What are your plans for Christmas? ‘Tis officially the season to go Christmas mad.
There are two camps, you’re either all Christmassed out already, or you’re gearing up for the Christmas fun to get even bigger and better.
If you’re in the first camp, we’re <>pretty sure we’ve got the perfect selection for you to get your Christmas mojo back. And if you’re in the second camp… well, you’ll need no convincing of what we’ve got in store.
This week, we’ve got more festive reviews, from Balthazar to Sucre. But we realise one famous restaurant isn’t <>quite as magical as we were hoping for.
We’re also giving you the perfect inspiration for how to use your Christmas leftovers, with a look at the best Christmas sarnies — like a doughnut sandwich filled with crispy fried turkey breast, bacon, stuffing and a whole host of other (gluten-free) goodness.
The countdown to the big day is truly on (it’s just 14 days away if you were wondering), and we’ve got more than enough to keep you busy.
Read on for a whole range of recommendations for December 14 and 15, handpicked as always by The Slice.
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Don’t miss
1. Eat festive French food at Balthazar
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By Sophie Laughton
Considering it’s just yards from the home of the Royal Ballet, it’s quite fitting that Covent Garden’s classic French bistro, Balthazar, has had a rather balletic makeover for the Christmas season. In partnership with delicate Elderflower liqueur St Germain, their impressive display is inspired by the Nutcracker, and they have a themed menu to match.
It’s simple but effective, filled with festive crowd-pleasers like Mozzarella with grilled comice pears and truffle honey, and turkey ballotine packed with flavourful festive stuffing. There’s steamed Christmas pud on offer, but you could skip and add on the Nutcracker dessert (£12) – a crackable chocolate sphere filled with hazelnut mousse and popping candy, and served with a tiny wooden hammer (make sure to give it a good whack, I embarrassed myself with some feeble blows). With the whole menu coming in under £30, this has to be one of London’s best value festive dinners.
On the St Germain-infused drinks list you’ll find a classic Hugo Spritz or faintly sweet Spiced Margarita, but my pick is the Sugar Plum Sour: the daintiest little glass of St Germain, Cognac, creamy pear & white chocolate liqueurs and plum sake, tied with a tiny blue bow. <>Magnifique!
<>£27.50 for two courses, £29.50 for three. Nutcracker cocktails from £8. 4-6 Russell Street, Covent Garden. Book here.
2. See if Daphne’s lives up to the hype (and price)
By Courtney Pochin
It’s no secret that we eat with our eyes first, and there’s no better place to do that than at Daphne’s.The restaurant is a Chelsea institution, having just celebrated its 60th anniversary. It’s well known for its stunning conservatory space which gets a spectacular festive makeover each December – hundreds of baubles are hung from the ceiling and the room is filled with twinkling lights – it’s pure magic.
Or at least it is on Instagram (be sure to check it isn’t closed for a private event if you do visit). While the main dining room isn’t quite as magical, the food itself was presented beautifully, especially the seared scallops with Nduja and lemon butter. We sipped very strong Christmas cocktails (the O Sole Mio was a particular favourite) and enjoyed dishes of pumpkin and stracciatella risotto and roasted cod with white beans, crab and cavolo nero, with a rich olive oil potato purée.
It was all very nice, very classic and hearty Italian food, but it perhaps lacked the wow-factor I’d expect for the price.
<>Cocktails from £16, mains (secondi) from £26.50. 112 Draycott Ave, Chelsea. Book here.
3.Feast on luxurious Argentinian-inspired food at Sucre
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By Sofia Delgado
With its low lighting and stunning chandeliers, luxurious Argentinian-inspired restaurant Sucre is the perfect setting for an intimate evening. A stark contrast to Argentinians I know – alien to the concept of silence, into loud jokes, heated political debate and tight hugs to end the evening.
The service was superb and the food was, no doubt, delicious. From the new winter menu inspired by Argentina’s rustic fire-cooking techniques, we tried the sea bream tiradito and stracciatella, followed by sea bass and cauliflower with almond tahini.
Dessert felt a lot closer to home (the port & madeira poached pear reminded me of my father’s favourite). And the dulce de leche fondant is not to be missed – you’ll want to swim in it… mouth open.
<>Small plates from £14. 47b Great Marlborough Street, Soho. Book here.
London's best… Christmas sarnies
Bangers XXXmas Banger, £12.50. Gravy add on, £2.50.5 Leonard Circus, Shoreditch. Best for: a hangover brekkie.
