Sunday Roast Dinners…served with a side of Croydon charm
For those who crave a great roast, we’ve tracked down five standout spots in Croydon town centre offering the traditional Sunday staple.
Alongside Fish n Chips and Fry Ups, the Roast Dinner is a staple of the British diet.
Opinions as to exactly where and when it originated vary (from villages in medieval times to cities taking shape during the industrial revolution) but it’s widely agreed that it was always a meal eaten after Sunday church service.
Whilst pews may be emptier nowadays, the devotion to the hearty roast hasn’t wavered. Croydon is home to some great venues serving up this classic culinary experience. Here are five local spots that keep the tradition alive all year round:
The Oval Tavern – A roast with all that jazz
Tucked away on a quiet residential street, The Oval is a local’s local.
The family friendly venue (located on Oval road) feels part pub, part community hub and runs a range of events to appeal accordingly.
The owner’s background is in music, so performance (from comedy and drag nights to quizzes and acoustic garden gigs) is taken seriously here.
On Sundays, the varied line-up of Roast dinners (featuring Vegetarian and Vegan options which refuse to play background singers to the meatier headliners) are accompanied by live Jazz music.
At the bar, an ever-changing array of ales with a strong focus on local brews has earnt The Oval a regular slot in the Good Beer Guide.
Outside, in the stone walled garden (featuring a vegetable and herb patch which supply the kitchen), the resident cats roam freely around this magical space.
If you’re looking for a roast dinner (with all that jazz) head to this tucked away spot.
131 Oval Rd, Croydon, CR0 6BG
If you’re looking for a more refined roast dinner experience, Fern should do the trick.
Swap traditional pub fires for elegant vintage chandeliers, and a noisy dining rooms for a child-free haven.
This dawn til dusk restaurant is open all week but serves up a special menu every Sunday.
The five roast dinners include a Mixed Roast for two (which combines a decent portion of all three meats) and a Vegan Wellington (for those going meat free).
Switch your usual pint for a more sophisticated cocktail and soak up the stylish surrounds over the Sunday papers.
Unit 1, 100a George St, Croydon, CR0 1GP
The Tree House – A roast for you and your four-legged friends
Extend Sunday walks with your furry friends by finishing at The Tree House.
Their delicious Sunday roast dinners (including beef, chicken, pork and a plant-based chicken option) come with all the trimmings but it’s the much loved ‘Dog Roast’ that really gets heads turning.
Charged at just £5, this canine banquet includes lean roast beef, carrots and French beans.
Pooches are treated like royalty here – raising smiles and laughter throughout the pub.
Keen to get out of the doghouse? Head to The Tree House.
78 South End, Croydon, CR0 1DP
Built in 1893, as the Croydon branch of the Union Bank of London, this Grade two listed building operated as a financial institution for more than a century before converting to a pub.
This year saw another change up, with the Whelan’s Pub Company taking over management and bringing with them that signature warm Irish welcome.
In an unusual (but well received) twist, the Whelan’s team have handed the kitchen over to the legendary ‘Jane’s Thai Kitchen’ team during the week, but on Sundays they plan to revert back to a roast dinner menu.
Although the roast menu is currently on pause, it’s set to make a comeback soon – so keep an eye out! For now, you can get your roast fix at their sister pub, The Bedford Tavern.
Bringing together the best of Irish and English traditions, Whelan’s roasts offer a homely dining experience with a hearty dose of Irish hospitality.
39-41 Katharine St, Croydon, CR0 1NX
Not quite pub, not quite restaurant this neighbourhood gem, featuring industrial-chic interiors, offers a modern interpretation of the traditional Sunday feast.
With the brunch menu (that operates from 11am til 4pm) overlapping with the roast menu (served from 1pm), hungover friends and romantic couples sit comfortably alongside young families and weekend walkers.
Go head-to-head with the Bottomless Brunch crowd by ordering a cocktail, or stick to the well curated wine list.
The roast menu is a simple affair with just three choices, but you can mix it up with the starters – opting for Soft Shell Tacos or Smoked Nduja Arancini.
Housed in a former Sainsbury’s building (dating back to 1900) this is the Sunday shop you’ll be happy to visit at the end of the week.
73 S End, Croydon, CR0 1BF
