From sharing plates piled with pigs in blankets to traditional turkey dinners that are ready to compete with your mum’s very best, London restaurants are pulling out all the stops to give discerning diners something to rave about this Christmas. Whether you’re looking for a menu to suit a group work dinner in an opulent private dining room, a festive catch up with friends or a romantic evening with your other half, here are our favourite Christmas tasting menus in London. And, for those already tired of the same-old turkey fare, read on for fresh Hawaiin, Asian, Catalonian, and Indian takes on the traditional English dinner – you won’t be disappointed… 

UBA, Shoreditch

Put a playful, Pan-Asian spin on your festive celebrations this year at Shoreditch hotspot Uba. Created by head chef Pavel Baranovs, enjoy a range of set sharing festive menus tailored to all tastes from 15 November, featuring miso caramel glazed aubergine, seared salmon belly maki, stuffed boneless chicken wings, and rock shrimp style tempura with kimchi garlic mayo.

From £50 per person, visit ubarestaurant.com

Theo Randall at the InterContinental, Mayfair

Celebrate the festive season with a touch of la dolce vita at Theo Randall at the InterContinental. From 1 November, sample the chef patron’s three-course tasting menu with wine pairings, featuring his favourite seasonal dishes from across the country. Take your pick from plates like ravioli di anatra – fresh pasta filled with slow cooked duck, chestnuts, parmesan and wild mushroom sauce – roasted rump of Lake District lamb with roasted carrots drizzled in amarone wine sauce, and the signature pannetone bread pudding with vin santo gelato.

From £85 per person, visit theorandall.com

Bala Baya, Southwark

For those keen to celebrate the season south of the river, make a beeline for Bala Baya for a feast best shared with friends and family. From 11 November, come together over Eastern Mediterranean dishes from the set festive menu and take your pick from the likes of moreish mushroom and aubergine pate with seasonal smoked plum ketchup, ox cheeks glazed in orange and ginger, and roasted butternut squash hummus with harissa, caramelised walnuts and roasted pitta.

From £70 per person, visit balabaya.co.uk

Kapara, Soho

Nestled in the heart of Soho, savour the festive season in serious style with a festive three-course set menu from 11 November, filled with Mediterranean dishes. Enjoy the likes of beetroot cured salmon with quince pickles and gremolata followed by vegan smoked kohlrabi wellington with porcini mushroom sauce. Indulge in the chocolate delight, accompanied by a miso and honey tahini sauce with cherry compote, to round off the meal.

From £70 per person, visit kapara.co.uk

Rails, King’s Cross

From 18 November, groups of six or more can enjoy a delicious two or three-course menu full of seasonal favourites with a French touch at Rails Restaurant. With gallic nods throughout, expect French onion soup with cheese crouton, duck and pistachio terrine and braised ox cheek with pomme purée and red win jus. Indulgent puds come in the form of Christmas pudding with plenty of brandy sauce or a chocolate and hazelnut delice served with a blood orange gel and candied ginger. 

From £59 per person, visit railslondon.com

Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge

To celebrate the festive season, Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge will offer two decadent festive menus catering to the whole family. Over at the five-star hotel’s Chinese-Japanese restaurant, Mei Ume, expect a lavish nine-course menu available from 23-31 December, perfect for those all-out occasions calling for steaming plates of wasabi scallop dumplings, roasted peking duck with all the trimmings, and wok-baked lobster with saffron. Elsewhere within the Tower Bridge address, Rotunda’s Christmas menu features seasonal dishes, including wagyu beef tournedos and winter truffle and celeriac soup, in a delectable four-course menu from 23-26 December. 

From £145 per person, visit fourseasons.com

Milk Beach, Soho

Bringing a slice of Sydney to Soho, Milk Beach’s new festive menus take its cues from its Australian roots, where Christmas Day lunch is often catered for on a sizzling barbecue. With this in mind, executive chef Leonard Swan’s menu, available from 25 November, combines fresh coastal flavours and wood-fired techniques, from flame grilled garlic prawns and Launceston lamb rump to whole monkfish tail with white miso brown butter. Don’t miss the Australian favourite for dessert: the sharing pavlova dish, served with passionfruit, coconut, chantilly cream and kiwi fruit. Pair with a signature serve from the festive cocktail list – think Milk Beach Piña Colada with pineapple, coconut and miso or the Hart Lake featuring gin, cointreau, cranberry and rosemary syrup – for a very Aussie Christmas. 

