Whether you’re looking for this year’s best Christmas sandwich, a holiday treat, or a delicious Christmas lunch or dinner, we’ve pulled together the best festive feasting spots and Christmas restaurants in central London for 2024.
Top festive treats
Ole & Steen: Plan a cosy catch-up over coffee and something tasty in the run-up to Christmas. Perfect for sharing, the Danish bakery brings a host of festive flavours to its menu each Christmas, from seasonal sandwiches to pastries and cosy winter drinks.
Fortnum & Mason: A must-visit for any serious seasonal shopper, Fortnums has tasty treats of all kinds within its iconic Piccadilly store. Lift the lid on festivities with one of its hampers, packed with gourmet goodies. Or treat someone special to a tasty morsel each day from its feasting advent calendar. Why not stop in for one of London's best festive afternoon teas. Between shopping sprees, find festive fancies or indulge in an ice cream at The Parlour.
The Ritz London: Putting on the glitz, The Ritz London is full of seasonal cheer – decked out in classy decorations, it’s the place to be spoiled. Listen to carols, meet Father Christmas and nibble on dainty treats such as mince pies and Christmas cakes as part of its Christmas afternoon tea. Or combine jazz with an à la carte evening menu during Festive Live events. The iconic hotel has this season well and truly wrapped up.
Christmas dinners and lunches in London
Fallow: Fallow-lujah… The new seasonal menu from the conscious eatery has arrived and it’s packed with inventive, warming dishes to keep you cosy. Enjoy a modern take on classic pigs in blankets served with Devil sauce, munch on Hash browns served with Exmoor caviar, or add an extra festive twist with a side of sprouts and bacon.
Ginza: Bring flavours of Japan to your pre-Christmas catch-ups with friends and family, with Ginza’s £75 festive lunch menu. Delight in five exquisite courses, from mackerel carpaccio to shrimp tempura and ribeye steak. Finish the feast with a decadent chocolate fondant - the ideal pick-me-up between Christmas shopping sprees.
Sael: Celebrate the season in style with Sael’s exclusive Christmas menu. Delight in festive starters like game terrine with redcurrant and hot smoked salmon, followed by standout main courses such as beef wellington with wild mushrooms. End on a sweet note with indulgences like the 70% chocolate tart or a unique Christmas pudding soft-serve. Sael’s Christmas menu combines traditional flavours with elegant presentations, offering a memorable feast perfect for the holiday season.
Claro: On the other hand, this modern space offers a vibrant Mediterranean escape right in central London. With its airy, light-filled decor and dishes brimming with fresh, artisanal ingredients, Claro makes festive gatherings feel warm and inviting. It’s an ideal destination for groups looking to enjoy an upbeat, flavourful experience, where the ambiance and culinary creativity set the perfect tone for a lively and joyful season.
Ginza: Bring flavours of Japan to your pre-Christmas catch-ups with friends and family, with Ginza’s £75 festive lunch menu. Delight in five exquisite courses, from mackerel carpaccio to shrimp tempura and ribeye steak. Finish the feast with a decadent chocolate fondant - the ideal pick-me-up between Christmas shopping sprees.
Papa L’s: Get a taste of Africa with sensational savouries and indulgent puddings this season. Papa L’s packs in the flavours with winter dishes such as butternut squash and ginger soup, monkfish tail on the bone with shellfish bisque and beef short rib with pickled red cabbage. Don’t go home without squeezing in their decadent banana cake with cinnamon caramel and plantain crisps.
Top Christmas party restaurants in London
Quaglino’s: Drink, feast and dance the night away to live acts during the festive season at Quaglino’s, which serves up a choice of classy Christmas dining options. Whether making last-minute plans with friends over brunch, lingering over seasonal lunch specials or sipping on festive cocktails, there are plenty of treats in store.
Davy’s at St James’s: Gather with friends or family for a Christmas gathering to remember. Plan a wine tasting, enjoy samples from the festive wine collection, or tuck into seasonal specials from the kitchen – its three-course set menu for £47 includes oak smoked gravlax, roast turkey and a British cheese plate, among many tempting choices.
Christmas Day dining ideas
St James’s Hotel & Club: Take a break from tussling with the turkey at home, by celebrating Christmas Day in style. The stylish St James’s hotel presents a festive feast at Francatelli that champions seasonal ingredients – savour five courses, plus decadent canapés and coffee with mince pies, from £185 per person.
Dukes hotel: Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with a luxurious two-night Christmas package at Dukes London. Nestled in the historic charm of St. James’s, indulge in festive experiences that will fill your holiday with warmth, joy, and cherished memories.With treats including a festive four-course afternoon tea on Christmas Eve followed by a full English breakfast and a six-course Christmas lunch for the main event.
Wild Honey St James’s: Make Christmas that little bit sweeter with Christmas Day lunch at Wild Honey St James’s. Full of seasonal fare and Christmas classics, the five-course menu for £270 includes three options for the main – with venison and Cornish Turbot as delicious alternatives to turkey.
Brumus: Housed within the Haymarket Hotel and brimming with modern décor, Brumus is an elegant choice for a celebratory meal come the 25th of December. Its £165 Christmas Day menu in 2024 includes the likes of spiced parsnip soup with apple fritters and crème fraîche, roast bronze turkey with all the trimmings and gingerbread cheesecake with honeycomb ice cream, among other festive favourites.
The Game Bird: Pulling out all the seasonal stops, The Stafford’s acclaimed restaurant serves up a five-course feast for Christmas Day 2024. Pan-roasted turbot and a traditional turkey feature on the main menu, along with inventive culinary creations, including a Devon Crab Doughnut, all for £275.
Planning your Christmas drinks with friends? Look no further than our guide to the best Christmas cocktails in St James’s. Or for more festive ideas, follow our social channels @StJamesLondon and @RegentStreetW1 to discover a wonderful array of activities taking place this winter.