Offering the complete Christmas leftover experience, Bangers’ Christmas sandwich special, the ‘XXXMas Banger, is the whole package. You can expect turkey, bacon and stuffing sausage loaded up with a goose-fat ‘roastie’ and other trimmings. There’s even an option to add on a gravy pot for dunking, so expect things to get real messy. Wash that all down with some mulled wine or cider, or a spiced hot chocolate for something more tame.
The Black Pig. The Sleigher 2.0, £13. Test Kitchen: 34 Ernest Avenue, West Norwood. Borough Market stall: Borough Market Kitchen, Winchester Walk, Southwark. Best for: beating the queues.
For a sandwich that will be sure to give you the drip-down-your-hand experience and will have you sorted for next day leftovers that won’t go soggy in the fridge (we’ve tested it) <>— you’ve come to the right place. Cult Borough Market fave, The Black Pig, have launched their Christmas sandwich (The Sleigher 2.0), full of a more than adequate helping of free range slow roast pork, smoked turkey, and a sage and crispy onion crumble among other trimmings. It’s available at Borough Market (9-24 December), and at their new test kitchen in West Norwood every Friday & Saturday 11.30am-3pm up until Christmas., where you can expect (slightly) shorter queues.
El Pollote x Borough 22 Doughnuts Sandwich. Christmas set menu, £35pp. Various locations. Book here. Best for: gluten-free goodness
It’s not often that celiacs can have their doughnut and eat it. It’s even rarer that the said doughnut encases crispy fried turkey breast, bacon, stuffing, cranberry and aji amarillo jam, manchego cream, and pickled cabbage between its cranberry glazed halves. This colourful creation, a festive donutwich collaboration between the gluten free doughnut makers Borough22 and El Polotte, is the Latin American Christmas dinner fusion delight we didn’t know we needed. The limited edition sweet and salty combo might sound unusual at first, but trust us, it’s oh so right.
4. Get your Belgian beer fix
Belgian beer is boldly taking over Borough Market this Christmas with Belgian’s beer of choice, Chouffe. Three bars (Boro Bistro, The Rake and Utobeer) will be welcoming excited chouffe seekers with open arms, where they’ll have specials like a cherry chouffe negroni. Plus, at Utobeer you can get a free bottle of Cherry Chouffe for every two bottles of Chouffe purchased. Happy Chouffemas!
5. Go south of the river at The Laundry
Sat on foodie paradise that is Brixton’s Coldharbour Lane is The Laundry. They’ve remixed schnitzel for Christmas, with turkey, brussel slaw and a cranberry confit, while tiramisu black forest tiramisu are just some of the items you can expect at this all day bistro. Expect festive cheer (with large groups filling up their dedicated spaces) and stay for the fabulous service.
<>The Laundry at Walton Lodge, 374 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton.
6. Take in the views this Christmas at Sky Garden
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Up on the dizzying 37th floor of the Sky Garden, the terrace outside the smart Fenchurch Restaurant has had a subtle alpine makeover, complete with fairy lights and heated seat pads (genius!). After a delectable goat’s cheese amuse bouche, it’s time for the big event: a bubbling pan of raclette cheese and grilled veggies, paired with sizeable charcuterie platter and fresh bread. Afterwards, boogie downstairs for a glittering evening of live music. It’s certainly not an experience that comes cheap (that’s £70pp with 2x glasses of mulled wine, £90pp with a glass of Champagne), but for the chance to experience Christmas in the clouds, there’s little else like it.
7. Post your letters to santa… and maybe get a free gift
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Islington Square has created their very own Christmas Sorting Office with a North Pole Postbox where kids can post their letters to Father Christmas until 23 December, and be in with the chance to win a special prize (one that might involve cookies!)
8. See dazzling art reimagining Shakespeare’s play, ‘The Winter’s Tale’
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A dazzling new art installation (4 December-late Jan) will reimagine Shakespeare’s classic play, ‘The Winter’s Tale’, unveiling a series of stunning window displays. It will mirror the play’s exploration of time, change and renewal, while blending silhouette cutouts, dramatic lighting and innovative materials.
9. Disney On Ice presents 100 Years of Wonder
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Disney On Ice 100 Years of Wonder is returning to the UK with a spectacular show for the final time. Mickey Mouse and the gang come together on a journey to discover his favorite memory of all time to a vibrant town in Colombia. Expect a magical experience full of wonder and special effects, perfect for all the family. See your favourite Disney characters spin, sparkle and come to life before your very eyes. Plus, get ready to see top-notch skating, incredible stunts and more.
<>Tickets from £18.75. Until 5 January 2025. Various locations. Book here.
