British food might not be the best in the world. It might not have the technicality of French cuisine, the freshness of Italian or the spicy kick of Indian. But it does offer a comfort few others can compete with. And the king of comfort food? Well, that has to be roast dinner; so amazing we Brits have dedicated every Sunday lunch to it. Maybe more than most, we love Sunday roasts in Birmingham.
Roasties, Yorkshire pudding and stuffing are inarguable staples in our eyes. But whether you add cauliflower cheese, parsnips, peas or even Brussel sprouts, well that’s up to you. It’s the ideal family and friend get-together however you have it (perfect for Mother’s Day on March 19). And luckily there are some remarkable roast dinners around town to choose from. That’s why we’ve rounded up the very best Sunday roasts in Birmingham.
1. The Plough
Starting with something simple but no less effective for a Sunday lunch in Birmingham, The Plough will never let you down. There are only two choices, so it’s a case of quality over quantity in Harborne. There’s a roast sirloin of beef served pink or well done or for a veggie Sunday roast order the mushroom and courgette wellington. Both come with healthy servings of roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, vegetables, homemade gravy and a Yorkshire pudding.
21 High St, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9NT
2. Brum Mì
Now for something a million miles away, purveyors of East Asian street food Brum Mì have taken over the kitchen at The Dark Horse in Moseley. Known for bánh mìs and rice bowls, every Sunday lunch they turn their hands to the iconic British roast dinner with a Vietnamese twist. Try the honey and soy glazed chicken, porchetta rolled in lemongrass or roast sirloin of beef. All with a selection of special sides. They also serve a vegan Sunday roast with honey and soy glazed seitan ‘lamb’.
The Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8JP
3. Seats at Robinsons
Not quite Birmingham, but how could we leave off one of the best very best Sunday roasts in the country? Rate Good Roasts named Wolverhampton’s Seats at Robinsons the UK’s joint second best roast dinner on New Year’s Day. And we can’t argue with that! The family-owned bistro in Tettenhall opened as an extension of the butchers and uses only fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes regularly as a result, but you can always expect simple and tasty food. According to Rate Good Roast, it’s the meat and Yorkies that really steal the show.
18 High St, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 8QT
4. The Old Crown
Did you know that Birmingham’s oldest pub also serves one of the best roast dinners in the city? Probably because most Brummies have spent at least one hungover Sunday lunch here. Your four classics are here: sirloin of beef (served pink), slow roast pork belly, chicken supreme and a vegan wellington (with shallot gravy). But make sure to add a side order or truffle cauliflower cheese to see why The Old Crown is always worth a visit on a Sunday. All roasts come with roasted potatoes, maple glazed carrots and parsnips, seasonal greens, braised red cabbage, homemade yorkie and a 48-hour gravy.
188 High Street, Deritend, Birmingham, West Midlands, B12 0LD
5. 1000 Trades
1000 Trades in the Jewellery Quarter claims to produce “a Sunday roast like no other.” We’re not completely sure about that, but it’s still one of the most phenomenal Sunday roasts in Birmingham. Between the thyme and lemon chicken, cider braised pork belly, dry aged sirloin of beef, vegetable wellington and garlic stuffed mushroom, it’s a difficult choice to make.
Everything is served with red wine-braised red cabbage, creamed leeks, heritage carrots, maris piper roasts, mash, tender stem, a homemade yorkshire pudding, herb & onion stuffing and gravy. But if that plate of food doesn’t sound massive enough for you, you can also add sharing plates of cauliflower cheese and pigs in blankets.
16 Frederick St, Birmingham B1 3HE
6. The Fighting Cocks
Loved by locals and embodying the friendly vibe of its Moseley neighbourhood, The Fighting Cocks prides itself on serving hearty traditional British pub classics – taking special pride in its Sunday lunch. Choose from roasts of 21 day-aged sirloin of beef, half-roast chicken, slow-cooked pork belly, or nut roast, all served with a Yorkshire pudding, thyme-roasted potatoes, buttered Savoy cabbage, leeks, peas and roasted root vegetables. Add on cauliflower cheese and pigs-in-blankets.
1 St Mary’s Row, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8HW
7. The Red Lion
Situated in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter, The Red Lion is a traditional pub known for its top-quality pub classics at fair prices. As regional runners-up in the Observer Food Awards best Sunday Lunch on a number of occasions, it knows a thing or two about good roasts too.
A range of Sunday roasts includes beef topside, chicken supreme, shoulder of roast lamb, pork belly, a lamb and beef combo, as well as a vegetarian and vegan sausage roast. All come with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, braised cabbage, a Yorkshire pudding and “a helping of our famous gravy.” Don’t miss on the sides though: pigs in blankets, meat stuffing and cauliflower cheese.
95 Warstone Ln, Birmingham B18 6NG
8. Jungle Bird
One of the stranger Sunday roasts in Birmingham, but no less tasty. You may not think the tropical bar Jungle Bird in the City Centre would be the place to go for a Sunday lunch. But this Caribbean-inspired, vegan Sunday roast is 100% worth trying – especially in the summer months when a heavy roast dinner sounds less appetizing.
This tropical roast consists of homemade m*tton pie, jerk-spiced mac ‘n’ ch**se, rice and peas, sweet potato mash, red cabbage and callaloo sautéed in garlic. Served with either plain or jerk gravy. Perfect to accompany that Sunday cocktail.
Westside Two, 1 Beak St, Birmingham B1 1LW
9. Alam
Everyone deserves to treat themselves to a Sunday lunch. That’s why we’re so thankful for Alam’s halal Sunday roast. This magical multi-cuisine restaurant lets everyone tuck into the best of British cuisine no matter your dietary restrictions. Choose from the lamb shank, slowly simmered until it’s tender; chicken “poussin” marinated with Alam special spices; oven baked Scottish salmon; or the vegan Sunday roast – a butternut squash with parsnips, roasted cauliflower and grilled tomatoes with a Yorkshire pudding and gravy. For more halal restaurants in Birmingham head here.
356 Coventry Rd, Small Heath, Birmingham B10 0XE
10. The Button Factory
If you’re still looking for traditional Sunday roasts in Birmingham, however, you could do a lot worse than this fantastic hangout spot in The Jewellery Quarter. It’s pretty stylish inside too. Choose from: Cotswold white chicken and pork chipolatas; Rib of Hereford beef; Sweet potato Wellington; and Slow roast pork belly.
There are plenty of sides and roast alternatives too (Such as Grilled sea bream, a celeriac steak or a good old fashioned cheeseburger) if not everyone in your party fancies a Sunday roast (Maybe consider not inviting them next time?) The Button Factory’s welcoming environment will surely keep you hanging around for a drink or two afterwards.
25 Frederick St, Birmingham B1 3HH