Nothing beats a roast dinner when the weather is getting colder.
Now that the clocks have gone back, and we are inching closer to winter, it's safe to say many will be looking for a pub or restaurant to find the best Sunday roast.
Whether you're looking for something to do with friends, or a warm meal to eat with family after a long autumnal walk, Winchester has plenty of choice.
Customers often share their views with the website TripAdvisor, which then ranks pubs based on which are impressing visitors and residents the most.
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The Chronicle took a look at the best roast dinners in the city on TripAdvisor to see which pubs people are loving at the moment.
1. The Fox
Originally built in 1876, this country inn was refurbished in 2018 and described as a great place to eat and drink.
The roast itself had a great selection of meat, including lamb, beef and pork with stuffing and crackling available.
Each roast comes with carrots and swedes, as well as their own gravy and crispy roast potatoes.
The roast can also be made gluten free with all the trimmings, except the Yorkshire pudding and Cauliflower cheese.
There is also a nut roast available that could be made vegan or vegetarian.
In the reviews, the roast was described as ‘cooked to perfection’ with a review from May 2023 describing it as ‘some of the best roast dinners that we have had recently. The meat was tender, red cabbage perfect, potatoes crunchy and portions generous.”
2. The Bugle Inn
The Bugle Inn’s Roast also included a selection of lamb, beef and pork, but they were accompanied with butter broccoli and fine beans alongside the stuffing and roast potatoes.
The Bugle Inn also provides the option to make the roast gluten-free or dairy-free with vegan and vegetarian options available.
The Sunday roast was described by one review from January 2023 as ‘exceptional, perfectly cooked beef and lamb with everything you could ask for on the side.”
3. The Plough
Sat on the main road of Itchen Abbas near Winchester, the restaurant is described as having a ‘delicious Sunday roast’ with friendly and efficient service.
The roast itself contains roast beef, and alternatively pork or chicken depending on the week. Each roast comes with their roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and gravy, with the seasonal vegetables they have available.
A review from June 2022 said, ‘Our Sunday roasts were delicious, we will definitely be returning in the future and would highly recommend”.
4. Chesil Rectory
In the heart of Winchester on Chesil Street, this 600-year-old Grade II building has been described as romantic, great for large groups and perfect for special occasions.
According to their website Chesil Rectory team prides themselves on their use of local produce to create seasonal menus.
The reviews have described their food as excellent, with "friendly service and acceptable prices”.
Their Sunday roast includes a rump of beef or roast pork loin with trimming, stuffing, and roast potatoes.
There is also a veggie option of the Chesil Nut Roast with its own veggie gravy.
Each roast is accompanied with seasonal greens, cauliflower cheese and their own gravy.
Simon, who visited in September 2023, said the main was ‘impressive, the gravy was outstanding and everything [was] cooked perfect.”
5. Crown and Anchor
According to their website, they serve real quality home-made traditional British food with an exclusive vegan menu and many meat options that are mainly gluten-free
According to their website, they serve real quality home-made traditional British food with an exclusive vegan menu and many meat options that are mainly gluten-free.
Many reviews described their roast as sensational with great portion sizes, according to Tripadvisor.
As part of their Sunday menu, they offer chicken, beef and pork as well as pie of the week with vegan options available.
All the mains are served with steamed kale, red cabbage, and carrots as well as their roast potatoes and yorkshire puddings.
James from Southampton said: “ The roast was amazing, in fact probably the best I’ve had in a pub and all gluten-free plus the chef and other staff are extremely knowledgeable on coeliac and gf food which is such a relief. “
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