The best restaurants in London for your Christmas party

We love the waterside, cocktail-led Hawksmoor Bar but in truth, you can’t go wrong at any of Hawksmoor’s many London locations. This is the place to be for ultra-comforting British cooking, executed to the highest standards, as well as one of London’s best cocktail lists. Dark green marble floors and a huge polished timber bar create a feeling of festive luxury.

The Midland Grand Dining Room was opened by the brains behind restaurants like Chiltern Firehouse, Allegra and Booking Office 1869 - so you already know this one’s going to be pretty good. You’ll find plenty of French brasserie classics here, through both a la carte and set menus.

This award-winning Shoreditch gastropub is well-known for exceptional cooking, and the natural wood floors and timber tabletops of the upstairs dining room are rather lovely. Expect tasty riffs on classic Christmas dishes, but book quickly because this popular spot fills up fast.

Tucked away in the National Gallery, Ochre has a timeless elegance about it, and the broad European menu has something for everyone. Large parties can hire the beautiful main dining room for up to 150 guests, but there are smaller private spaces too, like the 19-seat private dining room, which has views of Nelson’s Column.

The Grade II listed Old Westminster Library makes a stunning backdrop at any time of year, but it’s a particularly wonderful place for a Christmas party. That’s before you factor in the magnificent cooking of Vivek Singh and team, who can lay on a range of bespoke Indian menus for your festive shindig. We particularly love the 32-seat Gallery, which overlooks the main dining room.

We love Norma’s marble and mosaic tiling vibe, and combined with the wonderful staff it makes for a very jolly Christmas vibe. Once the festive season rolls around, the broad Sicilian menu goes into full feasting mode with slow-roast lamb shoulder, pumpkin and chestnut gratin and pasta al forno, as well as seasonal cannoli.

Another of London’s ultra-reliable, delicious stalwarts, Roka’s chic, accessible cooking has survived and thrived over the last few decades. Sure, you’re not going to get a roast turkey, but who has ever been unhappy at the prospect of grilled skewers, sashimi platters, dumplings and Roka’s famous desserts? Not us, that's for sure.

You’ll be the toast of all your friends and colleagues if you snag a Christmas party spot at one of London’s hottest restaurants of the moment. Glamorous Los Mochis combines Japanese and Mexican food to impressive effect, and you can beat a Christmas party with high rise views of London.

A stalwart of The City of over three decades, Bolton’s authentic Italian cooking is just as good as it’s always been, and the team are well-versed with hosting private events and celebration dinners. You can choose between a la carte, buffet, private dining and bespoke menus.

Sushisamba Covent Garden takes pride of place on top of Covent Garden’s Opera Terrace, overlooking the buzzing piazza below. This unique venue is adorned with a ‘living’ ceiling of foliage, as well as a range of bar stools and plush red velvet booths for group dining.

Beautiful Stanley’s in Chelsea takes inspiration from quintessential English gardens, and the gorgeous courtyard is heated and covered over Christmas so you can still enjoy the great outdoors despite the weather. The bright, pastel-shaded Orangery is well suited to Christmas lunches too.

Bentley’s is the London institution known as a go-to for luxury seafood dining - and it’s no surprise with the likes of Richard Corrigan at the helm. Everything on the menu is sublime, but ordering the oysters is an absolute must.

There’s nothing like holing up in a cosy pub for Christmas, and The Holland has a perfect balance of neighbourhood local familiarity and quality gastropub cooking. Chef Max de Nahlik has a wonderful touch with seasonal British cookery and The Holland team can lay on all sorts of Christmas party menus, from a sit down meal to canapes.

Atmospheric Bleeding Heart is nestled in London’s quaint, cobbled Bleeding Heart Yard, and has a huge range of private spaces on offer over Christmas, including the stunning Crypt at St Etheldreda’s which dates back to the 12th century. Christmas menus are classic, including the likes of salmon with black sesame, and Christmas pudding with crème anglaise.

It’s long been known for its incredible views over the city, but Duck & Waffle also offers some stand out food to go with it. This is a glamorous option for your next Christmas party, bringing sophisticated decor and dishes made with luxurious ingredients.

