Where To Eat On Christmas Day In London 2024

Instead of spending hours in the kitchen worrying your roast potatoes won’t be up to scratch, why not treat yourself to a Christmas lunch out this year? Many of London’s restaurants and pubs are open on Christmas day, offering decadent festive feasts where you won’t have to lift a finger. Whether you’re after a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings or fancy mixing things up with Italian, Portuguese or Indian flavours, there’s something for all tastes (and budgets) in our guide to where to eat on Christmas day in London.

London Restaurants Open On Christmas Day

Credit: Rebecca Hope

JOIA

For a suitably chic Christmas lunch with views over the city, head to JOIA, the rooftop restaurant perched on the 15th floor of art’otel Battersea. Offering a change from the classic roast, the eatery is serving an Iberican-inspired festive menu. Kick things off with some tapas, like pan con tomato and glazed aubergine with romesco miso, ahead of mains like grilled turbot, venison loin, or Norfolk black turkey with madeira sauce – all served with greens and veggies. Dessert is the traditional pudim abade priscos, a Portuguese take on crème caramel served with mandarin sorbet. For a post-lunch tipple, stop by the JOIA Bar for a seasonal cocktail, such as the Moon Stone, made with rum, tentura, puff pastry and vanilla custard. 

How much? £135pp

Where? 15th Floor, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ

BOOK: joiabattersea.co.uk

Fallow by Steven Joyce

Fallow

Helmed by chef duo Will Murray and Jack Croft, Fallow in St James’ Market is all about nose-to-tail, low-waste eating. The buzzy restaurant is open on Christmas day, offering a feast to remember, beginning with pigs in blankets and caviar-topped hash browns, ahead of either turkey ballotine or venison wellington, served with all the trimmings: glazed parsnips, stuffing, herb roast potatoes, Brussel sprouts and smoked cauliflower cheese. Pudding is a yule log, served here with chestnuts and candied mandarins.

How much? £195pp

Where? 52 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RP

BOOK: fallowrestaurant.com

The Albion

With its wood-panelled walls and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, The Albion in Islington is one of London’s prettiest pubs. It’s open on Christmas day, offering a sharing-style feasting menu for a reasonable price of £60 per head. Expect all the seasonal classics: brie and cranberry croquettes and smoked salmon to start, followed by two mains for the table, such as roast turkey with pigs in blankets and bread sauce, sirloin with turnip and swede, or pumpkin with black cabbage pesto. Finish with Christmas pudding or dark chocolate coffee cake, with an optional additional cheese course featuring a selection of Neal’s Yard varieties.

How much? £60pp

Where? 10 Thornhill Rd, London N1 1HW

BOOK: the-albion.co.uk

The Ritz

If you really want to push the boat out, The Ritz is a magical place to spend Christmas day. The London stalwart is dressed to the nines for the festive season, with a giant, sparkling tree towering high in the lobby. Dinner is served in the Michelin-starred restaurant, with a traditional six-course feast on offer, prepared by executive chef John Williams and his team. Enjoy alongside music from a five-piece band for a truly memorable feast in one of the city’s most iconic hotels.

How much? £650 per adult and £340 per child

Where? 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR

BOOK: theritzlondon.com

Riding House Fitzrovia

For something a little more informal, consider Riding House Fitzrovia. The relaxed all-day brasserie has a five-course menu on offer this Christmas day, focusing on modern, flavoursome twists on festive classics. Festivities will begin with sharing starters of flame-grilled sourdough and dips, baked taleggio with black truffle, and roast pumpkin with saffron labneh. For your main course, choose from either a classic roast turkey, grilled miso bass, or truffled portobello and sweet potato wellington – all served with a generous helping of roasties, veggies and gravy. Follow with a cheese course, ahead of either yule log or black forest pavlova for dessert.

How much? £95pp

Where? 43-51 Great Titchfield St., London W1W 7PQ

BOOK: riding.house

Bob Bob Ricard

What better day to visit London’s famous ‘press for champagne’ restaurant? Spend the day sipping fizz in Soho institution Bob Bob Ricard, which is famously open 365 days a year. There’s no dedicated Christmas menu: instead diners can pick from the a la carte, which includes British and French dishes like Jersey rock oysters, chicken kyiv, truffle and champagne pie, and a standout sharing beef wellington – plus an impressive caviar selection. Finish with the signature chocolate glory, melted at the table, or go wild with a couple of ice-cold lemon vodka shots (it is Christmas after all).

How much? There is usually a minimum spend, TBC

Where? 1 Upper James St, London W1F 9DF

BOOK: bobbobricard.com

The Cinnamon Club

Housed inside the historic Grade II listed former Westminster Library, The Cinnamon Club has a grand feel – making it a fitting option for Christmas day. Vivek Singh’s flagship restaurant is offering a decadent Indian feast, beginning with starters of Korean-style lobster soup, tandoori turkey tikka, and smoked salmon carpaccio. For the main event, dishes include roast goose breast with stir fried Brussel sprouts, slow braised lamb leg with a nutmeg and peppercorn sauce, and Gobi Musallam (roast cauliflower). Finish on a sweet note with The Cinnamon Club’s twist on the classic Christmas pudding, spiced with garam masala, or a black cardamom brûlée. Pair with spice-friendly wines or one of the special cocktails, like the Sherbet Spritz, a mix of Campari, hibiscus, pomegranate soda and champagne.

How much? From £125pp

Where? The Old Westminster Library, Great Smith St, London SW1P 3BU

BOOK: cinnamonclub.com

Theo Randall at the InterContinental

If indulgent Italian feast is what you’re after, Theo Randall at the InterContinental is sure to fit the bill. Housed inside one of Mayfair’s top hotels, the fine dining restaurant is open on Christmas day, serving a five-course set menu complete with a glass of champagne or a negroni. Enjoy dishes like burrata with marinated red peppers, fresh lobster ravioli, and beef fillet in parma ham, followed by Italian cheeses and panettone bread pudding. The dining room has a swish, upmarket feel, and slick service to match – perfect for one of the most special days of the year.

How much? £149pp

Where? One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, W1J 7QY

BOOK: theorandall.com