Sunday Lunch in Emsworth

Roast dinners and weekend dining in the town's pubs and restaurants

Sunday lunch is a popular occasion in Emsworth, with the town's pubs and restaurants offering traditional roast dinners that draw locals and visitors alike. The Blue Bell on South Street is a favoured choice, serving roast beef, lamb, or chicken with the full accompaniments in a coaching-inn setting that adds atmosphere to the meal. The Lord Raglan on Queen Street provides another option, with a more local, neighbourhood feel. Both pubs serve real ales alongside the food, and a pint of something local with a roast is a thoroughly Emsworth way to spend a Sunday lunchtime.

Booking is advisable at the more popular places, particularly in summer and on fine weekends when the town is busy with visitors. A sunny Sunday brings walkers, harbour-watchers, and day-trippers from Portsmouth and Chichester, and the pubs fill quickly. Turning up without a reservation at the Blue Bell on a fine July Sunday is likely to end in disappointment.

Families with children are generally welcome, and most places offer a children's menu or smaller portions. The atmosphere on a Sunday lunchtime is relaxed, with extended groups of friends and families making a leisurely afternoon of it. The walk back from the pub along the harbour or through the town centre is part of the ritual.

For those who want something beyond the traditional roast, Fat Olives does not serve a Sunday lunch in the pub sense, but the restaurant's regular menu is available at weekends and provides a more refined option. The cafes are open for lighter Sunday eating, and the harbour-side options provide an alternative for those who prefer a casual lunch with a view. The Good Intent at Westbourne, a short walk west, is another Sunday lunch option that Emsworth residents use regularly.