The best restaurants in the UK for your Christmas party

Christmas dinner at Uyare by Tharavadu means tables full of flavour-forward Keralan cuisine, be it spiced king prawns, slow-cooked pork or masala fried cauliflower. If you want to make it an exclusive experience, there is a 15-person private dining room as well as a rooftop terrace for up to 50 guests, both of which are available for hire for Christmas parties. 

You can't go wrong with a glamorous steakhouse at Christmas time, and Gaucho is one of the best. Set in the heart of the Welsh capital, the restaurant features dramatic chandeliers, a lively open kitchen, and plush leather banquettes - perfect for steak sharing menus and cosy drinks parties. You can also opt for your own private area, whether its the ground floor bar or the lovely little terrace. 

Founded by chef-owner Roberta Hall-McCarron and her husband Shaun, The Little Chartroom is a lovely, family-run restaurant offering a contemporary take on Scottish cuisine. Beautifully decorated with tasteful festive touches, the space is split between a chef's counter and a cosy dining room. Roberta's famous Great British Menu pie is the star of the show, alongside dishes like trout tartare and hare with black pudding.

Tucked on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Ardfern is a cool yet comforting restaurant for a Christmassy celebration. Led by award-winning chef Roberta Hall-McCarron, the festive menu features everything from turkey flatbread with cranberry hot sauce to Basque cheesecake infused with orange. With over 100 wines and a great selection of creative cocktails, you'll be kept topped up all night too.

Christmas is a time to indulge, and nowhere serves up guilty-pleasure plates quite like Hawksmoor. We're talking beef and bacon Yorkshire puddings, seriously succulent steaks, and sticky toffee pudding smothered in toffee sauce. On the drinks front, there's festive cocktails, plenty of bubbly, and even magnums for special occasions. 

Hemisphere is a contemporary, family-run restaurant, perfect for end-of-year gatherings and Christmas dinners. Bespoke Christmas party menus are available, whether you're after elegant canapes, work drinks or multi-course feasts. There's also a Bluetooth sound system if you want to pump out the Christmas tunes, and plenty of cocktails to keep the party going.

Swap your traditional turkey dinner for an Indian fusion feast at The Goat King. This relaxed, welcoming restaurant can be hired exclusively for up to 24 guests, making it ideal for office Christmas parties and festive family gatherings. In terms of food, goat curry takes centre stage, alongside classic dishes such as veggie pakoras, lentil dhaal and samosa chaat. 

Black Ivy is a boutique hotel, bar and restaurant located in Edinburgh's bustling Bruntsfield neighbourhood. Each winter, the venue receives the full festive treatment, adorned with twinkling fairy lights and decorated Christmas trees. Private dining rooms add a sense of exclusivity, while a laid-back yet luxurious menu rises to the occasion, with warming pies and perfectly cooked steaks.

Head down to Hawksmoor this Christmas for a full-blown festive feast, featuring belly ribs, roasted scallops and prime steak, served alongside indulgent sides such as mac and cheese and triple-cooked chips. If you want to take your Christmas party up a notch, book The New Yorker Room, which accommodates up to 16 guests, or go for exclusive hire of the entire restaurant. 

At Christmas, sometimes all you want is a familiar favourite you can count on - and Dishoom delivers every time. This Bombay-inspired restaurant offers a festive feasting menu packed with aromatic grills, fragrant biryanis and signature house daal. Between seasonal tipples, veggie-friendly dishes and easy-going ordering, Dishoom ticks all the boxes for a memorable Christmas party.

Perched on Hove's seafront, Rockwater boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with views over the beach. Split across two floors, The Pub is best suited to cosy, casual affairs, while the Roof Terrace provides a more formal setting for sit-down dinners. The food offering can be tailored to your tastes, whether you want canapes, bowl food, a pizza truck, or a multi-course dining experience.

Bedazzled with fairy lights, Kerala Canteen arguably feels a little Christmassy all year round. Inside, the restaurant is adorned with floral decorations and cosy leather seating nooks, while in the kitchen, Masterchef: The Professionals quarter-finalist Bobby Geetha is at the helm. Expect flavour-packed dishes, spanning paneer pepper fry, beef and bone marrow curry, and fried chicken with garlic yoghurt.

Tucked beneath Brighton's seafront arches, The Copper Clam brings a touch of coastal charm to your Christmas dinner. Boasting beautiful sea views, the restaurant features exposed brick archways, a striking copper bar and a private dining room for up to 25 guests. Specialising in seafood, the menu spans Cajun monkfish, scallops with chorizo hash, and pickled mussels.

