The best Sunday roasts in Manchester

A proper Sunday roast is one of the great Manchester traditions, and the city does it better than most. Expect to pay £18–£24 for a full plate at the better spots, with vegetarian options always available and beef typically the standout. Book by Thursday for anywhere worth eating at - the best roasts are gone by Friday morning.

The Marble Arch Inn on Rochdale Road is the connoisseur's pick. Roasts run 12–6pm on Sundays, beef and pork are both excellent, the Yorkshires arrive crisp and proper, and they brew their own beer downstairs so the pairing is built in. Around £19 for a full plate. It's busy but they manage the room well.

Elnecot on Cutting Room Square in Ancoats is the more premium, modern take - smaller portions, more elegant plating, and a curated craft beer list. Expect £22+ and a more leisurely sitting. Better for a date than a hangover.

For a traditional sit-down roast at proper pub prices, Tib Street Tavern in the Northern Quarter does a reliable £16 plate with a free Yorkshire top-up. Less Instagram, more substance. The Crown & Kettle on Oldham Road also runs roasts on Sundays with cask ale at £3.80 - one of the best value combinations in town.

If you're in south Manchester, The Parlour in Chorlton and The Railway in Didsbury are both excellent and worth the tram ride. Both take bookings online and both will be full by 2pm. North side, The Marble Beer House in Chorlton (separate venue from the Inn) does a smaller but very high-quality roast.

A few tips: ask for extra gravy when you order (it always arrives faster), don't bother with a starter - the portions are huge - and if it's your first time at a place, order the beef. It's the dish every kitchen takes most seriously.