Best Sunday Roasts in Exeter and Devon: A 2026 Guide

Britain's Greatest Social Tradition

There is no meal in the British calendar quite like the Sunday roast. Not Christmas dinner, which comes with too much pressure. Not a Friday night takeaway, which is eaten half-distracted on the sofa. The Sunday roast sits in that perfect sweet spot: celebratory enough to feel like an event, relaxed enough that nobody is counting courses or watching the clock. You sit down, you eat too much, you argue about who makes the best Yorkshire puddings, and by the time the last of the gravy has been mopped up, the week ahead feels a little less daunting.

It is also, and this matters, an inherently social meal. You do not have a Sunday roast alone. The whole point is the sharing — the plates passed across the table, the second helpings offered before anyone has finished their first, the conversation that starts about the food and ends up somewhere entirely unexpected. As we have written about before, sharing a meal can genuinely change your social life, and the Sunday roast is arguably the purest expression of that idea in British culture.

Exeter and Devon happen to be one of the best places in the country for a proper roast. The ingredients are extraordinary — Dartmoor-reared beef, free-range pork from farms you can practically see from the pub window, root vegetables pulled from red Devon soil. And the pubs and restaurants making the most of them range from cosy city locals to award-winning country inns that are worth every winding lane you drive to reach them.

Here is our guide to the best Sunday roasts in and around Exeter for 2026.

The Country Roasts Worth Driving For

The Nobody Inn, Doddiscombsleigh

If you are serious about your Sunday roast, The Nobody Inn is a pilgrimage worth making. Tucked into the tiny village of Doddiscombsleigh, about six miles south-west of Exeter between the Haldon Hills and the Teign Valley, this 17th-century inn has been drawing food lovers to its low-ceilinged rooms since the 1630s. The Sunday roast here is built around quality West Country meat — think slow-roasted beef or tender pork — served with proper seasonal vegetables, generous Yorkshire puddings, and a gravy that has earned a devoted following.

But the food is only half the story. The Nobody Inn holds one of the most remarkable whisky collections in England — around 240 single malts — and a cheese board running to at least twenty local farmhouse varieties. The building itself is part of the experience: wonky walls, flagstone floors, the kind of atmosphere that you simply cannot manufacture. If you have read our guide to the best gastropubs in Exeter and Devon, you will already know this place. For a Sunday roast with character, it is hard to beat.

Meat quality: Excellent — locally sourced, well-cooked, generous portions. Yorkshire puddings: Proper, puffy, crisp-edged. Gravy: Rich and deeply flavoured. Veggie option: Available, though meat is the star here. Atmosphere: Rustic, characterful, properly old-fashioned. Booking essential? Yes, especially Sundays. Price: Roasts from around £18. Location: Doddiscombsleigh, EX6 7PS — about 20 minutes from Exeter.

The Jack in the Green, Rockbeare

For thirty years, this 2 AA Rosette gastropub on the London Road just east of Exeter has been quietly delivering some of the best Sunday roasts in Devon. Now under the direction of chef patron Craig Griffin, the Jack in the Green takes local sourcing seriously, and the Sunday roast is where that commitment really shows. Expect a proper choice of meats — sirloin beef, belly pork, and often a rotating special — served with roast potatoes, red cabbage, cauliflower cheese, swede mash, mixed greens, and all the trimmings you could want.

What makes it particularly good for groups is the layout. There is a separate bar area, a restaurant section, and a function room, so whether you are a couple or a table of twelve, you can find the right space. Parking is easy, which matters when you are rounding up a carful of friends. The cooking is confident without being fussy — ambitious enough to hold its AA Rosettes, grounded enough that it still feels like a proper pub lunch.

Meat quality: Outstanding — Devon-reared, cooked with real skill. Yorkshire puddings: Light, well-risen, a highlight. Gravy: Rich and plentiful. Veggie option: Yes, always available. Atmosphere: Contemporary country pub with genuine warmth. Booking essential? Strongly recommended. Price: Roasts from around £17-22. Location: London Road, Rockbeare, EX5 2EE — about 15 minutes from Exeter.