10. Tuck into The Great Christmas Feast
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By Rebecca Sylvestre
You’re cordially invited to party like it’s 1843! Your debonair host for the evening, ‘Charlie’ — better known as Charles Dickens — guides you through a retelling of his timeless classic, A Christmas Carol, alongside a sumptuous three-course feast of extravagent Victorian delights.
The Great Christmas Feast sees him masterfully perform every character (well, most of them) as part of a theatrical, immersive dining experience directed by acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company director Simon Pittman. Expect flickering lights, shifting shadows, and swirling smoke as an atmospheric band accompanies Scrooge’s ghostly journey through Christmases past, present, and future. Oh, and audience participation isn’t just encouraged— in the Dickens household, it’s essential.
On the menu is what might have graced many a Victorian Christmas table: ham hock terrine with beets, chutneys, and pickles; authentic mince pies (yes, with actual meat!); and confit Gressingham duck with all the trimmings. For dessert, savour Twelfth Night cakes with plum pudding ice cream. Options for vegetarians and vegans include a Devon tart, while gluten-free diners can indulge in a decadent chocolate mousse for pudding. A Merry Christmas to us all!
The Feast, £97<>pp. The Lost Estate, 7-9 Beaumont Avenue, West Kensington. Book here.
11. The Dorchester Festive Afternoon Tea
By Courtney Pochin
It’s officially Christmas afternoon tea season! London isn’t short of fabulous festive options — from Fortnums to The Ritz — but the one at The Dorchester absolutely blew me away. It’s certainly not cheap at £125pp for the champagne afternoon tea, but it is a truly magical experience. The Promenade at the hotel has been transformed into a pink winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights and carol singers.
As for the food, there’s a delicious array of sandwiches including a classic turkey, cranberry, chestnut & pork stuffing one, spectacular cakes shaped like Christmas trees and snowflakes (the cinnamon mousse bauble is sublime) and warming winter spiced jam that pairs perfectly with the freshly baked scones. Michael Kwan, the executive pastry chef has well and truly smashed it!
If you’re feeling like going all out, add a glass of Rathfinny Estate Blanc de Noirs into the mix and try the vanilla black tea. A beautiful setting and the service here is (unsurprisingly) top notch, you’ll feel like royalty from start to finish.
<>£125pp. 38 Grosvenor St, Mayfair. Book here.
London's best… alternative Christmas meals
Firebird. Set lunch menu, £60pp. 29 Poland St, Soho. Best for: open-fire goodness. Book here.
By Kate Rice
The air is cold, the leaves are brown, and my stomach is growling. So, what’s better than a candle lit, open-fire restaurant that promises hearty food and an impressive list of natural wines and cocktails? The festive menu at female-owned Mediterranean restaurant Firebird brings with it smoky flavours and cosy vibes.
We try the halloumi and truffle starter (a totally unexpected triumph), and zingy yet warming in all the right ways grilled lamb ribs. The cocktail list remixes classics we all know and love like the Sicilian Orange Manhattan – and as a staunch bourbon hater, consider me converted. If you’re in the mood for comfort and classics, Firebird is your spot.
Kanishka. Festive lunch menu, £48pp. 17-19 Maddow St, Mayfair. Best for: Christmas Day curry inspo. Book here.
By Ross McCafferty
I’m someone who doesn’t like Christmas dinner (a fact which horrifies friends and colleagues). So I was always likely to enjoy Kanishka’s festive lunch. My friend and I split a lamb morsel starter alongside a delicious paneer dish which certainly had a warming festive feel.
Our respective mains of lamb rump with masala gravy and butter chicken also ticked every box of being a great Christmas lunch without dry turkey and overcooked veg. The most festive course was the Christmas pudding and clotted cream ice cream, the undoubted highlight.
Daddy Bao. 15 Dec. Christmas set menu, £35pp. Various locations. Best for: all the trimmings Taiwanese style. Book Daddy Bao. Book Mr Bao.
By Lola Christina Alao
Classic Christmas flavours got a fun Taiwanese twist at Tooting’s Daddy Bao this year. If you’re part of the ‘parsnips are boring club’, I want you to open your heart and give them a second chance – because at Daddy Bao, they’re fighting against the allegations, roasted in miso and glazed with hot honey.
From the delicious three bird dumplings (that’s the whole shabang – turkey, chicken and duck), to prawn toast bao with crispy kale – the always-busy Daddy Bao is a perfect mid-range treat. And when you’re all bao-ed out, don’t end the evening there… head down to their intimate basement bar Good Measure for fabulous cocktails and laid back tunes.
