We’ve been eating our way around the Stow’s Sunday Roasts and writing about them in this evolving post. It’s a tough mission, but someone’s gotta’ do it! One reason for this is that ‘best Sunday Roast’ is such a frequent search on this blog.

Here’s our current favourites:

• The Bell

We’ve been to The Bell a few times over the last couple of weeks and have really noticed that they’ve upped their game in the food they’re offering. The Sunday roast today was lovely – 5 veg including parsnip crisps, roasties, homemade yorkies, a good portion of beef and fiery horseradish – all for £12.90. In the past they’ve not been afraid to try more than the usual options – hopefully the venison will be back again this winter. They serve roasts all day on a Sunday. They also have burgers, pasta and sharing board options if you’re not in the  mood for a roast dinner. There’s a good range of draft real ales, bottled craft beers and wines by the bottle or glass, as well as a decent choice of soft drinks. A roast costs around £12/13 and they do kid size portions. There’s a choice of traditional puds too. The place is packed by 12.30pm including the lovely garden area in the summer. (Nov 2014)

617 Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 4NE
Tel: 020 8523 2277

• Eat17

This place gets packed on a Sunday but they don’t take reservations so it’s best to get there early around 12.30pm or later about 3pm. There’s a bar area for waiting with the Sunday papers. Again the beef is served pink and comes with all the trimmings and sometimes a contentious sprinkle of rocket! The pork is always excellent. A roast costs around £12/14 but there are other choices too. Starters include homemade fishcakes, soup and nibbles. For desert there’s ice creams by the scoop, homemade puddings or a cheeseboard. Good wine and drinks list, and a choice of teas and coffee. (Dec 2013)

28-30 Orford Road, Walthamstow, E17 9NJ
Tel: 020 8521 5279

• The Castle

The Castle has been under new management since August 2013. After successfully trying out their mid-week menu we decided to check out the Sunday Roast today. It was bustling with Sunday drinkers and diners, but we found an unreserved table by the fire. Lunch is from 12noon and they were still serving when we left about 4pm. The roast options included beef, pork, chicken and a tasty nut roast with tomato gravy. There was also a sea bass fish option. Roasts costing between £9.50 and £14, all come with an enormous homemade Yorkshire pudding. The beef is advertised as rare but perhaps better described as served pink. Starters include soup, pate or a salad, and for those going for the full 3 courses there’s a range of desserts or a cheeseboard. The wine list starts from £15 a bottle but there are plenty of choices by the glass plus real ales, lagers or soft drinks. (Dec 2013)

15 Grosvenor Rise East, Walthamstow, E17 9LB
Tel: 020 8509 8095

• The Clapton Hart

Ok, I know it’s not in the Stow but this is one of our favourites. An Antic pub so you know the formula – salvaged, rickety furniture, bare-brick walls and an open fire. Real ale and craft beers. Sunday 12-8.30pm, no bookings on a Sunday and it gets busy early on. Roast Topside with fresh horseradish, roast chicken breast both £12 – with Yorkshires, roast and parsley pots, carrots, cabbage and swede. Kids roast £5.50-6.50. We really like the cheese platter with plum chutney too £6.50. (Jan 2014)

231 Lower Clapton Road,Clapton, E5 8EG
Tel: 020 8985 8124

• The Princess of Wales

Another place just out of the Stow down on the banks of the River Lea near the ice skating centre. Recent refurbished pub. Pizza and pasta is made everyday in house. On a Sunday the roasts range between £13-14.  The pork belly was great – served with  roasties, veggies and Yorkshire pudding. Food served Sunday 12pm – 4pm / 5pm – 8pm. (Feb 2014)

146 Lea Bridge Road, Clapton, E5 9QB
Tel: 020 8533 3463

So where next? We’ve been told that the Warrant Officer in Highams Hill and the Hare & Hounds on Lea Bridge Road, Leyton are worth a visit.