Where to get a tasty Sunday roast in East Kent

At this time of year, there are only really two things any of us want - to be warm and full of potatoes. As the nights draw in, it’s Sunday lunch that becomes the key focus of our lives. A roast in a cosy pub is now the only thing that matters. All else falls by the wayside. 

But it’s been months since you last ate a parsnip. You barely know what gravy is anymore. How are you supposed to remember where your favourite pub roasts are located? And what about the never ending search for The Best Roast? 

It’s fine, calm down, because we’re already on it. We’ve already done so much thinking about roasts that we had to stop and make ourselves a roast two nights ago (true story). 

Below are recommendations for where to get your Sunday roast desires met across Thanet and in Kent towns and villages further afield. We’ve tried to cover a range of budgets and dietary requirements. Let us know your favourite. 

Margate

George & Heart
The George & Heart’s popular roasts are served until 8pm each Sunday, giving you ample opportunity to get your roast potato fix. There are several meat choices, plus meat-free and child-size options. The cosy Grade II listed former coach inn has an intimate feel and sits just on the edge of Margate’s Old Town. 
44 King Street, CT9 1QE. ££. 12-8pm. georgeandheart.com

Buoy & Oyster, Margate 
For something more formal but friendly, this restaurant on Margate’s seafront offers a great sunday roast coupled with a beautiful view out to the horizon. All meats are locally sourced, and there is always a meat-free option too. You can also order from the main restaurant and seafood bar menus. 
44 High Street, CT9 1DS. £££. 12pm until sold out. buoyandoyster.com

Also recommended

Snake Oil @ Daisy. Mouth-watering menu in this intimate cocktail bar. 19 Cliff Terrace, CT9 1RU. £££. 12-9pm daisymargate.com

Olby’s Soul Cafe. Sunday Roasts with a Caribbean twist. ​​3-5 King Street, CT9 1DD. £. 12-6pm. olbyscreativehub.co.uk

The Pearly Cow. Margate’s most upmarket roast is one for a special occasion. 42 High Street, CT9 1DS. ££££. 12-6pm. pearlycow.co.uk

Ramsgate

Albion House
Looking down over Ramsgate’s East Cliff and the sea, this boutique hotel restaurant is a lovely place to dine. It feels upmarket without being stuffy, and the bar is somewhere you can happily bed in. As well as its meat options, you’ll also find a choice of more than one meat-free roast. Excellent desserts too. 
Albion Place, CT11 8HQ. £££. 12-4.30pm. albionhouseramsgate.co.uk

Royal Harbour Brasserie
Situated on Ramsgate’s East Pier, the Royal Harbour Brasserie offers impressive panoramic views of the town and out to sea. Lots of meat options, plus vegan and kids roasts, or order from the a la carte menu. You’ll find a good range of local beers and ciders on tap too. 
East Pier, CT11 8LS. ££. 12pm until sold out. royalharbourbrasserie.co.uk

Also recommended

The Belle Vue Tavern. An incredible view across Pegwell Bay goes well with this no frills but good roast. Pegwell Road, CT11 0NJ. ££. 12-8pm. thebellevuetavern.co.uk

The Churchill Tavern. Big but not bank-breaking roast. 19-21 Paragon, CT11 9JX. £. 12-4.15pm. churchilltavern.co.uk

The Bedford Inn. One of our favourite Ramsgate pubs. Apparently they’re still deciding whether or not to bring back their popular roast this winter, but tell us “the people keep asking, we are listening.” Keep an eye out. 29 West Cliff Road, CT11 9JP. 1-6pm. thebedfordinn.co.uk

Broadstairs

The Pickled Herring 
This intimate restaurant puts the emphasis on simply cooked, tasty food. It still manages to do that with flair, but be aware that the menu is fairly meat-heavy with limited veg options. The kids menu offers more choice than most places, and you can order smaller portions from the main menu too. 
54 Albion Street, CT10 1NF. ££. 12.30-3pm. thepickledherringbroadstairs.co.uk

The Tartar Frigate
A traditional pub with  views out over Viking Bay and a kitchen that punches above its weight. It’s a set four course menu, so be ready to come out stuffed (although a half portion is available). Ingredients are all locally sourced and seasonal. 
Harbour Street, Kent CT10 1EU, ££, 12.30pm & 3.30pm. tartarfrigate.co.uk

Also recommended

Twenty Seven Harbour Street. Wood fired gourmet roasts. 27 Harbour Street, CT10 1EU. £££. 12.30-5pm. twentysevenharbourstreet.co.uk

Jetty. Thoughtful choice of meals whether you eat meat or not. The Harbour, CT10 1JU. £££. 12-6pm. jettybroadstairs.co.uk

Captain Digby. The quality of the roast is hotly debated but it’s a great location and there’s soft play for the kids. Whiteness Road, CT10 3QH. £. 12-9pm. captaindigby.co.uk

Other towns

Samphire, Whitstable
We’re big fans of this charming bistro in the heart of Whitstable. Its quality comes at a premium but you won’t leave disappointed. Its Sunday starters will give a good indication of why you should come back for more on another day of the week. Great kids options too. 
4 High St, CT5 1BQ. £££. 12.30-3.30pm. samphirewhitstable.co.uk

The Rose, Deal 
Whenever we ask for recommendations for places to eat outside of Thanet there’s a good chance The Rose will be mentioned. It’s a limited offering but you can be sure it’ll be delicious. Book to stay Sunday night and your roast is free. 
91 High Street, CT14 6ED. £££. 12-4pm. therosedeal.com

Also recommended

The Parrot, Canterbury. Dating back to the 14th century, a lovely setting for a traditional roast. 1-9 Church Lane, CT1 2AG. ££. 12-9pm. parrotcanterbury.co.uk

The Radnor Arms, Folkestone. Cosy pub with a range of roasts. A la carte also available, including a full vegan menu. Christ Church Road, CT20 2SX. £££. radnorarmsfolkestone.co.uk

Finbar’s, Westgate-on-Sea. Relaxed restaurant overlooking West Bay. West Bay Promenade, CT8 8QA. ££. 12-4pm. finbarswestgate.co.uk

East Kent villages

The New Inn, Minster
Serving up a good solid roast that won’t break the bank, The New Inn is a friendly place to hang out. It also has a large beer garden with a nice kids play area. If you cycle, there’s storage for your bike while you eat too. 
2 Tothill Street, CT12 4AG. £. 12-3.45pm. thenewinn-minster.com

Fordwich Arms, Fordwich
Alright, this is a place to go when you really want to push the boat out. By far the most expensive on our list, this roast will cost you £110, plus another £90 for the wine pairing. The Fordwich does boast a Michelin Star and some incredible reviews though, so note it for a very special occasion. 
King Street, CT2 0DB. £££££. 12-5pm. fordwicharms.co.uk

Also recommended

Updown Farmhouse, Betteshanger. Beautiful 17th century former farmstead serves up a simple but impressive Sunday menu. Updown Road, CT14 0EF. ££££. 12-5pm. updownfarmhouse.com

Prince of Wales, Hoath. Friendly and accommodating, this sweet little place provides a good end to a walk in East Blean woods. Maypole Road, CT3 4LN. ££. 12-6pm. theprinceofwales.co.uk

The Marquis of Granby, Alkham. A pleasing find in a delightful village outside Folkestone. Alkham Valley Road, CT15 7DF. £££. 12-6.30pm marquisofgranby.co.uk