Let’s be honest: London during the holiday season is pure, unadulterated magic. It’s also, quite frankly, a bit of a marathon. You’ve got the Oxford Street light-switch-on crowds, the frantic dash for gifts in Covent Garden, and the constant, nagging feeling you should be somewhere festive, soaking it all in. The city is glowing, the air is crisp (mostly), and the pressure is on to find that perfect restaurant.
Where do you go? Do you want cosy-and-classic with a roaring fire? Or are you after a big, splashy, “wow” moment with views over the twinkling city? Maybe you just want to escape the turkey-and-stuffing industrial complex for one night. It’s a jungle of set menus and fairy lights out there.
That’s where we come in. We’ve done the hard work (it was tough, someone had to eat all that food) to cut through the noise. We’ve rounded up the definitive list of London’s best spots for a holiday meal. Whether it’s the big office blow-out, a romantic date, or just a damn good meal with mates, these are the 10 restaurants you need to book. Trust us.
1. Roe, Canary Wharf
Best for: The big, sustainable “wow” factor
If you haven’t heard the buzz around Roe yet, where have you been? From the geniuses behind the nose-to-tail, smash-hit restaurant Fallow, Roe has landed in Canary Wharf with the subtlety of a glitter cannon. It’s absolutely massive – a 500-seat behemoth set across three floors with sweeping, gorgeous views over the South Dock. Forget cosy; this is impressive.
The vibe is futuristic and premium. The centrepiece is a striking, 3D-printed ‘coral tree’ that feels both space-age and oddly festive. But the real star is the food. The team’s low-waste, high-flavour ethos is everywhere. You’ll be talking about the Maitake Cornish pasty for weeks. The cuttlefish toast is a must, and the Roe mixed grill, which champions underused cuts of venison, is the perfect, hearty winter main. It’s slick, it’s smart, and it feels like the future of dining. For a big group celebration that needs to impress, this is your number one.
2. Clos Maggiore, Covent Garden
Best for: Winning the “most romantic holiday date” award
Alright, let’s dial down the futuristic vibes and ramp up the romance. To put it mildly, Clos Maggiore is ridiculous. Frequently voted the “world’s most romantic restaurant,” it transforms into something truly ethereal during the holidays. Imagine a conservatory dripping with cherry blossoms, a canopy of twinkling fairy lights, and a roaring log fire crackling in the corner. It’s like dining inside a diamond-encrusted snow globe.
This place was practically built for proposals and extra-special anniversaries. The food is, naturally, elegant French fare—think refined, rich, and perfectly executed dishes. Yes, it’s a cliché. Yes, it’s on every “best of” list. But you know what? It absolutely deserves to be. If you’re trying to woo someone (or just remind your long-term partner that you’re still a romantic at heart), booking a table here is a power move.
3. The Churchill Arms, Kensington
Best for: Festive maximalism and a Thai-food plot twist
This isn’t just a pub; it’s a London landmark. The Churchill Arms takes its Christmas decorations very seriously. We’re not talking a few strings of tinsel. We’re talking a full-on festive assault. The entire building disappears under a forest of over 90 Christmas trees and thousands of lights. It’s said they spend over £25,000 on the display, and honestly, it looks like it.
It’s the most Christmassy pub in the entire city, bar none. You’ll fight for a spot, but once you’re inside, it’s a Victorian treasure trove of cosy corners and Churchill memorabilia. And here’s the kicker: the restaurant at the back doesn’t serve roasts. It serves some of the best, most authentic Thai food in London. The delicious confusion of sipping a proper cask ale in a Dickensian grotto while eating a fiery pad ga prao is a truly unique London experience.
4. Cilantro, Putney
Best for: The festive-food-fatigue antidote
By mid-December, many of us hit a wall. A wall of beige. A wall of stodge. You just can’t face another mince pie or roast potato. This is when you need Cilantro. Tucked away in Putney, this isn’t your standard Friday-night curry house. It’s a modern, elevated Indian restaurant that focuses on “healthy” options—but don’t let that fool you. This isn’t about diet food; it’s about flavour without the heaviness.
The chefs here use traditional recipes with a lighter, modern touch. The Amritsari Butter Chicken is rich and creamy, but it won’t send you into a food coma. The Rajasthani Lal Maas is a fiery, complex lamb dish that will wake up your tired palate. It’s the perfect spot for a grown-up meal when you crave spice, warmth, and flavour, but want to leave feeling refreshed, not rolled out the door. It’s the festive-season reset button we all desperately need.
5. Sketch, Mayfair
Best for: A surreal, high-fashion Christmas trip
If your idea of festive is less “Jingle Bells” and more avant-garde, Sketch is your mothership. This Mayfair institution is already a trip on a normal day—with its famous pod-toilets and the iconic, all-pink Gallery. At Christmas, the whole place transforms into a living, breathing art installation.
