Few meals carry quite the same sense of occasion as Sunday lunch. Crisp roast potatoes, a generously risen Yorkshire pudding, seasonal vegetables and plenty of proper gravy have an enduring appeal, particularly once autumn arrives.
Liverpool takes its roast dinners seriously, but some of the best options sit beyond the city centre too.
Travel towards Formby, Ormskirk, Cheshire or the Wirral and Sunday lunch takes on a more rural character, with country pubs, golf clubs, destination restaurants and even garden centres joining some of Liverpool’s most polished dining rooms.
Whether you are looking for somewhere elegant enough for a birthday, relaxed enough to bring the dog or welcoming enough for babies, toddlers and grandparents, these are some of the best Sunday roasts in and around Liverpool.
Elegant & Luxury Sunday Roasts
The Barn at Moor Hall, Aughton
For a Sunday lunch with genuine culinary pedigree, The Barn at Moor Hall is difficult to surpass.
Set within the grounds of Mark Birchall’s Moor Hall in Aughton, around half an hour from Liverpool, The Barn offers a more relaxed dining experience than its sister restaurant while retaining the estate’s exceptional approach to food.
Sunday lunch is treated as a proper occasion here, with seasonal produce at the centre of the menu. Much of what reaches the plate is grown, reared or produced on the Moor Hall estate, while other ingredients are carefully sourced from trusted suppliers.
This is not the place for a hurried plate of meat and potatoes. Come here when Sunday lunch is the event itself.
Location: Aughton, near Ormskirk
Best for: Birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions.
The Ivy Liverpool Brasserie
The Ivy Liverpool Brasserie brings a sense of occasion to Castle Street, making it a natural fit for the elegant end of this guide.
The interiors are richly detailed and glamorous without feeling overly formal, so it works just as well for a family celebration as it does for lunch with friends or a special Sunday in the city.
The Sunday roast offering includes roast meats served with Yorkshire puddings, rosemary roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and rich gravy. Add a glass of wine or one of The Ivy’s signature cocktails and it becomes the sort of lunch that can easily stretch into the afternoon.
Its Castle Street location also makes it easy to combine lunch with Liverpool ONE, the waterfront or drinks elsewhere in the city centre afterwards.
Location: Castle Street
Best for: Elegant surroundings and celebratory Sunday lunches.
Hawksmoor Liverpool
Housed inside the magnificent former Bank of Liverpool building on Brunswick Street, Hawksmoor offers one of the city’s most indulgent interpretations of Sunday lunch.
The restaurant’s reputation is built around excellent British beef, making its roast an obvious choice for diners who believe the meat should be the centrepiece.
The grand former banking hall also lends Sunday lunch a real sense of theatre without becoming stuffy.
Location: Brunswick Street
Best for: Special occasions and exceptional roast beef.
Gaucho Liverpool
Gaucho gives Sunday lunch an unmistakably polished feel from its grand Water Street setting.
Its Sunday roast centres on beef and traditional accompaniments, with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire puddings and rich gravy. Sharing options and vegetarian alternatives are also available depending on the current menu.
This is a particularly good choice if Sunday lunch is followed by cocktails or a walk around Liverpool’s waterfront.
Location: Water Street
Best for: Beef lovers and long Sunday lunches.
The Restaurant Bar & Grill
Few Liverpool dining rooms feel quite as impressive as The Restaurant Bar & Grill inside Halifax House.
Its Sunday offering combines classic British roast flavours with the polished service and surroundings associated with the restaurant.
Expect traditional meats, carefully prepared vegetable sides, proper roast potatoes and generous Yorkshire puddings, with sharing options often available for larger groups.
Location: Brunswick Street
Best for: Family occasions and elegant group lunches.
Sunday Roast at Thornton Hall
For Sunday lunch that feels like a countryside escape, Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa offers an appropriately refined setting.
Set in the picturesque Wirral village of Thornton Hough, the hotel is around 35 minutes from Liverpool and works particularly well for birthdays, anniversaries and occasions when you want lunch to feel a little more special.
