Christmas Spread at Charlotte Street Hotel

Firmdale

While much of London shuts down on Christmas Day and the city feels almost peaceful without its usual crowds or transport, quite a few restaurants are open, especially hotel dining rooms offering full Christmas menus. Here’s a selection of some of the best options.

1.Madera at Treehouse Hotel, £160/person

Madera at the Treehouse

Madera

At Madera, tucked away at the top of the Treehouse hotel on upper Regent Street, Christmas diners will be welcomed with bowls of fresh Pico de Gallo and creamy Guacamole, served with warm tortilla chips. The meal also features Pea and Mint Soup, Wild-Caught Salmon Cake, Classic Prawn Cocktail and Duck Confit Croquettes. For the main course, guests can choose from Traditional Norfolk Turkey, Grass-Fed Sirloin Steak, Half Roasted Chicken, or Josper-Fired White Cabbage Steak. All mains are served with the traditional trimmings. Finish with a moreish selection of desserts: Mango Sticky Toffee Pudding; Almond and Honey Nougat Mousse; plus festive Mini Fruit Cakes and Mince Pies.

2.Mezzogiorno, Corinthia London, £355/person

Christmas Dessert Selection at Mezzogiorno

PERRY GRAHAM

Chef Francesco Mazzei’s grand new restaurant Mezzogiorno has opened at the Corinthia hotel just in time for the holidays. His lavish Christmas day feast includes a brilliant Calabrian inspired menu including: Scottish crab panzanella Tuscan salad; Longhorn aged beef carpaccio; Norcia truffle salsa, radicchio and Parmigiano Reggiano; Duck and Marsala broth tortellini; Nduja stuffed oven roasted chicken,Poached wild sea bass, frutti di mare; panettone and zabaglione; Spiced pears frangipane, orange chocolate ice cream and Italian cheese selection.

3.Carbone, Mayfair, £195/person

The Christmas Day menu at Carbone begins with a selection of Antipasti, including the famous Caesar alla ZZ as well as Lobster Burrata. The Macaroni course offers Spicy Rigatoni Vodka and Tortellini Tartufo Nero before a Pesci e Carne course including choices of Dover Sole and Rib Chop, accompanied by Contorni; Potatoes Louie and Artichoke Hearts. The meal finishes with a choice of Dolci, including a festive Panettone Anglaise.

4.At Sloane, Chelsea, £220/person

At Sloane’s 5-course Christmas day menu, served in the boutique hotel’s top-floor restaurant, features Cappuccino de Chataignes, Chapon Farci et Marrons and la Bûche (Christmas Yule log). The French festive menu sounds incredible but the restaurant design inspired by James McNeill Whistler’s ‘Peacock Room’ is even more so, with over 300 Chinese vases on the shelves and lots of antique mirrors. At Sloane feels like a luxurious private residence. It was was created by legendary hotelier Costes, and designed by Francois-Joseph Graf, inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement.

5.The Aubrey, Knightsbridge, £145/person

The Aubrey, at the Mandarin Oriental, is offering a range of indulgent festive dishes such as Festive Robata Turkey and Lamb Cannon, each meticulously prepared over the grill and paired with seasonal sides that highlight the artistry of Japanese flavor balance. Guests can also enjoy a decadent holiday-inspired cocktail, designed by the award-winning bar team.

6.The Delaunay, Covent Garden, a la carte menu

This Christmas, The Delaunay will be open on Christmas Day with a special menu of seasonal classics. Starters include Duck Liver Parfait served with Sauternes jelly and toasted brioche. For the main course, diners can choose between Norfolk Roast Bronze Turkey with all the trimmings or Lemon Sole Meunière. To finish, desserts include a rich traditional Christmas Pudding with brandy butter.

7.abc kitchens, The Emory, £300/person

Christmas spread at abc Kitchens

abc

This Christmas, Ben Boeynaems and Jean-Georges Vongerichten have created a decadent festive menu at abc kitchens, available for lunch and dinner, where views over Hyde Park and artwork by Damien Hirst set the scene for the season’s celebrations. The Christmas Day feast begins with Black truffle pizza, followed by roast Norfolk bronze turkey with chestnut stuffing and all the traditional garnishes, or steamed native lobster. Seasonal desserts include Christmas pudding with brandy sauce or bûche de Noël with toasted almond sorbet.

