Endless Waiting Lists for Bank Tavern's Sunday Roast in Bristol, a Highly Sought-After Lunch by English Families (and Beyond). First Available Dates? In 4 Years.
The news
For those who thought endless waiting lists and reminders to book in the earliest available slot (perhaps months and months ahead) were exclusive to fine dining restaurants, here's a revelation. Certifying this fact is a study conducted by Dojo, a company that provides payment services for businesses. Taking into account factors like social media visibility, Google searches, and of course, verifying through restaurant websites, they've compiled a list of the top 10 hardest-to-book establishments worldwide. Leading the list is Bristol's Bank Tavern, a distinguished establishment that has been offering its delicacies to diners across the UK (and beyond) since 1800.
If you want to savor the traditional Sunday Roast at 8 John St. in Bristol, you'll have to wait a whopping 4 years. And for those hoping to expedite the wait times, "Please keep an eye on our social pages - Instagram and Facebook - to stay updated, perhaps in the hopes of a last-minute cancellation!" reads the restaurant's homepage.
The popular and beloved dish at Bank Tavern, consisting of a mix of roasted meats including beef, turkey, lamb, and pork, accompanied by the flavorful gravy sauce (a classic English sauce made from the meat's cooking juices), along with potatoes, carrots, and the indispensable Yorkshire Pudding, is well-known to food enthusiasts. Over the years, it has received numerous awards, including Winner of Bristol Life Best Foodie Pub award 2020, Winner of the Observer Food Monthly Best Roast Award 2019, Bristol Good Food Awards – Winner of Best Roast 2018, and Foozie Awards Best Sunday Lunch 2017.
Bank Tavern isn't the only british restaurant to make it into Dojo's top ten list: The Fat Duck in Bray by the famous chef Heston Blumenthal and The Cove Club in London also appear on the list, with the second spot reserved for New York's Damon Baehrel. In conclusion, those looking to delight their taste buds with Bank Tavern's Sunday Roast in 2027 will need to plan well in advance. After all, as they say, the anticipation of pleasure is itself pleasurable.
Cover photos: @Adrian Sherratt
