Best Christmas foodie hampers to buy 2025
Whether you want to stock your cupboards with treats or need a gift for the foodie in your life, these are the most indulgent hampers to buy
Looking for the best Christmas hamper to treat a lucky loved one? Whether you're looking for the ultimate cheese box, a wicker basket full of sweet and savoury treats, we've gathered the best Christmas foodie hampers to buy this year, whether as a treat for yourself or friends and family. Looking for more gifting inspiration? If you've got someone specific to buy for try our specially tailored gift guides for beer enthusiasts, coffee lovers and gin fans. If you fancy making your own gifts this year, we've gathered our best edible gift recipes for delicious homemade presents. Read on for our picks of the best gourmet food hampers for Christmas. Best Christmas foodie hampers to buy at a glance Best unique produce hamper: The Flavours of Oldstead Hamper, £190 Best luxury Christmas hamper: Daylesford Organic 12 Days of Christmas Hamper, £130 Best luxury artisan hamper: The Osip Christmas hamper, £165 Best Spanish hamper: Brindisa Indulgence Hamper, £165 Best Christmas breakfast hamper: Ginger Pig Butcher’s Champagne Breakfast Box, £78 Best afternoon tea hamper: British Hamper Company afternoon tea gift basket, £63.97 Best hamper for cider lovers: DukesHill Whisky Cask Cider Savoury Hamper, £85 Best Cornish hamper: The Fruit Scone Cream Tea Hamper, £23.95 Best hamper for keen gardeners: Petersham Nurseries Gardening Hamper, £95 Best for Chinese cooking: Poon’s Heritage Hamper, £70 Best Christmas cheese hamper: Paxton & Whitfield 12 Days of Christmas Cheese Hamper, £85 Best Christmas foodie hampers to buy 2025 The Flavours of Oldstead Food Hamper Available from Made in Oldstead (£190) Best unique produce hamper A unique hamper with handmade products featuring seasonal ingredients grown and foraged by Tommy Banks and his team in North Yorkshire, this will keep someone going with delicious treats throughout the festive season. As well as a tomato leaf and lemon verbena candle, there are a selection of seasonal British cheeses like Young Buck, jars of spruce tip honey and red onion chutney, salami, Yorkshire lomo and classics such as beerglazed ham and chicken liver parfait, as well as a homemade beef shin ragu. Available from: Made in Oldstead (£190) Daylesford Organic 12 Days of Christmas Hamper Available from Daylesford Organic (£130) Best luxury Christmas hamper A selection of 12 festive treats to enjoy in the run-up to the big day including sweet and savoury snacks, a log fire candle, Christmas cocktail and the bestselling rosé frizzante sparkling wine. Available from: Daylesford Organic (£130) The Osip Christmas Hamper Available from Maison Osip (£165) Best luxury artisan hamper This hamper delivers a taste of gourmet luxury. A celebration of local producers and artisans from Maison Osip, it is a carefully curated selection of festive treats. The centrepiece is a hefty Christmas pudding, arriving in a ceramic bowl to reuse year after year. There's a wedge of Westcombe cheddar for festive cheeseboards, a bottle of English sparkling wine and a bottled fig leaf negroni – a chic twist on the classic cocktail. Coffee, chocolate from Pump Street Bakery and a tote bag round out the wicker hamper. It's expensive, but each item has been carefully chosen for quality. Available from: Maison Osip (£165) Brindisa Indulgence Hamper Available from Brindisa (£165) Best Spanish hamper Jam-packed with a wealth of luxury Spanish food gifts, from La Solana truffled cheese to Amatller white chocolate coated marcona almonds. The contents would all make brilliant snacks for a gourmet Christmas drinks party. Available from: Brindisa (£165) Ginger Pig Butcher’s Champagne Breakfast Box Available from The Ginger Pig (£78) Best Christmas breakfast hamper Create a festive breakfast of champions with thick-cut streaky and back bacon, sausages and black pudding, homemade rhubarb and blood orange jams, and tomato sauce, all served with a chilled glass of champagne. Available from: The Ginger Pig (£78) British Hamper Company afternoon tea basket Available from British Hamper Company (£63.97) Best afternoon tea hamper This smart hamper from British Hamper Company, delivered in a wicker basket and with every item in signature navy and red packaging, would make a great classic gift for someone with a sweet tooth. There's tins of earl grey and English breakfast tea, a dark and rich fruit cake loaded with nuts and cherries, a jar of strawberry jam and two boxes of biscuits – buttery shortbread or, our favourite, crunchy stem ginger cookies, that are perfect with a cup of tea. It is traditional classics done well for a simple sharing hamper. A personalised gift message can be added to the delivery. Available from: British Hamper Company (£63.97) DukesHill Whisky Cask Cider Savoury Hamper Available from DukesHill (£85) Best hamper for cider lovers Cider fans will love this sumptuous hamper. Inside, discover three bottles of Dukeshill’s rich and warming cider aged in whisky, accompanied by Isle of Mull cheddar and a lavish selection of sliced charcuterie including pastrami, bresaola, lomo and porchetta, plus accompaniments like fig chutney and multi-seed crackers. Available from: DukesHill (£85) The Fruit Scone Cream Tea Hamper Available from Not on the High Street (£23.95) Best Cornish hamper For a taste of the Cornish countryside, this hamper contains everything you need for the perfect Cornish afternoon tea (that's jam then cream). As well as freshly baked scones for four you'll find Rodda's clotted cream, strawberry jam, Cornish tea and two flavours of biscuit. Available from: Not on the High Street (£23.95) Petersham Nurseries Gardening Hamper Available from Petersham Nurseries (£95) Best hamper for keen gardeners A great gift for budding kitchen gardeners that includes a hand trowel and fork, herb and heirloom veg seed collections, and a smart pair of Niwaki gloves. Available from: Petersham Nurseries (£95) Poon’s Heritage Hamper Available from Poon's Pantry (£70) Best for Chinese cooking A striking red box with signature Poon’s artwork, this brings together Bill Poon’s wind-dried meats made from a traditional family recipe with daughter Amy Poon’s signature chilli oil and WO sauce. Available from: Poon's Pantry (£70) Paxton & Whitfield 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' Hamper Available from Paxton & Whitfield (£85) Best Christmas cheese hamper Because Christmas isn't complete without a good selection of cheese. This hamper is a true celebration of artisan cheese and luxurious accompaniments. It includes rich Cropwell Bishop stilton, creamy Aldwych and bakeable Celtic Soft, plus sea salt fudge, Taylors LBV port, spicy chutneys and crispbreads. Available from: Paxton & Whitfield (£85) Related reviews Best baking gifts Best cheese gifts Best vegan hampers and gifts Best advent calendars Best coffee advent calendars Best alcohol advent calendars Best Italian cookbooks Best gifts for cheese lovers Best gifts for foodies Best tea advent calendars Best matcha tea powders
Best new restaurants in London to visit in 2025
The best new restaurant openings in London, expertly reviewed by the olive team. Keep up to date with the hottest new openings and find out which are not to be missed, plus which dishes to order in each restaurant
Looking for new restaurants in London? We've visited the hot new openings in the capital to experience the restaurant for ourselves to bring you our regularly updated best London restaurants list. Read on for all the best new openings (including some from the end of last year) and we'll be continually adding new restaurant openings for 2025 as they launch, after we've expertly reviewed each one. For more restaurant guides check out our best restaurants in Soho, Covent Garden, Shoreditch and the best restaurants with rooms in the UK. If you want to pull out all the stops, find out the UK's best showstopping restaurants to impress or try the best chef's table experiences in the UK. Best new London restaurant openings 2025 Island, Kings Cross For elevated surf and turf Island takes the concept of surf and turf, and adds two cult chefs - Tom Brown (on surf) and Brad Carter (on turf) – to create a unique and playful menu. Although they aren’t cooking here day to day there’s some serious skill behind the open grill that lends a beautifully smoky edge to dishes. The dining room occupies the top floor of buzzy Mare St Market – it’s a big space but the cosy velvet-lined booths, banquette seating and chandelier-covered ceiling manage to make it warm and welcoming. We kicked off with a lamb and clam skewer – chunks of lamb belly, the fat rendered crispy and smoky, topped with tiny salty clams. Not listed on the menu but recommended by our server were seaweed flatbreads, puffed and golden with the edges almost like fried bread. We shared a whole grilled john dory which came doused in caper-spiked café de paris butter, the sweet flesh falling of the bone. An aged dairy ribeye was served with a deep umami version of peppercorn sauce and in place of chips little crunchy ‘turf’ roasties dusted with bone marrow powder (we also got the surf version dusted with mussel powder). A Bogtrotter-style layered chocolate cake to share finished us off – rich and dark with a shiny chocolate glaze, it was a perfect end to the meal. island-restaurants.com 74 Charlotte St by Ben Murphy, Fitzrovia For modern European 74 Charlotte Street by Ben Murphy sees the chef (who ran the kitchen at Launceston Place to great acclaim) in his first solo spot. The room is calm and elegant: coming in from a rainy winter evening the golden light and a warm atmosphere was immediately welcoming, as was the beautiful crescent-shaped cocktail bar where we kicked off with an icy, citrussy yuzu gimlet and a French 75. Such is the commitment to a perfect cocktail that my drink was decanted into a fresh frosty glass halfway through to keep it chilled. Don’t skip the bread – a pillowy loaf of tear-apart milk bread served with a cube of beurre noisette and a dish of hummus with vivid green pumpkin seed oil was just gorgeous. We loved the tender butter poached lobster tail with a tartlet topped with tiny discs of pumpkin to look like fish scales, and the iberica presa pork served perfectly pink with tiny grilled baby gem, carrot purée and a savoury jus – each dish looking like a little work of art. The wine list has some interesting by the glass options, with a Turkish sauvignon blanc being a particular surprise. Desserts are fun – there’s a retro mint green ice cream trolley with a seasonal flavour (mince pie on our visit) and a lovely chocolate tart, dense and rich with crisp chocolate pastry and hazelnut praline. 74charlottestreet.com 2210 by NattyCanCook, Herne Hill For reimagined Caribbean food As a Brixton resident I was extra excited about this opening. The Clink project at HMP Brixton inspired Nathaniel Mortley to turn his life around, launching a social media channel which led to residencies and now his permanent home in Herne Hill. Though born and raised in Peckham, Natty’s heritage is Bajan, Jamaican and Guyanese, thus he spotlights flavours and ingredients from the region in his elevated dishes. We kicked off by dunking grilled roti triangles into whipped scotch bonnet butter. Next came crispy spring rolls stuffed with ackee and saltfish, and pork belly with crackling trim, spiced jus and puddles of scotch bonnet mayo. I recommend sharing the hearty mains, all served with a choice of aromatic jollof rice or spiced rice and peas. There’s a sophisticated take on jerk chicken with mango and pineapple salsa, a much talked-about lamb rump with tamarind jus, and pan-seared spiced duck breast served with a show-stealing confit leg croquette. My highlight was whole brill lifted with a lightly spiced plantain velouté, pickled plantain cubes and vibrant coriander pesto. Don’t miss deep-fried apple crumble for dessert, presented in croquette form encasing spiced, pickled apple, with coffee chantilly cream and basil oil crème anglaise to lift. Cocktails pack a punch – signature rum punch is a popular choice, while margaritas are laced with scotch bonnet, and negronis infused with tangy sorrel. It’s a family affair – Natty's delightful godmother Cecilia was our server, his mum is his accountant and an old school friend helps out front of house. This, paired with the throwback soundtrack causing us to wiggle along in our plush grey chairs, ensures that good vibes prevail. I’m already planning a trip back for the Sunday roast, with the promise of scotch chimichurri roasties, followed by a brisk walk in neighbouring Brockwell Park. 2210bynattycancook.com Alex Crossley som saa, Shoreditch For Thai food After a fire devastated its kitchen early in 2025, som saa has reopened with its same regional Thai authenticity and buzzy vibes, but with a few new angles and a bit more bar-snack energy – recalibrations the team introduced after months to reflect and refresh. We started where the menu now gently nudges you to start: the nibbly bits. Tua phrik krob — deep-fried cashews with makrut lime leaf and dried chilli — are toasty, fragrant and entice you to keep reaching back into the bowl. Nang gai thort, crisp chicken skin with sriracha, makes you yearn to recreate it at home from the family roast. From there, the table builds itself. Gai yaang (BBQ chicken) comes off the grill juicy and lightly charred, with a tamarind jaew dip that keeps the sweet-sour heat tidy. Yum sanat, a warm northern salad of grilled pork, aubergine and herbs, has that lovely Thai balancing act: smoky meat, soft veg, bright herbs, a little roasted rice nuttiness. Dtom juet — clear soup of shiitake, samphire, kajon flowers and tofu skin — is the reset button in the middle of all that spice. Curries and braises keep the meal anchored. Mu parlow (five-spice soy-braised pork with fermented chilli sauce and a soy-cured egg) is glossy, savoury comfort, while gaeng gari yort mapraow orn — tofu with heart of coconut palm — brings an aromatic, gently sweet warmth. A side of sticky rice feels less like an option and more like the point. Olive tip: Start with four or five small dishes, then add a curry and rice. If the daily som dtam is on, order it — it sharpens everything around it. somsaa.com Keith Kendrick Cô Thành, Covent Garden For Vietnamese noodles On visiting Ho Chi Minh in 2013, Hong Kong based Brian Woo was transfixed by local Nguyễn Thị Thanh's street stand, returning daily for her rotating noodle soups. He befriended the ‘Lunch Lady’, training with her for three years before opening a restaurant in her name in Hong Kong. Now Cô Thành comes to Covent Garden, taking the elegant former Frenchie site and adding a vibrant Vietnamese canteen sheen – mirrored tabletops, signage popping from exposed brick walls and colourful plastic stools outside. Sharing starters include minced beef wrapped in betel leaf, sausage skewers glistening in tamarind glaze and beer battered chicken wings with sweet, spicy fish sauce. Next comes an extensive list of noodle soups, my highlight being fragrant bún bò huế, the broth sweetened with pineapple that tenderises the rare beef and beef shank slices along with springy meatballs, fresh herbs and shredded morning glory. Seafood-packed bún Thái has a tom yum edge thanks to tamarind, galangal and ginger, while bún mám packs a fermented umami punch, and bún riêu’s crab base is ideal for thinner vermicelli noodles. We were recommended to drop a couple of unique yellow chillies into our broth, allow them to infuse their floral fragrant spicy kick and then remove. Dinky desserts punch above their weight, from kem chuối inspired coconut and banana ice cream lifted with lime zest, to tiramisu laced with rum and dark roast coffee that caramelises into the mascarpone. Dipping deep-fried sponge fritters into Vietnamese drip cà phê took me right back to Hanoi’s quirky coffee shops. Next time I’ll be trying the clarified bloody mary style cocktail, Vietnamese Maria, for a savoury pick-me-up. cothanhrestaurant.com/london Alex Crossley The Salusbury, Queens Park For modern European cooking in a neighbourhood restaurant setting Half pub, half dining room, The Salusbury brings a confident new energy to leafy north-west London. We visited on a busy Friday night, the bar buzzing with chatter and that end-of-week cheer. Step through to the dining room, though, and the volume drops – it feels like a little pocket of calm tucked just off the action. Modern European cooking leads the charge and the kitchen delivers. We kicked off with the du jour snack, parmesan churros, and these were easily the best version we’ve tried: crisp, savoury and impossible not to leave even a crumb behind. A silky Dorset crab linguine with a peppery cacio e pepe kick had us chasing every last strand, helped along by warm rosemary focaccia that’s clearly made with care. Generous portions continue into the mains. Roast cod came piled high with mussels and sweet leeks in a bowl-sipping cider broth, while Somerset chicken arrived succulent and bronzed with golden gnocchi, sweetcorn and girolles. Desserts hold their own too – the salted caramel tart has just the right wobble and a perfectly judged sweetness. A polished, promising new neighbourhood staple. thesalusbury.co.uk Barney Desmazery Khao-Sō-i, Soho For fiery Northern Thai cuisine London doesn’t lack for Thai restaurants but at Khao-Sō-i – named after the curry noodle dish of Chiang Mai – chef Win Srinavakool has created a menu shaped by the flavours of northern Thailand, with smoke from a wood-fired grill and bold (okay, hot) spice. We began with moo ping: wafer-thin Norfolk pork belly skewers grilled over wood with a sticky, caramelised edge and a deep, savoury warmth. Tum khanun – young jackfruit salad tossed with northern herbs – whacks your tastebuds with refreshing and tingling heat and zest. It’s a perfect spot for an after-work or after-shopping catch-up, buzzing with chatter, the throb of music and the theatre of the open grill. The main event is the namesake khao soi. We tried it two ways: gai (chicken) and bai pye (torched beef chuck eye). The pleasure is in shaping it. Each bowl arrives with coconut cream, chilli flakes, herbs and crisp noodles on the side, so you build your own version: richer, hotter, crunchier, or all of the above, before you pull the noodles from the creamy spiced broth and slurp like no one’s watching. There’s an extensive drinks list but ice-cold Neckstamper pale ale is the way to go to douse the fire and cleanse your palate before diving in to luxurious cha thai cheesecake or bai toey ice cream with cloud-like cubes of brioche. Olive tip: If you go as a two-some order separate dishes and share. You’ll want to experience as much of the menu as possible. khaosoilondon.com Keith Kendrick Il Bambini Club, Hoxton For Italian food in beautiful surroundings Walk into the main entrance of The Hoxton hotel and you are immediately swept into the chic world of Il Bambini Club. The room is warmly lit and beautifully furnished – think curved banquette seating, colourful stripes and florals, and giant fringed lampshades. A big open kitchen runs along one side, which adds to the appealing buzz. We tucked ourselves into one of the comfy booths and kicked things off with pair of cocktails – a rosso spritz with Martini Riserva, cherry and sparkling red, and a punchy vesper martini. The concise menu is trattoria-style. Antipasti of zingy yellowfin tuna tartare came heaped on a pile of crushed avocado, and a whole burrata was served with a juicy panzanella salad (for smaller appetites these would make a perfect lunch or light dinner). After consulting our waiter went for piatti (mains) of meatballs cloaked in a rich tomato sauce with dollops of whipped ricotta and a roasted sea bass – the sweet flesh cut with bitter escarole and capers. From a mostly Italian wine list the chilled Nero d’Avola is great value at £9 a glass – a lovely partner to the food or light enough to drink as an aperitivo. For dessert we shared the very generous tiramisu – creamy and light with a decent kick of espresso and booze. It gave us an excuse to linger, have one more drink and enjoy the cosy vibes of the beautiful room. bambini-restaurant.com Janine Ratcliffe The Elizabeth, Belgravia For cosy bistro vibes This exciting opening sees legendary chef Anthony Demetre, who pioneered modern British cooking at restaurants like Arbutus and Wild Honey, overseeing the new menu. Stepping into the intimate dining room, all leather banquettes and dark wood panelling, felt like entering a Parisian-style bistro. We loved the cosy feel, especially as we were able to get a sneak peek at our neighbour’s dishes to help ordering. The concise menu follows a three-course style which felt refreshing in this age of sharing plates. From starters we chose a Demetre classic, pâté en croûte. Layers of guinea fowl, pork and duck in a crisp pastry shell which came in a generous slab with a dollop of pickled walnut ketchup. After consulting our server we went for mains with an autumnal feel – a steamed Cornish sea bream with a piquant diced piperade and a rich bouillabaisse sauce poured tableside for drama, and a meltingly tender duck confit with comforting stew of chickpeas, spinach and oregano. There’s a pleasingly retro cocktail list – I tried the zingy Lemondrop and my non-drinking guest was given a Juke of Westminster – a non alcoholic wine shrub posing as a glass of red. There’s also a great selection of wines by the glass starting at £7.50. We did end up sharing a dessert of perfectly executed crème brûlée with a rich vanilla spiked custard and shatteringly crisp crust which was a lovely light way to end dinner. olive tip: There’s an amazing value set menu at lunch and early dinner (two courses for £25 or three for £29.50) – on our visit it included Cumbrian beef tartare with ’nduja mayo and beef dripping toast; chicken with pearl barley, morteau and duxelles; and a pear tart with clotted cream. theelizabethsw1.co.uk Janine Ratcliffe Platapian, Soho Of the many surprising dishes at Platapian, the Soho Thai restaurant from the people behind Patara, one especially stood out: cabbage roasted until soft yet still with bite, the wedges dressed with fish sauce and whole chillies to deliver a sweet-salty heat that works beautifully with the vegetable’s faint sourness. But it’s by no means the only eyebrow-raiser in this stylish, sleek space on one of London’s busiest streets. We started with crispy chicken skin with a squeeze of lime – think gourmet pork scratchings. Stuffed snub nose chilli stuffed with minced chicken and prawn is big enough to share, plump and aromatic, and, despite its name, only mildly hot. Then a pandan-leaf wrapped parcel of miang kham scallop, beautifully silky and smoky. Mains kept the balance between comfort and freshness. Short rib beef in five-spice ‘paloh’ with grated salted egg yolk is the stand-out. Flake-apart meat in a rich gravy was positively swoon-worthy. While southern-style yellow curry with crab, mellow and light, saucy with coconut, was a hug in a bowl. Together they showed how Platapian’s menu celebrates the whole of Thai cuisine. From the drinks list, Tom Yum-tini and a whisky sour are smart, punchy and in simpatico with the elegance of the restaurant, while desserts use Thai ingredients to twist familiar Western dishes, such as a smooth pandan crème brûlée. olive tip: When we went on a Thursday night, Platapian was packed, buzzing and loud – so if you want to talk ask for a counter seat near the front. pataralondon.com Keith Kendrick Taco Bros, East Finchley For taco lovers who’ll cross town for them Taco Bros is the sort of neighbourhood place you wander into for something simple and good, then find yourself staying longer than planned, thinking, okay, we’ll order another round. Taco Bros grew from a taco truck and still carries that scrappy charm, though the new bricks and mortar space has its own warmth. Family photos, bright ceiling decorations and the hum of early evening give it the feel of a home kitchen that happens to pour margaritas. I started with the guacamole, which arrived with a heap of crisp tortilla chips and a bowl of green that kept a little of its rustic chunkiness, the sort that feels properly made by hand rather than fussed with. The fish tacos took me straight back to their market days: batter shatter-crisp, slaw bright, tortillas full of flavour. The lamb birria came with a jus that was rich and intensely fatty in the most comforting way, sharpened by white onion and lime. Even the chicken enchiladas felt like a quiet hug, all smoke and gentle heat. The margarita list is long and playful. I went for mango, sweet and sunny, though I found myself wishing it was a touch more sour. There’s a full spread of Mexican soft drink brand Jarritos too, including flavours I’d never seen before. I finished with churros, hot and crisp with enough dulce de leche to make me grateful for the walk home. tacobrosldn.co.uk Legado, Shoreditch For regional Spanish cuisine in a contemporary setting At Nieves Barragán Mohacho (chef-owner of Michelin-starred Sabor)’s regional Spanish restaurant, a bar complete with Estrella Galicia’s signature ceramic taps welcomes guests into the contemporary space. A wine rack spans almost an entire exposed brick wall and prime kitchen pass seats watch over chefs adding finishing touches to no fewer than nine menu sections. We were advised to order three to four dishes each, including two starters, a rice dish and a dessert to share. Things kicked off strong with pan tomate – the olive oil doused tomato toast elevated with dry-cured beef – and tempura-coated piquillo peppers filled with creamy