A Brief History of the British Sunday Roast

The Sunday Roast is a cornerstone of British food culture. Dating back to the 15th century, this weekly ritual began as a communal meal enjoyed after church. During the Industrial Revolution, families would leave a roast cooking in the oven while attending a service, returning to a perfectly slow-cooked meal. For working-class families, local bakeries often shared their ovens for communal roasting further embedding the roast dinner into British life.

Today, the Sunday Roast remains a symbol of togetherness, tradition, and national pride. From roast beef and crispy potatoes to fluffy Yorkshire puddings with lashings of gravy, it’s a meal that brings generations together. And nowhere does it better than Chelsea.

 

Discover the Best Sunday Roast in Chelsea

If you’re on the hunt for the best Sunday Roast in Chelsea, here are three local favourites that deliver both comfort and culinary excellence.

The Cadogan Arms – A Chelsea Icon for Sunday Roasts

📍 298 King’s Road, Chelsea

The Cadogan Arms has long been a Chelsea institution, reopened and restored to its former glory in 2021. This elevated pub serves seasonal British meals with flair, and their Sunday Roast has been hailed as one of the best in all of London. 

Choose from:

  • Native rump of beef
  • Slow-roasted pork belly
  • Shoulder of lamb
  • Mushroom & Celeriac Pithivier (vegan option)
  • Sunday Sharer Board – a selection of all the roast meats for two

All roasts are served with butter-glazed vegetables, golden roast potatoes, rich gravy, and Yorkshire puddings that are the stuff of legend.

Bluebird Chelsea – Modern Style Meets Classic Roast

📍 350 King’s Road, Chelsea

Housed within an Art Deco gem that was once a garage, Bluebird is one of Chelsea’s chicest hangouts, serving contemporary European cuisine all day long. Their Sunday Roast is beautifully crafted and artfully presented. 

Enjoy:

  • Gloucester Old Spot Pork Rack
  • Dry Aged Hereford Rolled Rib of Beef
  • Herb Roast Chicken & Stuffing
  • Vegetarian Roast with Cauliflower Cheese, vegetarian gravy

All served with Yorkshire pudding, roasties, seasonal vegetables & gravy.

The Pig’s Ear – A Cosy Chelsea Favourite

📍 35 Old Church Street, Chelsea

Nestled on charming Old Church Street, The Pig’s Ear combines rustic charm with serious flavour. This Chelsea pub is a standout spot for a traditional Sunday Roast in London. Ingredients here are all wild, foraged and locally grown, including sustainable livestock from a family farm in West Sussex. 

Options include:

  • Beef Sirloin
  • Half Chicken
  • Pork Chop
  • Lamb Shoulder
  • Beetroot, Leek & Mushroom Wellington

All served with fresh farm vegetables, crispy roast potatoes, and Yorkshire puddings smothered in house-made gravy.

Book Ahead for the Best Sunday Roast in London

Has this got you craving a delicious Sunday Roast in Chelsea? Whether it’s your weekly ritual or a one-off treat, these top Chelsea spots offer some of the best Sunday Roasts in London — combining classic British tradition with modern culinary flair.

Tables book up fast, especially on Sundays, so we recommend reserving in advance to secure your spot.