Sunday lunch is one of the most valuable trading sessions for UK pubs. Families, groups, couples - all planning ahead and booking tables. If you're not filling every Sunday, you're leaving money on the table.
of Sunday lunch bookings are made online or via phone before Friday
Here's how to get more Sunday bookings.
Be Found When People Search
Most Sunday lunch bookings start with a search. "Sunday roast near me", "pub lunch [town]", "best Sunday roast [area]". You need to appear for these searches.
Optimise Your Google Business Profile
Google Profile for Sunday Lunch
- Add 'Serves Sunday roast' to your attributes if available
- Upload photos of your roast dinners (well-lit, appetising)
- Post about your Sunday menu each week
- Make sure your Sunday opening hours are correct
Create a Dedicated Sunday Lunch Page
Your website should have a specific page for Sunday lunch, not just a mention buried in your menu.
What to Include
- Your Sunday menu with prices
- Booking information (online booking button or phone number)
- Serving times
- Photos of the food
- Special features (kids menu, dog-friendly, vegetarian options)
Need a Website With a Sunday Lunch Page?
We build pub websites with dedicated pages for all your key offerings, optimised for search.
See our website design serviceMake Booking Easy
Sunday lunch is planned. People book midweek for the coming weekend. If booking requires a phone call during pub hours, you'll lose bookings.
Let people book at 10pm on Tuesday when they're planning their weekend. Online booking is no longer optional.
Booking Best Practices
- Online booking available 24/7
- Automatic email/SMS confirmation
- Reminder sent on Saturday or Sunday morning
- Clear communication of any deposits required
Promote Your Sunday Offering
Weekly Social Media Posts
Every Thursday or Friday, post about your Sunday menu. This catches people during the week when they're planning their weekend.
Weekly Post Should Include
- What's on this week (especially if you rotate options)
- Appetising photo
- Call to action to book
Google Business Profile Posts
Weekly posts appear in your Google listing. Highlight this week's roast options, any specials, and availability status ("Few tables left this Sunday").
Get the Experience Right
Marketing brings them in. Experience brings them back.
The Food
Sunday Roast Essentials
- Generous portions (Sunday lunch isn't the time for delicate plates)
- Proper gravy (this matters enormously)
- Crispy roast potatoes
- Vegetarian option that's actually good, not an afterthought
- Kids portions that kids will actually eat
The Atmosphere
- Background noise at the right level (families are noisy - that's fine)
- Staff who are welcoming to kids and dogs
- Not rushed - Sunday lunch is leisurely
Encourage Repeat Bookings
Follow-Up
Post-Visit Actions
- Thank-you email with a link to book again
- Ask for a Google review (Sunday-specific reviews help your visibility)
- Mention upcoming special Sundays (Mother's Day, Father's Day)
Special Occasions
Sunday lunch is often for celebrations. Promote specifically for:
- Mother's Day (book up weeks in advance)
- Father's Day - see our Father's Day promotion guide
- Birthdays and anniversaries
- Post-christening gatherings
Get Professional Help
Want a professional review of how you're promoting your Sunday lunch online?
Book a free audit