Sunday roast is more than a meal in North Yorkshire—it’s a cherished ritual, mastered by the county’s most characterful pubs.
Making a great Sunday roast takes real skill. Everything has to be timed just right, with top-quality meat, potatoes roasted in good fat, a carefully made Yorkshire pudding, and proper homemade gravy. North Yorkshire has the farms, butchers, game, and scenery to make it all possible. The pubs here also have the kind of buildings and atmosphere that make the meal special.
These aren’t just restaurants in old buildings—they are real pubs, shaped by centuries of welcoming people in from the moors, fields, and farms. Over the years, the food has become truly excellent. Let’s move from this heritage to explore the first contender in our roundup.
Quick Facts
- County: North Yorkshire
- Spread: North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire Dales fringe, North Yorkshire villages and market towns
- What to book: All seven pubs require advance reservations for Sunday lunch. Due to their popularity, some fill up weeks in advance. Book as early as possible to secure your table.
- Yorkshire pudding rule: Every pub here serves a proper, full-sized Yorkshire pudding. In this county, it’s a must. Honestly, it should be the rule everywhere.
1. The Abbey Inn, Byland abbeyinnbyland.co.uk
The Abbey Inn sets the standard. In 2024, more than 18,000 readers nominated pubs for The Good Food Guide’s Best Sunday Roast in Britain award, and The Abbey Inn was recognised as the winner. Its setting beside the dramatic ruins of Byland Abbey makes every meal memorable.
The Abbey Inn in Byland, newly named Best Sunday Roast in Britain by The Good Food Guide 2024, offers cosy accommodation in a 19th-century inn with views of Byland Abbey. Michelin-starred chef director Tommy Banks creates a seasonal menu of reimagined pub classics and a drinks list spanning local ales to cocktails.
Sunday roasts at The Abbey Inn feature rare-breed Saddleback pork or Dexter beef, raised just a couple of miles away at the Banks family farm in Oldstead. The animals are cared for according to high animal welfare standards, living among picturesque rolling farmland.
This 19th-century inn sits right next to the remains of Byland Abbey, a 12th-century Cistercian monastery that was once one of England’s largest. The ruins rise from the field beside the pub. On a clear day, especially in the soft winter light, the view from the garden is one of the most atmospheric in the county.
Forested hills fall away to pasture dotted with grazing sheep, while the dramatic ruins of Byland Abbey loom just beyond the garden. The Abbey Inn’s blend of ancient stonework, rustic charm, and panoramic views makes it a visually unforgettable pub with rooms.
- Where to Stay: The Abbey Inn has rooms. Book directly at abbeyinnbyland.co.uk. The Howardian Hills and the North York Moors are directly accessible from the village, and the Black Swan at nearby Oldstead, Tommy Banks’ Michelin-starred restaurant, is a mile down the road.
- Worth Knowing: Book as early as you can. Since winning the Good Food Guide award, The Abbey Inn has become one of the most popular Sunday lunch spots in the north of England. The roast changes often, depending on what’s being harvested or prepared at the Oldstead farm. To experience another storied North Yorkshire pub, the journey continues to Harome and its celebrated Star Inn.
2. The Star Inn, Harome thestaratharome.co.uk
This 14th-century thatched inn oozes charm and character, with its low ceilings, Robert Mouseman features, and some charred beams preserved as a nod to its history. Head Chef Steve Smith’s cooking has a classical base with modern influences, and Yorkshire takes the lead in rich, flavour-driven dishes, with fish from Whitby, game from the Moors, and vegetables from the kitchen garden.
Andrew is devoted to championing Yorkshire producers, featuring top-quality meat and poultry from local farms, fresh game from nearby shoots, and fish from the North Sea. His famous ‘rich man, poor man’ approach brings together luxury and humble ingredients, with highlights like black pudding and foie gras earning well-deserved acclaim since 2002.
Andrew Pern will celebrate 30 years at The Star Inn in June 2026. Over his tenure, the inn has earned numerous hospitality awards, including its highly regarded Michelin star.
