Now that lockdown 2.0 and #BlackNovember are out of the way, we’re once again filling our evenings — dining with our households or meeting some pals (safely) outdoors of course — and booking some of the best festive dining spots London has to offer.
If you’ve been in a lockdown hole (heck – we all have) and don’t know where to begin, then we’ve put together a hit-list of all our favourite festive feasts in the city no matter what your mood.
London Stock: For a chilled-out evening in South London
The newest kid on the block of Wandsworth Ram’s Quarter has reopened its doors in true holiday style with a £65pp 10-course holiday menu that will certainly blow your mind. It begins with two delectable mushroom dishes (one a Mushroom Cep gnochetti and the other a parfait with pickled walnuts and sourdough) and ends with Malt and Miso soufflé bang.
Some other culinary highlights include the Beef Cheek with Jerusalem artichoke, Roast Cod with pickled mussels in a light soy and ginger broth, and Roast Turkey two ways. London Stock’s culinary exodus is completed with a trio of sweet treats which includes a Delica Squash with Yuzu, praline and honey.
London Stock has also given its cocktail menu and wine list a festive makeover – and we’re looking at the ‘In The Woods’ concoction — a mixture of Hayman’s old Tom Gin and Cocci Americano, Mushroom and Blueberry Shrub — as both an aperitif and digestif.
Bookings available via OpenTable or www.londonstockrestaurant.co.uk
Galvin at Windows: A timeless meal with unbeatable views
With 14 years at the (literal) top of London’s food scene, Galvin at Windows’ Christmas menu is certainly taking festive dining to new heights.
Following the lead of Chef Patron Chris Galvin and under the watchful eye of Chef Marc Hardiman, the ‘Taste of Christmas’ menu at Galvin at Windows begins at a very reasonable £59 pp offers four incredible courses and a welcome Perrier-Jouët Blanc de Blancs to start. If the Cured Faroe Island Salad, Cornish Cod, and Native black Angus sirloin isn’t enough to blow you away (which is highly unlikely) than the panoramic views of Hyde Park certainly will.
The Christmas Day lunch menu is priced at £199 pp for four courses and offers a luxurious twist on timeless British classics. So, if you’re looking to reward yourself with an indulgent Christmas meal to end 2020 in true #TeamCoco style — then we highly recommend it.
All of the Galvin at Windows Festive menus can be viewed here.
Ayllu: A festive fusion meal that is out of the ordinary
‘Festive’ may not be the word that comes to mind when you think of Peruvian-Japanese fusion, but Ayllu’s holiday menu certainly packs the festive punch and then some. This contemporary fusion restaurant in Paddington was inspired by the ‘Ayllu’ Incan community and highlights these familial Peruvian traditions with a wonderfully creative selection of small plates.
We recommend dining out on the terrace and enjoying views of the canal while feasting on Ayllu’s Nikkei Tasting menu. The menu is priced at £55 for two people to share and has more than enough to satisfy your festive cravings.
Full menu available to view here & Christmas Day menus here.
For those planning a trip to London and looking for dining recommendations, check out our guide on what to eat this month. Discover the top culinary spots in London to enhance your travel experience with some delicious local fare.
Heddon Yokocho: For Ramen Lovers everywhere
This one is for all the ramen lovers looking for a festive meal out this December. Heddon Yokocho is re-opening with a new Christmas menu that packs all of the familiar ramen goodness with a Christmas twist. The menu is priced at only £24.5 per person and offers three courses with a drink.
We recommend the Chicken Karaage and Tokyo Shoyu ramen, and raising a glass of Shochu Sour Berry soju to finish. Also, the restaurant’s casual yet retro Japanese aesthetic will certainly satisfy your desire for escapism even if its just for one evening.
Heddon Yokocho’s Christmas menu is available from 10 to 24 December