When I woke up on Sunday 16th November, there was only one thing on my mind — Sunday lunch. Not just any Sunday lunch, but Hawksmoor’s iconic roast. Even during my morning yoga session — supposedly the time to clear the mind — all I could visualise was that perfectly pink, succulent beef waiting for me later. Zen was out the window.

On my way into the city, I wandered through King Street to check out this year’s Manchester Christmas Markets, and was genuinely impressed. The variety, layout, and especially the quality of the food felt like a real upgrade from previous years. If you’ve read my recent article on this year’s markets, you’ll know exactly how much Manchester has planned on elevating its festive offering — and the stroll made the anticipation for Hawksmoor even stronger.

Then came the main event.

Housed in its beautiful Grade II listed building, Hawksmoor Manchester has long been one of our most visited restaurants — not only for the consistently excellent food but for the warm, attentive service that usually feels effortless. And despite a few bumps on this particular visit, the friendliness and professionalism of the team still shone through.

This time, I opted for the Chateaubriand, coming in at a mighty 650g — a proper belly-busting feast for two and a cut that truly shows off Hawksmoor’s skill with premium beef. Perfectly cooked, rich, tender, and full of flavour, it delivered exactly the indulgence I’d been craving all morning.

However, the service pace this time was much slower than usual. We waited over an hour for food to arrive, and when I ordered a glass of wine as the roast was being served, it didn’t make its way over until I was down to my last piece of meat. While the team were as friendly and accommodating as ever — even handling a shift change with smooth handover and consistent hospitality — it was clear the kitchen was stretched on this particular Sunday.

That said, the roast itself remained every bit the feast Hawksmoor is known for. Served with all the classics done right — crispy roast potatoes, seasonal greens, towering Yorkshire puddings, and that glossy bone marrow gravy — and with individual sides for each diner, it still stands as one of Manchester’s best Sunday dining experiences.

Pairing the Chateaubriand with a bold red (even if slightly later than ideal!) made for a Sunday ritual that felt indulgent, warming, and unmistakably Hawksmoor.

We’ll absolutely be back — the food, service and setting almost always hit the mark — but it’s only fair to say that this particular visit showed the kitchen under pressure.

In short: even on a stretched Sunday, Hawksmoor’s roast remains one of Manchester’s finest — a feast worth waking up thinking about, dreaming about during yoga, and walking across the Christmas Markets to enjoy.