Christmas Seasonal Eats in London

When you're spending December seeing every friend in your address book, and every man woman and child who you're even vaguely related to, then you need some serious inspiration for places to eat out. Here are our five top picks for the Christmas social whirl...

Potemkin

144 Clerkenwell Road, EC1R
As far as the Russians are concerned, the real spirit of Christmas is vodka. If you fancy a meal that feels truly festive, but is a bit different from the usual turkey 'n' trimmings, then this friendly and stylish Russian restaurant is ideal.

The meal begins with a selection of 'Zakusi' - blinis, smoked meats, cured fish, salads, or caviar. The tradition is that you don't even order your main courses until these are finished, so there's plenty of time for sampling their huge selection of vodkas. Main courses include rich Cossack stews, baked fish, and meats with rich sauces - a perfect winter-warmer in other words. Finish with filled pancakes, or more vodka cocktails in the bar. A perfect place to take your friends for a long and very merry Christmas meal.

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L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon

13-15 West Street, WC2H
If you've got somebody you want to celebrate with before you go off to your respective parents' houses, or if you just want to take your partner somewhere really special as a Christmas gift, then you might want to try the latest venture from the man once voted the greatest chef in the world.

Robuchon said that his aim here was 'simplicity', which only goes to show that top French chefs have a very different conception of simplicity to the rest of us - black marble, gleaming glass, amazing foliage and an army of obsequious staff over three floors seems to be his idea of informality. The food is, of course, out of this world, and the no-booking rule means that you'll be able to get seated, even though right now this is the hottest table in town.

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Meals at Heal's

Heal's, 196 Tottenham Court Road, W1T
This strip of Tottenham Court Road is starting to challenge the Oxford Street hegemony as the best place for Christmas shopping in London, with Fopp and Habitat leading the charge as great places to shop. And now, there's this latest venture from Oliver Peyton (Inn the Park, Wallace restaurant), which makes the Gallery restaurant at Selfridges cafe look like the cafe in Ikea.

Take a quick bite between shops, have a bit of breakfast to get you going, or settle down with your companions for a serious three-course blow-out to celebrate finally finding a gift for Mad Aunt Bertha. There's a superb choice of simple, hearty British fare, great home-baked patisserie and all-day brunches, all cooked with carefully-sourced British ingredients, and its all decorated in a kind of loopy tea-house kitsch which will be a perfect antidote to the cool design classics on sale in the rest of the store.

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The Anchor and Hope

36 The Cut, SE1
Christmas is a time for sharing. It's also a time for serious eating. If you want to combine the two, then this legendary Waterloo gastropub is probably just what you're looking for. Whole shoulders of lamb, slow-roast stuffed ducks, rabbit with snails and rice, cassoulet, Lancashire hotpot or whatever else was particularly good from their suppliers that day, all come in giant portions for three or four people to share.

The cramped informal atmosphere and amazingly well-stocked bar make this an ideal venue to get close to friends and family in a thoroughly Christmass-y way. Walk across Waterloo Bridge to get there, and you'll also enjoy that wonderfully seasonal view of London glittering under her lights.

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Babes 'n' Burgers

275 Portobello Road, W11
If you’ve got 'The Jamie Oliver Guide to Force-Feeding Your Kids Mung Beans and Pukka Wheatgerm' on your Christmas list this year, then you will probably have been horrified by all the rich, fatty food in this article. Fortunately, help is on hand from Sam and Will Sarne, who had the brilliant idea of an organic, healthy burger restaurant with a playroom – perfect for a family Christmas meal that won’t break your poor kids’ diets.

Joking aside, this place really is very clever at producing tasty, child-friendly food from lean meat, lots of veg, and low-fat sauces. Delicious fresh juices, healthy booze from the Freedon brewery, low-fat food, and a space for the kids to play in when they've left the table all add up to the most relaxing family meal possible.

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Christmas Seasonal Eats in London

Potemkin

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon

Meals at Heal's

The Anchor and Hope

Babes 'n' Burgers

Christmas Shows and Pantos in London

Christmas Theatre and Dance in London

Ice Skating in London

Festive Fun in London

Carol Services in London

Christmas Tours

Preparing for a London Christmas

Christmas Shopping in London

Unique Christmas Presents

Christmas Fairs in London

Christmas Lights in London

Christmas Drinking in London

Christmas Day Dining in London

London Hotel Offers This Christmas

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