Dating back to the 14th century, The Star Inn survived a devastating fire in 2021, which led to a two-million-pound restoration. The rebuilt thatched roof and haunting exposed charred beams speak to the inn’s past. Its unique blend of resilience, historic quirks, and rural cosiness makes the building truly stand out.
The Sunday menu stands out by showcasing locally sourced beef and pork from village farms, and produce straight from the kitchen garden, ensuring each dish is deeply rooted in the local Yorkshire landscape.
- Where to Stay: The Star Inn has thirteen individually styled rooms across the village road from the pub, one with a snooker table, another with a piano. Book at thestaratharome.co.uk. Helmsley, Rievaulx Abbey and the Cleveland Way are all close.
- Worth Knowing: The Star Inn was ranked 5th in the Top UK Gastropubs in January 2026. Harome is a small village with no through traffic, and it’s not easy to find by chance, which is part of why people who discover it often return. Next, journey deeper into the Moors and discover The Owl at Hawnby, another Sunday roast favourite.
3. The Owl at Hawnby theowlhawnby.co.uk
The team from the former Bantam in Helmsley run this characterful rural pub, perched above a picturesque valley in the North York Moors National Park. A former 19th-century drover’s inn, it features vintage style and a welcoming atmosphere that reflects the hospitality of the staff. Hearty, unfussy dishes—like devilled kidneys and toad in the hole—satisfy every appetite.
Hawnby sits deep in a quiet valley of sandstone and heather in the North York Moors, surrounded by grouse moorlands and estate forest. The village’s mellow sandstone buildings house a church, village store, and this inviting inn. The menu celebrates tradition with aged beef sirloin and Yorkshire lamb, both served with crisp duck-fat potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, cauliflower and broccoli cheese, and rich gravy made with Theakston’s Best. Classic puddings like steamed lemon sponge and treacle tart round out an honest, satisfying meal.
- Where to Stay: The Owl at Hawnby has bedrooms. Book at theowlhawnby.co.uk. The moors above the village offer one of the most complete silences in England.
- Worth Knowing: Just six months after opening, The Owl was added to both the Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide. The Hawnby Estate’s grouse moor produces game that goes directly into the kitchen. In season, expect partridge and grouse on the menu alongside the Sunday roast choices. The tour east brings you next to Great Ayton for another memorable Sunday roast.
4. The Royal Oak, Great Ayton royaloakgreatayton.co.uk
Originally a coaching inn dating back to 1721, The Royal Oak in the quaint North Yorkshire village of Great Ayton is home to one of the best Sunday lunches in the country. Enjoy Travel. It was ranked 19th in the Enjoy Travel top 20 UK Sunday Roasts 2025.
The Royal Oak, built from rustic stone with classic tiled roofs, has hosted travellers since 1721. Inside, glowing log fires and centuries-old beams preserve the true feel of a coaching inn, standing watch over the village green at the centre of Great Ayton.
Originally a coaching inn, this pub dates back to the 17th century and radiates charm and character, with its original beams and cosy log fires. Hosts Simon and Katie Fletcher, along with chef Paul Steele, provide a warm Yorkshire welcome.
Guests can choose from locally sourced roast beef, pork loin, chicken breast, or even a trio of meats for a bigger appetite. Lamb is sometimes offered as a special. One highlight at The Royal Oak is a full Sunday roast served inside a giant homemade Yorkshire pudding. Enjoy Travel. This isn’t just for show—a Yorkshire pudding big enough to hold a full roast is a real achievement, and at the Royal Oak, it’s well known.
Great Ayton is the village where Captain James Cook went to school. The schoolroom where he was educated still stands, now a museum. Roseberry Topping, the distinctive peak above the village, is a short climb with wide views over the Cleveland Plain.
- Where to Stay: The Royal Oak has hotel rooms above the pub. Book at royaloakgreatayton.co.uk. Great Ayton is well placed for the North York Moors and a short drive from Stokesley. Knowing: Be sure to book in advance, especially during spring and autumn when demand is particularly high. The Royal Oak is a favourite with walkers coming down from Roseberry Topping and families exploring the Cook country around Great Ayton.
