Sundays in London have a way of setting their own rhythm. They’re slower, more indulgent, and often best enjoyed gathered around a table with family and friends. That was exactly how we found ourselves one recent Sunday at OXBO Bankside, the restaurant tucked into Hilton London Bankside, which has become something of a local favourite for its generous Sunday Brunch Roast.

We’d come as a small (hungry) group—my wife Sam, our toddler Xavier, and our good friend Antonio, a photographer visiting from Los Angeles. Antonio had heard so much about the London tradition of Sunday roast and was eager to experience it in a way that was both classic and modern. OXBO Bankside delivered exactly that: tradition, but with a playful sense of abundance.

From the moment we arrived, the welcome set the tone. Staff greeted us warmly, immediately finding a comfortable spot for our family while making sure Xavier felt included from the start. Parents will know how crucial this is—dining out with a toddler can be unpredictable—but here, the team went above and beyond to make the experience easy and enjoyable for all of us.

The format of the brunch is simple but clever: £42 for four courses (£62 if you’d like two hours of free-flowing bubbles or wine), running every Sunday from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Children are well catered for too, with those under three eating free and older kids enjoying the spread for £18 including a soft drink. For families, it’s a thoughtful detail that makes all the difference.

The experience begins with unlimited starters from the market table. This was no ordinary buffet—more a vibrant showcase of charcuterie, fresh salads, cheeses, smoked fish, and all manner of colourful accompaniments. Antonio, camera in hand, couldn’t resist capturing the glossy olives, jewel-like cherry tomatoes, and artfully presented platters of cured meats. We filled our plates with a little of everything, and the freshness shone through. It was the sort of first course that invited you to linger, to try just one more helping of burrata, or another spoonful of salmon gravlax.

From there, the open kitchen beckoned us to the egg and pancake station. Watching chefs crack, whisk, and flip to order added a lively theatre to the brunch. Sam opted for an omelette with fresh herbs, while Antonio, in true Californian fashion, couldn’t resist the stack of pancakes with berries. I followed suit, indulging in a plate of waffles drizzled with maple syrup—because that’s what Sundays are for. Even Xavier got in on the action, nibbling happily at fluffy pancake pieces while grinning at the chefs behind the counter.

Then came the heart of the matter: the Sunday roast. Diners choose between chicken or beef, but in our group, sharing both seemed the obvious route. Out came generous platters of perfectly roasted chicken, skin golden and crisp, alongside slices of beef carved with just the right blush of pink. The accompaniments were everything you’d hope for—exceptionally crispy roast potatoes, buttery seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire puddings puffed and proud, and rich gravy tying it all together. It was the essence of comfort food but executed with refinement. Antonio declared it the best introduction to a British roast he could have imagined, and I had to agree.

The real showstopper, at least for our family, was the dessert buffet. It stretched out in a colourful parade of sweet temptation: cakes, tarts, mousses, pastries, and more. It was here that OXBO’s thoughtful touch for younger guests truly shone. A little step was set out by the table so toddlers and children could climb up and see the display at their own height. For Xavier, this was nothing short of magical—his eyes lit up as he surveyed the choices, carefully pointing at the chocolate brownies before clutching his prize in both hands.

As for me, I couldn’t resist the panna cotta—silky, delicate, and just sweet enough. The key lime pie also stood out, a perfect balance of tart and creamy, with a buttery biscuit base that had me going back for seconds. Sam found herself gravitating towards the fruit tarts, while Antonio, ever the photographer, took as much time capturing their beauty as he did tasting them.

By the time we finished, it was late afternoon and the restaurant was still alive with the hum of happy tables. Families, couples, and groups of friends alike all seemed to be enjoying themselves at the same unhurried pace. That’s the beauty of OXBO’s brunch roast—it encourages you to slow down, to eat and chat and go back for just one more helping.

What impressed me most was the balance OXBO has struck. The food is plentiful without sacrificing quality, the setting stylish without being intimidating, and the service warm without ever being intrusive. For families, the attention to detail—the children’s step, the friendly staff, the inclusive pricing—makes dining out not just possible, but genuinely enjoyable. For anyone looking for a new Sunday ritual—whether with friends visiting from abroad, or simply with your family in tow—OXBO Bankside’s Sunday Brunch Roast is an indulgence worth making time for.

As we left, the kind manager gave Xavier an apple as a goodbye gift and told us to return for the Christmas roast brunch which will be launching soon, complete with a happy food-loving Santa Claus.

We will definitely be back…with much looser waistbands.