Christmas turkey dinner.
getty
If you’re visiting London this Christmas or if you simply don’t fancy cooking a Christmas dinner at home, there are lots of good options for eating out on December 25th, from traditional Christmas dinners to more eclectic, contemporary options. Head to one of the capital’s restaurants that are open all day, from the chic booths at Bob Bob Ricard to the legendary art-deco dining room at Claridge’s Restaurant in Mayfair. Whether you’re seeking a lavish, multi-course meal with all the trimmings or a more relaxed atmosphere with creative cuisine, here are 13 suggestions.
1.Bob Bob Ricard, Soho and City, No minimum spend
Bob Bob Ricard
Paul Winch-Furness
Famed for its opulent Art Deco-inspired interiors, Bob Bob Ricard is where to go for a glamorous Christmas meal. Open on Christmas Day, it offers a festive twist on its luxurious British and Russian-inspired menu, featuring indulgent classics like beef wellington, lobster mac and cheese and caviar, alongside an extensive champagne list. The a la carte Christmas dishes also include Venison pithivier with truffle sauce, turkey and stuffing pie with spiced cranberry sauce and Christmas pudding with brandy crème anglaise.
Claridge’s Restaurant
Claridge’s
Claridge’s restaurant is always a decadent affair and the festive menus for Christmas Day Lunch and Christmas Day Dinner are truly indulgent. Expect to kick off your festive celebrations with a first course of Severn & Wye smoked salmon, or Ham and duck terrine. The main course is Roasted Norfolk bronze turkey or Roast fillet of Herefordshire beef, each accompanied with sides for the table to satisfy those seeking a traditional Christmas meal. Desserts include Claridge’s Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, and Chocolate profiteroles with hot chocolate sauce.
3.Abc kitchens, Knightsbridge, £300pp
abc kitchens, Knightsbridge
abc kitchens
With views over Hyde Park, a modern dining room and Damien Hirst art adorning the walls, ABC Kitchens offers a lovely way to enjoy a Christmas meal. The menu combines classic Christmas flavors with creative dishes, from Chestnut yaki onigiri with black truffle to Orkney scallop tartare with kohlrabi. Enjoy winter-inspired mains like Glazed honeynut squash with winter truffle or Roast Norfolk Bronze turkey with all the trimmings. For a meat-free option, there’s whole roasted cauliflower with turmeric tahini. Finish with a chocolate yule log or Christmas pudding with brandy sauce for a memorable Christmas Day celebration.
The Connaught Grill
The Connaught
With a focus on wood-fire grill cooking, the Christmas Day menu by Executive Head Chef Ramiro Lafuente Martinez, commences with an amuse-bouche of Imperial Oscietra Caviar with Potato Hash Brown and Smoked Egg Yolk followed by highlights like Scottish Scallops with Brussels Sprouts, Smoked Bacon, and Grainy Mustard Sauce. For the main event, choose a Christmas classic with a modern twist, including Norfolk Turkey Crown with Confit Leg, or Smoked Celeriac Wellington with Root Vegetables. Desserts include traditional Christmas Pudding or Crêpes Suzette flambéed tableside.
Cinnamon Club’s Christmas dinner
Cinnamon Club
Vivek Singh’s collection of modern Indian restaurants are all open on Christmas day: Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea and City; Cinnamon Bazaar Covent Garden and Richmond and the flagship The Cinnamon Club in Old Westminster Library. Each are injecting some spice into Christmas Day with dishes like slow braised lamb leg with nutmeg and peppercorn sauce with a masala braised potato; roast goose breast with mappas sauce and masala uttappam; and seared cod fillet with Colombo curry sauce and lemon rice.
Ekstedt at the Yard
Ekstedt
Experience a Scandinavian festive feast from chef Niklas Ekstedt with dishes cooked exclusively over an open fire using ancient Nordic cooking techniques and the finest seasonal British ingredients. The four-course meal begins with a trio of aged beef tartar and smoked mayonnaise, followed by ember-baked scallops and the restaurant’s signature Flambadou oyster. Main courses include juniper-smoked sirloin beef and birch-cooked trout, rounding off with Niklas’ famed cep mushroom souffle and woodruff ice cream for dessert.
Madera, Treehouse London
Treehouse
Madera’s in the Treehouse hotel is offering a seven-course Cali-Mexican twist on festive favorites, served with a side of stunning London views. Diners will start with pico de gallo guacamole and either green pozole soup with giant corn, seasonal vegetables or red pozole soup with giant corn, shredded turkey and chicken. A series of starters such as soft shell cornish crab taco with salsa borracha and potato croqueta with brava sauce and cheese are followed by a fish course. The three main courses to choose from include: baked hake with Mexican spiced tomato and vegetable ragu; norfolk bronze rolled turkey thigh with Mexican spiced Christmas fruits and green mole and grilled, josper fired white cabbage steak, all of which are served with coriander lime rice, charro beans, tortilla, patatas bravas and brussel sprouts to share. Desserts include cheesecake with liquor 49, pistachio and sour cherry millionaire shortbread mousse grapefruit, rosemary and olive oil profiterole, mini mince pies, fruit cake with tequila and Mexican hot chocolate.
