Whether you’re a fan of a perfectly roasted potato or the pillowy delights of a Yorkshire pud, we can all agree that nothing beats a Sunday roast, especially when it’s made with exceptional local ingredients.
Boasting a spectacular countryside that stretches across the county in a patchwork of fields, Dorset is home to a wonderful array of home-grown foodstuffs, from hearty swedes ready for mashing to vibrant red cabbage. This bountiful larder ensures the local restaurants and pubs (many of which enjoy stunning sea views) are well stocked with farm-fresh foods, creating a fabulously diverse foodie scene, from fish and chips to a week-defining Sunday roast.
Of course, when it comes to a rip-roaring roast, the food is only half of the experience. Oh yes, from flickering fires that cast dining rooms in a warming glow to historic bars that have been refreshing patrons for centuries, nothing beats a cosy pub for a Sunday lunch setting. Many of the pubs in Dorset welcome dogs too, so the whole family can head out for an epic stomp along the coastline followed by a belly-popping feast at one of the friendly country inns.
Ready to experience Dorset’s wonderful foodie scene yourself? Here are some of the best pubs for a Sunday roast to get your mouth-watering journey started…
The Greyhound Inn, Wareham
The Square, Corfe Castle, Wareham BH20 5EZ
Near to one of Dorset’s most iconic landmarks, The Greyhound Inn is perfectly placed for a family day out full of history and roast potatoes. Stroll around the impressive castle ruins before turning your boots towards the welcoming inn, which enjoys incredible views over the castle.
On the menu you’ll find a mouth-watering selection of meats, from slow roasted pork belly to rotisserie roasted chicken, as well as a delicious vegan nut roast, all served alongside a giddy mix of roasties, spiced red cabbage, maple roasted veg, and a giant Yorkshire pudding. Struggling to decide which main to have? Opt for the duo or trio of meats for a hunger-crushing combination. Children’s portions ensure small tummies are catered for, while the dessert menu promises a superb selection of sweet treats.
The Old Thatch, Wimborne
285 Wimborne Road West, Ferndown, Wimborne BH21 7NW
Nothing says Sunday roast quite like a 17th century inn, especially when the inn is award-winning and comes topped with a picture-perfect thatched roof. Oh yes, for anyone looking for a slap-up roast worthy of a storybook, The Old Thatch in Wimborne is a lip-smacking must, with its cosy interior and farm-fresh foods.
The roasts here are spectacular, whether you opt for the 32-day-aged beef sirloin, locally reared leg of lamb or Blandford pork shoulder, all of which come with all your favourite Sunday staples. The Old Thatch also does an incredible five seed nut roast, which is gluten free – as is the cauliflower cheese and gravy! Wash it all down with a local ale and you’ll never want to spend Sunday any other way. The historic market town of Wimborne Minster is perfect for a post-lunch stroll, full of unique shops, museums, and, of course, the fascinating church that gives the town its name.
The Three Horseshoes, Burton Bradstock
Mill Street, Burton Bradstock, Bridport DT6 4QZ
With a thatched roof and a beautiful beamed interior, The Three Horseshoes near Bridport offers a wonderfully cosy setting for your Sunday roast, a weekly tradition they take very seriously. Dogs and muddy boots are welcome, making this friendly pub the perfect destination to follow on from your Sunday stroll. Making the most of local meats and farm-to-fork vegetables, every bite you enjoy here celebrates Dorset’s exceptional food producers.
Tuck into the likes of Dorset leg of lamb, pork loin, or pumpkin and cranberry roast, all served with a pillowy Yorkshire pudding, homemade gravy, and roast potatoes – and not forgetting everyone’s favourite creamy side of cauliflower cheese! The Sunday menu also boasts other pub favourites with a seasonal twist, such as burgers, pasta, and ale battered hake, ensuring every taste is well and truly catered for. Finish things off with some sticky toffee pudding or apple and plum crumble and you have the makings of a fabulously classic Sunday.
