The Sunday roast is a British institution, however, sometimes institutions need a little *refresh*. Across London, chefs are giving the format a refresh: swapping beef for turbot, spuds for spiced rice, and adding everything from masala gravy to meze on the side. Whether it’s West African, Turkish, Indian or seafood-led, there’s a new kind of Sunday lunch emerging – fairly familiar, but far more expansive in flavour.

1. For a Taste of Turkey: The Counter

The Lowdown: For those seeking an alternative to a traditional Sunday roast, The Counter presents the Turkish Sunday Sharing Experience: Meze & Manga, a fire-roasted feast designed for sharing at £35 per person.

Eat: At the heart of the menu is your choice of lamb: the Long Lamb Ribs basted in a rich infusion of rosemary, tarragon or the Whole Lamb Shoulder, succulent and slow-cooked with a smoky marinade of isot pepper, garlic,
rosemary, cumin (48-hour notice required). Sides include: charcoal-roasted aubergine, golden roasted potatoes crisped in Aleppo chilli butter and drizzled with garlic yogurt, and the spring tomato salad with fresh basil, pickled chilli, and a zesty sumac vinaigrette.

Where: 15 Kingly St, Carnaby, London W1B 5PS

2. For a Duck Roast: Henri’s 

The Lowdown: Henri’s new Sunday Feast Menu brings authentic Parisian bistro charm to Covent Garden, with roast duck being the star of the show.

Eat: Jackson Boxer and Head Chef Bertie Skinner have created a celebration of slow Sundays featuring Roast Duck with Confit Leg atop a rich cassoulet of haricot beans and onions, served with duck fat fries, mushroom Hollandaise for dipping, and a bright endive and orange salad. Priced at £30 per person.

Where: 14–15 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8QH

3. For a Spice-Filled Roast: Oorja

The Lowdown: London’s newest Indian dining spot, Oorja, is here to challenge the Sunday status quo with a reimagined take on the British classic, full of fire, flavour, and flair.

Eat: At the centre of the menu is the Tandoori Butterfly Spatchcock — a whole chicken marinated in spices and chargrilled until perfectly smoky. The Layered Masala Chips are an aromatic and complex twist on a classic side dish, while the crispy onion pakora and peppercorn masala gravy are both worthy of an order.

Where:117 Shaftesbury Avenue WC2H 8AF

4. For a Seafood Twist on The Classic: Applebee’s

The Lowdown: Borough Market favourite Applebee’s is giving the traditional Sunday roast a seaside shake-up. Marking 25 years in business, the family-run seafood restaurant has launched a new roast menu with a lighter, fresher touch, just in time for summer.

Eat: Executive Chef Frankie van Loo leads the charge, offering two standout dishes: a crisp Salmon en Croûte served with velvety hollandaise, and Roasted Turbot grilled over open fire, finished with a rich chicken wing gravy. Seasonal sides, from creamy cauliflower cheese to buttery Jersey Royals, round off the plate.

Where: 5 Stoney St, London SE1 9AA

5. For a Sunday Roast with a West African Twist: Shakara

The Lowdown: Shakara, a new opening in Marylebone, is rethinking the Sunday roast with a distinctly West African lens. Its “SHOW OFF” brunch (the name is deliberate) offers Jollof rice, jerk poussin, and curried lobster samosas in place of the usual meat-and-two-veg formula.

Eat: For £65, diners are served a set menu that includes Yaji-spiced ribs and Prekese Yorkshire puddings, with desserts like plantain pudding and chin chin crumble. There’s live entertainment and an optional bottomless drinks upgrade (Champagne for those in the mood to commit).

Where:66 Baker St, London W1U 7DJ