goat’s cheese. Seafood highlights included glistening pan-fried squid stuffed with girolles set on a rich squid ink bisque and tiny fried camarones coated in glossy egg yolk. The ibérico lagarto pork atop rice cooked in earthy mushroom stock is a menu must-order, while sliced tomatoes topped with red mullet bottarga and shaved cured blue fin tuna heart were a surprise highlight. Dessert left us gleeful – saffron honey ice cream quenelle with white chocolate mousse and caramelised pistachios – and we’ll be back to try the Segovian sponge cake. Unique 3-sip amuse-bouche cocktails are served in quirky cups – Spanish bitter aperitif Bonanto is balanced with sharp, sweet rhubarb. To follow, there are multiple sangria options, plenty of Spanish-style gin tonics (re:strong!) and a regional wine and sherry list including my favourite albariño grape from Rías Baixas. olive tip: I would usually order suckling pig if on the menu, and the one at Sabor is epic, but we opted for the more manageable (for two) half pig’s head, deep-fried and sprinkled with jamón powder, which we pulled apart to find juicy treasures. legadorestaurants.com Alex Crossley Canal, Westbourne Park Tucked down a cobbled mews between Notting Hill and Maida Vale, and built into the new Mason & Fifth hotel-apartment complex, Canal is one of London’s most exciting recent openings. Its towpath perch on the Grand Union Canal sets a modern, urban stage for food that’s both precise and packed with flavour. Provenance is proudly front and centre – sourdough comes from Layla, while charcuterie like jamón and Mangalitza sausages arrive from Coombeshead Farm. The menu is cleverly pitched so there’s something for everyone. A fat diner-style cheeseburger bucks the smashburger trend and feels all the better for it, while scallops arrive plump and caramelised, served in their shells with ’nduja butter begging to be mopped up with that sourdough. Crab on toast is so fresh it tastes like it’s just left the boat, and chicken with sweetcorn and girolles might be the most impressive chicken breast you’ll eat this year. Desserts are just as memorable – a tiramisu that’s unapologetically boozy, and a brown butter almond cake with sour cherries that’s indulgent yet balanced. With seasoned owners and staff who know their craft, Canal feels confident from the start – we can’t wait to return. mason-fifth.com Barney Desmazery The Lavery For modern European cooking inside a Grade II-listed townhouse The Lavery is an elegant space in smart South Kensington, where you can expect chic yet understated Georgian interiors: high ceilings, wooden floors, beautiful fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows. The menu and service are as chic as the interiors – no surprise given that the kitchen is led by Yohei Furuhashi, former chef at River Café, Petersham Nurseries and Toklas. His menu showcases Mediterranean seasonality while incorporating ingredients from the British Isles. Starters strike a beautiful balance of fresh flavours, from grilled squid with fresh borlotti, rocket and chilli to Honeymoon melon with shaved courgette and almonds. Standout mains include Scottish sea trout baked in fig leaves and sea salt served with pea, fennel and basil aïoli, and linguine with lobster in tomato and vodka sauce. Desserts are worth lingering over, from a feather-light bean chocolate mousse to the perfect almond tart accompanied by strawberries and cream. You’ll be well looked after from the moment you arrive to the last lick of the dessert spoon. For excellent value, visit for the three-course set lunch menu for £38 per person. thelavery.co.uk Lily Barclay Noisy Oyster, Shoreditch For modern bistro dishes Noisy Oyster is a new opening from the team behind Soho’s Firebird – a sleek modern bistro with a focus on sustainable seafood and killer martinis. The room is an airy, industrial space with shiny, steel-topped tables and huge open windows leading onto a large buzzy terrace. Kick things off with one of the cult icy-cold mini martinis – the Oyster, made with Sapling gin, Otto’s vermouth and an oyster leaf garnish is great paired with a smoked tomato water and oyster dressed with crème fraîche. From the playful menu, small plate wins include a raw scallop crudo topped with zingy pickled raspberries and basil oil, and a dish of rich, creamy stracciatella topped with anchovies and almond pesto (don’t forget to order the light, puffy focaccia to spoon this onto). Guinness bread topped with a generous slick of whipped butter and piled with Yarra Valley red caviar is the obvious Instagrammable dish but still delicious. Standout larger plates include a crunchy breaded hake with a seasonal peach panzanella, and monkfish skewers with XO sauce, topped with a melting, paper-thin slice of lardo. We tried a twist on rum baba for dessert soaked in fig leaf bourbon and served with crème anglaise and strawberries but the soft-serve Jersey ice cream topped with caviar is intriguing enough for a repeat visit. noisyoysterlondon.co.uk Janine Ratcliffe Lai Rai, Peckham For modern Vietnamese Meet friends for fuss-free snacks and cold beers at this dinky new-school Vietnamese. With the name Lai Rai meaning ‘little by little’, the space is a homage to Vietnamese canteens, with a buttery colour palette, neon lighting and slick red stools. By day it serves bánh mì and Vietnamese coffee, by evening the menu evolves into playful twists on familiar Vietnamese flavours – you won't find any bowls of pho here. Smaller plates include crunchy prawn lollies on sugarcane stalks and a light, multicoloured papaya jellyfish salad with lumps of pineapple, charred tomatoes, fresh Viet herbs and peanuts, mopped clean with charred bánh mì chunks. Larger dishes feature a twice-cooked chicken leg atop a herby dressing and grilled betel leaf beef, bathed in a smoky pool of house-made coffee barbecue jus. Vietnamese-inspired cocktails include the Xoài Kick, a bracing mix of tequila, mango, red chillies and fruit salt, and a Viet coffee-laced vodka martini. Finish with a scoop of freshly churned ice cream made by small south London manufacturer Clingy Wrap, with unique flavours such as fish sauce vanilla caramel and kumquat cucumber sorbet. If you're looking for something altogether unexpected, you’ll find it here. lairai.london Helen Salter SINO, Notting Hill For Ukrainian fine dining Sino means “hay” in Ukrainian, but the word goes much deeper to encapsulate the country’s agricultural roots. At their contemporary fine-dining restaurant on All Saints Road, Ukrainian duo Polina Sychova and Eugene Korolev weave this concept into everything they do, from the menu to striking ceiling installation and handcrafted crockery. Interiors are soft, natural and warm – brushed clay walls, beige banquettes and linen drapes dressing the windows. Chef Eugene combines his Michelin-starred experience and Ukrainian heritage to revamp traditional dishes – bitesize potato and sorrel waffles stacked with sorrel-flecked soured cream and smoked pike roe; chicken kyiv presented in a bonbon-style sphere bursting with wild garlic butter alongside bison grass mash; and beef cheek dumplings bathing in oxtail broth spiced with star anise, fragrant with lemon verbena and umami-rich thanks to smoked mushroom garum. Don’t miss tartare-style marinated aubergine served with Kyyrma smoked cheese flatbread and spiced adjika dip to start. Elevated desserts include a riff on honey cake; its layers of honey and buckwheat flour crowned with buckwheat chocolate in a moat of whipped walnut sauce. Eastern European wines hail from Kyiv, Georgia’s Kakheti region and the Black Sea, while Ana Reznik’s cocktails play on nostalgic flavours from a childhood in Ukraine. sinorestaurant.co.uk Alex Crossley Tatar Bunar, Shoreditch For Ukrainian cuisine Southern Ukrainian cuisine is in the spotlight at this likeable new restaurant from Ukrainian restaurateurs Alex Cooper and Anna Andriienko. Named after Alex’s hometown of Tatarbunary, the menu is inspired by old family traditions and his grandmother’s recipes, as well as the richness of Bessarabian produce. There’s also a wine list packed with Ukrainian producers. Interiors are a soothing lush blend of creamy neutrals and natural textures with materials sourced from Eastern Europe such as reclaimed Carpathian wood and Bessarabian stone, with ceramics from Kyiv artist Svetlana Sholomitska. We start with forshmak: chunky dollops of finely chopped herring pâté on onion bread, the oily richness balanced by a disc of pink pickled onion and smoked soured cream. Bryndza, a crumbly, tangy, feta-like sheep’s milk cheese is topped with luscious slices of sweet tomato and sprat fillets for a caprese-like dish with an Eastern Europe spin. On the heartier side, banush – cornmeal and cream porridge – is velvety, cheesy and comforting, topped with meaty wild mushrooms. Mains come from the grill: we tried charred, juicy lamb chop served with yogurt, flavoursome pickled tomatoes and a bright and spicy sauce made with red peppers, the latter of which also accompanies tender, delicate grilled rabbit. Desserts are robust and rib-sticking. Crème brûlée comes with a secret surprise inside – a sturdy steamed varenyk dumpling filled with soft cheese – while crêpes come with three individual fillings: poppy seed sauce, blackcurrant jam and cottage cheese, all swimming in creamy custard. Tatar Bunar is generous to a fault – portions are sizeable, the glasses of wine are large and the flavours are bold and unapologetic. A refreshing addition to London's restaurant scene. @tatarbunar.london Hannah Guinness Lupa, Highbury For a neighbourhood Italian This cute neighbourhood corner spot is inspired by the osterias of Rome – where co-owner Ed Templeton lived for a time – with their comforting, simple dishes and casual, friendly atmosphere. The bright, breezy room feels fresh but keeps lots of the original charm intact, including the beautiful, almost floor to ceiling original windows. Chef Naz Hassan's menu is concise and a table of four could happily order most of the menu. Kick off with a punchy martini, heady with Malfy gin and fig leaf liqueur, and a snack of courgette flower stuffed with burrata, deep-fried and served on an umami courgette purée boosted with dashi. There are some pasta greatest hits – try the cacio e pepe with handmade pici in a generous slick of peppery, cheesy sauce. Mains include a thick slice of porchetta stuffed with apricot, gorgeously burnished with deep, crunchy crackling – order the creamy green vignarola veg as a perfect accompaniment. There are only two puddings but the tiramisu delivers – feather light and creamy with a proper kick of booze. Punters may book hoping to see a glimpse of co-owner Theo James (of White Lotus fame) but they’ll come back for the spot-on cooking. lupa.restaurant Janine Ratcliffe Osteria Angelina, Shoreditch For Italian and Japanese fusion Angelina in Dalston offers a unique fusion of Italian and Japanese cooking. This new offshoot caters to a more casual set-up, with tasting menus swapped out for a pick-and-mix of Italian-Japanese dishes and an open kitchen and pasta studio to be viewed from marble-topped tables. Small plates are split into pane (hello nori-flecked focaccia), insalate including Usman's magic mirin and star anise tricolore tomato salad, crudos, such as tuna belly with citrussy ponzu and wasabi, and fritti featuring courgette flowers stuffed with creamy miso and caramelised onion ricotta, topped with hazelnut furikake for extra crunch. Pastas are a highlight – the menu advises to order a couple and we agree. Kombu and truffle laced tortellini contrasts slow-cooked duck ragu and crunchy lotus flower pieces on folds of fazzoletti. Larger grill dishes include umami-rich grilled chicken in taro sauce slathered in miso butter, best paired with okonomiyaki-style shoestring fries. Finish with bruléed black sesame cheesecake or cheese panna cotta topped with caviar for a savoury burst. Playful combinations continue on the drinks list – Riso and Rosmarino pairs cynar and rosemary with sake and cucumber, while smoked pineapple and Sicilian smoked cactus distillate create a zippy Shinjuku Albatross. Lesser spotlighted regional Italian wines sit alongside sakes and a selection of digestifs including grappas and Japanese whiskies. angelina.london/osteria Alex Crossley Town, Covent Garden Stevie Parle's latest swishy, provenance-focused restaurant Any restaurant menu that opens with an extensive snack selection is on the money for London 2025: fried sage leaves with heather honey and chilli are a cocktail’s perfect partner. At Town, the new venue from Stevie Parle and Jonathan Downey the vibe is very much a modern take on early James Bond cool and classy. There’s a standalone bar (cocktails by Kevin Armstrong of Satan’s Whiskers fame, 3 choices of martini natch) which draws the eye on one side, while the space age pass to the kitchen is ringed in glowing baize green and every bit of detail from the ceiling to the frosted glasses shouts ‘attention’. The provenance of produce is equally hot. Wildfarmed beef is raised for the restaurant and served wine-cured with crunchy candied walnuts and posh ‘cheese whizz’, as steaks or in fat form as the cooking medium for pink fir potatoes. There are Seasalter clams swimming in sherry or as a main, curried with cod; Isle of Mull scallops with smoked chilli butter and Kentish asparagus swathed in Mangalista lardo. Kasmiri saffron risotto is served with bone marrow to be scooped out and stirred through, mighty rich in flavour and a show-off on the plate. Buttermilk pudding with roasted nespole (loquats) or a scoop of Todoli lemon and Thai basil sorbet make a refreshing end. There is of course an excellent wine list. town.restaurant Lulu Grimes Kerfield Arms, Camberwell Popular NE London pub team heads south of the river The team behind Islington favourite The Baring has kept things stripped back and simple at their new south London pub. The Victorian-era building boasts plenty of space to play with – for now, a bar with independent brews on tap divides a casual area dedicated to drinkers and walk-ins and a dining room for the full shebang, with the promise of outdoor seating and a private dining room next to the first-floor kitchen to come. To kick things off, a silky house martini combines olive oil fat washed Sapling gin and fennel-infused vermouth, while cherry blossom liqueur and sparkling rosé add spring flourish to a French 75. Order a portion of fried pizza dough fingers to scoop up taramasalata while you peruse the menu of seasonal stars. In the inaugural shish kebab, melting squiggles of squid and lardo slivers are barbecued on a skewer and served in spiced pul biber butter along with shaved fennel and whispy monk’s beard. Half a beefy smoked Marmande tomato, topped with cubes of smoked ricotta and pangrattato crumb, is balanced in a moat of zippy tomato consommé. For mains, grilled monkfish comes with tiny waxy Jersey Royals and friarielli greens in a rich shrimp bisque, while four pink, succulent Yorkshire hogget chops are nestled into a plate of violet artichokes, plump broad beans, creamy bagna cauda and rich hogget reduction. The short but strong dessert menu includes strawberry and chamomile custard doughnuts and chocolate olive oil mousse with rustic brownie and crème fraîche. thekerfieldarms.co.uk Alex Crossley Pyro, London Bridge Greek restaurant where smoke and fire do the talking Just a few minutes from Borough Market is Pyro, a light-filled, open-kitchen spot where smoke and fire do the heavy lifting. Headed up by Yiannis Mexis, formerly of Hide, the Greek menu leans into open-flame cooking with balance and control. Potato pita is essential: pillowy, dotted with onion seeds and perfect for scooping up cooling tzatziki or smoky aubergine topped with walnuts and pomegranate. A pork pluma skewer is rich, roasted and herb-packed, expertly balanced with sour apple. Sea bream crudo, by contrast, is light and bright – green olive and caper leaf add savoury lift, while precisely diced chillies lend occasional, welcome heat. The octopus is soft and lightly charred, paired with a spiced red wine sauce and silky yellow split pea. Lamb, cooked over alder wood, is standout – tender, subtly sweet, served with lamb-fat flatbreads and an anchovy-spiked yogurt. Sides more than pull their weight: crisp layered potatoes with garlicky skordalia and a confidently simple lettuce salad. Portokalopita, soaked with citrus syrup and served with a perfumed citrus leaf ice cream, ends things on a bright note. Pyro is a restaurant that lets fire do the talking but knows when to let something stay cool, crisp or raw. It’s considered and deeply satisfying. pyrorestaurant.co.uk Lydia Anderson The Knave of Clubs, Shoreditch Lovingly restored pub with rotisserie kitchen The Knave of Clubs is back on the East End pub scene with a proper old-school flourish. Originally serving the bird market traders on Club Row in the 1880s, this local continued life as an East End boozer until the 1990s when it underwent a full transformation into French restaurant Les Trois Garçons for a decade or so. The pub has been lovingly restored on the ground floor, huge wall mirrors have been unearthed and polished, the bar revamped and a toastie, oyster, snack and rotisserie chicken menu installed. The driving force behind this redo are Benjy Leibowitz (ex NYC’s NoMad), James Dye (The Camberwell Arms) and Patrick Powell (ex Allegra) all of whom are committed to the local feel of the pub – it’s one big room with the rotisserie kitchen at the end open. You can book for lunch (advised, it’s popular) and evenings are walk-in, dogs are welcome and the vibe is buzzy. Try the prawn scotch eggs and venison sausage rolls to start. There's only one dessert, a very good chocolate mousse. theknaveofclubs.co.uk Lulu Grimes Bubala, King's Cross Popular Middle Eastern small plate restaurant opens its third site The third spot from Marc Summers (Berber & Q) boasts its very own wood-fired oven, as well as a bright, light-filled space and high ceilings – unlike its cosier counterparts in Soho and Shoreditch – and with shelves adorned with pickle jars and greenery. Trust that ‘Bubala Knows Best’ with the vegetarian or vegan set menus. Start with a pickle plate – three types all in different brines – closely followed by the superlative dips. The beyond silky baba ganoush comes with a well of curry leaf oil and toasted pine nuts, alongside a sleek fava bean dip with vadouvan. Smoky laffa bread is fresh off the grill and wonderfully charred. The oyster mushroom skewer with tamari and coriander seed is a stand-out dish with umami meatiness that will convince even the staunchest mushroom naysayers. Crisp falafel with a vibrant green centre is served with tangy mango pickle amba and sumac onions. Even something as simple as a side salad is injected with Bubala flair – oak and mustard leaves with onion, pomegranate molasses and mint is a refreshing complement to the deep-fried falafel, charred, smoky vegetables and creamy dips. Wash it all down with a spicy margarita rimmed with flecks of char from the grill. bubala.co.uk Emily Marten Dove, Notting Hill A Jackson Boxer revamp into a true neighbourhood gem Jackson Boxer's latest venture is a revamp on the same site as seafood restaurant Orasay – a place the chef wants to be familiar and accessible but still feel special and playful. This is evident in the menu, where comforting classics are peppered with pops of intrigue, such as octopus gildas to start alongside fino sherry and tonic. The springy, deep-fried potato pizzette comes laden with folds of mortadella and a huge burrata ball, while the yuzu-laced tuna tostada makes a lighter option. Next, four helmeted grilled Atlantic prawns in a zippy smoked garlic and black lime butter and Iberiko tomatoes drizzled in spicy chilli oil and soured cream. The must-order (if you can, only 10 are made for each service) is an umami-rich hunk of a burger formed from 50-day, dry-aged beef rib cap, brisket and chuck, flame-grilled with gorgonzola dolce and champagne-braised Lyonnaise onions so caramelised and melded together in a glazed potato roll… best accompanied with crunchy duck fat chips. Those too late are rewarded instead with steamed hake and Romana courgette in a rich champagne broth or sharing cuts such as wood-roast chicken in Café de Paris butter, 30-day Tamworth pork double loin chop and 50-day Highland beef sirloin chop. Finish with a retro-chic fior di latte soft serve doused in peppery olive oil with chewy oat cookies on the side. Paired with Orasay’s original interiors, elegant yet unfussy in style with earthy-hued linens and exposed brick walls, this next iteration takes Dove into true neighbourhood haunt territory. dove.london Alex Crossley Crunch, Soho Smash-hit sandwiches go upmarket in this slick new all-day Soho spot Landing on the buzzy corner of Dean Street and Old Compton Street, Crunch brings its cult-followed Spitalfields sandwiches to a permanent Soho address – and the result is part elevated sandwich shop, part stainless steel lined sandwich theatre. The vibe is sleek but casual, with polished metal counters, high stools and a front-row view of the sandwich station, where flat iron steaks hit the grill and brioche buns get that signature toast. The menu is concise but clever – the main event is the Soho-exclusive steak sandwich, a decadent, juicy, grass-fed beef patty in golden, crisp-edged brioche. Don’t skip sides: the thousand-layer crispy potatoes with bloody mary ketchup are addictive, and the lasagne bites are punchy, deep-fried delights. For something sweet, the deep-fried french toast made from brioche offcuts, custard-soaked and topped with apple, chocolate chunks and dulce de leche, is reason enough to linger. The service is fast and friendly, perfect for solo diners perched at the bar or a quick lunch with a friend. A breakfast menu is on the way, too – worth keeping an eye on for early morning indulgence. sandwichuprising.com Best new London restaurant openings in late 2024 Babbo, St John's Wood Smart yet relaxed Italian dining, serving updated trattoria classics with finesse Tucked away in St John’s Wood, Babbo brings a refined yet welcoming modern touch to classic Italian trattoria fare. The space is elegant yet relaxed, striking the right balance between sophistication and comfort. Service is warm and efficient, making it the kind of place for both special occasions and relaxed midweek dinners. The meal begins with a generous bread basket – five types, all fresh and warm from the oven. Starters include perfectly cooked zucchini fritti and a clever take on veal tonnato, studded with hazelnuts for added depth and texture. The lobster spaghetti is rich with a deeply flavoured bisque base and vibrant tomato notes, while the grilled lamb chops arrive perfectly pink and full of smoky char. On the side, potatoes al forno steal the show, extra crunchy and moreish. As well as a full menu Babbo also serves pizza which, although we didn’t try them on this visit, looked signature thin and crisp. From the desserts, tiramisu is the standout – light, creamy and classic. Pair it with a strong espresso or a glass of vin santo to finish. With a well-balanced menu of updated Italian classics, Babbo offers some of the best trattoria-style cooking in London – refined, comforting and worth returning for. babborestaurant.co.uk Barney Desmazery AngloThai, Marylebone Thai flavours with British ingredients AngloThai is the debut restaurant from husband and wife team John and Desiree Chantarasak, and marks the culmination of a nearly four-year site search after numerous highly successful pop-ups and residencies. Now the couple bring their unique vision for contemporary Thai-British cuisine to the historic Seymour Place in London’s vibrant Marylebone neighbourhood. À la carte by day and tasting menu by night, the menu is full of dishes that blend the bold flavours of Thailand with modern presentation and innovative techniques, while still respecting traditional cooking styles. It also adapts to the seasonal offerings of the British Isles, and is paired with a wine list that champions thoughtful producers and superior craftsmanship. This 44-cover restaurant was one of the hottest tables of 2024 and the momentum is carrying over to 2025, with AngloThai winning it's first Michelin star. anglothai.co.uk Janine Ratcliffe Silva, Mayfair For varied all-day dining Silva, the Latin word for forest, carries this theme in its interiors with woodland friezes and natural tones in the airy dining room and snug bar. A compact, seasonal menu takes inspiration from the Med and Japan with a raw section designed to wake up the palate – wild sea bass crudo, jalapeño, yuzu and ginger dressing has delicate tang. Classic steak tartare is made hearty by topping a chunky potato waffle and a signature dish of crispy egg with girolle and parmesan sauce is also a generous starter. Lighter mains like roasted cauliflower with butter beans and caponata or steamed halibut are balanced by the more robust Creedy Carver duck with coco beans and addictive rosemary and garlic roasties. Silva’s busy kitchen team, headed up by Slawomir Sawicki, can be seen through the street-facing windows below a pretty striped awning on the increasingly restaurant-focussed Bruton Place. Open all day from breakfast to dinner. silvarestaurant.co.uk Leydi, Holborn Viaduct Sharing plates from Istanbul Leydi sees the return of the talented Selin Kiazim (previously Oklava) to London and brings with it the spirit of Istanbul, serving an all-day menu oozing with Turkish favourites but with Selin’s unique modern twist. Launched opposite the Old Bailey in an area in Farringdon with an abundance of history, the restaurant