The Best Places for Sunday Lunch in Chester: Your 2025 Roast Guide
There’s nothing quite like a Sunday roast: comforting, hearty, and perfect for catching up with friends and family. Chester is blessed with a brilliant choice of places to enjoy your roast—from riverside pubs to fine dining restaurants. Whether you want Yorkshire puddings with a view, live acoustic sets, or a traditional carvery, here’s our hand-picked guide to the best Sunday lunch spots in Chester this year.
🍽 1. The Forge Restaurant
Tucked away near the Roman walls, The Forge combines sophisticated surroundings with a deep respect for local and wild produce. Their Sunday roast features carefully aged meats roasted over a beech-wood fire, seasonal vegetables, rich jus, and pillowy Yorkshire puddings.
Every Sunday from 1pm to 8:30pm, indulge in a delightful culinary experience featuring locally produced food and their signature unparalleled service.
Their traditional roasts, including beef, chicken, and pork, are served as a sharing board in the middle of your table, perfect for family-style dining. Each roast comes with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, and gravy. Fish and vegetarian alternatives are also available for a variety of palates.
Kids Eat Free
Make Sundays extra special at The Forge… children under 12 eat free with every adult who order a main course. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a relaxed family lunch without stretching the budget.
🥩 2. Upstairs at The Grill
Famous for steak and sleek Manhattan-inspired interiors, Upstairs at The Grill offers a Sunday roast that’s perfect for carnivores. Expect locally sourced beef or chicken with giant Yorkshires, crisp roast potatoes, confit carrot, sticky braised cabbage, roast onion cream and beef jus. Served from midday to 6 pm, it’s a relaxed but upscale option right in the city centre.
🍷 3. Opera Grill
For something a little theatrical, Opera Grill serves Sunday lunch in its grand neoclassical building on Pepper Street. Alongside your roast, you might enjoy live gospel choir performances, premium cocktails, and an atmosphere that feels truly special. Great for celebrations or making an ordinary Sunday feel extraordinary.
🌿 4. Chez Jules
An independent French bistro known for warm service and rustic charm, Chez Jules offers a classic roast with seasonal veggies, rich gravy, and soft baguette starters. Perfect for those who like continental flair with their British tradition. Their desserts—think tarte au citron or rich chocolate mousse—are worth saving room for.
🐶 5. The Cornerhouse
A laid-back city-centre pub with an inclusive approach: you’ll find roast beef, pork, or lamb, plus a vegetarian nut roast, and even a “doggy roast” so your four-legged friend isn’t left out. Big portions, friendly staff, and craft beers make it ideal for a sociable Sunday.
🎸 6. Six One Six
Pair your roast with live acoustic music every Sunday at Six One Six. Their “Stripped Back Sundays” event creates a buzzy, intimate vibe, perfect if you love entertainment with your meal. The roasts come with Yorkshire puddings, seasonal veg, and crispy roasties.
☀️ 7. The Boathouse
For unbeatable riverside views, The Boathouse by the River Dee offers hearty roasts served in a relaxed nautical-themed pub. Unlimited gravy and Yorkshires add indulgence, and the outdoor beach hut-style booths make even chilly days feel special.
🍺 8. Ring O’ Bells (Christleton)
Just outside Chester, this stylish village gastropub offers a cosy glasshouse dining space flooded with natural light. Expect quality cuts, locally sourced veg, and a friendly atmosphere. It’s very popular—booking ahead is recommended, especially for larger groups.
🏰 9. Palm Court at Grosvenor Pulford Hotel
For a traditional carvery, Palm Court serves a classic three-meat roast carved fresh with fluffy Yorkshire puddings and all the trimmings. The elegant conservatory setting makes it feel both relaxed and refined, ideal for family gatherings.
🏡 10. Northgates
A relaxed, no-fuss spot known for its affordable, delicious Sunday roast. For around £14, you get a generous plateful, and dogs are welcome too. Northgates keeps things simple but tasty—and the friendly service keeps locals coming back.
🌟 Honorable Mentions
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The Coach House Inn – A Victorian inn with homely vibes and excellent roast beef.
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Telford’s Warehouse – A converted canal warehouse with live music, riverside views, and classic roasts.
✅ Quick Tips for the Perfect Sunday Lunch in Chester
| Tip | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | The best spots often sell out, especially between 1–3 pm. |
| Check live music times | Places like Opera Grill and Six One Six get busy around performance times. |
| Dog-friendly venues | The Boathouse, The Cornerhouse, and Northgates welcome well-behaved dogs. |
| Carvery vs plated roast | Decide if you prefer self-serve variety (Palm Court) or a plated chef’s roast (The Forge). |
🍽 Final thoughts
From chic bistros to riverside pubs and vibrant music venues, Chester has a Sunday roast to suit every taste and mood. Book your table, bring your appetite—and enjoy a classic British tradition, Chester-style.
🗺️ Find Your Perfect Sunday Lunch in Chester
We’ve hand‑picked some of Chester’s best Sunday roasts and mapped them for you — from riverside pubs to elegant city restaurants. Click the pins to explore what makes each spot special.
📍 Interactive map of the best Sunday lunches and roasts in Chester, curated by Visit Chester.
