10 Best Sunday Roasts in Edinburgh (2026)
The 10 best places for Sunday roast in Edinburgh, from a gastropub near Haymarket that people cross the city for, to a Bavarian beer hall with live music and lava stone steaks the rest of the week.
Best Sunday Roasts in Edinburgh
Edinburgh does Sunday roasts differently from the rest of the UK. Maybe it is the Scottish influence on the ingredients (beef from Borders farms, venison when you are lucky, haggis as a side if the kitchen is feeling patriotic), or maybe it is the simple fact that a city built on volcanic rock and battered by North Sea winds has always needed a good reason to stay indoors on a Sunday afternoon. Whatever the reason, the Sunday roast scene here has quietly become one of the best in Britain.
The interesting thing about Edinburgh’s roast culture is that it is split between two very different camps. On one side you have the traditional gastropubs, places like Old Pal near Haymarket and The Palmerston in the West End, where the roast is a weekly ritual and regulars book their usual table by Wednesday. On the other side you have the newer restaurants, Hawksmoor on West Register Street and Kyloe at The Rutland Hotel, that treat the Sunday roast as a premium dining event with tableside carving and unlimited sides. Both approaches are worth your time, depending on whether you want a cozy pub afternoon or something more polished.
One thing to know: Edinburgh’s best roasts sell out. This is not London, where you can wander into a pub at 2pm and still find beef. The city is smaller, the good kitchens are fewer, and word travels fast. If you want a roast at any of the places below, book ahead. Thursday is usually the cutoff for weekend reservations at the popular spots.
1. Old Pal Bar and Kitchen
This is the one that comes up first when you ask Edinburgh locals where to go for a Sunday roast, and for good reason. Old Pal sits on West Maitland Street near Haymarket, in that stretch between the train station and the West End that most tourists walk straight past. The bar itself is a good-looking space with a kitchen that punches well above what you would expect from a neighbourhood pub. Cocktails are excellent (try the Old Pal’s Old Pal, their house signature), but on Sundays the food is the main event. The roast is the kind that inspires loyalty. People cross Edinburgh for it. Reviewers mention it specifically as their reason for returning, which is unusual. Most pub roasts get a passing mention; this one gets dedicated praise. The sides are generous, the meat is cooked with real care, and the atmosphere on a Sunday is exactly right: warm, unhurried, the kind of afternoon where one drink turns into three. Book by Thursday. They do not have a huge dining area and walk-ins almost never get a table on Sundays.
Old Pal Bar and Kitchen
- Sunday roast that people specifically return for week after week
- Exceptional cocktails to pair with your meal
- Warm, inviting atmosphere in a neighbourhood bar setting
Book by Thursday for Sunday. The roast sells out every week and walk-ins rarely get a table.
"Old Pal has quickly become a favourite for locals. Exceptional food, fantastic cocktails, and a Sunday roast that people return for specifically."
2. The Palmerston
Around the corner from Old Pal, The Palmerston occupies a handsome corner building on Palmerston Place. This is a proper gastropub in the best sense: locally sourced ingredients, a menu that changes with the seasons, and a kitchen that takes its time getting things right. The slow-roast pork loin is regularly mentioned in reviews, and the lamb is sourced from Scottish farms when it is in season. The desserts are worth saving room for. Malt ice cream with honeycomb is the one that keeps appearing in reviews, and it is exactly as good as it sounds. The bar selection is thoughtful too, with well-crafted cocktails that would not be out of place in a dedicated cocktail bar. What makes The Palmerston work as a Sunday roast destination is the vibe. It is relaxed without being sloppy, attentive without being fussy. The kind of place where the staff remember what you ordered last time. Make a reservation. Walk-ins can be turned away, particularly on weekends.
