With the festive season fast approaching, it's time to gather up your family, friends or co-workers, sit down behind a big table, and enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. Many of London's restaurants will be offering festive seasonal menus throughout Yuletide, so we're highlighting some of the best ones. Read on for our guide to the best Christmas dinners in London 2023 and remember to book well in advance, as demand is always high during this time.
The best Christmas dinners in London
In this guide
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London's best Christmas dinners
- The Cadogan Arms – Traditional British dining
- Norma – Sicilian-inspired feasting
- St. John – Menus structured around a central beast
- Salt Yard – Tapas stomach fillers
- Yaatra – Christmas dinner in an old fire station
- Megan's – Pigs in blankets fondue, anyone?
- The Spread Eagle – No partridge, just pear tree
- The Lighterman – Waterside gastropub with a view
- Dishoom – The season of sharing
- Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – Centuries of tradition
- Alain Ducasse – Top your tree with three Michelin stars
- Holborn Dining Room – Classic British Christmas
- Roast – It's in the name
- Le Pont de la Tour – Joyeux Noël
- Sticks'n'Sushi – Japanese twists on tradition
- The Northall – Children's Christmas feast
- The Piano Works – Christmas songs on request
- Cubitt House – Fine pub dining
- José Pizarro – Christmas with the Spanish Godfather
- Peggy Jean – Australian comfort
- The Petersham – Festive afternoon tea
- Riding House Café – A stylish Christmas dins
- The Flask – A classic London pub
- Corrigan's – A sophisticated rendezvous
- Mr Bao & Daddy Bao – A Taiwanese twist
- Market Halls – A wealth of festive street food options
- Polo Bar – It's always Christmas dinner time
- The Florence – Dinner and festive hits to boot
London's best Christmas dinners
Traditional British dining
Chelsea's recently refurbished, country manor-reminiscent pub The Cadogan Arms celebrates the season with classic British dishes devoted to sustainability and local produce. The set Christmas menu includes a starter, main, dessert, plus sides and cheese to finish. Although the menu changes yearly, this year it includes their new Christmas stuffing Scotch eggs, Cumbrian beef wellington to share, and a winter fruits crumble with spiced custard.
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298 King's Rd, Chelsea
- Website • 020-314 826 30
- Read more on Thatsup
Sicilian-inspired feasting
In the intimate setting of its private dining room, this refined Italian eatery serves festive feasts that draw on Sicilian tradition and Moorish influences and are designed for sharing. You can choose between different set menus featuring dishes such as homemade focaccia, slow-roasted pork belly, wild boar ragu, pumpkin and ricotta ravioli, and a festive cannoli selection, though it does change annually.
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8 Charlotte St., Fitzrovia
- Website • 020-399 562 24
- Read more on Thatsup
Menus structured around a central beast
An enduring paragon of British cuisine, the Michelin-starred St. John offers different three-course menus to groups of at least eight people. Each sharing menu revolves around a central beast – suckling pig, game, beef, goose, or fish, accompanied by a starter, sides, and dessert served in a feasting style on sharing platters. Vegetarians are taken care of separately.
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26 St John Street
- Website • 020-725 108 48
- Read more on Thatsup
Tapas stomach fillers
A popular charcuterie bar and restaurant that takes advantage of Italy and Spain's overlapping love of small dishes, Salt Yard is celebrating the season with a festive selection of tapas. It changes every year, but this year you can choose between different menus with plates such as pan-fried Cornish cod, stone bass ceviche, and churros with hazelnut sauce, with different wines from the two countries and signature cocktails to go along.
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54 Goodge St, Fitzrovia
- Website • 020-763 706 57
- Read more on Thatsup
Christmas dinner in an old fire station
Experience Yaatra's festive four-course Christmas lunch at the historic Old Westminster Fire Station. Executive Chef Amit Bagyal's menu, blending tradition and spice, features a welcoming Christmas bellini, a glass of Champagne, and highlights like truffled mushroom soup, clove smoked game liver pate, and roast turkey with all the trimmings, plus more. Finish with decadent desserts such as Christmas pudding and spiced chocolate and orange mousse.
