There’s noël better place to catch up with friends and loved ones or tuck into a delicious festive feast this Christmas. Explore our guide to the best Christmas dining options across the West End.
Drink and dine in a winter wonderland
Aqua Kyoto: the ever-popular 5th-floor restaurant offers Japanese delights and exquisitely mixed cocktails on its Instagram-worthy terrace, overlooking Regent Street’s twinkling Christmas Spirits.
The Nest at the Treehouse: with 360-degree skyline views, perch here with a Christmas cocktail in hand, a hearty meal on the table, and you’re sure to have a jolly time.
The Rooftop at the Trafalgar: order cocktails, small plates or perhaps something bigger from its seasonal menu and enjoy the spectacular view from the winter terrace, which is ideal for spotting the iconic Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square.
Park Row: Forget watching Christmas films when you can live one. Enter the DC universe and enjoy a one-of-a-kind gastronomic show in its Monarch Theatre.
Catch up over Christmas lunch
Casa do Frango: from 20th November, gather six of your nearest and dearest for a festive catch up you'll all remember. From £35 per person, tuck into three courses of warming Portuguese cuisine. The star of the show? It has to be its phenomenal Piri-Piri chicken.
Piccolino: bold Italian flavours and a cosy atmosphere on Heddon Street make Piccolino a popular choice for many, especially for those long-awaited dinners with friends. Enjoy tasty seasonal dishes as part of its festive lunch or dinner menus. Pair your choices with excellent wines or savour every sip with a selection from its festive cocktail menu.
Ziggy Green: Brighten up your pre-Christmas catch-ups as you’re transported into sun-filled Aussie Christmases at Ziggy Green with its festive menu. Featuring a host of festive fusion options for just £59, its three-course menu is ideal for long lunches with friends – highlights include honey-glazed figs, yuzu gin cured smoked salmon, grilled pineapple and Christmas spiced lamington. This restaurant is due to reopen at 4 Heddon Street in November.
Plan Christmas dinner in central London
Fishworks: There may not have been any fish mentioned in the 12 Days of Christmas, but seafood is central to many Christmas celebrations across the world. Fishworks is plating up a two-course fish-focused festive feast for £39.50 – pick from the likes of Champagne king scallops, gilt-head bream en papillote, and poached wild prawns. Add an extra course for just £5 extra.
The George: Visit this buzzing gastropub for a proper catch-up with friends. Pick at festive takes on pub classics, such as Christmas stuffing Scotch egg, Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and a Christmas cheese toastie as part of its à la carte menu, or savour seasonal classics including beef Wellington as part of its £75 festive feast.
The Starman: Pile those festive essentials such as sprouts, pigs in blankets and roasties onto your plate to accompany your choices from The Starman's £45 three-course festive menu. Roasted artichokes, breaded Camembert and mushroom, lentil and squash Wellington sit alongside the omnipresent roast turkey and Christmas pudding.
Celebrate with a Christmas Day Lunch in London
Heddon Street Kitchen: plan a fuss-free Christmas Day with all the trimmings and none of the washing up. Start with Christmas canapes before the main event and all your festive favourites, from roast turkey and beef Wellington to black forest cheesecake, all for £165 per person.
Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal: make this year’s Christmas Day lunch in London extra special with a visit to this two-Michelin-starred restaurant. Enjoy fine de claire oyster with caviar, white truffle tortellini and a whole roast duck as part of its five-course menu for £350.
Gaucho: Put a South American twist on your Christmas lunch at a festively decorated Gaucho on 25th December. Alongside traditional choices such as roast turkey, chicken liver pate and Christmas pudding, its Christmas Day menu includes Christmas empanada and dulce de leche yule log. £95 for adults and £50 for kids.
Madera: For a Christmas Day extravaganza with a side helping of epic views, choose between traditional turkey, signature Californian-Mexican dishes and creative vegetarian specials, as part of Madera’s three-course Christmas Day menu. Pick the main menu for £160 or vegetarian menu for £150, while kids eat for £55.
Couple your festive dinner with the top Christmas tipples in the neighbourhood, or explore more family-friendly ideas. For more tips for things to do and see this winter in London, follow @RegentStreetW1 and @StJamesLondon on Instagram.