It can often be said that Autumn is the prettiest month to be in London, but Winter gives it a pretty good run for its money. Each year, we’re lucky enough to witness some magical shopfront makeovers and some seriously lovely Christmas lights—but here’s a list of 18 of the best Christmas restaurants in London to add to your ever-growing list of places to visit this festive season.
1. Lily’s Café, Covent Garden
This Christmas season, the team at Lily’s Café have launched a gloriously cosy winter terrace complete with a brand-new fondue, mulled wine and hot cocktail menu. The perfect seasonal setting, complete with heated seats and plentiful blankets, is guaranteed to keep you warm and toasty on cold winter nights.
So why not sit back, look at the fantastic festive views and take a minute to relax after completing that classic late-night, last-minute Christmas shopping? The terrace is also complete with a wintery archway and hanging baskets that really make for the perfect Insta shot.
📍 You’ll find Lilly’s Café at 3 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8LU.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
2. Coppa Club, Tower Bridge
Coppa Club’s beautiful perspex capsules offer crystal clear views of Tower Bridge and the Shard, all while keeping your squad satisfyingly snug.
Each cosy pod is decked out with sparking lights, fluffy blankets and festive decorations – and the result is a stunning and perfectly Instagrammable setting for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. It’s a candlelit haven complete with speakers for your music, and underfloor heating to ward off the winter chill.
📍 You’ll find it 3 Three Quays Walk, Lower Thames Street, EC3R 6AH.
🚇 Nearest station is Tower Hill.
3. Dalloway Terrace, Fitzrovia
Dalloway Terrace is partial to a seasonal makeover, but its winter transformation is always the most eagerly awaited. This year, the space will transform into ‘The Enchanted Wonderland’ – a place of mystery, magic, and alluring possibility, an oasis of British countryside tranquillity hidden within the busy streets of the capital.
Underneath a cascade of twinkling lights, the restaurant’s walls will be adorned with picturesque floral and forest foliage to create a haven of snow-laden greenery right in the heart of London. They’ve also got an excellent afternoon tea this year too.
📍 You’ll find Dalloway Terrace at 16-22 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NN.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
4. Sunday in Brooklyn, Bayswater
Following the successful arrival from across the pond last Summer, West London’s must-visit American hot spot, Sunday in Brooklyn on Westbourne Grove has unveiled its Christmas pop up plans alongside an all-new winter cocktail offering featuring fifteen seasonally inspired and suitably playful creations. There’s also a decked-out grotto named ‘Snowday in London’ to keep you in the festive mood.
📍 You’ll find Sunday in Brooklyn at 98 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RU.
🚇 Nearest station is Bayswater.
5. Skylight, Peckham
This November, Skylight Peckham has transformed its rooftop into the ultimate, cosy winter terrace. Covered from the elements, the heated terrace is the perfect spot to enjoy London’s iconic skyline as the chillier weather arrives, ideal for an intimate date night or catching up with friends over a warming cocktail.
As well as warming mulled wine, velvety hot chocolate and delicious desserts, they’ve also got a mouth-watering new menu featuring crispy halloumi with a tahini harissa sauce, saffron and ogleshield cheese arancini, and a tender jerk chicken with zingy apple slaw. They’ve also got a great bottomless brunch – you can grab your tickets for it here.
📍 You’ll find Skylight Peckham at Theatre Walk (in between Peckham Library and Mountview College) 120 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JT.
🚇 Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
6. The Ivy Chelsea Garden, Chelsea
This ever-adorned west London spot was transformed into a Santa’s Workshop back in 2020, and this year they’ve gone all out again with Christmas trees, the scent of spruce and warming spices and the allure of twinkling lights too.
Adding to the theme, guests can also enjoy a ‘Golden Feast’, which has exquisite dishes including goose and turkey shepherd’s pie, roast butternut squash with cranberries and ‘Santa’s on his way’ – a delectable red velvet sponge with cream cheese frosting and dark chocolate.
📍 You’ll find The Ivy Chelsea Garden at 195 -197 King’s Road, SW3 5EQ.
🚇 Nearest station is Sloane Square.
7. Coq D’Argent, City of London
Escape to the French Alps this festive season and visit this spectacular apres-ski wonderland terrace with furry blankets, festive foliage and twinkly views of London. Complete with French Classiques and immersive cocktails, the Coq d’Argent winter popup, Lodge d’Argent in partnership with Rémy Martin, has returned. The special winter postcard moment transports you to the iconic snow-capped peaks of the French Alps, offering that perfect Instagram shot.Dishes on the festive menu include a haunch of wild roe deer parsnip purée, red cabbage, fondant potato and devil sauce as well as classic Christmas turkey (what else?!)
📍 You’ll find Coq D’Argent at 1 Poultry, EC2R 8EJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Bank.
8. Wagtail, Monument
Wagtail is inviting guests to enjoy two spectacular igloos this Christmas season – lit up by sparkling lights, where delicious food, fine wine and exquisite cocktails are served to delight. Candle-lit trees will align the igloos – which certainly make the cut of being one of the best Christmas restaurants in London this season – which are all laced with natural foliage, and guests can nestle under the stars on fur throws and heated seats too soaking up the night-sky views.
📍 You’ll find Wagtail at 68 King William Street, EC4N 7HR.
🚇 Nearest station is Monument.
9. Balthazar, Covent Garden
London’s most spectacular Parisian chocolatier has arrived this festive season at one of Covent Garden’s signature restaurants, Balthazar. Adorned in dazzling detailing, gold foil, and ruby red ribbons until the beginning of January, you’ll get to dig in to some limited-edition cocktails and some classic dishes such as oysters, steak and frites as well as filet de boeuf.