pays tribute to the vibrancy of Istanbul’s eating culture, featuring generous, celebratory Turkish food meant to be shared and savoured. The drinks menu boasts bespoke creations from Kevin Patnode, two-time winner of the best bartender in Turkey, in addition to a transcontinental wine list with a distinctive Turkish influence. With décor featuring plush banquettes, warm lighting and understated references to Istanbul’s architecture and interiors that can only be described as elegant, this intimate 90-cover dining room sets its sights on charming the capital. leydilondon.com Janine Ratcliffe The Grill at The Hero, Maida Vale Sustainably sourced meat and fish cooked over open fire Find this beautiful dining room above one of west London’s busiest locals. While the pub serves great-value comfort food, like sausage and mash, and cheese and onion pie, The Grill’s focus is on sustainably sourced meat and fish cooked over open fire. Gutsy dishes like sweetbreads with lobster gravy make it a destination, alongside grilled monkfish tail, turbot, pork chop or ribeye with elevated sides of honeyed chicory, jerusalem artichokes and excellent chips. For the best experience, book a booth facing the open kitchen but, wherever you sit, the unique waiter station which stretches the entire length of the room, makes you feel part of the action. Wood panels and leather seating create a grown-up, calming atmosphere. theherow9.com/the-grill/ Christine Hayes Wildflowers, Belgravia Stylish restaurant and wine bar with a Med focus Partners Laura Hart, whose background is in interior and floral design, and chef Aaron Potter, have created a space that’s welcoming and stylish in equal measure. Med-inspired dishes are cooked over coal in an open kitchen, cocktails are imaginative twists on classics (try a melon negroni or almost-dirty martini) and its understated design encourages you to relax and linger over your food. The menu includes little intrigues like Romeo & Juliets (cheese and quince one-bites) and the best versions of trending dishes like sugar pit pork chop, Galician ex-dairy ribeye with smoked bone marrow rice and fior di latte gelato – a soft serve that’s reminiscent of Wimpy, in the best possible way. Upstairs the light-filled wine bar offers a decent selection by the glass and Italian-style snacks, making it an ideal place to swing by when shopping at nearby King’s Road or Pimlico Road’s upscale interior design quarter. wildflowersrestaurant.co.uk Christine Hayes Fonda, Heddon Street For regional Mexican dishes Santiago Lastra, chef-owner of Mexican fine dining restaurant Kol, brings a more informal option to Heddon Street. A fonda is a Mexican family-run inn, to which there are nods in the décor (earthy tones, handwoven fabrics and Mexican crafts), regional Mexican menu and homely touches, including a trio of salsas – smoky salsa macha, lively gooseberry salsa verde and fiery salsa roja – brought to the table for customers to apply to dishes as they wish. Kick off with Yucatan ground pumpkin seed speciality sikil pak topped with vibrant green pine oil and deep-fried totopos. Specials include tuna belly crudo in soy, sesame and fermented gooseberry dressing; and quesadillas stuffed with Oaxacan-style cheese from Canterbury. The traditional clay comal is the kitchen’s focal point and the dedicated comal list includes Marmite beer-battered baja fish dressed with chipotle mayo, Hispi cabbage and pistachio guacamole. Costra is an elevated tribute to CDMX post-clubbing snacks – 30-day aged rib-eye topped with grilled spenwood and manchego infused with macha sauce.Moving on to sharing mains – black sesame, short rib stock and chocolate paste take centre stage in the rich, 60-ingredient short rib mole. Charred adobo-laced monkfish comes on soft Ratte potatoes doused in Arbol chilli infused butter. For dessert, Santi's American cheesecake topped with blackcurrant compote is a popular choice; steamed corn tamales are doused in butterscotch cream and silky chocolate sorbet laced with Oaxacan oak-smoked pasilla chilli oil is a surprising highlight. Santiago’s commitment to sourcing British ingredients continues through to cocktails – think fresh gooseberry juice and rhubarb liqueur to add zing to margaritas; and rhubarb palomas rimmed with gooseberry salt. Honcho the sloth guides guests down to the basement dining room and agave bar for a mezcal night cap. fondalondon.com Alex Crossley Three Little Darlings, Chelsea 'English bistro' with an all-day menu Jason and Irha Atherton’s ‘English bistro’ is named for their three daughters. Its all-day menu appeals equally to families, to groups of friends and for date nights, with seasonal variations and sensible pricing to encourage regular visits. Choose your spot on the covered terrace off Pavilion Road or take a seat in front of the pass and watch the chefs cooking on the Josper grill. Sharing small plates include woodfired fermented Orkney scallop with fermented miso; char siu Shorthorn short ribs; octopus with butter bean aïoli and Yukon Gold cooked in the embers with Lincolnshire Poacher – a posh twist on a cheesy baked potato. The quality of ingredients elevates the experience and surprising twists are designed to delight: monkfish tail is served with a wedge of vibrant Baches citrus; and skate wing schnitzel with katsu sauce and lime. Desserts range from comforting to luxe – bun and butter pudding or soft serve topped with caviar. The wine-curious may be rewarded with a trip to the secret cellar. threedarlingslondon.com Christine Hayes Stay tuned for more reviews of new restaurants in London Reviews by Janine Ratcliffe, Christine Hayes, Lulu Grimes, Helen Salter, Hannah Guinness, Alex Crossley Check out more London restaurant guides here: Best restaurants in Marylebone Best restaurants in Mayfair Best restaurants in Fitzrovia Best restaurants near Oxford Street Best restaurants in Brixton Best restaurants in Notting Hill Best restaurants in Shoreditch Best restaurants in Camden Best restaurants in Covent Garden Best restaurants in Soho Best restaurants in London Bridge Best restaurants in Hackney Best restaurants in Paddington
Warm up the season with comforting, wintry dishes that bring big flavour to the table, perfect for slow evenings, good company and a touch of fireside calm
As the days draw in and the cold settles, the kitchen becomes a place to linger. This is the moment for generous flavours, slow-cooked comfort and dishes that invite people to gather. Whether you’re craving something rich and bubbling from the oven or a bowl that brings instant warmth, these recipes lean into the pleasure of winter cooking – relaxed, rustic and made for sharing. Light the candles, pour a glass of something good and settle in. Looking for more cosy cooking inspiration? Try our comfort food recipes, hearty pasta recipes and traybake dinner recipes for further inspiration. Cosy winter feasting recipes Ham hock, spinach and cheeseboard lasagne Turn your leftover festive cheese and ham into a lush, crowd-pleasing lasagne. Mix and match whatever you have in the fridge: grated cheddar, gruyère or any firm cheese; softer cheeses can be crumbled into the sauce. The ricotta provides a smooth, creamy base for the cooked ham, creating easy layers with plenty of flavour. Bring it to the table bubbling hot and serve with a crisp green salad for balance. Slow roast rotisserie-style chicken with chicken fat potatoes This uses a classic three-turn method in which the chicken is cooked first on either side, then on its back. This helps redistribute the juices and keeps the flesh extra moist. Soy butter and mushroom pappardelle Meaty mushrooms and mouth-warming sichuan peppercorns make this a lovely bowl of comfort. Using pappardelle or tagliatelle as a substitute for flat noodles works well and gives you that essential slippery mouthfeel. Chocolate truffle cake This flourless cake is rich, indulgent and perfect for after dinner. The cake puffs up then falls after baking, creating a delicious fudgy texture. We’ve given it a seasonal makeover, piling it high with chestnut cream, borrowed from the classic Alpine dessert.
Meaty mushrooms and mouth-warming sichuan peppercorns make this a lovely bowl of comfort
Try our soy butter and mushroom pappardelle, then discover mushroom pasta, mushroom gnocchi and mushroom ravioli. Using pappardelle or even tagliatelle as a substitute for flat noodles works really well and gives you that essential slippery mouth feel. Soy butter and mushroom pappardelle recipe
Slow roast rotisserie-style chicken with chicken fat potatoes
This uses a classic three-turn method in which the chicken is cooked first on either side, then on its back. This helps redistribute the juices and keeps the flesh extra moist
Try out slow roast rotisserie-style chicken with chicken fat potatoes, then discover leftover roast chicken pie, slow-coooked chicken shawarma, healthy roast chicken and more roast chicken recipes. Slow roast rotisserie-style chicken with chicken fat potatoes recipe
Ham hock, spinach and cheeseboard lasagne
Make use of any left-over festive cheese and ham in this rich, creamy lasagne. Grate cheddar, gruyère or other hard cheeses, or just crumble in softer cheeses
Try our ham hock, spinach and cheeseboard lasagne, then discover our classic lasagne, courgette parmigiana, vegan lasagne and more lasagne recipes. Ham hock, spinach and cheeseboard lasagne recipe
This flourless cake is rich, indulgent and perfect for after dinner. The cake puffs up then falls after baking, creating a delicious fudgy texture. We’ve given it a seasonal makeover, piling it high with chestnut cream, borrowed from the classic Alpine dessert
Try our chocolate truffle cake, then discover chocolate fudge cake, chocolate birthday cake, salted caramel chocolate cake, easy chocolate cake, moist chocolate cake and vegan chocolate cake. Chocolate truffle cake recipe
This Indian-style curry is based on a rogan josh which is often made with mutton. The meat comes from a sheep older than 24 months which gives it a much richer flavour than very young spring lamb
Try our slow-cooked mutton curry, the discover mutton keema, West Indian curried mutton and curried mutton pie. Slow-cooked mutton curry recipe
Top this buttery root veg and streaky bacon boulangère with parmesan breadcrumbs – pure winter comfort
Try our swede, leek and smoky bacon boulangère, then discover roast partridge with one-pan boulangère, braised lamb boulangère or boulangère potatoes. Swede, leek and smoky bacon boulangère recipe
Crispy plaice with Thai-style carrot salad
Serve strips of crispy seasoned plaice with a vibrant carrot and green bean salad. Finish with mint and coriander for herby freshness
Try our crispy plaice with Thai-style carrot salad, then discover plaice with warm tartare butter sauce, tamarind and coconut plaice, breaded plaice with sauce vierge or plaice with brown shrimp butter. Crispy plaice with Thai-style carrot salad recipe
This French cake is so called because the thinly sliced apples meld together in the batter to make the body of the cake and almost disappear
Try our invisible apple cake, then discover Dorset apple cake, spiced toffee apple traybake, cinnamon, pecan and apple crumble bars and toffee apple brioche and butter pudding. How to make our invisible apple cake... View Green Video on the source website Invisible apple cake recipe
Impress guests over the festive season with our best Christmas baking ideas, from classic mince pies, stollen and Christmas fruit cake to decorated cookies
Looking for the best indulgent Christmas baking recipes? We've got everything from Christmas cookies to classic mince pies, Baileys chocolate tiffin to Christmas cupcakes, plus a crowd-pleasing white chocolate Christmas cake to treat yourself and loved ones during the festive season. We've also got plenty more indulgent Christmas pudding and dessert recipes to serve to your family and friends during the holidays. For quick and easy festive entertaining, check out our no-cook Christmas entertaining ideas, or for fun bakes which mash up festive flavours, check out our Christmas mash-up recipes. Get the big day off to a delicious start with our Christmas breakfast ideas and if you're looking for last-minute present ideas for the foodie in your life, our homemade edible Christmas gifts are sure to bring a smile to their face. Best Christmas baking ideas Bûche de Noël Serve this bûche de noël for a Christmas dessert showpiece. This festive log features layers of chocolate sponge, chantilly cream and chocolate buttercream. Cinnamon biscuits These crisp iced biscuits are flavoured with warming cinnamon and ginger spices. They are sure to fill your kitchen with enticing festive aromas. Buttermint madeleines Edd Kimber reimagines the nostalgic flavour of Murray Mints in these festive madeleines, made with browned butter and finished with a smooth white chocolate shell – perfect for afternoon tea. Classic mince pies It's just not Christmas without a mince pie. Making your own shortcrust pastry is easy, and investing in decent shop-bought mincemeat makes all the difference. Make-ahead Christmas cake Get ahead for Christmas by baking this classic festive fruit cake, covered in marzipan and fondant icing. With gentle spices, citrus flavours and ginger wine, this easy bake is full of flavour and sure to impress a crowd. Classic stollen This gently spiced, festive bake is bursting with dried fruit and marzipan. A great homemade gift or afternoon pick-me-up. Baileys cake A real showstopper of a cake, this three-tiered beauty is all dark chocolate and Baileys Irish Cream. It's perfect for an impressive Christmas dessert. Vegan gingerbread men Enjoy some festive nostalgia with a batch of vegan gingerbread men. They're easy to bake and fun to decorate. Stollen bites Make these pretty stollen bites for a fun Christmas baking project – you can use any mixed dried fruit, such as cranberries, sour cherries or apricots. Gingerbread cupcakes These moreish spiced cupcakes are great fun to make over the festive season for the whole family. Vegan Christmas cake Everyone will enjoy a slice of this Christmas cake, which can be baked and matured up to eight weeks before Christmas. Feed the cake weekly with your choice of brandy, rum or whisky for extra moisture and a warming flavour. Stollen buns The marzipan and dried fruit in stollen are quintessential Christmas flavours, reworked here into a snowball-like bun by London's Fortitude Bakehouse. Gluten-free chocolate fudge cake Turn your hand to baking this festive chocolate fudge cake this Christmas, which just happens to be gluten free. Cozonac Bake this sweet Christmas bread from Prestige Patisserie in Tottenham this Christmas. It’s studded with raisins, nuts, chocolate and Turkish delight and infused with rum. Pistachio and cherry nougat pandoro Cut corners by assembling this impressive festive centrepiece with shop-bought pandoro – it’s a bake which will get everyone in the festive spirit. Gingerbread pie Bake this glorious gingerbread pie, showcasing a blend of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, for a Christmas bake that’s designed to impress. Chocolate panettone We've given this sweet Italian bread a decadent twist with dark chocolate – the perfect treat to serve visitors over the festive season. Tiramis-czhoux tower You can guarantee friends and family haven’t come across this hybrid before, where balls of choux pastry are stuffed with coffee-drenched ladyfingers and boozy pastry cream. Christmas lamingtons Give lamingtons a festive makeover in this recipe from Morny Bakehouse, with white chocolate icing, a cherry yuzu jam centre and a buttercream crown. Christmas pavlova Individual pavlovas are filled with caramelised pineapple, topped with vanilla-infused cream and finished with a passionfruit coulis. This is a truly showstopping dessert by Covent Garden restaurant, Ave Mario. Christmas tart Fill a shop-bought tart case with brandy-soaked dried fruit and two types of almond for an effortless festive dessert, best eaten with brandy butter. Pandoro semifreddo This easy yet standout pandoro recipe is sure to bring the wow factor to any Christmas table. The chocolate and amaretto semifreddo is all encased in an Italian pandoro bread and topped with a crown of crunchy pistachios. Ecclefechan tarts A must-try alternative to festive mince pies, flavoured with very strong tea, grape molasses and brown butter. Christmas crumble Expand your Christmas repertoire with this festive take on your fave pud. Use up left-over mincemeat – jarred or homemade – for extra flavour. Lebkuchen Honey-sweetened German treats spiced with cinnamon and ginger, lebkuchen are famously festive biscuits. Bake a batch this winter to really get into the Christmas market spirit. Vegan raspberry and lemon trifle Impress your guests with this classic layered dessert. The easy homemade custard uses vanilla-flavoured soya milk and gives a traditional flavour and colour to the custard. Caribbean rum cake This decadent and boozy cake from Caribbean chef Keshia Sakarah is fed with spiced rum and traditionally served during the festive season. Panforte This Italian dessert is popular during the festive season. Chewy, nutty and sweet, it's packed with pistachios, almonds and dried fruits. Florentines A great little Christmas treat to bake at home. Hang them from ribbons as an edible Christmas tree decoration or stack them on a plate and enjoy with a comforting cup of tea over the festive season. Christmas fudge Check out this festive gingerbread fudge that takes just a few minutes to prepare. You can easily double the recipe to make two batches, so you have plenty for gifting. Christmas biscuits Looking for a foodie festive activity to do with children? Our spiced Christmas biscuits make perfect edible decorations to hang from your tree or mantle. You can leave them out for Santa or wrap them up as a gift, the possibilities are endless! Rum and raisin cake Stir up this make-ahead Christmas cake with a spiced, boozy twist and your kitchen will be filled with alluring, festive smells. Chocolate yule log Need a show-stopping dessert recipe to impress guests over the Christmas period? Check out our indulgent festive yule log with a boozy Baileys cream and crunchy hazelnut brittle, the perfect festive bake. Baileys chocolate tiffin Looking for an easy edible gift to give friends over the festive season? Check out these indulgent chocolate tiffins with our favourite Christmas drink in solid chocolate form. You don’t have to include the edible glitter but it does give added bling. Check out our other Baileys recipes here. Christmas cupcakes Looking for Christmas treats to bake? Soak up the cuteness of our melted chocolate snowmen cupcakes. These easy-to-make cupcakes are great fun to bake with the whole family and make for quick and easy Christmas party food. Street cart soft pretzels Soft yet slightly chewy, with a dark golden skin from being boiled before baking, these pretzels are slow-fermented for a richly flavoured dough. Finish with fat crystals of salt. Indonesian pandan, raspberry and white chocolate blondies Pandan and raspberries give a colourful and festive edge to these blondies, while the tartness offsets the sweet white chocolate perfectly. White snowball cake Need a show-stopping cake to serve family and friends over the festive season? Check out our indulgent white chocolate Christmas cake recipe. It might not be snowing outside, but one bite of this cake and you'll feel like you're in a winter wonderland. Filled with coconut and covered in white chocolate, it's sweet and indulgent. Sour cherry stollen bars Looking for Christmas treats to bake? Jazz up your stollen this Christmas with our easy sour cherry flavoured bars. The ingredients list may look lengthy but it’s all about building up the textures and flavours to make this the most moreish bar ever – way better than regular stollen. Check out our best cherry recipes here. Snowball madeleines Give the English madeleine a festive spin by infusing with the flavours of a classic snowball cocktail. After Eight cake This showstopping cake is a glorious combination of chocolate and mint that makes an excellent dessert for a festive party. White chocolate cranberry cheesecake blondies Make your blondies extra special with a festive sprinkling of cranberry flavour and a swirl of decadent cheesecake filling. White Christmas cake Want a show-stopping easy Christmas bake? Check out our super light vanilla cake, an easy alternative to serve on Christmas Day in place of a normal fruit cake. In order to keep the colour as white as possible, use a very light-coloured butter such as Lurpak or keep beating the butter until it lightens in colour. Looking for other show-stopping cake recipes? Click here. Mexican chocoflan This festive flan cake, featuring chocolate, caramel and cinnamon, is known as 'flan imposible' and combines two popular Mexican desserts. Black cake Make this classic Caribbean as a Christmas cake alternative – featuring port, dark rum and dried fruits, it's rich and decadent (and amazing at Christmas). Black forest gateau Turn the clock back with our nostalgic black forest cake with a modern twist. Christmas rocky road Traditional digestives are swapped for ginger biscuits, whilst cranberries and pistachios add some festive colour in this crowd-pleasing Christmas rocky road. Whisky crumble mince pies We've added a splash of booze and morello cherries to this classic Christmas treat and topped with buttery crumble for extra indulgence. Moldavian layered pie with hemp cream Traditionally made on Christmas Eve in Eastern Romania, this pie sees layers of flatbread soaked in a honey syrup and spread with a hemp seed filling. Rum and almond fruit cake Want an easy fruit cake with no fuss? Impress your guests this Christmas and jazz up your cake with rum and a simple almond buttercream. Make it now or save the recipe to whip up an easy Christmas baking idea. Nepali spiced fruit and nut tart Cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger give this nutty tart a real festive edge. With a kick of spiced rum, it's a grown-up dessert that's perfect for Christmas. Baileys truffles Treat someone special this Christmas with these melt-in-the-mouth chocolate truffles with a boozy kick from Baileys cream. Gluten-free mince pies Christmas baking, gluten-free style. These boozy mince pies with meringue tops don't compromise on flavour or texture, plus they look impressive, too. Boozy mincemeat pie Want a boozy pie to feed a crowd over the festive season? Our elegant recipe turns the humble mince pie into a fantastic Christmas dessert. Use shop-bought shortcrust pastry and a good-quality mincemeat to save time. Finish with a dusting of silvery icing sugar. Click here for other exciting sweet pie recipes... Chocolate-dipped honeycomb Looking for easy edible gifts for Christmas treats to bake at home? Ready in 20 minutes, our quick and super fun honeycomb recipe is dipped in dark, milk and white chocolate, the perfect Christmas treat for someone with a sweet tooth. Try one of our other edible gift ideas here... Russian honey cake Check out our impressive Russian cake recipe with moreish burnt-honey icing. This layer cake takes a bit of effort to make but it's the perfect cake to show off to friends and family for any special occasion over the festive season. This Russian honey cake recipe is created by original GBBO winner and expert baker Edd Kimber. Baileys fudge Homemade fudge is a great little sweet treat for Christmas. Perfect with coffee to finish off a meal or as an energy booster, it keeps for up to a month in an airtight container. Plus we've got an easy how-to video and it only requires 4 ingredients, the perfect festive bake. Spiced rum bamkuchen Present this show-stopping dessert on Christmas Day for an impressive festive bake, packed with golden marzipan and dark rum. Slice it open to reveal the many layers which will wow your guests. It might take a bit of time to prepare, but it's worth the effort! Try more of our boozy cake and bakes here. Clementine yoghurt cake Move over Christmas fruit cake, our gluten free festive clementine cake is in town and it's zesty and super moist. Slice it up and watch everyone come running for a piece of this fruity and sweet, yogurty deliciousness. Mini Viennese mince pies How do you make mini mince pies taste even better? Add even more buttery goodness with a Viennese swirl biscuit topping, zesty oranges and boozy amaretto of course! Cranberry and ginger tiffin Make this simple, indulgent tiffin to treat someone you love this Christmas. You can swap the white chocolate for dark or milk – go for the recipient’s favourite. The cranberry and ginger flavours really lift the buttery biscuit. Ready in only 30 minutes. Gingerbread Advent cookies Looking for fun Christmas baking ideas? Make your own edible Advent calendar with our quick and easy gingerbread cookie recipe. The kids can eat them one day at a time or all at once! We have more biscuit recipes here. White chocolate roulade with Baileys Treat your loved ones to a great dessert with this luxurious festive bake made with white chocolate and Baileys. It's easy to make and requires very little effort – prepare it next time you host a festive dinner party. Chocolate, hazelnut and cinnamon kugelhupf Kugelhupf is a light Christmas cake similar to brioche or baba and is popular in central Europe. This version is made with chocolate, hazelnut and cinnamon, a great alternative to the traditional British Christmas cake recipe. Plus, it's easy to make, too. Christmas muffins These tangerine and marzipan muffins are easy to make and ready in under an hour – serve with an afternoon cup of tea or for an indulgent festive breakfast treat.
