If the idea of another roast turkey leaves you cold, London offers no shortage of festive menus that take a more imaginative route through December. From gold-dusted lobster and Christmas pizza to Indian, Japanese and Chinese-inspired celebrations, these alternative menus swap tradition for flavour, fun and a sense of occasion.
Noodle and Beer, Chinatown and Spitalfields
For something unapologetically indulgent, Noodle and Beer’s festive sharing lobster makes a dramatic centrepiece. A whole freshly prepared lobster, finished with a festive golden shimmer, is served with handmade blanket noodles and rich house sauce. Priced at £99 for a 1.1kg lobster serving up to four people, it is available to preorder from December 4. Cocktails lean into Chinese flavours, with options such as the Forbidden Pear Martini and Puer Whisky Highball rounding things out nicely.
Doughnation, Covent Garden
Doughnation’s Turkey Cranberry Feast pizza brings roast dinner flavours to a soft dough base, topped with turkey, chipolata sausage, cranberry, rocket and a side of gravy for dipping. The pizza is priced at £18 and available daily from November 3. For groups, the bottomless festive deal offers unlimited pizza and Jingle Bell Spritz pitchers for £45 per person, served indoors or on the heated winter terrace overlooking the Covent Garden piazza.
Xi Home Dumplings Bay, East London
Xi Home Dumplings Bay offers a festive menu inspired by Northeastern Chinese home-style cooking, rooted in founder Wenjun’s childhood holiday food. Available from December 24, specials include deep-fried shredded radish balls, prawn and fish roe wontons with chilli oil, and a standout clay pot braised beef short ribs dish with tomato and sweet cabbage, rich, bright, slow-braised comfort with a winter-stew soul. Dessert is an osmanthus-stewed pear paired with osmanthus cream cheese and jelly, floral, gentle, and very much a change from brandy custard.
KIBOU, Battersea
KIBOU makes a strong case for swapping Christmas roast for Japanese sharing menus, seasonal specials and party platters. From November 17 to December 31, the Classic Sharing Menu starts from £35pp for groups of four or more, while the more indulgent Tokyo Menu is £75pp and includes dishes like yuzu miso salmon and wagyu crisp. If you prefer à la carte, there are festive chef’s specials and one-off sushi rolls throughout the season, plus made-to-order party platters for home or office celebrations.
Farzi, Haymarket
Farzi’s Taste of Farzi is a modern Indian festive menu with plenty of theatre and bold flavour. Two courses are £38.95pp, or £43.90pp including dessert. Expect dishes like duck khurchan cornetto, Tangra chicken, lobster and seafood seekh kebab, and mains such as chicken tikka masala, fish gulzar with tomato masala and dried shrimp chutney, or kosha mangsho mutton curry, served with dal makhni, butter naan, forest berry pulao rice and raita. Desserts include an Xmas brownie with grilled marshmallow or a warming fig and ginger pudding.
Namaste Village and Namaste at OMNOM
Namaste Village and Namaste at OMNOM offer a festive vegetarian and vegan alternative that feels both comforting and celebratory. Guests can order à la carte or opt for a five-course festive menu priced at £35.95 pp. Expect dishes such as galawati-style kebabs, spiced pumpkin and carrot soup, Christmas masala dosa, red velvet naan and carrot halwa with brandy butter, available across multiple UK locations.
HERA, Stratford
HERA’s Christmas offering takes a Hellenic route through the season with a set menu that leans into Mediterranean warmth. Look out for dishes such as feta saganaki, grilled sea bass, truffle ravioli and galaktoboureko to finish. Three courses are £45 when dining Monday to Thursday, 11am to 3pm, with a £55 menu option including a glass of prosecco on arrival. A £65 menu adds extras like orzo porcini, black seafood spaghetti and lamb shoulder, for those who want to go bigger.
Roketsu, Marylebone
Roketsu is the premium option on this list, for when you want Christmas to feel like a proper occasion, not just a dinner booking. Its festive menu is a six-course kappo-style experience priced at £150pp, running up until Christmas. Dishes include yellowtail yuzu and scallop ume, foie gras miso monaka, crab chawanmushi, seasonal tempura, sushi, red miso soup, and a grill course with options such as Iberico pork, guinea fowl, roast duck, white fish, pumpkin, with wagyu available as a supplement. Desserts include matcha Basque cheesecake or a truffle chocolate trio, with pairing options also available.
KOKUM, East Dulwich
KOKUM’s £50pp festive feast blends Indian flavours with seasonal flair. The sharing-style menu includes crab tikki, achari turkey tikka, ossobuco laal maas or banarasi kofta curry, served with Brussels sprouts stir fry, dal tadka and rice. Dessert is a chocolate fondant paired with saffron and cardamom kulfi, with a dedicated Christmas cocktail menu adding extra festive cheer.
HUŌ, Belsize Village
HUŌ is for anyone who wants to replace the roast with a full-on Asian feast. The festive set menu is £95pp for lunch or dinner, and starts with a sharing platter of vegetable spring rolls, peppercorn salted prawns, chicken gyoza, and asparagus with black bean, chilli and ginger. Mains offer big crowd-pleasers, Thai green curry, sweet and sour battered chicken, pork or prawns, seabass fillet with Thai spices or ginger, all served with Chinese mixed vegetables and your choice of egg fried rice or steamed jasmine rice. Optional additions include quarter crispy aromatic duck or pad Thai, desserts come as a sharing selection including yuzu cheesecake, chocolate fondant and mochi ice cream.
Chook Chook, Putney
Chook Chook keeps things generous and approachable with a three-course Christmas menu priced at £40 per person. Diners can expect curry leaf prawns, duck vindaloo and pistachio kulfi, alongside house black daal, naan and pilau rice. Festive cocktails such as the Cranberry Margarita and Spiced Colada round out a cosy neighbourhood option for December dining.