Every year, we all end up at that obligatory company Christmas dinner or a friend’s festive shindig. But beyond those “must-do” events, London’s restaurants are pulling out all the stops to get us out there celebrating this season.

You don’t need to be a die-hard Christmas fan to enjoy them – these restaurants are properly dressed up for Christmas, covered in twinkling lights, towering trees, garlands, and all the festive trimmings. And the food is just as good: heart-warming comfort dishes, twists on seasonal classics, boozy treats, and even a bit of theatre.

From cosy neighbourhood brasseries and riverside igloos to sleek, glam steakhouses, this roundup features places where the food, the décor, and the drinks all hit that sweet festive spot – giving you every excuse to indulge, relax, and actually enjoy this heart-warming time of the year.

London’s most festive restaurants and bars at a glance

1. Best festive menu: The Ivy
2. Best festive drinks: Yuletide Yard
3. Most immersive experience: INCA
4. Best views: Coppa Club
5. Best value for money: Yuletide Yard
6. Best decor: 34 Mayfair

Top 7 most festive restaurants and bars in London

1. The Ivy, Clapham Junction

This recently opened branch of The Ivy has already become a go‑to spot for festive celebrations. The festive set menu (available 12 Nov – 31 Dec) offers 2 courses for £55 or 3 courses for £60. Starters range from a richly cheesy French onion soup to a duck liver parfait and a bright tamarind‑beetroot and endive salad.

Mains include a plant‑based lentil and turkey ballotine, with classic indulgent desserts such as Christmas Crème Brûlée or a traditional Christmas pudding to finish off.

For a more relaxed or playful day time activity, there’s also a festive breakfast offer (with Christmas crackers), and the venue hosts a “Naughty Elves” breakfast for children.

Why go: The Ivy’s festive menu is classic and elevated – warm, comforting dishes in a lush, mood‑setting environment that brings out the magic of the season.

2. Yuletide Yard at Flat Iron Square, London Bridge

Why stop at one festive room when you can wander through a whole mini-village? Yuletide Yard is a month-long celebration at Flat Iron Square running until 21 December, transforming the yard into a cosy winter scene filled with Christmas trees, soft lighting, and touches of vintage fairground signage.

Its star attraction is The Three Jingle Bells: the world’s smallest pub with capacity for just three guests and one bartender. Aside from this delightfully quirky pubs, there are bars shaking up a short run of festive cocktails, while the resident traders are serving exclusive festive dishes – from pork-and-fennel sausage pizza to crispy chicken topped with cranberry sauce.

Why go: A fun, open-air festive spot with good energy, playful cocktails and one of London’s quirkiest seasonal pop-ups – perfect for friends’ outings.

3. INCA, Fitzrovia

Inca transforms for Christmas into a sultry, glam and theatrical space – think dim lighting, garlands, oversized ornaments, a glowing tree and a lounge‑style atmosphere. The festive offering this year includes full tasting menus, typically £100–£155 per person.

We tried the vegetarian menu recently and the portions were generous and flavourful. Dishes included a bright coconut‑and‑chilli ceviche with palm hearts, fresh guacamole and chips, sushi, salted edamame, followed by mains like grilled miso aubergine steaks with truffle‑mayo fries and charred broccoli. As night falls, there’s live entertainment, including dance and singing performances.

Why go: Inca delivers festive dining with a difference – immersive, atmospheric, and ideal if you want a lavish night out where food, fun and flair come together.

4. 34 Mayfair, Mayfair

This year, 34 Mayfair is hosting “Miracle at 34” – a full festive transformation partnered with Silent Pool Gin. From 10 November, the restaurant is decked floor‑to‑ceiling in shimmering baubles and fairy lights, casting the dining room in a jewel‑toned holiday glow.

The festive set menu starts at £38 for two courses, or £42 for three. Mains offer seasonal options like roasted corn‑fed baby chicken with sage and chestnut stuffing or fillet of seabass with Sicilian prawn risotto. Dessert brings festive feels too, with choices like panettone ice cream or sticky toffee pudding with Baileys ice cream.

Silent Pool Gin stars not only in the drink list but also in dishes: there’s a beetroot‑cured salmon starter and a show‑stopping dark‑chocolate “Christmas Bauble” mousse dessert infused with the gin. The setting, the lighting, and the cocktails are full dramatic, party‑ready festive spirit.

Why go: 34 Mayfair is a feast for the senses and every detail – from the jewel-toned lighting to the sparkling baubles and inventive Silent Pool Gin cocktails – makes it a unique dining experience.

5. Six by Nico, Canary Wharf

Six by Nico is known for its immersive dining experiences and inventive, seasonal menus. Each venue has an intimate, contemporary interior with an open kitchen, allowing diners to watch the creativity unfold. The restaurant is celebrated for turning food into storytelling and has two branches in London (Canary Wharf and Fitzrovia), as well as various others across the UK. This year, there are two tasting menus on offer until the 31st of December:

• The Nutcracker: A 6-course festive tasting menu. Highlights include The Gift (Gruyère royale), Through the Frosted Gate (smoked salmon with bergamot caviar) and The Land of Sweets (almond financier, clementine sorbet, candy‑cane tuile)
• A Hollywood Christmas: A 10-course tasting menu. Inspired by classic Christmas films, it includes playful courses such as A Whole Cheese Pizza, Just for Me and dessert Candy Cane Forest.

Vegetarian options are available for both menus, and they can also be paired with themed cocktails or curated wine selections.

Why go: The intimate yet theatrical setting, combined with whimsical, inventive courses, makes it perfect for diners seeking an imaginative, story-driven Christmas experience – far beyond a standard dinner.

6. Coppa Club, Tower Bridge

If you want festive dining with a view – and some proper cosy charm – Coppa Club might be the one. Their 2025 festive menu is available through the season and across its venues, with two courses for £38.50 or three for £44.50.

What makes Coppa Club stand out is more than just the festive food: their riverside setting and famous igloos add a proper winter‑in‑London magic. When it comes to the menu, it embraces classic Christmas flavours like roast turkey with all the trimmings, or pan-roasted sea bass, paired with rich winter desserts.

Add to that the option (in many locations) of booking one of their seasonal heated igloos – cosy, candle-lit pods with fairy lights, fur throws and festive décor. Perfect for groups or intimate dinners.

Why go: The riverside‑plus‑igloo vibe hits a sweet spot between festive novelty and relaxed dining.

7. Miracle at Henrietta, Covent Garden

Miracle at Henrietta is London’s seasonal pop-up cocktail bar, returning to Henrietta Street for 2025. The space is a full-on festive spectacle: tinsel, fairy lights, oversized ornaments, and retro holiday décor transform the venue into a playful winter wonderland.

It’s intentionally over-the-top and kitsch, but the cocktails are also a highlight here – inventive, seasonal creations like the Christmapolitan, Snowball Old-Fashioned, and Candy Cane Lane, often served in novelty glassware. The combination of bold décor, theatrical drinks, and social energy makes it a festive experience unlike a typical bar.

Why go: Perfect for drinks with friends, pre-theatre celebrations, or anyone craving an immersive, high-energy holiday experience where the décor, cocktails, and mood are the main event.

See also:

The best Christmas bakes to gift (or eat) this season: panettones, mince pies, and more

For her: These are the coolest beauty gift sets under £50 this Christmas

Lace up! Here are the 7 most magical ice-skating rinks in London this year