This is one of Bristol’s historic pubs, built in 1673, and is recognised for its “nostalgic and refined” roast dinner.
There’s nothing quite like tucking into a hearty Sunday roast, complete with succulent meat, rich gravy, and crispy, fluffy spuds. The only thing that can elevate this experience is not having to slave over a hot stove for hours on end to prepare it. That’s why the glorious invention of the pub roast dinner is a firm favourite for many.
As a Londoner, I enjoy a roast dinner at least once every fortnight, but I rarely venture to a pub or restaurant to savour the dish. That was until last week. The South West of England feels like a second home to me, as several of my mates reside in various cities within the region, but for our quarterly get-together, we decided to head to Bristol for a much-needed chinwag over a few pints and a scrumptious meal.
Given that it was a Sunday, my mate, who is a local, chose to take us to a pub that Bristol Live readers had crowned as the best roast dinner spot in 2024. The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer on King Street is one of Bristol’s historic pubs, established in 1673, and is renowned for its “nostalgic and refined” roast dinner.
The moment we stepped inside, I was immediately taken by the stunning Grade II* listed building, which exuded a Tudor-like charm, with its dark wooden floors, dim lighting, and vintage tables and chairs. We then made our way to the extensive bar boasting a selection of 36 beers and ciders.
The pub’s official website states: “No two visits to The Volley are the same. With a constantly evolving beer list, once a beer goes, it is gone.” Fortunately for me, I don’t have a ‘go-to-beer.’ I can genuinely stomach any of them, provided they’re made into a shandy.
The welcoming bar staff member assisted a somewhat bewildered me with ease and poured me a delightful pint of their suggested beer.
The menu
Once our drinks were sorted, we made our way to our pre-booked table and studied the rather impressive menu. For its Sunday menu, The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer provides starters, sharers, mains, sides, and dessert.
For starters, diners can tuck into duck croquettes (£8.00), smoked haddock fishcake (£6.80) and halloumi fries (£6.80). Mains feature the Volley Triple, which includes 32-day-aged topside of beef, overnight roasted pork belly, and slow-roasted shoulder of lamb (£20.00).
Guests can also select individual roasts, featuring 32-day-aged topside of beef (£17.50), overnight roasted pork belly (£16.50), slow-roasted shoulder of lamb (£17.00), or the marinated roast quarter of chicken (£16.50).
Vegetarian choices are also available, including the walnut and beetroot nut roast (£15.50) and the sweet potato and mushroom Wellington (£15.50). The pub said: “All roasts are served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal greens, carrot and parsnip purée, roasted seasonal roots and gravy.”
The menu boasts sides such as cauliflower cheese with crispy leeks (£5.00), roast potatoes (£3.00), pigs in blankets (£3.00), Yorkshire pudding (£2.00), seasonal vegetables (£3.00), sage and onion stuffing (£2.00), and extra gravy (£2.00). For those with a sweet tooth, there’s chocolate and caramel fondant (£6.50), sticky toffee pudding (£6.50), the summer semifreddo (£6.50) or a selection of ice cream (£1.50 per scoop).
As a group, we opted for different mains, but I chose the classic roast chicken. Accompanying this, we ordered a side of cauliflower cheese, stuffing, halloumi fries and pigs in blankets.
My verdict?
In three words: It was decent.
This pub roast didn’t particularly stand out, but it was enjoyable. The chicken was succulent and juicy, albeit lacking some flavour. The Yorkshire was massive but slightly overdone for my liking, and the same could be said for the stuffing.
I would have preferred more gravy without the additional cost, as it was truly scrumptious, but the amiable waitress offered us complimentary sauces such as mint, apple and cranberry. The vegetables were cooked to perfection, and the roast potatoes were divine.
I was also pleased with the portion size, and the presentation scored a perfect 10/10. However, considering my bill came to £19.50, I’m not sure I’d return specifically for their roast, but I’d certainly pop back for their beer selection and perhaps sample a tempting dessert.
This may cause a stir, but I genuinely believe that Tobey Carvery serves superior food at a more affordable price. A Sunday roast at Toby Carvery will set you back £16.29 (and that’s London prices! ), but diners can tuck into a minimum of three roasted meats, freshly steamed vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and all the trimmings, including as much gravy as your heart desires.
Other opinions
Bristol Live journalist Grace Burton reviewed the pub in 2024 when the poll results were released. She said: “What really sets The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer apart is the commitment to making everything in-house (except the chips), from the gravy to the desserts.
“The food, paired with the excellent service overseen by General Manager Carl, results in a Sunday roast that feels both nostalgic and refined, offering exceptional attention to detail.
“Whether you’re a local or passing through Bristol for Christmas, it’s a meal worth savouring. So, yes, Bristol Live readers who voted for this Sunday roast certainly got it right!”.
The new pub winner for 2025 was announced last week. The Rose and Crown, along Two Hill, has taken the top spot. Find out more by clicking here.