You could also turn it into an overnight stay and combine Sunday lunch with time at the hotel spa.
Location: Thornton Hough
Best for: Special occasions and country-hotel dining.
Casual & Dog-Friendly Sunday Roasts
The Pheasant, Hightown
The Pheasant sits in Hightown, conveniently positioned between Liverpool and Southport and just a short drive from Formby.
The country-pub atmosphere is one of its biggest attractions. There is a spacious dining room, attractive outdoor space and plenty of countryside and coastline nearby, including Formby Point and Formby Beach.
It is also particularly welcoming to families, with a children’s menu and facilities that make dining with younger children easier.
Combine lunch with a walk through Formby Woods or along the beach for a proper Sunday afternoon out.
Location: Hightown, near Formby
Best for: Coastal walks followed by a relaxed roast.
The Ship, Parkgate
Few Sunday lunch settings around Liverpool can compete with Parkgate.
The Ship overlooks the Dee Estuary towards North Wales and combines traditional pub hospitality with one of the prettiest stretches of Wirral coastline.
After lunch, walk along The Parade and finish with one of Parkgate’s famous ice creams.
Location: Parkgate
Best for: Coastal views and Sunday walks.
Baby & Toddler-Friendly Sunday Roasts
Bistro 1896 at West Derby Golf Club
Tucked inside West Derby Golf Club, Bistro 1896 is open to everyone, not just club members.
Its relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere makes it particularly useful for families who do not want the formality of a city-centre restaurant, while the golf-course setting feels pleasantly removed from the bustle of Liverpool.
It is a particularly good option for mixed-generation lunches involving parents, grandparents and younger children.
Location: West Derby
Best for: Families and relaxed multi-generational lunches.
Ring O’Bells, Lathom
Just outside Ormskirk, Ring O’Bells is particularly well suited to families with younger children.
The beautifully refurbished country pub has a large children’s play area, spacious garden and terrace alongside a dedicated kids’ menu.
Its Sunday roasts are hearty and generous, making this an easy choice when adults want a proper lunch and younger children need somewhere relaxed.
Location: Lathom, near Ormskirk
Best for: Families with toddlers and younger children.
The Pheasant, Hightown
The Pheasant also belongs firmly in this category.
Young diners have their own menu, while the relaxed country-pub setting makes it easier to dine with babies and toddlers than some of Liverpool’s more formal restaurants.
Its proximity to Formby means families can also combine lunch with a short beach or woodland walk.
Location: Hightown
Best for: Babies, toddlers and family walks.
The Elephant Pub & Bakehouse, Woolton
The Elephant sits at the heart of Woolton Village and offers the relaxed atmosphere families often want from a Sunday pub.
Its traditional roasts, welcoming dining room and village setting make it a good option for multi-generational family lunches.
Afterwards, take a stroll through Woolton or nearby Reynolds Park.
Location: Woolton
Best for: Family lunches and grandparents.
Traditional Pub-Style Sunday Roasts
The Blackburne Arms
The Blackburne Arms feels exactly right on a Sunday.
Set among the Georgian terraces of Catharine Street, the gastropub combines a traditional pub atmosphere with a more thoughtful approach to its food.
Expect hearty portions, classic roast flavours and the sort of surroundings where another glass of red after lunch feels entirely justified.
Location: Georgian Quarter
Best for: Classic pub atmosphere.
The Monro
The Monro occupies a Grade II-listed Georgian building on Duke Street dating back to the eighteenth century.
Its period details and traditional pub character make it a natural setting for Sunday lunch, particularly for visitors who prefer history and atmosphere over ultra-modern interiors.
Location: Duke Street
Best for: Historic Liverpool charm.
Fox & Hounds, Barnston
The Fox & Hounds offers exactly the type of Wirral country-pub experience that comes into its own during autumn.
Its traditional interior, rural setting and relaxed dining style make it a natural choice for a Sunday roast followed by a countryside walk.
Location: Barnston, Wirral
Best for: Proper country-pub Sundays.
