A great Irish roast dinner is a celebration of Irish produce at its best.
Ireland has a longstanding love for the roast and carvery dinner, a heritage rich in the tradition of using the finest locally sourced ingredients to create dishes that are both comforting and flavoursome. From perfectly roasted meats to seasonal vegetables and Irish potatoes, a great roast dinner is a celebration of Irish produce at its best.
But what also makes the Irish roast special is that it offers an opportunity to get together with others.
At Hannigans Bar & Restaurant in Killarney, they believe it’s about the whole experience.
“We focus on premium, locally sourced meats, rotating the roast so there’s always something different on the menu. Perfectly roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a rich gravy — which we truly believe is the soul of a great roast — all come together to create something memorable. Add in warm, welcoming service in our relaxed pub setting, and you’ve got consistency, generosity and an experience that feels like home.”
This philosophy reflects a broader understanding within the Irish hospitality sector: roast and carvery dinners represent more than just a meal – they’re a cornerstone of reliable revenue generation. According to Hannigans,
“roast dinners are a cornerstone of Irish dining, and here at Hannigan’s they’re our best seller. A quality roast is what brings people back week after week, and it’s at the heart of our identity as a traditional Irish pub.”
But what can make a good roast, great is the gravy. For many customers, the quality of the gravy is the ultimate test of the quality of a roast, something that chefs understand.
A signature gravy recipe becomes a point of differentiation that’s difficult for competitors to replicate, creating customer loyalty that translates directly into repeat business. While not giving away any secrets, Hannigans prepares its gravy with “the jus from the roast itself, combined with Knorr gravy for a rich, full flavour. A touch of red wine lifts the flavour to another level — it’s the finishing note that makes a roast feel really special.”
Market Performance and Customer Expectations
Roast and carvery dinners remain one of the most popular dining traditions in Ireland with customers looking for value-for-money comfort foods such as roast dinners.
According to Bord Bia, Ireland’s foodservice market was valued at approximately €9.8 billion in 2024, with traditional dining experiences, particularly roasts and carveries, continuing to attract discerning customers looking for quality, value for money and comfort.
This deep-rooted preference translates into regular covers and dependable weekend revenue for operators. The reliability of roast dinner popularity provides hospitality businesses with a stable foundation for menu planning and revenue forecasting, particularly crucial during challenging economic periods.
The financial benefits extend beyond simple sales figures. Roast dinners typically command higher average spend per customer compared to other pub fare, while the sharing nature of carvery service encourages larger group bookings and extended visits that boost overall revenue per table.
Setting the Gold Standard: Knorr Recommended Roast Programme
To celebrate and recognise venues across Ireland that consistently deliver outstanding roast and carvery dinners, Unilever Food Solutions launched its Knorr Recommended Roast programme.
By setting a trusted standard through independent assessments, the initiative helps consumers easily find the best places to enjoy a roast or carvery while giving pubs, hotels, and restaurants a mark of quality that supports their reputation and drives business.
Knorr Recommended Roast 2026
Entry is now open for Knorr Recommended Roast 2026; pubs, restaurants and hotels nationwide are invited to put their roasts and carvery dinners forward.
The recognition of being a Knorr Recommended Roast venue provides a powerful point of differentiation for venues seeking to stand out in a competitive marketplace.
Participation is straightforward: any pub, hotel, or restaurant serving roast dinners or carveries can apply to be assessed.
Successful venues will join a nationwide network of establishments highlighted on the map, ensuring visibility to thousands of potential customers searching for the perfect roast.
The Business Case for Excellence
For operators managing rising costs and staffing pressure, a strong roast or carvery offering is a reliable menu pillar that drives regular covers, predictable prep patterns and strong margins when sourced and executed well. As Bord Bia’s market data shows, customers are still seeking quality dining experiences, and the roast remains an emotive, habitual choice for many Irish diners. Being part of a respected recognition programme like Knorr Recommended Roast can amplify the commercial benefits of doing the roast well.
The operational advantages of focusing on roast excellence are compelling. Unlike complex à la carte menus that require extensive prep and skilled execution across multiple dishes, a well-structured roast operation allows for streamlined kitchen workflows, bulk purchasing advantages, and efficient use of staff time. The Sunday roast tradition particularly provides predictable busy periods that help with staffing optimization and inventory management.
Furthermore, the communal nature of carvery service creates natural upselling opportunities for sides, beverages, and desserts, while the comfort-food appeal encourages customer loyalty that withstands economic fluctuations better than trend-driven dining concepts.
Recognition and Rewards
Venues that are recognised as a Knorr Recommended Roast venue not only earn the prestige of being part of a select group but are also featured on Unilever Food Solutions’ interactive digital map, available at unileverfoodsolutions.ie. This allows customers to easily find the best carvery and roast venues in their area knowing they that have undergone rigorous mystery dining evaluations to ensure they meet the highest standards of food quality and service.
With entries now open, Unilever Food Solutions is encouraging chefs, venue owners, managers, and operators across Ireland to step forward and showcase their signature roasts.
The programme represents more than just recognition—it’s an investment in the future of Irish hospitality traditions. By maintaining and celebrating high standards in roast and carvery preparation, the industry ensures that this beloved dining tradition continues to thrive and adapt for future generations while providing sustainable business opportunities for operators who commit to excellence.
