Best Places to Eat and Drink in London This Christmas 2025

Best Places to Eat and Drink in London This Christmas 2025

For foodies, there’s no better time to be in London than at Christmas. Whether it’s roast dinners in a classic British pub or festive afternoon teas, London’s Christmas food scene is worth savouring, and St. Pancras International is your gateway to it all.
From here, you’re just minutes away from some of the city’s most talked-about tables and local favourites. Across London, the best restaurants, bars and markets transform their menus for the season, and this guide will help you eat and drink your way through them all.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

• Christmas food and drink at St. Pancras International
• Where to have a traditional Christmas dinner in London 2025
• Christmas pop-ups you can’t miss in London in 2025
• Christmas food shopping in London 2025
• How to spend 24 hours eating in London at Christmas
• Best festive coffee shops in London at Christmas
• Twelve Pubs of Christmas pub crawl: London 2025 edition

Christmas food and drink at St Pancras International

When it comes to festive dining, you don’t need to go far. St Pancras International is one of London’s most exciting Christmas food destinations in 2025. With our elegant champagne bar, lively markets and canal-side roasts, here’s where we (the Highspeed team) head when we’re hungry.

Drinks at Searcy’s

There’s no better way to start your London Christmas trip than with a glass of champagne overlooking our 2025 Christmas Tree. This year, we’ve collaborated with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity to create a 12-metre installation, inspired by the hopes and dreams of seriously ill children. From Searcys, Europe’s longest Champagne bar, you’ll have one of the very best views of its hand-painted baubles and the ballerina spinning at the top.

Why we love it: Chic without feeling formal, perfect for a post-train tipple.

Getting there: Inside St. Pancras International station on The Grand Terrace. Check out the station map.

Book a table: At their famous champagne bar via the Searcys website.

Breakfast at The Breakfast Club

Within The Arcade at St. Pancras International you’ll find The Breakfast Club, a cosy, American diner-esque cafe. Their breakfast menu includes classics like eggs benedict, stacked pancakes, and a full English breakfast: ideal before a day exploring London’s Christmas attractions.

Why we love it: A menu filled with breakfast classics to keep you full all day, plus great coffee!

Getting there: Inside St. Pancras International station in The Arcade. Check out the station map.

Book a table: No booking required, just turn up.

Christmas lunch at The Betjeman Arms

Tucked inside St. Pancras International with views of the Eurostar platforms, The Betjeman Arms is a festive favourite for classic British comfort food. Their menu features hearty roasts, winter pies, and seasonal specials, best enjoyed with a pint of their own Betjeman Ale. With its warm atmosphere and historic setting beneath the station’s iconic roof, it’s the perfect spot to pause between Christmas shopping or sightseeing.

Why we love it: A cosy British pub feel with great food, local ale, and unbeatable people-watching.

Getting there: Upstairs on The Grand Terrace inside St. Pancras International. Check out the station map.

Book a table: Recommended for lunch during the festive season via The Betjeman Arms website.

Christmas dinner at St. Pancras Bar & Brasserie

Step into the grandeur of St. Pancras International and celebrate the season in style at St. Pancras Bar & Brasserie. Set beneath the station’s iconic roof, the brasserie offers a Festive Set Menu (£45 per guest) featuring classics like roast turkey with all the trimmings, Cornish cod in a cannellini bean stew, and their signature Christmas pudding with brandy sauce.

Why we love it: A timeless festive setting with refined comfort food and impeccable service.

Getting there: Inside St. Pancras International on The Grand Terrace. Check out the station map.

Book a table: Advance booking recommended via the St. Pancras Bar & Brasserie website.

Where to have a traditional Christmas dinner in London 2025

There’s nothing quite like a traditional British roast dinner at Christmas. Crispy potatoes, rich gravy, and all the trimmings that make the season what it is. London’s restaurants and pubs take the ritual seriously, transforming December into a city-wide celebration of classic roasts done right.

Whether you’re after a five-star feast or a simple pub lunch by the fire, Christmas dinner in London 2025 promises plenty of festive atmosphere. Here are our top picks for an authentic British roast: all easy to reach from St Pancras International.

1. The Betjeman Arms, St Pancras International

For a classic Christmas dinner, head to The Betjeman Arms. Their festive menu includes roast turkey, pigs in blankets, and indulgent puddings, all served in a charming, railway-inspired pub setting. It’s casual, cosy, and perfect for watching the bustle of St. Pancras beneath the Victorian arches.