📍 You’ll find Balthazar at 4-6 Russell Street, WC2B 5HZ.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
10. The Little Scarlet Door, Soho
Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind, and at The Little Scarlet Door, the team is going all out this party season. With a festive glow-up, from the kitchen bar to the mezzanine bedroom, the New York apartment-inspired bar-come-restaurant is bringing the holiday spirit with enviable décor and seasonal specials to get the party started from November.
Billed as the ‘Miracle on Greek Street’, you’ll get to enjoy cocktails like ‘The Holiday’ – a charming concoction of Ukrainian Solovey vodka, Cointreau, sloe gin, cranberry and prosecco, topped off with a candy cane – as well as a Boxing Day leftovers sandwich. Our stomach’s just rumbling at the thought…
📍 You’ll find The Little Scarlet Door at 12-13 Greek Street, W1D 4DL.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
12. Sketch, Mayfair
This Christmas, Sketch pays homage to the origins of its 9 Conduit Street home – a Grade II*-listed building that was designed by architect James Wyatt in 1779 – with a Georgian era-inspired exhibit. Featuring installations by floral artists JamJar Flowers, Figa & Co. and Ricky Paul, ‘A Georgian Christmas’ evokes the period’s refined manners and fashions, and its classically influenced aesthetic.
Tuck into some delicious food at the three Michelin-starred Lecture Room and Library, grab some festive cocktails in the East Bar and even get classy with a festive afternoon tea – fancy!
📍 You’ll find Sketch at 9 Conduit Street, W1S 2XG.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
13. The Happenstance, St. Paul’s
Escape the ordinary and create magical memories at The Happenstance, which this year is seeing an Enchanted Forest Terrace winter pop-up. The all-weather heated terrace is dressed top-to-toe with vibrant green foliage, twinkling lights, cosy blankets and enchanting décor.
Wander down and experience the whimsical spirit with bespoke Tanqueray gin cocktails, including the winter negroni, the apple punch and the bee’s knees cocktails, alongside tasty and warming dishes of pumpkin and sage ravioli and a royal estate venison pie. Sign. Us. Up.
📍 You’ll find The Happenstance at 10 Paternoster Square, EC4M 7DX.
🚇 Nearest station is St. Paul’s.
14. Yauatcha City, Liverpool Street
Set against the backdrop of London’s glistening skyscrapers, Yauatcha City’s wondrous winter terrace has been transformed into a visionary space this festive season, illuminated by blue LED lights and projections. One of the best Christmas restaurants in London this year, it features postcards imagining a London in 2220, with specially-designed floral arrangements to make the space feel otherworldly.
This is coupled with heaters and blankets, to ensure guests stay warm well into winter, with the terrace also being covered. In terms of food, you can expect to tuck into cocktails curated with the prestigious Johnnie Walker Black Label and food including venison puffs, scallop shumai, Jasmine tea smoked ribs and more.
📍 You’ll find Yautcha City at Broadgate, EC2M 2QS.
🚇 Nearest station is Liverpool Street.
15. Madison, St. Paul’s
Not content with a tiny bit of tinsel this year, Madison, the world-famous Central London rooftop restaurant, is partnering with the iconic watch brand Hublot to take over their terrace this festive season to transform it into an alpine Swiss retreat. Along with excellent panoramic views of the city, you’ll also get to wine and dine on festive treats too.
📍 You’ll find Madison at Rooftop Terrace One, New Change, EC4M 9AF.
🚇 Nearest station is St. Paul’s.
16. Tattu London, Tottenham Court Road
Taking inspiration from the Northern most provinces of China where snow-capped mountains and bright stars scatter the horizon, Tattu London is set to embrace The Great Snow; a celebrated moment in the Chinese Calendar symbolising royalty, dignity, and purity.
One of the best Christmas restaurants in London this year, Tattu is inviting you to enjoy luxury modern-Chinese sharing menus, limited-edition Aurora Borealis-themed cocktails and a thoroughly Christmassy vibe. Now that we can get on board with…
📍 You’ll find Tattu London at The Now Building Rooftop, Outernet, Denmark Street, WC2H 0LA.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
17. Gaucho, Canary Wharf
Another great contender for being one of the best Christmas restaurants in London here. From November 25, fire up all the festive feels at Gaucho in Canary Wharf and snuggle up in a secluded riverside dining pod, kitted out with cosy blankets, toasty hot water bottles and a decadent three-course menu – perfect for enjoying with friends, or for a special date night. Designed for optimum dipping delight, indulge in a rich raclette served with chorizo, churrasco cuadril (Argentinean rump), shrimps, crusty bread and a variety of vegetables.
For a suitably sweet finish, sip away on a ‘divine’ chocolate espresso martini or a boozy hot chocolate. If you’re fond of cheese, chocolate and charming riverside views, then this one’s for you.
📍 You’ll find Gaucho at 29 Westferry Circus, E14 8RR.
🚇 Nearest station is Canary Wharf.
18. Kitchen at Holmes, Marylebone
Rounding off this list of the best Christmas restaurants in London for the 2022 festive season is the Marylebone-based Kitchen at Holmes, who once again this year are pulling out all the stops and are organising a secret rooftop cinema experience.
Add in a festive feast, an abundance of warm fur throws amongst the Christmas trees and fairy lights and classic movies such as ‘The Holiday‘, ‘Love Actually‘, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life‘ and ‘A Miracle on 34th Street‘ on the big screen.
📍 You’ll find Kitchen at Holmes at 108 Baker Street, W1U 6LJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Baker Street.
Also published on Medium.