Guide to festive dining in central London

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 2025.

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. 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 salmon belly crumpet, followed by your choice of either venison wellington or bronze turkey. Finish with house made mince pies or a modern take on a Christmas yule log.

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 salmon tataki to ribeye steak. Finish the feast with a decadent chocolate fondant - the ideal pick-me-up between Christmas shopping sprees.

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.

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 £49.95 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.

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 2025 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 several treats for Christmas Day 2025. Check out their delectable tasting menu or their themed afternoon tea.

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.