Noreen brings a distinctly stylish edge to Christmas parties in Marylebone, combining Middle Eastern generosity with a setting that already feels dressed for the season. Located in one of London's plushest areas, the restaurant offers a more intimate alternative to the usual central London party venue, making it especially well suited to end-of-year celebrations for friends, family or colleagues.
You can't deny Noreen's aesthetic appeal. First impressions mean a lot and here, the Wes Anderson-esque striped awning in apricot and cream, teamed with deep green facade make this the kind of place you'll want to start snapping before you've even walked through the door. Inside, curved banquettes wrap around the room, patterned upholstery adds warmth, and fringed pendant lights in rich red, green and amber tones create a glow that feels festive without relying on obvious decoration. Arched architectural details, mirrored accents and leafy planting give the space contemporary character.
Food is made for sharing, which suits Christmas gatherings particularly well. The table might begin with raw bluefin tuna with tamarind ponzu, citrus and crisp shallots, alongside whipped feta with punchy chilli, chives, spiced crisps and Aleppo oil, and a soft milk bun with whipped butter and date molasses.
Larger plates bring together robust flavours and generous portions. Minced beef and lamb kababs arrive with cucumber laban, while lamb chops are paired with sabzi crème fraîche and vine-leaf tabbouleh. The lamb rump is grilled with harissa, oregano and rosemary, while tawook combines garlic-and-thyme chicken with pistachio crumbs and toum. For seafood, the sea bass with Arabian fish baharat, citrus tahini and samphire makes a strong centrepiece.
The festive drinks menu gives parties another reason to stay for one more round. Ginger Joy combines white and dark rum with gingerbread syrup, pineapple, fresh ginger and bitters, while the Paloma Blaze mixes mango-infused tequila, mezcal, chilli cordial and pink grapefruit soda. Both are also available without alcohol, so the seasonal experience feels inclusive rather than tokenistic. Dessert follows the same feel, with a festive-spice baked cheesecake served with gingerbread biscuit, pecan caramel and spiced butterscotch.