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We’re going out on a limb here, but it could be argued that a Christmas dinner isn’t *actually* the best meal of the festive season. Don’t get us wrong it’s the best roast of the year, but we’re a sucker for a good festive special and seasonal take on a classic. Luckily for us and other special fans, London isn’t short of options in this department, so we’ve rounded up the best of all the season’s eatings, dig in.

1. For a Christmas Burger: Blacklock

What: London’s favourite BCorp chop house has just launched its infamous festive burger (£14).  So what’s nestled between the buns this year? Two pork patties sourced from renowned Cornish butcher and grazier Philip Warren, rich layers of British Tunworth cheese, glazed streaky bacon and a crunchy winter slaw, all topped with a spiced apple and cranberry chutney.

Where: Locations here

2. For a Festive Pizza: Fatto a Mano

What: Fatto a Mano are offering not one, but two Christmas specials at all its sites over the festive season, taking inspiration from two classic Italian dishes. Inspired by the beloved Roman pasta dish, the Guanciale Cacio Pepe will see Fatto a Mano’s signature, 24-hour proved pizza dough topped with Cobble Lane Cured guanciale, cacio pepe cream, roasted butternut squash, porcini mushroom, mozzarella and thyme.

Alternatively, vegetarians and lovers of the classic Tuscan soup Ribollita alike, can opt for the Brighton Blue and Cavolo Nero, which is topped with Brighton Blue cheese, crispy cavolo nero, cannellini bean cream, mozzarella, chilli and garlic Pangrattato.

Where: Locations here

3. For a Chrismukkah Bagel: Panzer’s Deli

What: North London food emporium Panzer’s Deli has introduced a special Chrismukkah Bagel this festive season. The bagel brings together all your favourite Christmas ingredients in one bite; Yorkshire free-range roast turkey crown, paired with Stilton cream cheese and homemade cranberry sauce topped with wild rocket and crispy onions, served in an ‘Everything bagel’ made fresh each morning.

Where: 3-19 Circus Rd, London NW8 6PB

4. For a Toastie: Daffodil Mulligan

What: Richard Corrigan’s Old Street restaurant and sports bar Daffodil Mulligan will be serving up the cheesiest of toasties this festive season. Kelly Bronze turkey, Peter Hannon’s signature sugar pit pork and pickled beetroot – with a generous amount of homemade cranberry sauce to dunk. Best enjoyed with a pint of the black stuff and a bag of Tayto crisps for the full experience.

Where: 70-74 City Rd, London EC1Y 2BJ

5. For a Festive Twist on a Favourite: Nessa

What: Back by popular demand, Nessa’s Sage stuffing brioche is a festive twist on Nessa’s signature black pudding brioche. The Christmas version is made using brioche toast and filled with sage stuffing and chestnut sauce – proper comfort food.

Where: 86 Brewer St, London W1F 9UB

6. For a Dessert: Cornus

What: Festive desserts at Belgravia’s Cornus – from Head Pastry Chef Kelly Cullen – include a Christmas pudding soufflé with brandy custard and vanilla ice cream; Sticky banoffee pudding with toffee sauce and banana yoghurt ice cream; Rum baba, with clementines and spiced ginger chantilly; and special petit fours of Mini mince pies with brandy buttercream.

Where: 27c Eccleston Pl, London SW1W 9NF

7. For Two New Specials: BAO

What: BAO are celebrating the holiday season with two exciting festive specials. First up is the Duck BAO, with tender braised and glazed duck, served inside a soft and fluffy gua bao with watercress mayo. For something sweet, the Mince Pie BAO will be making a comeback – deep-fried bao filled with a sweet mince pie filling, served with vanilla custard.

Where: Locations here

8. For a Steamy Santa Bun: Bun House and Bun House Disco

What: Bun House and sister site Bun House Disco are getting into the Christmas spirit with the debut of its Steamy Santa Bun. Crafted on-site, the freshly steamed buns are served piping hot, ready to grab from both venues. Filled with oozing sticky toffee and custard, the bun is a decadent treat perfect for the holiday season. Wrapped in a red scarf; a colour symbolic of good luck, joy and celebration in Cantonese culture.

Where: Bun House Disco, 118 Bethnal Green Road London E2 7EE and Bun House, 26 – 27 Lisle Street,   London, WC2H 7BA

9. For Festive Faves: MEATliquor

What: MEATliquor are leading the charge this Christmas with a whole host of festive faves. We’re talking about the Santa’s Little Gobbler – a fried turkey burger with red-eye mayo, sprout slaw, and a kick of cranberry hot sauce to bring it all together, and Sprout Slaw featuring Brussels sprouts and cabbage with MEATliquor’s signature remoulade, for those who don’t think ‘slaw’ and ‘festive’ go together. Spoiler alert: they do. And there’s the XXXmas Feast for groups of 6+.

Where: Locations here 

10. For Caviar: Jackson Boxer x Pastaio

What: Jackson Boxer has teamed up with Pastaio for the festive season, creating the Caviar and Smoked Cream Tagliolini. Designed to be shared between two, the dish is finished with 30g of caviar – served at cost price (£57).  For those looking to truly push the boat out for their festive celebrations, an upgrade to 50g of caviar will also be available for an additional £15. Pastaio will donate £1 from each dish sold to ‘Not Just You’, a survivor-led charity offering support to survivors of sexual violence.

Where: 19 Ganton St, Carnaby, London W1F 9BN