A hatted restaurant hosts guest chefs for collab roasts. A new-school British pub is doing things the traditional way. And there’s a Cantonese-inspired version to try.
Feel that chill in the air? After what feels like a never-ending summer, Melbourne is gradually cooling down for the winter. And we’re leaning in with the latest edition of Specials Board – Good Food’s discount-dining guide – which is dedicated to a host of roasts good enough to eradicate the Sunday Sads. We’ve rounded up 10 to try, at neighbourhood pubs from Armadale to Werribee, and even a hatted city restaurant.
$70 chef-collab Sunday roast at Reed House, CBD
The hatted Reed House has a lot of Britishness about it: chef and co-owner Mark Hannell, classic dishes like Welsh rarebit (in crumpet form) and a cosy cottage vibe. Sunday roasts are also a thing – centred around Hannell’s sourdough Yorkshire puddings – done in collaboration with a different chef or drinks expert each month. Coming up is Joe Jones (Romeo Lane) on May 25 and Kyle Nicol (Hazel) on June 15. It costs $70 a head for three courses, including snacks, mains and sides, and dessert.
130 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, reedhousemelbourne.com
$27-$29 Sunday roast at The Lion and Wombat, St Kilda
Also proudly flying the flag for the Brits is this bayside boozer, inspired by the pub culture of the UK. So, Sundays are synonymous with roasts. Your choice of beef ($29), chicken ($27) or nut roast ($27) comes with a Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, carrots, peas and a pot of gravy. Add on cauliflower cheese or some pigs in blankets.
107 Grey Street, St Kilda, lionandwombat.com.au
$25 Sunday roast at the Bridge Hotel, Werribee
How does crisp-skinned pork belly with roast potatoes, gravy and apple-and-fennel slaw sound? One of Melbourne’s best-value Sunday roasts is at the Bridge Hotel, a pub with Marquis of Lorne DNA that’s 32 kilometres south-west of the city in Werribee. The meat and vegies change from week to week, but the $25 price tag stays the same.
197 Watton Street, Werribee, bridgehotelwerribee.com.au
$34 Sunday roast at Hotel Lincoln, Carlton
North-side watering holes don’t come much more beloved than The Lincoln, where the pints are ice-cold but the Sunday roasts – and matesy service – fill the place with warmth. The kitchen swings between beef, pork and lamb roast every three weeks (this Sunday, May 18, it’s crackling-crowned pork), but you can always count on a plump Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, a couple of seasonal vegetables and, of course, gravy.
91 Cardigan Street, Carlton, hotellincoln.com.au
$25 Sunday roast at the Mount Erica Hotel, Prahran
For a banging roast at a banging price – so enticing that it’s emblazoned on the pub’s exterior – the Mount Erica Hotel is a south-side go-to. The roast is on from noon until sold out, so get in early to avoid disappointment. And while the offering chops and changes, a past winner involved beef sirloin – blushing pink – with celeriac puree and red-wine jus.
420 High Street, Prahran, mountericahotel.com.au
$28 Sunday roast at the Mona Castle Hotel, Seddon
Among the best boozers in the west, the Mona Castle caters as much to families and footy fans as it does those who value good (pub) food. Sundays are all about the $28 roast with all the trimmings, such as lamb shoulder with roast potatoes, pumpkin, green beans and gravy. Want to stick around post-roast? There’s live music from 3pm.
45-53 Austin Street, Seddon, monacastlehotel.com
$70-for-two Cantonese-inspired Sunday roast at the Albert Park Hotel, Albert Park
Thanks to in-house Chinese diner Happy Valley, the Albert Park Hotel’s Sunday roast is set apart from the pack. Each weekend, a different share-style, Cantonese-inspired meat dish takes centre stage – that could mean Black Angus beef ribs, slow roasted and glazed with hoisin sauce – alongside a rotating selection of sides and condiments.
85 Dundas Place, Albert Park, thealbertpark.com.au
$28 Sunday roast at the Royston Hotel, Richmond
Despite how loyally loved it is, the Royston Hotel in Richmond’s back streets still flies somewhat under the radar. Yet to check it out? Cosy up in the convivial front bar on Sunday for a roast that’s under $30 – and a pint of something lively and locally brewed.
12 River Street, Richmond, roystonhotel.com.au
$36 Sunday roast at the Courthouse Hotel, North Melbourne
Regulars at the refurbed Courthouse Hotel love roast pork and beef, so they’re what most Sunday roasts revolve around. You might find generous serves of beef rump or pork shoulder, with the holy trinity of beef-fat roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and gravy, plus hyperseasonal vegie sides. NB: there’s a 10 per cent surcharge on Sundays.
86-90 Errol Street, North Melbourne, thecourthousenm.com.au
$28 Sunday roast at the Orrong Hotel, Armadale
With art deco style, an eclectic crowd and specials galore – from $5 happy-hour beers to $25 express lunches – Armadale’s Orrong Hotel ticks a whole lot of boxes. The Sunday drawcard is an all-day rotating roast of meat and (usually more than three) veg for $28.
709 High Street, Armadale, orronghotel.com
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