It was a tough job, but in the interests of research, we’ve scoured the pubs and restaurants of the North East to find the best place to have Sunday lunch. Whether you want a traditional roast or something a bit different, these are our top picks!
The Feathers Inn, Hedley on the Hill
A traditional family pub that makes you feel warm and cosy, it gives off Sunday vibes as soon as you walk in the door. Of course, there’s a roaring fireplace and, of course, they sell pub grub. But it’s the roast dinners that will really get your attention.
Made from local, seasonal ingredients, the menu is always subject to change. But generally, you can be assured of a healthy portion of meat that’s been cooked over a wood and charcoal firepit, along with the perfect roast potatoes, plenty of vegetables and cauliflower cheese. There’s Yorkshire puddings and horseradish sauce with beef or apple sauce with pork.
But if you prefer fish or a veggie option, there’s food for you too! And the starters and desserts are pretty impressive – there’s no chance you’ll walk away hungry!
The pub has been mentioned in many guides, including The Good Food Guide, The National Pub and Bar Awards and The Good Pub Guide. It sits at the heart of the community, hosting events like the Hedley Hill cycle race, Oktober Fest and the Village Pumpkin Trail. If you’re new to the area and looking to get to know the locals, this is the place to go! And if you’re just passing through, you’ll be greeted with just as much enthusiasm.
Run by Rhian and Helen, who have been at The Feathers Inn since 2007, this pub has been recommended by Jamie Oliver magazine too! And if you pop in on any other day of the week, you might be treated to baked goods, a pop-up pizzeria or a range of other delightful menu options. And the beer’s pretty good too!
The Cook and Barker Inn, Newton on the Moor
You’ll need a lie down after making your way through the three course Sunday lunch menu at The Cook and Barker Inn! Luckily, there is accommodation upstairs if you do feel the need to book a room until the sleepy fullness has passed!
Taking the traditional Sunday roast and turning it into something a little bit special, you have the choice of eight meat options, one fish and two vegetarian! Each menu choice is then presented in the best way for that main ingredient to shine.
The starters and dessert options are amazing too. Will you go for the classic Heritage Tomato and Mozzarella Bruschetta or the Local Crab and Lobster Bisque to start? And how will you finish? With Clotted Cream and Blueberry Meringue Roulade, perhaps? Or choose from one of the many other items on the menu. It is worth noting that the team can adjust the menu for dietary intolerances or preferences, but mention this when booking so the kitchen can prepare accordingly.
The pub itself is a traditional country inn that is often hired out for weddings or corporate events, so it is a charming place to spend your Sunday afternoon. Most of the ingredients for your lunch will come from Hope House Farm, just eight miles down the road from the inn. Sourcing their food locally helps reduce their environmental impact and ensures the freshest, in-season meals for the customer.
From the moment you walk through the door until you begrudgingly leave after your meal, you can expect a warm, welcoming atmosphere and wonderful service. Is this the Sunday lunch venue against which all others will be compared? It could be!
For those seeking an exciting alternative to the classic Sunday Roast, The Potted Lobster delivers with a vibrant, ever-changing specials board that showcases the finest seasonal seafood. Their passionate chefs take pride in using the freshest local produce from Northumberland, ensuring that every dish on our menu bursts with flavour and reflects the best of what each season has to offer.
From a comforting bowl of smoked haddock chowder to a sumptuous fish pie brimming with fresh seafood, or their renowned Hairy Bikers’ favourite fish and chips, there’s something to make every Sunday lunch a special occasion.
There are also options for those avoiding dairy and gluten, so no member of the family is ever left out. You can even take the dog, with dog friendly seating areas so that people can dine with their pets and areas for those who’d prefer to eat without any furry friends at their feet.
Sat in the middle of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with Bamburgh Castle in the background, The Potted Lobster fits right in with its surroundings. You can sit indoors where it’s warm, or outside and enjoy the view. And it’s the perfect place to stop after a long walk on the beach.
The Potted Lobster is a regular addition in the Michelin Guide. What started as a small bistro has expanded over the years, buoyed by an impressive reputation for superior quality food. They even sell gift cards, which make the best gift for absolutely anyone in your life. If you are looking for a Sunday lunch with a difference, without a carvery in sight, then this is the destination for you.