From £69 per person, visit milkbeach.com

The Cavendish, Marylebone

As one of London’s most celebrated neighbourhood pubs, The Cavendish is set to transform into a festive destination this winter, festooned with sparkling lights and Christmas trees. From 12 November, the new menu will feature the likes of orange and beetroot-cured salmon with tiger’s milk, herb oil and parsley glass cracker followed by unmissable seasonal mains such as sous vide turkey breast rolled and served with pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, and honey roasted carrots. 

Visit 35newcavendish.co.uk

Pravaas, South Kensington

This winter, Pravaas invites you on a vibrant culinary journey with chef patron Shilpa Dandekar’s specially crafted festive menu. Traditional roasties and pigs in blankets are replaced with Indian-inspired confit duck leg chaat tartlets, chicken tikka terrine with coriander and horseradish chutney and lamb loin Wellington with black pepper and curry leaf mushroom duxelles. A festive evening wouldn’t be complete without some indulgent desserts such as a trio of figs with vanilla ice cream with spiced fig sauce, or rum-flambéed Christmas pudding with brandy butter and cold saffron custard. 

From £48 per person, visit pravaas.com

40 Dean Street and 64 Compton Street, Soho

Experience the true festive charm of Soho at Italian sister restaurants 40 Dean Street and 64 Old Compton Street from 11 November. Enjoy three festive courses showcasing the Mediterranean's finest ingredients, accompanied by a complimentary glass of prosecco upon arrival. Generous portions include indulgent porcini mushroom and truffle soup and sous vide turkey wrapped in parma ham with all the trimmings, while the restaurant’s signature lobster ravioli with shellfish and brandy sauce will take pride of place on the menu. It wouldn’t be an Italian Christmas without panettone, served with rum and raisin ice cream. 

From £65 per person, visit fortydeanstreet.com

The Ned, Bank

Inside the former bank turned luxury hotel, The Ned’s plethora of foodie outlets is ready to cater to everyone’s festive tastes this season. At the casual Millie’s Lounge, indulge in a traditional three-course set menu featuring plates of ham hock, black pudding and chicken terrine with piccalilli, roast Norfolk turkey with all the traditional trimmings and a decadent dark chocolate orange baked tart to finish. For transatlantic tastes, however, opt for Italian-inspired dishes at Cecconi’s, that will be serving calamari fritti and lobster spaghetti; South American small plates – think nachos, lamb shank tacos and churros – at Cantina Malibu; and American fare at the Electric Diner, serving a refined menu of devilled eggs, double cheeseburger and mac and cheese. With four festive menus on offer, look no further than The Ned for all your Christmas soirees. 

From £60 per person, visit thened.com

The Kensington, South Kensington

If a visit to Town House at The Kensington is not on your foodie bucket list yet, the restaurant’s new festive set lunch and pre-theatre menus will certainly entice. Launching on 30 November, begin with Chapel and Swan smoked salmon with lemon before moving onto truffle risotto with wild mushrooms or the more traditional organic Norfolk turkey breast with all the trimmings. Satisfy your sweet tooth with mulled wine poached pears with vanilla ice cream, classic crème brulée with shortbread or classic Christmas pudding with brandy cream. Treat yourself to a glass of fizz while you’re there – it is Christmas after all…

From £35 per person, visit townhousekensington.co.uk

Padella, Shoreditch

Christmas feasting at Padella has never been better thanks to this season's array of Italian antipasti, freshly crafted pasta, and decadent desserts. Start with buffalo mozzarella and wild oregano, or Le Ferre olive oil and lamb’s lettuce with salted ricotta, grapes and tarragon, before a selection of Padella’s iconic dishes including pici cacio e pepe, tagliarini with Dorset crab, amalfi lemon and chilli, and fettuccine with chicken liver, sage and marsala. Conclude on a sweet note with classic tiramisu. 

