Where to celebrate Christmas in the UK

The twinkling lights of Christmas can be seen on the horizon so we’re now beginning to think about places to celebrate with our nearest and dearest. Where can we take the family so no one has to worry about cooking (or the washing up)? Where do we want to meet up with our mates that’ll be fun and full of good food? Where can we go with our colleagues to let our hair down and enjoy some well deserved partying? All your questions are answered in this bumper Christmas guide!

Best places to take your partner

Bartley Lodge in Southampton offers an enchanting Christmas experience, perfect for couples looking to enjoy festive dining in the heart of the New Forest. From 1st December to 23rd, indulge in a two or three course lunch or dinner in a cosy, elegant setting. Priced from £31, the menu features delightful seasonal dishes. For a more intimate touch, the festive afternoon tea starts at £25. Escape to this tranquil, grand 18th century lodge and treat yourselves to a magical festive date.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...
No.10 Bar & Restaurant
cuisinesBritish, Cocktails
Two people holding glasses of champagne cheersing

Are you ready for a festive season like no other – no restrictions, no lockdowns, just pure joy? The Christmas menu at No.10 Bar & Restaurant is filled with festive classics made from the best locally sourced produce. This Aberdeen favourite has sitting times throughout the week. Choose from a starter of Roast Chicken and Winter Vegetable Broth, Chicken Liver Brandy Parfait and more, followed by a Traditional Roast Turkey with all the works. If you don’t fancy the bird, there’s also a choice of Braised Shin of Beef, Pine Nut and Parmesan Crusted Fillet of Cod or Sweet Potato and Wild Mushroom Nut Roast. Save room for pudding because the choices are outrageously good – and yes, one of your choices will be Christmas Pudding! Check out the full Christmas menu here.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...

Enjoy something a little different this Christmas with Birmingham’s Etçi Mehmet – a Turkish steakhouse offering selected halal meats and drinks in a chilled, modern-rustic environment. This year these guys have pulled out all the stops with fantastic decorations and a carefully crafted three course festive menu. You won’t want to miss this deliciousness or the friendly team who’ll welcome you and yours, and make your visit one to remember.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...
Pleased To Meet You
cuisinesBritish
Pleased To Meet You in Newcastle decorated for Christmas

Pleased To Meet You is a popular festive choice in Newcastle every year, pulling out all the stops. This great spot will have a lunch menu, a dinner menu, a buffet menu and an afternoon tea menu, which is perfect for couples. Expect festive finger sandwiches and sweet treats, as well as a lovely Mince Pie and Brandy Clotted Cream.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...
Best places to go with family
Artist Residence
cuisinesBristish
Roast dinners on round wooden table

With locations in London, Brighton, Bristol, Oxford and this one in Penzance, Artist Residence is perfect for all the family. Cosy up for Christmas on the rugged Cornish coastline, with a comfy lounge complete with log burner and peaceful bedrooms set within a Georgian manor house in the old quarter of Penzance. This is a calming retreat from the festive madness, that’s open throughout the festive season, serving a three course Christmas day lunch and drinks and nibbles throughout the evening.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...

Steak of the Art’s (SOTA) Christmas menu is the stuff of legend. This Cardiff location is like no other venue. An ever changing gallery of art delivering pure foodie pleasure wrapped in an electric artistic atmosphere, this one’s loved by all family members. From Turkey Dinners with all the trimmings to 200g rump steaks, followed by SOTA’s signature Sticky Toffee Pudding, this family dinner is not one to be missed.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...

Offering both lunch and dinner menus, you can expect toast turkey and ham with all the trimmings if you want to traditional, or enjoy something different like pan seared seabass on a pea and creamy parmesan risotto or chorizo and red pepper baked chicken. Save room for pudding because the ones on offer here will blow your Christmas socks off!

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...
Owlerton Stadium Restaurant
cuisinesBritish, Child Friendly
Dishes on a table including lamb shank in the foreground and salmon in the background

Owlerton Stadium in Sheffield offers a fantastic family-friendly Christmas dining experience with its “Lunch with Santa” event on 15th and 22nd December. The package includes a festive three course lunch, live greyhound racing, and a special visit from Santa himself, complete with gifts for children under 12. Adults can enjoy this event for £25, while children’s tickets start at £17. It’s the perfect festive outing for families looking to combine delicious food, entertainment, and holiday magic.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...
Best places to go with friends

Providence Gin in Chester offers a variety of festive packages perfect for groups of friends this Christmas. The Gin Experience includes a gin cocktail on arrival, a tasting board, grazing platters, and a Providence G&T to finish. For a livelier option, enjoy the Bottomless Christmas Brunch or get hands-on with the Cocktail Masterclass, where you can craft cocktails and enjoy a grazing board. Each experience blends festive fun with exceptional drinks and food, making it an ideal spot for a festive celebration with friends.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...

Sticking with the anarchic theme this Christmas, Dundee’s Vandal & Co has a Merry Burger Christmas menu that’ll be perfect for you and your group. Choose from the likes of Gobble Gobble (Grilled Turkey Breast, Sprout Slaw, Cranberry Sauce), Chimney Smoke (Smash Patty, Smoked Bacon, Cheddar, Honey Mustard Mayo), Chick-Mas (Buttermilk Chicken, Sprout Slaw, Chicken Gravy Mayo), Don’t Forget Your Veg (Sage and Onion Patty, Sprout Slaw, Cranberry Sauce) or Secret Santa (Smash Patty, Panko Crumbed Prawns, Sprout Slaw, Sage and Onion Mayo). These delicious Christmas burgers are served on Company Bakery brioche buns with sage and onion frites, with prices starting at £10.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...

