Best Sunday Roasts in Essex 2026 (Locals' Top 15)

A proper Sunday roast is a serious business in Essex. The county has more decent country pubs per square mile than almost anywhere in the South East — and the standard is quietly excellent. Here are the 15 roasts locals actually recommend in 2026, sorted by intent (rural drive vs town-centre convenience vs value).

Best rural drive-out roasts

1. The Cricketers, Danbury

£24 for two courses. Yorkshire puddings genuinely the size of a saucer. Book by Wednesday for Sunday. Beef aged in-house, and the vegan roast is not an afterthought.

2. The Cricketers, Clavering

£28. Jamie Oliver's family pub, and yes, it still lives up to the reputation. Bookings 3+ weeks out for a table with garden view.

3. The Bell Inn, Horndon-on-the-Hill

£26. One of the oldest coaching inns in Essex. Roast lamb the standout, but ask about the "roast of the week" — often the best value.

4. The Sun Inn, Dedham

£29. Constable country dining. Big pours, generous plates. Kids' roasts £9.50 and better than most adult roasts elsewhere.

Best gastropub roasts (bookings essential)

5. The Compasses at Pattiswick

£28. Modern gastropub territory. Roast beef comes with a properly reduced red-wine jus. Sommelier-picked wine pairings from £6 a glass.

6. The Anchor, Danbury

£25. Sister to the Cricketers. Slightly newer, slightly smarter dining room. Kid-friendly with an outdoor play area.

7. Waldegraves, West Mersea

£26. Sea views, seafood-forward menu, but the Sunday roast holds its own. Free parking for guests.

Best town-centre roasts (walk from the station)

8. Chequers, Chelmsford (Duke Street)

£22. Best value roast in central Chelmsford. Book, it fills up.

9. The Two Brewers, Colchester

£20. Traditional pub roast, honest portions. Family-friendly.

10. The Ship Inn, Leigh-on-Sea

£24. Cockle-shed vibes, generous portions, and a garden that catches the last of the afternoon sun.

Best for a proper Essex village experience

11. The Chequers, Great Bardfield

£23. Ancient beams, log fire in winter, three sizes of Yorkshire. The kind of place you leave and immediately book again for a month later.

12. The Green Man, Little Braxted

£25. Middle-of-nowhere pub, worth the drive. Roast potatoes are the county's finest, no notes.

13. The Rainbow & Dove, Hastingwood

£22. Small, cosy, no fuss. Booking almost mandatory in autumn/winter.

Best value (under £20)

14. The Woolpack, Coggeshall

£18. Two courses for £22. Not the fanciest, but proper Sunday roast at a proper price.

15. The White Hart, Great Yeldham

£19. Extra Yorkshires by request. Kids under 10 eat half-price all Sunday.

Booking tips that will save your Sunday

• Book by Wednesday for the following Sunday if you want any of the top 5.
• Second sitting (2pm+) is usually easier to book and less rushed than the 12:30 rush.
• Ask about the "kitchen closes" time. Many Essex pubs stop serving roasts at 4pm sharp.
• Confirm vegan/vegetarian roast in advance — some pubs need 24 hours notice.

Where to find every Sunday roast in Essex

Our pubs directory lists every gastropub and dining pub in the county — filter by "Sunday roast" and by town to find the nearest good one.

Serve a great Sunday roast? Add your pub free and show up when locals search "Sunday roast near me".