London’s culinary scene showcases a brilliant array of one pan roasts that combine traditional British cuisine with innovative cooking techniques. Visitors exploring the city’s famous landmarks can conveniently find these hearty, flavorful dishes within walking distance of major attractions, making them perfect fuel for a day of sightseeing across the capital.
Key Takeaways
- Award-winning restaurants near Borough Market and London Bridge offer premium one pan roasts with dry-aged meats and seasonal ingredients
- Soho and Covent Garden feature diverse options from traditional British roasts to creative vegetarian alternatives
- Family-friendly establishments provide special kids’ menus and sharing platters near popular tourist destinations
- Several restaurants offer innovative plant-based roasts including beetroot Wellington and mushroom-based dishes
- Budget-friendly options start from £18 with unlimited sides at pubs near major attractions
Award-Winning Roasts Near London Bridge & Borough Market
Borough Market has become a hub for exceptional one pan roasts with several standout restaurants within minutes of London Bridge. Roast Restaurant, aptly named and perched above the market itself, serves a modern British one pan roast featuring 35-day dry-aged beef rump for £28. Their whole Sutton Hoo chicken roast has earned praise for its crispy skin and tender meat, all enhanced by seasonal vegetables sourced directly from market vendors below.
Just a short walk away, Hawksmoor Borough has twice claimed the title of “Best Sunday Lunch in the UK” with their signature bone marrow gravy and beef-dripping roast potatoes that create a rich, indulgent dining experience. Their express menu (£30-£35 for 2-3 courses) caters perfectly to visitors heading to nearby Tate Modern and other attractions.
Budget-conscious travelers should head to The Dean Swift near Tower Bridge, where unlimited sides accompany their £18-£21 roast beef or chicken dinners. Time Out recognized their value and quality with a “Best Sunday Roast” award in 2023, making this pub a smart choice for travelers watching their spending but not willing to compromise on authentic British dining.
West End Wonders: Soho & Covent Garden’s Finest Roasts
The Devonshire in Soho, a 2024 award-winner for “Best Sunday Roast,” sits conveniently near Piccadilly Circus, making it perfect for post-shopping refreshment. Their £39 dry-aged beef comes with Yorkshire puddings and duck-fat potatoes that achieve the ideal balance of crispy exterior and fluffy interior. The restaurant fills quickly on Sundays, so booking ahead is essential.
Blacklock Soho offers an “All-In” roast for £25-£30 that includes beef, lamb, and pork with all trimmings on a single sharing platter. Located near the Palace Theatre, it’s become a popular pre-show dining spot. Their generous portions and reasonable prices have made it a hit with theater-goers and tourists exploring the heart of London’s entertainment district.
The Pem Restaurant in Covent Garden caters to vegetarian diners with creative alternatives including a celeriac fondant with apple textures and dukkah (£34) and a beetroot Wellington with almond and walnut roast (£34). Its proximity to the Royal Opera House makes it an elegant choice for a pre-performance meal or Sunday lunch after browsing Covent Garden’s shops and street performers.
Family-Friendly Feasts Near Tourist Attractions
Families visiting Kensington Palace should consider The Builders Arms, which offers Sunday roasts with child-friendly options. Adults pay £25 for traditional roasts with Yorkshire puddings and thyme potatoes, while kids’ portions cost £15. Their relaxed atmosphere welcomes families, with highchairs available and a team accustomed to young diners.
The Devonshire Arms in Kensington takes family dining seriously with a dedicated kids’ menu priced at £10 that includes sausages, mash, and ice cream. They provide coloring sheets and high chairs, creating a stress-free environment for parents exploring nearby Kensington Palace and its gardens. The staff are particularly accommodating to families with young children.
For larger family groups, Barge East in Hackney Wick offers a sharing platter serving four people with beef, chicken, and vegan Wellington options for £79. This floating restaurant near the Olympic Park creates a unique dining experience with views across the water. The diverse options on their sharing platters ensure everyone in the family finds something to enjoy, regardless of dietary preferences.
Vegetarian & Vegan One-Pan Delights
Plant-based diners have increasingly excellent options for one pan roasts across London. The Pem Restaurant’s beetroot Wellington with almond and walnut roast (£34) has gained recognition as one of the city’s best vegetarian roast dinners, with diners often remarking they don’t miss the meat.