THE PIG-at Combe, Gittisham

If you want to turn your Sunday roast into an occasion, THE PIG-at Combe is the place to do it. This 16th-century manor house near Honiton operates on its famous 25-mile menu concept — almost everything comes from within a 25-mile radius of the kitchen, much of it from the estate's own walled kitchen gardens. Their Sunday menu follows the same philosophy, with dishes guided by whatever the foragers and gardeners have brought in that morning.

The roast here is less about the traditional format and more about elevated country cooking — you might find slow-roasted local pork belly with garden herbs, or a beautifully handled piece of Devon beef alongside seasonal vegetables you will not see on a standard pub menu. The setting is spectacular: lush grounds, towering trees, and an outdoor dining spot called The Folly that is perfect for larger groups in warmer months.

Meat quality: Exceptional — hyper-local, seasonal, garden-to-plate. Yorkshire puddings: Not traditional format — think elevated sides. Gravy: Thoughtful, seasonal accompaniments. Veggie option: Always, and done beautifully. Atmosphere: Country house elegance without stuffiness. Booking essential? Absolutely — at least two weeks ahead for Sundays. Price: From around £28.50 for two courses. Location: Gittisham, near Honiton, EX14 3AD — about 20 minutes from Exeter.

In the City: Exeter's Best Sunday Roasts

The Fat Pig, John Street

If you want a Sunday roast with proper independent credentials, The Fat Pig on John Street is hard to beat. Exeter's only independent family-run freehouse does things differently: they raise their own pigs, run an on-site distillery producing gin, rum, vodka, and moonshine, and have a smokehouse out the back. The Sunday roast — served from noon until 3pm — features outstanding roast beef and crispy belly pork that are tender, flavourful, and cooked with the kind of care you would expect from a kitchen that rears its own animals.

Everything is homemade using local suppliers, and the low-waste philosophy means nothing goes to waste. The portions are generous, the prices are fair, and the atmosphere is wonderfully eclectic — think craft beers from their own mini-brewery, vintage decor, and a crowd that ranges from students to retirees. It fills up fast on Sundays, so booking is essential. As we noted in our best pubs in Exeter guide, this is one of those places where the character of the venue is half the experience.

Meat quality: Excellent — some of it literally raised on site. Yorkshire puddings: Homemade, reliable. Gravy: Rich, proper, made from scratch. Veggie option: Available. Atmosphere: Eclectic, independent, full of character. Booking essential? Yes — Sundays fill up quickly. Price: Mains from around £14-22. Location: 2 John Street, EX1 1BL.

Mill on the Exe, Bonhay Road

For setting alone, the Mill on the Exe is one of the best places in Exeter for a Sunday roast. This converted paper mill sits right on the River Exe next to Blackaller Weir, with a waterside beer garden that feels miles from the city centre despite being a short walk from Exeter St David's station. The original water wheel from the building's working days is now a feature in the garden, which gives you some idea of the character.

The Sunday roast offers a good choice of meats alongside generous seasonal vegetables, all served with the kind of consistency that has earned it a loyal following. Reviewers regularly call it the best Sunday roast in Exeter, and the portions are substantial. Paired with St Austell Brewery's award-winning ales, it makes for a properly satisfying afternoon. The riverside terrace on a sunny day is one of the best spots in the city — the kind of place where you order one more pint and suddenly it is closing time.

Meat quality: Good — reliable, well-sourced. Yorkshire puddings: Solid, well-executed. Gravy: Generous and well-flavoured. Veggie option: Yes, and properly thought-through. Atmosphere: Scenic riverside with contemporary pub feel. Booking essential? Recommended for Sundays and weekend evenings. Price: Mains from around £13-22. Location: Bonhay Road, EX4 3AB.

The Turk's Head, High Street

With over 700 years of history, The Turk's Head is one of the oldest pubs in the region, and its Sunday roast lives up to the heritage. The menu champions British farmers and sustainable sourcing — choose from roast rump of British beef with horseradish cream (£20.50), roast chicken with lemon and tarragon stuffing, pig in blanket and bread sauce (£19.50), or a wild mushroom bourguignon pie (£18). All roasts come with roast potatoes, seasonal greens, roasted roots, Yorkshire pudding, and beef dripping gravy.