5. The White Swan, Ampleforth thewhiteswan-ampleforth.co.uk
At the heart of Ampleforth village, The White Swan is a historic landmark, woven into village life for generations. Its aged brickwork and inviting bar have seen generations gather for a pint, market-day meal, or celebratory roast, making it the quintessential village pub.
The pub was recently brought back to life under new ownership, with Michelin-trained chef Kieran Duffy leading the kitchen. Sunday roast here is a highlight, enhanced by the warm local atmosphere. Duffy serves an elevated roast, focusing on flavour. Expect cauliflower cheese with a thick béchamel and sharp cheese, truly crispy, fluffy potatoes, and a rich, savoury gravy.
Ampleforth is a North York Moors village built from warm stone, with Ampleforth Abbey at one end, home to the largest Benedictine community of monks in Britain. Byland Abbey is a few miles away. Duncombe Park and Nunnington Hall are both within easy reach. The village sits on the edge of the national park, with open moorland rising above it.
- Worth Knowing: The White Swan is one of two gastropubs now operating in Ampleforth. The village is well worth the drive on its own. Ampleforth Abbey cider, made by the monks, is worth buying before you leave.
6. The Fox & Rabbit, Lockton foxandrabbit.co.uk
The Fox and Rabbit Inn is a traditional country pub located in the North York Moors National Park on the edge of Dalby Forest on the A169 Whitby to Pickering road. Experienced Head Chef Dave has created a varied menu featuring fresh, simple ingredients, cooked to bring out their best qualities. When possible, vegetables, meat and fish are sourced locally. The Fox & Rabbit Inn
The oldest part of the present building dates back to the late 18th century. WhatPub It sits on the moor road between Pickering and Whitby, at one of the highest points on the A169, with the Vale of Pickering dropping away to the south and the moor stretching north towards Goathland and the coast. The position is elemental. In winter, when the road across the top is cold, and the heather is brown, and the pub fire is going, the Fox & Rabbit is exactly the kind of place the moor demands.
All fruit and vegetables are supplied by Taylor’s of Pickering. Fish is landed at Whitby and supplied by Hodgson Fisheries. Real and cask ales are supplied by Theakston’s Brewery in Masham and the Great Yorkshire Brewery. Foxandrabbit
The SundaThe Sunday roast here is hearty and generous. Depending on the week, you might find sirloin, lamb shank, pork, turkey, or beef on the menu, all served with a proper Yorkshire pudding, crispy roast potatoes, vegetables, and rich gravy. Every part of the meal is carefully prepared, and the portions are truly Yorkshire-sized.o Stay: The Fox & Rabbit has B&B rooms and a caravan field. Book at foxandrabbit.co.uk. Dalby Forest, with its cycling and walking trails, is four miles away. The North York Moors Railway runs from Pickering below.
- Worth Knowing: The Hole of Horcum, a dramatic natural hollow just half a mile away, is one of the national park’s most surprising sights. If you walk it before lunch, you’ll definitely have earned your meal.
7. The Crown, Hutton-le-Hole crownhuttonlehole.com
Hut Hutton-le-Hole is often called one of England’s prettiest villages, and it really lives up to that name. Stone cottages, a village green with grazing sheep, the Ryedale Folk Museum next door, and Hutton Beck running through the middle all add to its charm. The Crown pub sits right at the centre. The Crown is a traditional country pub in the charming village of Hutton-le-Hole, serving great food and real ales, with friendly service and a very warm welcome. TripAdvisor: The Sunday roast is a proper, straightforward affair. Huge Yorkshire puddings, tender meats, properly cooked vegetables, and gravy that has been made from something real. The Crown restaurant earns rave reviews from many travellers for its delicious food, especially the Sunday roasts with tender meats and Yorkshire puddings. Tripadvisor
The Crown offers its roast alongside the regular menu, so you can enjoy Sunday lunch without ordering a full roast if you prefer. When it’s cold, the open fire is lit. The beer is Black Sheep, brewed in Masham. Next door, the Ryedale Folk Museum has 30 historic buildings on an open-air site, making it a great way to spend the morning before lunch.