From £40 per person, visit padella.co

Dishoom, across London

Christmas at Dishoom is a fun-filled affair featuring the very best of its signature plates. Kick off proceedings with a selection of small plates such as okra fries, and pau bhajis, swiftly followed by the showstopper: turkey raan served with tenderstem broccoli, chilli sprouts,  spiced cranberry chutney and, of course, the beloved house black daal and endless serving of naan, roomali roti, and raita. 

From £47 per person, visit dishoom.com

Claridge’s Restaurant, Mayfair

Claridge’s Restaurant, the art-deco dining room in Mayfair, will be celebrating the festive season with thoughtful menus featuring locally-sourced produce from trusted suppliers. Available from 30 November, highlights from the three-course affair include smoked salmon with cucumber and crème fraîche, roasted Norfolk bronze turkey with apricot and chestnut stuffing and pigs, as well as roasted venison, beetroot and a Port wine sauce. Nothing beats the Claridge’s Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, but those who prefer a savoury finish should opt for the artisan British cheese board with fig jam, truffle honey, bread and crackers. 

From £90 per person, visit claridges.co.uk

The Connaught Grill, Mayfair

Curated by executive chef Ramiro Lafuente Martinez, expect a truly decadent Christmas menu at the historic Connaught Grill. Where the capital’s most influential figures once dined, the Grill is renowned for its wood-fired cooking, tailored service and theatrical touches – and the four-course festive feast is no exception. 

Start with an amuse-bouche of Imperial Oscietra Caviar with potato hash brown and smoked egg yolk followed by Scottish scallops with Brussels sprouts with smoked bacon. For the main event, choose between Christmas classics with a modern twist, including Norfolk turkey crown, Cornish turbot with black truffle crumbs, or smoked celeriac Wellington with root vegetables. Sides for the table include traditional garnishes, but ensure to leave room for the showstopper desserts, ranging from Christmas pudding with brandy crème anglaise, to Crêpes Suzette flambéed tableside on the Grill’s original solid silver trolley.

From £315 per person, visit the-connaught.co.uk

The Midland Grand, King’s Cross

The Midland Grand Dining Room is the ideal destination for a Christmas banquet, exuding old-school glamour with soaring ceilings and gold accents in the heart of King’s Cross. Helmed by head chef Charlie Crote, start with crab on toast or spiced game terrine with damson jam before moving onto delicious and unique mains such as white bean and champagne cassoulet, roasted cod and preserved lemon, or grass-fed sirloin drizzled in sauce au poivre, shallot and parsley. For dessert, indulge in a suitably festive chocolate log with sour cherry or clementine creme caramel. 

From £95 per person, visit midlandgranddiningroom.com

Toklas, Temple

Family style feasting at Toklas has had a festive face lift, offering group bookings three courses of hyper-seasonal dishes by head chef Chris Shaw. As we enter the first months of citrus season, Shaw will serve a number of dishes punctuated by citrus, such as Portland crab with aioli and Todolí salad. Larger plates include roast chicken with cime di rapa and bagna cuda, baked trout nestled in fennel and lemon, and grilled pumpkin with coco beans and salmoriglio. Desserts like winter fruit mess and chocolate cremosa will then arrive at the table, alongside a wedge of Gorgonzola to scoop up with sourdough crackers.

From £80 per person, visit toklaslondon.com

Benares, Mayfair

Michelin-starred restaurant Benares is offering a carefully-curated Indian feast for Christmas – perfect for those who would like to put a unique spin on their festive celebrations. From 18 November, indulge in authentic dishes like tandoori ratan, gosht saag wala, paneer makhn masala, and bhindi masala, as well as the delectable bronze turkey momo with truffle shorba. 

From £92 per person, visit benaresrestaurant.com

The Wigmore and Chez Rouz at The Langham, Marylebone

Chez Roux, Michel Roux's newly-launched restaurant at Palm Court in The Langham, will release a festive menu on 7 November. The five-course fare is inspired by Roux's childhood and features mackerel rillettes and Welsh rarebit, Buccleuch beef fillet and Merrifield duck breast, and mince pie tart and pear with warm caramel rice. 