Try our favourite Christmas sides, from classic brussels sprouts to indulgent cauliflower cheese, roasted carrots and parsnips, we've got trimmings covered
Looking for the best Christmas side dishes? From brussels sprouts to red cabbage and roast parsnips, plus winter greens and indulgent gratin recipes, we've covered all bases. We also have plenty of Christmas trimmings ideas, from pigs in blankets to the perfect gravy. Once the sides are sorted, find out how to cook the perfect turkey with our expert guide. If you're going all-out vegetarian this Christmas, try our Christmas vegetarian recipes. Make sure you try our best roast potato recipes for perfectly crispy, golden-brown spuds. After, take a look at our festive entertaining ideas for more inspiration. Explore our christmas breakfast recipes packed with seasonal flavours to get the big day off to a great start. Need last-minute inspiration? For quick and easy festive entertaining, check out our no-cook Christmas entertaining ideas. Jump to: Brussels sprouts recipes Carrot recipes for Christmas Christmas Cabbage recipes Parsnip recipes for Christmas Christmas greens recipes Vegetable gratin recipes Christmas stuffing recipes Roasted root recipes Christmas roast potato recipes Easy Christmas side dish recipes Brussels sprouts recipes The Christmas side dish that everyone loves to hate. We've given some love to this versatile veg in our collection of brussels sprouts recipes. Air fryer Brussels sprouts All you need is an air fryer and a splash of olive oil to get the most out of brussels sprouts. Cacio e pepe sprouts Take your Christmas feast to the next level with these jazzed up salt and pepper sprouts tossed with pecorino cheese. Sticky miso roast sprouts Sprouts will be the favourite side dish this Christmas thanks to our sticky miso roast sprouts recipe. Marmalade-glazed sprouts with chestnuts Give Christmas sprouts an effortless twist with marmalade, chestnuts and thyme. Frying steamed sprouts in butter lends colour and a velvety shine to your veg. 'Nduja-fried sprouts Jazz up your sprouts this Christmas with punchy 'nduja. ’Nduja adds a touch of fiery spice in this easy brussels sprouts recipe, ready in 30 minutes. Caramelised shallots and brussels sprouts Try our gluten free caramelised shallots and brussels sprouts for an easy but moreish side to go with your Christmas dinner. Caramelising the shallots and the sprouts gives this classic side a deeper flavour, and the calvados adds an extra zing. Sprouts with ginger and orange Spruce up your sprouts with warming ginger and zesty orange to make sure everyone will be coming back for more. Soy and sesame sautéed sprouts This Asian soy and sesame twist on brussels sprouts makes a great alternative way to serve this unloved veg for Christmas dinner. Check out more of our Christmas dinner ideas here Carrot recipes for Christmas From citrus-flavoured baby carrots to a Middle Eastern-inspired salad and Gochujang roasted root veg, see our festive carrot ideas below, then check out more carrot recipes. Roasted baby carrots Clementines add a festive touch, and lemon lifts the whole dish in our vegetable side dish recipe. Roasted whole baby carrots look beautiful, and feel that little bit more special than 'carrot coins'. Middle Eastern roast carrot salad with herby carrot top yogurt Impress your friends and family this Christmas with our zesty carrot salad. It's easy to make, and a great way to use up carrot tops as well. Gochujang roasted root veg Carrots come dressed in gochujang, sesame, soy and lime before being roasted until tender and golden. Serve scattered with spring onions and lime wedges to squeeze over. Roast carrots and parsnips A simple side to any roast dinner. These roasted carrots and parsnips are quick to prepare before cooking and will elevate any dish you serve them with. Red cabbage recipes for Christmas Sticky, spiced red cabbage not only brings a touch of flavour to Christmas meats like turkey, but also fill your house with wonderful festive flavours whilst cooking. Discover more of our red cabbage recipes, from slow-cooked dishes to crunchy salads. Red cabbage with redcurrant jelly Adding redcurrant jelly and balsamic vinegar gives this red cabbage a sweet and sour edge. If you want to get ahead, this veggie side can be made up to two days before and reheated on Christmas Day to save time. Braised red cabbage with apples Want an easy vegetable side dish for your Christmas Day feast? John Torode’s braised red cabbage side dish is spruced up with apples, smoked bacon, cinnamon and orange zest, and given a boozy red wine hit for a festive feast. Spiced red cabbage This slow cooked red cabbage and apple dish spiced with cinnamon is fragrant and warming. Just 20 minutes of preparation is required from you to make this veggie side dish, a simple side for your Christmas dinner. Parsnips recipes for Christmas Serve a traybake of crispy parsnips glazed in honey or with one of our special flavour twists like whisky or salt and pepper. Then try more perfect parsnip recipes. Honey roasted parsnips Bring an extra serving of veg to your Christmas dinner with crispy, golden, honey roasted parsnips. Whisky-and-maple-glazed roast parsnips Take your parsnips up a notch with a boozy hit of whisky and the sweetness of maple syrup. Salt and pepper roast parsnips Try our sweet parsnips with a hot, peppery edge for a vegetable side dish. They're super easy to make and require minimum effort. Parmesan-baked parsnips This alternative Christmas side dish recipe sees thin parsnip fries tossed in Parmesan, polenta, English mustard powder and salt, then fried until crisp. Greens recipes for Christmas Long-stemmed broccoli, grain tabbouleh and romesco sauce Make this impressive broccoli side for when you have vegan friends over for a festive feast. Kale with raisins and pine nuts This is a seasonal selection of veg if ever we did see one. Serve this bed of peppery kale, succulent raisins and sweet, garlicky shallots alongside your turkey on Christmas Day. Winter greens with pine nuts, chilli and garlic Get some greens into your Christmas dinner side dish spread. An easy way to feed a crowd, this punchy dish of winter greens with pine nuts, chilli and garlic is ready in just 20 minutes. Crisp greens with shallot, pancetta and chestnut butter Try this new take on brussels sprouts for your Christmas dinner. You can have the greens blanched and butter made for this in advance, then you just need to heat through to serve. Charred Hispi cabbage with parmesan dressing This recipe makes for a perfect side dish at dinner parties. The creamy dressing is layered with flavour from the parmesan, mustard and lemon, and pairs perfectly with the sweet, charred cabbage. Kale with parsnips and cream Want an easy veggie dish for your festive dinner? Check out this kale recipe with parsnips. Kale has a robust texture and flavour and can be used instead of cabbage or spinach in recipes. Cooked with parsnips, cream and nutmeg it makes an indulgent Christmas vegetable side dish. Vegetable gratin recipes for Christmas With luxuriously creamy fillings and a crisp top, these cheesy baked vegetable gratins are the ultimate indulgent side for your festive fest. Check out more of our gratin recipes. Brussels sprouts gratin This epic festive side dish combines brussels sprouts with streaky bacon, baked until golden and crisp. Winter veg tian Impress friends and family over the Christmas season with our stunning vegetable tian recipe. We love the look of golden and candy beetroots but if you can’t find them, simply replace with extra purple beetroots, celeriac and swede. Check out our best beetroot recipes here. Leek gratin with crispy leek topping Elevate your Christmas feast with a delightful twist on a classic favourite. Transform traditional leek sauce into an extraordinary veg side with this delectable gratin. Finocchio al forno (fennel baked in cream and Grana Padano) Put fennel at the heart of this easy Italian bake, it's the ideal indulgent side to serve for a festive feast. Creamy squash and sage gratin Try our indulgent creamy butternut squash gratin recipe with sage. This veggie side dish is an easy alternative to potato gratin to serve this Christmas. Plenty more butternut squash recipes here Best ever cauliflower cheese Is it really a Christmas dinner if there’s no super cheesy, crispy-topped, piping hot cauliflower cheese on the table? Follow these handy hints and tips to make it unreal this year. Creamed spinach with nutmeg and gruyère If you fancy an indulgent Christmas vegetable side dish, this is the one for you. Full of cheese and cream, it's the perfect accompaniment to turkey and roast potatoes (here are our top recipes). It'll go down well with even the fussy eaters! Swede, kale and sweet potato gratin This vibrant recipe for swede, kale and sweet potato gratin is the perfect Christmas side dish if you want to serve lots of veg. It's a two-step recipe, and most of the time the veg is spent in the oven. Baked, spiced sweet potato mash Don't fancy potatoes this Christmas? Try our spicy baked sweet potato mash instead – it's just as good as roasties. Prep your mash ahead then have it ready to finish off in the oven when people arrive. Roasted roots recipes for Christmas Candied root veg Roast your root vegetables in butter and maple syrup for extra extravagance. Perfect for Christmas, or a special Sunday lunch. Roasted roots with umami dressing Add some extra flavour to your dishes with umami, a deep savoury taste sensation that can be used as a salad dressing or to perk up a side dish of roasted vegetables. Pomegranate-glazed roasted vegetables with grapes Give your roasted veggies an impressive sticky glaze with pomegranate molasses, honey and blackberry jelly for a colourful Christmas side dish. Ghee-roasted spiced roots A Christmas side dish with a twist. Check out our vegetarian ghee-roasted spiced roots recipe for a vibrant dish that can be shared around the table. Stuffing recipes for Christmas Sage and onion stuffing Make your own stuffing balls for Christmas Day, or serve them alongside a Sunday roast. Add plenty of ground mace and sage for flavour. Vegan stuffing It wouldn’t be Christmas dinner without a dish of stuffing, and this version has the traditional flavours of sage and onion, alongside Puy lentils for added substance. It's also delicious in a Boxing Day sandwich, with leftover roasted root vegetables and lashings of cranberry sauce. Chestnut stuffing with dates and molasses Impress guests over the festive period with our epic stuffing recipe, featuring chestnuts, sausagemeat, sage leaves and sour cherries. Pomegranate and walnut stuffing balls A side of these stuffing balls, made with sausagemeat, pomegranates and walnuts, makes a rich addition to Christmas lunch. Potato recipes for Christmas Best-ever roast potatoes Want to know how to cook the perfect roast potatoes? With a few simple tricks you can achieve super crunchy and super fluffy roasties, every time Beef dripping roast potatoes Elevate your roast dinner by roasting your potatoes in hot beef dripping with garlic, rosemary, thyme and butter. Garlic and rosemary roast potatoes Thought roast potatoes couldn’t get any better? Once you learn to add butter for extra crunch, you’ll never go back. Parmesan roast potatoes
Christmas isn't complete without a Christmas pudding, trifle or yule log. We have plenty of delicious Christmas desserts to make ahead for the festive season
Looking for the best Christmas dessert recipes? We've got everything from traditional Christmas pudding and Christmas trifle to an indulgent chocolate tart and a classic Christmas yule log. We also have plenty of Christmas baking ideas to make ahead for your Christmas desserts, including Christmas cookies recipes. For fun desserts which mash up festive flavours, check out our Christmas mash-up recipes. Try our Christmas desserts recipes below, or treat everyone to one of our homemade edible gift recipes. After, take a look at our festive entertaining ideas for more inspiration and then discover our best Christmas cake decoration ideas. For a beautiful backdrop to offset your new creations, discover our Christmas table ideas. Best Christmas dessert ideas Christmas Yule log Need a show-stopping dessert for over the Christmas period? Check out our indulgent festive yule log with a boozy Baileys cream and crunchy hazelnut brittle. Christmas crumble Expand your Christmas repertoire with this festive take on your fave pud. Use up left-over mincemeat – jarred or homemade – for extra flavour. Eggnog cheesecake Eggnog is baker Edd Kimber’s ultimate festive tipple, and here he turns it into his dream dessert – a creamy, spiced cheesecake with a gingernut base and a whipped honey crème fraîche topping. Chocolate and clementine torte End your Christmas feast on a high with this indulgent chocolate and clementine torte. Rich, zesty and utterly irresistible – your guests won’t be able to say no. Mulled wine cherry pavlova Easily adapted to whatever flavours take your fancy, pavlovas are also great for preparing ahead. This one is topped with mulled wine cherries for festive flavour. Marmalade and ginger fool These marmalade and ginger fools bring a cosy hit of autumn-winter flavour, with tangy orange, fiery ginger and creamy yogurt topped with crunchy gingernuts. Swedish baked rice pudding A Swedish Christmas Eve classic that’s easy to make ahead and tastes just as good the next day. Don’t forget the hidden almond – legend says whoever finds it will have good luck for the year. Baileys ice cream This no-churn ice cream is perfect as an accompaniment for your Christmas puds, and requires just four ingredients to make. Gingerbread cupcakes These moreish spiced cupcakes are great fun to make over the festive season for the whole family. Rum truffles Get into the festive spirit with a batch of these homemade rum truffles decorated by hand – they make great last-minute gifts. Classic Christmas trifle Want a Christmas trifle recipe with a boozy twist? This indulgent sherry trifle uses Amaretti biscuits for a lovely texture and flavour. It's a perfect way to conclude your Christmas day meal. We've got plenty of boozy cakes and bakes too. Stollen bites Make these pretty stollen bites for a fun Christmas baking project – you can use any mixed dried fruit, such as cranberries, sour cherries or apricots. Bûche de Noël Serve this bûche de noël for a Christmas dessert showpiece. This festive log features layers of chocolate sponge, chantilly cream and chocolate buttercream. Classic mince pies It's not Christmas without a mince pie. Making your own shortcrust pastry is easy and investing in decent shop-bought mincemeat makes all the difference. Christmas tart Fill a shop-bought tart case with brandy-soaked dried fruit and two types of almond for an effortless festive dessert, best eaten with brandy butter. Classic Christmas cake Sometimes, you can't beat a classic. Feed a crowd with this gently spiced fruit cake, enveloped in layers of smooth marzipan and fondant icing. The zingy flavours of ginger and orange balance perfectly with the richness of the sponge. Raspberry trifle fridge cake All the flavours of trifle but in a layered no-bake cake. This is a great one to make ahead as it needs overnight setting. Christmas fudge Check out this festive gingerbread fudge that takes just a few minutes to prepare. You can easily double the recipe to make two batches, so you have plenty for gifting. Vegan raspberry and lemon trifle Impress your guests with this classic layered dessert. The easy homemade custard uses vanilla-flavoured soya milk and gives a traditional flavour and colour to the custard. Panettone and clementine tiramisu Layers of coffee-soaked panettone, candied peel, Cointreau mascarpone and cocoa powder make for a showstopping dessert that's perfect for Christmas Day. Vegan Christmas cake Everyone will enjoy a slice of this Christmas cake, which can be baked and matured up to eight weeks before Christmas. Feed the cake weekly with your choice of brandy, rum or whisky for extra moisture and a warming flavour. Vegan gingerbread men Enjoy some festive nostalgia with a batch of vegan gingerbread men. They're easy to bake and fun to decorate. Pistachio and cherry nougat pandoro Check out this impressive festive centrepiece: a traditional Italian sweet bread is stuffed with a decadent ricotta, almond and amaretto filling and covered in meringue. Fruit and cream layer cake Panettone and pandoro have become popular Christmas gifts – if you’ve got one you haven’t used yet, give this effortless bake a try. Gingerbread pie A pie singing with festive flavours – check out this marshmallow-crowned version by Asa Naiditch of Blame Butter. Tiramis-choux tower Treat guests to this hybrid centrepiece – half profiterole, half tiramisu – with balls of choux pastry stuffed with coffee-drenched ladyfingers and boozy pastry cream. Christmas pavlova Those who don’t like Christmas pudding don’t have to miss out – serve this showstopping Christmas pavlova with a passionfruit coulis instead. Classic Christmas pudding If you are a festive dessert traditionalist, then look no further than our classic homemade Christmas pudding. You can make this luxurious fruity pud a couple of months ahead. Gluten-free chocolate fudge cake Recreate this impressive woodland-inspired cake from The Little House Dorset. Coated in ganache and then chocolate buttercream, it makes the perfect festive showstopper for a Christmas party. Cozonac Add this sweet Christmas bread, studded with raisins, nuts, chocolate and Turkish delight and infused with rum, to your festive dessert repertoire. Double chocolate and passion fruit tart Wow your party guests with this zingy tart – it’s unbelievably quick to make, thanks to a few ready-made ingredients, plus it's easy to prepare ahead of time. Panforte This Italian dessert is popular during the festive season. Chewy, nutty and sweet, it's packed with pistachios, almonds and dried fruits. Mexican chocoflan This festive flan cake, featuring chocolate, caramel and cinnamon, is known as 'flan imposible' and combines two popular Mexican desserts. Chocolate and hazelnut paris-brest An indulgent Nutella filling takes this impressive French patisserie to the next level. Serve over the festive season for a showstopping dessert. Croquembouche profiterole tower Want an impressive Christmas dessert to serve family and friends? Check out this show-stopping chocolate and hazelnut profiterole stack. With creamy Nutella filling and crunchy hazelnut brittle, this stunning recipe is the perfect end to a dinner. Check out our best choux pastry recipes and profiterole recipes. Black Forest pavlova Impress your family over the festive season with our stunning black forest meringue tower. This gorgeous Christmas dessert is filled with dark chocolate ganache, boozy cherries and mascarpone cream. Pure indulgence! Christmas cheesecake with chocolate sauce Not everyone loves Christmas pudding, but everyone's a fan of cheesecake! This festive take on a lemon cheesecake is sweet yet sharp. Pour the chocolate over just before you take it to the table for a glossy look. Butterscotch self-saucing pudding This rich pudding is best served with vanilla ice cream. It’s a very easy bake but looks impressive with its layers of soft sponge and sticky butterscotch sauce. Gingerbread bûche de Noël A beautiful rolled cake flavoured with warming ginger and cinnamon, Edd Kimber's bûche de Noël comes filled with a lemony Lotus Biscoff cream. Cranberry tart with cinnamon cream Fill a tart case with cranberry curd for the ultimate festive dessert this Christmas. Serve with sweet whipped cinnamon cream. Christmas pudding ice cream A clever way to use up left-over Christmas pudding – add it to ice cream! This four-ingredient, no-churn recipe also comes laced with brandy or rum – the perfect winter pud. Baileys tiramisu trifle Our stunning Christmas trifle recipe with boozy Baileys, chocolate swiss roll and lightly whipped cream with espresso makes for an impressive centrepiece at your festive feast. Chocolate and hazelnut millefeuille cake Sandwich crisp puff pastry circles together with homemade hazelnut ganache, then top with sweetened Frangelico whipped cream, crushed hazelnuts and a drizzle of warm Nutella for a decadent dessert. White chocolate Baileys aux merveilleux Aux merveilleux are a festive French treat – a simple affair of meringue discs sandwiched with a flavoured cream and rolled in chocolate shavings. Biscoff cheesecake Serve up to 16 decadent slices of this impressive Christmas Day dessert. Our indulgent Biscoff cheesecake recipe contains crunchy speculoos biscuits, creamy speculoos biscuit spread, and lightly whipped cream. Check out our best cheesecake recipes. No-bake chocolate tart with PX sherry Christmas puds need lots of chocolate, a healthy amount of alcohol and a lot of cream. Raisiny pedro ximénez sherry adds classic festive flavour to this delicious chocolate tart. It’s also a no-bake recipe so can be whipped up with little effort. Raspberry and Aperol baked alaska It might not be snowing outside, but with these edible snow balls it won't matter! Your Christmas guests will be amazed at the raspberry centre when you crack the meringue. They're worth the effort for the 'wows' and 'ooohhhs' alone. Click here for our best ever standout meringue recipes. Pavlova wreath If you're looking for a beautiful Christmas dessert but want minimal effort, give this cassis meringue wreath a go. Topped with cassis, cherries and mint, it's full of festive colours. It's great to feed a crowd as you can slice it into as many or as few pieces as necessary. Gingerbread trifle Add a hit of ginger to your English trifle this Christmas with these gingerbread trees. This creamy trifle with rum cardamom custard is the perfect sweet hit to finish your Christmas Day feast. Discover more trifle recipes Pandoro semifreddo Our easy yet standout semifreddo recipe with chocolate and amaretto encased in an Italian pandoro bread and topped with crunchy pistachios is the perfect dessert centre piece at a festive feast. Eggnog custard tart If you love egg custard tarts then you'll love Edd Kimber's Christmas inspired eggnog custard tart. Why not impress your guests with this dessert recipe, it may take a little time to make, but it's definitely worth it. Mulled wine winter puddings Looking for individual desserts that are easy to make? Check out our mini winter puddings with mulled wine for an easy individual Christmas dessert recipe. Sticky toffee Christmas pudding Sticky toffee pudding is a firm favourite with almost everyone. Adding ginger to the sponge adds even more warmth and spice, which everyone enjoys at Christmas time. Plus, the toffee sauce is just as delicious eaten with a spoon on its own! Here are plenty of Christmas pudding recipes to try Sherry trifle cheesecake Impress guests during the festive season with this nostalgic pud with a modern twist. Chocolate and salted caramel ice-cream bombe Why not make our impressive frozen chocolate and ice cream dessert recipe? This easy chocolate bombe recipe uses chocolate Swiss roll cake and Maltesers for extra indulgence and crunch, an easy Christmas day dessert. Check out more of our indulgent dessert recipes Christmas rocky road Too full for a big dessert after your Christmas lunch? Snack on these beautiful bite-sized chocolate treats instead. Traditional digestives are swapped for ginger biscuits, whilst cranberries and pistachios add some festive colour. Nougat terrine with caramel A Christmas dessert for all your sweet-toothed friends. It's full of cranberries, pistachios and candied peel...all the flavours of Christmas. It can be made in advance so it's one less thing to worry about over the festive season. Salted caramel chocolate fondants Our most indulgent, most beautiful chocolate fondant yet... just look at it ooze! These chocolate fondants make an impressive Christmas day dessert. You can buy the salted caramel sauce for a quick fix. Check out our best chocolate pudding recipes Baileys tiramisu Got leftover Bailey's from the Christmas festivities? Make this tiramisu recipe with creamy Baileys, soft sponge fingers, strong coffee and sweet almond liqueur... an easy Baileys dessert to indulge in over the festive period. We have many more Baileys recipes Espresso panna cotta Check out our recipe for silky smooth espresso panna cotta. This dessert is an ideal way to end your Christmas Day indulgence, it's gluten-free and looks impressive. Click the link for more impressive gluten free recipes Black forest cheesecakes Cheesecake makes the best Christmas dessert. These black forest cheesecake bombs are fun and original. If you're looking for something different to serve after turkey and roasties, make a few of these. Diners will love the cherry surprise in the centre. Vegan sticky toffee pudding Let warming spices and a rich toffee sauce (made with homemade cashew cream) do the talking with this vegan sticky toffee pudding recipe. Ginger ice cream bombes If you're looking for a sophisticated yet fun dessert for Christmas Day, look no further. They use ginger biscuits, stem ginger and crystallised ginger meaning they're warm and spicy. They're quick to make so won't take away from preparing the turkey! Check out our best ginger recipes here. White chocolate roulade with Baileys Treat your loved ones to a great Baileys dessert with this luxurious festive bake made with white chocolate and Baileys. It's easy to make and requires very little effort, prepare it next time you're hosting. Discover more roulade recipes Salted caramel and chocolate tart Everyone deserves some luxury at Christmas time and this salted caramel and chocolate tart recipe is the ultimate treat. Children will love it, but with the addition of sea salt flakes, adults will be obsessed with it too! If you love chocolate, click the link for more chocolate tart recipes Gluten-free mince pies Just because you're gluten free doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the Christmas fun. These boozy mince pies don't compromise on flavour or texture, and they look impressive. Clementine yoghurt cake This delicate clementine cake is picture-perfect and great for sharing. The yogurt keeps the sponge deliciously squidgy and the fruity flavours are a guaranteed hit. Sour cherry stollen bars Want an easy but impressive stollen recipe? This ingredients list may look lengthy but it’s all about building up the textures and flavours to make this the most moreish bar ever – way better than regular stollen.
