Words: Aobh O'Brien-Moody
December is upon us, which means that the festive season is in full swing. Make the most of everything the capital has to offer at this extra special time of year with our pick of the best things to do – from one-off collaboration dinners to ice skating.
Aqua Shard Festive Brunch
Fancy a sky-high Christmas lunch? Head to Aqua Shard for exactly that. From 10.30am-3pm enjoy the best that Aqua has to offer in terms of festive cuisine, made using only the finest quality British produce, from Lincolnshire Celeriac Velouté and Irish Beef Carpaccio to Seaweed-Crusted Stone Bass and Roasted Norfolk Turkey Parcel, with a view of the entire London skyline. There's literally nothing else like it in the capital.
Price: Three-course at £65 pp, with wine pairing at £35 pp
Shiro Sushi
A mere walk away from Liverpool Street station, and inside the newly developed Broadgate Circle, sits Shiro Sushi. Shiro cuisine is inspired by Japan’s foodie hot spots; Ginza, Shinjuku and Shibuya in Tokyo, and now in the heart of the bustling City of London, you can find fresh and flavoursome sushi and piping hot ramen. Our advice? Hit up the tasting menu, which spotlights the best of the restaurant, from prawn tempura, ao nori and chilli garlic mayonnaise to lamb cutlets, yuzu shiso marinade and spicy kimchi mayonnaise.
Where? 100 Broadgate, London EC2M 2QS
Shiro Sushi
Moët & Chandon Champagne Bar at Harrods
How better to get in the festive spirit than by raising a glass of Moët? Just in time for Christmas, the Moët & Chandon Champagne Bar at Harrods has released a new menu, featuring the recently released Grand Vintage 2016 and Grand Vintage 2016 Rosé, as well as five new Champagne cocktails (we're eying up the suitably Christmassy Champagne Crusta with cranberry, grapefruit and honeycomb), and seasonal savoury bites designed to be enjoyed with a glass or two.
When? Now open
Where? Harrods
Jason Atherton at Berners Tavern
The supremely luxurious setting of the Berners Tavern dining room, adjacent to the London Edition and with its 100 plus oil paintings hanging from the surrounding walls, plays host to Jason Atherton's popular restaurant where, in our opinion, you'll find one of the best Sunday roasts in the capital. With two options available - a two course set menu for £45, or a three course set menu for £55 - it's the easiest Sunday lunch you'll ever have, without any of the dishwashing after. Start with a rich and succulent Buccleuch Estate Beef Tartare or the Berners Tavern Roquefort Salad, and follow on with the Slow-cooked Dingley Pork Belly, Herdwick Lamb Saddle or a slab of Cornish BBQ Monkfish. Each main comes with sides upon sides, including roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, buttered sugar snaps and baby Chantenay carrots.
Room for dessert? Apple Tatin with brandy ice cream or Pecan Pie get our nod.
Where? 10 Berners St, London W1T 3NP
Dynamic Vines
Dynamic Vines, the UK’s leading importer of biodynamic wine, has recently opened its first wine shop and bar in leafy East Dulwich. The new location will champion independent winemakers, with all wines sourced from minimal intervention, sustainable vineyards, and available to take home or enjoy in the bar sans corkage fee.
When? Now open
Where? Lordship Lane, East Dulwich
Mandarin Oriental Winterhaus
Be transported to a whimsical winter wonderland in the form of the Bavarian chalet-inspired ‘Winterhaus’ at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. Against the backdrop of a crackling fireplace, guests are invited to indulge in German treats like stollen, pretzels and flammkuchen, while sipping on Krug Champagne and Munich-based NOAM beer.
When? Until 5 January 2025
Where? Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
{PAIRED} at Carousel
Ring in 2025 at stylish London foodie hotspot Carousel. A special edition of chef and DJ collaboration {PAIRED} will bring together buzzy Ibiza restaurant NUDO and Kefang-born DJ Yu Su for an electric multisensory New Year’s Eve party like no other. The experience begins with a multi-course set menu before guests migrate to Carousel's Wine Bar and next-door mezcalería, No. 23, for an exclusive after-party, soundtracked by Yu Su’s experimental and immersive dance tracks.