8.Dovetale, Mayfair, £195pp
Dovetail, Mayfair
Milo Brown
Dovetale will be throwing a lavish feast in their lush, calming surroundings where guests will be greeted with a welcome glass of fizz. Starters will be served family style, with diners given a choice of three dishes for the table including: spiced Christmas milk buns, whipped maple butter; Scottish smoked salmon; burrata, spiced apricot, orange and chicory jam; pâté en croûte and lobster, crab, prawn cocktail. To follow, diners will have a choice of either stuffed ballotine of turkey, aged beef wellington or salt baked trout, all accompanied by festive sides including pigs in blankets, honey roast parsnips and carrots, cider braised spiced red cabbage; brussels, pecans and maple syrup and roasties. To finish, guests can choose between Christmas yule log tree, Mont Blanc or Neal’s Yard British cheeses.
Christmas at The Wolseley
Tim Winter
The Wolseley’s Christmas Day special menu is available from 11.30am – 4.30pm, and will include smoked salmon to start, roasted pumpkin soup, Norfolk bronze turkey with all the trimmings , and a Wolseley Christmas Pudding with brandy butter to finish. Festive dishes available on Christmas Day also include Beef Wellington, Baked Cauliflower Gratin and a Fig and Apple Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Holborn Dining Room, The Rosewood London
Rosewood
Two lavish dining experiences are on offer at Rosewood London: a festive four-course menu in the Mirror Room or a five-course feast in the Holborn Dining Room. The Mirror Room offers starters, such as smoked salmon with dressed crab, compressed cucumber, avocado, and bergamot dressing, accompanied by a glass of Ruinart Brut Champagne. For the main course, choose Roast Bronze Turkey with all the traditional sides, or opt for Venison Loin or Baked Halibut. Decadent desserts include Traditional Christmas Pudding, Chestnut Raspberry Mont Blanc, or a luxurious Valrhona Chocolate creation. In the Holborn Dining Room, the menu is inspired by the classic British Christmas Day celebration. Begin with small bites, such as Mushroom Consommé and Crab and Lobster Bisque, each paired with a glass of Ruinart Champagne. Next, enjoy starters like the indulgent Baked Wild Mushroom Custard Tart with sautéed mushrooms and winter truffle, or a refined Dorset White Crab Tart with baby gem, avocado, King’s Imperial caviar, and Marie Rose sauce. For the main event, the signature Chicken, Chestnut, and Tarragon Pie with red wine jus, the exquisite 50-Day Aged Roast Rib of Cornish Beef with Yorkshire pudding or the classic Roast Bronze Turkey with apricot, sage and onion stuffing, and chestnut stuffing. Four festive puddings will be offered to finish, ranging from traditional Christmas treats to more inventive creations.
11.Rails Restaurant, Great Northern Hotel, Kings Cross, £109pp
Christmas pudding at Rails, Kings Cross
Great Northern
Starters at Rails include game terrine or freshly seared scallops with cauliflower purée and saffron oil. The mains are: roast turkey served with seasonal sides plus stuffing, pigs in blankets, and cranberry sauce, or roast beef sirloin with a fluffy Yorkshire pudding while vegans will enjoy the sweet potato and mushroom tart. Finish with a freshly baked Christmas pudding, gingerbread panna cotta or a generous selection of artisanal cheeses accompanied by chutneys, crackers and bread. The three-course menu includes a welcome glass of Nyetimber Classic Cuvée, amuse bouche and coffee and mince pies.
Theo Randall panettone
InterContinental
The full-blown Italian Christmas feast at Theo Randall at the InterContinental features a five-course set menu and a glass of champagne or negroni. Experience a taste of Italy with dishes including fresh burrata with grilled marinated red peppers; ravioli di aragosta (fresh ravioli pasta filled with Dorset blue lobster) in a shellfish broth; and filetto di manzo, a beef fillet wrapped in coppa di parma with roasted heritage carrots and amarone sauce verde. A selection of Italian cheeses and panettone bread pudding with vin santo ice cream follow.
13.The Guinea, Mayfair, £175pp
The Guinea, Mayfair
The Guinea
London’s first steakhouse and Mayfair institution, the Guinea Grill, is offering a satisfying three-course Christmas Day menu. Enjoy champagne upon arrival, before indulging in dishes including butter poached ballotine of Norfolk turkey; sweet potato, celeriac, roquefort and walnut gratin; or carved dry-aged rib of beef with lamb cutlet; all served with an array of decadent sides. End with a traditional Christmas pudding, followed by coffee and mince pies.