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The 10 Best Sunday Roasts in East Yorkshire

Jane Gough
The 10 Best Sunday Roasts in East Yorkshire

There are few things more sacred in East Yorkshire than the Sunday roast. It is the anchor of the weekend, the reward for a bracing walk across the Wolds, and — done properly — an almost spiritual experience involving golden potatoes, thick gravy, and beef that yields at the mere suggestion of a fork. We spent the better part of two months working our way through the region's pubs, inns, and gastropubs to bring you this definitive ranking. Elasticated waistbands were worn. No regrets were had.

1. The Pipe and Glass Inn, South Dalton — There is a reason this Michelin-starred country pub tops every list, and it is not hype. Chef James Mackenzie's roast sirloin of beef, served with dripping-roasted potatoes, a vast Yorkshire pudding, and a red wine jus that borders on the transcendent, is simply the finest roast dinner in the region. Expect to pay around £28-£32 per head, but you are paying for perfection. The setting — a gorgeous whitewashed inn nestled in the shadow of South Dalton's estate — only sweetens the deal. Book well in advance; tables disappear faster than the crackling.

2. The Star at Sancton — Ben Cox's cooking at this unassuming village pub has been turning heads for years, and his Sunday offering is no exception. The roast rump of beef is outstanding, but the real star is the twice-cooked belly pork with homemade apple sauce and sage stuffing. Portions are generous without being absurd, the vegetables are cooked with genuine care, and the atmosphere strikes that lovely balance between relaxed and refined. Mains sit around £19-£24. The sticky toffee pudding afterwards is practically compulsory.

3. The White Horse Inn, Beverley (Nellie's) — Beverley's beloved gas-lit pub might be famous for its eccentric rooms and lack of bar, but the Sunday roast served in the upstairs dining room deserves serious recognition. The topside of beef is carved thick, the Yorkshires are homemade and enormous, and the roast potatoes have that shattering crunch you dream about. At around £15-£17, it is outstanding value. The setting — all creaking floorboards and wood-panelled snugs — makes it feel like stepping into another century. 4. The Ferguson Fawsitt, Walkington — This handsome village pub on the edge of the Wolds delivers a roast that punches well above its weight. The chicken is free-range and beautifully bronzed, served with proper bread sauce, while the beef option comes with a rich bone-marrow gravy. The cauliflower cheese deserves its own paragraph. Prices hover around £16-£19, and the beer garden is glorious in summer. A proper local gem.

5. Cerutti's, Hull — Tim Cerutti has been a cornerstone of Hull's dining scene for decades, and his Sunday lunch proves why. The menu rotates, but the roast rib of beef with all the trimmings is a masterclass — the meat rested properly, the gravy deeply savoury, the roast potatoes cooked in beef fat until they practically shatter. At £18-£22, it is city dining done right. The restaurant's refined-but-unfussy atmosphere makes it ideal for a family gathering or a special occasion.

6. The Tiger Inn, Beverley — Tucked away on Lairgate, The Tiger is a proper drinkers' pub that also happens to serve a cracking Sunday roast. The portions are vast, the prices are fair (around £13-£15), and the atmosphere is wonderfully convivial. The beef is reliably good, but the roast pork with proper crackling is the one to order. It is unpretentious, hearty, and exactly what you want after a morning on the Westwood. 7. The Westwood, Beverley — Overlooking the racecourse and the glorious common land from which it takes its name, The Westwood offers a polished Sunday lunch experience. The lamb shoulder, slow-cooked until it falls apart, is exceptional, and the wine list is well-chosen enough to elevate proceedings further. Expect to pay £17-£21. The dining room is light-filled and modern, making it a smart choice for a more refined Sunday outing.

8. The Blue Bell, Arram — This tiny village pub between Beverley and Driffield is an absolute hidden gem. The roast is traditional, no-nonsense, and cooked with obvious pride — great beef, proper Yorkshires, and roast potatoes that would make your grandmother weep with joy. Prices are remarkably gentle at around £12-£14. The pub itself is cosy, characterful, and the sort of place where the locals know everyone by name. Worth the short drive from Beverley.

9. The Board Inn, Lund — Another Wolds village pub that rewards the journey. The Board Inn's Sunday roast features locally sourced meat, seasonal vegetables handled with respect, and a gravy that tastes like it has been simmering since Thursday. The setting is quintessentially English — a pretty village green, a crackling fire inside, and a pint of well-kept ale to wash it all down. Around £14-£17 for a main. Booking is strongly recommended, as the dining room is small and fills quickly.

10. The Light Dragoon, Etton — Rounding out our list is this charming pub in one of the Wolds' prettiest villages. The Light Dragoon delivers a consistently good roast — the beef is always well-sourced, the vegetables are never overcooked, and the Yorkshire puddings are properly risen. At around £15-£18, it represents solid value, and the walk from Etton across the fields to Cherry Burton and back makes the ideal pre-lunch circuit. A lovely, reliable Sunday destination.

So there you have it — ten roasts, ten reasons to never skip Sunday lunch again. Whether you are after Michelin-starred refinement or a proper pub plate piled high, East Yorkshire has you covered. Now, somebody pass the horseradish.