When? 31 December
Where? Carousel, Charlotte Street
How much? £150pp for the {PAIRED} set menu and access to the after party, £35 for the after party only
Skate at Somerset House
Somerset House’s iconic ice rink is a seasonal staple beloved by Londoners and visitors alike. Strap your skates on and glide around as you take in the sights of Somerset House’s grand Georgian architecture and 40-foot Christmas tree. There are also pop-up bars and eateries and DJ takeovers.
When? Until 12 January 2025
Where? Somerset House
How much? From £12
Moi et Toi Tower Bridge
Harneet Baweja of iconic Indian restaurant group Gunpowder has joined forces with chef-restaurateur Edward Delling Williams of Le Grand Bain in Paris to create the Tower Bridge outpost of Moi et Toi. Open until midday each day, the Paris-meets-London bakery will serve its signature pastries, including pistachio and chocolate escargot, brown butter pecan tart and fig, walnut and Parma ham danish, along with a daily selection of seasonal sandwiches.
When? Now open
Where? Tower Bridge
Hakkasan Lost in Shanghai brunch
Bid farewell to 2024 in a truly hedonistic fashion, with Hakkasan’s extravagant Lost in Shanghai brunch. Complete with DJ tracks, theatrical performers, glittering lights and decadent dishes alongside bottles of Whispering Angel and Don Julio, it’s an appropriate finale to an eventful year.
When? Saturday 21 December, Tuesday 31 December
Where? Hakkasan Hanway Place
How much? £98pp
Claridge’s 2024 Christmas tree by Sir Paul Smith
Claridge’s has unveiled its annual designer Christmas tree, which this year was created by long-time friend of the hotel, Sir Paul Smith, and will sit in the grand entrance hall of Claridge's for the festive period. The traditional 20ft Christmas tree sits in a Signature Striped barrel and is decorated with Paul Smith baubles, ribbon and over 100 bespoke birdhouses. Sir Paul has collaborated with British artist Nik Ramage, who has made a series of mechanical birdhouses, all with a playful Paul Smith twist, with roofs decorated in playing cards, postage stamps and dice, and Design studio Studiomama.
When: From 20 November 2024
Where: Claridge's, Brook St, London W1K 4HR
Hacienda 1942 Winter Terrace
With the festive season upon us, Don Julio 1942 has partnered with Rosewood London to launch an immersive terrace that will offer visitors a taste of Mexican warmth in the harsh London winter. Featuring décor inspired by the agave fields of Jalisco, the space is designed to offer a relaxing atmosphere. Guests can enjoy premium tequila cocktails along with a menu of Mexican-inspired dishes.
When? Until 10 January
Where? The Rosewood London
A Storybook Christmas at Bicester Village
Step into an idyllic fairytale Christmas as Bicester Village is transformed into a festive winter wonderland. A six-chapter story; guests will be immersed in yuletide spirit as they're guided through the village and indulge in the fantastic gifting destinations, luxurious ateliers, culinary hot-spots and seasonal pop-ups during their visit. The village is celebrating the recent openings of Creed, Byredo and ON Running, and guests can warm their cockles with an aprés-shop tipple at the Grey Goose X Farmshop Alpine Terrace.
When: Until 1 January
Where: Bicester Village
Winter Gin Garden at Ham Yard
This winter, make your way up to the fourth floor roof terrace of Soho’s Ham Yard Hotel for a cosy alfresco set up where you can sip on inventive cocktails courtesy of Sipsmith (hot negroni anyone?) and sample a selection of fire-cooked bites. With blankets, heaters and hot water bottles, this might just be the snuggest spot in Soho.
When? Until 31 December
Where? Ham Yard Hotel
How much? Tickets from £20
Macbeth
Max Webster’s idiosyncratic take on Shakespeare’s murderous tale of Macbeth sees David Tennant and Cush Jumbo take to the stage of the Harold Pinter Theatre. Their brilliant performances are expertly complemented by groundbreaking sound design by Gareth Fry and live Celtic folk music (all played through lightweight headphones provided) that fully immerse the audience in the drama.
When? Until 14 December
Where? Harold Pinter Theatre, Leicester Square
How much? Tickets from £100
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