The best places to dine out in London this Christmas

Known as “Richmond’s best kept secret”, we love this cosy, country vibe pub in south west London! Being friendly, The White Swan is the perfect place for a festive pint to enjoy whilst wrapped up in the garden post-dog walk along the river, or a cracking Sunday roast. We highly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment! The menu usually features super heartwarming winter plates including Spiced Parsnip Soup, Harissa Baked Aubergine and Barbary Duck Breast.

If you can’t make it to the North Pole, but you’re still looking for a good dose of Christmas spirit, head over to Coppa Club in Tower Bridge where you can enjoy all of London’s dazzling Christmas lights from your very own private igloo! Coppa Club is a great choice if you’re looking for a romantic and intimate date setting which will be sure to impress. You’ll be able to order food and drinks to your igloo, where you can relax and enjoy panoramic views of the River Thames, The Shard and London’s skyline. Coppa Club provides blankets for you to cosy up with inside the igloos, but make sure you dress up warmly nonetheless because it can get nippy on cold nights!

Covent Garden is a truly magical place to visit during the festive period. You’ll find glittering window displays, gigantic bells, and photo opportunities galore! You could take all this hustle and bustle in from the comfort of the heated, candlelit terrace at Dalla Terra. You’ll find plenty of wintery and warming options on the menu, including slow-cooked pastas, truffle and meat dishes, as well as a decadent chocolate lava cake. You’ll also be able to choose a juicy red wine from the extensive wine list, which includes around 300 different vintages. What could make for a more romantic and festive London day out?

Located in charming Highgate, where you can wander quaint streets and leafy green spaces such as Kenwood House and Hampstead Heath, The Red Lion & Sun makes for an incredibly cosy and Christmassy stop off and is even fitted out with a crackling open fire. It’s regularly named as one of the city’s best gastropubs and its Sunday roasts really are the stuff of legends, so you can only imagine how brilliant its festive offering is! You’ll find all the classic components including roast turkey, pigs ‘n blankets and sprouts with pancetta, as well as a panettone bread and butter pudding for dessert — ideal for sharing!

This classic London establishment can be found in Soho serving stunning contemporary British and classic French cuisine, in a beautiful setting of marble tables, window side seating and a disco ball. This is a seafood lover’s dream, with oysters and champagne making it the perfect venue over the festive season. Find Devon crab, lobster, Moules Mariner and French onion soup on the menu. This is the best central London spot for a special, festive family lunch.

Another picturesque part of the capital to visit in December is the historic, cobbled area of Richmond, home to a rolling green park and the winter wonderland of Kew Gardens. You’ll also find the majestic hotel The Petersham, which really goes all out around the holidays and is dressed to the nines with trees, foliage and sparkling lights. The festive menu features even more sophisticated dishes than usual, including a twice cooked lobster souffle and oxtail ravioli. You could also indulge in the exquisite Christmas-themed afternoon tea, which features glistening cakes shaped like baubles.

For a festive family get-together Italian style, you can’t really go wrong with Tavolino, where you’ll be placed at the heart of the capital overlooking the Thames and Tower Bridge. You’ll also find plenty of seasonal markets and pop-ups within walking distance, so you could really make an afternoon of it! The Christmas menu here features rich pastas such as a Chianti and beef ragu pappardelle with a truffle, rosemary and shallot crumb as well as a long list of flavourful cocktails that often feature a seasonal twist. This spot also caters brilliantly to kids, with a two course menu available for an incredibly reasonable price.

The Mansion Bar and Cafe is housed in a Grade II-listed Georgian building and is surrounded by the pretty grounds of Beckenham Place Park, so you can embark on a brisk stroll that might even see you wandering amongst some snow! The Mansion Bar & Cafe is a homely retreat where you can sip on coffee supplied by local coffee makers, Hundred House Coffee. You’ll also find a selection of sweet and savoury treats from a favourite South London bakery, The Blackbird Bakery, including steaming soups and warming toasties oozing with melted cheese.

A brilliant pub found just outside the gates of Kew Gardens, The Cricketers is an ideal place for a winter Sunday stroll and lunch. With an outside courtyard as well as cosy interior, we are big fans. Offering special Christmas dining and a Party Buffet menu, this is the ideal festive family-friendly venue. The Cricketers is also a top pub to watch sports with mates over the festive period.

The Duke of Richmond is an upscale boozer that’s a well-loved haunt among the residents of Hackney. Its Sunday roasts are legendary, and its meat-free version has won awards, so it’s an excellent option if you’re heading out with a group of vegans, vegetarians and meat-eaters. You’ll find plenty of special offer evenings here too, including a very enticing cocktail happy hour and menu and wine Wednesday discounts. If you’re organising a party for a particularly big group, you can even hire out your own private area, which can be decorated with festive flourishes.

