Round up your pals and book a table at one of these South West restaurants for a fantastic festive gathering
Ardor, Cornwall
For a dose of Mediterranean zing this winter, make sure your gang collectively orders one of everything at Ardor.
Small plates, tapas, and mezze-style dishes shine in this cosy restaurant in the heart of St Ives. Chef Dorian Janmaat draws inspiration from the many years he spent living in Ibiza before returning to the Cornish coast, so expect an abundance of seafood cooked over coals, fresh local produce prepared with simplicity, and dry-aged cuts that will have you ordering more bread to mop up the juices.
A fiesta menu at Ardor is guaranteed to bring some festive frills. Start with two unctuous tapas plates, followed by a Josper-grilled main course such as rotisserie chicken or monkfish-and-prawn skewers. Tie the evening together with fresh cinnamon churros accompanied by a decadent choc-hazelnut dipping sauce.
Pythouse Kitchen Garden, Wiltshire
Larger groups looking for an enchanting festive gathering should head on down to restaurant of the year at the Food Lifestyle Awards 2025 – Pythouse Kitchen Garden.
Located within an 18th-century walled garden against the backdrop of Wiltshire’s landscape, this bucolic restaurant is one of the few in the UK to be awarded a Michelin Green Star for its commitment to sustainability. It’s also the only place in the country that also holds a Bib Gourmand. Smaller groups can enjoy a table on the main floor – ornately decorated and cosy – while larger groups can make use of the conservatory and opt for a drinks reception and canapés on arrival for the ultimate merry gathering.
A menu of responsibly sourced meat and fish cooked over British coal from sustainably managed orchards, is designed to be paired with Pythouse garden gatherings as veg-forward plates are inspired by what’s growing around the grounds. In-house Sprigster non-alcoholic infusions complement the food, while an array of juicy wines and cocktails provide enjoyment for those after something stronger.
Dottie’s, Devon
New kid on the block Dottie’s is the sort of place where you’ll spend longer than you meant to debating whether to share a spread of starters or commit to a main – both are excellent options.
Set inside the Indigo Hotel with views of Exeter Cathedral, it’s a welcome refuge after a wander around the Christmas market or a shopping trip. Sink into a chair, let an expertly mixed cocktail land in front of you (how does a Devon apple negroni sound?), and dive into a menu where local ingredients shine. Order The Quarterman’s Table – a generous sharing main for two, featuring pork belly, a chorizo scotch egg, mustardy mas, and a plethora of delightful accompaniments such as truffle piccalilli and a cider gravy that everyone at the table can dip and dunk into.
The restaurant is named after Dorothy Holman, a nurse during the war and founder of Topsham Museum, who dedicated her life to preservation and storytelling. It’s no surprise, then, that the dishes showcase the best of Devon’s fields, honouring Dottie’s heritage.
The Ilchester Arms, Dorset
The Ilchester Arms is diving right into Christmas merriment with its crackling fires and festive menu. Gin-cured salmon, roast goose and dark chocolate bavarois are just some of the delights on offer.
Sit back in the casual dining room of this 16th-century thatched Dorset pub – voted pub of the year at the Food Lifestyle Awards 2025 – and tuck into cheffed-up classics while sipping on something from the equally exciting drinks menu, studded with natural wines, expertly crafted cocktails and hoppy pleasures on tap.
For pre-dinner fun, or picky bits that pair well with a yap and something stronger, order from the bar menu. Nibbles include olives and spiced almonds that set the scene for heartier plates. The menus at this elevated pub change weekly based on what ingredients are available locally and seasonally, so no two visits are the same.
The Bunch of Grapes, Wiltshire
For playfully delicious pub classics and a sociable bar menu, round up the group chat and visit this family-run local.
With mentions in the Michelin Guide, the Good Food Guide, and two AA rosettes to its name, it’s no surprise the festive menu at The Bunch of Grapes is suitably indulgent. To start, highlights include duck parfait with pillowy brioche or pickled vegetables paired with goat’s curd and kale pesto. Then move on to hearty mains, from turkey with a cajun and black-treacle spin, to salmon with curried lentils. Complete your festive feast with a Christmas bread-and-butter pudding served with brandy ice cream, or go off-piste with a passion fruit crème brûlée accompanied by caramelised white chocolate and a zingy mango sorbet.
Raise a glass at the impressive bar and sip something lovely, like a creative cocktail with a seasonal twist or an on-tap beer from Bristol’s Lost and Grounded Brewers, to round off your festive get-together.
Enjoyed reading about festive gatherings? Check out our round-up of the best South West still wines.
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