Check out our favourite trifle recipes for year-round easy entertaining – from a classic sherry to rich chocolate and even a Dubai chocolate trifle
Looking for the most impressive trifle recipe? We have plenty of twists on the classic trifle for an impressive summer dessert or a wintry festive showstopper. Our summer trifles use seasonal ingredients such as strawberries and peaches to festive showstoppers like sherry trifles, chocolate trifle and gingerbread flavour. Plus we have plenty of other sweet treats to choose from including our decadent chocolate recipes and indulgent cheesecake ideas. For more festive sweet treats, discover our Christmas desserts and Christmas baking recipes. Best trifle recipes Classic trifle Want a Christmas trifle recipe with a boozy twist? This indulgent sherry trifle uses Amaretti biscuits for a lovely texture and flavour. It's a perfect way to conclude your Christmas day meal. Baileys tiramisu trifle Our stunning Christmas trifle recipe with boozy Baileys, chocolate swiss roll and lightly whipped cream with espresso makes for an impressive centrepiece at your festive feast. Sherry trifle Want a classic family dessert recipe with a twist? Make our easy trifle recipe with boozy sherry. Dubai chocolate trifle Layer a chocolate Swiss roll, pour over amaretto and top with custard and pistachio cream to make a trifle inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate bar – it takes just 35 minutes. Raspberry trifle fridge cake All the flavours of trifle but in a layered no-bake cake. This is a great one to make ahead as it needs overnight setting. Lemon trifle Try this zesty spin on a classic for an impressive centrepiece at a feast. Vegan raspberry and lemon trifle Impress your guests with this classic layered dessert. The easy homemade custard uses vanilla-flavoured soya milk and gives a traditional flavour and colour to the custard. Mascarpone raspberry trifle terrine Impress your festive guests with our beautiful mascarpone trifle with juicy raspberries – it’s easy to slice and easy to make. It will keep for up to three days in the fridge, so you can make it ahead of Christmas day. Chocolate trifle Rich dark chocolate custard and hazelnut liqueur takes this trifle to chocolatey new heights – the ultimate Christmas dessert for chocolate lovers. Gingerbread trifle Add a hit of ginger to your English trifle this Christmas with these gingerbread trees. This creamy trifle with rum cardamom custard is the perfect sweet hit to finish your Christmas Day feast. Sour cherry trifle with almonds Dazzle your guests with the perfect Christmas day dessert – a trifle featuring irresistible layers of vanilla-flecked custard cream, sherry-soaked sponge, toasted almonds, and sour cherries. Sherry trifle cheesecake Impress guests during the festive season with this nostalgic pud with a modern twist. More cheesecake recipes to try here... Blood orange and amaretti trifles Need an easy yet impressive dessert for guests at your next festive dinner party? Try these quick individual trifle recipes with amaretti and blood orange. Clementine and prosecco trifle This boozy trifle recipe with clementines is a worthy dessert for all your festive gatherings. Our easy trifle is a great, modern twist on a traditional trifle. Freeze the egg whites until you want to make the prosecco sabayon. Winter berry trifle Want an easy berry trifle recipe for winter? Our impressive trifle pudding is an easy winter berry dessert recipe. Check out our collection of best ever fruity puddings for more inspiration. Stem ginger trifle Want to mix up your classic trifle recipe? Add ginger cake for an easy Christmas trifle recipe with a twist. This ginger cake trifle is an easy spiced grown-up dessert ready in 30 minutes. Check out more of our ginger recipes here... Cherry crunch trifle These individual chocolate cherry trifles make the best individual pudding to try over the festive seas0n. More cherry recipes here... White forest trifle Need a stylish Christmas dessert to make during the festive season? Ready in only 30 minutes, our fruity trifle will become a crowd favourite in no time. Raspberry trifle This impressive trifle, with sherry-soaked scones, juicy raspberries and silky clotted cream custard, couldn't be simpler to put together. A perfect, sunshiny dessert for a crowd. Strawberry trifle The easiest, quickest trifle recipe for summer: made with Madeira cake and strawberries. Topped with custard and cream, these individual pots make a perfect pudding. Peach and raspberry trifle Peaches and raspberries make the best fruit trifles. Shop-bought cake makes this classic pud so easy and individual desserts always look impressive. Summer fruit trifle Want an easy summer dessert? Check out this show-stopping trifle recipe with chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ice cream, this easy trifle recipe is a technicolour trip back in time. We've got plenty more strawberry recipes here too.
Make festive entertaining a breeze with our elegant ideas for crowd-pleasing finger food, from moreish sausages rolls to oozing croquetas and perfect dips
Try our easy Christmas canapé recipes and Christmas nibbles for the best Christmas party food. Plus we've got plenty more quick and easy canapé recipes to choose from. For effortless festive entertaining, check out our no-cook Christmas entertaining ideas. If you’re planning a Christmas party this year we’ve got some quick finger food ideas to serve with your Christmas cocktails. Our Christmas nibble recipes are easy to make, from turkey sausage puff pastry tarts to sticky pork belly skewers. We also have some fun twists on Welsh rarebit, spring rolls and croquettes. Explore our Christmas breakfast ideas that can be prepared ahead of time for stress-free entertaining. Christmas canapé ideas Mini sausage rolls Serve a plate of these irresistible sausage rolls, with an extra buttery and flaky pastry, as a canapé for your next festive get-together. Chicken tenders with garlic parmesan Try these chicken tenders for a finger food option at your festive gathering – serve with cute cocktail sticks for spearing. Salmon flatbread Missed the butter board trend? Don’t worry – this festive smoked salmon twist takes it up a notch, with the board itself transformed into an edible base. Jalapeño poppers Perfect for feeding a crowd, these quick and easy three-ingredient jalapeño poppers make 30 irresistible bites – ideal for any gathering. Honeyed squash, sage and feta filo cigars Crisp filo cigars filled with honeyed squash, tangy feta and fragrant sage bring all the cosy flavours of winter in one golden, flavour-packed bite. Tear and share sausage roll Perk up your party buffet with our epic sausage roll and camembert wheel. Prawn and chorizo skewers With just six ingredients, these prawn and chorizo skewers are the ultimate surf-and-turf party bite – bold, smoky and perfect with a drink, no messy fingers required. Popcorn mussels Serve these crispy breaded mussels as a canapé at your next party, with sriracha mayo, hot honey vinegar and ranch dressing for dipping. Smashed parmesan potatoes with avocado Smashing potatoes gives you the crispiest edges and a fluffy centre – the perfect base for spicy avocado. Finish with pickled onions and a pinch of aleppo chilli for a bold vegetarian bite. Bloody mary prawn lettuce scoops Serve this simple and speedy prawn cocktail alternative on a large platter in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in. Pickled melon and prosciutto skewers Give your festive canapés a fresh twist with these pickled melon and prosciutto skewers – the quick pickle adds a bright, tangy lift to this classic combo. Chopped egg salad on salt and vinegar crisps Get inventive with your party food and try this easy all-in-one egg salad and crisps canapé, great for vegetarian guests. Radish butter terrine Radishes and butter are a timeless pairing, perfect for a chic starter or elegant nibble – just slice and spread over crisp rye toast for instant sophistication. Scampi with soured cream dip This is a really easy way to offer people a bite with drinks without going to too much effort. You can swap the soured cream for mayo, if you prefer. Gin and tonic traybake squares Treat your guests to these mini boozy squares at your next drinks party – sweet canapés make a thoughtful extra touch. Pickled beetroot tacos with goat’s cheese Kick off a festive party with these easy vegetarian canapés perfect for fuss-free hosting. Sage and anchovy fritti These crispy little fried anchovy bites with sage leaves would go down a treat at your next drinks get-together. Deep-fried olives stuffed with ricotta and Guindilla chilli Stuffed with fiery spiced ricotta, rolled in panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried until golden, these moreish bites are the perfect party treat. Serve with beer and lemon wedges. Maple-glazed sausage blinis Kick off a festive party with these easy canapés, turning cocktail sausages into impressive bitesize party food. Chilli-and-marmalade-glazed pork belly squares Kick off a festive party with our easy canapés. These sticky-sweet bites can be partly prepared ahead for fuss-free entertaining. Sweet potato and cranberry fritters with nuoc cham These Vietnamese-inspired sweet potato fritters have a festive twist with dried cranberries. The tangy-sweet-salty dipping sauce is a great one to have to hand for the festive season. Bread sauce and stuffing croquettes These crispy balls are easy to make and perfect at keeping a hungry crowd happy over the festive season. Duck samosas Check out our impressive samosa recipe packed with tender duck, wrapped in super flaky pastry and served with a fresh coriander chutney – perfect for entertaining over the festive season. Chilli chicken wings These juicy wings are spiced with paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper and fresh oregano, serve with a light yogurt sauce to feed a hungry horde over the festive season. Smoked black pudding croquettes with apple sauce Looking for impressive Christmas canapés to serve guests over the festive season? These indulgent croquettes are packed with smoked black pudding and creamy blue cheese. Mini lobster rolls Proper posh Christmas party food! These mini lobster rolls are easy to make but look impressive – perfect for hassle-free entertaining at a Christmas party. Check out our lobster recipes here Devilled coronation eggs Need an easy canapé to serve this Christmas? Try our coronation chicken devilled eggs – a retro canapé combined with a simple classic British sandwich – perfect party food. More quick and easy canapés here Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sausage puffs Try these crispy turkey, stuffing and cranberry sausage puffs for an easy festive canapé. This recipe makes 15 and can be made well in advance, meaning you'll be ready for all those Christmas parties. Tajín cauliflower bites Jazz up your veggie canapés this Christmas with tajín, a classic Mexican seasoning made from lime, chilli and salt. Mini quiches with salmon and courgette These little wonders look striking, are gorgeously crunchy and easy to put together. Great for an easy addition to any festive buffet. Vegan BBQ jackfruit sliders with mustard slaw Change up pulled pork buns with jackfruit for an easy yet moreish Christmas nibble idea to serve your vegan friends this Christmas. Christmas party tartines In need of really quick and easy cold canapés to make? Try our simple party tartines for fuss-free festive party food that's a bit more substantial than canapés. Carrot, halloumi and dill balls How can you make halloumi even better? Sabrina Ghayour says: combine it with carrot and dill, and deep fry. And we agree. Perfect with drinks. Avocado and prawn cocktail toasts This canapé recipe is great for Christmas party food. It's your classic prawn cocktail with a twist. Pass them around your Christmas party for an easy Christmas nibble. Try our traditional prawn cocktail recipe here. Rarebit and pickled onion croquetas These Christmas canapés have a crunchy exterior, a melty inner and a satisfyingly tangy edge. They're a definite crowd pleaser and a great way to use up leftover cheese over the Christmas period. Fig and goat’s cheese filo parcels Looking for a vegetarian Christmas canapé recipe? These crunchy filo-baked fresh figs make an awesome Christmas nibble or starter that is easy to make. Plenty more fig recipes here. Spiced cod fritters with harissa honey dip Mix up the Christmas canapés this year with these crunchy fish fritters with sweet and spicy dip from Persian cooking guru Sabrina Ghayour. They're a great idea for a middle-Eastern dinner party spread or Christmas party. Pork belly skewers with Vietnamese caramel sauce These pork belly skewers with Vietnamese caramel sauce make easy but impressive canapés for the festive season. Lamb kofta puffs with tahini and tomato sauce This recipe from Persian cook Sabrina Ghayour for flakey puff pastry wrapped around tender lamb koftas is sure to be a hit with your dinner party guests over the Christmas period. Mar hor Christmas nibble recipe (Galloping Horse) This is a meat-free version of a classic Thai recipe and is an easy canapé to have with drinks at any festive dinner party. Try our other Thai recipes here. Mini buck rarebits A Welsh rarebit topped with an egg is called a buck rarebit. This version is beautifully bite-sized, perfect for sharing over the Christmas period for finger food. Mozzarella sticks with spicy dipping sauce Want to please a crowd this Christmas? Try our gooey mozzarella sticks with a punchy dipping sauce. These are best cooked from frozen, so they are a perfect make ahead Christmas nibble over the festive season. Check out our best cheese recipes here Curried chicken nuggets with curry leaf mayo Chicken nuggets are quick and easy to whip up thanks to mayonnaise, which is also used to make a punchy dip flavoured with curry leaf and mustard seeds. Mini chorizo and tomato frittatas These easy canapés can be made ahead then reheated in a warm oven to serve at a festive dinner party. Duck and mango rice paper rolls Ready in just half an hour, these are great cold canapés to make if you're looking for a fresh festive snack. Fig and goat’s cheese puffs The easiest Christmas party finger food with just four ingredients and ready in half an hour. This simple puff pastry canapé serves 16 so great for a crowd. Blinis toppings These blinis are a perfect canapé for festive gatherings, as they’re simple to prepare and versatile. Try topping with sweet charred leeks and whipped ricotta for a vegetarian option. Polenta bites with caramelised onion and gruyère These bites make a great snack to serve with drinks at a party or smart buffet. You could top the polenta bites with anything you like – parma ham and dolcelatte would work nicely, or brie and chilli jam.
22 Turkish recipes for meze-style feasting
Create a meze feast or Turkish breakfast at home with some of our favourite recipes, from manti dumplings to pide pizza and Turkish eggs
Looking for Turkish recipes? Create your own Turkish meze feast at home. Start with manti dumplings and move on to lamb, pide and more then serve baklava or our Turkish delight-inspired puds. We even have Turkish breakfast ideas to really impress at the weekend. Learn about Turkish coffee culture with our expert barista Celeste Wong's guide, including traditional rituals, how to order it and the perfect recipe for at-home brewing. Easy Turkish recipes Turkish baked aubergine and meatball kebab This easy all-in-one bake is a firm favourite with family and friends – the juicy köfte, meatballs and aubergines just melt in the mouth. Turkish recipe writer Özlem Warren says, "This easy all-in-one bake is a firm favourite with family and friends – the juicy köfte, meatballs and aubergines just melt in the mouth. It is a Gaziantep speciality that you can enjoy in kebab houses in Istanbul, too. In Gaziantep and the southern part of the country, including at my hometown, Antakya, folks prepare this at home and take to the bakery (fırın) to be baked. My homemade version is more of an easy casserole style, everything is cooked in one pot. Please use the long and slim variety of purple aubergines for this kebab." Turkish lahmacun Lahmacun, often referred to as Turkish pizza, is a favourite Middle Eastern flatbread. This version by Özlem Warren features a rich lamb mince topping complemented by a zesty piyaz salad and tangy sumac onions for a burst of flavour. Turkish gözleme Traditionally cooked over a round sac griddle, these stuffed flatbreads are a beloved Turkish snack. Fill them with whatever you fancy – popular choices include mashed potatoes, cheese, chopped spinach, fresh herbs and, for meat lovers, sautéed minced meat. Turkish stuffed peppers There are countless variations of Turkish dolma, but one constant is the generous use of onions and olive oil, which infuse the dish with incredible flavour. Serve these stuffed peppers alongside a refreshing cacik dip, made with cucumber, yogurt, garlic, and mint. Fistikli un kurabiyesi (pistachio shortbread cookies) These crumbly, buttery biscuits are a Turkish national favourite – this version features pistachios in the dough for extra flavour and texture. Classic manti When it comes to comfort food, dumplings always fit the bill. The Polish have pierogi, Italians have ravioli, the Chinese have dim sum – and in Turkey they have manti. Try Hus Vedat's recipe for a delicious starter. Istanbul’s mackerel sandwiches (balik ekmek) Yasmin Khan’s a Turkish street-food favourite is a riot of fried mackerel, salad and a glossy pomegranate molasses dressing. It makes for an easy lunch that's ready in just 20 minutes. Çılbır (Turkish-style poached eggs in garlicky yogurt) Soft poached eggs on a bed of garlicky yogurt topped with herbs and red pepper flakes, çılbır is a versatile dish generally enjoyed as a hot meze. Occe (spring onion fritters) Dunk these pan-fried, herby spring onion fritters into a garlicky yogurt dip and enjoy alongside a Turkish meze-style spread. Hot pepper caponata baked eggs Biber salçasi is a Turkish red pepper paste that skyrockets the flavour of this baked egg dish with roasted aubergines, peppers, feta, capers and olives. Keşkek with aleppo pepper butter and gözleme with caçik At the heart of this Turkish-inspired feast is keşkek – a rich, spiced lamb stew that’s thickened with bulgar wheat. To accompany the stew are soft Turkish gözleme (flatbreads stuffed with leeks, halloumi and aromatic spices), and caçik, a cooling yogurt and cucumber dip. Adana kebabs These Turkish-style kebabs are named after the city of Adana and flavoured with chilli and sumac. Make them to feed a crowd at your next barbecue. Turkish-style ratatouille with yogurt sauce Try this recipe for a quick, easy and simple meal. Low-fat, low-calorie and packed with veggies, it's a great option for a healthy vegetarian dinner. Pide with cheese and peppers This recipe for Turkish-style flatbread with cheese and peppers is vegetarian and feeds four in under an hour. Plus, it's under 500 calories. Full Turkish breakfast – menemen Chef Sabrina Ghayour treats us to her version of the classic Turkish breakfast dish, menemen. A delicious combination of eggs, onions and red peppers, this bold, full-of-flavour recipe makes a great weekend treat. Aubergine and chilli pide Pide can be topped like pizza for a quick, easy meal. Make your dough, then top with aubergine, chilli and spices for a vegetarian lunch or supper. Turkish-style lamb pies Use individual pie tins or a large six-hole muffin tin to make these pies. Match with a juicy shiraz to offset the spicy saucing of the pie. More easy pie recipes here. Honey baklava How do you make the classic Middle Eastern dessert baklava even better? Drench it in salted honey sauce, of course! This sweet 'n' sticky treat comes packed with four types of nut, cardamom and cinnamon. Turkish delight jellies These individual desserts make a pretty finish to a Turkish-style dinner. You can adjust the amount of rose flavouring to your own liking. Turkish delight brownies Not a traditional Turkish recipe, but we've used the sweet treat to take brownies to the next level. Spoon these melting, turkish-delight-spiked brownies straight from the pan and serve with generous dollops of ice cream. Turkish ice cream (dondurma) Try Turkish ice cream this summer, made with goat's milk and vanilla. Finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Lamb and hot pepper manti These lamb and hot pepper manti are Turkish dumplings with global reach - they’re proving a big hit online and in the restaurant world.