The Palmerston
- Slow-roast pork loin and locally sourced lamb that changes with the season
- Unpretentious gastropub atmosphere with well-crafted cocktails
- Accommodates dietary restrictions well
Make reservations in advance as walk-ins may not be accommodated
"The Palmerston is a charming and rustic restaurant that offers delicious food with a comfortable atmosphere. Reviewers raved about the goat dish, tender squid, slow-roast pork loin, and delightful desserts like malt ice cream with honeycomb."
3. Brewhemia
A Bavarian-style beer hall in the arches beneath Waverley Bridge might not be the first place you think of for a Sunday roast, but Brewhemia has built a loyal following for theirs. The space is enormous, all high ceilings and stylish decor, and on Sundays the live music programme adds an energy that most roast spots lack. The roast itself is solid pub-standard fare with a European twist; think generous portions, proper Yorkshire puddings, and good gravy. During the rest of the week Brewhemia is known for their interactive dining (you cook your own steak on a volcanic lava stone at your table, which is either brilliant fun or deeply stressful depending on your personality), so the kitchen knows its way around good meat. The location right by Waverley Station makes this an easy pick if you are visiting Edinburgh for the weekend and want a roast before catching the train home. It gets busy but the sheer size of the place means walk-ins have a better chance here than at smaller pubs.
Brewhemia
- Sunday roast in a Bavarian beer hall setting with live music
- Cook-your-own steak on a lava stone the rest of the week
- Central location right by Waverley Station
Go early on Sundays. The roast is popular and the best cuts go first.
"Brewhemia offers a unique dining experience with delicious food and friendly service. Guests enjoyed the interactive steak on a hot lava stone, salted cod, cheese fondue, and Sunday roast. Live music from talented artists adds to the atmosphere."
4. The Auld Hundred
Rose Street is Edinburgh’s other drinking street, running parallel to Princes Street but a world away from the chain shops above. The Auld Hundred sits at number 100 (hence the name), and it has been doing traditional Scottish pub food for long enough to have figured out exactly what works. Haggis, neeps and tatties are always on the menu, and the fish and chips get regular praise, but on Sundays the roast is the reason to come. This is a traditional British roast done well rather than reinvented: good meat, proper gravy, vegetables that have not been boiled into oblivion. The space is cozy and the service is efficient, which is what you want from a pub on a Sunday. Portions are generous. Prices are fair for the location. Rated 4.5 on both Google and TripAdvisor, which is consistent enough to trust. If you want a classic pub roast in the city centre without paying West End prices, this is the one.
The Auld Hundred
- Traditional Scottish dishes including haggis, neeps and tatties
- Classic British pub food done properly with a modern edge
- Cozy ambience with efficient service on Rose Street
Make reservations in advance or be prepared to wait for seating
"The Auld Hundred is a highly recommended gastro pub in Edinburgh, known for its cozy ambience, efficient service, and delicious traditional Scottish dishes."
5. The Dome
If you want your Sunday roast to feel like an event, The Dome on George Street is the place. This is a former bank building with soaring Corinthian columns, an ornate domed ceiling, and the kind of theatrical grandeur that makes every meal feel like a special occasion. The food is good. Not the best on this list, but good, and the setting more than compensates. The haggis is well reviewed, the pork belly comes up frequently in positive reviews, and the British-European menu changes seasonally. Sunday lunch here is less about the roast specifically and more about the whole experience: sitting under that dome with a cocktail, working through a proper three-course meal, maybe extending into afternoon tea if the afternoon stretches on. Service is professional and attentive. The downside is that you are paying for the room as much as the food. Price level sits at the higher end, around the 3 mark, and portions are refined rather than generous. Book well ahead, particularly during festival season and from October through January when the Christmas decorations draw crowds from across the country.
The Dome
- Sunday lunch in a stunning former bank building with a grand dome ceiling
- High-quality British dishes including excellent haggis and pork belly
- Afternoon tea and cocktails if you want to extend the afternoon
Book a table in advance. The main dining room under the dome is the one you want, not the bar area.