Getting there: St. Pancras International Station, N1C

Book a table: On the dedicated Christmas page on The Betjeman Arms website.

Highspeed tip: Ask for a seat in the heated outdoor area of the Grand Terrace, overlooking the Eurostar platform.

2. The Ivy, Granary Square

Just a six minutes’ walk from St. Pancras International, The Ivy Granary Square serves hearty food in a lively setting, delivering everything you want from a London Christmas dinner. Overlooking the fountains of Granary Square, it’s London tradition at its best: you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Christmas film.

Getting there: 1 Granary Square, N1C

Book a table: Through The Ivy website.

Highspeed tip: In December, bring the kids along to The Ivy’s Naughty Elves Breakfast events for letter writing to the North Pole.

3. The Hansom, St. Pancras London Autograph Collection Hotel

Set inside one of London’s most iconic buildings, The Hansom offers a modern British Christmas menu served in its striking glass-roofed bar. Think roast Norfolk turkey, honey-glazed parsnips, and warming mulled cocktails beneath. Ideal for couples, small groups or solo travellers who want to soak up the hotel’s grandeur.

Getting there: 20 Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4SX

Book a table: On the Hansom website.

Highspeed tip: At the time of writing this guide, their cheeseboard is supplied by Neal’s Yard Dairy (Britain’s most famous artisan cheesemakers).

4. The Old Bank of England, Fleet Street

For a traditional British Christmas dinner in London 2025, few pubs can top The Old Bank of England. Set in a grand Victorian building once home to the nation’s gold reserves, it serves a hearty Christmas menu of roast turkey, beef, or nut Wellington with all the trimmings. Light garlands and polished brass give it plenty of festive charm.

Why we love it: Traditional pub atmosphere with generous portions and good veggie options.

Getting there: 194 Fleet Street, EC4A

Book a table: On the Old Bank of England website.

Highspeed tip: Why not pair your meal with a visit to the National Theatre? Its Christmas programme includes British classics like Ballet Shoes, and it’s only a short walk over Blackfriars Bridge to get there.

5. The Dining Room at The Goring, Belgravia

For a truly memorable Christmas Day lunch in London 2025, The Goring offers a full five-course festive menu served in a Michelin-starred setting. Expect smoked salmon and a showstopping Christmas pudding finale. It’s a splurge, but the service and setting make it worth every penny.

Getting there: 15 Beeston Place, SW1W

Book a table: Tables sell out fast, so be sure to book ahead on The Goring website.

Highspeed tip: The Goring also offers a festive afternoon tea menu.

Christmas pop-ups you can’t miss in London 2025

London’s festive season is made for food lovers, and some of the most memorable meals happen at pop-ups. We’ve gathered a mix of one-off dining experiences and independent vendors selling everything from fondue to gingerbread, so you can spend less time planning and more time eating.

Après Bar, London Bridge Rooftop

From 15 November 2025, London Bridge Rooftop transforms into a chalet-inspired après bar, complete with gondola seating, vintage alpine memorabilia, and views of The Shard. Expect themed cocktails, mulled wine, hearty brunches, and weekend DJ sets under heated pergolas.

Getting there: Colechurch House, SE1 (9 minutes by Northern Line from King’s Cross St. Pancras to London Bridge).

Book a table: On the London Bridge Rooftop website.

Highspeed tip: Reserve one of the cable car booths for the full après-ski experience.

Jimmy’s Pop-Ups 2025

The Chalet, Somerset House

Returning for Christmas 2025, this cosy, wood-panelled pop-up by Jimmy Garcia sits tucked away in the West Wing of Somerset House, just steps from the famous skating rink. Inside, think faux furs, candlelight, spiced hot chocolates and truffle fries.

Getting there: Somerset House, Strand, WC2R (10 minutes by Piccadilly Line from King’s Cross St. Pancras to Covent Garden, then walk).

Book a table: Through the Jimmy’s Pop-Up website.

Highspeed tip: It’s the perfect reward after a session on the ice at Skate Somerset House.

Fire and Fromage, Southbank

From 29 October 2025, Jimmy Garcia’s Fire and Fromage brings alpine indulgence to the Southbank. Think molten fondue, raclette burgers, schnitzel, cosied up with blankets round the fire pit.

