As the festive season approaches, London’s vibrant dining scene is ready to dazzle with an array of delectable offerings designed to elevate your celebrations.
From luxurious feasting menus to enchanting afternoon teas, the city is brimming with culinary experiences perfect for holiday gatherings. Whether you're planning a cozy dinner with loved ones or a lively party with friends, these thoughtfully crafted menus from some of London's top restaurants promise to deliver unforgettable moments and flavors. Explore our selection of festive dining options that capture the spirit of the season, and get ready to indulge in some of the best dishes the city has to offer!
The Cavendish, Marylebone
Cosy interiors and festive flavours aplenty can be found in this beloved, neighbourhood pub in central London. If the exterior alone isn't enough to entice you inside (think twinkling lights and towering trees) then the menu certainly should be. Staring off strong, a special mention must be paid to the crispy, creamy serving of fig toast with ricotta, figs and pine nut gremolata. This is the perfect way to warm up for the main event which is, of course, the classic roast dinner with all the trimmings including turkey breast, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, and honey roasted carrots. Piled high and packed with flavour, it's a touch of homemade magic. If possible, you'd also be well-advised to save room for dessert, which sees a traditional Christmas pud arrive tableside, smothered in plenty of hot custard. Happy Holidays, indeed!
Experience the magic of the festive season at Pan Pacific London, a Forbes five-star hotel. On Christmas Day, delight in Straits Kitchen’s four-course menu, featuring burratina, traditional stuffed turkey with all the trimmings, and Christmas poached fruit.
Celebrate the festive season at Kolamba East with their group dining and private dining options. The group option includes two set menus priced at £55pp and £75pp respectively. Both menus include hot butter soft shell crab, charred coconut chicken, dhal with crispy kale, and Christmas Breudher Cake, to name just a few dishes. Located at the vibrant crossroads of Spitalfields, Shoreditch, and the City, Kolamba East is the perfect venue for festive gatherings with family and friends.
Fan favourite outpost The Table has launched a range of fun, new dishes to mark the festive season. For brunch bookings, dine on seasonal starters including beetroot cured salmon, chestnut, sage, and mushroom falafel and free range pigs in blankets. Out-of-the-box mains include a festive full English and festive eggs Benedict. The venues are known for their inventive takes on brunch classics, so it's a surefire way to start the day on a high. For those looking to dine over lunch/dinner, a three-course menu is on offer which includes classic dishes such as roast turkey and lamb shoulder with all the trimmings. With a relaxed atmosphere and delicious food, there is little wonder people choose The Table as the ultimate meeting spot for friends and family.
From November 1st, JOIA, the Iberian restaurant from two Michelin-starred chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, invites you to savour a festive sharing menu (£120pp). Enjoy a unique dining experience at JOIA’s chef’s table, featuring stunning views of Battersea Power Station and a vibrant selection of petiscos and tapas, including seabass ceviche, slow-cooked lamb shank, and pastel de nata.
This festive season, savour the bold flavours of modern Thai cuisine at Farang in Highbury with Chef Sebby Holmes’ exclusive Winter Tasting Menu. At £65pp, guests can feast on smoked mackerel miang bites, slow-braised beef short ribs with penang curry, and scallops, grilled in the half shell with red nahm yum and green mango. Perfect for both intimate and larger gatherings.
Celebrate the festive season with a memorable feast at Nessa, Soho’s beloved modern bistro. Chef Tom Cenci has crafted a delightful family-style sharing menu (£65 per person) featuring festive starters like brioche toast with sage stuffing, smoked salmon tartare, and cheese and onion croquettes. Roast turkey with all the trimmings takes centre stage as the main, while jammy dodger trifle rounds off the feast on a sweet, nostalgic note. Perfect for groups of seven or more, Nessa’s festive menu brings the warmth of the season to the heart of Soho. Plant-based options available.
Celebrate the season with a playful Pan-Asian twist at Shoreditch’s UBA, where Head Chef Pavel Baranovs has crafted festive sharing menus starting at £50 per person. Available from 16th November, these menus offer something for everyone, from signature sharing plates to vegan options, and feature dishes like miso caramel glazed aubergine, seared salmon belly maki, and rock shrimp tempura with kimchi garlic mayo.
Celebrate the festive season with a unique Kaiseki experience at Roketsu, where Chef Daisuke Hayashi’s exquisite six-course menu brings the artistry of Japanese winter flavours to London. Featuring highlights like foie gras miso monaka, vegetable tempura, sushi, and your choice of grilled white fish, guinea fowl, iberico pork, duck, or pumpkin. Each course pairs beautifully with selections from Roketsu’s sake list curated by Sommelier Ryosuke, offering over 70 varieties, including rare finds for a refined and memorable celebration.