Six by Nico makes dining out a spectacular experience which truly tantalises all the senses, so if you’re looking for a restaurant with a bit of pizzazz over Christmas, this is the place for you. Every six weeks, Six by Nico brings out a themed six course tasting menu, which is made up of six artfully concocted dishes with optional wine pairings to complement your meal. Around Christmas, Six by Nico typically brings out a festive menu, featuring seasonal dishes that play on Christmas traditions and festive pop culture references. Past menus have included delightfully festive plates such as ‘Partridge in a Pear Tree’, ‘Who Hates Brussel Sprouts?’, ‘Bob Cratchit’s Three Bird Roast’ and more. Keep your eyes peeled for the latest menu reveal – new themes are typically released two weeks ahead of time.

For something a little more raucous and raunchy, Dalston Superstore offers a vivacious Drag Brunch on a weekend, and the festive season can only mean more carnage and glitter! You’ll find sharing cocktail jugs and an array of waffles on offer, from a classic breakfast version to one piled high with sweet morsels like fruit, cream, maple syrup and chocolate. During your meal, you’ll be entertained by some of East London’s finest performers and can take part in themed games, quizzes and shows — plus, you might even win a prize or two!

Found in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this industrial and chic venue serves delicious cocktails, sustainably sourced food and biodynamic wines. Throughout December it’ll be offering a brilliant Christmas Set Menu, or a Christmas Sharing Menu. We think Dark Horse is the perfect place for a large group of friends for festive dinner. You can also discover the Northern Italian menu, which features dishes that include Roasted Pumpkin Risotto, and Baked Ricotta & Chestnut Cheesecake.

Let’s face it, we can all get a little tired of the typical Christmas dinner options by the time the season is in full swing, so why not mix things up with your workmates and opt for a Caribbean themed festive party instead? At Turtle Bay, it offers a set menu that comes with a free cocktail if you book your group outing here, plus you can’t help but soak up the fun-loving vibes of the restaurant’s colourful island-themed decor. Your alternative menu includes plenty of rum-based cocktails and spicy, sizzling jerk flavours that will keep the nippy British weather firmly outside.

Situated in Westfield shopping centre, this TGI Fridays restaurant is the perfect place for a Christmas group booking! TGI Fridays often serves up a scrumptious seasonal menu with a wide range of American appetisers, mains and desserts to choose from, including festive favourites such as pigs in blankets, a ‘Chick’mas’ dinner with all the trimmings, and a Christmas pudding served with boozy eggnog custard and candy floss. There are also burgers, ribs and steak options on the menu as well as plenty of plant-based dishes for vegetarian and vegan diets. There’ll also be Christmas cocktails to choose from such as the Cranberry Bramble and the Baileys Chocolate Martini to help get you in the Yuletide spirit!

This central spot makes it easier for colleagues from all corners of the capital to make it home after your meal. Plus, you’ll be right amongst all the action and buzz of the South Bank, where seasonal stalls stretch along the riverside. You’ll find a reasonably priced set menu to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, from the traditional turkey with pigs in blankets to mushroom tortellini in a rich truffle sauce and even gluten-free options. You could then round off the evening with a mulled wine in the nearby alpine-themed market.

Six Portland Road offers modern European food and natural wine in a relaxed setting. This contemporary eatery, consisting of just 36 seats, is a dreamy place for a memorable date. Often boasting a festive menu that includes crackers and mulled wine on arrival with both lunch and dinner servings, and no hire fee, we can easily imagine a brilliant Christmas dinner or extended lunch here with a special date. 

If you’re looking for a Christmas date night that’s a little more refined than the usual hectic ice-skating rinks and funfairs, then you could pay a visit to the National Portrait Gallery, where you can peruse some art before heading down to Larry’s, which almost feels like a secret speakeasy. You’ll find flickering candles that illuminate the art lined, exposed brick walls, making for a cosy yet cool ambience. You can get to know each other while sipping cocktails and tucking into one of the Insta-worthy sharing boards. And if it goes particularly well, there’s the famous Mars Bar cheesecake to share for dessert…

The French have a reputation for romance, and if you can’t whisk the object of your affections away to the bright lights of Paris, then you could take them to the elegant Gazette Brasserie instead, where you can stare deep into each other’s eyes across a pristine white tablecloth. There’s a special festive menu too, which features French classics including a cheese souffle and a chocolate fondant, as well as a classic turkey main course. You’ll also find plenty to explore in the nearby Battersea Power Station, from the capital’s only riverside ice rink to live carol singer performances.

The dark and dusky Troubadour is just the spot for a meeting of music-lovers. The venue and restaurant hosts regular live performances, so you could enjoy an evening of jazz to get you in the mood for the festive period. The menu is full of wintery comfort foods too, from a brisket burger and baked camembert (perfect for sharing) to a sticky toffee pudding — which could also be a potential two spoon affair. The cocktail game here is strong, in more than one sense of the word, so you can really settle in for an alternative Christmas date night evening.