Devon Doorway, Heswall
Close to Heswall, Devon Doorway combines a smart gastropub interior with a leafy Wirral location.
It works particularly well for family gatherings and can easily be paired with a walk around Thurstaston or Wirral Country Park.
Location: Heswall
Best for: Country walks and family lunches.
Contemporary & Independent Sunday Lunches
Belzan
Belzan on Smithdown Road brings a more creative approach to Sunday lunch.
The neighbourhood restaurant is known for modern cooking, thoughtful ingredients and an atmosphere that remains relaxed despite the calibre of the food.
Location: Smithdown Road
Best for: Food lovers and something less traditional.
Spire
Spire in Wavertree has been one of South Liverpool’s dependable independent restaurants for years.
Its Sunday lunch service provides a quieter and more intimate experience than many larger restaurants, making it especially well suited to couples and smaller family gatherings.
Location: Church Road
Best for: Independent dining.
Wreck Bistro
Wreck Bistro on Seel Street offers a more intimate city-centre option with modern British cooking and an understated atmosphere.
It works well for diners who want a thoughtful Sunday meal without the ceremony of one of Liverpool’s larger luxury restaurants.
Location: Seel Street
Best for: Couples and smaller groups.
Hanover Street Social
Hanover Street Social remains a dependable all-rounder for city-centre Sunday lunch.
The contemporary brasserie setting suits couples, friends and families, while its central position makes it easy to combine with Liverpool ONE, the waterfront or a theatre booking.
Location: Hanover Street
Best for: An easy city-centre Sunday.
Lively Sunday Lunches
Albert’s Schloss
Albert’s Schloss is for those who prefer their Sunday lunch with rather more energy.
The Bold Street venue combines food with cocktails, beer, music and entertainment, making it an obvious choice for groups who are not planning to head home immediately after dessert.
Location: Bold Street
Best for: Groups and lively afternoons.
Ma Boyle’s
Ma Boyle’s has the atmosphere of a traditional Liverpool drinking den but with a contemporary food and drinks offering.
Its tucked-away position near the waterfront gives it plenty of character, making it a good choice for visitors who want something recognisably Liverpool.
Location: Tower Gardens
Best for: Atmosphere and a relaxed city Sunday.
Destination Sunday Lunches Worth the Drive
Palm Court at Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa
Location: Pulford, near Chester
Drive from Liverpool: Around 45 to 55 minutes
Grosvenor Pulford is the sort of place where Sunday lunch can easily become a full afternoon out.
Its spectacular Palm Court dining room is one of the most visually impressive places for a roast within easy reach of Liverpool. Think soaring glass ceilings, palm trees, water features and an opulent interior that feels far removed from an everyday carvery.
On Sundays, Palm Court serves a dedicated carvery with traditional roast meats and all the familiar trimmings.
For those who prefer something more relaxed, the hotel’s Nelson’s gastropub also offers Sunday dishes alongside its regular menu.
What really makes Grosvenor Pulford stand out, however, is the possibility of combining lunch with Spa by Kasia. The Asian-inspired spa offers thermal facilities, treatments and a peaceful sensory garden, making this an excellent choice for couples or friends who want to turn a roast dinner into a proper Sunday escape.
Best for: A luxurious Sunday carvery, spa days and special family occasions.
Garden Centres for a Sunday Roast
Garden centres are an underrated choice for Sunday lunch, particularly when several generations are dining together.
They tend to offer easy parking, level access, relaxed restaurants and plenty to browse before or after eating, making them particularly appealing for families, grandparents and older diners.
Lady Green Garden Centre, Ince Blundell
Lady Green is one of the easiest garden-centre options from Liverpool and makes a lovely slower-paced Sunday outing.
Its family-friendly restaurant serves homemade food throughout the week, while traditional Sunday roasts are regularly part of the offering.
After lunch, browse the plants, homeware and seasonal displays before heading home.
Location: Ince Blundell
Drive from Liverpool: Around 25 to 30 minutes
Best for: Grandparents, younger families and an easy Sunday afternoon.
