an array of smoked and BBQd meats and meat dishes from tempers festive menu
Credit: Temper

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Christmas is rapidly approaching the city, with lights turning on, markets opening, and the air filling with the sound of people falling over on ice rinks. That means time is running out to find out when and where you’ll be celebrating the holiday with your family and friends. If you’re the sort to splash out on a special meal with your nearest and dearest, then you’ve plenty to choose from as London’s restaurants prepare their special Christmas menus for the ocassion. But how to choose? We’re here to help with the Secret London guide to the best festive menus and meals to enjoy in the city this winter.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional turkey feast, an Italian take on wintry dining, or a left-of-field choice that will delight everyone, there’s something for every palate here. Dig in and enjoy the best festive Christmas menus in the city.

1. Fallow

Image: @fallowrestaurant, via IG

🥳What’s the vibe? A blow-out upmarket take on the classic Christmas feast, with London’s most exciting chefs maximising flavour in every dish.

🍽️Menu highlights: Who needs beef wellington when you can have Venison Wellington served with ALL of the sides: Pigs in blankets, herb roast potatoes, Grilled cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire pudding, and more.

Where is it? 52 Haymarket, SW1Y 4RP. The nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.

Book here.

2. Nessa Soho a pineapple hedgehog dish, with spears of pineapple poking out of a metal hedgehog ornamentCredit: Nessa Soho

🥳What’s the vibe? A nostalgic taste of Christmasses past, but with modern techniques and flavours.

🍽️Menu highlights: Old-school delights include the likes of Cheese and Pineapple Hedgehogs and Jammy Dodger Trifle, as well as a classic Worcestershire Bronze Turkey centrepiece.

Where is it? 86 Brewer Street, W1F 9UB. The nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.

Book here.

3. Ekstedt at The Yard two oyster dressed with green herbs and garnishesCredit: Ekstedt at The Yard

🥳What’s the vibe? A fiery, festive, five-course menu celebrating open-fire cooking and Nordic flavours.

🍽️Menu highlights: Some of Niklas Ekstedt’s signature favourites will be on the menu: the flambadou oyster and the cep mushroom souffle with woodruff ice cream and blueberries.

Where is it? 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, SW1A 2HN. The nearest stations are Embankment and Charing Cross.

Book here.

a ceramic bowl filled with a thai beef shin curry, a bone sticking out the back of the dishCredit: Justin De Souza

🥳What’s the vibe? Get a group together and spice things up this Christmas with a Thai feast.

🍽️Menu highlights: You’ll beg for more of the ‘Gai prik’ (spicy chicken bites with sweet fish sauce glaze) and the whole table will scrape away furiously at the Whole crispy seabass with red nahm yum dressing to savour every last bite.

Where is it? 72 Highbury Park, N5 2XE. The nearest station is Arsenal.

Book here.

5. Mallow six courses of festive vegan food all arranged on a table at once, ranging from salads to tarts, pasta, and moreCredit: Mallow

🥳What’s the vibe? A six-course vegan feast inpsired by festive food markets from around Europe.

🍽️Menu highlights: Prepare to scrape out every last bit of the porcini truffle parfait, and be sure to leave room for the pistachio white chocolate tiramisu.

Where is it? 1 Cathedral Street, SE1 9DE. The nearest station is London Bridge.

Book here.

6. Amazónico a feast of meat dishes arranged on a table at amazonico as part of their festive menus offeringCredit: Amazónico

🥳What’s the vibe? ‘Asado Navideño‘ is a chance for Londoners to experience the flavours and energy of a Latin-American Christmas celebration. One for the meat eaters!

🍽️Menu highlights: Things start strong with the Pão de Queijo (Brazil’s cassava cheese bread), but the star attraction is the Parrilla Mixta sharing platter of meats. Cuts include Slow-roasted turkey breast, Crispy golden pork belly, Tender smoked lamb shoulder, and Chimichurri-marinated bavette steak.

Where is it? 10 Berkeley Square, W1J 6BR. The nearest station is Green Park.

Book here.

