There aren’t many better ways to lift your spirits on a cold winter day than sitting down to a proper roast dinner.
It’s been a favourite in this country for centuries, and it somehow tastes even better when the weather turns.
A plate with tender meat, crispy roasties and a good pour of gravy can improve even the bleakest afternoon.
As the nation’s second-favourite dish (just behind fish and chips), it’s no surprise you can find a solid roast in pubs and restaurants almost everywhere.
But Derby and the surrounding area have more than their fair share of great spots.
Maybe it’s thanks to the mix of rural villages and city pubs, but you won’t struggle to find a roast worth travelling for.
We’ve pulled together reader suggestions and online reviews to create a guide to the best places in Derby and beyond for a standout roast this December.
1. The Dining Room at 121 Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1EX
Occupying a central spot on characterful Friar Gate, The Dining Room is one of the top restaurants in Derby serving Sunday lunches. Diners rate this ‘brilliant gem's’, ‘perfect service’ giving it a five-star rating of the ‘intimate space with serving home cooked meals’. | Google
2. The Bulls Head Wilson, 6 Main Street, Bulls Head Row, Derby DE73 8AE
Located around 10 miles away from Derby city centre, The Bulls Head Wilson dates back to the early 18th century. One Sunday lunch fan loved the ‘perfectly pink beef and tender pork so soft, you can cut it with a spoon’. Sounds good to us! | Google
3. The White Swan, Shepherd Street, Littleover, Derby DE23 6GA
This warm and inviting pub styled in an old world Tudor aesthetic is around 15 minutes away from Derby city centre. Recent reviewers rave about the ‘best pie ever’ while another fan loved ‘great tasty food and friendly atmosphere’. | Google
4. The Malt, 14 The Green, Aston on Trent, Derby DE72 2AA
Based in the village of Aston on Trent, this cosy pub with a giant heart serves elite Sunday lunches to suit all appetites, from ‘mini roasts’ to full on, meat-piled-high platters. Diners rates the ‘delicious’ food and ‘melt in your mouth pork and beef’. | Google