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.
5. The Bell & Castle, 98 Burton Road, Derby DE1 1TG
Take a short walk from Derby city centre and be rewarded with a top notch Sunday roast at The Bell & Castle. Diners appreciate the ‘melt in your mouth beef’ and ‘very tasty, good portioned food with crispy roasties’. | Google
6. Malt Shovel, Potter Street, Derby DE21 7LH
‘Tasty and plentiful portions’ and ‘brilliant family Sunday lunch’ are just two of the most recent online reviews of this chilled out neighbourhood pub in Spondon. It is also vegetarian friendly. A beer garden also makes Malt Shovel a lovely space to tuck into a succulent roast on a lazy, hazy, spring afternoon when it gets warmer. | Google
7. The Red Cow, 2 St. Edmunds Close, Derby DE22 2DZ
Diners at this local country pub are fans of this ‘delightful pub serving traditional food’ and ‘plentiful rich gravy’. Located just 3.5miles away from Derby city centre, The Red Cow is a hit with locals who love a bit of history while tucking into Sunday lunch in Allestree’s 17th century coaching inn. | Google
8. Rose & Crown, Main Road, Morley, Derby DE7 6DG
This traditional country pub in the scenic setting of Morley delights diners with its ‘top presentation of delicious dinners’ and ‘excellent roast dinners’. | Google