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4 Greycoat Place, Westminster
- Website • 020-454 919 06
- Read more on Thatsup
Pigs in blankets fondue, anyone?
Megan's have spruced up their menu this year, giving it a festive makeover. Feast on pigs in blankets cheese fondue (omg, yes, really) with warm bread for dipping, dunking and mopping, best washed down with hot mulled wine or a creamy Baileys espresso martini. The special menu also features a deconstructed Christmas kebab: a flatbread with crispy turkey leg, stuffing, cranberry, pomegranate sauce, crispy onions and pistachios, topped with pickled red cabbage, pickled onions and harissa hummus. Finish off with the half-baked s'mores cookie dough filled with chocolate and topped with marshmallows and pistachios.
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6 Esther Anne Pl, Islington
- Website • 020-346 802 21
- Read more on Thatsup
No partridge, just pear tree
The first fully plant-based pub in London, The Spread Eagle is throwing a lavish Christmas feast with no casualties apart from your trouser button. The festive menu includes three courses, with this year's highlighting choices such as Jerusalem artichoke tart, pan roast turbot on the bone, faux gras, Gressingham duck wellington, apple, fig and chestnut crumble, and Christmas pudding with brandy butter ice cream.
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224 Homerton High Street
- Website • 020-898 504 00
- Read more on Thatsup
Waterside gastropub with a view
If a white Christmas is truly in the stars this year, The Lighterman might just be the spot for enjoying snowy vistas. The modern canal-side gastropub has prepared set menus for the festive season, balancing tradition and creativity with roasted heritage breed meats, locally-grown seasonal veg, and pools of velvety gravy. It all comes with a focus on the best ingredients.
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3 Granary Square, King's Cross
- Website • 020-384 634 00
- Read more on Thatsup
The season of sharing
The buzzy Dishoom restaurants around the capital are serving abundant Bombay-style feasts for Christmas this year. The thaals for groups of six or more will come loaded with sharing specials such as turkey raan, the famous house black daal, all the rotis you could want, and more. Vegetarian and vegan options are available as well, while smaller tables can order the festive specials separately. There's a range of special festive punches, mimosas, and other tipples on offer as well.
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5 Stable St, King's Cross 7 Boundary St, Shoreditch, Shoreditch 12 Upper St Martin's Ln, Covent Garden 22 Kingly St, Carnaby, SohoDishoom King's Cross
5 Stable St, King's CrossDishoom Shoreditch
7 Boundary St, Shoreditch, ShoreditchDishoom Covent Garden
12 Upper St Martin's Ln, Covent GardenDishoom Carnaby
22 Kingly St, Carnaby, Soho -
Dishoom King's Cross
dishoom.com/kings-crossDishoom Shoreditch
dishoom.com/shoreditchDishoom Covent Garden
dishoom.com/covent-gardenDishoom Carnaby
dishoom.com/carnabyDishoom King's Cross
020-742 093 21Dishoom Shoreditch
020-742 093 24Dishoom Covent Garden
020-742 093 20 -
Dishoom King's Cross Dishoom Shoreditch Dishoom Covent Garden Dishoom Carnaby
Centuries of tradition
Christmas is all about tradition, and it doesn't get more traditional than the food at this opulent double Michelin-starred restaurant that uses authentic recipes dating back to the 13th century. The festive lunch and dinner menu here features dishes like the 16th century plum meat fruit or roast venison from the 19th century, with pescatarian and vegetarian alternatives. On Christmas Day, an exclusive tasting menu will be available.
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Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
- Website • 020-720 138 33
- Read more on Thatsup
Top your tree with three Michelin stars
At celebrated French chef Alain Ducasse's exquisite venue at The Dorchester Hotel, executive chef Jean-Philippe Blondet has prepared six-course Christmas Eve and Day menus of French haute cuisine. Christmas dinner includes dishes like hand-dived sea scallops, fillet of Cornish turbot, and chestnut velouté, among other dishes.
