The Spread Eagle, Homerton, London
Is there anything more comforting than a Sunday roast, crisp potatoes, glossy gravy, and something hearty at the centre? Now picture that same plate, fully plant-based, still rich and satisfying. Vegan pub roast dinners have moved from afterthought to headline act, and the change is reshaping pub culture across England.
More people now choose plant-based meals, whether full-time or a few days a week. Pubs have responded with menus that treat vegans as guests of honour, not fussy exceptions. The best part, the spirit of Sunday remains.
Vegan-Friendly Pubs for Sunday Roasts
The Roundhill (Brighton) is a very popular city pub, with a safe inclusive space for all, and weekly rotating menus in line with seasonal ingredients.
The Spread Eagle is London’s first fully vegan pub. Expect a centrepiece such as seitan or a nut roast, seasonal greens, and crisp roasties that stand up to rich gravy. The setting is classic east London, lively yet warm, with staff who know the menu inside out. Booking is wise for Sunday, peak slots fill fast.
The Gardener’s Arms (Oxford) keeps meat-free roasts traditional and satisfying. Expect nut roasts, rich gravy, and proper sides that feel classic, not token. The atmosphere suits families and students alike. Sundays are busy, so book ahead, and ask about gluten-free choices when you call.
The Old Queen’s Head (Islington, London) has a vegan roast that changes with the seasons. Plates tend to be big, with generous veg and well seasoned mains. The pub gets lively, so early bookings are smart, and late afternoon tables are a good shout if you prefer a quieter time.
These pubs stand out for fresh produce, friendly teams, and full menus that treat vegan dishes as equals. For best results, check menus online, as options shift with the seasons. If a Sunday slot is gone, look for later sittings or early evening tables.
Other good vegan pubs are:
- The Walnut Tree, Suffolk
- The Punter, Oxford
The World’s First Plant-Based Steakhouse!
The Queen Inn is not only a fantastic pub in beautiful Wales that went plant-based a few years ago, but it has now been voted not just the best-rated vegan restaurant in Europe, but one of the top five in the world! This family-owned business dates back a long time.
And rather than continue the tradition of serving up meat, it has instead decided to offer plant-based alternatives like realistic redefined steaks, ‘battered fish and chips’, vegan crab cakes and cauliflower steaks! The food is so good that people travel from Scotland to taste these meals!
This pub is both beautiful and welcoming (even visiting dogs get water bowls and blankets to sit on). The pub decided to go plant-based during Veganuary and it was so successful, so far using the vegan calculator, the pub landlords reckons their alternative menu has saved:
- Over 40,000 animal lives
- Over 350,000 kilos of carbon dioxide
- Over 165 million litres of water
- Over 350,000 square metres of forest
- Over 812,000 kilos of grain
Why Choose These Pubs for Your Vegan Roast?
- Allergy-aware kitchens: Clear labelling for nuts, soy, and gluten, plus staff trained to handle requests. It helps diners relax, especially in mixed groups.
- Local and seasonal produce: Many kitchens source veg from nearby suppliers, which keeps flavours bright and keeps roasts in tune with the time of year.
- Proper gravy and Yorkshire puddings: Chefs make vegan gravy with depth, often from roasted veg, stock, and yeast-based seasonings. Vegan Yorkies are now common on top-tier menus.
- Family-friendly settings: Space for prams, dogs welcome in many rooms, and a gentle buzz that suits Sunday socialising.
- Sustainable ethos: Plant-based mains lower the footprint of your meal. Some pubs also cut waste and use recycled packaging for takeaways.
What to Expect from a Vegan Pub
A strong vegan roast sticks to the ritual, then swaps the main for a plant-based hero. The plates feel familiar, and the flavours carry the same Sunday comfort.
- The main event:
Common choices include nut roast, lentil and mushroom loaf, seitan wellington, or a celeriac steak. Each aims for hearty texture and deep flavour. Expect herbs, caramelised edges, and a savoury base. - Roast potatoes:
Crisp outside, fluffy inside. Many kitchens par-boil, steam dry, then roast in vegetable oil. The goal is crunch, not grease. - Veg sides:
Seasonal greens, roasted carrots and parsnips, braised red cabbage, butter-free cabbage with lemon, and sometimes vegan cauliflower cheese. The best plates stack veg high. - Yorkshire puddings:
Increasingly offered in vegan form, often using plant milk and aquafaba. They rise well when the batter rests and the tin is piping hot. - Gravy:
A savoury blend of roasted vegetables, stock, herbs, and umami boosters such as nutritional yeast or miso. It should coat, not drown. - Desserts:
Expect crumble with plant-based custard, sticky toffee pudding with dairy-free ice cream, or chocolate torte. Keep space if you can.
Common concerns are easy to address. Cross-contamination is managed with separate utensils and fryers where possible. If you have allergies, ask staff to confirm fryer use, gravy ingredients, and Yorkshire methods. Most teams welcome these questions.
Customising helps. Ask for extra greens, swap sides, or request lighter gravy. Many kitchens can tweak salt or heat levels on sauces. Vegan roasts deliver on satisfaction too. Fibre-rich mains, healthy fats, and plenty of veg leave you full yet clear-headed, the kind of contentment that lasts through the afternoon.
Customising Your Vegan Roast
- Extra veg: Add more greens or an extra portion of roasties for a fuller plate.
- Heat and flavour: Ask for chilli oil, mustard, fresh horseradish, or herb salsa on the side.
- Yorkshire swap: If offered, add a second vegan Yorkie instead of one of the sides.
- Gravy plan: Request a jug on the side, then pour to taste.
- Allergy checks: Confirm nut roast contents, stock bases, and fryer use in one quick chat with staff.
- Drinks pairing: Try a vegan ale, a crisp lager, or a dry cider to cut through richness. If you prefer low alcohol, ask for kombucha or a sharp homemade lemonade.
Enjoying Vegan Roasts in Pubs
Sunday is classic, yet many pubs now stretch the roast spirit across the week. Look for:
- Weekday roast specials: Some spots offer smaller roast plates on Mondays or midweek deals when Sundays sell out.
- Seasonal events: Winter feasts, Christmas roasts, and Veganuary menus often feature special mains, such as mushroom wellingtons or truffled parsnips.
- Take-home ideas: Many pubs share key elements to try at home, for example, a nut roast mix, a gravy tip, or a veg prep trick. A home roast inspired by your favourite pub keeps the mood going between visits.
Your choice has a wider effect. Ordering vegan roasts tells pubs that demand is strong, which brings more options across the menu. It also supports lower-impact dining, since plant-based meals use fewer resources than meat-based ones. Small habits add up when multiplied across busy Sundays.
Ready to start close to home? Check your local listings, skim menus, and call to confirm roast times. If your date is flexible, late afternoon tables are often relaxed and less crowded. Bring a friend who swears they need meat to enjoy a roast. Their empty plate might surprise them.