Want to support your local pub? We’ve got you covered with our round-up of London boozers, from Michelin-starred gems to trendy gastropubs and chophouses
Take your pick from our guide to London’s best pubs, including classic British pub food, stuffed vegetarian sarnies and south Indian cuisine. Then, check out the best new restaurants in London, the best dining experiences in London and for somewhere to stay, the UK’s best boutique hotels and the UK's best spa hotels for food lovers. Check out our London food guides, including the best restaurants in Soho, best restaurants in Mayfair and best restaurants in London Bridge. Also looking for the best brunch to visit in the city? We've narrowed our favourites down in our guide to the best brunches in London. For more pub inspiration, take a look at the best country pubs, best pubs with rooms. Fancy a trip out of London? Discover the best restaurants in the Cotswolds. Best London gastropubs The Guinea Grill, Mayfair W1 Tradition dictates starting with a starter to begin a meal but at The Guinea Grill, one of Mayfair’s most characterful pub-restaurants, the meaty mains beg to be experienced, so we plumped for beef, Guinness and oyster Pie (to share) to kick off proceedings (though the devilled kidneys on toast, and seared scallops on the table next to us, looked very appetising). Topped with a crispy oyster and melted cheese, it set the tone for the next grand entrance – a magnificent côte de boeuf, presented at the table before being flamed on the grill and served with brandy peppercorn sauce, crispy layered pancetta confit potatoes and parmesan-creamed sweetcorn. For pudding, the crème brûlée crackled satisfyingly under the spoon, while the bread and butter pudding was surprisingly light and fluffy. Olive tip: If you’re visiting in the evening, try to skip lunch to take full advantage of the meaty fare. As well as starters, salads and mains, add-ons include lamb cutlet, calf's liver, lamb kidneys, black pudding and haggis. theguinea.co.uk The Althorp, Wandsworth The Althorp in Wandsworth is a gem of a pub that balances charm, comfort and quality with ease. Located just across the road from Wandsworth Common it offers a beautiful setting that’s perfect for relaxing after a walk or catching up with friends. The recent renovation has been thoughtfully designed, blending modern touches with classic pub warmth, creating an inviting space that feels both stylish and welcoming. What truly sets The Althorp apart, though, is the incredible service. The staff are consistently friendly and make you feel at home. The menu includes some pub classics like burgers, pies and steak but there are also plenty of other well-executed options including pork T-bone and citrus-dressed anchovies. The sharing steak is a real highlight: perfectly cooked, generously portioned and ideal for pairing with a good bottle of wine. Whether you’re in for a casual pint, a family meal or a weekend treat, The Althorp is a standout spot that gets everything right. thealthorp.co.uk The Newman Arms, Fitzrovia Tucked in the backstreets of Fitzrovia, this historic pub (it dates from 1730) has had a recent glow-up and a new menu, and the result is a warm, friendly spot that still feels like a proper pub at heart. Downstairs the bar has a fun, buzzy atmosphere but make your way up the winding wooden staircase and you’ll find a cosy dining room (or pie room as it’s billed) with a smarter look – think white linen tablecloths, wood panelling and plush velvet furnishings. The pies here are a bit fancier than your regular pub grub. A rich fish pie comes garnished with a large langoustine (clutching a tiny bottle of Tabasco in his claw) and a generous dollop of salmon roe. From the starters don’t miss the lamb scrumpets – slow-cooked lamb belly, breaded and fried to a perfect crispy morsel which is served with creamy tartare sauce. If you can fit dessert there’s only one and it’s a winner: a generous chunk of dark chocolate torte – rich and very shareable. The cocktail list is short and classic – try the twist on a black velvet made with Murphy’s stout and crémant, and served in an old-fashioned pewter tankard. Service is warm and friendly, and the vibe hits that sweet spot between old-school London pub and a modern neighbourhood favourite. thenewmanarms.co.uk The Engineer, Primrose Hill A stone’s throw from the Regent’s Canal towpath at Primrose Hill and away from the full hustle of Camden Town sits locally loved pub The Engineer. If you’re a fan of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the engineer in question, then there’s even more reason to visit. This is an all-weather friendly venue with a cosy, wood-panelled dining room and bar inside, and a shady, upmarket beer garden for warmer months. The menu is a top of the pops of must-order dishes, from crab toasts – well picked Devon crab on a square of brioche with a slick of chive oil – and beef tartare, this version with a cured egg yolk sitting in the centre, to harissa cauliflower with spiced grains, crisp beer battered fish and chips, steaks and a pie of the day (creamy rabbit with a puff pastry crust when we visited). This is the kind of venue where everyone will be pleased with the menu choices, the fist-sized monkfish scampi with cured lemon tartare sauce is a good way to start. Finish with three British cheeses or a salty-sticky pineapple tatin with coconut sorbet. The cask ale is Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, there’s an excellent selection of cocktails and wine by the glass, and plenty of no-alcohol choices. A real crowd pleaser. theengineerprimrosehill.co.uk Angel Inn, Highgate Perched at the top of Highgate Hill, The Angel is the new sister pub of the award-winning (and often tricky to get a table at) The Red Lion & Sun but with a slightly different offering – a breakfast/brunch menu served from 8am and a casual no-bookings policy. The room is light and airy, and, unusually for a pub, there is air con – perfect on a blazing summer day. Brunch is served until 4pm so ideal for the end of a leisurely weekend walk. Start things off with the kimchi bloody mary, punchy but balanced with a nice kick of heat. Hearty options include an elevated full english with game-changing, extra-thick smoky streaky bacon and a whopper of a croque stuffed with thick cut ham and melty gruyere, the edges gorgeously crispy from the grill (with a shaving of truffle on request). Other dishes include a thick tranche of smoked haddock on toast with a poached egg and a blanket of hollandaise or, for a healthier option, try the veg-packed superfood bowls. There’s also an evening menu of pub classics (including a superior wagyu burger) and on Sundays the pub serves the same legendary roasts as the sister pub but with the bonus of no bookings. The cult frozen margaritas have also made it down the hill from The RLAS – get one to go for a post-meal walk in next door Waterlow Park. theangel.pub The George, Fitzrovia Tucked just behind Oxford Circus on the edge of Fitzrovia, the George serves the same menu upstairs and down though it’s a very different vibe in each space. Downstairs a dark wood classic London pub, buzzing with drinkers spilling out onto the pavement. Upstairs is much quieter with plush, soft green velvet seating and a calmer feel. The menu is a mixture of elevated pub classics with some modern touches. The black pudding scotch egg is perfectly done with a nicely runny-ish yolk – and comes with an addictive Oxford sauce (brown sugar, vinegar and mustard, according to our server). The highly recommended fish and chips doesn’t disappoint – a shatteringly crisp batter piled with extra shards on top, perfectly golden fat chips and an extra order of curry sauce. It also comes in two sizes which is great for smaller appetites, although the small portion is still very generous. Desserts are comfortingly retro (banana split, sticky toffee pudding) or, if you’re too full, there’s an ‘Afters’ drinks section choose from, including a sticky toffee old fashioned or the famous George Irish coffee (the twist is the addition of a Guinness reduction which gives a deep malty edge). The beer selection is also well thought out and varied, with taps from Verdant, Northern Monk and Harbour Brewing. thegeorge.london The Carpenter's Arms, Hammersmith Set down a side street this is as perfect a neighbourhood pub as you could wish for. Originally opened by the Thomas Salt and Co brewery, it been a pub since 1871 and is now one of the Wren Pubs group. It is properly ‘pubby’ inside, with plenty of wood, a smart red ceiling and, on chillier days, a roaring fire. In summer there's a garden to while away time in. The menu is pub-plus with some 'of the moment' flavours such as crispy squid with saffron aïoli and charred limes, trout tartare and ribeye with beurre de Paris, as well as classics like fish and chips and a burger made with Wiltshire beef. There may be a Creedy Carver chicken schnitzel that's hard to pass up, especially as it's been Holsteined with the addition of a fried egg, or a pork tomahawk with silky smooth mash. Ingredients are top notch with meat from Wiltshire butcher Walter Rose & Son and fish from Cornwall-based Flying Fish Seafoods. The wine list includes English sparkling and a good selection of wine by the glass from the Coravin system. thecarpentersarms-w6.co.uk Kerfield Arms, Camberwell The brains behind Islington pub, The Baring, has flown south of the river for the latest project. Breathing new life into local spot The Crooked Well, and restoring its original name, the team has kept things simple in the new Camberwell spot. There's plenty of space to play with in the Victorian-era building, including a large area for pints and walk-ins by the well-stocked bar and taps. In the dining room proper, the house cocktail is a silky martini combining olive oil fat washed gin and fennel-infused vermouth. Pillowy fried pizza dough fingers are excellent vehicles to scoop up taramasalata while perusing the menu of seasonal stars. The first of the always-on shish kebabs is a squiggly skewer of squid and lardo, barbecued and served in spiced pul biber butter. For mains, think grilled monkfish with tiny Jersey Royals and bitter friarielli greens in a rich shrimp bisque, and Yorkshire hogget chops nestled into a plate of violet artichokes, creamy bagna cauda and rich hogget reduction. The short but strong dessert menu includes strawberry and chamomile custard doughnuts and chocolate olive oil mousse with rustic brownie and crème fraîche. thekerfieldarms.co.uk The Brave, Islington Taking over the site from the former The Engle Field this year, The Brave bills itself as a pub bistro and, although it looks like a pub from the exterior and signage, it definitely leans more towards the bistro end of the scale with its light-filled, airy dining room and elevated menu. Stephen Bunch (ex-London Shell Co) has recently taken over as head chef bringing more of a seafood focus with him. From the gently spiced cuttlefish arancini with curry emulsion to a spankingly fresh cured stone bass with a zingy passion fruit, tequila and miso jalapeño dressing, and a main of perfectly cooked Brixham hake with artichokes and smoked haddock chowder, the fish dishes here really sing. For those who just fancy a pint and a bar snack there are some real gems – try the deep-fried beef nugget topped with Russian dressing, cheese and gherkins, or the incredible confit potato ‘chips’ (like those viral thousand-layer potatoes) served with a punchy black garlic mayo. There’s also a delicious Baron Bigod gougère, which is like eating a cheese cloud. Puddings are on the indulgent side – don’t miss the sea salt caramel tart served simply with ice cream, and perfect for sharing. thebravelondon.co.uk The Knave of Clubs, Shoreditch The Knave of Clubs is back on the East End pub scene with a proper old-school flourish. Originally serving the bird market traders on Club Row in the 1880s, this local continued life as an East End boozer until the 1990s when it underwent a full transformation into French restaurant Les Trois Garçons for a decade or so. The pub has been lovingly restored on the ground floor, huge wall mirrors have been unearthed and polished, the bar revamped and a toastie, oyster, snack and rotisserie chicken menu installed. The driving force behind this redo are Benjy Leibowitz (ex NYC’s NoMad), James Dye (The Camberwell Arms) and Patrick Powell (ex Allegra) all of whom are committed to the local feel of the pub – it’s one big room with the rotisserie kitchen at the end open. The upper floors will open from April with a clubby (members, not disco) NY dining feel and menu, keeping pub and restaurant vibes on different levels. You can book for lunch (advised, it’s popular) and evenings are walk-in, dogs are welcome and the vibe is buzzy. Try the prawn scotch eggs and venison sausage rolls to start. There's only one dessert, a very good chocolate mousse. theknaveofclubs.co.uk Molly Mc’s, Southwark Good craic is in abundance at this wood panelled Irish singing pub in Southwark. This is the third pub from the Mc Elhinney family, a tribute to granny Molly, with the original Mc & Sons going strong down the road. Beer taps feature crisp Mc & Sons Helles lager and, as expected, a couple of Guinness options, while Irish spirits such as Gunpowder gin, Muff vodka and Jameson Black Barrel whiskey are namechecked on the cocktail list. Palo Cortado sherry gives the signature Molly’s Sour a nutty twist, while a margarita gets the Irish treatment with aromatic, citrusy Mad March Hare Poitín in place of tequila. Headlining the food menu, classic Irish ‘spice bags’ combine all the good stuff – popcorn chicken, spiced chips, peppers and curry sauce for dipping. Contemporary twists on Thai classics include glossy prawn pad thai, sliced tamarind duck and braised beef curry topped with crisp roti to create a rendang-style pie. There’s live Irish music Thursdays through Saturdays or have a go yourself and book a session in one of the karaoke rooms. Decked out with original memorabilia from the family’s history, one is an ode to Molly’s front room haberdashery she opened back in 1936, while another is a replica of family friends the Guinan sisters’ place, lined with salvaged wallpaper and a knick-knack filled dresser. mollymcs.com Rake at The Compton Arms, Islington Compton Arms has a reputation for launching careers with its kitchen residencies (including Four Legs, which then went on to take its legendary Dexter burger to The Plimsoll, and Dara Klein’s Italian comfort food at Tiella). The latest, Rake, comes from a duo of chefs who’ve worked at cult spots like Acme Fire Cult, Brat and Quo Vadis. The cosy pub is hidden away down an Islington side street so is a proper neighbourhood joint – legend has it that it was the inspiration for George Orwell’s perfect imaginary pub, The Moon Under Water. The menu celebrates nose-to-tail eating and sustainable Cornish fish, and dishes are simply prepared but packed with punchy flavours. The battered and deep-fried cockles and clams are perfect as a beer snack, along with the melt-in-the-mouth Cumberland lardo – the sprinkle of spice on top giving it the flavours of the classic sausage. There’s lots of playful touches, too. A smoky sausage ‘hot dog’ comes covered in mayo, crispy onions and (optionally) doused with a rich umami gravy. There are generous ray wing pieces, battered and piled onto on a homemade crumpet, then drizzled with golden syrup in a homage to fried chicken and waffles. A marinated winter tomato and radish salad is enlivened with a sprinkle of black olive crumb for a savoury/salty kick. For dessert, the deep-fried berry pie served on a puddle of crème anglaise is a nostalgic delight. This is perfect pint food but there’s also a great wine and cocktail list on offer. comptonarms.co.uk The Audley Public House, Mayfair The dark polished wood and interior of The Audley scream traditional Victorian pub (and this one has been on the site since 1888) but look closer and you’ll see quirky artworks and pops of vibrant modern colour from the recent refurb, including a specially commissioned mosaic artwork from Phyllida Barlow which covers the ceiling in a riot of hot pink, orange and turquoise. It’s walk-in only here which gives the place a buzzy atmosphere, even in this quite fancy bit of Mayfair. The casual vibe extends to the ordering (no table service) – just order your food at the bar alongside drinks. All the usual pub favourites (fish and chips, sausage and mash, chicken pie) are present and correct but elevated with meat sourced from the owners’ farm in Somerset and Cornish day boat fish. There are also some fun surprises like the London Dip – a hearty sandwich of slow roasted, thinly sliced beef served with a pot of gravy for dipping – and bowls of cheesy chips with curry mayo sauce and jalapeños. The wide beer selection includes brewers like Deya, alongside more traditional cask offerings from Battersea brewer Sambrook’s. theaudleypublichouse.com William IV, Old Street This 200-year-old pub had a makeover with the addition of a first-floor dining room but thankfully the ‘pubby’ elements (open fire, solid wooden tables and decent beer selection) have been left intact. Downstairs is buzzy (and packed) with a focus more on bar snacks but the cosy, candlelit dining room is where you want to be on a chilly winters evening. Start with the Guinness soda bread served with a dish of soft butter spiked with just the right amount of Marmite, or a dish of creamy burrata with sweet-sharp pickled figs and olive jam. Guinness appears again in a deep, umami glaze for a fall-apart beef rib, served with creamy mash and braised baby carrots. The cooking is assured and simple, letting ingredients like Scottish lemon sole with samphire, a buttery tarragon shallot sauce and new potatoes, shine. Puddings are generous and classic – the sticky toffee pudding is easily enough for two to share. For beer fans there’s plenty on draught from Verdant, Lost and Grounded, and Siren, or there’s a quirky cocktail list – try the 2:1 Coastal Martini with Boatyard gin and Vault Coastal vermouth. You can also order it as a mini shot accompanied by an oyster as a fun appetiser. william-iv.com \ The Hero, Maida Vale The Public House Group has made a real name for itself on the UK pub scene in recent years, with The Bull at Charlbury drawing Londoners to the Cotswolds and smart punters consistently spilling out of the The Pelican in Notting Hill (see below). The team’s third venture down the road in leafy Maida Vale comes with their trademark buzzy crowds and stunning interior design, breathing new life into a four-storey Victorian building (previously The Hero of Maida and The Truscott Arms). It’s pub chic at its most striking – elegant olive-green banquettes cling to brushed plaster walls, ceramic wall lights cast a warm glow and large windows pull back to provide ledges for punters to congregate outside. The zinc-topped bar is a beauty, with a cabinet of pickle jars, oil paintings and bottles of liquor behind and a list of cask ales chalked up on the board. There’s also a strong wine list and a selection of classic cocktails. On the food menu, hearty pub classics are elevated. Golden battered monkfish cheeks are dipped into a curry-laced aioli, lamb ribs are coated in treacly sweet and sour sauce and molten cheese and onion pie is encased in the crispiest of shortcrust pastry. Sticky toffee pudding has a caramelised outer shell with a quenelle of ice cream to boot. theherow9.com The Cavendish, Marylebone Tucked away on a semi-residential street in Marylebone, the Cavendish is a little oasis of calm just a few blocks back from the buzz of Oxford Street. Downstairs, there’s an airy, high-ceilinged pub with outside pavement seating for sunnier days, and upstairs is a more grown-up dining space with smart blue-velvet banquettes, wood panelling and brass fittings. This is not your standard pub grub: the menu from ex-Oyster Shed chef Laura de Fillipis is full of surprising and inventive small plates, like delicate crunchy pan puri filled with smoked mackerel and mussels, or a starter of jellied beetroot cannelloni stuffed with goat’s cheese and served with a walnut gremolata. Larger dishes, like king prawn tortellini served in a tomato prawn bisque with nori crisps, show there is a real love of fish cookery here. Service is warm, friendly and chatty, and the dog-friendly vibe extends to a canine dining menu, so your furry pal can enjoy a meal, too. Order an ice-cold pint of crisp Cornish Harbour IPA served in a frosted glass, or choose a summery watermelon and aloe vera spritz from the quirky cocktail menu. 35newcavendish.co.uk x Walmer Castle, Notting Hill Notting Hill’s Walmer Castle pub has had an excellent do-over by publican Jack Greenall (also of The Surprise in Chelsea). References to the area, pre-loved furniture and locally made fittings makes for the ideal décor for an area that includes Portobello Road. The ground floor is a proper pubby bar with a fire in the grate, art worth a closer look on the walls and a welcoming vibe. The menu gives you what you want from a modern pub including pork and fennel sausage rolls, braised ox cheek, halibut with smoked tomato and corn risotto, and a dry-aged beef burger. Vegetarian dishes such as celeriac schnitzel and gnocchi with hazelnut pesto are a cut above, and puddings include the crumble, and, of course, sticky toffee pudding. walmercastle-nottinghill.co.uk Brooke, Clapham SW4 Brooke, a neighbourhood restaurant and bar, was opened by Eamonn Manson in late 2023 on Clapham’s Abbeville Road. From the same stable as Brook House and The Brown Cow (both Fulham), and The Sands End in south-west London, this new addition to the area is set to become a firm neighbourhood favourite. With comfy green banquettes, bookshelves and wood panels, the venue bills itself as a place for relaxed drinking and dining, and the interior lends itself to all weathers, both cosy and fresh and bright. Head chef Martyn Young’s daily changing menu gives the traditional pubby meals a modern twist with dishes such as Hispi cabbage with miso, black garlic and pickled walnuts; wild sea bass with lentil velouté and curry leaf potatoes; and buttermilk fried chicken with green chilli miso mayonnaise. Sunday sees the addition of two roasts to choose from and you should leave room for the clafoutis, made to order. brookeclapham.com Parakeet, Kentish Town NW5 Being north Londoners and former Brat chefs, Ben Allen and Ed Jennings are the perfect pair to bring The Parakeet to Kentish Town. With dark interiors, stained glass windows and a warm glow cast over the intimate booths, there’s a church-like feel, which makes sense given the religious following from locals. With Ben at the helm as head chef, the menu is informed by the wood-fired oven and grill, and includes grilled lettuce and shrimp head butter, leeks with pecorino sauce, and smoked mushrooms with mackerel. theparakeetpub.com The Holland, Earls Court W8 Having conquered the pop-up world with Oxalis, chef Max de Nahlik has now turned his attention to this refurbished pub near Holland Park. Sustainability is at the core of The Holland’s ethos and underlines every facet of this homely establishment, from décor using upcycled materials to the sourcing of ingredients. With a seasonal, British-ingredient-led menu, a carefully curated European wine list and a changing list of cask ales, The Holland aims to be both a friendly local and a culinary destination in its own right. Expect snacks and starters such as hot wings and pastrami-cured salmon, and mains such as roast wild duck with bramble sauce. thehollandkensington.co.uk Harwood Arms, Fulham SW6 It’s the attention to detail at every stage that makes the Sunday menu at this Michelin-starred pub so special. Unusual cuts often turn up on the Sunday menu, so expect the likes of braised jowl of Tamworth pork with crushed turnip, roast apple and mustard, alongside the more traditional roast sirloin of 45-day-aged Shorthorn beef with yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese croquettes, horseradish cream, root vegetables, bone marrow gravy and greens. harwoodarms.com The Camberwell Arms, Camberwell SE5 A past winner of The Guardian’s 50 Best Sunday Lunches and the Observer Food Monthly Awards, Sunday lunch at The Camberwell Arms is a celebration of family-style eating with sharing main courses being the focal point. Everything is made in-house, including the hot mint sauce with the spring lamb, garlic-braised potatoes, peas and spring onions, and the béarnaise accompanying the dry-aged Hereford onglet, roast potatoes and watercress. As befits a kitchen run by a team that can trace its roots back to influential gastropubs such as The Eagle in Farringdon and the Anchor & Hope in Waterloo, head chef Michael Davies always serves family-size sharing dishes, whether it’s slow-roast salt marsh lamb with dauphinoise potatoes large enough for five people, or a whole spit roast herb-fed chicken with roast potatoes, salad and wholegrain mayonnaise for four. thecamberwellarms.co.uk Blacklock, various locations “Roasts almost as good as your mum’s” is the modest tagline at contemporary chophouse Blacklock, where a starter of pig’s head on toast with gravy might be followed by 55-day-aged beef rump, Cornish leg of lamb or Middle White pork loin cooked over coals with sides of swede and lardo or charred winter greens and chestnuts. All roasts are served with yorkshire puddings, duck-fat roast potatoes, a selection of seasonal vegetables and Blacklock gravy. If there’s a group of you (eight to 10), order the ‘All In’ where everything’s piled onto a platter for the ultimate Sunday banquet. Either way, make sure you book well in advance as reservations for Sunday lunch tend to fill up two months beforehand. theblacklock.com King's Head, Teddington, TW11 The King’s Head in Teddington is owned by The White Brasserie, where Raymond Blanc sits on the board with a mission to bring high-quality, locally-sourced home-cooked food back to British pubs. Based close to pretty riverside walks, the Kings Head is the perfect antidote to a hectic London weekend; inside you’ll find an open log fire, cosy snugs and a spacious brasserie as well as a generous garden room and a hidden courtyard perfect for summer nights. The Sunday roasts use meat from award winning butcher Aubrey Allen, the grass-fed British beef is beautifully tender and flavoursome, it’s also served with bottomless crispy roast potatoes and gravy. Other must-try dishes are the outdoor-reared applewood smoked pork ribeye and the chalk-stream trout with watercress and toasted almonds. thekingshead.com The Pig’s Head, Clapham SW4 The Pig’s Head in Clapham Old Town is the second coming of the much-loved The Pig and Butcher in Islington. Like its predecessor, it dishes up meat sourced directly from some of the best farms in the UK and butchered on site. Sustainability is the key driver of this 40-cover gastropub, from its décor of secondhand furniture to using 100% sustainable electricity and cleaning with fully biodegradable chemicals. Even the daily changing seasonal menu is reflective of the pub’s ethos, from classics including scotch eggs and playful dishes such as the crispy pig’s head, all the way through to mains that showcase the talent of the kitchen. But vegetarians need not fret. There are some truly divine vegetarian and vegan dishes available, which staff are more than happy to talk you through while you enjoy a glass of wine or two from the double-sided wine list (one side of which is exclusively dedicated to British wines). thepigshead.com Ganymede, South Kensington SW1 From the team behind South Kensington’s The Hunter’s Moon, Ganymede in Belgravia serves a menu of elevated British dishes including rabbit and pistachio terrine, suckling pork belly with parsnip purée, and apricot and hazelnut tart. ganymedelondon.co.uk Check out Ganymede’s recipe for white chocolate crème brûlée. The Coach Makers Arms, Marylebone W1 Chef and cookbook writer Ben Tish – formerly of critically acclaimed Sicilian-Moorish influenced London restaurant Norma – now celebrates classic British pub food at Marylebone’s Victorian pub, The Coach Makers Arms. It’s part of the Cubitt House group of pubs and restaurants, of which Ben is now chef director. cubitthouse.co.uk Try The Coach Maker Arms’ recipe for roasted cod, brown shrimp and parsley sauce. The Tamil Prince, Barnsbury N1 Curries and beer are pretty much synonymous, so The Tamil Prince – a relaxed pub from chef Prince Durairaj and Glen Leeson serving South Indian cuisine in the north London neighbourhood of Barnsbury – is the spice and hops mash-up of dreams. The menu, created by Prince, former chef at Roti King, is a mixture of small and large plates served with sides, and the chicken lollipops are a particular hit. “The lollipops have become a firm favourite, both with diners and hungry drinkers. Spicy, masala-style dishes have long been paired with alcohol, especially with beer. Tasty and easy to eat, the lollipops are the perfect addition to an afternoon pub-side.” thetamilprince.com Check out The Tamil Prince’s recipe for spicy chicken lollipops. The Earl of Derby, Telegraph Hill SE14 Saved by the owners of sister pubs The White Horse (Peckham) and Grove House Tavern (Camberwell) from becoming a block of flats, The Earl of Derby is now a bustling community pub with a buzzing atmosphere. The pub is home to Gengelly's, or chefs George Genn and Laurence Pengelly. On weekdays, they serve a minimal menu of hearty fare – pies with rich, quality fillings, skin-on homemade chips and warming, comforting vegan or vegetarian mains. Weekends are more extensive, with small plates and puddings and a roast on Sundays. With regular quizzes, DJs (or just the old-school jukebox) and a changing selection of local ales, the ambiance is fun and friendly. It's a neighbourhood pub that’s worth a journey. earlofderby.uk The Princess Royal, Notting Hill W2 Pub puds usually go one of three ways: heavy sticky toffee pud, predictable apple crumble or slightly dry chocolate brownie. Ben Tish’s herbaceous bake, fresh with lemon, and light thanks to ground almonds and cornmeal, is a comforting way to finish a meal without feeling like you’ve overdone it. “It’s the lemons that make it special,” says Ben. “Buy the best you can afford, ideally ones from Amalfi or Sicily. They give pure Mediterranean flavour and aroma.” cubitthouse.co.uk Plaquemine Lock, Angel N1 Not content with his offering of Italian flavours from Bocca Di Lupo in London’s Soho, restaurateur Jacob Kenedy added Plaquemine Lock to his repertoire in 2017 – an English pub with some of the best Deep South cooking in London. Keeping locals happy, head chef Tom Clements creates a Louisiana welcome with Cajun cracklins, sugar beignet bacon sandwiches and smoked duck jambalaya with live jazz and classic cocktails to wash it all down. plaqlock.com Try Plaquemine Lock’s recipes for blackened chicken with beans and rice, shrimp maque choux, beignets and Miss Ginny cocktail. The Baring, Islington N1 Chef Rob Tecwyn and manager Adam Symonds met while working at gastro pub The Bull and Last. The Baring, a refurbished (and renamed) pub, is their first venture together. The menu is strongly seasonal, using well-sourced ingredients presented simply with great big punches of flavour. It includes classic mains such as pork loin with greens and desserts like financier with seasonal fruits, as well as a Sunday roast. Dishes like quail shish and lamb rump with kofte are refined twists. Cocktails are seasonal, using the same flavourings as the desserts so nothing goes to waste. thebaring.co.uk Try The Baring’s recipe for financiers with poached plums and pumpkin gnudi. The Pelican, Notting Hill W11 The Pelican has been part of the community of Notting Hill since 1872. It brings old-school British pub dining into modern focus, with confident cooking and a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability. It works with regenerative farms and sources vegetables from its own market garden at Bruern Farms. Menus shift with the seasons but dishes stay generous and gutsy. Snow crab on toast is brightly bound with a lemony mayonnaise, while welsh rarebit arrives thick and bubbling over sourdough. We try two mains: a pan-fried seabass fillet with a sharp salsa verde and sauce vierge, and crisp-edged lamb sweetbreads with braised lettuce and peas – all spot on, and the golden chicken pie to share looks like one to return for. A dark, deeply treacly sticky toffee pudding rounds things off. The Pelican doesn’t overdo it – good produce, cooked with care and a nod to gastro pub classics done properly, something so many other pubs just can’t seem get right. thepelicanw11.com Try The Pelican’s recipe for mince on toast and turkey, leek and bacon pie.
