We’ve found the best Sunday roasts in Notting Hill and Kensington for the perfect lazy lunch
By Abbie Schofield
From fluffy roasties and crispy golden parsnips to perfectly cooked veggies topped with rich, steaming gravy, nothing beats a comforting roast. Here at Absolutely London, we like to think of ourselves as Sunday roast connoisseurs, having undertaken the task of trying as many delicious roasts as we can to rank them for our readers (it’s a hard life). The variety of Sunday roasts on offer in London is immense, particularly with increasing numbers of establishments offering vegan options, so whether you’re a classic chicken or a nut roast kind of person, your perfect match is out there.
These are the best traditional English roasts to try in the Notting Hill and Kensington area.
The Best Sunday Roasts In Notting Hill
The KPH
The KPH is a legendary neighbourhood spot a stone’s throw from Ladbroke Grove tube station that boasts a lively downstairs pub area, and a more refined – but still cosy – upstairs dining room. The Sunday menu by chef Henry Harris is everything you want in a roast lunch. Think braised Cotswold lamb shoulder, roast beef with horseradish, crisp Yorkshire puddings the size of your head and creamy leek gratin.
139 Ladbroke Grove, W10 6HJ; thekph.co.uk
SW7 Restaurant
Sundays at relatively new SW7 restaurant are a real treat, as diners can choose from Scottish beef sirloin with thyme Yorkshire puddings and horseradish foam, lemon and garlic chicken with sage and chestnut stuffing, pork loin with apple sauce and crackling, or a lentil, mushroom and spinach wellington, plus all the trimmings.
61 Gloucester Road, SW7 4PE; instagram.com/sw7restaurant
Caractère
Not a traditional roast as such, but Emily Roux and Diego Ferrari’s restaurant Caractère serves beautiful seasonal cooking, expertly curated by the husband and wife team, with a menu didivded into six different character traits, from Curious (small plates) to Greedy (dessert). The roast rib of veal is served as a portion for two, with confit potatoes, pied-de-mouton, fresh horseradish and veal jus. For extra indulgence, finish with the molten chocolate tart with pecan praline, salted caramel and mascarpone ice cream.
209 Westbourne Park Road; W11 1EA, caractererestaurant.com
Julie’s
This iconic Notting Hill restaurant has been open since 1969 and has been a stomping ground for stars like Kate Moss and the Rolling Stones over the years. Julie’s recently underwent a renovation and the new Sunday lunch menu, created by chef-patron Shay Cooper, is a three course feast with starters such as smoked pork with guinea fowl and duck terrine, while mains are a variety of classic roasts with all the trimmings. For something sweet, diners can opt for the likes of vanilla rice pudding with poached rhubarb and mint ice cream.
135 Portland Rd, W11 4LW; juliesrestaurant.com
Paradise by Way of Kensal Green
A stone’s throw away from Notting Hill is Kensal Green, home to Paradise, whose Sunday lunch menu is classic and simple yet full of appealing details. You can order a group roast, and there are small portions of everything for children (as well as a standard kids’ menu for the more demanding). We recommend the slow-roast lamb rump which is tender, silky and juicy with a mountain of vegetables including proper roast potatoes, cauliflower, greens, parsnips, carrot puree and red wine gravy. Don’t forget room for pudding, because there’s tiramisu and sticky toffee pudding for afters.
19 Kilburn Lane, W10; theparadise.co.uk
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