The Ultimate Roast: Where to spend Sunday Lunch in Cardiff

Friday, 19 January 2024

The perfect Sunday roast, is ideal for bringing people together and featuring quality, locally sourced produce, perfect for those feeling a little weary from the night before.

Whether your ideal roast is crowned by turkey, tender roasted beef or a flavourful nut roast, find what you’re craving at some of Cardiff’s top Sunday lunch spots.

RIGHT IN THE CENTRE

In the heart of our city centre, find plenty of places that’ll keep you well-fed for exploring the many delights of the heart of the Welsh capital.

1. THE WELSH HOUSE

High Street, CF10 1AW

Backed by four former Welsh rugby and Lions players, this city centre venue promises quality, hearty food that’s not pretentious and locally sourced within Wales. Enjoy slow roast pork belly, beef topside, Pembrokeshire turkey and mutton shoulder as a family sharer platter with all the trimmings.

2. DAFFODIL

Windsor Place, CF10 3BZ

Reasonably priced fine dining with a hidden garden area, just off Queen Street, the Daffodil promises a quality family Sunday roast, dished up with duck fat roasties, leeks baked with smoked cheese, seasonal vegetables and gravy. Dishes include pork loin with crackling and lemon and thyme marinated half chicken.

3. BAR 44

Westgate Street, CF10 1DD

A distinctive Spanish take on the British classic, full on flavour is on the menu at this tapas bar. Designed for two to share, chose from Hereford beef or Duroc pork belly for your Sunday roast platter, that are accompanied with Manchego cauliflower cheese, jamon fat roasties and chorizo Yorkshires. Celeriac steak headlines the vegetarian alternative.

4. POTTED PIG

High Street, CF10 1PU

Bank vault turned restaurant and gin lounge, serving modern, flavourful British dishes, with care and portions that satisfy. Their Sunday roast features braised beef brisket and Glamorgan sausages as part of its offering, dished up with roasties, a selection of veg, Yorkshires and ‘proper’ gravy.

5. THE CORNER HOUSE

Caroline Street, CF10 1FF

A stylish but homely public house in the heart of the city centre, with the buzz of the capital as the bar’s backdrop. The roast menu offers a Duo of Beef, with boneless beef rib alongside aged sirloin; a flavour bursting Fig and Dolcelatte Roast and others, all with roasties, sauteed greens, root veg, Yorkshires and gravy. For those feeling something different, a full menu is still served with dishes such as King Prawn, Crab and Chorizo Linguine.

6. THE BLUE BELL

High Street, CF10 IPU

One of our oldest pubs, almost on the doorstep of Cardiff Castle, has stood proud since 1813. Expect a hearty and budget friendly Sunday lunch served by friendly staff in a traditional Welsh pub. Choose Roast Beef or Half Chicken which both come with roasties, baked leeks, Welsh honey parsnips and all your regular veg accompaniments.

A SHORT STROLL

There’s a lot more to Cardiff than our city centre so we’ve ventured a little wider to find some of the best haunts in our neighbourhoods to the popular Pontcanna, that’s made a name for itself as a foodie hub and quarter of independent venues.

7. BREWHOUSE & KITCHEN

Sophia Close, Pontcanna, CF11 9HW

Idyllically placed within the beautiful Sophia Gardens, with a terrace great for watching the world goes by, craft beer gastropub B&K is nothing if not multifunctional. Highlights on their Sunday roast menu include a half British beer can chicken, butternut squash and lentil filo parcel and a three-meat roast – all generously served with roasties, seasonal vegetables, homemade Yorkshires and rich gravy.

8. THE PONTCANNA INN

Cathedral Road, Pontcanna, CF11 9LL

A cosy venue in the centre of Cathedral Road, the pub with rooms (cosy bedrooms on top of a welcoming pub) has built up a reputation for quality hearty food. Highlights on their Sunday roast menu include a Leg of Lamb or Mushroom and Cashew Nut Wellington, both served with roasties, all the veg, Yorkshires and red wine gravy. Or try one of their other Sunday dishes, such as the Korean Chicken Burger with chips and slaw.

9. THE CRICKETERS

Cathedral Road, Pontcanna, CF11 9LL

Promising one of the warmest welcomes in the heart of Pontcanna, this pub and restaurant is known for quality dishes and a range of ales. Their roast sharing board is perfect for couples, with a trio of meat, array of vegetables, pigs in blankets, Yorkshires and gravy.

ESCAPE THE CITY

It’s time to explore a little further and find some of the best Sunday dining destinations, a small ride away from the city centre.

10. PLYMOUTH ARMS

St Fagans, CF5 6DU

The Plymouth has the feel of a country pub despite being a short drive from the city. Arguably an ideal place to enjoy a scenic Sunday roast, their menu features Turkey Breast with maple bacon crumb, Candied Vegetable Roast with pumpkin seeds alongside others; and other dishes on offer include a 10-oz rib eye with triple cooked chips and southern fried onions.

11. QUILL & QUOTE AT THE THACKERAY

Newport Road, Rumney, CF3 4FB

A few miles east of the centre, this public house focuses on serving up a refined but relaxed Sunday dining experience. A menu with something for everyone, Slow Roasted Belly Pork and Roast Turkey make an appearance alongside fine beans, carrots, parsnips, cabbage, roasties and Yorkshires. Also worth a try is their Cod Fillet with parsley sauce, veg and new potatoes.

12. SOCIETY STANDARD

Whitchurch Road, Cathays, CF14 3JP

Anything but standard is the promise

WANT IT ALL & WANT IT NOW

If we’ve tantalised your tastebuds, so much that you can’t wait for Sunday, why not help yourself to a midweek carvery.

12. COOPERS CARVERY

Cowbridge Road West, Caerau, CF5 5TF

Driving into Cardiff from the west and you’ll encounter Coopers, a cosy pub serving carvery and plating classic pub dishes throughout the week. Walk in and you’ll be served a generous portion of Beef, Turkey or Honey Roasted Ham (or all three) on your choice of a small, regular or large plate and help yourself to leeks, carrots, mash, peas, stuffing, gravy and sauces.

13. CEDAR TREE FARM

Ferry Road, Grangetown, CF11 0JR

Alongside an impressive menu, for those pondering a pie, plant-based dish or other pub classic; on Sundays and throughout the week, this carvery serves up a trio of slow-cooked meat to choose from on a small, large or ultimate plate, with fluffy Yorkshires, crispy roasties, with a selection of vegetables, gravies and sauces.

If we’ve got your stomach growling, then take a read of our Restaurants section.