Best Sunday Roasts in South Shields

A proper Sunday roast is a serious matter in South Shields. The town has a surprising range of options, from seafront gastropubs to traditional carveries and hotel restaurants. Here are the best places for a Sunday dinner in South Shields.

The Sand Dancer

The Sand Dancer at 2 Sea Road has one of the best pub locations in the North East, sitting right on Sandhaven Beach with a beer garden overlooking the sea. Their Sunday roast menu includes classic beef, chicken, and lamb options with all the trimmings. The combination of a generous plate and sea views makes it a popular choice, so booking ahead is wise.

The pub is dog-friendly too, so you can combine a morning walk along the beach with a roast and a pint afterwards.

Best for: Right on Sandhaven Beach with sea views from the beer garden. Book ahead for Sunday lunch — it fills up fast.

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The Bamburgh

The Bamburgh at 175 Bamburgh Avenue is a Greene King pub serving a traditional Sunday roast with tender meats, golden roast potatoes, fluffy Yorkshire puddings, seasonal vegetables, and gravy. Vegetarian and vegan options are prepared with the same care. Every plate is made fresh to order.

The Bamburgh is near the coast and the Great North Run finish line, making it a familiar haunt for locals in the Harton area. It is a bigger, more modern venue than some of the real ale pubs in town, with sport on big screens and a beer garden.

Best for: Fresh-to-order Sunday roasts with vegetarian and vegan options. A reliable family-friendly choice near the coast.

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The Fountain

The Fountain at 116 Highfield Road in Horsley Hill offers five Sunday roast options, including traditional beef, a seven-hour slow-cooked beef rib, and both vegetarian and vegan alternatives — a mushroom, garlic, and cheese bake or a vegan mushroom and garlic bake. The slow-cooked beef rib is the standout for those who want something beyond the standard carvery.

The Fountain is a Greene King pub with a Flaming Grill kitchen, so the portions are generous and the prices are reasonable. It is close to the Chichester Metro station, making it accessible without a car.

Best for: Five roast options including a seven-hour slow-cooked beef rib. Close to Chichester Metro station.

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Hedworth Hall

Hedworth Hall on Dean Road in Westoe is a Victorian assembly hall turned pub and restaurant, with a menu that includes a well-regarded Sunday carvery. The building itself is worth the visit — high ceilings and period features give it a sense of occasion that most pubs cannot match.

The Sunday roast is available for collection and delivery through Just Eat as well as dine-in, which is useful if you want the full roast experience at home.

Best for: A Victorian assembly hall with high ceilings and period features. Sunday carvery available for dine-in, collection, or delivery.

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The Grey Hen

The Grey Hen at 141 Temple Park Road is a family-friendly pub serving a traditional Sunday roast carvery with generous portions. The Grey Hen was singled out by Shields Gazette readers as one of the best spots in South Tyneside for a Sunday dinner, and the free top-ups on roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and gravy are a genuine draw.

The pub is in the Harton area, close to Temple Park, and has a large car park. It is a straightforward, no-frills venue that does the basics well.

Best for: Free top-ups on roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and gravy. Recommended by Shields Gazette readers.

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Little Haven Hotel

The Little Haven Hotel on River Drive sits at the mouth of the Tyne with views across the river and Littlehaven Beach. The hotel restaurant serves a Sunday lunch that has attracted consistently strong Tripadvisor reviews, with diners praising the quality of the meat and the service.

It is a more upmarket option than the pub carveries — expect table service, a calmer atmosphere, and slightly higher prices. Booking is recommended, especially for the window tables with river views.

Best for: Hotel restaurant at the mouth of the Tyne with river views. A more upmarket Sunday lunch — book window tables in advance.

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How to Choose

If you want sea views, go to The Sand Dancer. If you want a proper carvery at a fair price, The Grey Hen and The Fountain both deliver. For something with a bit more character, Hedworth Hall is hard to beat. And if you are entertaining visitors, The Little Haven Hotel will impress.

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Looking for more? See our guides to the best pubs, best restaurants, and best fish and chips in South Shields.