Seasonal
Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in London
A short list of grand dining rooms that actually unlock their doors on the 25th, while the rest of London bolts the shutters.
In short: our top picks are The Ritz Restaurant, Claridge's Restaurant and The Wolseley. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Almost everywhere shuts on Christmas Day, so the handful of places that do open hold all the cards, and they charge accordingly. What you are paying for is not just turkey; it is a proper room, a pianist, and someone else doing the washing up. The grand hotel restaurants run the most polished service, but a Northern Chinese feast 33 floors up is a fine way to skip the trimmings altogether. Book months out, because these tables vanish by autumn.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Ritz Restaurant | Piccadilly | ££££ |
| Claridge's Restaurant | Mayfair | ££££ |
| The Wolseley | Piccadilly | £££ |
| Hutong | London Bridge | ££££ |
| Skylon | South Bank | £££ |
-
Editor’s choice
The Ritz Restaurant
Why we pick itExecutive chef John Williams MBE serves a six-course lunch with a live band, plus a visit from Father Christmas bearing gifts for the children.
two-Michelin-star hotel dining
-
Claridge's Restaurant
Why we pick itA lavish multi-course festive lunch in one of Mayfair's most decorated rooms, with roast Norfolk turkey, Herefordshire beef and a serious cheese trolley.
luxury hotel dining room
-
The Wolseley
Why we pick itOpen Christmas Day from 11.30am to 4.30pm for the full works: smoked salmon, turkey with the finest trimmings, pigs in blankets and pudding with brandy butter.
grand European cafe
-
Hutong
Why we pick itOn level 33 of The Shard, Hutong swaps turkey for a seasonal Chinese set menu and cocktails, with the city laid out beneath you through floor-to-ceiling glass.
Northern Chinese, skyline views
-
Skylon
Why we pick itA four-course festive menu above the Royal Festival Hall, with turkey or beef wellington and wide Thames views across to the City.
modern British brasserie
Before you book
Reserve as early as September; the marquee hotels often take a non-refundable deposit and most sell out well before December. Public transport does not run on Christmas Day, so plan a taxi or a walk and confirm exact sitting times when you book, as kitchens usually serve a single set menu across a fixed window rather than all day.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
The Ritz Restaurant is our editor's choice: Executive chef John Williams MBE serves a six-course lunch with a live band, plus a visit from Father Christmas bearing gifts for the children. The Ritz Restaurant, Claridge's Restaurant and The Wolseley lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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