One of ‘Britain’s best Sunday roasts’ is rustled up by an Italian pizzeria, according to a study. The meal typically involving roast beef, crispy roast potatoes, mounds of veg and gravy is usually the preserve of pubs and restaurants.
But Fifi’s Pizzeria in Kent is grabbing a slice of the quintessentially British action by ranking fifth in a nationwide survey to track down who’s serving the perfect roast. tombola investigated hundreds of the top five eateries for ‘best roast beef’.
Starting with Tripadvisor’s top five highest-rated results for ‘best roast beef’ main meals in each English county, each contender was scored based on a mix of key criteria. Considering factors including popularity, cost and variety, with bonus points awarded where Yorkshire puddings are served as standard, the study uncovers who serves up the best roast.
Crowned the ultimate roast dinner experience is Loxley’s Restaurant and Wine Bar in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, that was awarded a 75/100 rating. With a glowing reputation backed by more than 6,500 TripAdvisor reviews, and an impressive average rating of 4.5 or higher, it’s no surprise this eatery has diners raving.
Not only does it taste good but it’s good for foodies’ wallets too as both meat and veg roast options cost £15.95.
Snapping at its heels is The Masons Arms, Morpeth, Northumberland, scoring 69, with The Fox at Peasemore, Newbury, Berkshire, in third place scoring 68.
All bar one of the top 10 spots to scoff the best Sunday roast are, somewhat predictably, pubs and restaurants.
However an Italian pizzeria is delighting diners’ stomachs in Maidstone, Kent, by serving up fabulous British fare and hitting the rankings in fifth place with a score of 66.
The pizzeria boasted one of the survey’s highest TripAdvisor ratings despite only finishing fifth, with more than 2,000 delighted customers giving their roast a flawless 5/5 score.
Two restaurants with the exact same name, The Mason Arms, landed in the top five, despite being more than 220 miles apart.
There wasn’t much between the two with the first, ranking second in the list, scoring 69 while the other snuck into fourth place with a score of 67. Nine of the 240 restaurants featured were unnamed or reference The Red Lion while seven pubs included the word ‘Plough’.
While most roast dinner spots (77%) are catering to vegetarians with options like nut roasts or mushroom wellington, it’s worth noting that nearly a quarter (23%) didn’t offer diners a vegetarian roast option. One thing that nearly every roast dinner has in common is the inclusion of humble Yorkshire pudding.
A whopping 95% of restaurants included this crispy, golden favourite as a standard part of their roast dinners. The survey also revealed that the average price of a roast dinner in England is £19.08 per person.
When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck, The Woodmans Arms in Wootton, Isle of Wight (4.5 stars), takes the crown for the cheapest roast in the country. The eatery serves a hearty roast beef dinner complete with a Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings for just £10 a head.
At the other end of the scale is Bread Street Kitchen in London that delivers the nation’s priciest roast at £33.50 per person – a whopping £23.50 more than at The Woodmans Arms. At an average review of 4 stars, (0.5 lower than The Woodman’s Arms) it seems that paying more doesn’t always get you a better roast dinner experience.
tombola’s award-winning chef Mike Wilson has shared his advice on finding the perfect roast dinner spot near you. Mike said: “As a chef I believe choosing the best spot for a roast dinner is all about the details.
“Look for a place that considers its offering and service – where the meat is perfectly seasoned with a golden, crackling crust, and there are ample options for dietary requirements. Check that the sides aren’t afterthoughts – buttery, fluffy potatoes, vegetables that are vibrant and crisp, and Yorkshire puddings that puff up just right.
“Don’t forget the gravy – it should be rich, deeply flavoured, and a little indulgent. A great roast dinner is a balance of great flavours, top-notch service and value for money. If they get that right, you’re in for a treat.
“The average cost of a roast dinner in England was found to be £19.08 – a small price to pay for a slice of Sunday heaven.”
Samantha Wilcox, organic manager at tombola, said: “The classic roast dinner is a hallmark of English cuisine, with the best places being an ongoing debate among Brits. Our research highlights that some of the finest and best value roast dinners are spread out across the whole country, with fantastic gems hidden in all corners of England.
“Whether your favourite Sunday dinner of choice is chicken, beef, pork, or a vegetarian option, our hope is to have pinpointed the best roast dinners all over the country.
“As we find ourselves in the midst of roast dinner season, it’s now the perfect time to get together with friends and family and enjoy a delicious Sunday roast.”
TOP 10 ROAST DINNERS SPOTS IN ENGLAND (SCORE OUT OF 100)
1. Loxley’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire – 75
2. The Masons Arms, Morpeth, Northumberland – 69
3. The Fox at Peasemore, Newbury, Berkshire – 68
4. The Masons Arms, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire – 67
5. Fifi’s Pizzeria, Maidstone, Kent – 66
6. The Fortescue Arms, Totnes, Devon – 65
7. The Railway, Liverpool, Merseyside – 60
8. The Green Tree, Durham – 60
9. The Lamb and Flag Welney, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire – 59
10. The Corner House, Canterbury, Kent – 58