The Best Things To Do In London This December

Feast at Fucina

One of Chiltern Street’s more contemporary dining spots, Fucina brings a taste of Italy’s fine cuisine to the heart of Marylebone. Offering sharing plates of various sizes, the food may look unassuming - especially in contrast to the grandiose interiors, including a bulging ceiling meant to resemble a pizza oven (yes, really) and extravagant stained-glass windows - but it’s deceptively special. From the specials of octopus with grilled artichoke and black beans to the safe dishes such as rigatoni, the food matches the lavish surroundings. We highly recommend.

Elevate Your Christmas Movie Viewing

Yes, it’s that time of year where the classics (“Elf”, “Miracle On 34th Street” and, err, “The Holiday”) are dusted off to while away a few hours on a cosy Sunday afternoon, but if you fancy something a little more in keeping with the season, take yourself to One Aldwych for their Festive Films & Fizz experiences. A ticket will secure you a glass of Lallier Champagne to watch a classic Christmas film followed by a three-course dinner in the hotel’s celebrated Indigo restaurant. Treat yourself, ’tis the season after all.

wITNESS MAC & WILD's WINTER FORESt

The purveyor of the Scottish Highland’s exquisite cuisine, Mac & Wild at Devonshire Square is jumping aboard the Christmas-novelty wagon with its very own winter forest installation. Billed as a hideaway from the busy streets of the city, the restaurant’s outdoor space has been transformed into a rather Instagrammable Narnia of sorts, courtesy of snow-dusted trees, a fire pit and warm, cosy tweed rugs for when the chill kicks in. If you’ve yet to try this restaurant’s fabulous food, now is the perfect excuse to book it into your December diary.

Ice Skate, But Make It Romantic

Ice-skating is always something of a double-edged sword in the capital: it’s terrific (and compulsory) festive fun, but it also draws the kind of large crowds that slightly dampener the enjoyment. The ice rink at the Natural History Museum, though, is bringing the old-school romanticism back to the winter sport with its acoustic lates sessions. Against the impressive backdrop of the museum, skate along to music performed live by Bang Bang Romeo, Laura Oakes, Tom Joshua and more. It’s a magical one.

Book Into Granary Square Brasserie

At the heart of King’s Cross lies this gorgeously decorated restaurant from the same crowd behind The Ivy Collection. Granary Square Brasserie brings the joy back into all-day dining with a menu that’s refreshingly uncomplicated yet sumptuous in taste. Despite its awesome interiors, the restaurant as a delightfully laid-back atmosphere for an experience quite unlike many others in an area that far too often kowtows to tourist-pleasing. Book in this month to get a glimpse of its 11-foot copper Christmas tree complete with 104 copper leaves and twinkling lights right outside the restaurant. You’ll want to ensure your phones are charged for this one, trust us.

Photograph by Jeff Eden RBG Kew

Gaze At Kew Gardens’ Gorgeous Christmas Lights

No Christmas in London is complete without an evening’s walk to see all the dazzling lights on display for the season, but our favourite? It has to be the spectacular show at Kew Gardens. Once the sun sets, this capital treasure becomes a true winter wonderland thanks to such visual treats as the glistening, sparkling archway and the dancing lights that pepper the landscape towards the Great Pagoda. The cream of the crop, though, is the show-stopping finale at Kew Gardens’ Palm House. Words won’t do it justice; this one has to be seen to be believed.

Have yourself a mexican little christmas

Nestled among the tourist-trap chains of Covent Garden is Cantina Laredo: a high-end take on Mexican fare. Yes, the gourmet is certainly elevated (the guacamole alone is the best you’ll find in central London) and the interiors suitably inline with the expectations set out by the restaurant’s position as a “fancy” option for the area, but in our opinion it’s the drinks that really draw you in here. The bartenders here have a genuine knack for tequila-infused cocktails and for December they’ve turned their hands to a few new ones. There’s the Winter Martini complete with pumpkin-spiced syrup and whipped cream, or the Candy Comso, which is every bit as sweet as its name suggests. For the more courageous among you, they even serve up a Brussels sprout-flavoured sip.