The best Christmas dinner venues in London

What’s Christmas without a dinner (or three)? Not much. Step into Hawksmoors’ Queenie Watts private dining room at Wood Wharf for a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

Named after the multi-hyphenate actress-singer-pub owner (and local legend) Queenie Watts, this room is fit for royalty (or at least, some very special guests).

Take in the mahogany interiors, dark walls, low lighting, the pictures of Queenie herself, and the pièce de résistance, the dining table, where you and 20 other guests can swap gossip as easily as you can pass the salt and pepper.

Next on the menu – an amazing Christmas dinner.

High ceilings. Grand windows. Intricate floral arrangements. A table setting to rival the latest Architectural Digest spread.

Michelin-star French restaurant Galvin La Chapelle is certainly familiar with the finer things. Dine above it all (literally) from Galvin La Chapelle’s private dining room, The Gallery.

Choose from dishes like roast of chesnut stuffed pheasant, Wild Cornish halibut and a medley of puddings, tartes or crème brûlée.

The Gallery has a seating capacity of up to 16 people so it looks like this will be a more intimate affair this Christmas.

If you haven’t been in Haugen, it’s likely you’ve walked past it. If not, visit Stratford’s Endeavour Square to see the building in all its Bauhaus-inspired glory.

Inspired by the Olympic ski jumper Anders Haugen, who competed in the 1924 Winter Olympics, and a menu that’s inspired by Alpine dining, this Christmas dinner venue already has an affinity for the colder months.

Their cosy winter garden couldn’t be more inviting. Sit by the roaring fire and take your pick of fondue, cold cuts, grilled meats and strudels.

Take to the slopes – metaphorically at least, you’ll definitely still be in London.

Picture this. You and a handful of guests are through the second course of your Christmas dinner, there is a gentle lull and the sun is beginning to set over London. Oh – and you’re 37 floors above the busy London streets.

It’d be easy to say that the best thing Fenchurch has going for it is the view of the city. The food definitely does put up a fight for that spot. Think modern British dishes with a few touches of individuality – Yorkshire goose, smoked potato, and red gooseberry chutney.

It’s Christmas dinner but not like you know it.

Glasses clinking. The lively chatter amongst dinner guests. The snap, crack and pop of your Christmas cracker. And another. All against a backdrop of the city – thousands of presents light up as you celebrate another Christmas.

Up on the 38th floor of The Gherkin, you’ll find Searcys. Dine with the city at your fingertips with a selection of canapes, drinks and a festive three-course meal. As the venue can seat up to 50 people, we guess the most difficult thing would be to decide who to invite.

Suddenly, Christmas dinner is looking a whole lot better.

You’d be mistaken for thinking you’re at Grand Central Station. Alas, you’re only in King’s Cross.

German Gymnasium has a pretty cool bit of history. It’s a Grade II building but the real kicker is that it has one of two remaining laminated timber roofs in London. You’ll find German Gymnasium – and its roof smack bang between St. Pancras and King’s Cross stations.

Hire the whole venue or just the upper floor. Whatever you’re up for, take your pick of their festive delights – that’s smoked ham, seared cod fillet, strudel or a praline pot.