While the end of summer is always a sorry thought, walks in crisp fresh air and hearty Sunday roasts make the incoming cooler, darker months a little easier to bare.

With that in mind, here's where to find the best Sunday roast lunches in north London in and near Hampstead.

Words, by Mark Kebble, Zita Whalley. 

1 The Parakeet, Kentish Town

This gastro pub, which opened in March 2023 where the former Oxford Tavern once stood, has now launched its Sunday roast lunch, which sounds pretty good. Ex BRAT chefs Ben Allen and Ed Jennings head up the kitchen team who cook over an open fire, putting a smoky take on traditional roasts. There’s also veggie-friendly options like the celeriac wellington.

Address: 256 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AA

Website: theparakeetpub.com

2 The Wells Tavern, Well Walk

A charming Georgian pub, with compact but well formed terrace out front, The Wells Tavern is yours cosy neighbourhood boozer, with comfy seats to get lost in and board games to while a way an afternoon with - battle it out with friends or family around a lazy Sunday lunch and several rounds of pints.

Address: 30 Well Walk, Hampstead NW3 1BX

Website: thewellshampstead.co.uk

3 The Duke of Hamilton, New End

This pub oozes a relaxed charm and elegance, and comes with spacious paved garden out the back. Plying Hampstead residents with booze since the 1700s, the venue has been favoured by the likes of Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole and Oliver Reed. Dog friendly.

Address: 23-25 New End, NW3 1JD

Website: thedukeofhamiltonnw3.com

4 The Red Lion and Sun, North Road

A charming village pub in the heart of Highgate, The Red Lion & Sun is popular with locals and those taking a stroll through Highgate Cemetery or Hampstead Heath. The menu, including the Sunday roast menu, changes regularly but you can bank on it being as hearty as it is rustic and warming.

Address: 25 North Road, Highgate Village, N6 4BE

Website: theredlionandsun.com

5 The Bull and Last, Highgate Road

The sister venue to The Baring in Islington, The Bull and Last is where the team earned their stripes for superb British cuisine. The Bull and Last champions seasonality and locality both in the kitchen and behind the bar, so expect to drink a British craft brew alongside your roast pork belly or Essex prime rib for two.

Address: 68 Highgate Road NW5 1QS

Website: thebullandlast.co.uk

6 Patron, Fortess Road

Newly opened in Kentish Town, Patron is Parisian-style brassiere with a newly launched Sunday lunch that comes with a French twist - Camembert fondue, slow cooked duck confit, or a cote de boeuf for two, for example. Also try Burgundy snails that come in a garlicky butter, countryside terrine or the classic French onion soup. For the Sunday lunch roast purists, relax, all roasts come with a gravy boat and a Yorkshire pudding, if requested.

Address: 26 Fortess Road NW5 2HB

Website: patronrestaurant.com

7 The Flask, Flask Walk

A proper pub that, unsurprisingly, has become something of an institution in and around Hampstead. While a supping on a pint of Young’s PA at the bar, but head to the light-filled conservatory to tuck into the pub's Sunday lunch. Dishes are quintessentially British - Scotch egg, smoked mackerel pate, or celeriac soup to start, with a wheel of baked camembert or a ploughman's platter to share. The chicken comes with pig-in-blankets and one of the vegetarian options - the five root has, comes with a spicy bloody Mary relish.

Address: 14 Flask Walk NW3 1HE

Website: theflaskhampstead.co.uk

8 The Spaniards Inn, Spaniards Road

With wonderful, historical stories, the dog-friendly bar and the creak of the wood as you head upstairs - there's plenty of reasons to love the The Spaniards Inn. And there's the food of course. Come Sunday, the kitchen serves up a traditional roast offering, as well as a selection of European starters alongside a menu of pub grub should you not be in the mood for half a roast chicken.

Address: Spaniards Road NW3 7JJ

Website: thespaniardshampstead.co.uk

9 The Horseshoe, Heath Street

Once the birthplace of the Camden Town Brewery, which started life in the pub basement, The Horseshoe is now part of the ever-expanding Camden Town Brewery empire, where unsurprisingly you can sit back and enjoy quite a selection of drinks. Championing seasonal British ingredients, the kitchen whips up a classic and satiating pub Sunday lunch.

Address: 28 Heath Street NW3 6TE

Website: thehorseshoehampstead.com

10 Gaucho, Heath Street

Of course this Argentinean steak house puts on a fine Sunday lunch. This one comes with unlimited vegetables and Yorkshire puddings, so come hungry. If you've got room left, there's good selection of desserts, but you could also go for as dessert cocktail instead.

Address: 64 Heath Street NW3 1DN

Address: gauchorestaurants.co.uk