Enjoy la dolce vita at home with our favourite Italian recipes – from homemade pasta and pizza to classic antipasti and a decadent semifreddo.
Looking for Italian recipes? Try our ideas and twists here then check out the best Italian starters, best Italian desserts and best Italian baking recipes. Create your own ultimate Italian feast. Start with easy antipasti ideas, including burrata and a summer antipasti board. We have plenty of primi dishes to choose from... think ricotta gnudi and squash gnocchi, posh pasta dishes (including how to make past from scratch) and easy pizza ideas. Italian dishes for main course include Italian sausages with polenta, easy agrodolce chicken and Italian baked meatballs. Finish with some fab Italian dessert ideas such as Italian lemon cake, homemade gelato and affogato. Learn about Italian coffee culture with our expert barista Celeste Wong's guide, including traditional rituals, how to order it and the perfect recipe for at-home brewing. Tuck into your Italian food and escape to Italy virtually with our foodie road trip in Sardinia and Sicily. Not spotted your favourite Italian dish? Do you know an awesome Italian chef or food writer that you’d like to see featured here? Email us or contact us on social media at @olivemagazine to let us know! Jump to: Italian antipasti ideas Italian pasta dishes Pizza recipes Italian primi dishes Italian main course ideas Italian desserts Italian food ideas Italian antipasti ideas Italian-style flatbread with pear, walnut and gorgonzola The combination of gorgonzola, pears and walnuts is usually found in a salad but works brilliantly on this molten cheesy bread. It’s great hot but equally good for lunchboxes the day after. ’Nduja arancini Try this crunchy arancini with punchy 'nduja, Grano Padano and saffron. This easy yet impressive recipe comes from Italian restaurant Bancone in Covent Garden. Rosemary and olive oil focaccia Check out our simple focaccia with rosemary and olive oil. This incredibly moreish bread recipe is easy to make and the perfect side with any starter. Italian scotch olives This Italian scotch egg-style dish sees olives rolled in sausagemeat and breadcrumbs before frying. This recipe comes from Italian restaurant Luca, where it's served with confit garlic mayo and crispy sage leaves. Italian sausage scotch eggs These are an Italian take on a pub classic – switch out pancetta for chorizo and parmesan for manchego if you fancy a trip to sunny Spain instead. Grilled peaches with burrata Juicy peaches give a sweet contrast to creamy burrata and salty serrano ham in this showstopping summer salad. Loaded olive, tomato and pepper focaccia Soft, fluffy squares of salty focaccia, topped with plump green olives, red onion and cherry tomatoes, make the perfect sharing bread for a dinner party. Served with dips like hummus and tapenade, it’s a delicious start to the meal – though there’s a risk guests might fill up before the main course! Grilled vegetable antipasti Kick off a classic Italian meal with these gorgeous grilled veggies. Serve with fresh focaccia, olives and cured meats for an impressive spread. Burrata bruschetta Make this posh bruschetta from London's Mortimer House restaurant for a pretty Italian dish to serve as a dinner party starter. Figs with Grana Padano and pink peppercorn dressing Adding finely grated Grana Padano to the dressing gives a creamy but piquant contrast to the sweet figs for a vibrant starter. Italian pasta dishes From homemade pasta skills to easy midweek ideas, try our Italian pasta dishes. We have plenty more pasta ideas, from vegetarian pasta recipes to posh pasta recipes for a dinner party and our quick and easy pasta dishes. Classic carbonara Spaghetti carbonara is traditionally made with guanciale (cured pork jowl), but smoked pancetta works well, too. Prep all your ingredients first, as it comes together quickly. Sicilian pasta with cauliflower If you’re looking for an alternative to your go-to pasta dish, check out this recipe, which originates from Palermo, the capital of Sicily, and draws heavily from Arabic influences. Classic homemade ravioli Turn your hand to these homemade Italian dumplings, patterned with fresh herbs for an extra-special decorative twist. Beef cannelloni This creamy beef cannelloni is the perfect make-ahead family dinner as chilling the ragu overnight allows the rich flavours to marry together. Tagliolini alle vongole A simple, flavour-packed dish combining clams with punchy garlic, fiery red chilli and fragrant herbs, including salty samphire and fresh parsley. Penne arrabiata This classic and simple Italian dish is on the table in under 30 minutes, and it packs a punch when it comes to flavour. Serve with ciabatta or focaccia to mop up the leftover sauce. Anchovy pasta This is inspired by a traditional Sicilian pasta which has a drier sauce consistency. If you like it saucier, add more pasta cooking water. Seafood linguine The creamy white wine sauce elevates fresh seafood in this elegant pasta dish, served in bowls with a drizzle of olive oil. Spinach, mascarpone and ham hock rotolo Spirals of salty ham hock, creamy mascarpone and spinach create this showstopping pasta bake. Find more flavoursome ham hock recipes, from risottos to salads. Prawn orecchiette with roasted-shell olive oil Check out our easy orecchiette recipe with large juicy prawns and punchy chilli. Impress with this simple yet flavour-packed pasta recipe this weekend. Casarecce with raw tomato sauce This vegan casarecce is super simple and only takes 15 minutes to make. Casarecce is a twisted short pasta that retains a good bite, perfect for this dish. Chicken milanese Cook the perfect crisp chicken for this Italian classic. Enjoy alongside a simple spaghetti pomodoro or in a ciabatta sandwich. White lasagne White lasagne, like white pizza, doesn’t contain tomato sauce but is still rich and savoury. This version with porcini and pancetta is a bit posher than the usual. Look for high-welfare or rose veal mince. We have loads of lasagne recipes here, from classic lasagne to posh porcini lasagne. Lamb, pea and wild garlic lasagne Mitshel Ibrahim, head chef of Venetian-styled restaurant Ombra, shares his showstopping lamb, peas and wild garlic lasagne, perfect for a lazy weekend project or Italian dinner party. Trofie al pesto Using fresh, homemade pesto, this quick to make pasta dish is ready in 20 minutes. A fast and easy weekday meal that all the family will love. Pizza recipes It doesn't get much more Italian than pizza! Here is a selection of our favourite pizza recipes. Pizza bianca with smoked salmon and spring onions Try this delicious pizza bianca (with a creamy white base rather than tomato sauce). Spring onion, rocket and smoked salmon mean this pizza is piled high with fresh summery flavours. Sicilian-style aubergine pizzas These super-easy Sicilian aubergine pizzas are a great twist on a family favourite. They use crème fraîche instead of a tomato base, charred aubergines, sultanas and pesto, with rocket and pine nuts for a bit of extra crunch. Pizza sauce Flavoured with basil and oregano, slather this tomato pizza sauce over doughy bases to make homemade pizza. No-knead pizza with Italian sausage, fennel and burrata This recipe for no-knead pizza is a bit of a leap of faith, but once you get used to the dough it’s a great method to have up your sleeve. Other Italian primi dishes Ricotta gnudi with sage butter These delicate, light-as-air ricotta dumplings will work perfectly as long as you follow the rules. Don’t be tempted to skip the draining or overnight coating time as these are both essential to the gnudi holding their shape. Creamy chicken with spinach and sundried tomatoes This easy Tuscan chicken one-pot is ideal for entertaining, with minimal washing up required. It’s bound to become a family favourite, and its versatility with any carb means you can switch it up to keep things exciting. Fried gnocchi with broad beans, parma ham, ricotta and sage This combo of cool lemony ricotta and crisp golden fried gnocchi is an absolute winner. Broad bean and mint panzanella with burrata This recipe makes a great spring salad, packed with lots of tangy flavours from anchovies and capers as well as creamy burrata and fresh broad beans. Puntarelle salad with anchovies and capers If you’re looking for a green salad to add to your Italian spread, try this super-fresh puntarelle, anchovies and caper salad from Ombra restaurant's Mitshel Ibrahim. It’s also perfect as a side to lasagne. Italian main course ideas From fresh fish with almond dressing to Italian sausages and family-style meatball ideas, try our best Italian main meals here. Cacciucco (Tuscan fish stew) Cacciucco is a fish stew from Livorno, a port on the coast of Tuscany, and it should contain five types of seafood. This recipe comes from Caldesi in Campagna, an Italian restaurant in Bray. Braised Italian sausages with cheesy polenta Italian-style sausages with streaky bacon, herbs and a splash of red wine. Serve with some cheesy polenta for extra flavour and you've got a quick and easy midweek meal for all the family. Italian baked meatballs Meatballs baked in rich tomato sauce with a melting mozzarella topping - this recipe is all about comfort food. It's also perfect for freezing, making it a great option for when you don't want to cook mid-week. Cacio e pepe chicken patchwork pie This impressive pie uses all the flavours of one of our favourite pasta dishes to create a rich, peppery sauce. Adjust the amount of pepper to suit your taste. Black seafood risotto This dish from the kitchens of Covent Garden’s Ave Mario sees risotto topped with clams, mussels, squid and langoustines. Italian sausage-stuffed peppers We love the bold flavour combinations in this recipe for Italian sausage-stuffed peppers. What makes it even better, is that this dish can be made in under an hour - perfect for a comforting midweek meal. Scallop risotto Browning your butter adds nuttiness to this creamy scallop risotto, enlivened by garlic, fresh chives, lemon juice and a pinch of aromatic ground mace. Courgette parmigiana This is great for using up a glut of courgettes you might have acquired over the summer months. Top with golden toasted pine nuts for extra crunch. Italian sausage and veg tray roast This easy recipe is ideal when you're short on time. Just bung it all in the oven and you have yourself a hearty and healthy springtime meal. Tomato risotto This comforting dish is packed with simple Italian flavours, and topped with shredded basil and parmesan. Courgette parmigiana This is great for using up a glut of courgettes you might have acquired over the summer months. Top with golden toasted pine nuts for extra crunch. Leek risotto Treat yourself to our beautifully creamy leek risotto with a fried anchovy and breadcrumb topping. The key to the perfect risotto is patience. Italian desserts Try our Italian dessert recipes, from summery Amalfi lemon cake to rich semifreddo, we've got lots of treats to end your Italian meal. More Italian dessert recipes here. Classic tiramisu Whip up our smart, authentic version of this classic Italian dessert, made with mascarpone, marsala and savoiardi biscuits soaked in coffee and Tia Maria. Rich chocolate and hazelnut torte Our chocolate and hazelnut torte is a seriously creamy and indulgent weekend treat. This recipe only takes 30 minutes to whip up and can feed up to 12 people. Buttermilk and sage panna cotta This panna cotta with black pepper honeycomb from Rachel Karasik may sound odd but it really, really works. Biscotti These twice-baked biscuits are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea. They are traditionally made with skin-on almonds that give a delicate nutty flavour. Lemon and elderflower maritozzi with pistachio and raspberry Pillowy soft brioche buns are bursting with lemon zest and elderflower cordial-spiked cream, topped with freeze-dried raspberries and chopped pistachios. Pistachio and raspberry tiramisu This modern take on the traditional Italian layered dessert pairs trendy pistachio with fresh, in-season summer raspberries, creating a light and refreshing treat perfect for warmer days. Sgroppino Serve this cocktail-dessert hybrid for an easy yet impressive end to an Italian-inspired al fresco dinner. Tiramisu brownies Not strictly Italian, but this bake brings together all the best bits of a classic tiramisu with the rich, fudgy comfort of a brownie – a match made in dessert heaven. Olive oil cake Serve a slice of sunshine with this lemon-scented cake made with ground almonds and extra-virgin olive oil, dusted with icing sugar. Sicilian ricotta cake This quick and easy all-in-one cake is a breeze to make and will wow everyone at the table. Italian Easter cake (colomba cake) This traditional Italian Easter cake, shaped like a dove and topped with candied fruit, sugar and almonds, is a yeasty bake that's a similar to a panettone. Cannoli Make a batch of homemade cannoli for a sweet Italian treat for your next dinner party, served with a shot of espresso. Almond and Amalfi lemon cake Give our Italian almond and Amalfi lemon cake a go. The Amalfi lemons have a strong aroma and are slightly sweeter than regular lemons. This light summery cake is seriously moreish. Chocolate and hazelnut meringue semifreddo Semifreddo is a type of ice cream with a mousse-like texture. This recipe not only looks impressive but can be made in advance for easy dinner party entertaining. Plus, there's no churning required. Italian Christmas cake This chocolate hazelnut cake (torta alla nocciola) celebrates a classic combination and is deliciously indulgent. It makes for a great dinner party dessert or festive bake. Braised Italian sausages with peppers, fennel and creamy parmesan polenta It’s worth seeking out big, high-quality sausages as they are the star of the show in this dish. Serve on a large sharing plate on a bed of creamy polenta for a satisfying dinner for four.
Make this most of this versatile root veg with our recipes, from an indulgent gratin to a warming pie and family-friendly stew
Looking for swede recipes? Want the best vegetarian side dishes for Sunday roast? We have plenty of comforting recipes for this root veg in the colder months. Try our ideas below, then try our leftover veg recipes, celeriac recipes and parsnip recipes. What is swede? Developed in Sweden in the 17th century, a swede is a cross between a cabbage and a turnip. When is swede in season? UK swede season starts in October and ends in February. How to store swede Store them in a brown paper bag in the fridge to keep them fresh for at least a week. Health benefits of swede Our nutritionist, Tracey Raye, says, "Swede, also referred to as rutabaga or Swedish turnip, is a type of root vegetable that belongs to the brassica genus of plants (also known as the cruciferous family). Swede is an extremely nutritious vegetable, providing a great source of potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C and E. Similar to its cruciferous cousins kale and cabbage, swede is also naturally high in insoluble fibre which not only promotes healthy bowel movements, but feeds your beneficial bacteria, thus supporting your broader gut health." Easy swede recipes Curried swede soup Use up a glut of swede in this warming vegan soup, made creamy with coconut milk. Best served with baked crusty bread. Gruyère and swede gratin This gruyère and swede gratin is really simple to make and is a great, comforting, gluten-free side. Cumin spiced swede and gouda pasties These vegetarian swede and gouda pasties are packed with spiced vegetables, fragrant cumin and creamy cheese for a comforting twist on a classic. With golden pastry and a straightforward method, they’re perfect for a warming lunch or easy dinner. Winter veg tian Impress friends and family over the Christmas season with our stunning vegetable tian recipe. We love the look of golden and candy beetroots, but if you can’t find them, simply replace with extra purple beetroots, celeriac and swede. Venison steaks with caraway crushed swede Pair venison steaks with buttery crushed swede in this winter warmer – it will be ready and on the table in less than an hour. Teriyaki swede bowls Swede is a great carrier for strong flavours – the slightly sweet edge it takes on when roasted pairs well with teriyaki sauce. Gochujang swede noodles Roast cubes of swede in a sweet and salty gochujang dressing for a moreish, simple midweek noodle dish. Neeps and tatties Mash swede with potatoes and butter to make these neeps and tatties. This regional side dish can accompany a variety of meals – mince, roast chicken, even Christmas dinner! Mulligatawny soup This comforting soup brings together hearty winter veg, earthy swede and sweet carrots, with tender chicken and a warming mix of ginger, garlic and curry powder. It’s fragrant, filling and just the thing for a cold day. Vegan wellington Our giant wellington makes an impressive centrepiece, packed with roasted red peppers, cooked beetroot and kale. Topped with a vegan stuffing of grated swede, puy lentils and apple, it's mixed with crunchy hazelnuts and gently spiced with nutmeg and thyme. Parmesan and rosemary swede This moreish swede side dish is a healthy alternative to chips, and we think they're tastier too! Topped with parmesan and rosemary they are ideal served with fish. Mustard-crusted pork with carrot and swede mash This mustard-crusted pork with carrot and swede mash is an easy, healthy way to feed the family. Classic Cornish pasties A true Cornish pasty will only contain onion, swede, potato and skirt steak. Make sure you season the filling really well with pepper to get the characteristic flavour. Lamb hotpot with swede topping Our hotpot recipe is quite soupy, the gravy produced is broth-like and there should be plenty to spoon over each serving. Topping with swede instead of potato makes for a delicious twist on this British classic. Irish stew Try this warming one-pot of lamb shoulder slow-cooked in stout with swede and potatoes for a wholesome family meal. Swede, kale and sweet potato gratin This creamy gratin is the perfect side dish or veggie main for the colder months. It takes a little time but is really easy to make. Honey, cumin and swede singaras Swede, combined with honey and cumin, has just the right texture for filling these north Indian snacks. They pair perfectly with fresh coriander chutney. Haggis with swede You can’t have a Burn's Night celebration without roast haggis. Luckily, you can buy haggis ready-made, but do try and make the accompaniment, roast swede or neeps (turnips). Serve with a shot of whisky. Lamb and roots stew with herb dumplings Stew and dumplings: best-ever comfort food. This recipe uses lamb, parsnips, swede and carrots for a filling and good-value family one pot. Homemade dumplings make all the difference. Swede and bacon pies Winter roots like swede and carrot make a lovely pie filling combined with crisp bacon and topped with creamy mash. The high veg content in this recipe makes a good contribution to your 5-a-day. Swede, leek and smoky bacon boulangère Make swede the star of the show in our boulangère. Top this buttery root veg and streaky bacon bake with parmesan breadcrumbs for pure winter comfort.
