Some of our fondest memories are long Sunday lunches, spent at the table with family, friends and flowing wine.
Let’s face it Aussies love a good roast – the Sunday tradition is all about sitting down to a big meal of veggies, gravy and roast meat with your family to reconnect after a long work week.
How did this tradition begin? The Brits love of beef began during the reign of King Henry VII in 1485 when the Royal guard would eat fresh roasted beef every Sunday after church; resulting in them being affectionately known as the ‘Beefeaters’.
Here are five of our faves to get your Sunday roast fix:
Succulent Sunday Pork Roast
An iconic watering hole for more than a century, The Punka Pub Porepunkah is a well-loved vibrant local meeting place to enjoy sensational local produce, beer and wine. This family-friendly country pub oozes a welcoming and friendly vibe with stunning views of Mount Buffalo from the alfresco area; while indoors boasts a warming fireplace for chilly months, along with a full glass frontage letting in an abundance of natural light and fish tanks in the bathrooms.
Every Sunday The Punka transforms into a haven for pork enthusiasts as the tantalising aroma of slow-roasted pork fills the air – the pork roast is the star of the Sunday specials menu and is the perfect way to top off your weekend, served with traditional crunchy crackling, apple sauce and a selection of roast vegetables.
Weekly Changing Sunday Roast
Global cuisine in a family-friendly setting with an enclosed glass dining area and leafy beer garden is what you’ll find at The Flying Duck Hotel on Bendigo Street in Prahran. Step into a dining room with deep timber accents, neutral tones and exposed red brick, ideal for lingering over a romantic meal, or celebrating with family and friends; while the iconic beer garden features a greenery-surrounded glass house for enjoying a cold wine on a balmy day.
Join the fun on a Sunday for a weekly changing roast meal such as slow-cooked beef cheek, creamy mashed potato, char-grilled broccolini, star anise and red wine jus; or roasted Wagyu rump cap, cauliflower purée, honey carrots, kipfler potatoes and red wine jus, finish your dinner with a dessert like chocolate fondant tart and honeycomb ice cream.
Sunday Roast and Beer Deals
Find a decidedly modern take on food and drinks while maintaining old-school charm at Collingwood watering hole The Fox Hotel on Wellington Street. This cunningly versatile pub turned modern eatery projects a relaxed, welcoming vibe with rustic charm from recycled timber and well-worn brick, while a rooftop deck beckons on balmy days for chilling out with a bite and brew.
Not only is it roast day every Sunday when you can get a two-course meal for just $30, guests can also whet their whistle with $20 jugs of beer – think plates like slow-roasted pork belly with crackling, cranberry sauce, mashed potato, roast pumpkin, sweet potato, onions, Dutch carrots, steamed greens and gravy – add on a dessert of chocolate macadamia brownie, ice cream and wafer for an extra $14.
Roast Specials Every Day
Outstanding value, meals and service are on the menu at the Geelong RSL bistro on Barwon Heads Road in Belmont. From a simple parmy with a couple of mates through to gourmet Porterhouse and Scotch fillet steaks, dining here is a true culinary experience catering for a wide range of tastes and styles in a spacious dining room that is warm and inviting.
Photo credit: Cherie Donselaar.
Every day there are roast meals to tempt all tastes on the specials board such as beef, pork, lamb and chicken, all served with roast vegetables and gravy for a hearty dinner sure to satisfy; or be tempted by choices like chicken and mushroom alfredo penne pasta along with grilled barramundi, topped with creamy wine, shallot and lemon sauce, served with garlic-infused crushed chat potatoes and seasonal vegetables or salad.
Comfort Food at its Finest
Nestled next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and just steps from the city’s historic Rocks district is where you’ll find the Harbour View Hotel on Lower Fort Street. Rich in history, this hotel boasts a rooftop terrace bar for soaking up rays and the stunning view, private event rooms and a great food offering in the upstairs restaurant; perhaps sip on a refreshing ale and enjoy a bite to eat in the downstairs bar.
From pub classics like chicken schnitzel with Parmesan crumb to seafood and pasta, there is something to tempt all tastes; end your week on a high note with a delectable Sunday roast and enjoy comfort food at its finest, served with all the sides you love such as roast potatoes, carrots, broccolini, Brussels sprouts and gravy.
