Festive dining in Bankside

Bankside is fast becoming one of London’s top food destinations and this year has seen an influx of new restaurants move into the area, meaning there’s plenty of choice when it comes to planning a festive dining experience.

Whether you’re looking to keep it simple with a few cocktails or want an indulgent three course meal, take a look at what Bankside’s foodie hangouts have got planned for December.

Great for larger parties

Union Street Café
Part of the Gordon Ramsay group, Union Street Café is an urban ristorante inspired by the casual glamour and laid-back luxe of Italy. Open for Christmas Day lunch from 12 – 4pm, guests can choose from homemade rigatoni with red wine or fresh sea bream with black cabbage purée, plus a festive Italian Vin Brule made with orange brandy to sip. Groups of 8+ can also dine under a canopy of vines and olive trees in their downstairs bar throughout December.

tibits bankside
tibits is an award-winning spot for London’s in-the-know vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians, where the seasonal menus are created for people with a passion for delicious food. Housed in a former factory, the  stunningly designed restaurant provides the perfect backdrop for any occasion. Their events spaces include a light-flooded Garden Room set just behind Tate Modern and an intimate Private Dining Room. Bespoke menus and offers available on request.

Hixter
When it comes to chicken and steak, Hixter has got you covered. For parties of 12 guests or more, the restaurant’s festive menus have been designed for the ultimate sharing experience. Their downstairs bar, Mark’s Bar, is the hidden gem of Hixter, featuring an impressive sunken bar with cinema-style bar seating, serving delicious British-inspired cocktails.
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Swan, Shakespeare’s Globe
With unparalleled views of Bankside’s riverside and St Paul’s, Swan offers a truly traditional festive setting. The venue has a variety of dining areas, private spaces and whole rooms, catering everything from seated dinners to canape receptions. If you’re looking for a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings, Swan is a highly sought after choice.

Caravan Bankside
Housed on the ground floor of an old metal box factory, Caravan Bankside is perfectly suited to large feasting groups of up to 18 – 35 people. Their festive menus range from £25 – £35 per head and highlights include baked cod fillet, along with slow roast shoulder of lamb. Look out for their chocolate delice, miso ice cream and sesame brittle pudding – it doesn’t disappoint!

Ideal for more intimate gatherings

Bar Douro
Set in one of the arches at Flat Iron Square, Bar Douro brings authentic Portuguese food to London. Their Christmas sharing menu for £40 features a variety of tapas dishes from Iberico pork ribs with a ruby port glaze to their famed Croquetes de Alheira (smoked Portuguese sausages).

OXBO
Located in Hilton Bankside, OXBO delivers a contrast of authentic ingredients with exotic tastes that give old English favourites an innovative twist. Choose from four delicious sharing menus plus their Christmas Day Lunch and a New Year’s Day Brunch menus, designed by Executive Chef Paul Bates.

Arthur Hooper’s
With views overlooking Borough Market, Arthur Hooper’s is a stylish restaurant where visitors can enjoy fresh food from local suppliers and wine from all over the world. Their ever-changing wine list is exclusively curated by Liberty Wines and is designed to be diverse and seasonal just like their European inspired menu. With Buster + Punch interiors, Arthur Hooper’s first floor private dining room is an exceptional space to host special occasions.

Bala Baya
Located in Old Union Yard Arches, Bala Baya is a Tel Aviv inspired restaurant, cocktail bar and bakery serving up modern twists on homely local Israeli dishes. If you’re looking for an alternative Christmas feasting menu, Bala Baya offers some delicious sharing dishes. From shoulder of beef with fig, to oxtail falafel, there’s something to suit all palates. Also enjoy one of their Champagne Gazozini cocktails for an additional £8.


Need more options? Take a look at our full list of Private Dining Venues