If you’re looking for a chance to get the girls together, then come and get your Christmas party on with The Ladies Mile! Book yourselves a table for the Christmas menu, boasting Pulled Pork Bon Bons and various roasts, and stay on for a drink or two afterwards and keep the festive spirit going!

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...

BOOM BATTLE BAR is the ultimate spot for a fun and festive Christmas party with friends and colleagues. Offering packages that include adrenaline-pumping games like Axe Throwing, Augmented Reality Darts, and Beer Pong, along with street food feasts and Insta-worthy cocktails, it promises a memorable experience. Whether you’re looking for friendly competition or simply want to enjoy some festive bites and drinks, the vibrant atmosphere at BOOM makes it an excellent choice for Christmas celebrations.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...
Best places to take your workmates
NEO Restaurant
cuisinesBritish
NEO Restaurant decorated for Christmas

NEO in Bournemouth offers a stylish venue for Christmas parties from 30th November to 23rd December, 2024. Guests can enjoy exquisitely crafted festive menus in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere, complemented by live performances on Friday and Saturday evenings. The restaurant’s chic art deco design, panoramic glass-fronted building, and heated terraces create the perfect backdrop for holiday celebrations. Whether for intimate gatherings or larger groups, NEO promises a festive experience with exceptional cuisine and entertainment.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...

TGI Fridays knows how to throw a party and with venues up and down the country, it’s the place to celebrate with your workmates this Christmas. ‘Tis the season to have some fun so if you’re in charge of organising the work Christmas party get your Christmas crew together and jingle all the way to Fridays! The three course festive menu boasts Ho Ho Houmous, Merry Mozzarella Dippers, All I Want For Chick’mas Dinner and Be Good For Goodness Steak. We’re not drooling, you are…

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...
Marco Pierre White Steakhouse
cuisinesSteak
Steak with fried onions on top and vine tomatoes beside it with chunky chips and red wine also on the table

Create new memories with friends and colleagues at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse’s fabulous festive party nights. Enjoy a delicious three course meal, then party till the early hours. Start your Christmas party with one of the festive drinks packages specially designed for the festive season! From bottled beer and wine to Prosecco and going all out with an all-inclusive package, which includes unlimited drinks: house red, white and rosé wine by the glass; single spirits including house vodka, gin, whisky, white rum and brandy, selected draft and bottled beers and soft drinks. Go on, the team deserves it.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...

Players Golf & Games in Shrewsbury is an excellent choice for work Christmas parties, offering fun activities that are sure to bring colleagues together. With retro arcade games, a 9-hole crazy golf course, and a video game hub, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The mix of competitive mini-golf and nostalgic gaming creates a lively and relaxed environment, perfect for unwinding with co-workers. Book your team in for a unique, fun-filled festive celebration this Christmas.

missing
This venue is currently not accepting online reservations through Dish Cult. 
Best places to take a date
El Tapas Grá
cuisinesSpanish, Tapas
Barman pouring cocktail into martini glass

El Tapas Grá will impressive any date you have in mind for the festive period. The tapas bar and restaurant in Derry has two floors and a cracker of a Christmas deal: enjoy a Xmas cocktail on arrival, followed by three tapas and dessert for £28pp. With delicious small plates, fun cocktails, festive vibes and live music, this will make for a memorable date this Christmas.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...
Sotano
cuisinesWine Bar, Small Plates
Glass of red wine on wooden tableful of charcuterie plates and grazing boards

Sotano in York is the perfect date spot this Christmas, offering a cosy, intimate atmosphere with its warm lighting and stylish tapas bar setting. Enjoy sharing Mediterranean small plates paired with an excellent selection of Spanish wines and creative cocktails, all served in a laid-back environment. Whether for a romantic dinner or relaxed drinks, Sotano’s festive yet understated vibe makes it a standout venue for couples looking to escape the holiday hustle and enjoy a memorable evening together.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...
Cosy Club
cuisinesBritish, Brunch, Cocktails
Pink cocktail with red heart on top of foam

Get cosy with your date this Christmas at the Cosy Club. This location in Bath is a beautiful bar and restaurant, found in the heart of the SouthGate shopping centre. Don’t be fooled by the bijou entrance (opposite the main entrance to Debenhams). You can use the lift or stairs to access an absolutely stunning first-floor bar to totally wow your date from the moment you step inside.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...

Lot 11 Café in Wrexham offers a festive “Christmas Carnage” experience for £35 per person, perfect for a fun and laid-back date this Christmas season. Known for its cosy atmosphere and creative menu, this event promises a unique twist on Christmas dining. Whether you’re looking to enjoy delicious food or simply a great evening together, Lot 11’s warm and inviting setting makes it an ideal spot for couples.

calendar
arrow-up-down
Loading...
Stay Updated
Get the latest updates on new restaurants, food guides, local events and more.
mobile app promotional banner