As the festive season approaches, it’s likely that you’ll be looking for the perfect setting for your celebrations. The past few years has seen a trend of something that we can really get behind: set menus. These condensed menus offer diners the chance to enjoy two or three courses for a fixed, and reduced, price, allowing for dinner on a bit more of a budget. In the run up to the big day, London’s restaurants are all creating seasonal menus, and if you can get a three course dinner offering full roasts and indulgent desserts for a fraction of the price, then why wouldn’t you?
Whether you’re gathering with friends, family or colleagues, sometimes you want something a bit simpler, and more affordable, without having to compromise on the quality. The best Christmas set menus don't just offer your classic roast, although that's definitely still an option, with everything from traditional Indian dishes to Mexican delicacies available throughout the capital.
Pop in with your colleagues for a quick two course lunch with all the festive trimmings, or plan a three course dinner surrounded by your nearest or dearest. Whatever the occasion, London has a whole host of Christmas set menus, for unfussy, slightly speedier dining. When it comes to group dining in December, these fixed-price menus allow for easier budgeting when you're planning a Christmas party, and mean that larger groups can be quickly catered for by pre-ordering their selections.
We’ve scoured the city and rounded up a range of restaurants offering set menus for your Christmas party, with options for all occasions and budgets. Whether it's a festive feast or a simple, all-purposes lunch, London's best Christmas set menus promise festive flair in spades, making them the go-to option for seasonal dining this year.
Hawksmoor, various locations
What: With several locations around the city, renowned steakhouse chain Hawksmoor is a go-to for a classic festive feast. Pulling out all the stops for this year’s festive menus, here you’ll find three different menus available as two or three course options. Expect starters such as smoked mackerel salad and fillet carpaccio to start, followed by their signature charcoal-grilled steaks. Of course, no Hawksmoor meal is complete without an array of outstanding sides. Cows in blankets, anyone?
How much: Two courses from £62 per person
Where: 1 Water Street, E14 5GX; 16 Winchester Walk, SE1 9AQ; 157a Commercial Street, E1 6BJ; 10 Basinghall Street, EC2V 5BQ
Book now: Hawksmoor Wood Wharf; Hawksmoor Borough; Hawksmoor Spitalfields; Hawksmoor Guildhall
Theo Randall at the InterContinental, Mayfair
What: For those looking to add a touch of glamour to this year’s celebration, Theo Randall brings fine dining to this show-stopping Mayfair hotel. With speciality menus in place for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, throughout December, guests will find a regional tasting menu, offering four courses complete with three wine pairings for quite a reasonable £75 per person. Antipasto kicks off the indulgent Italian menu, with prosciutto di Parma served with gnocco fritto and roasted squash, followed by fresh ravioli stuffed with slow-cooked duck, chestnuts and parmesan in a wild mushroom sauce. Roasted lamb rump takes centre stage with a classic panettone bread pudding with gelato to round off the evening.
How much: Four-course tasting menu (with wine pairings) for £75 per person
Where: 1 Hamilton Place, W17 7QY
Book now: Theo Randall at the InterContinental
Megan’s, Various Locations
What: When the weather turns cold, there’s nothing you need more than a little Mediterranean magic, festive dining at Megan’s delivers just that. For groups larger than eight guests Megan’s serves up menus packed with food from sunnier places at an incredibly affordable price point. Festive food here arrives as sharing party boards with the option to go for two, three, or four courses. Things kick off with sharing starters like hot honey pigs in blankets and buttermilk fried chicken with date dip followed by showstopping mains that include turkey, lamb kofte, and sucuk, alongside fan-favourite arayes pita, stuffing, and sauces. Everyone gets a festive cracker with a £20 January gift concealed inside.