Bring a slice of Sydney to London this Christmas at Milk Beach Soho with their festive feasting menu, launching on 24th November. Created by Executive Chef Leonard Swan, this three-course sharing menu (£69pp) blends traditional Australian holiday favourites with fresh coastal flavours and BBQ-inspired dishes. Enjoy highlights like yuzu cured Norwegian salmon, flame-grilled garlic prawns, Cornish lamb shank, and the iconic pavlova with vanilla custard cream and fresh raspberries. Complement your meal with festive cocktails like the Milk Beach Piña Colada or the Hibiscus Sparkler. Available until 30th December, this is the ultimate way to celebrate the season down under style.
This festive season, Balthazar in Covent Garden transforms into a winter wonderland with stunning decor, a special holiday set menu, and festive Grey Goose cocktails. Enjoy seasonal dishes like house-cured salmon, pressed confit pork terrine, turkey ballotine, and seafood tagliatelle. With live New Year’s Eve entertainment and two private dining rooms, Balthazar offers a magical holiday experience for all.
Celebrate the festive season at Mr Fogg’s Taverns with a delicious two or three-course menu, available at Mr Fogg’s Tavern, City Tavern, and Botanical Tavern. Indulge in festive starters like cream of butternut squash soup and smoked salmon with a salad of baby prawns, followed by classic mains such as roast turkey stuffed with apricot and sage and braised feather blade of beef with creamed potatoes and rich gravy. To finish, indulge in the likes of traditional Christmas pudding or sticky toffee pudding. Complete your holiday meal with seasonal sides and a warm, welcoming atmosphere at one of Mr Fogg’s charming locations - perfect for celebrating with friends and family this Christmas.
Make your bookings here.
Hyatt Regency London, The Churchill
Celebrate the festive season at The Montagu Kitchen, tucked inside the elegant Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill. On Christmas Eve, guests can tuck into a decadent four-course meal accompanied by live entertainment. Highlights on the menu include octopus with braised endive, beef short rib and classic Christmas desserts. Priced at £85pp.
Get into the festive spirit at Kapara in Soho with a Christmas menu that’s as delicious as it is festive! For £78pp, enjoy a three-course feast of Eastern Mediterranean-inspired dishes, like clementine-cured salmon and carrot hummus to start, followed by an array of dishes including cauliflower crumble, smoked pink fir potatoes, and roast picanha. And for dessert, treat yourself to a decadent Kapara Cheesecake served with lemon curd, cranberry compote and meringue. Whether you're celebrating with friends, family, or colleagues, this menu is perfect for groups of two or more.
Get into the festive spirit at Sky Garden’s Festive Bar, a sparkling collaboration with Moët & Chandon running from 17 November to 30 December. Enjoy festive Moët cocktails like the 22nd Century, a bold mix of tequila, white cacao, and Noilly Prat, or the vibrant Raspberry 75 with vodka, raspberries, and lemon—both topped with Moët Impérial Brut. Nibble on seasonal bites like pigs in blankets, chicken tacos, and charcuterie boards while soaking in the holiday vibes with live music from ALR Music and late-night DJ sets. Tickets start at £15 and include a glass of mulled wine or cider.
This Christmas, Langan’s Brasserie in Mayfair is bringing festive magic to life with a little help from Maison Perrier-Jouët. Step into a beautifully transformed space, where twinkling lights, lush garlands, and elegantly adorned trees set the perfect scene for celebrating with loved ones. There's an early and a late Christmas Day menu, priced at £115 and £185pp respectively. Think foie gras terrine, scallop gratin, roasted turkey, roasted fillet of turbot, and a trio of decadent desserts. Whether it’s a family gathering or a festive toast with friends, Langan’s offers a warm, inviting atmosphere and unforgettable holiday memories.
It entirely depends on the aesthetic and the type of menu you're after. JOIA Battersea is a luxurious celebration of all things Iberian, while Nessa in Soho champions seasonality and British ingredients.
The most popular Christmas dinner in the UK typically features roast turkey which is paired with roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, stuffing, and pigs in blankets. Sauces include gravy, cranberry sauce and bread sauce. For dessert, the likes of Christmas pudding, mince pies and chocolate yule log are regarded as the most popular choices.
Many families have their own breakfast tradition, but popular options include smoked salmon and eggs, pancakes, a full English, croissants, panettone, French toast, and kedgeree.
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