"Reviewers consistently praise The Dome's absolutely stunning interior and magical atmosphere. The food quality is generally excellent, with specific mentions of delicious haggis, pork belly, and the coronation chicken sandwich."
6. Nobles by Bellfield
Leith has changed enormously over the past decade, but Nobles is one of the pubs that connects the old neighbourhood to the new. The building itself is historic, and the Bellfield team have been careful to preserve the original character while adding 15 beers on tap (including their own brews) and a food menu that takes pub grub seriously. The bacon sandwich at brunch is legendary in Leith, and the Sunday offering follows the same philosophy: good ingredients, cooked simply, served without pretension. What makes Nobles stand out as a Sunday destination is the combination of excellent beer and proper food. Most Edinburgh pubs do one or the other well; Nobles does both. The staff are warm, the decor pays homage to Leith’s maritime history, and the atmosphere on a lazy Sunday is exactly what you want after a morning walk along the Shore. It is a 10-minute walk from the Scottish Government building at the foot of the Royal Mile, which makes it an easy detour if you are exploring that end of town.
Nobles by Bellfield
- Old-world pub with a modern twist and 15 beers on tap
- Delicious brunch and pub food cooked to perfection
- Historic Leith pub that honours the neighbourhood's character
Try their signature brews that pair perfectly with their fresh all-day menu
"Nobles by Bellfield preserves the historic charm of the pub while offering 15 beers on tap, delicious brunch, and a welcoming atmosphere. The bacon sandwich and brunch cocktails are highlights."
7. The Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage
This is the wildcard on the list, and it is not a traditional Sunday roast in any sense. The Lookout is a glass-box restaurant perched on Calton Hill, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the city skyline and the Firth of Forth. The menu is modern British with a strong focus on seasonal Scottish produce, and the Sunday lunch set menu is where the value is. The portions are smaller than pub-sized (some reviewers mention this), and the approach is more refined than roast-and-gravy, but what you get is beautifully presented food made from excellent ingredients. If your idea of a great Sunday involves a short hike up Calton Hill followed by a long lunch with a view that stretches to Fife, this is your place. It is connected to The Gardener’s Cottage, the original restaurant down the hill, which has its own devoted following. The rating (4.1) is lower than others on this list, and that is mostly down to price-to-portion complaints rather than food quality. Book ahead for a window table.
The Lookout by Gardener's Cottage
- Spectacular panoramic views of Edinburgh from Calton Hill
- Modern British seasonal dishes with locally sourced ingredients
- Intimate glass-box dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows
Reservations are recommended due to limited seating. The lunch set menu is the best value.
"The Lookout by Gardener's Cottage offers a unique dining experience with exceptional views of Edinburgh. The lunch set menu was described as marvellous, with attentive staff providing excellent service."
8. The Lioness of Leith
A Victorian-style pub on Duke Street with modern art on the walls, a pinball machine in the corner, and Andy Warhol-inspired prints dotted around the room. The Lioness is Leith’s answer to the question of what happens when you let creative people run a pub. The burgers get the most attention (the mac and cheese topped burger is the one to order), but the Sunday menu is a proper sit-down affair that benefits from the same kitchen. The atmosphere is dark and cozy in the best possible way. Service is friendly. Prices are reasonable, especially if you get there before 4pm when fries come free with your meal. It is not the most refined roast on this list, but the portions are honest, the beer selection is good, and it is the kind of place where a Sunday lunch can easily drift into a Sunday evening without anyone minding. Combine it with a walk along Leith Links beforehand and you have got yourself a proper Edinburgh Sunday.
The Lioness of Leith
- Victorian-style pub with modern art and designer touches
- Excellent burgers and pub grub in a cozy Leith setting
- Good selection of cocktails and beers at reasonable prices
Visit before 4pm to enjoy free fries with your meal for good value
"The Lioness of Leith is a casual and fun pub known for its excellent burgers, cozy Scottish pub vibe, and friendly staff. The homemade hamburgers are exceptional and value for money before 4pm."