Fowl in Central London, within walking distance of the British Museum, serves a maitake mushroom roast with vegetable gravy (£22) that delivers rich umami flavors typically associated with meat dishes. The mushroom’s meaty texture makes it an excellent protein centerpiece, complemented by crispy roast potatoes and seasonal greens.
JP’s Delights offers a vegan beetroot Wellington with rosemary-infused jelly for £18 that serves six people, making it ideal for group dining. Their creative approach to vegan roasts has earned them a loyal following among plant-based diners who don’t want to miss out on the Sunday roast tradition. Jones & Son in Dalston serves a nut-and-lentil roast with root vegetable gravy (£18-£26) near Columbia Road Flower Market, making it perfect for a Sunday outing combining market browsing with a satisfying plant-based meal.
Signature One-Pan Dishes Worth Seeking Out
Beyond traditional Sunday roasts, several London restaurants offer distinctive one pan creations that showcase culinary innovation. Men’s Health’s One-Pan Beef Roast features a 1-1.2kg beef joint with cauliflower and tenderstem broccoli cooked in beef fat, requiring just one hour of cooking time. The simplicity of this dish belies its rich flavors, with the vegetables absorbing the meat juices during roasting.
BBC Good Food’s Amatriciana Chicken Traybake brings Italian flavors to the British roast tradition with chicken thighs, bacon, and cherry tomatoes that require only 15 minutes of preparation and 45 minutes in the oven. This Mediterranean-inspired dish offers a lighter alternative to traditional heavy roasts while maintaining the convenience of one-pan cooking.
Several signature elements distinguish the best roasts across London: Hawksmoor’s bone marrow gravy delivers unmatched richness, The Devonshire’s duck-fat potatoes achieve perfect crispness, and Jones & Son’s root vegetable gravy provides depth of flavor without animal products. These signature components often become the reason diners return repeatedly to specific restaurants.
Budget-Friendly Options Across London
Travelers on a budget can still enjoy excellent one pan roasts without breaking the bank. The Dean Swift near Tower Bridge offers roast beef or chicken with unlimited sides for £18-£21, representing outstanding value in an expensive city. Their generous portion sizes and refillable sides make this a particularly economical choice.
Blacklock Soho’s “All-In” roast provides three types of meat with all trimmings for £25-£30, effectively offering three meals in one. The sharing style makes this perfect for couples or friends looking to sample different meats without ordering multiple plates.
For plant-based budget options, Jones & Son in Dalston serves nut-and-lentil roast with root vegetable gravy for £18-£26, while JP’s Delights’ vegan beetroot Wellington at £18 serves six people, bringing the per-person cost down significantly for group dining. Hawksmoor’s express menu provides a taste of luxury at a more accessible £30-£35 for 2-3 courses, particularly appealing for those wanting to experience one of London’s most celebrated roasts without the full price tag.
Perfect Pairings: Recommended Pre/Post-Meal Activities
Creating the perfect day in London often involves combining great food with nearby attractions. After enjoying Roast Restaurant’s offerings, spend time exploring Borough Market’s food stalls and artisanal shops for culinary souvenirs. The restaurant’s location directly above the market creates a natural pairing of experiences.
Hawksmoor Borough and Tate Modern make an ideal cultural and culinary combination, with the restaurant’s express menu designed specifically with gallery visitors in mind. The short walk between these locations means you can easily fit both into a half-day itinerary while exploring central London landmarks.
The Devonshire in Soho provides the perfect refueling stop during a shopping expedition around Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street. Similarly, The Builders Arms offers a welcome respite after touring Kensington Palace and its gardens, while Barge East pairs wonderfully with walks around the Olympic Park and its striking architecture.
For museum enthusiasts, Fowl’s proximity to the British Museum makes it an excellent lunch option during a day of historical exploration. Many of these restaurants near popular attractions offer special early or late dining options specifically designed to complement sightseeing schedules.
Sources
menshealth.com – One Pan Roast Dinner
bbcgoodfood.com – Best Family One Pan Roast Recipes
standard.co.uk – Best Sunday Roast London Restaurants The Devonshire