8.The Connaught Grill, Mayfair, £195/person

The Connaught Grill, Mayfair

The Connaught Grill

Open for lunch and dinner on Christmas Day, The Connaught Grill features the finest locally sourced ingredients, prepared over a wood-fire grill. The meal begins with deviled eggs with Imperial Oscietra caviar, followed by Sautéed foie gras with sour cherries. Main courses are Norfolk Turkey crown with chestnut and apricot stuffing or Smoked celeriac Wellington with wild mushroom duxelle and black truffle jus, each served with seasonal trimmings. To finish, guests can enjoy Christmas pudding with cognac custard or Crêpes Suzette flambéed tableside.

9.Oscar, Charlotte Street Hotel, £150/person

Oscar, Charlotte Street Hotel, Fitzrovia, London

Simon Brown

Enjoy the ultimate Christmas lunch at Oscar without worrying about the hassle. You’ll start with Champagne and canapés, followed by a traditional Christmas turkey feast or seasonal specials, including Roast rib of beef with Yorkshire pudding or Roast halibut with coastal greens, brown shrimp and caviar beurre blanc. Dessert is Christmas Pudding, Clementine tart or Mulled wine poached pears and if you have room, coffee and mince pies.

10.The Winter Garden Restaurant, The Landmark, Marylebone, £425 buffet + unlimited champagne

The winter garden at The Landmark

Jonathan Stewart Photographer

Celebrate in style with the capital’s most lavish buffet, at the Winter Garden Restaurant, complete with free-flowing Taittinger Rosé Champagne. Begin with a decadent array of lobster, langoustines, crevettes, caviar and blinis, smoked Scottish salmon and sushi. Continue with mains of roasted bronze turkey, dry-aged beef fillet and wild mushroom and truffle en croûte, served alongside seasonal salads and sides. To finish, desserts include chocolate yule logs, chestnut Mont Blanc, champagne trifle and gingerbread brûlée.

11.The Cinnamon Club | Westminster, £150/person

Cinnamon Club, Westminster

Cinnamon Club

For a change from the traditional, Chef Vivek Singh presents a delicious four course festive Indian menu in the historic surroundings of the former Westminster library. You’ll start with Keralan lobster soup or tandoori turkey tikka, before moving on to mains of roast goose breast with sesame tamarind sauce, slow-braised lamb raan or delicately grilled jumbo prawns. To finish, indulge in Singh’s spiced twists on tradition, from garam masala Christmas pudding to black cardamom brûlée.

12.La Môme at The Berkeley, from £200/person

La Môme, The Berkeley

The Berkeley

La Môme at The Berkeley, the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant’s festive feast starts with gravalax salmon and blinis, foie gras terrine, yellowtail carpaccio with avocado and kiwi and beef arancini with caviar. For the main event, La Môme offers beef Wellington with bordelaise sauce; spatchcock black-leg chicken stuffed with foie gras, chestnut, minced veal, sage, and dried fruits; or roasted whole seabass. Other highlights include lobster pasta and ravioli with beef and black truffle. Desserts include promise Bûche de Noël with hazelnut dark chocolate and Amarena cherries, or Baked Alaska or an Christmas Exotic Globe, made with coconut cream, mango, and passion fruit.

13.Dovetale at 1 Hotel Mayfair, £225/person £175 vegan

Christmas spread at Dovetale, 1 Mayfair

Dovetale

Dinner at Dovetale by Chef Tom Sellers starts with poached lobster skewers; soy and whiskey cured salmon and venison, pork and duck pâté en croûte. For the main course, guests can choose from turkey, aged Dexter beef, or trout en croûte.Indulgent desserts include spiced mandarin and cointreau trifle and Christmas sticky pudding. For plant-based diners, a four-course menu is available, with dishes such as celeriac and pear soup, smoked cauliflower steak, and spiced Christmas pudding.

14.Brooklands by Claude Bosi, The Peninsula, £325/person

Brooklands Dining Room, The Peninsula

Will Pryce

For a really special two Michelin-starred dining experience, Brooklands on the eighth floor of The Peninsula London offers sweeping views of the cityin a Concorde-inspired dining room. Crafted by Chef Claude Bosi the Christmas Day (five-courses, £325pp) menu will showcase exceptional dishes including –Scottish Razor Clams, Red Pepper Miso Monkfish and Duck à L’orange – all prepared using the finest British ingredients.