Christmas with one of London’s most iconic chefs? Sounds good to us. Nuno Mendes can often be found behind the pass as you enter Lisboeta, and aside from the exceptional Portuguese cooking, this Georgian townhouse has a variety of distinct areas, from the moody downstairs restaurant to light, bright and airy private dining upstairs.

Bermondsey Street is known for being a hub of great restaurants, and Baccala is no exception to the rule. This pared-back Italian is great for those looking for a slightly more low-key venue to celebrate their Christmas party, without compromising on all of the delicious food.

Hard Rock Cafe started its life just up the road in Park Lane, and is known for feeding its guests with anything from nachos to sizzling fajitas. Of course, you can expect plenty of festive food and fizz during the party season.

Bardo St James is the opulent Italian in central that transports its guests back to the la dolce vita era - with its red velvet seats, white table cloths and dim lighting. To eat, you’ll find simple dishes produced with the finest ingredients, making it a no brainer when looking for a luxury Italian.

Whilst it may be chilly during December, it’s still nice to have the option of a rooftop when it comes to party venues, and you’ll be hard pushed to find somewhere more impressive than at Sushisamba City. Plus, you can enjoy Japanese and Brazilian fusion plates to bring something different to your festive meal.

Sunday in Brooklyn really did start off its life in Brooklyn, but now West Londoners are able to lap up the American inspired eatery too - complete with preppy staff and American classics. You’ll find a variety of cuisines available here though, making it a great choice for when you have various preferences with guests.

Add a Cantonese twist to your Christmas party, with an evening at Dumpling Legend. Private rooms, indulgent menus and karaoke are all part of the package, with over 47 different dumpling varieties to choose from. Offering a 3am late licence, you can keep the celebrations going late into the night.

The George is a pub of two halves - downstairs you’ll find a rousing local boozer, but upstairs are a series of private hire dining rooms, including a forest green room with plush velvet armchairs, and a long banqueting room. Classic Christmas cooking is the order of the day, so this is perfect for traditionalists in search of somewhere a bit private to enjoy their roast turkey.

This former banking hall sits right in the heart of the city, and offers a slice of luxury with lavish interiors, stunning artworks, and first class service to match. The seasonal menu changes frequently, so expect a carefully curated festive menu when heading here for your Christmas party.

Corrigan’s sees another first class restaurant from renowned chef Richard Corrigan, but this time the focus is on game rather than seafood. Expect plenty of seasonal British and Irish produce elevated to new levels.

Grade II listed 6 Hamilton Place has an impressive history - it was originally built in the 1700s for the fourth Earl of Buckinghamshire, and later remodelled with Venetian Renaissance architectural casting. The result is stunning to behold - perfect for Christmas celebrations - and the slick Middle Eastern slash East Asian food is excellent too.

If you’re after somewhere seriously opulent to spend your Christmas party, Park Chinois is hard to beat. Plus you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to dim sum - and nothing says festive spirit like a platter of dumplings, right?

A staple in the Knightsbridge dining scene for the past 50 years, Sale e Pepe offers classic old-school dining with its white-clothed tables, impeccable service and glamorous restaurant. Offering spaces for 10-100 people, tuck into small plates of Italian classics this Christmas with pasta, risotto, crudo and more.

This popular Peruvian-Japanese spot on Paddington Basin combines stylish interiors and delicious food, making it a great shout for all sorts of celebratory occasions, Christmas included. Innovative small plates is the name of the game here, designed for the whole table to share.

With sweeping views of Canary Wharf from its alfresco terrace, Nº35 Mackenzie Walk is an ideal choice for Christmas parties of all sizes (the entire venue can be hired for up to 300 standing guests). If you'd rather a more intimate sit-down dinner, expect well-curated set menus featuring delightfully simple Christmas classics and luxurious sharing boards.

Tucked away amid the glamour of Chelsea, Le Petit Beefbar lays on generous Christmas menus each year, and offers a wide range of private options for large and small groups. It’s worth the journey for the signature Beefbar steak Wellington with beef fat potatoes alone.

If you're going all out for Christmas, NIJU is the place to do it. The festive sharing menu is loaded with luxury, from A4 Wagyu beef tartare to Scottish lobster with bottarge and lobster bisque. Exclusive hire of the whole venue gets you free rein of this gorgeous modern Japanese restaurant, right off the prestigious Berkeley Square.