As the evenings draw in and the Sunday roast season returns, there’s a new star taking centre stage at British dinner tables — and it’s Italian. This year, Piccolino has officially declared Porchetta as the roast of the season, as UK diners fall head over heels for Italy’s beloved festive centrepiece.
According to new search data, interest in the traditional Italian roast pork dish has skyrocketed, with searches for “porchetta roast dinner” up 67% year-on-year in December 2024, following a 33% surge in October 2023. Meanwhile, “Italian roast pork” searches have also risen by 14%, as Brits increasingly trade Yorkshire puds for a slice of Mediterranean indulgence.*
It seems the nation’s appetite for Porchetta heats up along with the festive season — climbing from 59,000 searches in October to a festive peak of 148,000 in December.*
A shift in roast dinner habits
The data also paints a broader picture of changing dining habits. While searches for “traditional roast recipe” have fallen by 20% month-on-month since January, demand for “roast dinner near me” has jumped 74% since the start of the year. Searches for “roast dinner restaurant” have risen by 20% year-on-year too, suggesting more people are leaving the Sunday cooking to the professionals.*
With its roots deeply grounded in Italian culinary tradition, Piccolino has positioned itself perfectly to lead this roast revolution. The restaurant group is putting Porchetta firmly in the spotlight this season, offering a dish that blends British comfort with Italian flair — and it’s as indulgent as it sounds.
The ultimate Italian roast
Piccolino’s signature Porchetta roast is slow-cooked to perfection with rosemary, garlic and sage, capturing the rustic heart of Italian cuisine. It’s served with all the trimmings: crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, sweet maple-glazed carrots, braised red cabbage, and seasonal greens, finished with a rich, indulgent roasting gravy.
It’s a dish that honours both British and Italian dining traditions — a warm embrace between two cultures that know how to do comfort food right.
The Porchetta now sits proudly among Piccolino’s Sunday roast collection, part of the brand’s Estivo weekend menu, which offers diners two courses from £25 every Saturday and Sunday. Guests can choose from an array of classic Italian starters or desserts to complement their main roast — from creamy burrata and arancini to rich tiramisu and panna cotta.^
A chef’s favourite
For Mark Window, Group Executive Chef at Individual Restaurants, the group behind Piccolino, the rise of Porchetta is no surprise.
“We know that Brits’ love affair with a Sunday roast isn’t going away,” Window explains, “but this year, diners are looking for something different. Our Porchetta roast captures everything people love about a traditional Sunday roast, elevated with our signature Italian flavours and flair. It’s warming and indulgent — perfect for autumn and winter.”
It’s a sentiment that resonates with a growing number of food lovers who want to enjoy the nostalgic comfort of a roast dinner with a touch of continental sophistication.
A seasonal statement dish
As dining trends continue to evolve, Porchetta’s popularity reflects a shift toward experiential dining — where flavour, heritage, and presentation come together to create something memorable. It’s not just a meal; it’s a celebration of slow-roasted craftsmanship and bold flavour done the Italian way.
Whether enjoyed at Piccolino’s elegant restaurants across the UK or recreated at home, Porchetta offers a festive dining experience that’s both familiar and fresh. And as the cold weather sets in, few dishes promise to warm the soul — and the senses — quite like it.
So, this roast season, forget the turkey debates and the endless gravy arguments — Porchetta is here to claim the crown.
For more information or to book a table, visit https://piccolinorestaurants.com/.