12. A bougie Christmas in bougie Mayfair…
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After much anticipation, and we mean much, bougie Mayfair bar Isabel has launched its Christmas cocktail list. Hurrah. Take the Frosted Gingerbread, with 06 Vodka, Baileys and gingerbread syrup, or The Christmas Royale with Tanqueray, Chambord, white chocolate cream liqueur, pomegranate and prosecco.
If their summer cocktails were anything to go by, these will be outstanding and definitely worth the trip.
13. Say yes chef at The Butcher’s Tap and Grill
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By Beatrice Aidin
Tucked behind the King’s Road, Tom Kerridge’s The Butcher’s Tap and Grill is a pub with the atmosphere of a warm hug. As the name indicates, it’s a carnival for carnivores. We dive into bone marrow with horseradish crumb, share 500g of halcyon sirloin steak on the bone along with coronation coleslaw – genius combo – and it’s all darned delicious.
During December, check out the three-bird turkey, chicken and duck burger with honey parsnips and cranberry sauce (£19.50) with £1 donated to Chelsea Pensioners. On leaving we spot Tom recording his podcast while keeping a keen eye on the kitchen. Next time, chef, I’m going in for that hug.
<>Cocktails from £17. 27 Tryon St, Chelsea. Book here.
14. Flat Iron Square’s quiz nights
Not only do Flat Iron Square’s quiz nights only cost £2 for entry, you also get a pint of beer on the house. They take place every Tuesday evening at 7:30pm, so you have plenty of opportunity to grab some of your best mates and maybe be lucky enough to win a £50 bar tab.
They also have a new deal where you can get a tasty hot meal and any mixer drink for £10, find out more on our TikTok.
15. A Very Naughty Christmas
By James Besanvalle
★★★★
Santa Claus is <>coming to town and he’s bringing a load of very naughty puns with him. Now in its eighth year, this outrageous Australian production makes its big and bawdy London debut this year. Featuring a series of skits and songs playing on seasonal classics, the 85-minute show is not for the prudish (one particular lyric mused ‘Santa wouldn’t lick my ****, so he can **** my ****’).
Picture an underwear-clad (red, of course) Santa gyrating wildly while making sack and chimney jokes, sequinned strip teases, moaning magic tricks, and one very complicated near-naked group dance. Raunchy, racy and fantastically festive.
Tickets from £19. Until 11 January 2025. Southwark Playhouse, Elephant. Book here.
London's best… Christmas markets that aren't Winter Wonderland
Mexican Christmas Market. 29 Nov-1 Dec, 11am-7pm each day. Best for: a fiesta! Book here.
Pop down to Coal Drops Yard for a celebration of Mexican Christmas traditions. With stalls offering a wide range of authentic Mexican ornaments, arts, crafts, clothing, jewellery – deciding which Christmas gifts to get for your mum, dad or friends has never been so easy. And when you get peckish fear not – stands are on hand as the perfect hunger-buster. Think sopes, tamales, churros, traditional sweet breads, and hot chocolate. Taking place across three days, expect live music and a one-of-a-kind Mexican cowboy exhibition, plus a fun dance session.
Leicester Square Christmas Market. 6 Nov-5 Jan. Leicester Square Christmas Market. Best for: ex-theatre kids. Find out more and book La Clique here.
Prepare for a truly spectacular Christmas in Leicester Square. Once you’ve had your fix of bratwurst – and you’ve stocked up on handmade gifts, sweet treats and mulled wine, even more fun awaits. The Belgian Spiegeltent hosts the Olivier Award-winning performance La Clique, which brings together cabaret, circus, comedy and burlesque. It’s a day out guaranteed to get you in the Christmas mood.
The Big Christmas Market at Riverside East. 15 Dec. Riverside East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. Best for: a big east London Christmas day out. Find out more here.
Riverside East and The Big Market are joining forces this Christmas for The Big Christmas Market. Where? It’s in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where you can find everything from vintage clothes and homeware to one-off jewellery pieces, plants, and seasonal goodies that would make the perfect gift for a loved one. Plus, a pop-up record shop, live music and vinyl DJ sets. And when you need a pit stop, get a table at Duvale’s where Chef Jamie Duvale is serving up roasts with unlimited Yorkshire puddings (booking for the roast is encouraged!).
16. Looking for places to go ice skating in London? Read on…
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It’s that time again. Time to get some skates on (whether you’re a pro or someone who likes to rely on the railings to get by).
Battersea Power Station’s Glide features a 30ft Christmas tree to gawk at while you skate. While Wimbledon Quarter’s ice rink has doubled in size this year for extra fun.
