Hi all,
We are headed to London for Christmas and I am looking for ideas for Christmas Eve dinner. Ideally, it is a restaraunt with festive and cozy atmosphere in central London – between Mayfair, Marleybone, Covent Garden, Soho and Bloomsbury.
Here are some suggestions I have been given. Thank you!
The Wolseley
34 Mayfair
Zedel
Skylon
Rails
bobbob Riccard
Hawksmoor Seven Dials
Kettners
Cafe Boheme
Ceconi’s The Ned or Mayfair
Circolo Poppolare
Do you mean Rules?
Rules would be my choice for Christmas Eve in London!
I would choose Rules. it is a cozy, historic and slightly kitschy place.
I would do a breakfast, maybe Boxing Day Breakfast, at the Wolseley.
https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/whats-on/christmas/things-to-do-in-london-on-christmas-eve
Might also consider the Savoy if you would like a splurge.
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We’ve vowed to book the Savoy Grill next time in London so we can order Beef Wellington – the bete noire of contestants on one of Chef Ramsay’s early television shows. (Rules also makes the cut for landmark tables.)
Rules is my favourite restaurant in the capital. And, at Xmas time, it’s exuberantly festively decorated. You’d also be hitting the menu at what should be at its absolute best time of the year - packed with seasonal game dishes and autumn fruits in traditional puddings.
I live a two hour train journey north of London. A few years back, near Christmas, we decided to make the trip there and back in the day - just to have lunch at Rules. Yes, I rate it that highly.
Of the rest of your list, I’ve only been to Hawksmoor. I like Hawksmoor - and we’re going to their branch in Manchester this Christmas - but be aware that it is just a nice steakhouse. Nothing special apart from that (but I don’t know a better steak).
Best laid plans and all that. Looks like Rules has no availability on Xmas Eve.
Rules might keep a cancellation list or a wait list.
When I booked online for a reservation at Rules on my last visit, the availability online showed only early tables. So, I snagged the best table I could, at a time that was a little early for us.
Once we arrived, and 2 hours later when we left, the resto was quite empty. I think Rules might not put all their available tables on the online booking site.
I would call and talk to someone, to check about availability on Xmas Eve, or any other day Rules appears to be fully booked.
Harters and others, where, in addition to Rules and Fortnums, would you recommend for Xmas Pudding in London? Restos or gourmet shops.
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I would think some of the places mentioned here would also serve a nice Xmas Eve dinner in a cozy and festive atmosphere.
Can’t help with that one. Couldnt help even if it was Manchester and certainly not a city 200 miles away
I was going to recommend Claridges’, but realised its Christmas Eve dinner costs £240 per person. Its Christmas Day lunch is priced at an eyewatering £495 per person!
hope the turkey isn’t dry! haha.
I would love to be a fly on the wall on Xmas Day to see who is splurging on Claridge’s.
I hope they give their wait staff double time (double wages ) on Xmas Day and New Year’s Day.
At that price, one would expect them to throw in one night’s stay as well. 
That could be a serious and sensible comment. Assuming London is no different from my metro area, then I presume there’s next to no public transport on Xmas Day so getting to/from work would be a challenge.
Curiosity killed the cat. We checked. We could be mistaken, but the posted Christmas Eve weekend room rates we saw suggest that it’s dinner that should be thrown into the “bargain” !
I don’t know if @klyeoh was alluding to the diners or the staff in his comment. I don’t know about the private sector, but in the NHS, most Trusts I have worked in will pay for taxis for staff to get to and from work on days there is no public transport, if the staff don’t have their own car/bike transport.
Most restaurants and hotels would not do this for their staff in Canada, unfortunately for the staff. And we often get a lot of snow and ice during the winter holidays! I don’t think our hospitals would typically do this for their staff on holidays, either.
I do have a friend who lived in staff housing at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NYC, while she was a concierge. Pretty depressing rooms for staff!