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53 Park Ln, Mayfair
- Website • 020-762 988 66
- Read more on Thatsup
Classic British Christmas
If you'd like a very stylish, very British Christmas gathering with friends or family, the Holborn Dining Room and its festive menu are just the thing. The three-course menu includes options such as roast Norfolk turkey with braised red cabbage and spiced custard tart with eggnog ice cream. Opt to dine in the brasserie's elegant Pie Room to bump you a few places up the “nice” list.
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252 High Holborn, Holborn
- Website • 020-374 786 33
- Read more on Thatsup
It's in the name
This festive season, head to Roast for, well, a traditional Christmas roast. This contemporary British restaurant overlooking Borough Market offers a menu of seasonal dishes, including mains such as roast Suffolk Bronze turkey or wild sea bass, accompanied by starters such as baked lobster thermidor tart, and a range of desserts to top it all off. You can also add a glass of mulled wine for extra winter cosiness.
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The Floral Hall, Stoney Street, Southwark
- Website • 020-337 131 20
- Read more on Thatsup
Joyeux Noël
Situated in a converted tea warehouse by the Thames and sporting unparalleled views of Tower Bridge, Le Pont de la Tour serves classic French cuisine in an elegant setting. The Christmas Day menu features six courses from the chef, including the traditional roast Bronze turkey, house-cured salmon, and Cornish crab tartlets. There are also snacks for the table to start you off, and coffee or tea with mince pie truffles.
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36D Shad Thames, Southwark/Bermondsey
- Website • 020-740 384 03
- Read more on Thatsup
Japanese twists on tradition
If you're looking for something a bit different for Christmas this year, the Sticks'n'Sushi joints offer a Japanese feast that's no turkey. You can choose between three Sticks'n'Santa menus for groups of seven or more. The picturesque and tasty dishes include sushi- and yakitori-style twists on Christmas flavours, for example miso-fried sprouts, chicks'n'blankets, or red'n'green roll. A plant-based option is available as well and there's even matcha eggnog to go with your meal.
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1 Crossrail Pl, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets 113 King's Rd, Chelsea 11 Henrietta St, Covent Garden 1 Nelson Rd, Greenwich 40 Beak St, Soho 3 Sir Simon Milton Sq Westfield London, Ariel Way, Hammersmith and Fulham 58 Wimbledon Hill Rd, Wimbledon/Merton 100 Shoreditch High St, ShoreditchSticks'n'Sushi Canary Wharf
1 Crossrail Pl, Canary Wharf/Tower HamletsSticks'n'Sushi Kings Road
113 King's Rd, ChelseaSticks'n'Sushi Covent Garden
11 Henrietta St, Covent GardenSticks'n'Sushi Greenwich
1 Nelson Rd, GreenwichSticks'n'Sushi Soho
40 Beak St, SohoSticks'n'Sushi Victoria
3 Sir Simon Milton SqSticks'n'Sushi White City
Westfield London, Ariel Way, Hammersmith and FulhamSticks'n'Sushi Wimbledon
58 Wimbledon Hill Rd, Wimbledon/MertonSticks'n'Sushi Shoreditch