They’re also partnering with St George’s Hospital, raising funds for their ‘Time for a Change’ children’s appeal. Still want more options?
You can also skate at the beautiful Somerset House, and North London locals can skate at Skate Brent Cross On Ice. Take your pick!
17. Win a free dinner up to £1000 at Dishoom
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Jingle bells are (almost) ringing, and this festive season, Dishoom is giving diners are chance to have their Christmas made…
From 18 November to 8 December, if you’re a group of four or more, you can roll a dice for a free meal up to £1000 (there’s no catch, we promise). If you’re lucky enough to roll a six, the entire meal is on the house.
Best places to eat
18. Eat juicy burgers at new opening Buster’s
By Lola Christina Alao
I’m a big burger fan, but I’ll go for the simple option with a few key flavours over one as big as my head any day. That’s what Buster’s (taking over from Other Side Fried in Brixton) does so well. Juiciness is guaranteed here, with succulent wagyu beef patties that sit between softer than soft buttered potato rolls for three of their burgers.
Their secret ingredient is green peppercorn dijonnaise (served on both their hamburger and cheeseburger), which delivers a refreshing pop with each bite. The fried chicken kiev burger (using Other Side Fried chicken) is another must-order, packed with an unquestionably good brown butter kiev mayo.
For pudding, there’s chocolate mousse on the menu (worlds apart from sad school dinner mousses you might remember), which is sprinkled with sea salt to balance the sweetness and sat on top of a beautiful thick layer of caramel.Â
19. Champagne & Caviar: Tasting & Omakase Festive Dinner at Ukiyo Handroll Bar
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By Deborah Arthurs
Want to learn more about champagne and caviar? Well, sure — why wouldn’t you? Champagne house Telmont has teamed up with sophisticated, minimal hand-roll bar UKIYO to offer a masterclass in both.
During your guided tasting, you’ll try four types of Telmont’s sustainable champagnes, paired with the freshest omakase selection — lobster, caviar, wagyu and more — prepared by UKIYO’s chefs at the counter right before your eyes. Think gleaming Japanese knives, blow-torches and immense skill. Pure, exquisite culinary theatre — and the perfect pre-Christmas treat.
<>£120pp. 16 December, 6:30-9pm. 8 Slingsby Place, Covent Garden. Book here.
20. Try Bangkok haute cuisine at Koyn Thai
By Sophie Laughton
My best friend is half Thai, and her picks for authentic dinners out usually include cosy home-style joints for huge bowls of pad thai and green curries so spicy they leave me in tears (tasty though). Koyn Thai is a bit different. Lit by flames from the open kitchen, Koyn Thai brings Bangkok haute cuisine to an ultra-sleek Mayfair basement. This is somewhere to take people to <>impress them, be it your intimidating in-laws or the friend you’re trying really hard to prove to that you’re a foodie now.
And impressive it is. There’s a brilliant Kra Paow Gai — arguably Thailand’s real national dish — but their food is strongest when they stray away from the classics into more inventive territory: garlic escargots in verdant green curry and enormous, plump prawns liberally coated in ‘holy’ Thai basil so excellent my friend branded them ‘life-changing’. Their festive feasting menu is a selection of their most special dishes, rounded off by their refreshing take on mango sticky rice. Just make sure you leave enough room.
<>Small plates from £12, mains from £17.50. Festive menus from £75pp. 38 Grosvenor St, Mayfair. Book here.
21. Eat sexy Greek small plates at Bottarga
By Lola Christina Alao
Greek small plates couldn’t get any sexier at new spot Bottarga, Zephyr’s ‘younger and more casual’ sibling. Peel back the curtain and walk straight into sultry dim lighting, with paintings on the wall you’d see at an art pop-up in Shoreditch, and elegant stainless steel serving plates on the tables. Bottarga is the newest ‘it girl’ and she knows it.
And the food? Our all-round-good-vibes waiter, Luis, tells us bookings are full up until January – that says it all. The spicy feta and red pepper and tzatziki dips are must-tries: showstopping enough to eat by the spoon, but even better piled on a hunk of their soft, pillowy flatbread.
Still hungry? Order the Caesar salad – which comes hiding coquetteishly under a mound of cheese – and melt-off-the bone tender lamb chops. This is the kind of place you’ll dream about.
<>Mezze from £3.50. 383 King’s Rd, Chelsea. Book here.
22. Help tackle homelessness by eating at one of 600+ restaurants
4,118. That’s the number of people recorded as rough sleepers in London between January and March 2024.