Getting there: The Queen’s Walk, SE1 (12 minutes by Northern Line from King’s Cross St Pancras to Waterloo).

Book a table: Through the Jimmy’s Pop-Up website.

Highspeed tip: Afterwards, why not walk along the river to the Southbank Winter Market for dessert?

1864 Rooftop Bar, Oxford Street

Head to the sixth floor of John Lewis Oxford Street from 14 November 2025, where 1864 Rooftop Bar gets a festive makeover. Cosy igloos seat up to eight guests, complete with blankets, sharing boards, and themed cocktails.

Getting there: 300 Oxford Street, W1C (5 minutes by Victoria Line from King’s Cross St. Pancras to Oxford Circus).

Book a table: On the 1864 website.

Highspeed tip: Their chocolate orange martini is a perfect nightcap after an afternoon of Christmas shopping at St. Pancras.

Christmas food shopping in London 2025

London is a dream destination for Christmas food shopping. Perhaps you’re hoping to stock up your cupboards ahead of the festive season, or find an indulgent hamper full of locally made treats. Start at St Pancras International, where you can pick up luxury gifts before venturing out to explore London’s most iconic gourmet spots, including legendary food halls and Christmas markets.

Fortnum and Mason, St. Pancras International

The Fortnum and Mason shop inside St. Pancras International brings the best of Piccadilly to travellers on the go. You’ll find everything from mini hampers and artisan preserves to their famous teas and biscuits, beautifully packaged and easy to take home.

Getting there: St. Pancras International, N1C, located in The Arcade.

Highspeed tip: Their iconic tins make perfect keepsakes, plus they protect the goodies on your journey home.

Neuhaus, St. Pancras International

Indulge in the art of fine Belgian chocolate at Neuhaus, the world-renowned chocolatier known for inventing the original Belgian praline. Their boutique in St. Pancras International is a paradise for chocolate lovers, offering everything from elegant gift boxes to limited-edition Christmas pralines crafted for the festive season.

Getting there: St. Pancras International, N1C, located in The Arcade.

Highspeed tip: Neuhaus Christmas gift boxes travel beautifully and make an effortless festive present.

Belgravia Christmas Market

For something special, head west to the Belgravia Christmas Market, held on Eccleston Yards. Alongside artisan crafts and boutique gifts, you’ll find luxury food stalls offering truffle oils, handmade chocolates, and small-batch chutneys.

Getting there: Eccleston Yards, SW1W (10 minutes by Victoria Line from King’s Cross St. Pancras to Victoria).

Highspeed tip: Visit late morning for the best chance to sample new products before they sell out.

Borough Market at Christmas

A London institution, no one does Christmas food like Borough Market. Local cheesemongers, chocolatiers and bakers line the arches selling festive delicacies. Sample before you buy, as most traders offer generous tasters.

Getting there: 8 Southwark Street, SE1 (9 minutes by Northern Line from King’s Cross St. Pancras to London Bridge).

Highspeed tip: Pop into Monmouth Coffee for a mid-shopping refuel or a bag of their famous coffee beans.

Leadenhall Market

For Londoners and tourists alike, Leadenhall Market is a must at Christmas. Its grand Victorian arcades, famously used as a Harry Potter filming location, host butchers, cheesemongers and wine merchants selling premium produce. In December, the whole space is lit by a giant Christmas tree.

Getting there: Gracechurch Street, EC3V (10 minutes by Northern Line from King’s Cross St. Pancras to Bank).

Highspeed tip: Be sure to explore their series of walks to learn more about the market’s rich history.

Liberty London Food Hall

Inside Liberty’s famous Tudor building, the Food Hall is a treasure trove of Christmas treats. Expect artisan chocolate, speciality teas, festive jams and limited-edition hampers designed for gifting. It’s a quieter alternative to larger department stores, but just as beautifully curated.

Getting there: Great Marlborough Street, W1B (5 minutes by Victoria Line from King’s Cross St. Pancras to Oxford Circus).

Highspeed tip: Combine your visit with a trip to the Carnaby Street Christmas lights for a full festive afternoon.