100 Shoreditch High St, Shoreditch -
Sticks'n'Sushi Canary Wharf
sticksnsushi.com/en/restaurants/london/canary-wharfSticks'n'Sushi Kings Road
sticksnsushi.com/en/restaurants/london/kings-roadSticks'n'Sushi Covent Garden
sticksnsushi.com/en/restaurants/london/covent-gardenSticks'n'Sushi Greenwich
sticksnsushi.com/en/restaurants/london/greenwichSticks'n'Sushi Soho
sticksnsushi.com/en/restaurants/london/sohoSticks'n'Sushi Victoria
sticksnsushi.com/en/restaurants/london/victoriaSticks'n'Sushi White City
thatsup.co.uk/london/restaurant/sticksnsushi-white-citySticks'n'Sushi Wimbledon
sticksnsushi.com/en/restaurants/london/wimbledonSticks'n'Sushi Shoreditch
sticksnsushi.com/en/restaurants/london/shoreditchSticks'n'Sushi Canary Wharf
020-314 182 30Sticks'n'Sushi Kings Road
020-314 181 81Sticks'n'Sushi Covent Garden
020-314 188 10Sticks'n'Sushi Greenwich
020-314 182 20Sticks'n'Sushi Soho
020-314 181 91Sticks'n'Sushi Victoria
020-314 182 40Sticks'n'Sushi White City
020-334 314 01Sticks'n'Sushi Wimbledon
020-314 188 00Sticks'n'Sushi Shoreditch
020-314 188 40 -
Sticks'n'Sushi Canary Wharf Sticks'n'Sushi Kings Road Sticks'n'Sushi Covent Garden Sticks'n'Sushi Greenwich Sticks'n'Sushi Soho Sticks'n'Sushi Victoria Sticks'n'Sushi White City Sticks'n'Sushi Wimbledon Sticks'n'Sushi Shoreditch
Children's Christmas feast
The high-ceilinged dining room at The Corinthia is offering something for all ages and tastes this holiday season. Their traditional Christmas Eve and Day set menus come with an alternative for children ages 3–11, featuring options such as pigs in blankets, sole goujons, mini margherita pizza, penne pasta, and more, as well as the classic roast turkey.
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10a Northumberland Ave, Westminster
- Website • 020-732 131 00
- Read more on Thatsup
Christmas songs on request
The Piano Works are famous for their skilled house band that plays songs requested by the audience on special slips of paper. If you're looking to enjoy a Christmas dinner whilst Let It Snow tinkles away live in the background, they might be your best – and most affordable – bet. The three-course festive menu comes with a glass of prosecco and includes options such as smoked salmon, sirloin steak, turkey parcel, and Christmas pudding.
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113-117 Farringdon Rd Gillian Lynne Theatre, Covent GardenThe Piano Works Farringdon
113-117 Farringdon RdThe Piano Works West End
Gillian Lynne Theatre, Covent Garden -
The Piano Works Farringdon
pianoworks.bar/location-farringdonThe Piano Works West End
pianoworks.bar/location-west-endThe Piano Works Farringdon
020-727 819 66The Piano Works West End
020-788 919 96 -
The Piano Works Farringdon The Piano Works West End
Fine pub dining
The Cubitt House pubs around London, guided by acclaimed chef Ben Tish, offer festive sharing menus that start off with mini Yorkshire puddings filled with roast beef and horseradish, before continuing with starters such as chicken liver parfait, mains such as turkey with chestnut and apricot stuffing, and finishing off with a Christmas pudding, profiteroles, or Biscoff and Baileys cheesecake.