How much: Two courses from £28.50, three courses from £32.50, four courses from £36.50
Where: 204 Kensington High Street, W8 7RG; 6 Esther Anne Place, N1 1WF; 55-57 The Pavement, SW4 0JQ
Book now: Megan’s on the High Street; Megan’s at the Sorting Office, Megan’s Clapham Old Town
Brother Marcus, various locations
What: Bringing a taste of the Mediterranean to your Christmas dinner, Brother Marcus may be best known for its extravagant brunch offerings, but this winter it invites you to gather with friends, family or colleagues for the ultimate sharing feast. With several spots around the city to choose from, enjoy contemporary and relaxed dining with these light-drenched, foliage-filled spaces. Begin with the likes of roasted beetroot houmous and fluffy za’atar pittas, followed by crispy aubergine skewers with labneh and grape molasses, maple roasted onion squash with sumac dressing and pan-seared sea bream with an almond and dill gremolata.
How much: Sharing menu for £49 per person
Where: 23 Slingsby Place, WC2E 9AB; 37-39 Camden Passage, N1 8EA; 2 Crispin Place, E1 6DW
Book now: Brother Marcus Covent Garden; Brother Marcus Angel; Brother Marcus Spitalfields
Bardo, St James’s
What: Dripping in glamour, Bardo St James’s is the perfect place to splurge this Christmas. Sink into plush red velvet chairs while enjoying live music and authentic Italian cuisine. There’s a variety of different menus available, depending how much you want to spend. Start with pinsa and antipasti to share, followed by indulgent mains of beef sirloin with celery root puree and salsa verde or lobster paccheri with datterino tomatoes and Amalfi lemon. For those looking for a more upscale celebration, then Bardo could be the place for you.
How much: Set menus from £100 per person
Where: 4 Suffolk Place, SW1Y 4HX
Book now: Bardo St James's
The George, Fitzrovia
What: There’s nothing better than spending the festive season cosied up by a pub fire, enjoying hearty indulgent dishes, and the best seasonal produce. That’s precisely what The George offers. This year, bookings of four or more can enjoy a selection of dishes served family-style, including a twist on their famous Scotch egg inspired by pigs in blankets, alongside starters of whiskey-cured salmon and prune and armagnac glazed celeriac. To follow, get stuck into roasted turkey and roasted beef rump served with heads of golden roasties, braised red cabbage, honeyed carrots and gravy. There’s also a vegetarian menu, serving up stuffed savoy cabbage with porcini mushrooms, barley, and all the trimmings.
How Much: Three courses from £65 per person
Where: 55 Great Portland Street, W1W 7LQ
Book now: The George
Los Mochis, City and Notting Hill
What: Having made a name for itself with these delicious Mexican and Japanese menus, Los Mochis is ideal for those looking to spice things up this Christmas. Available at both its City and Notting Hill locations, the set menu features vibrant dishes like miso cod tacos, spicy hiramasa maki rolls, sea bass ceviche, and the chef's special selection of sashimi. Wash everything down with something off the extensive sake menu, or one of the site's speciality margaritas.
How much: Set menus from £85 per person
Where: 100 Liverpool Street, EC2M 2AT; 2 Farmer Street, W8 7SN
Book now: Los Mochis City; Los Mochis Notting Hill
Ayllu, Paddington
What: Ayllu offers a perfectly curated Christmas set menu, designed to make festive dining as easy, and stress-free as possible. It’s Peruvian-Japanese menus, and rather lavish interiors are bound to stand out if you’re looking to impress. Ayllu prides itself on smaller, sharing plates to be enjoyed by the entire family, so it’s not your typical set menu, but you can enjoy several courses for the incredibly reasonable price of just £39 per person. Enjoy salted edamame, beef croquettes, mixed ceviche and their take on festive favourites with a Christmas maki roll and brussel sprouts with kimchi puree and crispy bacon.
