With an opening slogan like 'A Uniquely Inhospitable Place' coupled with 'Life is Brewtiful' across their website homepage, a pub like this can certainly catch one's attention. Located in Bristol, which is known for having some of the U.K.'s most brilliant dishes outside of London, The Bank Tavern is certainly on many foodie's bucket lists. However, those foodies might be waiting a lot longer if it's The Bank Tavern's Sunday roast dinners they're looking forward to.
At the time of writing, this pub has a waitlist of roughly four years thanks to the backlog during the pandemic. Even without that, though, people are lining up just to try it - as it's arguably the best roast dinner in all of the U.K.
The Bank Tavern & Its Long English History
The Bank Tavern is home to award-winning food and beer, as is its legacy. However, this legacy is one that dates back centuries, all the way to the 19th century, to be exact. Since the 1800s, this pub has held its doors open through an 'alarming number of riots, two world wars, Thatcher, and Bristol City Council,' according to the Tavern's website. All jokes aside, it's a remarkable piece of culinary history and one that doesn't seem to be going out of style anytime soon. Not only is the historic location of The Bank Tavern alluring to those who have never been, but the scent of the food wafting out of its doors is most inviting.
The Bank Tavern speaks the truth when it claims that it prides itself on 'not taking itself too seriously,' and that's evident in the casual and jovial nature one will experience upon walking in. With a range of award-winning ales and ciders, a night at The Bank Tavern is one that's bound to be a good one, full of some of the London area's best brews and dishes. One, in particular, is so good that's it's caused a waitlist that spans for years.
The Famed Sunday Roast At The Bank Tavern
Throughout the U.K., Sunday (or any day) roasts are a time-honored tradition. Roasts are as crucial a part of England culture, specifically, as burgers are to summer BBQs in the U.S. Well, with a little more finesse and meaning than a cheeseburger, for sure. As such, it's not uncommon for locals to head out on Sunday to a restaurant that's known for its Sunday roast dishes, such as The Bank Tavern.
The fame started back in 2018 when the Tavern was awarded at the Bristol Good Food Awards, and only gained attention after being crowned with 'Bristol's Best Sunday Lunch' by the Observer Food Monthly Awards in 2019. The classic Sunday roast offers customers two options, and one is vegetarian. The dish incorporates local ingredients that are sourced around Bristol, paving the way to the best local Sunday roast one will likely ever have in their life.
With a base of either meat or vegetables, the dish towers on the plate with Yorkshire pudding and an iconic gravy. It's no wonder that people have resolved to wait four years for this dish; it's entirely worth the early booking. Specifically, the Sunday roast includes the following:
- A choice of dry-aged rare topside of beef, slow-cooked pork belly, or vegetable and lentil loaf
- Yorkshire pudding
- Roast potatoes
- Parsnip puree
- Creamy leeks
- Braised red cabbage
- Seasonal vegetables
All for £11.95.
Dining At The Bank Tavern
Aside from the coveted Sunday roast, The Bank Tavern also offers a menu that's available daily from 12 PM to 4 PM. While the roast is what has customers bending to the will of an intense waitlist, their alternative menu offerings are just as mouthwatering. For weekday lunch, The Bank Tavern includes classic pub fare such as burgers, of which customers have a choice of a classic burger with cheese, a bean-filled beet veggie burger, and a pull pork BBQ burger. The main dishes include shakshuka with feta, roasted pork belly with apple potato mash, rosemary chicken schnitzel, chicken and mushroom pie, and creamy durum pasta. Feeling especially peckish? Consider a small bite such as a Scotch egg, tacos, tempura mushroom bites, or poutine.
At the time of writing, The Bank Tavern might not have a spot open on Sundays for the next four years, but potential customers will be happy to know they can make a reservation on most any other day of the week. Whether it's the roast or the atmosphere one is dining at The Bank Tavern for, they can be assured that the experience will equally match that of the food. If nothing else, a four-year waitlist at least gives a traveler some time to figure out travel arrangements beforehand!