9. The Finch
A 5.0-rated pub in Leith, which for a place that opened its doors originally in the late 1890s, is saying something. The Finch is a refurbished neighbourhood bar on Bath Road that has kept its original features while adding a beer garden out the side and an extensive whisky selection behind the bar. It is an independent pub run by its owners, and that personal touch is what pushes it above the chain pubs and themed bars that fill Edinburgh’s centre. The Sunday food offering leans traditional, and the prices are some of the most reasonable on this list. The whisky range is deep enough that you could spend the entire afternoon working through it, and the beer on tap rotates regularly. The downside: it is a bit further out in Leith than the other pubs on this list, past the Shore and toward Leith Links. But if you are already exploring Leith (and you should be), The Finch is the perfect Sunday stop.
The Finch - Neighbourhood Bar
- Refurbished 1890s pub with preserved original features
- Extensive whisky selection and lovely beer garden
- Independent Leith pub with friendly owners and reasonable prices
Visit during off-peak hours for a more relaxed experience
"The Finch has preserved the historic charm of this late-1890s pub while adding a lovely beer garden. Great whisky selection, reasonable prices, and friendly owners."
10. Dublin Street Fox
Tucked into a basement on Dublin Street in the New Town, the Fox is the kind of bar that locals keep to themselves. It does not have a permanent Sunday roast on the menu every week; instead, the food offering rotates, and the roast appears as a special that you will want to check their social media for. When it is on, it is very good. When it is not, the regular menu and the cocktails more than justify the trip. The 4.8 rating on Google reflects the consistency of the drinks and the warmth of the service rather than the food alone. This is a small, intimate space with a loyal neighbourhood following, and that is exactly the point. If you want a guaranteed roast, go to Old Pal. If you want to take a chance on something special in a basement bar where the bartenders know your name by your second visit, the Fox is the play.
Dublin Street Fox
Check their social media for Sunday specials. The menu rotates and the roast isn't always on.
Other Sunday Roasts Worth Knowing About
Three places that did not make the main list but deserve a mention. Hawksmoor on West Register Street does a premium Sunday roast with dry-aged rump (£27) or sirloin (£32), served with beef dripping roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and bone marrow gravy in a stunning former banking hall. Kyloe at The Rutland Hotel does sharing roasts carved tableside, starting at £30 per head, with views of Edinburgh Castle and unlimited sides. Bookings must be made by Friday at 4pm. And The Broughton Bar on Broughton Street has a Sunday roast that was named in the UK’s top 30, which is worth investigating if you are staying in the east end of the New Town.
How to Plan Your Sunday Roast Day in Edinburgh
The best approach depends on where you are staying. If you are in the city centre or New Town, The Auld Hundred and The Dome are walkable from most hotels, and Brewhemia is right next to Waverley Station. If you are in the West End or near Haymarket, Old Pal and The Palmerston are within a few minutes of each other, so you could try one and have drinks at the other.
Leith is the better bet if you want to make a full afternoon of it. Walk down from the city centre along Leith Walk (about 25 minutes), stop at Nobles or The Lioness for your roast, then wander along the Shore for post-lunch drinks at one of the waterfront bars. If the weather is good, The Finch has that beer garden.
For the best experience, book your roast spot for 1pm. That gives you time for a morning walk (Arthur’s Seat if you are feeling ambitious, the Water of Leith if you are not) and still gets you fed before the best cuts sell out. If you are combining your Sunday with other Edinburgh sightseeing, check out our best restaurants guide for dinner options and our best pubs guide for where to carry on drinking after your roast.
A few practical notes: most of these places stop serving roast between 4pm and 5pm, or whenever the kitchen runs out. Beef goes first, then pork, then chicken. Vegetarian and vegan options are increasingly common but not universal; call ahead if you need one. And if you are visiting during the Edinburgh Festival in August, book even earlier than usual. Every table in the city fills up during those three weeks.
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