Sunday Roast is a staple of any good British weekend culinary circuit. Many of us prefer to try our hands at perfecting the famous dish, from succulent roasted meats to the evasively difficult-to-make roast potato. However, nothing beats heading to a great pub or restaurant with friends or family to guarantee a roast dinner’s quality. Exeter has its fair share of fantastic pubs and restaurants specialising in the Sunday Roast. Here are our favourites.
Double Locks
Situated on the banks of Exeter’s famous ship canal, overlooking a beautiful expanse of water, Double Locks used to be somewhat of a word-of-mouth gem. These days, however, the pub’s reputation precedes it. A favourite of locals to the city and its surrounding countryside, this charming pub boasts stunning views from its massive beer garden and makes one of the best Sunday Roasts in Devon. With a fine selection of local ales, beers, and wines to accompany their mouth-watering roast dinners, a walk along the canal to Double Locks ought to be a right of passage for any local or visitor to Exeter on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Location: Double Locks, Canal Banks, Exeter, EX2 6LT
The Fat Pig
The Fat Pig has forged quite a reputation for itself over the years and for good reason. The pub’s Sunday Roasts are the stuff of legend, while its cosy interiors make the perfect setting for a warm and memorable time dining out with friends or family. The pub is proud of its low-waste mentality and adheres to a strict ethos of championing local produce and small businesses to bring the very best in locally sourced food, beers, and wines. The pub serves spectacular roast dinners from 12- 3 p.m. every Sunday afternoon, and with their lunch menu in high demand, it’s well worth reserving a table in advance to avoid disappointment.
Location: 2 John St, Exeter, EX1 1BL
The Old Firehouse
Part bar, part pub, part restaurant, The Old Firehouse is a bonafide Exeter institution and is a stylish haunt for locals, students, and visitors to the city alike. Famous on weekdays for its deep pan square pizzas, The Old Firehouse also whips up a stunning Roast Dinner on a Sunday. The pub is as renowned for its great atmosphere and drinks menu as it is for its food with local brewers stocking many a keg of delicious beer or ale behind the bar. The Old Firehouse is always popular, especially on a Sunday afternoon, so if it’s a roast you’re after, plan ahead and reserve a table in good time to avoid disappointment.
Location: 50 New North Road, Exeter, EX4 4EP
Ship Inn
Exeter’s historic old buildings sit in perfect harmony alongside its plethora of sleek contemporary architecture. Situated inside a Tudor building, the Ship Inn is a very traditional landmark to indulge in one of this country’s most traditional dishes: the Sunday Roast. Thankfully, tradition is not lost on the Ship Inn, and they have mastered the roast dinner to perfection. Famous historical faces such as Sir Francis Drake used to frequent this timeless pub and after enjoying their famous roast, you’ll undoubtedly be making a habit of returning to this historical watering hole.
Location: Martin Lane, Exeter, EX1 1EY
Mill On The Exe
The winding, idyllic River Exe is the perfect place to sit beside and enjoy a Sunday Roast, and Mill On The Exe has you covered when it comes to a picturesque setting married with fantastic cooking. The pub is a welcoming sight upon entering the city’s famous quay and is perfectly situated for a walk along Exeter’s canal. Mill On The Exe’s menu is a no-nonsense affair when it comes to Roast Dinner perfection, with a variety of meats on offer, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. The pub is popular and busy on Sundays, so booking ahead is advised to avoid disappointment.
Location: Bonhay Road, Exeter, EX4 3AB
The Half Moon Inn
Situated in the Clyst St Mary, just outside of Exeter, The Half Moon Inn is a charming Devon pub with an emphasis on fresh cooking using locally sourced ingredients. The pub is as warm and hospitable as it gets, while the roast dinners on offer make it well worth the trip into the suburbs to enjoy a lunch out with friends or family. With a lovely beer garden for sunnier days, this pub is extremely popular with locals and those travelling into the city from the neighbouring countryside, so booking in advance is essential.
Location: Frog Ln, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1BR
The Last Drop
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Gastro pubs don’t get much more delectable than The Last Drop, formerly Oddfellows Bar. With its unparalleled menu of locally sourced dishes and drinks, this pub is making a name for itself amongst a host of established restaurants in Exeter. The interior design is as considered as its roast dinners at The Last Drop, with stripped wood flooring, dado panelling, and a first-floor cocktail lounge to boot. The roast dinners served at The Last Drop are guaranteed to make your jaw drop and your set your tongue wagging. Book well in advance to avoid disappointment as tables get reserved quickly on a Sunday.
Location: 60 New Rd, Exeter, EX4 4EP