The best places to dine out in Liverpool to celebrate Christmas

Looking to spoil your partner at Christmas? Why not take a trip to The Art School for some deliciously sophisticated dishes? During the festive season, The Art School has an annual tradition of hosting Twelve Days of Christmas and this year’s theme is the eleventh day – eleven pipers piping.

As part of the festive menu, chef extraordinaire Paul Askew and his team will be serving up a range of dishes from the Festive Prixe, Excellence, Pasting and Christmas Eve menus. Some standout recipes include the Cheshire hare wrapped in Southport smokehouse pork, stuffed portobello mushrooms and the vacherin of pomelo, orange and amaretto. The varied selection is perfect for couples who want to try something different, whilst also enjoying one of the best wine selections in Liverpool.

If you’re looking to celebrate Christmas, but prefer a more chilled vibe, then The Elephant Pub & Bakehouse is the perfect place for you and your partner. From 15th November until 23rd December, you can enjoy The Elephant’s festive menu, which is packed with Christmas-inspired dishes such as the mulled berry pavlova and the traditional turkey dinner. There’s also a mix up of the drinks menu, with mulled wine offerings and nutcracker milkshakes. 

The Elephant also hosts an annual Christmas market, so you can purchase some last-minute festive gifts for your loved ones before the big day. The venue hosts the Woolton light switch on too, so you can enjoy great food and drinks whilst enjoying a romantic light and firework show. If you want to enjoy Christmas Day at The Elephant, make sure you book well in advance as tables fill up quickly.

If you prefer pizza and pasta over a traditional turkey dinner, then 1931 is the perfect place for you and your partner. 1931 is one of Hope Street Hotel’s newest and most popular additions. Here, you can enjoy hand-stretched pizzas, flavourful pasta dishes and more.

1931 is the perfect place to celebrate the festive season. Last year, it even had a special festive menu, which included a limoncello spritz on arrival, for £40 per person, so keep an eye out this year. You could also choose from a range of sharing starters, including buffalo mozzarella and roasted meatballs with smoked bacon. For mains, these guys serve up gamberoni pasta and the 1931 festive pizza with turkey, pancetta, caramelised onion, pancetta and blue cheese. Don’t forget to make room for dessert, as you will be in for a treat with last year’s options – Biscoff cheesecake, tiramisu and the chocolate tart.

If you and your partner love Italian cuisine, head to Al Dente, where you can enjoy delicious Italian food with a festive twist. It also serves up an excellent Christmas menu on the special day. To start, you should try the lightly battered salt and pepper calamari or the winter-warmer carrot and coriander soup. For your main, you can opt for a classic turkey dinner or go rogue and opt for a fillet steak or salt and pepper chicken. It also serves up an excellent selection of desserts, including sticky toffee pudding, Biscoff cheesecake, pistachio tiramisu and more. Al Dente serves up a special menu up until New Year, which includes some of its signature dishes, like the salt and pepper chicken, a selection of sumptuous pastas, and of course, plenty of pizza and drinks.

If you’re planning a night of drinking with your friends and don’t want to be weighed down by a Christmas dinner, why not try Maray’s tasty small plates? Maray offers its own twist on Christmas, with unique dishes such as kale sprouts, crispy potatoes and parsnips, and of course the famous disco caulis.

This menu is available for groups of four or more, so it’s perfect for a big girls (or boys) night out. It’s also affordable at just £30 per person or £35 per person if you fancy a dessert. Maray offers an excellent selection of cocktails, including the Peddler for Aperol lovers and the tequila-infused Calexico. Keep an eye open for some Christmas cocktail specials, which are bound to get you in the festive spirit.

If brunch is your favourite meal of the day, Bam Boo’s Christmas bottomless brunch is a must-try. You’ll get 90 minutes of unlimited festive drinks like spiced cocktails and bubbly, paired with some delicious Christmas-themed dishes. Think burgers topped with pigs in blankets, festive French toast, and gingerbread pancakes.

If you’re more into roast dinners, Bam Boo’s got that covered too. The roast dinner sharing boards are loaded with all the classics — crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, pigs in blankets, and loads of gravy. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for sharing with friends. Bam Boo is a popular spot and seats fill up fast, so make sure you book in advance to avoid missing out on a delicious roast or a mouthwatering brunch.

If you and your friends are into tequila then head to Crazy Pedro’s. Here, you can drink and dance the night away, while lining your stomach with some delicious pizza or loaded nachos. Keep an eye out for some Christmas-inspired specials, including the White Christmas pizza with a white bechamel base, turkey dinosaurs, pigs in blankets, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy. 

If you’ve never visited Crazy Pedro’s during the festive season, you are missing out as it always goes all out during Christmas. If you have a group of eight or more, you can enjoy Crazy Pedro’s Christmas package, which includes pizzas, shots and drinks, including the speciality frozen margs.

