Top 15 Christmas Restaurants in London for 2025

Written by
Olly Keell
August 26, 2024

0

min read

It really is the best time of the year—and it's finally here! 

The festive season is when London is at its best. The iconic Trafalgar Square Christmas tree, ice-skating at Somerset House, the Oxford Street lights, and Winter Wonderland all get the festive feels going.

But, let's be real. It's all about the food. The twinkling lights and roaring fire are great, but the main event will always be the mince pies, brandy butter, and traditional turkey (with all the trimmings). And Brussels sprouts—if they're your thing.

London really dazzles at Christmas, and there's an overwhelming amount of choice when it comes to choosing a restaurant for your Christmas lunch or dinner.

So, we've done the hard work for you and whittled down a long list of our favourites into the top twelve contenders for festive feasting. From limited edition cocktails to five-course menus, we've got all the classics—and a few more (ever tried a garam masala Christmas pudding?).

Here are the best Christmas restaurants London has to offer. Queue the Christmas carols, grab a mulled wine and some cosy blankets, and enjoy.

Let’s ho-ho-ho!

💡 Ready to make last-minute bookings across restaurants, bars, and pubs in London? Download Ambl and make your first booking today.

1. Goodman

££££
American, Steak
⭐️
4.6/5

Goodman is a prestigious steakhouse celebrated for its high-quality cuts of meat and old-fashioned atmosphere. With a commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients, Goodman offers a selection of expertly cooked steaks, including ribeye, fillet, and T-bone, all prepared to perfection over a charcoal grill. 

During Christmas, they unveil a tasty lunch menu consisting of fish cakes for starters, a choice between sirloin and bone in ribeye for your main course and the signature colston basset for dessert.

2. The Portrait

£££
Contemporary British
⭐️
4.3/5

Perched atop the famous National Portrait Gallery, The Portrait has the best of British food with views of Trafalgar Square, which transforms into a winter wonderland with a giant 100 ft Christmas tree and a backdrop of the Christmas market. 

For the festive menu, you can try mains made with some of the best local British ingredients such as their Secret Smokehouse salmon with pomegranate, fennel, horseradish and pineapple tart tatin for dessert.

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4. Humble Grape

££
European, French
⭐️
4.6/5

Humble Grape is a great choice for a festive Christmas meal in London, offering a cosy and intimate atmosphere that feels just right for the season. 

With multiple locations around the city, each Humble Grape venue combines warm, rustic interiors with a welcoming vibe–and a whole lot of wine–making it a great spot for both small gatherings and larger holiday celebrations. 

The menu features fresh, seasonal dishes with ingredients sourced from sustainable producers, perfectly paired with a selection of over 400 organic and biodynamic wines.

5. Hakkasan Hanway Place

⭐️

For a truly refined and unforgettable Christmas experience in London, look no further than Hakkasan Hanway Place. This Michelin-starred (a title they’ve held for 20 years!) Cantonese restaurant in Fitzrovia has a fancy underground setting, leather booth seats interiors, and a signature Christmas menu that will take you on a trip to Shanghai. There’s also a private dining room for a luxurious Christmas bash with all your friends and family.

6. OXO Tower

£££
British, Brasserie
⭐️
4.4/5

The OXO Tower Bar, nestled atop the OXO Tower in London, offers a great experience for a Christmas dinner with a view. Enjoy panoramic views of the city's skyline, including the iconic London Eye, covered with sparkling Christmas decorations. 

The food is just as good as the views with a festive set menu featuring hot-smoked salmon, marinated lamb rump, and a truly unforgettable Christmas pudding (probably the best you’ll ever have!).

7. Searcys At The Gherkin

££
Modern British
⭐️
4.3/5

Searcy's at The Gherkin is a renowned restaurant located on the 39th and 40th floors of the iconic Gherkin skyscraper in London. During the festive season, the venue is transformed into a glittering gold paradise, complete with a stunning Christmas tree, a bar wrapped in gold and honeycomb-patterned tables. You can toast the season with a sparkling selection of Champagne or festive cocktails like the boozy Santa Claus, featuring white chocolate liqueur, spiced rum, frangelico, amaretto and vanilla. There are also five exclusive private dining rooms to choose from for an intimate gathering with all your family and friends.

