Turkey shmurkey: London restaurants serve up global twists on the Christmas feast

This December, several London restaurants are serving festive menus that move away from the traditional roast dinner, instead showcasing diverse global cuisines. From Indian-inspired feasts to Japanese fine dining, pizza and Chinese comfort food, these establishments are providing alternative ways for Londoners to celebrate the season.

For South Asian indulgence in the heart of town, modern Indian restaurant Farzi in Haymarket is serving a two-course Taste of Farzi selection for £38.95, incorporating Duck Khurchan Cornetto and Kosha Mangsho, among others. Desserts include Fig & Ginger Pudding and a Christmas Brownie with grilled marshmallows. For an option away from the hustle and bustle, Kokum in East Dulwich presents a £50 menu of dishes like Achari Turkey Tikka and Ossobuco Laal Maas, served with Brussels sprouts stir-fry and saffron-cardamom kulfi. Namaste Village, with locations in Twickenham and Islington, has also introduced a vegetarian and vegan Indian holiday feast, available for £35.95 a head. The five-course selection includes Galawati Kebabs, Christmas Masala Dosa and Carrot Halwa with Brandy Butter, aiming to showcase “the truest flavours of India for a season of warmth and togetherness”. If Twickenham is a bit too far west, Putney’s Chook Chook has also created a £40 Indian Christmas menu featuring Duck Vindalo and Curry Leaf Prawns, accompanied by sides and festive cocktails like their Cranberry Margarita and a Spiced Colada. 

In Covent Garden, pizza champions Doughnation are serving a Turkey Cranberry Feast pizza, topped with turkey, chipolata sausage, cranberry and rocket, and accompanied by a gravy dipping sauce. Priced at £18, it’s available daily, and there’s a bottomless pizza and cocktail deal – including unlimited special pizzas and Jingle Bell Spritz pitchers – for £45 per person. 

Further east – both in culinary terms and on the tube – Xi Home Dumplings Bay (near Liverpool Street) is introducing four seasonal specials inspired by Northeastern Chinese home cooking, available from 24^th December: deep-fried shredded radish balls, prawn and fish roe wontons with chilli oil, Clay Pot Braised Beef Short Ribs with tomato and sweet cabbage, and Osmanthus-stewed Pear, poetically inspired by the iced fruits left outside to freeze during Northeastern winters. Meanwhile, Chinese restaurant Noodle and Beer (with branches in Chinatown and Spitalfields) is rolling out a £99 sharing special lobster, at 1.1kg, served with handmade noodles and house sauce and designed to feed up to four, alongside accompaniments like courgette fries and brown sticky rice cakes. Huǒ in Belsize Village has also launched a £95 Asian set menu with Thai Green Curry, Sweet and Sour Chicken and Yuzu Cheesecake, as well as optional additions such as Crispy Aromatic Duck.

Continuing in the south east of the city, Japanese restaurant Kibou in Battersea is offering holiday platters selections, starting at £35, with sushi for home celebrations also available. The more indulgent Tokyo Menu (£75) features options like Yuzu Miso Salmon and Wagyu Crisp. Marylebone’s Roketsu brings a six-course kappo-style Japanese banquet for £150 per person that foregrounds delicacies like Yellowtail Yuzu, Foie Gras Miso Monaka and Iberico Pork, plus optional wine and sake pairings ranging from £70 to £200.

This plethora of treats reflects the range of cultures and tastes in the proudly diverse British capital, and demonstrates the growing trend among London restaurants to provide festive alternatives. Bon appetit!

Food Desk

To book a table at any of these restaurants, visit their individual websites in the text above.