The pub is right in the heart of Exeter on the High Street, making it one of the most convenient options on this list. The portions are generous, the atmosphere is properly pubby, and the building itself — all low beams and worn stone — adds something that a modern fit-out simply cannot replicate. It is also a good option if you are exploring the city centre with friends, as covered in our best restaurants in Exeter guide.

Meat quality: Very good — British-sourced, well-handled. Yorkshire puddings: Traditional, well-risen. Gravy: Beef dripping gravy, rich and proper. Veggie option: Wild mushroom bourguignon pie — a genuine highlight. Atmosphere: Historic, characterful, properly old. Booking essential? Recommended. Price: Roasts from £18-20.50. Location: 202 High Street, EX4 3EB.

Double Locks, Exeter Canal

There is something about eating a Sunday roast at the Double Locks that feels like a Devon ritual. Situated on the Exeter ship canal, reachable by car, bike, or a pleasant walk along the canal path from the Quay, this pub has a setting that makes every meal feel like an escape. The Sunday roasts are legendary: succulent West Country beef, roast pork, or a veggie Wellington, all piled high with Yorkshire puddings, crispy roasties, honey-glazed root vegetables, pigs in blankets, truffled cauliflower cheese, stuffing balls, and proper gravy.

The journey is half the fun. Walking or cycling along the canal to reach the pub turns a simple lunch into an afternoon adventure — exactly the kind of outing that builds real connection. The waterside beer garden is glorious in summer, and even in colder months the pub has a warmth and bustle that makes you want to stay for one more round.

Meat quality: Very good — West Country sourced. Yorkshire puddings: Proper, generous. Gravy: Rich and plentiful. Veggie option: Veggie Wellington — a real highlight. Atmosphere: Canal-side charm, buzzy and sociable. Booking essential? Strongly recommended for Sundays. Price: Roasts from around £15-20. Location: Canal Banks, EX2 6LT — walkable from the Quay or by car.

Just Outside: Topsham and Beyond

The Lighter Inn, Topsham

Just four miles from Exeter, Topsham's Lighter Inn sits on the quay overlooking the Exe Estuary, and the Sunday roast here is one of the best-value options in the area. With roasts available from around £12 in the evenings and a parsnip and nut roast for vegetarians, it proves that a proper Sunday lunch does not have to break the bank. The setting helps enormously — estuary views, dog-friendly spaces, and the kind of relaxed waterside atmosphere that makes you linger longer than you planned.

The pub is also a great starting or finishing point for a walk along the Exe Estuary Trail, which makes it ideal for combining with an outdoor activity — the kind of social outing we love to recommend for people who find sitting-down dinners a bit too formal at first.

Meat quality: Good — honest pub-quality roast. Yorkshire puddings: Unlimited — a rare and wonderful thing. Gravy: Traditional, well-made. Veggie option: Parsnip and nut roast with roast tomato sauce. Atmosphere: Riverside, relaxed, dog-friendly. Booking essential? Recommended. Price: Roasts from around £12-16. Location: The Quay, Topsham, EX3 0HQ.

Why the Sunday Roast Is the Ultimate Social Meal

There is a reason the Sunday roast has survived centuries of changing food trends. It is not just about the food, though the food matters. It is about the format. A Sunday roast is unhurried. Nobody orders a starter and then rushes through the main. You sit down, you settle in, and the meal unfolds at exactly the pace that good conversation requires. The sharing — passing the gravy boat, arguing about whether you have had your fair share of roast potatoes — creates a natural rhythm of interaction that more formal meals sometimes lack.

Research consistently shows that the act of eating together strengthens social bonds, and the Sunday roast is purpose-built for this. The table is laden rather than plated, which means everyone is reaching, offering, and engaging with each other rather than just with their own plate. It is communal by design. And the pub setting — warm, informal, forgiving — removes the social anxiety that can sometimes come with a restaurant dinner. As we explored in our piece on the role of food in emotional wellbeing and connection, the meals that nourish us most are often the ones where the company matters as much as the cooking.