Looking for somewhere to watch your favourite team over the festive season? Fletcher’s Sports Bar is the perfect spot to catch the game and soak up the Christmas vibes at the same time. With big screens everywhere, you won’t miss a second of the action, and the festive drinks and tasty pub food will keep you going. It’s the go-to place to get your mates together, watch a game, and enjoy some holiday spirit all in one.

If you prefer a classic Christmas film over a game of footy, then make sure you book a seat at Fletcher’s on one of the Christmas movie nights. Last year, the team put Home Alone and Elf on the big screen and served up plenty of sweet treats, hot chocolate and festive cocktails. The venue has also hosted festive tribute nights, including Abba, Queen and Dirty Dancing. Keep an eye out on socials for any upcoming festive events and get booked in early to avoid disappointment.

Ten Streets Social is the perfect spot for the whole family. This year it’s hosting a Santa Brunch, which includes welcome drinks from Santa’s elves, letter writing to Santa, a special visit from Santa (with a gift, of course) and brunch for both adults and children. This includes make-your-own-pancakes for the kids and a choice of bacon, sausage or veggie butty. 

You can also attend a Christmas wreath making workshop from 16th to 17th November where you can craft your very own wreath. You can also dig into a complimentary breakfast sandwich, festive treats and glass of prosecco or your choice of hot drink. The Christmas markets are also back at Ten Streets, where you can grab some gifts, snack on festive food, sip on mulled wine and enjoy the festive sounds of the choir.

Looking for the perfect place to enjoy a roast with the family? Head to Ma Boyle’s, a cosy, old-school alehouse with warm lighting and rustic decor that makes it feel super inviting for a family get-together. The Christmas menu at Ma Boyle’s is full of delicious comfort food, including the three-course Christmas roast for just £35 per person, which is available from 25th November to 23rd December. To start, you can choose from Ma’s homemade red lentil carrot soup, chicken liver homemade pâté, pigs in blankets brushed with honey mustard and maple syrup-glazed vegan sausages. For your main, you can opt for a classic Turkey dinner with all the trimmings, or choose from pan-fried sea bass, slow-roasted beef brisket or the lentil and winter vegetable roast. Finish off with homemade sticky toffee pudding, Ma’s homemade apple pie, raspberry frangipane tart or the chocolate orange brownie. If you’re still feeling peckish, you can add on a coffee and a mince pie for just £6, or a mulled wine for £7.

Thornton Hall & Spa is a great place for the whole family, especially during the festive season as there are non-stop activities. To get your kids in the Christmas spirit, you should book breakfast with Santa at Thornton Hall, which is £27.50 for adults and £16 per child. This includes a full English breakfast buffet, a visit to Father Christmas and a gift for each kid.

There are plenty of Christmas dining experiences at Thornton Hall, including Christmas Day lunch and the Christmas carvery. In the lead up to Christmas you can enjoy some festive afternoon tea or book a Christmas family party. Choose from club classics, ABBA themed and more, which all include a glass of prosecco on arrival, delicious three courses and you can even add on a night’s stay for the ultimate festive indulgence.

Cucina di Vincenzo is a family-run business, which prides itself on serving fresh Italian food for families across Liverpool, so it’s definitely the place to be during Christmas. Here, you can enjoy delicious Italian food, including the crispy fried fresh calamari, the Orecchiette Vincenzo pasta with Italian fennel sausage, the lasagne al forno and more. You can’t leave Vincenzo’s without trying the wine menu, which includes only the best quality wines from across the world. The dessert menu is also a must, with options like the owner, Gabrielle’s bakewell slice or the Cannoli Siciliani and the tiramisu. 

Last year, Vincenzo’s celebrated Christmas with 12 days of Vincenzmas, where it gave away 12 amazing gifts, including Bongo’s Bingo tickets, restaurant vouchers and a free three course meal with wine pairing for four guests! It’s yet to announce another Vincenzmas, but make sure you keep a close eye on the restaurant’s Instagram page and turn on post notifications just in case.

Have you been tasked with choosing the Christmas party venue? If so, you may want to consider Tempest on Tithebarn, which has so many different options, such as the more chilled main bar, which is a beautiful space with plenty of plants and room for big groups. Here, you can enjoy after work drinks and soak it up with some great food. There are plenty of options to choose from including the 12 days of Christmas burgers deal and the Grinch bottomless brunch. 

For something more upscale, you could hire out the roof terrace, which offers stunning views of the Liverpool business district and beyond. If you and your coworkers want to carry on the night, you can head down to Kol Box, which is a subterranean concrete bunker below Tempest on Tithebarn, which hosts some impressive DJs and live music. Keep an eye on what’s going on around Christmas time so you can make a plan that everyone will love.