- Where to Stay: The Crown has rooms. Book at crownhuttonlehole.com. The surrounding moor villages of Lastingham, Rosedale Abbey and Gillamoor are all within a few miles.
- Worth Knowing: Hutton-le-Hole is one of the busiest tourist villages in the national park during the summer. Sunday lunch in September or October, when the heather is fading, and the crowds have left, is a much more pleasant experience than in August.
Practical Tips
- Make sure to book every Sunday lunch on this list in advance. The Abbey Inn, The Star Inn, and The Owl at Hawnby often need reservations weeks in advance. Walk-ins are unlikely to get a table at these places.
- Try downloading the AllTrails app for walking routes near each pub. The North York Moors have fantastic walks around all these spots. A morning walk before lunch isn’t just a treat; it’s the perfect way to work up an appetite.
- The North York Moors National Park is at its most dramatic in late summer, when the heather blooms across the hills. It’s quietest and most atmospheric in November and February. Both times are great for enjoying a long Sunday lunch in a cosy pub.
- The fish at these pubs comes from Whitby, the game from local shoots, and the beef and lamb from farms the kitchens know personally. This isn’t just marketing; it’s really how these pubs operate.
Responsible Visiting
Most of the North York Moors villages with these pubs are quite small. Parking in places like Hutton-le-Hole, Hawnby, and Harome can be tricky, so please use designated car parks whenever possible. Take your time and enjoy the relaxed pace of a Sunday in a village pub. Remember, these are real communities, not just tourist spots.
Reader Q&A
Which pub on this list is the hardest to get a table at for Sunday lunch? The Abbey Inn won the Good Food Guide’s Best Sunday Roast in Britain 2024. Book as far ahead as you can. The Star Inn at Harome and The Owl at Hawnby also fill up quickly. If you want a spontaneous Sunday lunch in the North York Moors, The Crown at Hutton-le-Hole or the Fox & Rabbit at Lockton are more realistic options, though it’s still best to book.
Is the Star Inn worth the money? The Star Inn at Harome is a Michelin-starred restaurant in a 14th-century thatched pub. The Sunday menu includes roast options alongside the rest of the menu, and the prices reflect that. Whether it’s worth the money really depends on what you’re comparing it to.
Can I walk to any of these pubs? All of them have walking routes nearby, and the AllTrails app shows the paths around each village. The Hole of Horcum above the Fox & Rabbit, the moor tracks above Hawnby, and the walks through the Howardian Hills from the Abbey Inn are all easy to reach on foot. Getting to the pubs themselves from farther away without a car is harder, since public transport in the North York Moors is limited.
What’s the difference between a Bakewell pudding and a Yorkshire pudding? They’re completely different and come from different counties. A Bakewell pudding is a Derbyshire pastry filled with jam and egg-and-almond custard. A Yorkshire pudding is made from eggs, flour, and milk, and baked in hot fat until it rises. One is a dessert, the other is the must-have companion to a roast. North Yorkshire takes the latter very seriously.
Where to Stay
- The Abbey Inn, Byland: Rooms in a 19th-century inn next to Byland Abbey ruins. Tommy Banks’ kitchen is a few steps from your door.
- The Star Inn, Harome: Thirteen individually styled rooms across the village road from the Michelin-starred pub.
- The Owl at Hawnby: Rooms above a former drovers’ inn in one of the North York Moors’ most remote valleys.
- The Royal Oak, Great Ayton: Hotel rooms above the 1721 coaching inn in the village below Roseberry Topping.
- The Fox & Rabbit, Lockton: B&B rooms in the pub on the moor road between Pickering and Whitby.
- The Crown, Hutton-le-Hole: Rooms in the heart of one of England’s most photographed villages.
In North Yorkshire, the Sunday roast isn’t just a weekend afterthought. It’s a serious meal, made with top-quality ingredients, in pubs that have been feeding people for generations. The pubs on this list have truly earned their spots. The county has earned its reputation. And the Yorkshire pudding deserves every bit of space it gets on the plate.
