Sunday Dining at the Crab
A roast with a sense of occasion
There are Sunday roasts… and then there’s Sunday at The Crab.
Tucked away in the quiet of the North Yorkshire countryside, just outside Thirsk, The Crab & Lobster offers a Sunday experience that’s both comforting and quietly extravagant. It’s where roast dinners come with sides of candlelight and live music. Where mussels might arrive before your Yorkshire pudding. And where a lazy afternoon somehow turns into one of the best meals of your week.
Whether you’re local or just passing through, seeking a celebratory Sunday roast in North Yorkshire, Thirsk or simply craving a proper roast dinner with flair, this is your place at the table.
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A menu that respects tradition, but doesn’t stick to it
You’ll find all the staples of a proper Sunday lunch here, of course, but elevated, finessed, and brought to life with a few unexpected flourishes. Our chefs treat each plate like it matters, because it does.
Start light and bright, perhaps with a pan-fried red mullet on whipped parsley butter or the smoked salmon terrine, layered with cucumber and fresh dill. Or lean classic with soup of the day and toasted sourdough, best enjoyed with a crisp glass of white and good company.
Then onto the main event, our signature roasts:
- Roast sirloin of beef, blushing and tender, with proper jus
- Loin of pork, its crackling golden and brittle
- Chicken breast, roasted to juicy perfection
- All served, as they should be, with duck fat roasties, honeyed root veg, braised red cabbage, seasonal greens, and, of course, Yorkshire puddings so large they cast shadows.
For the table: a bubbling cauliflower cheese (trust us, don’t skip it).
Not in a roast mood? We’ll never judge. Order the home-baked fish pie, topped in golden mash and served with seasonal greens, or opt for seabass niçoise, with olives, fine beans, and blushed tomatoes for something lighter. The gnocchi is tossed with sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, and cavolo nero. It is a rich, plant-based dish that stands out.
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The art of the slow afternoon
We believe Sunday lunch should never be rushed. From the first course to the last spoonful of dessert, the pace is gentle and the atmosphere warm. Live acoustic musicians fill the room with mellow melodies, jazz, blues, acoustic covers, just enough to make the moment feel that bit more golden.
The dining room itself plays its part: low-lit, slightly whimsical, and laced with the charm that makes The Crab & Lobster a favourite restaurant in Thirsk. It’s where couples toast anniversaries, families reunite, and friends gather over second helpings and shared puddings.
Wines worth pairing
Every plate deserves the perfect pour, and on Sundays, our sommelier is on hand to guide you through it. From robust reds for your beef to something zesty with your fish pie, our cellar offers a curated selection of bottles with stories to tell. If you’re not sure where to start, just ask, we’ll match your meal to the glass.
Save room for dessert (you’ll thank us later)
End on something sweet, naturally. Our sticky toffee pudding is rich, spongy and unapologetically indulgent, made even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or try the lemon tarte with white chocolate for something crisp and bright.
There’s also a rotating selection of home-churned ice creams and sorbets, or for a chic little finale: the Affogato Caffè, vanilla ice cream drowned in hot espresso.
Make it a sunday to look forward to
We’ve carved out a corner where Sundays are slow, flavourful, and worth gathering for. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just treating yourself to a proper Sunday roast in Thirsk, The Crab & Lobster turns a familiar ritual into something quietly extraordinary.
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Bring your appetite. And let Sunday do what it does best.
