What makes a good Sunday roast? A pub's cosy nook, an open fire, too many potatoes, a pool of gravy and a difficult choice come dessert? A non-lethargic vegan option too, perhaps?

Whatever your ideal roast might look like, we have enough choice and variety around Thanet for you to find a Sunday lunch that hits the spot, whether you want a roast that appeals to children, puts heft and volume over provenance, or an elevated roast you couldn't replicate at home no matter how hard you tried.

From traditional pub lunches and relaxed affairs to something a little more bougie and occasion dining, here are some of the best Sunday roast across Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate - and in villages around Kent for when you want a proper country pub.

Margate

George & Heart
The George & Heart’s popular roasts are served until 7pm 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. £££. 12-5.30pm. buoyandoyster.com

The Wellington. Michelin Guide recommended roasts (and pies). 1 Duke Street, CT9 1EP £££, 12pm-4pm. instagram.com/thewellingtonmargate/

Willy's. Classy classic British roasts. 6 Dalby Square, CT9 2ER, ££. 12pm-4.30pm. willys.co.uk

pomUS. Roasts that come with a cosy fire, good wines and served in a charming British-style bistro. Fort Road Hotel, 18 Fort Road, CT9 1HF. £££. 1pm-5pm. pomus.co.uk

Stakehaus at Cinque Ports. Hearty, classic roasts that are family-friendly. 50 Marine Terrace, Margate, CT9 1XJ. ££ 12pm-6pm stake.haus/margate

Sete. Sunday lunch, French style. 238 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2QD. £££. 12pm-5pm. setemargate.com

Lillies. Sunday lunch with a Spanish flair and veggie options. 3 Cliff Terrace, CT9 1RU. ££, 1pm-6pm. instagram.com/lilies_margate/

Cliftonville Dining Room. Roasts cooked up by former Streets chef Julian Brown. 1 Northdown Parade, CT9 2NR. £££. 12-4pm. instagram.com/cliftonville_diningroom/

Lafayettes. Excellent selection of vegan and gluten-free options. 13-15 High Street, CT9 1DL. £. lafayettesmargate.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

Faith in Strangers. What other nightclub serves a roast? £££ faithinstrangers.co.uk

A bowl of roast potatoes
Pile them high. Photo: Jonathan Farber

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

Blackbird. A three-course beef or vegan roast for £30. 2-3 Addington Street, CT11 9JN. ££ 12pm-9pm. blackbirdramsgate.co.uk

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

Number Nine. A fancier roast, out of town on the Chapel House Estate. Thorne Hill, CT12 5DS. £££. 12.30-2.30pm. chapelhouseestate.co.uk

The Bedford Inn. One of our favourite Ramsgate pubs and a popular roast spot too. 29 West Cliff Road, CT11 9JP. ££. 12-8.30pm. thebedfordinn.co.uk

The Falstaff. A classic affair, but with two vegan options to choose from. 16-18 Addington St, Ramsgate CT11 9JJ. ££. thefalstafframsgate.com

A joint of pork and roasted carrots
Winter cuisine. Photo: Sebastian Coman

Broadstairs

Aster Not all great roasts have meat on the plate. Aster, Broadstairs' microscopic plant-based restaurant serves up a three-course roast for charity last Sunday of the month. For £35 feast on a sublime meat-free meal, and the knowledge that by chowing down, you're supporting various animal rescue charities. 1 Oscar Road, CT10 1QJ. £££. 12pm-6pm. asterbroadstairs.com

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

Kebbells. A refined two-course roast, with a fish option from Broadstairs' seafood stalwart. 8 Victoria Parade, CT1o 1QS. £££. kebbells.com

Albion Hotel. Roasts alongside a menu of pub classics. 6-12 Albion Street, CT10 1AN. ££. 11.30am-9pm. albionbroadstairs.co.uk

The Pickled Herring. An intimate restaurant serving roasts Saturdays and Sundays - check with venue availability. 54 Albion Street, CT10 1NF. ££. 12.30-3pm. thepickledherringbroadstairs.com

The Albion Inn. Traditional pub roast. 40 St Peter's Road, Broadstairs CT10 2AP. £££. 12pm-3pm. facebook.com/TheAlbionInnBroadstairs

Jetty. Roasts on Sundays and Wednesdays; mid-week roast just £145.95. The Harbour, CT10 1JU. £££. 12-6pm. jettybroadstairs.co.uk

Neptunes Hall. Broadstairs' most fun pub and a great roast. Contact venue for confirmation. 1-3 Harbour Street, CT10 1ET. ££. 12-4pm. neptuneshall.co.uk

Sticky toffee pudding with ice cream
"I couldn't possibly," you lie. Photo: Edward Howell

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

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

Brewing Brothers Beachside, Folkestone. Woodfired chicken, porchetta, beef or celariac straight from the pizza oven, and served with trimmings to share. Folkestone Harbour Arm, CT20 1QH. £££. 12pm-4pm. brewingbrothers.org

A pint of beer in front of an open fire
Not a lot beats a pint by an open fire. Photo: Dan Barrett

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

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

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