Whether you’re Ebenezer Scrooge reincarnated or love a good Christmas hit, Christmas in London is one of the most magical places to be over the festive season, but it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Here is a list of affordable Christmas dinners for this year (2023)!

Cheap Christmas Dinners

The Regent

(£) £28.50 for 2 courses

✓ Vegan options available
✓ Vegetarian options available
✓ Gluten-free options available
✓ Open on Christmas day

If you’re searching for a cheap and affordable Christmas dinner in London, The Regent is the perfect place for festive feasting. Keep it traditional with a Roast Supreme of Norfolk Turkey, or take a walk on the wild side and opt for something a little different on their Christmas menu.

Cafe Van Gogh

(£) £32.00 for 2 courses

✓ Vegan options available

✓ Vegetarian options available

✓ Gluten-free options available

✗ Open on Christmas day

Looking to go plant-based for Christmas? Cafe Van Gogh is the Cafe serving up 100% Vegan dishes with rave reviews from Vogue to The Londonist. Utilising seasonal ingredients, their Vegan Christmas Dinner will make you feel festive during your London trip. Check their Christmas menu for more information.

Mid-range Christmas Dinners

Inamo Igloos & Winter Garden

(££) from £54.95

✓ Vegan options available
✓ Vegetarian options available
✓ Gluten-free options available
✗ Open on Christmas day

Voted winner of the Timeout Love London award for Best Restaurant & Best Outside Bar in Camden, Inamo is the most aesthetically striking location to enjoy a romantic Christmas dinner in London.

Forget the traditional Christmas dinner and enjoy a taste of Asian culture with Inamo’s menu – furnished with sheepskin rugs, floral decorations, fairy lights and, of course, HEATERS to battle the cold weather.

Why not really get the party started in their onyx room with karaoke or video games? Read more here.

Jamies Tudor Street

(££) £52 for 3 courses

✓ Vegan options available
✓ Vegetarian options available
✓ Gluten-free options available
✓ Open on Christmas day

Not to be confused with Jamie Oliver’s chain of restaurants (RIP), Jamies Tudor Street offers hearty portions of 3-course meals, to help-yourself with Christmas buffets and breakfasts. Check their Christmas menu for more information.

The Duke’s Head Putney

(££) £44.00 for 3 courses

✓ Vegan options available
✓ Vegetarian options available
✓ Can serve gluten-free dishes on request
✓ Open on Christmas day

The Duke’s Head Putney is serving a traditional dinner with ALL of the trimmings this festive season (loose trousers are recommended for the impending arrival of a food baby). If you’re looking for a homely restaurant, paired with an abundance of tasty food, then The Duke’s Head Putney is the place to go this Christmas. Check their Christmas menu for more information.

Fancy Christmas Dinners

Kerridge’s Bar & Grill

(£££) £75.00 for 3 courses

✓ Vegan options available (on the vegetarian/vegan menu)
✓ Vegetarian options available (on the vegetarian/vegan menu)
✓ Gluten-free options available
✓ Open on Christmas day

It may be a little more on the pricey side, but completely worth it. Michelin star chef, Tom Kerridge, opened his first London restaurant not too long ago; which has quickly become one of London’s best places to eat. Check their festive set menu for a Christmas dinner to remember!

The Spaniards Inn

(£££) £91.50 for 5 courses on Christmas day

✓ Vegan options available
✓ Vegetarian options available
✗ Gluten-free options available
✓ Open on Christmas day

When you go to Spaniards Inn on Hampstead Heath, a place that’s been around since 1585 and famous in Charles Dickens’ Pickwick Papers, it feels magical, even when it’s not Christmas. They offer a fancy five-course meal, with choices like scallops and artichoke velouté for starters and for the main course, you can pick between turkey breast, beef Wellington, or root vegetable Wellington, among other options.

Have a look at their mouth-watering Christmas day menu for more information. And if you can’t make it on the day, don’t despair, they have a festive menu too!

Christmas Group Get Togethers

The Cat & Mutton

(£) £29.50 for 2 courses

✓ Vegan options available
✓ Vegetarian options available
✓ Gluten-free options available

If nothing sounds better than pub grub and a fine selection of beer, wine and cocktails with your nearest and dearest, then this pub is for you. Situated at the top of the Broadway market – The Cat & Mutton has been an East End favourite since the 17th Century.

Dubbed by some as one of the best places to eat an affordable Christmas dinner in London (check their menu), The Cat & Mutton is the great place to drag your friends for some good grub and knees up.

Dishoom King’s Cross

(££) £42.00 for their Christmas feast

✓ Vegan options available
✓ Vegetarian options available
✓ Gluten-free options available
✗ Open on Christmas day

Each and every community share one common trait: eating brings us together, and Christmas is a fantastic example of that. In fact, according to Dishoom, Bombay’s Bohra community gather around one very large plate to share food, symbolising precious family and community bonds. Dishoom’s Christmas feast is no different than its roots.

To Sum Up

Wherever you choose to enjoy a festive feast this Christmas, it is important to remember that Christmas is a time to spend time with friends and family – forget fancy, expensive restaurants – instead, there are many other places to eat, such as the above, that can offer a memorable Christmas dinner in London without the price tag.

For friendly and affordable accommodation in London, check out Clink261 Budget Hostel or Clink78 backpackers youth hostel in King’s Cross or if you’re travelling as part of a bigger group, check out cheap group accommodation.