High Legh Garden Centre, Knutsford
High Legh Garden Centre is another strong choice for a traditional Sunday lunch with very little formality.
Its restaurant serves homemade food and traditional roast dinners alongside lighter lunches, cakes and desserts. Free parking and accessible facilities make it particularly convenient for multi-generational family groups.
Location: High Legh, Cheshire
Drive from Liverpool: Around 45 minutes
Best for: Older diners and family groups.
Daleside Garden Centre, Hawarden
Daleside offers a slightly longer countryside drive while remaining easily manageable from Liverpool.
Its restaurant serves homemade dishes, cakes and traditional Sunday lunch in a relaxed setting with accessible facilities and easy parking.
Hawarden itself also makes a pleasant place for a short Sunday drive, especially during autumn.
Location: Hawarden, North Wales
Drive from Liverpool: Around 40 to 45 minutes
Best for: A relaxed North Wales Sunday outing.
Bents Garden & Home, Glazebury
Bents feels rather more like a lifestyle destination than a conventional garden centre.
Its large restaurant serves freshly prepared seasonal dishes throughout Sunday, while the wider site includes homeware, food, gifts, garden displays and seasonal attractions.
Even when a dedicated roast is not on the current menu, it remains a strong option for a multi-generational Sunday lunch.
Location: Glazebury, near Warrington
Drive from Liverpool: Around 40 to 50 minutes
Best for: Family gatherings and making an afternoon of it.
Which Sunday Roast Should You Choose?
For something elegant, choose The Barn at Moor Hall, The Ivy, Hawksmoor, Gaucho, Palm Court at Grosvenor Pulford or The Restaurant Bar & Grill.
For families with babies and toddlers, Bistro 1896, Ring O’Bells, The Pheasant and The Elephant are among the easiest options.
For older diners and multi-generational family lunches, Lady Green, High Legh and Daleside garden centres offer easy parking, accessible restaurants and a relaxed pace.
For a traditional pub roast, The Blackburne Arms, The Monro, Fox & Hounds and Ring O’Bells fit the bill.
For dog-friendly Sunday plans, The Watering Can, The Ship and Buyers Club are worth considering, although always confirm the current dog policy when booking.
For something contemporary and independent, Belzan, Spire and Wreck Bistro offer a change from the conventional pub roast.
And for a proper destination Sunday, combine Palm Court with Spa by Kasia, The Pheasant with a walk at Formby, The Ship with an afternoon beside the Dee Estuary or The Barn with a leisurely drive through the West Lancashire countryside.
What Makes a Great Sunday Roast?
The beauty of Sunday lunch is that the fundamentals remain relatively simple.
Good meat should be properly rested and full of flavour. Roast potatoes need a genuinely crisp exterior and fluffy centre. Vegetables should retain some character, Yorkshire puddings should arrive proudly risen and, perhaps most importantly, there should be enough gravy to bring everything together.
The best restaurants then add their own personality, whether that means premium British beef, truffle cauliflower cheese, estate-grown produce or an imaginative vegetarian centrepiece.
Before You Book
Sunday menus change frequently, particularly with the seasons, and some restaurants only serve roasts during autumn and winter. Children’s offers, dog policies, prices and serving times can also change.
Always check the restaurant’s latest Sunday menu and booking information before travelling, particularly if you require a highchair, children’s menu, vegetarian roast, accessible table or dog-friendly seating.
Sunday Lunch Season in Liverpool
September marks one of the loveliest times of year to rediscover Sunday lunch.
The days begin to shorten, Liverpool’s parks take on their autumn colours and the idea of spending a couple of hours around a table becomes infinitely more appealing.
Choose a restaurant in the Georgian Quarter before wandering towards the cathedrals, pair lunch in South Liverpool with a walk around Greenbank Park, head towards Formby for the coast or make the drive to Cheshire for a longer destination lunch.
Whichever you choose, book ahead. The best Sunday roasts in Liverpool have a habit of filling their tables long before Sunday morning arrives.