While the bench seats outside this Fitzroy pub are the place to be on a sunny day, inside is where the magic happens in winter. Settle down next to the open fire in the front bar to sample a roast dinner that is the stuff of legend. A fitting end to any weekend is the half roast chicken sitting atop buttery, creamy mashed potato, complimented perfectly by a lentil jus. The Marquis’ sister pubs have all become masters of the roast in their own right, particularly the Mount Erica Hotel in Prahran. 411 George St, Fitzroy, marquisoflorne.com.au

Reed House presents a fine-dining take on the Sunday roast, elevating it from its humble roots. Every month they work in collaboration with a new chef, which means the menu is always changing. One constant? Chef Mark Hannell’s signature sourdough Yorkshire puddings. $70 gets you snacks, mains, sides and dessert. 130 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne; reedhousemelbourne.com

Cantonese-inspired Sunday roasts are a popular drawcard at Albert Park Hotel, courtesy of its in-house Chinese restaurant Happy Valley. Like most of the menu inside the expansive dining room, the Sunday Roast is a share-style banquet. The weekly rotation of proteins includes Wimmera roast Peking duck served with an orange and plum reduction; pull-apart beef brisket in a sticky, luscious hoisin glaze; pure Black Angus beef ribs (MB5); and Otway free-range pork belly with a shatteringly crisp crackling, all served with matched condiments and a choice of sides such as fried rice and san choi bao. $70 for two. 85 Dundas Place, Albert Park; thealbertpark.com.au

Neighbourhood Wine has nailed the brief for a long, indulgent weekend lunch. Its Sunday Roast Lunch starts with house sourdough with whipped butter and shared seasonal entrees such as creamy stracciatella with golden beetroot and charcuterie with pickled guindillas. The main event, the roast of the day, takes premium cuts like a porterhouse steak roasted to a gentle tender pink, served with shatteringly crispy potatoes, a fluffy Yorkshire pudding, green veg, horseradish cream and jus, with a vegetarian version available. $65 a head. Go all-out by adding optional starters like Merimbula oysters, a cheese course or nostalgic desserts like creme diplomat. 1 Reid St, Fitzroy North; neighbourhoodwine.com

Elegance abounds at Scott Pickett’s Estelle Bistro, where roasts are refined and perfectly portioned. Petals of translucent onion with charred edges sit atop the perennial favourite beef, which is flanked by vibrant baby carrots and velvety mash. Oh, and dessert is like your nanna’s best, but with a glorious modern twist. A three course roast feast is $50 or $25 for kids under 12. 243 High St, Northcote, estellebistro.com

Three words to cause a pang of nostalgia for any Pom: ‘pigs in blankets’. This classic comfort food of sausages ensconced in bacon is one of the additional sides you can order, along with the equally cockle-warming cauliflower cheese, at this proudly British pub. When it comes to mains, there’s roast beef, roast chicken with stuffing or a nut roast, each coming with all the traditional trimmings: carrots, peas, a Yorkshire pud, roast potatoes and, of course, gravy. Finish off with a sticky toffee pudding or a creme brulee spiked with amaretto, and you’ll be full from stomach to soul. 107 Grey Street, St Kilda; lionandwombat.com.au

This beloved neighbourhood pub is a cut above, with a commitment to sourcing free range and grass fed proteins. While they change it up every three weeks, a mix of lamb, pork and beef, you know what you’re getting is the good stuff, such as 100 per cent grass fed and dry aged Warialda beef. 91 Cardigan St, Carlton; hotellincoln.com.au

No one does the full Sunday roast better than the British. For one of the most authentic in town, head up to Northern Git on High Street where owner, head chef and expat Michael Slade serves up cracking roast dinners. At ‘The Git’, as it’s fondly known to locals, Yorkshire-born-and-bred Slade does his hometown proud with tender roast beef and three seasonal veg, all doused with lashings of gravy. Even better, the oversized Yorkshire puddings are just like the ones back in Blighty. $38, until sold out. Save room for dessert – there’s a ginger and porter pudding with clotted cream. 757 High St, Thornbury; northerngit.com.au

The Station Hotel might be most famous for steak, but on Sunday it dedicates its considerable skill with proteins towards a traditional Sunday roast. Rotating between roast chicken, crackling pork and tender blushing pink lamb – all served with crispy roast spuds, a pillowy Yorkshire pud and seasonal veg – it’s a Sunday feed worth crossing the West Gate for. Roast service also conveniently aligns with the weekly Family Sunday Funday in the beer garden, with face painting and petting zoos giving you a good chance of finishing your meal in peace. $35 for an adult serve, $15 for kids. 59 Napier St, Footscray; thestationhotel.com.au

If you’re after a Turkish-style Sunday roast, then Lezzet is the place for you. Choose from several ‘sofra’ banquets (sofras are low tables or trays traditionally used in Turkey), with all menus starting with delicious regional dips and warm bread. Then move onto the lamb cooked for 18 hours in a wood oven that is so tender you’ll wonder why you’d eat lamb any other way. 81 Brighton Rd, Elwood, lezzet.com.au