The Sun Inn, Dorchester
The Sun Inn, Lower Burton, Dorchester DT2 7RZ
If you’re a roast dinner fiend like us, then sometimes it’s hard to wait for Sunday – who says we can’t indulge in a mid-week foodie feast! Well, The Sun Inn in Dorchester has us well and truly covered, with their famous carvery, which runs every day of the week.
Served Monday to Friday at lunch and dinner, and all-day Saturday and Sunday, you can dine on roast potatoes to your heart’s content here – they even offer a drive thru carvery for those who want to enjoy their meal in a cosy Dorset cottage. All the roast dinner favourites are here, from cauliflower cheese and Yorkshire puddings to sprouts and roast potatoes, as well a choice of meats and a mouth-watering nut roast.
The Cliff, Poole
6 Ravine Road, Canford Cliffs, Poole BH13 7HX
A beautiful country inn with relaxed vibes, The Cliff in Poole promises a wonderfully welcoming spot to sup on a Sunday roast while staying in Dorset. From the sleek dining room to the stylish bar that promises a cocktail of drinks to pair with your Sunday roast, this is a setting worth settling into.
When it comes to Sunday roasts, you’re in for a true treat here, with all the usual trimmings alongside a mammoth menu of Sunday favourites, including a duo and trio for those who just can’t decide which main to go for! The vegetarian fig and dolcelatte roast is one of a kind, and the bottomless gravy ensures every mouthful is swimming in the good stuff. Oh, and did we mention the sides? From bacon-wrapped stuffing to Dauphinoise potatoes, this hearty round-up promises to fill every corner.
Lulworth Cove Inn, West Lulworth
Main Road West Lulworth, Wareham BH20 5RQ
Sat a stone’s throw from one of Dorset’s most beautiful beaches, The Lulworth Cove Inn is perfectly placed for your next post-stomp refuel, especially as both the beach and the pub are gloriously dog friendly. Throughout the week, this welcoming inn promises a smorgasbord of tasty dishes, from fish and chips to steak and Tangle Foot pie, but on Sundays, the roasts steal the show.
In keeping with the seasons, you’ll find a lip-smacking special each week, from 21-day-aged British beef to ‘no nut’ roasts, all served with oodles of gravy, Yorkshire puddings, and seasonal veg. Pigs in blankets and cauliflower cheese are on hand to take your meal to the next level, while puddings such as dark chocolate mousse and cheese plates ensure your visit ends with a bang.
The Goat and Tricycle, Bournemouth
27-29 West Hill Road, Bournemouth BH2 5PF
Packed with character and charm, The Goat and Tricycle is a must-visit for all who pass through Bournemouth. The bar is stocked with a whistle-wetting selection of real ales, ciders, and spirits, while the menu promises plate after plate of proper pub grub, including their button-popping Sunday roasts.
Each roast comes with a helping of roast potatoes, veg, Yorkies, stuffing, cauliflower cheese, and gravy, ensuring no one leaves the table hungry, especially as you can add an extra helping of all of the above! A selection of desserts, including crumble, sticky toffee pudding, and caramel apple Betty will satiate even the sweetest of teeth, while daily specials (pumpkin pie anyone?) give you every excuse to keep coming back.
The World’s End, Almer
Almer, Blandford Forum DT11 9EW
Full of character and history, The World’s End is firmly planted on Dorset’s map. With ties to Churchill and Eisenhower, and a claim to the title of the oldest pub in Dorset, it’s easy to feel like you’re stepping back in time when entering the beautiful, thatched pub.
When it comes to roasts, The World’s End cooks up a traditional storm, from Ruby red beef to pork, all served with potatoes roasted in duck fat, seasonal veg, and red wine gravy. The vegan roast is a spectacular showstopper, with olive oil roasted potatoes, and vegan red wine gravy. There’s a hearty wine list to accompany your Sunday roast, as well as a tooth-tingling selection of desserts, including white chocolate blondies, pear tarte tatin, and blackberry parfait with apple sponge.
Ready to tuck into a mammoth Sunday roast in Dorset? Explore our cosy cottages and start planning your next memorable stay in this oh-so-beautiful county.
