Come winter, when the inclement weather sets in and all you crave is comfort, a Sunday roast is perhaps the most satisfying, soul-warming salve on offer. Dating back to medieval England, what was once a post-church tradition has evolved into a weekly ritual at dinner tables across the country — and many of the city’s most loved eateries are stepping things up a notch to spare you the dishes and take the once-humble roast to delicious new heights.

Here, we round up the best elevated takes on a Sunday roast in the city, from speciality cuts with curated trimmings to all-out feasts, so all that’s left to do is see out the week in style.

Jervois Steak House

Jervois Steak House has resurrected its famed wagyu Sunday roast, perfect for winter indulgence. Ending each week with a comforting feast, here, the star of the show is a 12‑hour slow‑cooked Southern Stations wagyu rump — tender, rich, and utterly melt‑in‑the‑mouth. It’s served with all the comforts of tradition: wagyu‑fat roasted potatoes, creamy potato gratin, pillowy Yorkshire puddings, seasonal veg, and a glossy house‑made jus. Priced at $79pp (minimum two), with a $15 house wine option, JSH’s roast is available from 5pm every Sunday through June, July, and August — first‑come, first‑served, so book early!

The Pantry at Park Hyatt

The Pantry at Park Hyatt Auckland takes Sunday roast up a notch with its cosy waterfront setting in Wynyard Quarter. Every Sunday from 5pm–8pm, guests can indulge in a rotating roast — think perfectly seared meats — accompanied by seasonal vegetables, golden potatoes, and rich house-made gravy, all for just $38 per person. Ideal for ending the week in style, this offering brings warmth and simplicity without compromise. Gather family or friends, book a table, and treat yourselves to a comforting, quality roast by the water.

Hotel Ponsonby

Hotel Ponsonby’s take on the Sunday roast is as delicious as one would expect, given the lively spot’s reputation on the food front. Choose between roasted picanha with horseradish and pink peppercorn gravy ($36) or a slow-roasted butternut pumpkin version with mushroom gravy ($32) — both served with crispy potatoes, glazed purple carrots, and Yorkshire pudding. It’s a contemporary, flavour-forward update on tradition, best paired with a wine match or something from the aperitif list. For dessert, don’t miss the mezcal-laced sticky toffee pudding with miso caramel and fig cream, or the lemon tart with bay leaf mascarpone, accompanied by a digestif to finish with a flourish.

Ki Māha

Ki Māha delivers a sumptuous coastal twist on the classic Sunday roast. Set against the fireside ambiance of Onetangi Beach, this winter’s offering features a slow-roasted Lumina lamb shoulder nestled alongside crispy duck-fat potatoes, golden Yorkshire puddings, and pan-seared broccolini — with ethically farmed meats and seasonal produce taking centre stage. Available all day, this hearty feast can be paired for two with a bottle of Ki Māha’s Black Label Syrah for $169.

Bivacco

While not a classic roast, Bivacco’s Sunday Feast is more than worthy of a mention on this list. From 11 am to 4 pm, this lavish buffet celebrates seafood, wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta and a succulent carvery featuring prime beef, pork belly and lamb leg roast stuffed with Italian sausage. Seasonal antipasti, roast veggies, and duck-fat potatoes ensure you won’t go hungry, before capping it all off at the dessert station with tiramisu, pavlova, carrot cake and more. Add cocktails, champagne specials, and live DJs for a truly lively Sunday experience — all for $85pp ($35 for kids).