Seven go-tos for Sunday lunch

A buzzy atmosphere, a roaring fire and a traditional roast – there's no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Here’s our selection of London pubs elevating a British tradition.

The Harwood Arms, Fulham

Named Britain’s best gastropub in 2020, this Fulham outpost is one of only two Michelin-starred London inns, and offers a top-notch roast. Head chef Josh Cutress, formerly worked for co-owner Brett Graham at the three Michelin-starred The Ledbury. The pub's other owner Mike Robinson runs The Elder restaurant in Bath and The Woodsman in Stratford Upon Avon. He also supplies wild venison to restaurants nationwide, which features on The Harwood Arms’ Sunday spread for two (two courses £64 and three-courses £79 per person), as an eight-hour slow-cooked Fallow deer shoulder wrapped in bacon. Other meats on the menu include Jersey sirloin, all served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and signature savoury dishes. Fish plates such as Cured Sea Bream with cucumber, shiso and seaweed can be ordered as a starter, and traditional favourites like sticky toffee pudding are on the menu for dessert. Served all day until 8.15pm. Walham Grove, Fulham, London, SW6 1QP; harwoodarms.com

The Camberwell Arms

This South London gastropub also ranks amongst the city’s finest, renowned for its generous, sharing-style, and much-rated Sunday lunch served (1pm to 6pm) within the comfortable surroundings of a renovated 19th-century pub. Established in 2014 by chef director Mike Davies (aka Peckham’s Frank’s cafe and also formerly of The Ledbury) the menu offers a selection of sharing dishes served with roast potatoes, which includes classics such as Beef, ale and bone marrow pie with buttered greens (£45); Slow cooked Romney lamb, mint and pinenut sauce (£58); and Dry aged Hereford rump with horseradish crème fraîche (£60). Bear in mind there is a 12.5 per cent service charge when totting up the bill. 65 Camberwell Church St, London SE5 8TR; thecamberwellarms.co.uk

The Sun Inn, Barnes

Located on the banks of the Thames near Barnes Pond, with seating both inside and within a large outdoor garden, this Grade II listed pub is an all-seasons spot that’s also a go-to for Sunday lunch. The inn marries a cosy atmosphere with a menu based on quality ingredients and generous portions. There are traditional roasts such as Rump of beef (£26), or a “Sunday Sharer” (£60), which offers a taste of everything: rump of beef, half roast chicken and Dorset lamb striploin for two. 7 Church Road, Greater London SW13 9HE; .thesuninnbarnes.co.uk

The Spaniards, Hampstead

This Hampstead pub was named one of the UK's best spots for a Sunday roast and a walk – the ideal weekend plan. The inn dates back to 1585 and is mentioned by Charles Dickens' The Pickwick Papers (where Mrs. Bardell’s friends travel to its tea gardens), and Van Helsing in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It is also linked to the poet John Keats, who is said to have composed Ode to a Nightingale in its garden. It's wonderfully olde-worlde-cosy inside and offers a “To Share” lunch (for two) featuring Aged Beef Sirloin, roast chicken, lamb rump, pigs in blankets, bacon and chestnut stuffing served with a red wine sauce (£49), while individual roasts such chicken (£21.50) come with all the trimmings: Yorkshire pudding, thyme-roasted potatoes, buttered savoy cabbage, leeks and roasted root vegetables. Roasts are served from 11:30am until around 9pm. Spaniards Road, Hampstead, London NW3 7JJ; thespaniardshampstead.co.uk

The Kerfield Arms in Camberwell 

Run by the team behind the acclaimed Baring in Islington, this pub has quickly become a destination for Sunday roast lovers, and was recently awarded a Michelin star (only the second inn in London beside The Harwood Arms). Chef Jay Styler’s cuisine is based on seasonal ingredients and bold flavours, and his signature roasts (served from 12pm to 4pm) include charcoal-grilled Vendée chicken (£25), Ibérico pork belly (£27), and grilled Highland rump (£28), served with roast potatoes, hispi cabbage and gravy. 16 Grove Lane, London, SE5 8SY; thekerfieldarms.co.uk

The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea

Led by executive chef John Sparks and culinary director James Knappett (of the two Michelin-starred Kitchen Table), this modern, restored 19th-century King’s Road favourite serves Sunday roasts made with British produce, which includes a Native Rump of Beef with bone marrow gravy (£34); and half a herb-fed chicken with brioche stuffing (£30). It also has a "Sunday Sharer" board, offering a taste of everything, with all the trimmings, for £36 per person. Served from 12pm to 8pm. 298 King's Road, London, SW3 5UG; thecadoganarms.london