Nothing says Christmas quite like gathering your mates together for a festive Indian feast, and Aagrah is the perfect place to do just that. With space for up to 165 guests, you can extend the invitation far and wide, and collectively tucking into a table laden with samosas, curries and perhaps even a festive tipple! 

At Fourth and Church, food is served as a series of sharing dishes, comprising seasonal, ingredient-led recipes. Kick things off with a welcome drink, followed by fresh small plates, like beetroot-cured salmon with confit squash. Then, move onto the heartier stuff - think Cumbria chicken with parsnip dal and cauliflower with macadamia dukkah. There's a private dining room for extra special moments, and an excellent selection of wines too.

Neighbourhood restaurant Pici is a warm and friendly setting for a cosy Christmas party. You can keep it casual with a bunch of small plates to share, or opt for a festive feasting menu, featuring pizzettes, pasta and classic tiramisu. The restaurant can be hired exclusively, and there's also a private dining room in the basement for up to 12 guests.

Square Grill Restaurant and Bar is an elegant and versatile venue, ideal for office Christmas parties, private dinners and family gatherings. There are a variety of spaces to choose from, including The Roman Room with a private bar, and The Abbey Room with antique timber floors. Group festive menus are available in Gold, Diamond and Platinum packages, featuring dishes such as smoked salmon tartare and roast turkey. 

Overlooking Brighton's West Pier, The Seahorse boasts wraparound glass windows with stunning views over the sea. Choose from a variety of event spaces: the West Wing is a semi-private area for up to 50 guests, while the main restaurant caters for up to 150 people. The restaurant offers a three-course Christmas menu or a festive buffet, with dishes like ham hock terrine, crispy coconut prawns and slow braised ox cheek.

If you want to feel welcomed and well looked after, Gaucho is a slick Christmas party venue with a tried-and-tested formula. Specialising in Argentinian flavours, the menu features sharing boards, bowl food and canapes for easy-going grazing, alongside a strong wine list and premium spirits. Smaller groups are well suited to the Mendoza Room, while larger parties can take over the entire restaurant. 

South Indian restaurant Tharavadu specialises in Keralan cuisine, with a choice of Christmas menus to celebrate the festive season. Choose from two- or four-course menus, with options like lentil doughnuts, grilled fish, and fried chicken, paired with rice and parathas for the table. You can also dine in one of two private dining rooms: Travancore and Malabar. 

Fancy some Pan Asian cuisine at your Christmas party? DRGNFLY offers a vibrant mix of sushi, sashimi, skewers, stir-fries and much more. Inside, the restaurant centres around a giant blossom tree with lanterns hanging from its branches, while dark wooden booths create cosy little nooks. The best part? A press for Champagne bell!

If you value a good pint as much as a tasty plate, the Curious Taproom might just be your dream Christmas party venue. Ranked as the UK's Best Brewer in 2019, the brewery offers an inventive selection of beers, with the option of a guided tour and tasting as an icebreaker before dinner. Larger groups are best suited to the Taproom, while smaller parties can enjoy the Mezzanine. The classic festive food is great too.

Come Christmas time, Bonnar's At The Scott fully transforms into a winter wonderland, decorated with bushy Christmas trees and twinkling festive garlands. Set within The Scott Hotel, it's ideal for corporate celebrations and civilised occasions. In terms of food, expect fine dining dishes like duck egg with fermented asparagus and venison loin with roast potato mousse. 

Located in the Nadder Valley in Wiltshire, Pythouse Kitchen Garden uses produce harvested from its own gardens to create fresh, seasonal feasts. At Christmas time, that could look like pork belly with preserved orange, parsnip hash browns, and chocolate and chestnut cremeux. Parties of up to 25 people can enjoy a three-course menu, while larger groups can curate a bespoke experience with a drinks reception.

Pan-Asian seafood restaurant Smoking Lobster is a great choice for a Christmas dinner with a twist. Think yuzu black cod, Szechuan lobster katsu, sharing platters of sashimi and grilled whole lobster. There are also festive tipples, gorgeous harbour views and a private dining room for up to 30 guests. The restaurant even has its own fishing boat, with much of the seafood sourced directly by its crew. 

If you're looking for a blank-canvas restaurant-come-event space this Christmas, Novi is a great bet. Spanning two floors, with a maximum capacity of 180 guests, the venue is ideal for drinks and mingling on one floor and a party or banquet on the other. There's everything from a DJ booth to festive-themed menus, Christmas buffets and arrival canapes.