Where to Drink and Dine in London this Festive Season

Get to know the best places in Central London for festive drinks and Christmas meals.

Those final months of the year mark the season for socialising, and if your preferred festive get-together involves a menu you can’t say no to, you’re speaking our language.

Brace yourself and work up that appetite, because you’re about to become the person with all the best ideas for dinner and drinks this Christmas. Read on for our selection of places in Central London for all the dinner parties, catch-ups, cocktail nights and light bites in your calendar.

Gather your group at Hawksmoor

With an impressive set of three festive menus at varying price points, Hawksmoor is high up on our list of places to dine this season (probably more than once). Seating for 15 people or fewer is available to book straight away and it’s also easy to add on extras like cocktails and canapés, making it the perfect candidate for that big family dinner or work Christmas party.

Our Picks:

We’ll take the Hawksmoor Caesar Salad to start, followed by the Charcoal-grilled Monkfish and a Sticky Toffee Pudding to finish it off.

Get seasonal at Sabor

Though its regional Spanish delicacies conjure up thoughts of summer getaways, make no mistake - Sabor certainly scrubs up well for the festive season. With four different areas offering distinct cuisines and flavours, it fits the bill for any kind of festive gathering. If you’re looking for a casual Christmas dining experience, grab a tapa or two in The Bar, or for something more substantial, El Asador is the place to be.

Our Picks:

To eat, we’re loving the Stuffed Piquillo Pepper with Braised Oxtail and Txistorra Tortilla.

And, what would dining at a Spanish restaurant be without a fitting tipple? That’s where the Red & White Sangría comes in.

An intimate meal for two at Alex Dilling

Inspired by classic French cuisine, the menu at Alex Dilling gets a little extra je ne sais quoi in time for Christmas. Of course, you can dine with more of your favourite people, but we think this chic, cosy hotspot is best enjoyed beside someone special. Expect festive fine dining with a healthy portion of artistry - these are dishes you’ll want to snap a photo of before tucking in.

Our Picks:

Feed us the Faroe Islands Salmon Rillettes or the Pâté De Campagne and we’ll have a very happy Christmas.

Raise a glass at Aqua Nueva

Christmas drinks? Go on then. Meet us on the rooftop for Aqua Nueva’s signature selection of cocktails and tapas. With sweeping skyline views, it’s the perfect spot to scout out Central London’s Christmas lights from above (top tip - head down to Regent Street afterwards to see the famous Festive Spirits display up close!).

Our Picks:

Not sure if you’re a vermouth person? We’re here to tell you that you soon will be when you try the Vermut de Oro. You’ll also find us sipping on a Manzana Verde with some Padrón Peppers and Black Seafood Croquettes on the side.

Christmas feels extra special in London. Discover the very best of this season’s shopping, dining, events and more on Regent Street.