‘Tis the season for indulgence. We’ve rounded up the best festive set menus showcasing seasonal ingredients with plenty of Christmas sparkle
Queen of Cups, Somerset
This Bib Gourmand restaurant in Glastonbury is doing things a little differently this year, offering a vibrant, seasonal menu that flexes a little festive flair and a whole lot of Queen of Cups magic.
If sharing plates and platters are your jam, the Queen’s Feast will tickle your fancy. Each day, chef-patron Ayesha Kalaji and her team choose a selection of dishes from the menu, carefully curated so you don’t have to argue with loved ones over who’s ordering what. Carby highlights include the sharing breads and the triple-cooked potatoes with a shawarma-spiced sticky raisin and sherry glaze. The Gazan-spiced Fowey mussels with dill, pomegranate molasses and red shatta, or the ballotine of turkey with vine leaves, pistachios and dates, showcase seasonality with Middle Eastern finesse.
Chagford Inn, Devon
After a day of stomping the moors, retire to this charming pub for a two- or three-course festive menu driven by the local larder.
To start, tuck into smoked haddock kedgeree arancini with curried emulsion, or smoked duck with chestnuts and pain d’épices (spiced honey bread). Seamlessly float into your next course of Dartmoor venison served with rösti, red cabbage and hazelnuts, or the flaky mushroom and celeriac pithivier with heritage squash. End the feast on a sweet high with vanilla panna cotta and poached pears, or a rich chocolate delice with salted caramel and peanuts. Traditionalists, meanwhile, will want to plump for a mince pie served with ice cream or Barkham Blue for a sweet-and-savoury hit.
If you have time to spare, soak up the delightful interiors while sipping something from the equally exciting drinks menu or sampling one of the locally sourced ales poured from the pumps.
Edie’s, Cornwall
Expect a home-from-home atmosphere at this family-run neighbourhood restaurant in St Austell. Cornishman Nigel Brown heads up the kitchen, his wife Kelly runs front of house, and daughter Edie mixes wonders behind the bar.
Relax in the raised seating overlooking the open kitchen and watch the magic unfold as you browse the festive two- or three-course menu. Kick things off with the much-loved twice-baked Gruyère soufflé served with punchy vermouth cream, and save the difficult decisions for mains. Will you go for the chicken with dauphinoise, sprouts and cranberry stuffing, or take a detour from the usual festive flavours via Chalk Stream trout, lyonnaise potatoes, pancetta and a blanket of red wine jus? Whatever you choose, save room for dessert: dark chocolate and Cointreau cake with clementine mascarpone, and the calvados crème caramel with toffee apple palmiers, are both worth unbuckling the belt for.
The Griffin Inn, Bath
Just a stone’s throw from the cobbled centre of Bath, this 300-year-old inn is the idyllic spot to retreat to after meandering through the Christmas market. Hunker down in one of the many cosy corners and tuck into pub classics done well.
The festive menu is studded with wintry favourites. Begin the feast with chicken liver parfait and sweet onion chutney, or wild mushroom and Gruyère croquettes with lemon–mustard mayo for dipping. For the main event, choose between the likes of turkey with all the trimmings or slow-braised beef and fiery horseradish mash doused in glossy red wine jus. Bring a merry sparkle to the end of the meal with sorbet and Prosecco or revel in festive satisfaction with Christmas pudding and custard.
Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire
For bucolic Cotswold charm, frost-tipped fields and glowing fires, don’t hesitate to book this fairytale country house.
Grey’s, sister restaurant to the Michelin-starred The Dining Room at the Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, is offering a stellar festive set menu divided into earth, sea and land, with delectable sides and sumptuous desserts. Choose between the two or three-dish option, both flanked by a side and dessert. Menu favourites include stuffed and fried artichoke skins with tartare and gherkin, haddock and spiced mussel fregola, maple-glazed pigs in blankets, and a yule log served with marinated cherries.
Once bellies are full and spirits are merry, retire to one of the manor’s snug nooks, nurse a luscious tipple, and bask in the season’s glory.
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