7. Marcella the interior of marcella restaurant, with soft brown hued decor and furnishingsCredit: Marcella

🥳What’s the vibe? An unfussy, ingredient-led neighbourhood spot serving up Christmas feasting, Italian style

🍽️Menu highlights: The Tortellini in brodo, Duck breast with violino pumpkin, and Walnut Cake are particularly delicious sounding options.

Where is it? 165A Deptford High Street, SE8 3NU. The nearest station is Deptford.

Book here.

8. Rockwell Bistro & Wine Bar at Trafalgar St. James Hotel a festive place setting at a dark panelled table in a londonr restaurant, with christmas crackers, and plats of food and glasses of wineCredit: Rockwell Bistro & Wine Bar

🥳What’s the vibe? Luxurious festive dining to be shared with your bougie friends.

🍽️Menu highlights: Beetroot gnocchi, Roasted duck breast, and mini doughnuts with spiced chocolate hazelnut sauce, among others.

Where is it? 2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square, SW1A 2TS. The nearest station is Charing Cross.

Book here.

9. Mildred’s an array of festive christmassy themed vegetarian food arranged on a tableCredit: Mildred’s

🥳What’s the vibe? Christmas classics get a veg-focused glow-up

🍽️Menu highlights: Anyone fancy a fully loaded Christmas Burger?

Where is it? Locations in Soho, Covent Garden, and Victoria.

Book here.

10. Brigadiers an array of indian bbq dishes from an indian festive menu presented on a table - biriyani, curry, and moreCredit: Brigadiers

🥳What’s the vibe? A relaxed sports-fuelled spot for an Indian BBQ festive feast. Enhance the occasion with a private hire with TV screens, a pool table, or your own poker croupier.

🍽️Menu highlights: Gather together a group of at least 6 people so you can enjoy the Beast Feast, complete with a showstopping Suckling Lamb Biryani Feast or the Goan Roasted Suckling Pig. And go on, grab a beer tower or two…

Where is it? 1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR. The nearest stations are Mansion House, Bank, and Cannon Street.

Book here.

11. Manthan

Image: @manthanmayfair, via IG

🥳What’s the vibe? A festive Indian feast with casual elegance – not quite lunch or dinner. It’s linner (or brunch…). And only £30 per person!

🍽️Menu highlights: Tuck into the likes of Duck Seekh Kebab and the Lamb Ghee Roast.

Where is it? 49 Maddox Street, W1S 2PQ. The nearest stations are Bond Street and Oxford Circus.

Book here.

12. Arabica platters of hot and cold meze scattered around christmas decorationsCredit: Arabica

🥳What’s the vibe? A vibrant Eastern-Mediterranean festive feast with “bold flavours, vibrant colours, and rich textures”, designed for sharing.

🍽️Menu highlights: Graze on a variety of hot and cold meze before tucking into spins on Christmas classics: Berbere spiced sprouts and Lamb adana kofte with atom butter, labneh and pickled chillis. Pair your meal with a chocolatey, smoky, spiced take on a classic cocktail with their Arabica Old Fashioned.

Where is it? Locations in Borough Market and Kings Cross.

Book here.

13. SUSHISAMBA kobe beef on a tiny grill on a tableCredit: SUSHISAMBA

🥳What’s the vibe? A “vibrant celebration of colour, glistening lights and Christmas spirit” with guests invited to “indulge in a specially curated 6-course Festive Taste of Samba menu”.

🍽️Menu highlights: We’ve got our eyes on the crispy A5 Kobe Taquitos with yuzu aioli, and the Pisco Braised lamb.

Where is it? Locations in Heron Tower and Covent Garden

Book here.

14. Duck & Waffle an array of festive brunch dishes on a table, as seen from above, with two glasses of mimosa cheersing together over the foodCredit: Duck & Waffle

🥳What’s the vibe? The 24-hour restaurant has been transformed into a wizard-inspired magical wonderland for the season.

🍽️Menu highlights: Enjoy a 3-course Festive Brunch with dishes like Grand Pig in Blanket, or a 4-course feast on Christmas Day with Caviar & Sourdough Blinis, Salmon Wellington, and more.