How much: Christmas tasting menus from £39 per person
Where: 25 Sheldon Square, W2 6EY
Book now: Ayllu
The Hound, Chiswick
What: Located in a beautifully refurbished Victorian police station, The Hound has become one of the cosiest pubs around. Think old pub charm, a roaring fire, banquette seating and wood panelled walls. Here, you'll find a proper festive feast this season. The main course is traditional, featuring a turkey crown and perfectly pink roast beef rump or stuffed savoy cabbage to share family-style with all the trimmings. But this is a modern pub, so to whet your appetite for the spread to come expect salmon cured with whiskey served with molasses syrup, sour cream and rye bread crisps, alongside pig in blanket Scotch eggs and armagnac glazed celeriac.
How much: Three courses from £65 per person
Where: 210 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PD
Book now: The Hound
Yaatra, Westminster
What: Housed in a Grade-II listed former fire station, Yatra offers a unique spot for some contemporary Indian cuisine within this fine-dining atmosphere. The set menus at Yaatra are endless, with lunch menus, curry and kebab feasting, three course dinners and tasting menus all available, so there’s bound to be something to suit you and your group. Enjoy either two or three courses as part of the lunch set menu, featuring dishes like roasted scallops in a coconut butter sauce, and masala seabass. If you’re feeling indulgent, a seven course tasting menu is also available, with charred kasundi mustard prawn and smoked chicken tikka with barberry chutney, and a burnt chocolate tartlet to finish.
How much: Two courses for £29.50, three courses for £34.50
Where: 4 Greycoat Place, SW1P 1SB
Book now: Yaatra
Baccala, Bermondsey
What: Baccala is a neighbourhood seafood spot and wine bar, offering a laid-back yet festive vibe for your celebrations. There are several Christmas set menus available, each featuring a number of sharing starters such as sourdough, olives, prawn cocktail, and burrata with tuscan tomato bread. Each menu only offers one main and dessert, so choose wisely, with options of slow braised baby octopus, grilled stone bass, or grilled king oyster mushrooms with confit shallots. Elevate your meal with the drinks package, which includes cocktails, wines and a digestive to finish all for just an extra £35.
How much: Three courses from £55 per person
Where: 194-204 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TQ
Book now: Baccala
Chinese Cricket Club, Blackfriars
What: Tucked away inside the Hyatt Regency London, Chinese Cricket Club showcases the very best from across China's regions. Here, it's all about elegant simplicity, with menus designed by Tony Truong that are bound to impress this Christmas. We'd argue that Christmas is all about sharing, uniting friends and family over some seriously good food. Here, you'll get to start with a mixed dim sum platter, and tuck into half a traditional peking duck, complete with all the trimmings. This comes followed by a selection of mains, such as fried Dover sole, sweet and sour prawns, and wok fried venison in a rich black pepper sauce, all served alongside steamed veggies and fried rice. Desserts round off the evening with your choice of yuzu sphere or strawberry compote with yuzu parfait and ginger crumble.
How much: Sharing menus from £89 per person
Where: 19 New Bridge Street, EC4V 6DB
Book now: Chinese Cricket Club
Bleeding Heart, Farringdon
What: A hidden gem in the heart of Farringdon, Bleeding Heart boasts six striking spaces, so you'll be spoilt for choice when deciding where to enjoy this year's festive feasting menus. The Crypt is the most eye-catching, dating back to the 12th century, and offers worn stone walls, beamed ceilings and elegant stained-glass windows to add a unique atmosphere to your Christmas party. Tuck into the likes of mushroom and pumpkin wellington with bean cassoulet, or halibut fillet on lobster risotto, with armagnac creme brulee or classic Christmas pud to finish. The Parlour and Wine Cellar offer a different menu, with roasted monkfish with sauce Vin Jaune, or venison loin with caramelised oranges and a port jus. Be sure to add on coffee and handmade mince pies for the ultimate feast.
How much: Three courses from £65 per person
Where: Bleeding Heart Yard, EC1N 8S
Book now: Bleeding Heart
Riding House, Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia
What: Riding House is ready to deliver a full dose of Christmas spirit across its two cosy, stylish locations, each boasting refined, cafe-style dining with a rustic charm. The Christmas group menu offers three courses, and is available for smaller groups of up to 14 people. Choose from smoked barbary duck, or beetroot-cured gravadlax to start, followed by chicken schnitzel or grilled hake for the main event. Dessert is part of the package, with options of sticky toffee brioche doughnuts, chocolate cheesecake or charcoal pavlova. For an extra £6, you can finish off the evening with a round of coffee and mince pies.