15. Mauro Colagreco at Raffles at The OWO, £295/person

Mauro Colegreco at Raffles London

John Athimaritis

For another Michelin-starred experience, Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO presents a six-course tasting menu, beginning with poached Scottish langoustine with mooli noodles, followed by spiced apple and pigeon ravioli and grilled Cornish monkfish. Hearty mains include English wagyu short rib, squash, yoghurt and Sturia caviar, or chestnuts with Rhug Estate deer, accompanied by date and brandy sauce and a chestnut salad. The festive journey concludes with a decadent pear panettone.

16.Mei Ume at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge, From £168/person

Mei Ume Christmas spread, Four Seasons, Tower Bridge

Four Seasons

Christmas dinner with a Chinese twist will be served in the gorgeous Mei Ume restaurant at the Four Seasons near Tower Bridge. The festive set menu includes: Pacific rock oyster and chargrilled A5 Wagyu with white asparagus; chicken garlic chives gyoza; wok-braised lamb shank; crispy sweet and sour sea bass; wok-fried pak choi; grilled whole squid glutinous rice and Chinese cured pork and Santa Mei Miao. Also at the hotel is a Christmas dinner at the Rotunda Bar and Lounge featuring Beef Wellington for £155 per person.

17.Cut, 45 Park Lane, £400/person

45 Park Lane Christmas feast

45 Park Lane

At Cut, executive chef Elliott Grover presents a festive four-course menu featuring Norfolk Bronze turkey with all the festive trimmings, Japanese A5 Kagoshima Perfecture, Cornish Dover sole, and house made spaghetti with Native Blue Lobster. A selection of moreish desserts is also on offer, from dark chocolate soufflé and Basque cheesecake to Wolfgang Puck’s Dubai-style chocolate bar and a sticky toffee Christmas pudding.

18. Claridge’s Restaurant, Mayfair, £325/person

Claridge’s Restaurant, Mayfair, London

Claridge’s

Claridge’s Restaurant celebrates the season with warmth and style offering a three-course Christmas Day dinner, beginning with a glass of Billecart-Salmon Le Réserve, followed by beef tartare with Burford Brown egg and cornichons, and a choice of Cornish brill with Champagne sauce and Oscietra caviar or Norfolk Bronze turkey with traditional garnishes. To finish, Claridge’s Christmas pudding with brandy sauce or Yuzu Mont Blanc with chestnut ice cream are both decadent choices.

19.The Wolseley, £90/person, £70 vegetarian

Christmas at The Wolseley

Tim Winter

The Wolseley’s special menu of festive classics features starters including Oak smoked salmon or a Heritage Beetroot Salad with salade mâché and goats’ curd. For the main course, guests can choose the Norfolk Roast Bronze turkey served with all the trimmings, or a vegetarian option of baked cauliflower gratin with seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes and rosemary gravy. To finish, desserts include The Wolseley Christmas Pudding with brandy butter or a Fig and Apple Sticky Toffee pudding with Baileys ice cream, followed by coffee or tea and mince pies.

20.The Guinea Grill, Mayfair, £175/person

The Guinea Grill, Mayfair

Matt Austin

With over 600 years of history, it doesn’t get more traditional than at London’s oldest steakhouse and pub. The Guinea Grill’s five course menu begins with apple and parsnip soup; or venison, duck and cranberry pâté, whilst mains include a ballotine of Norfolk turkey with maple and chestnut stuffing; dry-aged rib of beef with lamb cutlets; and wild mushroom Wellington. Finish with a classic Christmas or sticky toffee pudding, or British Isles cheeses.

21.Fallow, St James, £250/person

Fallow’s Christmas Day Menu begins with a line-up of canapés–Salmon belly crumpets, Beef tartare with Oyster mayo, and of course, Fallow’s renowned Mushroom parfait. A course of Dressed Devon crab leads into the main event: a choice between Heron’s Farm turkey or Venison Wellington, each served with all the traditional trimmings. To finish, a decadent spread of Christmas yule log, house-made Mince pies and Brandy butter truffles. Vegetarian, vegan, and children’s menus are also available.