Impress your colleagues and celebrate Christmas at Castle St. Townhouse, where the festive vibes are in full swing. With twinkling lights, cosy decorations, and a warm atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot for a festive work get-together. 

The festive menu is packed with holiday favourites and some delicious dishes to keep the good times going. Start with options like brown butter scallops or white onion and pear soup, then dive into mains like the classic turkey roast dinner, pork belly, or crab risotto. For dessert, you’re in for a treat with choices like White Chocolate and Apricot Bread and Butter Pudding or the Townhouse cheese board. Available from 12-7pm, Monday to Friday, from 14th November to 24th December, there’s plenty of time to get in on the action. Just make sure to book ahead for parties of up to five guests and get ready for a laid-back, festive feast at Castle St. Townhouse!

If you and your colleagues are big wine lovers, why not celebrate Christmas at City Wine Bar + Kitchen, where you can enjoy a wine tasting experience and sample some of the best wines from around the world. 

City Wine Bar also offers a festive menu from 1st to 23rd December. The menu includes mouthwatering starters like honey and balsamic glazed figs, braised ham hock, or grilled mackerel. For mains, you can dive into a classic turkey dinner or switch it up with confit duck leg, beetroot and tofu wellington, or pan-fried sea bass. And the desserts don’t disappoint either, with choices like traditional Christmas pudding, torta della nonna, tiramisu, or a mini cheeseboard.

Celebrating Christmas or a Desi get-together with your workmates at Bundobust in Liverpool is a great way to enjoy some festive fun with a twist! The Desi Festive Feast is £24 per person and perfect for sharing, which makes it even better for catching up with your team over some tasty food and drinks. You’ll get a pint of Bundobust Brewery lager, and if that’s not your thing, there are other options like beers, mulled wine, mocktails, and soft drinks. Start off with some snacks like far far, Bombay mix, and spicy nuts to get the party going.

For the main part, you can choose three dishes from the menu, so everyone gets to try a bit of what they fancy. Think spicy curries, street food, and plenty of flavour! If you’ve got room for dessert, you can pay a bit extra for tiramisu or Christmas kulfi, which are both worth it.

If your Christmas date is a meat-lover, treat them to an unforgettable meal at Macello Meathouse. The Christmas menu, priced at £85 per person, starts with a glass of prosecco on arrival to set the mood. For starters, you’ll be spoiled for choice with dishes like grilled octopus, spicy prawns, grilled halloumi and more. These are perfect for sharing or diving right in. 

The mains are just as impressive, featuring options like ribeye on the bone, salmon messina, and succulent lamb fillet steak, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every palate. And don’t forget to save room for dessert! Finish off with a delicious homemade lemon cheesecake or sweet, flaky baklava.

If you’re looking to impress your date with a fancy dinner, you should book a table at The London Carriage Works inside the beautiful Hope Street Hotel, where you will find immaculate date vibes, and of course, excellent food. 

Your date will feel like a VIP as they walk in when they are handed a complimentary glass of Villa Sandi prosecco on arrival. They will also get to choose from a selection of sophisticated and equally delicious dishes such as the wild mushroom and chestnut risotto, the sage and butter-roasted turkey, and if you are feeling extra hungry, you could share pigs in blankets or goose fat roasted potatoes. If you both have a sweet tooth, you should treat yourself to the spiced pumpkin pie, which is to die for.

Treat your date to a delicious, festival meal at Queens Bistro. The Christmas menu is just £45 per person and kicks off with delicious starters like smoked salmon mousse, ham hock terrine, Brussels sprout bao, and a cosy soup du jour. The laid-back vibe of the bistro makes it a perfect spot to enjoy tasty food while having some fun conversations.

For the main event, you should try the whole Shetland plaice with brown butter, shrimp and capers, or go for the juicy pork belly served with celeriac and broccoli. For the veggie lovers, the cauliflower steak with yellow curry and puffed rice is a winner. And if you want something hearty, the ribeye steak with peppercorn sauce is a solid choice for a £10 supplement. Don’t forget to save room for dessert! You can dive into a warm pear and quince crumble with custard, a rich chocolate delice with cherry sorbet (vegan-friendly), or some classic stilton and crackers.

Another impressive hotspot is Elif, where you can celebrate Christmas with your date in style! This newly opened restaurant is quickly becoming one of Liverpool’s top places, so make sure you book in advance to snag a table. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by gorgeous decor that perfectly captures the vibe of Turkish culture. 

The menu includes delicious Turkish dishes that are perfect for sharing, so you can both dive into a little bit of everything. One highlight is the lamb charcoal specials, as well as the selection of kebabs, seafood, and veggie dishes, which all come with rice. there’s something to satisfy every craving! Don’t forget to save room for some traditional Turkish desserts to finish off your meal on a sweet note.