How to spend 24 hours eating in London at Christmas

Breakfast at Searcy’s

Ease into the day with a champagne breakfast at Searcy’s Bar, part of St. Pancras Bar & Brasserie, where timeless elegance meets festive indulgence. Set beneath the iconic St. Pancras roof, enjoy a glass of Cuvée Champagne alongside a menu of seasonal dishes, from smoked salmon and scrambled eggs to warm pastries and rich winter preserves. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season, whether you’re travelling onwards or savouring a luxurious morning in London.

Mid-morning coffee at The Chalet by Jimmy Garcia

Take the Piccadilly Line from King’s Cross St. Pancras to Covent Garden and walk to Somerset House, where skaters glide through the courtyard and the air smells faintly of roasted chestnuts. Pop into The Chalet, Jimmy Garcia’s alpine-inspired pop-up, for a mid-morning coffee to fuel up for the day ahead.

Lunch at Borough Market

Next, head south to Borough Market, where stalls overflow with the best Christmas food London has to offer. Try a roast pork bap with apple sauce, raclette melting onto potatoes, or festive churros dusted in cinnamon sugar.

Dinner at The Betjeman Arms

Head back to St. Pancras International for dinner at The Betjeman Arms, a charming pub tucked inside the Upper Concourse of the station. Expect classic British comfort food with a festive twist, from hearty pies to seasonal roasts, and indulgent Christmas puddings. all served in a cosy setting beneath the station’s spectacular roof.

Evening drinks at The Breakfast Club

End your festive food day at The Breakfast Club, just a short stroll back down to The Arcade within St. Pancras. By night, this lively spot transforms from brunch favourite to bar, serving cocktail classics, tasty nibbles, and a warm, laid-back atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to toast to a day well spent before heading home.

Best festive coffee shops in London at Christmas

Nothing beats a great cup of coffee on a cold London day, especially when it comes with festive flavours and a place to warm up between attractions. Here are the best coffee shops near St. Pancras International, chosen for festive atmosphere and quality beans.

Aux Merveilleux de Fred, St Pancras International

Tucked inside St Pancras station, Aux Merveilleux de Fred is a Parisian patisserie known for its light, meringue-based desserts and expertly brewed coffee. Their hot drinks are perfectly paired with their signature Merveilleux or a seasonal pastry.

Getting there: St. Pancras International Station, N1C. Find it on our station map.

Highspeed tip: Their elegant Merveilleux gift boxes would make a delicious Christmas gift.

PAUL Le Café, St. Pancras International

Celebrate the season Parisian-style at PAUL Le Café, conveniently located opposite the Eurostar arrivals gate. Enjoy festive favourites like tangerine hot chocolate, caramel apple lattes, and spiced berry mochas, paired with limited-edition treats including the Brie & Cranberry Xmas Baguette and Mini Yule Logs.

Getting there: St. Pancras International Station, N1C. Find it on our station map.

Highspeed tip: Grab a festive drink for your journey; the tangerine hot chocolate is a standout.

Redemption Roasters, Coal Drops Yard

Inside the softly lit arches of Coal Drops Yard, Redemption Roasters serves coffee with purpose: it’s the world’s first prison-based coffee company, training people in roastery skills for a fresh start. Their Christmas drinks menu features cardamom lattes and peppermint mochas, best enjoyed by the window overlooking the canal.

Getting there: Unit 109, Lower Stable Street, N1C (6 minutes on foot from St. Pancras).

Highspeed tip: Pick up a bag of their festive blend beans. 

Carhartt WIP Café, Coal Drops Yard

Attached to their flagship store, the Carhartt WIP Café is part gallery, part espresso bar. It leans into the season with limited-edition winter drinks, and feels effortlessly cool. Pair your visit with a browse around their latest collection or a quick walk through the lights of Coal Drops Yard.

Getting there: Carhartt WIP Store, Stable Street, N1C (7 minutes’ walk from St. Pancras).

Highspeed tip: Ask the barista what’s new on the guest filter menu, as they often feature small London roasters you won’t find elsewhere, like Assembly or Dark Arts.

Origin Coffee, British Library

Housed inside one of London’s most architecturally striking public buildings, Origin Coffee at the British Library offers a calm space for a mid-morning espresso or afternoon refuel. Their seasonal blends are roasted in Cornwall and rotate monthly. Expect festive notes of spice, citrus, and dark chocolate through December 2025.

Getting there: 96 Euston Road, NW1 (2-minute walk from St. Pancras International).