How much: Three courses from £50 per person
Where: 1 Brunswick Centre, WC1N 1AF; 43-51 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 7PQ
Book now: Riding House Bloosmbury; Riding House Fitzrovia
The Railway Pub, Putney
What: A true local gem, The Railway Pub in Putney combines old-school charm with modern touches, making it a top choice for a cosy Christmas gathering. The three-course festive menu, priced at £41, includes starters like wild mushroom arancini and parsnip, and chestnut and cranberry soup. Sharing sides are an additional cost but honey and mustard pigs in blankets and sprouts with pecans and pancetta are worth splashing out for.
How much: Three courses from £41 per person
Where: 202 Upper Richmond Road, SW15 6TD
Book now: The Railway Pub Putney
Arcade, Battersea and Tottenham Court Road
What: For a party that can’t settle on just one cuisine, Arcade’s sprawling food halls in Battersea and Tottenham Court Road have you covered. These venues are just made for parties, with spacious food halls and bars, even a Pool Room at the Batterrsae location if you’re looking for some friendly competition. The ‘Taste of Arcade’ and ‘Feast of Arcade’ menus delve into a little bit of everything, from guacamole and avocado maki rolls to Nashville chicken tenders, turkey momo, and mini shawarma wraps. Mini mince pies are the perfect way to finish up this year’s festivities.
How much: Festive set menus from £29.50 per person
Where: 330 The Power Station, SW11 8DD; 103-105 New Oxford Street, WC1A 1DB
Book now: Arcade Battersea; Arcade Tottenham Court Road
Bentley’s, Mayfair
What: Looking to host a Christmas party in Mayfair? This renowned seafood restaurant brings glamour in spades, and there really isn’t anywhere quite like Bentley’s when it comes to hosting your celebrations. These might not be the cheapest set menus in the capital, but Bentley will have you and your guests dining like kings. Tuck into the likes of shellfish bisque with brandy chantilly, followed by roasted wild sea bass paired with caviar, Champagne and salsify. Finish off your evening with something sweet, and enjoy lemon crème pot with pistachio ice cream, fresh tea and coffee and a couple of mince pies.
How much: Three courses from £95 per person
Where: 11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG
Book now: Bentley's
Carmel, Fitzrovia
What: Bringing together Mediterranean cuisine with chic interiors, glamorous Fitzrovia spot Carmel has the perfect option if you’re looking for a festive lunch. Kick off with a selection of mezze like za’atar and marinated peppers, followed by their signature shakshuka or slow-grilled miso harissa chicken. Dessert offers a lighter touch with panna cotta or mango and lime sorbet. For those looking to dine later on in the day, you’ll find alternate dinner set menus starting from £59 per person.
How much: Lunch set menu from £39 per person
Where: 7-8 Market Place, W1W 8AG
Book now: Carmel
Cinnamon Club, Westminster
What: Vivek Singh's flagship restaurant made a splash when it first opened, showcasing the essence of fine-dining in his Indian restaurant. Housed in the striking Grade-II listed Old Westminster Library, you're bound to be awed as you tuck into a three course feast. Choose from 'The Cinnamon Leaf', 'The Essence of Cinnamon', or 'The Cinnamon Christmas Feast' set menus, with appetisers for the table followed by tandoori king prawns or guinea fowl breast, followed by smoked lamb with chilli korma or pan seared salmon with dopiaza sauce. Each menu comes with bread and a selection of sharing sides for a Christmas dinner with added Indian flair.
How much: Three courses from £42 per person
Where: 30-32 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU
Book now: Cinnamon Club
Looking to start your festive feasting a bit earlier? Check out our guide to the top Christmas brunches in London.