But by donating £1 when you eat at one of the 600+ restaurants (including Lina Stores and Quaglino’s) taking part in StreetSmart’s scheme to tackle homelessness, you’d be making a huge difference.
23. Experience opulence at Savoy Grill
By Rob Buckhaven
Winston Churchill, Oscar Wilde, HM Queen Elizabeth. I’m not just naming English historical names for the sake of it, these are some of the guests of The Savoy Grill. Now, my name, and yours can be added to that glitzy list because The Savoy Grill is running a festive menu from now until 3 January.
Yes, we can all get a slice of Gordon Ramsay at the top of his game (food pun), from starters including braised rabbit croquette, to the decadently unctuous seabream in béarnaise sauce main (which sticks to your ribs, in a good way), and of course their signature Beef Wellington – a tranche of melt-in-bouche beef fillet encased in a super tasty duxelles and flaky, buttery golden pastry.
Don’t panic though, the Swarovski crystal chandelier and Winston’s favourite clock are still in situ after the renovation. And the restaurant director, Thierry Tomasin, might just be the most passionate and charming man in London.
<>2 courses for £59, 3 courses for £65. Available Monday – Friday 12pm to 5:45pm. The Savoy, The Strand. Book here.
24. Get served a beautiful selection of sushi at Sticks’n’Sushi’s new openings
By Lola Christina Alao
Sticks’n’Sushi’s set menus take out half the stress of making those all important decisions (deciding what to order). Their newly launched Set For Success set menu is a deliciously satisfying sharer that received plenty of wide-eyed looks from the diners next to us each time a new plate landed at our table (I’d probably have the same reaction).
But the flavours delivered too, the often uninteresting broccoli is transformed into a nutty, subtly sweet side sprinkled with sesame seeds and sat in a soy-based sauce. Each bite of the tender beef tataki brought with it a fun pop from the artichoke crisp topping. Dessert was another standout, a smart reinvention of a crème brûlée topped with a healthy helping of black sesame crumble. Afterwards, stay for another drink at the bar, or simply take in the minimalist, sophisticated feel at Sticks’n’Sushi’s new Islington branch.
<>Set For Success set menu, £95. Various locations. Book here.
<>Sticks’n’Sushi also opened in Battersea last month, just outside the South Entrance of the Power Station. It has an open plan dining room, kitchen counter, lounge and bar — and outdoor terrace perfect for when summer rolls around again.
London's best melted cheese feasts
Fire & Fromage. £35pp. Best for: raclette fiends. Book here<>.
What’s better than dipping things in cheese? Pouring cheese on top of things. South Bank’s ever-popular seasonal pop-up, Jimmy’s has brought back its unlimited raclette menu, sliding sizzling slices of molten Raclette cheese (they get it directly from Switzerland) on top of your personal pile of garlic butter-basted new potatoes, charcuterie and crusty bread. Wrap up warm, and leave room for nutella-stuffed mini doughnuts for dessert.
Vagabond Wines. From £20pp. Best for: bougie dunking. Book here.
Nothing says Christmas like dunking pigs in blankets in a vat of melted cheese, as part of Vagabond’s winter fondue sharer option. Throw some crispy baguette, potatoes, and wine into the mix and you’re on to a real good time. The hearty meal is accompanied by a white wine pairing — Prosecco or Rioja — both are refreshingly crisp and perfect. Though not the cheapest feast you’ll eat (note the pigs in blankets are extra), you’ll leave feeling full and festive AF.
The Cheese Barge. From £32pp. Best for: cheese with a twist. Book here.
Permanently moored in Paddington Basin, this 96ft double-decker vessel is a floating palace of cheese, serving everything from Cornish cheddar to curried cheese curds. Thursdays are Fondue night, involving two house fondues and plenty of delectable dippables. This month they’re teaming up with London’s oldest cheesemongers, Paxton & Whitfield, for a special version of the traditional Swiss Moite-Moite (half and half) style of the gooey stuff. <>Fondue available every Thursday until March.
25. Eat at Battersea’s newest curry house Tamila
By Kitty Chrisp
Run by ex-roti King chef Prince Durairaj and Glen Leeson, Tamila is Battersea’s newest, and arguably best, curry house. Sister to Islington’s celebrated The Tamil Prince, this dimly-lit spice heaven is perfect for a date night. The buttery paneer puts even modern curry king Dishoom to shame, while the tandoori chicken is a seasoning sensation.