Quick Comparison

For a fast overview, here is how our top picks stack up:

• Best for a special occasion: THE PIG-at Combe — country house elegance with garden-to-plate cooking
• Best for character: The Nobody Inn — 17th-century charm with whisky and cheese to follow
• Best for groups: The Jack in the Green — multiple dining spaces, easy parking, consistently excellent
• Best in the city centre: The Turk's Head — 700 years of history and a cracking beef dripping gravy
• Best for independents: The Fat Pig — they raise their own pigs, for goodness' sake
• Best setting: Mill on the Exe — riverside, relaxed, hard to leave
• Best adventure: Double Locks — walk the canal, eat the roast, question your life choices on the walk back
• Best value: The Lighter Inn — proper roasts from around £12 with estuary views

Two More Worth Your Shortlist

The Hour Glass Inn — Melbourne Street, Exeter

Quietly one of the best dining pubs in the city, The Hour Glass Inn on Melbourne Street has built a devoted following for its Sunday lunch. The menu changes regularly — working with small local suppliers means the kitchen follows the seasons — but expect choices like slow-roasted rib of beef or belly pork, served with the kind of care and attention that has earned it a reputation as one of the finest roasts in Exeter. Sunday lunch is served from noon to 2pm, with two courses from around £31 and three courses from £39.50. It is on the pricier end for a pub lunch, but the quality of the cooking justifies it. The building is intimate and characterful — a proper neighbourhood pub that happens to serve food that would not be out of place in a restaurant.

Meat quality: Outstanding — locally sourced, seasonally driven. Yorkshire puddings: Not always traditional format — depends on the menu. Gravy: Thoughtful, well-made. Veggie option: Available. Atmosphere: Intimate neighbourhood gastropub. Booking essential? Yes. Price: Two courses from around £31. Location: 21 Melbourne Street, EX2 4AU.

The Blue Ball Inn — Sandygate

Just outside the city in the picturesque village of Sandygate, the Blue Ball Inn is a 17th-century thatched pub that looks exactly like a Devon pub should. Head chef Henry Thompson uses the finest seasonal produce from Devon, and the Sunday lunch — served from noon to 8pm — covers all the traditional bases with real quality. The interior features a proper log-burning fire in winter, and the beer garden is lovely in summer. It is one of the prettiest pubs in the Exeter area and a good option if you want the country pub experience without driving too far from the city. Booking is advised but not always essential. Call 01392 873 401.

Meat quality: Very good — Devon seasonal produce. Yorkshire puddings: Traditional. Gravy: Well-made. Veggie option: Available. Atmosphere: Picture-perfect thatched country pub. Booking essential? Recommended. Price: Contact for current pricing. Location: Sandygate, EX2 7JL — about 10 minutes from Exeter city centre.

Seasonal Sunday Roast Tips

Spring and summer open up the outdoor dining options. The Double Locks' canal-side garden, the Mill on the Exe's riverside terrace, and the Lighter Inn's estuary-facing tables all come into their own in warmer months. Book the outdoor tables specifically if you can — at several of these venues, the garden fills up before the dining room.

Autumn and winter are when the country pubs shine brightest. A Sunday roast at the Nobody Inn with a log fire crackling in the background, or the Blue Ball Inn's thatched snugness on a cold afternoon, are among the most comforting experiences Devon has to offer. This is also when the meat tends to be at its best — slow-braised cuts, rich gravies, and the hearty root vegetables that define the British winter roast.

Christmas and bank holidays: Book as far ahead as you can. Every venue on this list sells out for December Sundays, and bank holiday weekends are nearly as busy. THE PIG-at Combe and the Jack in the Green both run festive menus through December that are worth planning around.

Making a Sunday of It

The best Sunday roasts are the ones you build an afternoon around. Here are a few combinations we particularly recommend:

Canal walk + Double Locks: Walk from Exeter Quay along the ship canal to the Double Locks (about thirty minutes each way). Eat the roast. Question your decisions on the walk back. It is one of Exeter's best traditions.

Topsham + The Lighter Inn: Combine a morning at the Topsham Saturday Market with a roast at the Lighter. Or drive down after a morning coffee in the city and explore the estuary town before lunch.

Dartmoor + The Nobody Inn: A morning walk on Dartmoor followed by a roast at the Nobody Inn is a properly perfect Devon Sunday. The pub is only six miles from Exeter, but it feels like another world.

Ready to Make It Happen?

The best Sunday roasts are the ones you share with good company. If any of these places have caught your eye and you would like people to enjoy them with, we would love to help.