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47 Hereford Road 6 New Quebec Street, Marylebone 82 Duke St, Mayfair 88 Marylebone Ln, Marylebone 10 Motcomb St, Belgravia 44 Elizabeth St, Belgravia 37 Pimlico Rd, Chelsea/BelgraviaThe Princess Royal
47 Hereford RoadThe Grazing Goat Marylebone
6 New Quebec Street, MaryleboneThe Barley Mow Mayfair
82 Duke St, MayfairThe Coach Makers Arms
88 Marylebone Ln, MaryleboneThe Alfred Tennyson
10 Motcomb St, BelgraviaThe Thomas Cubitt
44 Elizabeth St, BelgraviaThe Orange Public House & Hotel
37 Pimlico Rd, Chelsea/Belgravia -
The Princess Royal
cubitthouse.co.uk/the-princess-royalThe Grazing Goat Marylebone
cubitthouse.co.uk/the-grazing-goat-maryleboneThe Barley Mow Mayfair
cubitthouse.co.uk/the-barley-mow-mayfairThe Coach Makers Arms
cubitthouse.co.uk/the-coach-makers-arms-maryleboneThe Alfred Tennyson
cubitthouse.co.uk/the-alfred-tennyson-knightsbridgeThe Thomas Cubitt
cubitthouse.co.uk/the-thomas-cubitt-belgraviaThe Orange Public House & Hotel
cubitthouse.co.uk/the-orange-boutique-hotel-belgraviaThe Princess Royal
020-309 669 96The Grazing Goat Marylebone
020-772 472 43The Barley Mow Mayfair
020-455 314 14The Coach Makers Arms
020-722 440 22The Alfred Tennyson
020-773 060 74The Thomas Cubitt
020-773 060 60The Orange Public House & Hotel
020-788 198 44 -
The Princess Royal The Grazing Goat Marylebone The Barley Mow Mayfair The Coach Makers Arms The Alfred Tennyson The Thomas Cubitt The Orange Public House & Hotel
Christmas with the Spanish Godfather
At his flagship restaurant in Bermondsey, the godfather of Spanish cuisine in the UK, José Pizarro, has prepared a special feast for “unabashedly carnivorous” groups of eight or more – a tasting menu that revolves around a whole Segovian suckling pig. There's a lighter option that skips the beast available as well, whilst smaller groups can order off the à la carte. Meanwhile, the Broadgate Circle location offers a more tapas-style menu featuring a traditional Catalan canelón with chicken, whilst the Royal Academy branch serves set menus in the private dining room.
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194 Bermondsey St, Southwark 36 Broadgate, The City/City of London Royal Academy Of Arts, 6 Burlington Gardens, MayfairPizarro Restaurant
194 Bermondsey St, SouthwarkJosé Pizarro Broadgate Circle
36 Broadgate, The City/City of LondonJosé Pizarro at the Royal Academy of Arts
Royal Academy Of Arts, 6 Burlington Gardens, Mayfair -
Pizarro Restaurant
josepizarro.com/venues/pizarro-restaurant-bermondseyJosé Pizarro Broadgate Circle
josepizarro.com/venues/jose-pizarro-broadgateJosé Pizarro at the Royal Academy of Arts
josepizarro.com/venues/jose-pizarro-royal-academy-artsPizarro Restaurant
020-737 894 55José Pizarro Broadgate Circle
020-725 653 33José Pizarro at the Royal Academy of Arts
020-730 059 12 -
Pizarro Restaurant José Pizarro Broadgate Circle José Pizarro at the Royal Academy of Arts
Australian comfort
Popular Aussie brunch specialists The Daisy Green Collection will be providing festive cheer in the form of a three-course menu at several of their locations – all have their pros, but Peggy Jean is a charming barge that floats on the Thames. Expect HG Walter 28-day dry aged roast beef, free-range Norfolk bronze turkey, pan-fried sea bass, and other classics with Aussie twists, along with nostalgic desserts and plenty of bubbles.
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Richmond Bridge Boathouses, Richmond
- Website • 020-314 920 36
- Read more on Thatsup
Festive afternoon tea
In its lush, plant-filled setting in Covent Garden, The Petersham welcomes festive diners with fixed-price seasonal menus for lunch and dinner, with the likes of blue-cheese mousse, hand-carved turkey, and chestnut risotto to warm you up. The establishment, widely known not only for its beautiful interior but also its afternoon tea, offers a Christmassy take on the latter, with turkey finger sandwiches, orange and cranberry scones, and fruit cake all on the lineup.
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2 Floral Street, Covent Garden
- Website • 020-730 576 76
- Read more on Thatsup
A stylish Christmas dins
At the Riding House Cafe, Christmas Day becomes a culinary celebration with its festive menu. This stylish London eatery sets the stage for a memorable holiday feast, offering a tasty selection of seasonal dishes that capture the spirit of Christmas. From succulent roasts to indulgent desserts, their menu showcases the best of British holiday fare, ensuring a joyous and flavorful experience for all who dine here.
