Turkey in the oven, vegetables prepped and ready, pudding on the stove and, wait, what’s that smell? Is that smoke? Oh shit – the bird is burnt. The pudding is split. The vegetables are mush! Does cooking for your loved ones, facing the music of the washing up and spending your day tidying rather than boozing sound like your idea of hell? Then listen up.
While Christmas Day is undeniably linked with rest, and many hospitality venues and businesses opt to close and give their staff the day off, there are a few spots around the city that choose to remain open and feed the hungry diners of London who simply cannot face the prospect of turning on a hob on the day of St Nick.
It might seem incongruous with the cosy, homely Christmas scenes we’re so often fed, but there is something to be said for dressing up, leaving the house, and ignoring all the stress that comes with attempting to put on a feast for many. And that's for those who are celebrating – with a population counting a huge number of cultural backgrounds and religions, to some the 25th of December is a day not unlike any other, only without the crowds in the centre of Town.
So from classic turkey-filled feasts to towering plates of lamb chops from one of London’s best Punjabi restaurants – and whether you're save yourself a few hours' sleep and a whole lotta stress by outsourcing your Christmas lunch or simply not celebrating Christmas at all – try these on for size and thank us later.
The best restaurants open on Christmas day in London 2024
Bob Bob Ricard
Various locations
While Christmas day anywhere might feel very ‘press for champagne’ regardless, head to the restaurant where you really can press a button and have champagne delivered to you at the drop of a hat: Bob Bob Ricard. Purveyors of all things truly indulgent, Bob Bob is the perfect place to go all in on Christmas, with caviar, bubbly and lobster galore. Around the corner from the Soho location, younger sibling Bebe Bob is also open on the big day, serving up its storied rotisserie chickens alongside all the trimmings and luxuries you would expect from a Bob Bob venue.
Claridge’s Restuarant
Claridge's, Brook Street, W1K 4HR
Few venues will feel more magical on Christmas day than Claridge's. As soon as you step through the doors, you’re ensconced in a festive wonderland, where twinkling trees abound and fairy lights and pine fronds seem to bloom on every corner. The Claridge’s Restaurant dining room is even more beautiful, adorned with a festive, star-covered tree that coruscates around the room. The Christmas day menu, meanwhile, fittingly kicks things off with a glass of champagne and canapés, before moving onto five indulgent courses with dishes like Ham and duck terrine with cranberry, pistachio, orange and toasted brioche and roasted Norfolk bronze turkey with all the trimmings.
£525; claridges.co.uk
The Guinea Grill
30 Bruton Place, W1J 6NL
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For those aiming to stretch their waistlines to Father Christmas dimensions, there’s a certain restaurant in Mayfair with a storied reputation for its buckle-busting portions and well-provenanced meat. Since its founding in 1952, it’s been one of the capital’s top spots for Young’s ales and grass-fed, dry-aged beef, and it’ll be running a five-course, roast-centric menu on Christmas Day for those who can’t be fussed to do it at home. Choose from starters like prawn and crayfish cocktail or winter squash and sage soup, before tucking into turkey ballotine or carved dry-aged rump beef and a lamb cutlet with all of the fixings. Cardiologist not included.
£175; theguinea.co.uk
Colony Grill Room
8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, W1K 6TF
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Home Alone may well be McCaulay Culkin’s magnum opus and a cult Christmas film, but if you want to go all in on the Richie Rich vibes (or indeed its underappreciated sequel Richie Rich: A Christmas Wish) the Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont hotel is where it’s at. Situated smack-bang in the middle of Mayfair in Brown Hart Gardens, the Colony Grill Room channels post-war, mid-century Manhattan elegance better than anyone else, and is running a very special Christmas Day menu spanning seven sensational courses. Treat yourself to the likes of foie gras parfait with Madeira jelly; lobster and salmon ravioli with shellfish bisque; and the The Beaumont Christmas pudding in a rich-as-Croesus brandy sauce.
£300; colonygrillroom.com
Midland Grand Dining Room
St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Rd, NW1 2AR
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As far as Christmas Day venues go, it’s tough to beat the timeless grandeur of The Midland Grand Dining Room. After an extensive refurb, the restaurant and bar reopened last year with a space that takes full advantage of its historical locale and proximity to one of the country’s most iconic train stations. The art deco-style decor mingles with magical realism to create a space that seems plucked from a Poirot film: sexy, international and luxurious in a warm and accessible way. Christmas Day will see them serving a six-course menu kicking off with a glass of mulled wine on the terrace.
£225 per person; midlandgranddiningroom.co.uk
Tayyabs
83-89 Fieldgate St, E1 1JU
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
The lamb chops at Tayyabs are the stuff of legend
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
A meal at Tayyabs makes any day feel like a celebration, which makes it the perfect destination for Christmas. It’s BYO, so round up your best bottles and come to feast on the same menu it serves year-round – the city’s best lamb chops, the illegally good dry meat curry and soothing bowls of tharka dhal. For an alternative to the classic Christmas feast, you can’t get better than this.
