to leave. That is fine, but ask. If you want a long, slow lunch, choose a place that does not turn tables, or take the last sitting.

What a good roast looks like

Look at the photographs. The meat should look moist and cut with care. Roast potatoes should be golden and crisp, not pale. Vegetables should have colour and bite. Gravy should be glossy and flavoured, not thin and brown. A good kitchen takes pride in the sauce.

If the dish is called a "roast of the day", ask what it is and whether there is a choice. A menu that names the meat and its source is a good sign.

Check the vegetarian option

A good Sunday lunch place has a proper vegetarian main, not just the vegetables from the roast. Ask what it is. If you are vegan, ask how the gravy and potatoes are made, since roast potatoes are often cooked in animal fat.

Feeding a mixed group

A family table may include children, older people and someone with a dietary need. Tell the place when you book. Check for high chairs, step-free access and a children's menu. Raters often mention these things.

Portions and sharing

Sunday portions are often generous. If you have a small appetite, ask for a smaller size. Some places offer sharing platters for a table, which can be a good way to cater for different tastes.

Drinks

Check whether the place has a drinks list that suits a long lunch. A glass of wine with a roast is classic. Alcohol-free options should be available, and it is fine to ask.

The bill

Ask how the bill will be split. For a family, it may be one payer. For friends, split by person. A place that knows in advance can handle it smoothly. Our guide to splitting a group booking deposit shows how deposits work.

What to do if the roast runs out

It happens on busy Sundays. If the kitchen has run out of a meat, ask what they can offer instead, and whether the price changes. A good place tells you early rather than serving something second best. If you are late in the sitting, ask when you book whether the full menu will still be available.

A worked example for a family of six

Suppose six of you want Sunday lunch, including an older relative and a small child. Book as soon as the date is fixed, and tell the place the number, the child and the access need. Ask for a table near the entrance, with room for a buggy, and confirm the booking a day or two before. On the day, arrive five minutes early and tell the staff you are the group booked for lunch. Order drinks first, then food, and ask for the children's portion to come quickly.

When the roast is a treat, not a habit

A Sunday roast is a generous meal, so treat it as the main event of the day. Skip breakfast, or have something light, and leave the evening free. Walk afterwards if you can. A meal you have planned for and enjoy slowly is far better than one rushed between other things.

After lunch

If you had a good meal, rate it. A rating from a Sunday shows how a kitchen copes at its busiest.