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43-51 Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia
- Website • 020-792 708 40
- Read more on Thatsup
A classic London pub
The Flask in Hampstead is a traditional London boozer offering a carefully-curated selection of Christmas dishes complete with traditional favourites and creative twists. With a warm and inviting vibe, The Flask is the ideal spot to gather with friends and family on Christmas Day. From succulent roasts to decadent desserts, the menu promises a memorable dining experience that captures the essence of Christmas.
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77 Highgate W Hill, Highgate
- Website • 020-834 873 46
- Read more on Thatsup
A sophisticated rendezvous
Celebrating Christmas dinner at Corrigan's in Mayfair is the height of sophistication. This Michelin-starred restaurant, led by renowned chef Richard Corrigan, offers a sumptuous festive feast combining the finest seasonal ingredients and traditional Christmas dishes, all prepared with a modern twist. The elegant setting of Corrigan's, with its timeless charm and attentive service, sets the stage for an unforgettable festive meal.
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28 Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair
- Website • 020-749 999 43
- Read more on Thatsup
A Taiwanese twist
For a Taiwanese twist on Christmas dinner, head to Mr Bao in Peckham or Daddy Bao in Tooting. This family-run restaurant works with suppliers they consider family to ensure their dishes are made with the best-quality ingredients. This year, you can expect a new festive menu of tasty bao buns and other dishes, spruced up with a Christmassy Chinese twist, think turkey kiev bao buns, kimchi roast potatoes, hot and sour grilled sprouts and clementine pavlova.
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293 Rye Ln, Peckham 113 Mitcham Road, TootingMr Bao
293 Rye Ln, PeckhamDaddy Bao
113 Mitcham Road, Tooting -
Mr Bao
mrbao.co.ukDaddy Bao
daddybao.co.ukMr Bao
020-763 503 25Daddy Bao
020-360 132 32 -
Mr Bao Daddy Bao
A wealth of festive street food options
Market Halls prepared for the festive season by transforming its three sites with a Christmas theme. This includes street food with a festive twist, live music, carol singing, warming cocktails, and festive packages. Embracing the holiday spirit, food vendors at Market Halls will offer unique dishes, each infusing classic Christmas flavours with their distinctive culinary styles. The Market Halls are also ready to host Christmas parties of all sizes, from intimate gatherings to large groups of up to 600.
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9 Holles Street, Marylebone 25 North Colonnade, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets 191 Victoria Street, WestminsterMarket Halls Oxford Street
9 Holles Street, MaryleboneMarket Halls Cargo Canary Wharf
25 North Colonnade, Canary Wharf/Tower HamletsMarket Halls Victoria
191 Victoria Street, Westminster -
Market Halls Oxford Street
markethalls.co.uk/venue/oxford-streetMarket Halls Cargo Canary Wharf
markethalls.co.uk/venue/canary-wharfMarket Halls Victoria
markethalls.co.uk/venue/victoriaMarket Halls Oxford Street
020-377 393 59Market Halls Victoria
020-377 393 59 -
Market Halls Oxford Street Market Halls Cargo Canary Wharf Market Halls Victoria
It's always Christmas dinner time
Christmas dinner at Polo Bar is unique - it's the first 24/7 Christmas dinner in the UK. At literally any time of the day or night you can visit this fun London stalwart and enjoy a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, plus the choice to add limitless Yorkshire puddings. Christmas-themed cocktails and other seasonal options like a burger and cooked breakfast are also on the menu.
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176 Bishopsgate, The City/City of London
- Website • 020-728 348 89
- Read more on Thatsup
Dinner and festive hits to boot
The Florence in Herne Hill will be open on Christmas Day to serve a classic festive dinner with all the trimmings. Enjoy Christmas cocktails and feel-good party tunes, including all the festive hits. Go traditional with Turkey, or opt for a venison steak, baked sole or grilled cod. Make sure you leave room for dessert; there are a bunch of options to choose from, including classic Christmas pudding doused in silky brandy cream.
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131 Dulwich Road
- Website • 020-732 649 87
- Read more on Thatsup