Don your finest glad rags and prepare for some seasonal indulgence. These are the festive set menus you need to try this season at some of London’s most exclusive venues.
As the buzzy ambience of Christmas rolls around, we’re ready to embrace the season’s most indulgent offerings – drinks, food and plenty of festive cheer.
But you’d be remiss to think festive dining always has to revolve around the classic Christmas spread or a roast at your local pub (though, let’s be honest, that’s pretty tempting). Sometimes, you want to do something a little extra and celebrate in style.
Whether you’re hoping to put a fresh spin on your Christmas Day lunch or dinner plans, planning a special outing for the family or simply booking a festive meal with friends, this could be the year to try something new.
We’ve rounded up a list of the best venues in London offering delightful festive set menus to help you eat, drink and be merry in style this season.
Have a merry Mayfair Christmas at the five-star Claridge’s hotel
Until the end of December, one of London’s most famous hotels will be offering an assortment of festive menus – depending on which of the season’s occasions you’d like to celebrate. On top of drop-in afternoon tea you can choose to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day lunch, Christmas Day dinner or New Year’s Eve at Claridge’s Restaurant, The Foyer & Reading Room or the French Salon.
The menus feature classic dishes with a refined twist, including hearty but elegant mains like roast Norfolk turkey, roast halibut, and duck, cranberry and pistachio terrine. For dessert, expect decadent delights like coconut snowballs with orange and ginger, Mont Blanc with chestnut ice cream and, of course, a selection of British cheeses and chutney.
Price: Prices depend on dining room menu, see Claridge’s website for further information.
Enjoy an elegant Christmas spread at The Landmark London
Would you like to celebrate the festive season at one of London’s most elegant hotels? The Landmark London invites guests to spoil themselves with a delicious three-course festive lunch or dinner. And of course – because it wouldn’t be Christmas without bubbles – this includes a glass of Champagne.
From 28 November until 23 December at the hotel’s stunning Winter Garden Restaurant you’ll be serenaded by live piano performances while enjoying a festive feast. Start with delights such as juniper-cured Scottish salmon and a Christmas scotch egg. For the main event, choose from slow-cooked short rib of beef, pan-roasted gnocchi or a traditional roast turkey. Finish the meal with a vegan baked Alaska or a Winter Garden Christmas pudding.
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Plan a festive family outing at OXBO Bankside
If you’re looking for a more family-friendly atmosphere, Hilton London Bankside is celebrating Christmas with an enchanting brunch experience at its vibrant OXBO Bankside restaurant. Every Sunday from 17 November to 22 December, enjoy a festive feast from just £20 per child*.
The four-course brunch includes unlimited starters and desserts, a brunch item from the open kitchen, a traditional roast dinner and unlimited fruit slushies for kids – plus something sparkling for the adults. The festive fun continues at Santa’s Brunch, where little ones can meet and greet the icon himself, receive a Polaroid photo and take home a special gift.
Guests can also make the most of this experience with an enchanting winter stay at the hotel, ideally located for exploring all the Christmas highlights London has to offer, including Southbank’s Winter Market, the London Eye and Tate Modern.
Read more: Where to eat on Christmas Day in London: 17 best festive feasts for every budget
Make Christmas a classy affair at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill
For those wanting Christmas to feel extra special this year, treat yourself to a festive dinner at a five-star London hotel in Marylebone. The Montagu Kitchen at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, the hotel’s premier restaurant, will be offering a limited-edition festive menu available for both lunch and dinner from 25 November to 5 January.
The three-course feast includes a selection of nibbles, a choice of starters such as smoked salmon roulade, classic mains like roast turkey breast and delectable desserts.
Gather round for a festive meal with a twist at Nobu Restaurant London Shoreditch
In an exclusive event this year, Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch is offering a special festive package for extravagant diners on 25 December. Located in the heart of vibrant Shoreditch in east London, Nobu is mixing its renowned brunch with holiday-inspired eats and signature dishes to elevate Christmas Day dining.
Guests can savour unlimited servings of sushi, sashimi and oysters, with unique Christmas-inspired starters of cinnamon-miso butternut squash or mint-miso brussels sprouts, followed by a choice of main including the signature miso black cod or yuzu butter king crab with caviar, finishing with a selection of festive desserts.
Add some sparkle to the day with one of three types of beverage add-ons.
Experience Christmas in Soho at 64 Old Compton Street
For those looking to put an Italian twist on their Yuletide dining this season, 64 OCS is a top choice. Cosy, warm and intimate, the restaurant has a homely feel that’s reminiscent of a beloved Italian grandmother’s living room. Here, antiquated ornaments adorn the walls, and ambient lighting creates the perfect festive atmosphere.
Learning slightly towards the out-of-the-ordinary, the Christmas set menu at OCS stands apart from the others on this list. Choose between venison fillet with poached pairs, pan-fried wild sea bass with mussel cream or lobster ravioli for mains, while dessert options range from lemon tart to chocolate fondant. If you prefer to go for the more traditional fare, you can opt for turkey with all the trimmings for main, followed by a warmed Panettone. The restaurant will go to every effort to ensure that your meal is perfect, with the chefs even bringing up the dishes to the main floor themselves. It’s personal, cheerful and makes an ideal spot for a Christmas dinner for two – one that you can conclude with a tantalising shot of limoncello.
Feature image: Pexels
