New research has officially declared Islington the undisputed champion for a Sunday roast in London, seeing off competition from across the capital. The north London borough secured the top spot thanks to its high concentration of top-rated venues and exceptional customer reviews.
The Borough Battle: Who Roasts Best?
The study, conducted by Barratt London, meticulously analysed venues, ratings, and roast-specific reviews across every London borough. Islington emerged victorious with an overall score of 95, propelled by its 29 highly-rated roast spots and a glowing sentiment score of 93. The result will come as little shock to locals familiar with the legendary queues outside Upper Street's gastropubs.
Securing second place was Greenwich, which actually pipped Islington on sentiment with a score of 96. Its picturesque riverside pubs and historic charm provide a classic setting for a leisurely Sunday lunch. Newham took third place, boasting the highest number of top-rated venues at 36, which compensated for a lower sentiment score of 84, giving it an overall rating of 91.
Other boroughs rounding out the top ten included Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets, and Hackney, highlighting the capital's extensive and high-quality offerings for this beloved British tradition.
London's Top Roast Pubs Revealed
Beyond borough rankings, the research pinpointed the individual pubs Londoners rate most highly. The Alma in Wandsworth leads for traditional roasts with a near-perfect score of 98.4, offering classic meats and sharing platters from £22.
In second place is The Guildford Arms in Greenwich (96.8), followed closely by Islington's own The Pig and Butcher (96.2), renowned for its whole-animal butchery. Islington's dominance continued with The Drapers Arms and Fox & Anchor also making the top five.
For vegetarian options, Islington swept the board again. The Albion claimed the crown for London's best veggie roast with an astonishing 99.9 sentiment score, largely due to its famed butternut squash and chickpea wellington. The Old Queen's Head and The Sun of Camberwell completed the top three.
The Great Roast Debate: Trimmings Tensions
The research also uncovered divisive opinions on what constitutes a proper roast. While roast potatoes (76%) and Yorkshire puddings (51%) were deemed essential by most, cauliflower cheese proved controversial, with one in five Brits insisting it has no place on the plate. Sweetcorn, Brussels sprouts, and swede also sparked debate.
With online searches for "London roast" soaring by 51% in the last quarter alone, Islington's coronation as the capital's roast royalty is perfectly timed. Whether you crave a legendary vegetarian wellington or a towering plate of meat and gravy, the borough has firmly established itself as the premier destination for this quintessential British meal.