Next door at The Wigmore – the modern British pub at The Langham which is also overseen by Roux – you can discover festive twists on classic pub fare. Dishes include chicken liver parfait, mulled wine jelly, watercress and a comforting roast turkey pie, spiced cranberry chutney and buttery mash. Those who don’t mind sharing can also dig into The Wigmore’s famous three cheese and mustard toastie, as well as buttered crumpets with steamed cock crab. 

Visit langhamhotels.com

The Campaner, Chelsea

Bringing a true taste of Catalonia to Chelsea, The Campaner is offering an exclusive festive menu focusing on authentic Spanish flavours. The three courses feature Catalonian pan con tomate, Iberian ham croquettes, and Oysters with sherry vinaigrette, before larger sharing plates of prawns al ajilo and signature paella served tableside. 

From £65 per person, visit thecampaner.com

The Stafford, St James’s

The Stafford, nestled in historic St James’s, provides a magical setting with its private cobbled courtyard, 100 twinkling Christmas trees and more than a century of British history. Sitting atop its 400-year-old wine cellars, The Game Bird is an apt choice for any festive soiree, with leading chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen serving chicken liver parfait, dressed Devon crab crumpet, traditional roast turkey, and beef wellington alongside a selection of indulgent desserts. 

From £95 per person, visit thestaffordlondon.com

The Grill by Tom Booton, Mayfair

Festive fare doesn’t get more traditional than accoladed chef Tom Booton’s Christmas menus. Proving it’s often best sticking to the classics, Booton’s new dishes will be available from 11 November in the golden Dorchester dining room, and highlights include duck liver custard, stuffed chicken with cabbage and lingonberries, mince pie soft serve and warm cheese tart.

From £65 per person, visit dorchestercollection.com

Pivot, Covent Garden

Head to Pivot, perfectly situated overlooking Covent Garden’s piazza, this Christmas period to try its exceptional festive menu available in two- and three-course options. Offering a menu of classic British food, starter highlights include Scottish scallops, Loch Fyne Scottish smoked salmon or chicken pate. For the main course, top picks include roast turkey, Aberdeen beef, lamb shank pie or a spiced cauliflower steak, with sides of parsnips, mash, broccoli or Brussels sprouts. And for a sweet finish, opt for classic Christmas pudding, an artisanal cheese board, winterberry pavlova or dark chocolate mousse.

From £42 per person, visit pivotbarandbistro.com

El Ta’koy, Covent Garden

Fed up with turkey already? Get a taste of Hawaii this Christmas at El Ta’koy in Covent Garden, where a complimentary glass of festive punch will be served on arrival. Perfect for a work party or a group looking for great food and a boogie, dive into a feast of Hawaiian street food, including ceviche, taquitos, tempura, empanada and tacos – and don't miss the festive special of tiger prawn skewers with coconut rice, dry shrimp crackers and green mojo sauce.

Visit el-takoy.com

Straits Kitchen at Pan Pacific London, Liverpool Street

Embark on a Christmas culinary adventure fusing flavours of Singapore, Malaysia and China at five-star hotel Pan Pacific London’s flagship restaurant, Straits Kitchen. Available from 11 November, the celebratory four-course festive menu features smoked salmon with horseradish mayonnaise and apple, traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings and a decadent Bailey's Bauble, packed with spiced apple compote, chocolate mousse, and caramel sponge. Straits Kitchen is also home to London’s largest Chinese wine selection, including bottles rarely seen on UK menus. Not sure which one to choose? The sommelier is always happy to help.

From £65 per person, visit panpacific.com

The Ivy Asia, across London

Perfect for every occasion, from intimate family gatherings to date nights, The Ivy Asia's two-course festive set menus are available from 13 November until New Year's Eve. Indulge in a unique menu putting a fun spin on Christmas classics, and start with king oyster and shiitake gyozas, and truffled beef tataki and maple and sesame glazed chicken, before moving onto turkey rendang curry, massaman lamb and sweet and sour king prawns with toasted sesame. No Ivy experience would be complete without a decadent dessert, and we love the chocolate reindeer with dark chocolate mousse, brownie, and ice cream.

From £35 per person, visit theivyasia.com

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