Restaurants

Central
Big Chill House
Good drinks, cool vibe, and a sophisticated music policy, as you might expect from the people who also organise The Big Chill festivals. There’s a cutting-edge selection of spirits for the all-important intake of Christmas cocktails, from premium vodkas to cachaça and tequilas. Open until 4am on weekends this is not a bar for quiet tête-à-têtes; but this has got to be one of the best DJ bars in London making it the perfect spot for a serious Christmas session. They’re also adding a three-course Christmas meal to the menu (£22.50) starting with Jamaican Mule aperitif with Appleton’s VX Gold Rum, followed by a choice of three starters. For mains there’s a choice of chicken or nut roast served with root vegetables, steamed Brussell sprouts and red wine and onion gravy. Alternatively, a more adventurous option of lamb cutlets served with roast pumpkin, garlic and red onion, with apple, blackberry and cinnamon relish. Yum.
The Big Chill House, 257-259 Pentonville Rd, N1 9NL (020 7427 2540/www.bigchill.net).

The Pigalle Club
Part of the Vince Power stable, this 1940s-style supper club is a great music venue, with retro-swanky furnishings, low lighting and tables with good views of the stage. Throughout December there’s a choice of a two or three course Christmas menus (£40/45 per head). Foie gras or crab terrine with avocado and tomato for starters. Followed by a choice of traditional Christmas turkey with all the trimmings, fillet steak, seared sea bass or venison on red cabbage served with Madeira sauce. If the price seems steep remember the cost includes live music. So if you’re looking for a place to swing, jump, jive, boogaloo, and rattle that hipbone loose this Christmas - book The Pigalle.
Pigalle Club, 215-217 Piccadilly, W1J 9HN (020 7734 8142/www.thepigalleclub.com).

West
Sam's Brasserie & Bar
This beautifully renovated former paper factory in Chiswick will cater for up to 14 people sharing a table, while their mezzanine level is available for larger groups (up to 26) making this an ideal place for office parties or large groups. Festive nosh includes traditional roast turkey with chestnut stuffing (£23.50). Alternatively for the non-traditionalists there’s Salmon with sauce Pernod (£23.50) or an oyster or venison starter followed by roast duck with Madeira sauce and pot roast vegetables (although turkey is still available) for an affordable £28.50. Both menus consist of three courses with a tea or coffee and petit fours and mince pies.Sam's Brasserie & Bar, 11 Barley Mow Passage, W4 4PH (020 8987 0555/www.samsbrasserie.co.uk).
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High Road Brasserie
A brasserie, private members' club and boutique hotel all in one. With its French windows and canopied pavement seats, it's a cool boho French affair with a buzzing neighbourhood atmosphere. One Christmas set menu is offered (£37.50) with traditional roast turkey and chestnut stuffing, beef Wellington and Madeira sauce or sea bass in red wine sauce. Complemented by a fairly priced cocktail list and a good selection of wines, the High Road Brasserie is a great option for a seasonal knees-up. High Road Brasserie, 162-164 Chiswick High Rd, W4 1PR (020 8742 7474).

North
Charles Lamb
Situated on a quiet side street, this gorgeous, little-known corner pub feels like it’s been plucked from a village green in Somerset, and indeed the inspiration for its mouth-watering winter menu is noticeable bucolic. The interior, split into main bar and cosy lounge is the kind of snug that can snatch away an entire afternoon - the ideal place for a festive lovers tryst or a Christmas catch-up with old friends. Both the two-course (£17.50) or three-course (£23) Christmas menus offer fish and leek pie with Brussel sprouts or confit of duck with mashed potatoes, red cabbage and cranberry sauce. Both options include tea or coffee with mince pies. Charles Lamb, 16 Elia St, N1 8DE (020 7837 5040).

Gilgamesh
Above the higgledy-piggledy stalls of Camden Stables Market, the bizarre location of this Asian bar/restaurant is just another quirk in Gilgamesh’s cool. Fresh and beautifully flavoured Thai food along with a delicious range of cocktails are all served within Gilgamesh’s sleek and mysterious interior, reminiscent of the British Museum’s grandeur or India Jones’ outdoor lounge room. The six-course Christmas menu (£55) offers a good choice of starters and a choice of roast suckling pig with plum sauce, steamed halibut with black bean sauce or duck and watermelon salad for the mains. Tasty afters include a watermelon granita and Asian plum trifle. The perfect place for festive extravagance with a difference - especially if you’re not picking up the bill. Camden Stables Market, Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8AH (020 7482 5757/www.gilgameshbar.com).

East
Hawksmoor
Forget about getting 'paralytic': here you have option paralysis before you even start drinking. Offering 49 cocktails over nine pages Hawksmoor's bar list takes some reading. And with its fun, flamboyant atmosphere and simple décor it is a must for serious Christmas tipplers. The seasonal menu also looks promising with a two- or three-course set lunch menu (£19.50/£24.50) in addition to their four-course Christmas dinner menu (£45) which includes confit goose, roast pork loin, rib eye steak or whole seabass all served with a selection of sides. Hawkmoor will sit up to 30 people for the set Christmas dinner and for bigger groups (minimum of 50) serve a buffet at £45 per head. Alternatively, nibble with your tipple from their delicious festive bar menu.Hawksmoor, 157 Commercial St, E1 6BJ (020 7247 7392).

Rochelle Canteen
Without a full restaurant licence this curiously secret operation makes for a cheap lunch option; you can bring your own booze, the portions are good and the prices low. Buzz the doorbell to enter this simple and charming canteen and enjoy its warm and friendly vibe. No Christmas menu available as yet but this backdoor restaurant is a great place to impress friends, dates and colleagues with your superior culinary knowledge.
The Rochelle Canteen (buzz 'The Canteen'; at the old school building), Arnold Circus, E2 7ES (020 7729 5677).

South
The Rake
The first bar to open within the bounds of Borough Market also happens to be the smallest bar in London. With a snug deck terrace overlooking the bustling market drinkers can enjoy more than 100 bottled beers from around the world, with six or seven draught ales on offer including - for the first time in the UK - cask Thomas Hardy's Ale (11.7 per cent abv) which claims to be the rarest ale in Britain. Tasty British bar food is also on offer - pork pies and Flour Power bread and cheeses from Borough Market - and is given a special festive twist throughout December. A cosy intimate affair perfect for pre or post dinner drinks, or a great shopping pit stop for those stocking up with food from the excellent Christmas market.
The Rake, 14 Winchester Walk, SE1 9AG (020 7407 0557).

Butcher and Grill
A much welcomed addition to south London’s dining options the Butcher and Grill boasts a grill restaurant and bar with butcher shop at the front. The spacious bar is ideal for evening drinks and is also open mornings and lunchtimes for sandwiches, pastries and coffee. A calm and friendly atmosphere with seating overlooking the dock - the perfect place to cure the ills of the night before.
The Butcher & Grill, 39-41 Parkgate Rd, SW11 4NP (020 7924 3999).