Highspeed tip: After your coffee, be sure to explore the library’s winter exhibitions and Christmas displays.

Make a day trip to Canterbury Christmas Market by Highspeed

If you’re looking to extend your Christmas foodie adventure beyond London, hop on the Southeastern highspeed line to Kent from St Pancras International. In just one hour, you’ll arrive in one of England’s most historic cathedral cities, and home to one of the biggest Christmas markets in Kent.

From mid-November 2025, the city centre fills with festive huts and food stalls selling everything from spiced mulled wine and artisan hot chocolate to loaded bratwursts, hand-pressed pastries, and toasted marshmallows over open fire-pits. It’s an easy place to graze as you go. Browse gifts, warm your hands on something delicious, and then wander the medieval streets or explore the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral, all set beneath twinkling lights.

Tickets: The market is free to visit and no tickets are required (though bookable extras like VR experiences or Breakfast with Santa may need pre-booking through the Canterbury Christmas Market website).

Getting there: Highspeed trains run regularly from St. Pancras International to Canterbury West (around 60 minutes).

Highspeed tip: Go early and stay for twilight. The market looks magical when the lights come on and the cathedral bells ring.

Twelve Pubs of Christmas pub crawl: London 2025 edition

If there’s one thing Londoners love at Christmas, it’s a festive pub crawl. To celebrate the classic British tradition, the Highspeed team have put together a Twelve Pubs of Christmas walking route for 2025. It’s a loop of great pubs within walking distance of St Pancras International, each offering winter warmers on tap.

Whether you’re after craft ales, an alcohol-free alternative, or just somewhere to thaw out after a Christmas market, this route has you covered, and it ends right back where you started.

Total walking distance: 4.2 km, or 2.6 miles

Estimated walking time: Around 1 hour 30 minutes (excluding stops)

Start: St. Pancras International

End: St. Pancras International

Pub 1: The Betjeman Arms, inside St.Pancras International

A fitting start beneath the station arches with a winter ale or mulled cider.

📍 St. Pancras International, N1C

Walk 5 mins →

Pub 2: The Scottish Stores, Caledonian Road

Restored Edwardian charm and Scottish whisky warmth.

📍 2 Caledonian Rd, N1

Walk 3 mins →

Pub 3: The Fellow, York Way

Modern pub fare and a rooftop terrace glowing with fairy lights.

📍 24 York Way, N1

Walk 6 mins →

Pub 4: The Harrison, Gray’s Inn Rd

Neighbourhood feel with live comedy and folk nights.

📍 28 Harrison St, WC1H

Walk 7 mins →

Pub 5: The Lamb, Bloomsbury

A Victorian time capsule with snob screens and excellent Guinness.

📍 94 Lamb’s Conduit St, WC1N

Walk 9 mins →

Pub 6: The Perseverance, Holborn

Craft beer haven with seasonal stouts and great alcohol-free options.

📍 63 Lamb’s Conduit St, WC1N

Walk 10 mins →

Pub 7: The Seven Stars, Lincoln’s Inn Fields

Quirky, candlelit, and famously home to a cat in a ruff.

📍 53 Carey St, WC2A

Walk 4 mins →

Pub 8: The Ship Tavern, Holborn

Log fires and oak panelling: perfect for a festive pint.

📍 12 Gate St, WC2A

Walk 5 mins →

Pub 9: The Yorkshire Grey, Theobald’s Rd

Locals love its bustling atmosphere, solid pub grub, and Christmas playlists.

📍 2 Theobald’s Rd, WC1X 8PN

Walk 8 mins →

Pub 10: The Colonel Fawcett, Camden

Known for its gin selection and proper Sunday roasts.

📍 1 Randolph St, NW1 0SS

Walk 7 mins →

Pub 11: The Queens Head, Acton Street

Small, lively, and always packed with locals: a perfect penultimate stop.

📍 66 Acton St, WC1X 9NB

Walk 4 mins →

Pub 12: The Barrel Vault, St. Pancras International

A warm railway pub with good-value pints and cosy corners for a final festive toast.

📍 St. Pancras International, N1C

The journey home

We hope this guide helps you eat and drink your way through Christmas in London 2025 without the fuss. The key is to start at St. Pancras International and follow your appetite: roast dinners, festive pop-ups, markets and cafés are all within easy reach. Have a brilliant stay, and enjoy every bite of London’s festive food scene!