Don’t expect a huge bowl of bright pink British curry on a bed of mushy rice, but instead sumptuous small plates to share that pack a tasty punch, putting a welcome twist on Indian dining. You must – I repeat, must – try the Gunpowder Margarita, too. It’s the best I’ve ever had (and I’ve had many).
Expect friendly staff – thank you Josephine – and good vibes only. Plates from £10 each, with a few recommended per person. It’s not super cheap, but damn, it’s tasty.
<>39 Northcote Road, Clapham Junction. Book here.
Where to go for a drink
26. Bloomsbury Club Bar
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By Josie Copson
Christmas shopping on Oxford Street? Escape the havoc by dodging around the corner to the Bloomsbury Hotel. Here you’ll find a relaxed underground establishment that oozes class: wood-panelled walls, forest green seating, abstract artwork, and shelves filled with the kind of booze your mum only pulls out at Christmas (if then).
As couples steal kisses while reflecting quietly on their week, a soulful jazz band adds to the intimate, speakeasy ambiance. More often than not, you’ll find some of London’s most talented and upcoming musicians jamming out in the intimate setting (check the schedule here), providing the perfect soundtrack to date night. ‘We’ll sound better the more you drink,’ the saxophonist joked. With a quirky menu of Egyptian-themed cocktails to sample, that’s not a hard ask (my pick was the crisp ‘Ka’, with mezcal, pineapple and coconut).
<>Cocktails from £17. 16-22 Great Russell St, Bloomsbury. Book here.
27. Drink at eccentric wine bar Quill
By Sophie Laughton
Borough Market is easily one of my favourite places in London, and I don’t go there nearly often enough. That might change now Quill has opened its doors, as this eccentric little wine bar, complete with dramatic chandeliers and spiral staircase, makes for the perfect after-work haunt.
The latest feather in the cap of whimsically-named Fables & Company, Quill is the literary little sibling of Covent Garden’s quirky Plume and Brixton’s pocket-sized Finch. Its very generous by-the-glass wine list, even more generous bar snacks and unorthodox cocktails (try the punchy, jet-black Inkwell) are enough to get the creative juices flowing. But if you’re not so poetically-inclined, Southbank’s poet-for-hire Luke Erasmus is on hand to bash out a personalised ditty on his typewriter, just for you.
But when it’s this cold, you’re probably most interested in wine that’s been mulled. Quill does that very well too, thanks to the inclusion of a surprise ingredient that I was sadly sworn to secrecy on. Get your fill of the hot stuff on their festive bar trail, as you top up your Mulled Wine Tavern tankard on a merry jaunt from Plume in Covent Garden to Borough Market (or vice versa) with a pitstop at The Mulled Wine Tavern in Southbank Centre Food Market.
<>Wine by the glass from £8, sharing snacks from £7. Mulled Wine Trail Tankard £30. 1 Bank End, Borough Market. Book here.
28. Drink cocktails in a fantastic pirate bar
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By Sophie Laughton
A pirate ship-themed bar round the back of Regent Street <>should be deeply naff. Except with Gabriele de-Vere, the industry veteran behind openings like Sketch and Mr Foggs, at the helm, it’s a work of pure genius – with some seriously delicious rum cocktails to boot.
Rhum Tavern is Gabriele’s passion project, and you can tell: every detail has been meticulously planned, perfected and executed to a level that would make the set designer of <>Pirates of the Caribbean blush. Dead Men Tell No Tales’, a macabre version of a Porn Star Martini, is served in a startlingly realistic skull (I believe there was a 3D printer involved).
Meanwhile inspired lighting – which filters through wooden grates overhead – gives the exact feeling of being hunkered below deck in a 16th century galleon. Except instead of miserable sailors rations, you’re quaffing the crispest daiquiris while eyeing up the 400-bottle strong rum list, and feasting on cubes of Robata-grilled salt beef (apparently this was all the rage on the high seas in the 1700s). Maybe it’s the pirate life for me after all…
<>Cocktails from £10. 48 Margaret St, Marylebone. Book here.
What’s on
29. See immersive art installations at The V&A
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Each year, the V&A commissions a designer to create a Christmas installation for the museum. This year sees artist and designer bring her bold and playful aesthetic to life through set design and immersive installations.
With art rooted in pop culture and the concept of the ‘readymade’, expect plenty of unusual objects and textures at this free exhibition. Find out more here. Until Sunday 5 January 2025.
30. Sixes Social Cricket
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It’s that time of year again: when you have to frantically book adult entertainment for your annual Christmas catch-up with your old sports team/uni mates/knitting club. Try Sixes Social Cricket, which conveniently has just opened a new branch in easy-to-get-to London Bridge. The concept is virtual golf meets cricket, but far more fun.
