There’s nothing better than a Sunday roast. From crispy potatoes to rich gravy, it’s a meal that feels like a big hug. So when The Good Food Guide announced its Best Sunday Roast 2024 winner it was no surprise that the top spot went to a Yorkshire pub.
In the beautiful surroundings of Byland, North Yorkshire, The Abbey Inn has been crowned the UK’s best place for a roast dinner. And let’s be honest if you’ve ever had a proper Yorkshire roast you’ll know they don’t mess about with this tradition.
What’s So Special About The Abbey Inn?
The Abbey Inn is no ordinary pub. Owned by chef Tommy Banks, a three-time winner on The Great British Menu, this place opened just over a year ago and is already making waves. So what’s the secret to its award-winning roasts? It’s all about quality ingredients and a lot of love.
The pub’s Sunday roasts often feature rare-breed meat from Banks’ own family farm. Every bite tells a story of quality and care, from the pink, juicy beef to the golden pork crackling. Add fluffy Yorkshire puddings and potatoes roasted to perfection and you’ve got a meal that’s both nostalgic and next-level.
Tommy himself says:
“At this time of year there’s nothing better than going to the pub for a roast dinner. It’s a big part of our culture… Everyone can make a good roast at home but it’s hard to make everything just right.”
Why The Good Food Guide Loved It
Co-editor Chloë Hamilton explains:
“Tommy Banks’ pub is a handsome one, set beneath Byland Abbey and with lovingly home-reared, home-grown produce at the heart of every roast. There’s delicacy and thoughtfulness on the plate without being too fancy. Down-to-earth deliciousness from one of Britain’s top chefs makes it a winning formula.”
It’s not just about the food either. The location and service are also spot on for that Sunday pub feeling.
Yorkshire’s Other Roast Spots
Yorkshire’s got some great roasts and other local places made it into The Good Food Guide’s top 50:
- Ox Club – Leeds, West Yorkshire
- The Brick Yard – Brighouse, West Yorkshire
- The Owl Hawnby – Hawnby, North Yorkshire
- The Social Distortion – Hull, East Yorkshire
Each one is different but they all stick to the basics of a great roast: quality ingredients, careful cooking and loads of flavour.
Roast Time? Book Now!????????????
If your mouth’s watering at the thought of crispy roasties and thick gravy, it’s time to book a table. Whether you head to The Abbey Inn or one of Yorkshire’s other gems, you’ll be in for a treat.
And who knows? Maybe next time you cook a Sunday roast, you’ll try to channel a bit of Tommy Banks magic into your own kitchen. (Though let’s face it, Yorkshire pudding that good is hard to beat!)