Every year brings a new, fantastical theme. Forget traditional trees; think alpine gondolas suspended from the ceiling, shimmering chalets, and conceptual art pieces that make you question reality. It’s dining inside a fashion magazine’s fever dream. It’s utterly bonkers and completely brilliant. The afternoon tea is legendary, but an evening in the multi-roomed wonderland is the real prize. It’s expensive, it’s eccentric, and it’s an experience you will never, ever forget.
6. Dalloway Terrace, Bloomsbury
Best for: The ultimate winter-wonderland brunch
Dalloway Terrace is the undisputed queen of the seasonal glow-up. This beautiful, enclosed terrace in Bloomsbury is famous for its floor-to-ceiling floral installations, which change dramatically with the seasons. In winter, it becomes an enchanted snowy forest. They partner with top-tier florists and drinks brands to create a Narnia-esque escape, complete with frosted foliage, faux-fur blankets on every chair, and heaters blasting.
It is, without a doubt, one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city. But it’s not just a pretty face. It’s a fantastic spot for a boozy brunch or a cosy catch-up over cocktails. There’s something magical about sitting in this warm, glittering grotto, sipping a hot cocktail, and watching the less-fortunate brave the cold outside. It’s the definition of seasonal hygge.
7. Coppa Club, Tower Bridge
Best for: The iconic “dining in an igloo” group pic
You’ve seen them. You’ve probably tried to book them. Coppa Club’s riverside igloos are the original festive group-booking hotspot. And for good reason—the location is simply unbeatable. You’re sitting in your own private, heated, transparent bubble, right on the Thames, with a postcard-perfect view of Tower Bridge and The Shard.
When the city lights are twinkling and the river is dark, it’s pure magic. Snuggle under the blankets, order another bottle of prosecco, and share a few pizzas and small plates. Is it the most groundbreaking food in London? No. Is it one of the most fun and festive experiences you can have with a group of friends? Absolutely. Just be warned: these get booked months in advance. Go. Now.
8. Daphne’s, South Kensington
Best for: Chic, sophisticated festive charm
If The Churchill Arms is festive maximalism, Daphne’s in South Kensington is festive elegance. This long-standing Italian favourite is pure class. It’s where the well-heeled residents of Chelsea and South Ken go for a celebratory meal. During the holidays, the restaurant goes all out with its decorations, but in a totally sophisticated way. Think rooms jam-packed with beautiful baubles, cascading ribbons, and a warm, golden glow.
The conservatory, in particular, is a dream. It’s cosy, it’s chic, and it serves up hearty, impeccable Italian food. This is the place for a classic osso buco or a perfect cacio e pepe. It feels like a warm hug from a very glamorous, very wealthy Italian aunt. It’s celebratory without being loud, and festive without being tacky.
9. The Mitre, Richmond
Best for: A proper, cosy pub-roast pilgrimage
Sometimes, you just want a pub. A proper one. Tucked away on a quiet residential street in Richmond, The Mitre is that pub. It’s a genuine local boozer with a history stretching back to 1865, and it’s got everything you want: a warm, friendly vibe, craft ales, and even a resident pub dog named Rudi.
But here’s the secret: it also has a full-on festive program. They offer a brilliant 2- or 3-course set menu that features a proper, hand-carved turkey with all the trimmings, as well as nut roasts and a classic sticky toffee pudding. For groups, they do “Festive Boards” for sharing. It’s the anti-sceney scene. It’s just an honest-to-god fantastic pub, serving a top-tier festive meal in a setting that feels like coming home. It’s well worth the trip.
10. Duck & Waffle, City
Best for: 24/7 festive views from the clouds
What’s more festive than seeing the entirety of London’s Christmas lights spread out beneath you like a glittering carpet? Perched on the 40th floor of a skyscraper in the City, Duck & Waffle offers views that will, quite literally, take your breath away. The glass lift ride up is an event in itself.
Famous for being open 24/7, this spot gives you options. Want a dazzling Christmas Eve dinner? Done. Want a 3 AM post-party feast of its namesake dish (duck confit, waffle, egg)? You can do that too. The energy is always high, the cocktails are inventive, and the signature ‘Duck & Waffle’ dish is a sweet-and-savoury masterpiece. It’s a spectacular, “only in London” way to celebrate the season.
So, Where Are You Booking?
There you have it—a restaurant for every festive mood. From the futuristic cool of Roe to the cosy, classic charm of The Mitre, London’s food scene is ready to make your holiday season special. The city is offering up a feast of fairy lights, fireplaces, and fantastic food.
A key takeaway? Don’t wait. We all know that sinking feeling in early December when you try to book a table for four and the next available slot is in mid-February. These places are the best of the best, and the rest of London knows it too. So get on the phone, open that reservation app, and lock in your festive feast. You’ll be thanking us when you’re sipping something sparkling and looking out over a beautifully lit-up London. Happy holidays.