You might already be aware of The Broad Chare – it’s a regular recipient of the Michelin Bib Gourmand and a fixture on the Top 50 Gastro Pubs list. These accolades alone make it worthy of a visit, but we suggest you go at Sunday lunchtime.
This traditional ale house prides itself on staying close to its roots, and that goes for a good, old fashioned Sunday roast too. It’s only open from 12-5pm on Sundays, so you’ll have to book to guarantee your spot, but it’s well worth the effort. Choose from a generous helping of beef, pork or lamb, complemented with all the trimmings. You won’t find anything pretentious or fussy; this is proper pub grub done beautifully – exactly the kind of comfort food you want on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
But if you’d rather eat something different, the menu is extensive. You can have fish, steak or a big juicy burger if you’d rather. Starters and desserts are just as delicious, and even the bar snacks will make your mouth water. One thing’s for sure – you won’t be leaving hungry!
The upstairs dining room is rustic and cosy, with solid wood tables, making you feel as though you’re enjoying lunch in your own home. Head downstairs after your meal and you can choose from over 50 different beers from the equally charming bar. The wooden floors, high bar stools, painted brickwork and comfy leather banquettes all add to the homely charm. Despite their stellar reputation and list of awards, prices are fair and service is exemplary. This is a pub that you’ll want to return to every weekend.
Looking down on Telford Bridge is a charming three storey building that regularly draws admiring glances. If you’ve ever walked past and wondered whether it was worth stepping inside for a drink, we encourage you to do so. Make it on a Sunday and enjoy lunch too – you won’t be disappointed!
The Townhouse Bar and No.59 Restaurant is only open Thursday to Sunday, but on the last day of the weekend you know you’re in for a treat. This is a homage to Northumbrian culture, with traditional roasts that will make you feel good inside. Starters do a wonderful job of whetting your appetite, with classic prawn cocktails and goat’s cheese bon bons just two of the delightful offerings.
Roast dinner options are beef, chicken, pork or lamb, or a nut roast if you prefer to avoid meat. All are served with a perfect Yorkshire pudding, seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes and mashed potatoes (when there are two potato options on offer, you know you’ve hit the jackpot!).
There are then seven desserts to choose from, if you can fit it in after your palatial meal. Think you’ll be able to squeeze in a sticky toffee pudding or a pina colada panna cotta?
The Townhouse is a venue that focuses on the simplest service, ensuring that every detail is perfect, rather than trying to overcomplicate things or show-off. You know you’ll be fed well and looked after by the team, and with chef Graham Boyd leading the kitchen staff, your food will be incredible too.
And when you’ve finished your meal, if you can drag yourself out of your chair and over to the bar, you’ll find well stocked shelves, fridges and pumps, so you can relax while your food goes down, before finishing your day with a stroll along the river. Sounds like the perfect Sunday to us!
Newcastle’s only Michelin starred and AA rosette awarded restaurant is the only place to go for a proper posh roast dinner! Relaxed but super stylish, the venue is set in a restored Grade I listed 16th century town house. Downstairs is the bar, and upstairs is the restaurant with a large open fire bringing the cosy vibes, with beautiful views over the River Tyne.
As well as the aforementioned awards, House of Tides is also the proud recipient of many other restaurant accolades. It was listed 23rd in the The UK Top 100 National Restaurant Awards 2023, 54th in the “Square Meal” Top 100 Restaurants outside of London 2023 and 43rd in “Harden’s” Top 100 Restaurants outside of London 2023. With this much praise, you can be sure you’ll be getting a wonderful roast dinner!
In fact, what House of Tides offers is less of a roast and more of a banquet, aptly named a ‘Sunday Feast’. The exact menu changes weekly, depending on seasonality and availability of ingredients, ensuring the freshest possible meal. But in the past, meals have included fancy plates such as Whole Roasted Poussin stuffed with a Truffle Mousse, with cauliflower cheese, chicken-fat roasted potatoes and a range of seasonal vegetables, each cooked in a way that makes them shine. The set menu also includes a starter and a dessert, as well as tea or coffee to finish.
House of Tides offers a Sunday lunch experience, rather than a traditional roast dinner, giving you something different to salivate over. We’re not sure you’ll ever be able to go back to a carvery after enjoying a meal at this stunning venue!