Each batting net has an adjoining area for your game where you can sledge your friend who is at the crease while enjoying a drink. The trademark food offering for pre-or-post match sustenance is the ‘Botham Burger’, named after the legendary England all-rounder. And the smashed patty lives up to his ‘Beefy’ moniker, with the burger and chips more than a match for any of the Instagram-friendly street food vendors at nearby Borough Market. As far as Christmas get togethers go, this one’s a big hitter…
<>Off peak tickets £10pp; Peak £15.50pp. 50 Bermondsey St, London Bridge. Book here.
31. Experience the 80s in photos
A new 80s-tastic exhibition has landed at Tate Britain looking at everything from documentary images of anti-racist protests in east London to an exploration of the aggressive, competitive nature of office life.
The 80s: Photographing Britain runs at Tate Britain from 21 November 2024-5 May 2025. Book here.
32. Watch emotive theatre show Hadestown
By Jeremy Ullmann
Telling the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice through American folk and New Orleans jazz is a hell of a premise — and fortunately, Hadestown delivers the idea faultlessly. The collective scenes are so devilishly good, while the music is both catchy and emotional. You’re expertly guided through the metaphorical storytelling by Hermes (Melanie La Barrie), and the theatre design is so masterfully utilised that it becomes a character in itself – the gasps as the stage transitions from earth to Hadestown’s underworld said it all.
Hadestown is a spectacular, otherworldly achievement. A Word to the Wise: you haven’t seen anything like this before.
<>Hadestown is booking to 28 Sept 2025 at the Lyric Theatre. Tickets from £20. Book here.
33. Fly your own starship at Bridge Command
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By Martina Andretta
Vauxhall is hiding a truly out-of-this-world experience underneath its railway arches. Bridge Command, an extraterrestrial immersive show, takes place in a meticulously crafted starship. The set alone makes the visit worth it – forget about VR headsets and stuffy rooms. As soon as you step in, you will be handed a uniform and asked to choose a role. Will you be in charge of navigation? Or will you look after the engines?
From dodging asteroids to battling against space pirates, every decision you and your crew make will shape the outcome of your mission. Things will go wrong, but the actors will be at hand to help you. The experience lasts roughly two hours, depending on your choices. And be careful – they will carry over to future visits.
Whether you’re a die-hard sci-fi fan, a seasoned gamer, or simply looking for a unique night out, Bridge Command is for you.
<>Bridge Command is at 63 Albert Embankment, London, Vauxhall, SE1 7TP. Tickets start at £40. Book here.
34. Enter the Bat Cave at Batman Unmasked (ENDING SOON)
By Sophie Laughton
The Bat is back. At least, all his cloaks, gizmos and gadgets are. In honour of the caped crusader’s 85th birthday, a new exhibition has landed in London’s Covent Garden that will delight Batfans from every generation. Beginning in Wayne Manor, journey through a brilliant series of themed rooms, each packed with a huge selection of original props, costumes and memorabilia from all the major movie adaptations.
Highlights include Uma Therman’s dazzling Poison Ivy costume, Heath Ledger’s legendary nurse outfit and clown mask as the Joker, the Batmobile from 2022’s gritty <>The Batman (parked fittingly in a smoke filled garage), and a tiny cowl from <>The LEGO Batman Movie.
Not a film buff? Get the full Gotham experience walking through eerie immersive rooms or hit up the interactive gaming room to race a Scalextric Batmobile or rescue your pals from a burning building. But you best be quick – the Batman won’t be staying for long…
<>Tickets £21. Until 30 December. 45 Wellington St, Covent Garden. <>Book here.
35. Watch a theatre show all about being single with Why Am I So Single? at the Garrick Theatre
By Lola Christina Alao
Why Am I So Single is a silly, fun exploration of a heartwarming friendship between two (very single) best friends. The show delves into the nuances of modern life through big songs, like ‘Meet Market’ about the mostly weird and not very often wonderful world of tinder and hinge, where they poke fun at all the generic prompts by men — like ‘I like good coffee and good company’ and ‘south London born and bred’.
It makes its target audience very clear with references that you’d only understand if you’re a zillennial (people born three years before the end of the millennial generation or three years into Gen Z) – ‘who even uses Facebook anymore? It’s all about vine!’. Through all the humour though, they give an incredibly vulnerable performance that explores themes of grief, trauma, class and belonging.
<>Tickets from £20. Until Thursday 13 February 2025, Garrick Theatre, Charing Cross Road. Book here.
<>See you next week!