8. The Laundry Brixton

££
British
⭐️
4.3/5

Housed in a beautiful, restored Edwardian building, The Laundry offers a fancy local pub with a chic atmosphere—perfect for cosy festive gatherings. The all-day neighbourhood cafe and wine shop’s menu consists of modern British food made from high-quality, seasonal ingredients, focusing on roast beef, fresh fish and slow-cooked chicken for the winter months.

9. The Cavendish

$$
British, European
⭐️
4.3 (747 Google reviews)

The Cavendish is a stylish gastropub in the heart of Marylebone that offers tasty Christmas dishes—including sea bream ceviche, mini Yorkshire puddings, turkey bonbons, pigs in blankets, braised ox cheek, and so much more. 

They pride themselves on serving seasonal produce and sustainable, classic British dishes with a selection of beer, wine, and festive cocktails. It's great for a classy yet chilled vibe. They also do a festive afternoon tea with lots of mulled wine.

10. Bancone

££
European, Italian
⭐️
4.5/5

Bancone Covent Garden is a Michelin-starred restaurant for pasta lovers. It has booth seating and an open kitchen where you can see the chefs making your pasta fresh from scratch. 

During the festive season, you’ll find signatures like the silky-smooth handkerchief pasta with walnut butter and confit egg yolk on the menu.  It’s one of the more romantic restaurants on our list, making it the perfect Christmas date spot.

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12. Yauatcha

££
Asian, Chinese
⭐️
4.2/5

Renowned for its modern take on Cantonese cuisine and the famous Yauatcha Mooncakes, this Michelin-starred dim sum teahouse in Soho combines a French patisserie and a Chinese restaurant. 

Yauatcha’s menu features freshly made dim sum, wok-fried meats, and petit gâteaux cakes as a dessert option, making it a great place to celebrate a birthday or Christmas meal.

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14. TATTU

££££
Asian, Chinese
⭐️
4.7/5

No London restaurant embraces the festive season quite like Tattu. Celebrating the coming together of cultures with a totally unique culinary experience centred around Asian fusion, Tattu has unveiled its 2024 festive theme: The Great Snow.

You'll find a great variety of festive interiors around London at this time of year, but Tattu tops the list. With themed cocktails (dry ice is the least of it), spiced apple sticky toffee pudding, and chocolate 'dragon eggs', this is a fun immersive experience for everyone. If you're brave enough, you can wrap up in one of their fur throws and sip champagne on their gorgeous roof terrace.

Christmas opening hours:

🎄 Christmas Eve: Open as usual
🎅 Christmas Day
: Closed
🎁 Boxing Day
: Open as usual

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Make your Christmas reservation with Ambl today

There we have it. The best Christmas restaurants in London during this year's festive season. From Oxford Circus to King's Cross, whether it’s a family affair or a romantic date night, these are the best options for a classic (or not-so-classic) Christmas dinner.

So, put the fairy lights up, get the stockings out of the attic, and download Ambl to secure your festive reservations today. Ambl is the only booking app showing you both future and real-time availability—meaning you can make your Christmas bookings months in advance, or on the day of.

Best Christmas Restaurants in London FAQs

What are some special events that Christmas restaurants in London offer?

Many restaurants across London offer festive menus and Christmas events throughout December. For example, Broadleaf offers a festive Christmas bottomless brunch, and Madison London opens up rooftop igloos for sipping mulled wine whilst enjoying the views.

How far in advance should I book a table for a Christmas restaurant in London?

You should book at least a month in advance. If you’re too late, you can find last-minute reservations with Ambl. Simply confirm what you’re after, and Ambl finds nearby restaurants with available tables for your group.

What kind of food can I expect to find at a Christmas restaurant in London?

It depends on where you go—but there are plenty of traditional and innovative Christmas menus on offer in London. You’ve got your classic turkey and sprouts, but you can also enjoy some Christmas fine dining and modern cuisine.