Where is it? 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY. The nearest station is Liverpool Street.

Book here.

15. Boundary a potato on a skewer being dipped into a thick pot of fondueCredit: Boundary

🥳What’s the vibe? Chic and casual, with a rooftop that has been transformed into a cosy Alpine retreat high above East London.

🍽️Menu highlights: You simply have to try the Cheese Fondue Savoyard and the Raclette.

Where is it? 2-4 Boundary Street, E2 7DD. The nearest station is Shoreditch High Street.

Book here.

16. Temper an array of smoked and BBQd meats and meat dishes from tempers festive menuCredit: Temper

🥳What’s the vibe? Smokey, fiery, meaty, and raucous.

🍽️Menu highlights: The feast comprises an array of meats – Smoked Rare Breed Brisket, Beef Rump Steak, and Wood-Roasted Fish – alongside tacos and sides like beef-fat Potatoes with garlic raclette.

Where is it? Multiple locations around London.

Book here.

17. Browns Brasserie two plates of food on a table from a festive menu, with glasses of champagne and christmas decorations dotted aroundCredit: Ben Carpenter

🥳What’s the vibe? Relaxed and (relatively) affordable, but indulgent brasserie-style Christmas meals

🍽️Menu highlights: The blow-out Festive Celebration menu features five courses for £55, featuring the likes of Maple & Cinnamon Glazed Pork Belly and Christmas Pudding (of course).

Where is it? Various locations around London.

Book here.

a close up of blue, green, and gold christmas decorations and baubles framing a doorway, with the window visible to the side, emblazoned 'bob bob ricard'.Credit: JohnnyShoots

🥳What’s the vibe? Fancy-shmancy, with the famed ‘push for champagne’ buttons.

🍽️Menu highlights: New additions to the menu for the season include Roasted Venison Loin and Christmas Pudding souffle.

Where is it? Locations in Soho and City.

Book here.

19. The Idler hands holding either end of a christmas cracker over a table laid with two christmas mealsCredit: Idler

🥳What’s the vibe? Refined yet casual British meets Mediterranean fare, in warm, welcoming environs.

🍽️Menu highlights: They’re taking turkey to new levels with a roasted truffle-stuffed Lake District turkey breast with smoked bacon sausage.

Where is it? 282 Vauxhall Bridge Road, SW1V 1BB. The nearest station is Victoria.

Book here.

20. The Mayfair Chippy someone pouring gravy over the top of a turkey and chestnut pieCredit: The Mayfair Chippy

🥳What’s the vibe? An upmarket chippy with special seasonal delights.

🍽️Menu highlights: We’ve got our eyes on two dishes in particular: the Festive Scotch Egg and the Deep Fried Mince Pies. But we can’t forget the Norfolk Turkey & Chestnut Pie, which comes with Cranberry and Sage Relish, Goose Fat Potatoes and Festive Trimmings.

Where is it? 14 North Audley Street, W1K 6WE. The nearest stations are Oxford Street and Marble Arch.

Book here.

21. The Crown Tavern two halves of a christmas sandwich, dripping with sauce and filling, being held stacked on top of each other in two handsCredit: The Crown Tavern

🥳What’s the vibe? Christmas toasties at the pub.

🍽️Menu highlights: The limited-time Turkey, Bacon & Stuffing Toastie makes your Christmas dinner/lunch/drinking snack a hand-held affair.

Where is it? 43 Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0EG. The nearest station is Farringdon.

Book here.

22. Prezzo a christmas calzone on a plate on a table with side dishes and a glass of wine scattered around itCredit: Prezzo

🥳What’s the vibe? Ultra-casual Christmas pasta dinners

🍽️Menu highlights: New for 2025, Prezzo is launching a Christmas Carbonara, a Christmas Calzone, and a Christmas Pizza. Maybe don’t take your Italian food purist friend.

Where is it? All over London.

Book here.

So, there you have it. Some of the best, strangest, most traditional, and most retro festive menus to enjoy in London this winter. Round up your friends and family and get to feasting!