Whatever the budget, our gift guide has the perfect Christmas present for your favourite foodie
Looking for Christmas gifts for foodies? Our Christmas gift ideas pull together the best food gifts, from delicious food and drink finds to the ultimate gadgets and prettiest homewares. If you're looking to the festive season, we've also tested plenty of Advent calendars: check out our round-ups of the best alcohol Advent calendars, best coffee Advent calendars or best tea Advent calendars. Jump to: Best food Christmas gifts Best barware and drinks Christmas gifts Best kitchenware Christmas gifts Best homeware Christmas gifts Best Christmas gifts for foodies 2025 Best food Christmas gifts Twelve Triangles croissant biscotti Available from Twelve Triangles (£5.95) The cult no-waste Scottish bakery takes slices of its croissants, dips them in cream, sugar and salt, then slowly caramelises them in the oven – totally addictive. Fiasconaro x Dolce & Gabbana panettone Available from The Panettone Store (£57.45) This panettone from the legendary Sicilian maker comes in a beautifully designed tin that you’ll want to keep. Karasuba-Iro ramen bowl set Available from Sous Chef (£45) A pair of classic glazed ramen bowls, handcrafted in Japan’s ceramic region, Mino. The set also includes bamboo ladles and a set of recipes. Hundred House hot chocolate Available from Selfridges (£12.99), Hundred House Coffee (£10.50) A hot chocolate made with single-origin cocoa from Ecuador for a deep, rich flavour. The pretty illustrated tin makes it extra special for gifting. TWG World Voyage New Year’s tea set Available from TWG (£119) A selection of six mini tins filled with single-estate, fine harvest and exclusive tea blends from the luxury artisanal tea company. Roasting Party Blends gift box Available from Roasting Party (£25) A selection of crowd-pleasing coffees from a small-batch UK roaster, with flavour profiles ranging from fruity to chocolatey. Nobleza del Sur organic Picual extra-virgin olive oil Available from Artisan Olive Oil Company (£25.35) Awarded multiple gold medals and rated best in class, this superior Spanish organic oil has fruity, herbaceous notes and comes in a pretty presentation bottle. The Real Cure British Charcuterie Selection Box Available from Not on the High Street (£35) Flavoured-packed charcuterie from Dorset. The punchy smoked sloe and garlic venison salami is a winner. Available from: Not on the High Street (£35) Best barware and drinks Christmas gifts Zacal Manso Sahuayo Available from Zacal Mezcal (£69.50/700ml) A great, accessible choice for those who prefer a less smoky mezcal, smooth with limey citrus notes and a touch of nuttiness. Matilda Goad lacquered ice bucket Available from Matilda Goad (£320) Boost your home bar game with this stunning ice bucket – it’ll save you running to and from the freezer for more ice at parties. Spicy margarita tumblers set Available from Oliver Bonas (£24.50) The perfect present for marg devotees – just add tequila, triple sec, lime and chilli salt, of course. Still Wild negroni Available from Still Wild (£28/500ml) Fancy a Welsh negroni? Pembrokeshire micro distillery Still Wild has used its own bitter aperitif, Rhudd, plus its Coastal gin and sweet vermouth to make this gift-worthy cocktail, which has lovely perfumed notes. Sophie Lou Jacobsen borosilicate glass fritter cocktail mixer Available from Selfridges (£140) <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2025/10/SELFRIDGES-SOPHIE-LOU-JACOBSEN-Colourful-base-borosilicate-glass-fritter-cocktail-mixer-20-oz-140-copy-7293c38.jpg" width="2352" height="1569" alt="SELFRIDGES SOPHIE LOU JACOBSEN Colourful-base borosilicate-glass fritter cocktail mixer 20 oz £140 copy" title="SELFRIDGES SOPHIE LOU JACOBSEN Colourful-base borosilicate-glass fritter cocktail mixer 20 oz £140 copy" /> A sleek piece of cocktail kit that’s a must-have if you’re a fan of stirred drinks like a manhattan. Ramsbury hot honey vodka Available from Ramsbury (£33/700ml) Spicy drinks are all the rage and this characterful Wiltshire vodka uses red chilli and homegrown honey for a rich silky spirit with subtle sweetness, hints of vanilla and gentle, tongue-tingling heat. Use in a vodka-based picante. Laetitia Rouget Amour glass carafe Available from Selfridges (£340) This beautiful carafe will elevate any table – use for water or try batching up cocktails to serve at parties. The Botanist Distiller’s Strength Available from The Whisky Exchange (£39.25/700ml), Master of Malt (£38.65) This Islay gin is brimming with intense aromatic citrus, juniper and spice notes. Coming in at a hefty 50% ABV, it’s got a full-bodied character that makes it perfect for spirit-forward cocktails like a martini. Electric Spirit Co Gin Available from Amazon (£38.25), Master of Malt (£33.31) This award-winning gin is a modern Scottish dry sold in an eye-catching orange frosted glass bottle, and combines classic gin botanicals with Sichuan peppercorns and fennel seeds for a herbal, fresh and zingy finish. See the best gin gifts for gin lovers for more inspiration. Goslings Spirited Seas Ocean Aged Rum Available from The Whisky Exchange (£59.50), Master of Malt (£59.50) This unique rum is aged in vintage bourbon barrels loaded onto a vessel and sent back and forth from Bermuda to the mid-Atlantic. The result is an elegant and complex rum with an oaky nose, hints of salted caramel and spice. The Lost Explorer mezcal trilogy box Available from Amazon (£95.95) Taste your way through three aged expressions of this artisan, sustainable-forward mezcal brand – soft, herbal Espadín, earthy Tobalá and bold, herbaceous and spicy Salmiana. Agave novices and experts alike can enjoy sipping through the Oaxaca region using the bespoke, zero-waste tasting cups. 8Track spiced rum Available from Amazon (£33.95) This smooth spiced rum is infused with Seville oranges, vanilla, cloves and cinnamon. Eco-conscious 8Track is also committed to supporting independent music, partnering with organisations to showcase new talent. Drinks by the Dram Japanese whisky tasting set Available from Amazon (£35.95) Way to get into the festive spirit(s)...Discover 5 unique Japanese whiskies from different producers, to discover new styles and a new favourite tipple. Dutch Barn vodka Available from Master of Malt (£28.50) Made in North Yorkshire using apples and presented in a 60% recycled glass bottle, this crisp, smooth vodka is mellow enough to drink neat. Cazcabel Coffee Liqueur with Tequila Available from Amazon (£26.01), Master of Malt (£26.01) Changing the game when it comes to premium tequila, choose between nectar-like honey or smooth, rich and expertly balanced coffee. Or have both. See more of our favourite coffee liqueurs. Best kitchenware Christmas gifts Wonderbag Available from Wonderbag (£54.99) A revolutionary non-electric heat-retention slow cooker. Once food is brought to a boil, the pan goes in the Wonderbag to continue cooking for up to eight hours with no electricity or battery needed. All sales help fund the company’s work providing community Wonderbags or as part of humanitarian aid in conflict zones. Hexclad Japanese 6-piece knife set Available from Hexclad (£459) Each blade of this knife set is forged from damascus steel offering sharpness and precision, plus they look beautiful thanks to the wave pattern on the blade and striking green handles. Teakhaus herringbone cutting board Available from Amazon (£53.10) Made from sustainable teak wood, this edge grain board features a striking herringbone pattern. Teak’s naturally high oil content and medium softness makes it a better choice for chopping boards. Le Creuset shallow casserole dish Available from Le Creuset (£319) This is a bit of kitchen kit that every cook should have. Crafted from cast iron, it’s designed to last for years. The large, flat shape means it’s great for stews, curries, casseroles and pies. It’s available in a range of colours but the rich green Thyme is our favourite and it’s perfect for Christmas. Fragrant Knives Chinese chef’s knife Available from Fragrant Knives (£88) A modernised version of a classic, this knife is designed in Hong Kong and crafted in Yangjiang using high-carbon stainless steel for sharpness and durability, and finished with a hand-carved Chinese rosewood handle and shaped to feel intuitive in the hands of any cook. Feldspar juicer Available from Selfridges (£80), Harrods (£105) With a hand-painted handle and elongated spout for easy pouring, this fine bone china juicer is perfect for making a restorative hot toddy, lemonade or a drizzle for a traybake. Available in cobalt, red, forest green or 24 carat gold. Sage Barista Touch Impress Available from Sage (£1,199.95), Amazon (£1,199) This bean-to-cup coffee machine can be enjoyed by any coffee lover no matter your skill level. Whether you’re a trained barista or beginner, the machine takes you through each step of making your drink with options to add your own flare or let it do the hard work for you. Pophams baker’s gift set Available from Pophams Home (£58) Make and store your bread in style with a walnut dough scraper made in the UK using sustainable British wood and a beeswax bread bag to keep loaves fresh, from south London’s Peckham Cloth. Niwaki Mainichi kitchen scissors Available from Niwaki (£39) Part scissors, part bottle and tin opener, and part nutcracker – we love the eye-catching bright yellow colour on these functional and stylish Japanese scissors. Sage InFizz Fusion Sparkling Drinks Maker Available from Sage (£179.95) This is an extraordinary bit of innovation. Soda makers/carbonators at home typically have only been able to add fizz to water. By making the nozzle detachable and therefore cleanable, this machine can carbonate any drink. We made up a batch of elderflower cordial with still water and then carbonated the mixture, rather than adding cordial to sparkling water, and we found the flavours to be more integrated, plus you can vary how fizzy the level of carbonation is. You can create lovely cocktails this way, mocktails, too, and even carbonate wine. This makes a terrific gift for the drinks nerd in your life. KitchenAid Artisan 4.8L tilt-head stand mixer Available from KitchenAid (£449) KitchenAid’s iconic 4.8-litre stand mixer is a timeless favourite with keen bakers. Take your pick from deep red, beetroot purple, cream and more. Read our full guide to the best stand mixers for more ideas. Best homeware Christmas gifts Addison Ross mini bobbin salt and pepper mills Available from Addison Ross (£38 each) Give a pop of colour to the dinner table with these smart bobbin grinders, with plenty of shades to choose from. The FSC-certified wood is finished with eight coats of high gloss lacquer. Poterie Barbotine marbled pitcher Available from Toast (£76) Handmade in southern France using locally sourced clay, this pitcher is inspired by classic Provençal ceramics. It makes a beautiful addition to a feasting table. Primavera Estate Ciliegia scented candle Available from Earl of East (£40) Featuring one of this years’ hottest food trends, cherry, this candle will bring a little fruity freshness into your kitchen. Bee Free triple milled plant-based soap Available from Arthouse Unlimited (£6.50) Triple milling this paraben-free soap promises a more luxurious lather with a subtle cedar, amber and vetiver scent. The box showcases artwork from adults living with complex neurodiverse and physical support needs. Henry Holland large ice bucket Available from Henry Holland (£245) Comfortably holding three bottles of wine, this ice bucket is handmade to order using earthenware clay, meaning no two pieces are the same. Personalised handwritten recipe jug, plate and mini milk jug Available from Alice Funge (£18-70) This beautiful range of wheel-thrown functional kitchenware is decorated with handwritten recipes and coloured slips that imitate the marks the ingredients make on each object. You can send your own recipes for a personal touch or opt for the maker’s grandmother’s. Le Soleil wine glasses Available from Glassette (£120) Invite a little of the Med sunshine into a loved one’s home with these glowing sun-adorned glasses made in collaboration with Spain’s Serge Castella Interiors. Related reviews Best sustainable Christmas gifts Best Christmas tree baubles for foodies Best advent calendars for foodies Best coffee advent calendars Best food hampers Best vegan gifts Best Italian cookbooks to buy Best Christmas crackers Best coffee gifts Best baking gifts
Looking for an epic centrepiece to serve to guests over the festive season? Check out our best ham and gammon recipes for Christmas, from maple-glazed to ham with fig and almond crust
Try our Christmas ham and gammon recipes for easy, delicious mains. In case you don't fancy turkey this Christmas, we have easy roast ham recipes, Boxing Day baked ham recipes and easy gammon ideas. Next, check out our pheasant and ham hock recipes. We also have a selection of show-stopping vegetarian Christmas recipes and easy veggie sides to go along side your festive feast. For effortless festive entertaining, check out our no-cook Christmas entertaining ideas and Christmas buffet ideas. Looking for tablescaping inspiration? Check out out Christmas table ideas. Best gammon recipes for Christmas Honey-glazed roast gammon This is a fuss-free way of cooking a Christmas gammon joint. It steams in the oven alongside aromatics, and is then finished with a honey mustard glaze. Gammon in coke The sweet, sticky glaze paired with salty gammon is a winner, and will leave your kitchen smelling divine – a perfect centrepiece for a traditional roast dinner. Ham with a spiced ginger rum glaze Serve warm on Christmas Eve with chunky chips and a bitter leaf winter salad, then eat the leftovers cold on Boxing Day. Baked ham with Bourbon and brown sugar Cook the perfect Christmas centrepiece with our showstopping glazed ham. Roast gammon recipe with brown sugar glaze Looking for a moreish Christmas ham recipe to impress your guests over the festive season? Try our cider-braised Christmas gammon with a sweet brown sugar glaze to serve alongside your turkey and trimmings. Check out our Christmas trimmings recipes Spiced gammon with chilli crisp roasties Flavour your gammon joint with orange, star anise, honey and chilli for an effortless Christmas centrepiece, paired with fiery roast potatoes. Slow cooker gammon Try this hassle-free centrepiece for an impressive festive lunch. Put the gammon into a slow cooker with cider and leave for four hours, then glaze for a sticky-sweet finish. Maple-glazed Christmas gammon with apple slaw This maple-glazed Christmas gammon recipe is a clever update on a classic roast. Serve it with bittersweet chicory and a fresh slaw to cut through the salt with your Christmas Day feast. More Christmas Day centrepiece recipes Baked Christmas gammon with potato salad A baked gammon or ham is one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd over Christmas and this glazed Christmas gammon can be eaten cold for days after. Serve with all the trimmings and perfect roasties. Glazed vegan gammon This seitan ‘ham’ is a perfectly festive meat alternative which will hold its own as a Christmas dinner centrepiece. Leftovers make fantastic ‘ham’ and mustard sandwiches for Boxing Day Best ham recipes for Christmas Christmas glazed ham Our baked glazed ham recipe is inspired by the classic Italian negroni cocktail. The spices infuse the meat for a fragrant flavour and the glaze gives a sweet, boozy hit. This ham works really well for a Sunday roast centrepiece or for an easy Christmas ham recipe. Glazed ham with pineapple relish This glazed ham can be scaled up or down in size – just use the calculations in the recipe. Rather than the fuss of boiling then baking, we prefer to tent the Christmas ham with foil and bake in its own juices before glazing, why not try this to go alongside your Christmas Day turkey. Maryland Christmas ham recipe Want an impressive ham recipe for your Boxing Day buffet? Check out this unusual brined ham with a piquant mix of spiced greens. Not only does this cut through the rich meat beautifully, but it looks great on the plate. The Christmas ham glaze is less traditional (and optional) but will give the ham a nice finish. Christmas ham recipe with pomegranate A brilliant alternative to turkey, goose and lamb on Christmas Day. Or something for Boxing Day, if you’ve run out of meat by then! The aromas while cooking this ham are sensational; leave the kitchen door open so that everyone can enjoy it. Serve alongside our super crispy roasties. Glazed ham recipe and rhubarb relish Check out this glazed ham and super easy rhubarb relish recipe from Terry Blake's diverse menu at his first restaurant, Sparrow in south London. Make this easy Christmas ham idea for fuss-free festive feasting. Glazed ham joint with almond crust Sherry, figs and almonds make this ham a great alternative to turkey on Christmas Day. Serve with roast potatoes or with brioche buns to stuff thick slices into for your Boxing Day feast. Maple glazed ham for Christmas This recipe for spiced maple-glazed treacle ham screams Christmas to us. Simmering the ham keeps the meat incredibly juicy, but if you’d rather bake it you can do the first part of cooking in the oven. Check out our best Christmas veggie side recipes to serve with your Christmas ham... Root beer Christmas ham glaze Mother’s restaurant in New Orleans is famous for its baked ham. The recipe is top secret, but the glaze is rumoured to include root beer. Give our glazed ham version a go... Treacle ham with spiced oranges Impress guests with this baked ham over the festive season. The key to this delicious ham is its glaze of maple syrup and orange juice. Make sure to ask your butcher whether the ham needs overnight soaking before cooking.
Our perfect pumpkin recipes make the most of this vibrant autumnal veg in everything from comforting curries and soups to pumpkin pie, donuts and muffins
Looking for pumpkin recipes? Roast pumpkin is an autumnal classic, so try it in pumpkin soup, curry and the ultimate pumpkin pie. We're big on zero waste at olive, so we've also included ideas for how to use pumpkin seeds (savoury granola anyone?). Whether it's Thanksgiving or Halloween, we've got a pumpkin recipe for every occasion (Be careful, though, as not all carving pumpkins are edible!). Want expert advice for growing your own crop? Learn how to grow your own pumpkins from our friends at Gardeners' World. Pumpkin recipes Baked baby pumpkin with red curry prawns Red curry prawns are combined with baked pumpkins in this gluten-free main. You could use small butternut squashes instead – the cooking time might need to be adjusted, however. Pumpkin soup Serve this in big mugs with fat fingers of melty cheese toasties for dipping. See more of our favourite autumn soup recipes. Thai pumpkin curry (gaeng fak thong) Make the most of seasonal pumpkins or butternut squash in this Thai curry, flavoured with dill, fish sauce and homemade red and green chilli paste. Pumpkin gingerbread milk Make the most of canned pumpkin in this warming winter drink, perfect for sipping alongside a meditation or mindfulness session. Pumpkin pie The best pumpkin pie. Designed to impress, this rich creamy pud uses bought pastry, making it easy but still a special bake. Maple cream goes on the side. Bake one of our sweet tart recipes for your next gathering. Pumpkin risotto This hearty, warming risotto sees chunks of pumpkin roasted with mace and garlic until golden and caramelised, before being stirred through silky risotto and finished with crispy sage. Pumpkin spice latte Follow expert barista Celeste Wong's step-by-step guide to making the perfect version of this comforting, autumnal coffee. Check out more autumn coffee ideas including a cinnamon toast crunch coffee... Pumpkin falafels These falafels are fun to share, adaptable, vegan and gluten-free. Serve with a cashew 'tahini' sauce and shredded red cabbage salad for a feast. This recipe comes from London's Honey & Co restaurant. Pumpkin cake Dotted with nuts and flavoured with maple syrup, this seasonal pumpkin cake is finished with a zesty soft cheese topping. Perfect for a Halloween treat or Bonfire Night slice. Pumpkin curry Make the most of pumpkin season with this easy, warming one-pot. Discover more vegetarian curry recipes, from aubergine dhansak to paneer tikka masala. Pumpkin gnudi Straight from The Baring pub kitchen, this recipe for pumpkin and ricotta dumplings with crisp radicchio and tangy buttermilk sauce is an impressive vegetarian main. Pumpkin pesto tart Use chilli pesto to add a lovely warming kick to this pumpkin, pine nut and chilli pesto tart. It's great served warm with rocket salad and can easily be made ahead. Spiced pumpkin tart In this pumpkin tart, the filling is infused with warming cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg and topped with grated roast hazelnuts – it’s a perfect winter dessert. Prawn and pumpkin curry This impressive prawn and pumpkin curry may look complicated, but once you have all the ingredients prepped it’s quite quick to make. Serve with steamed basmati rice and top the curry with crisp fried shallots and fried curry leaves, or fresh coriander. Try more of our top curry recipes here... Pumpkin muffins Make your own pumpkin purée to combine with warming autumnal spices for these seasonal pumpkin muffins. Top with cream cheese frosting for a stunning finish. Vegan pumpkin pie Ready-made pastry and a tin of pumpkin purée make this plant-based pie very easy to whip up. It's a sweet, spiced treat that's perfect for autumn. See more vegan dessert recipes. Gnocchi with squash, amaretti and rocket Amaretti may seem like a strange addition to a savoury dish, but in this recipe for gnocchi with squash (you can also use pumpkin), amaretti and rocket, the subtle, sweet crunch really works. It's vegetarian and ready in just 30 minutes - perfect for a midweek meal. Roast pumpkin salad Check out this roast pumpkin and chickpea vegetarian salad. This super easy gluten free recipe makes an ideal midweek meal for the family. Plus, it's low in calories, too. Check out our vegetarian salad recipes here... Pumpkin iced ring doughnuts Baked not fried, these pumpkin spiced doughnuts with salted maple glaze not only look stunning but are easy to make, too. You’ll need 6-hole doughnut tins for these. We used Wilton from amazon.co.uk. Sri Lankan pumpkin fry with coconut Serve this spice-filled pumpkin fry with coconut as a side dish to any Sri Lankan-style feast. The recipe uses butternut squash but you can easily substitute with pumpkin. Rich with flavour, it is also vegan and gluten-free. Kale, pumpkin and bacon stew Sometimes comfort food comes with a high calorie count. Not this delicious pumpkin, bacon and kale pot which comes in at less than 250 calories but feels like a lot more. Serve with crunchy, buttered sourdough toast for a midweek treat. Kale salad with roasted pumpkin, pomegranate molasses and almonds You can use either a pumpkin or butternut squash in this veggie salad. It's easy, ready in 35 minutes and, best of all, under 300 calories. With rich pomegranate molasses, sweet squash and crunchy almonds, it's so packed full of flavour that you'll forget you're being virtuous. Roast pumpkin and fennel with mushrooms This warming veggie recipe is ideal to serve on a wintery Sunday. Roast pumpkin and fennel together then add in buttery fried mushrooms and a drizzle of rich mustard and tarragon cream. This dish could work as a vegetarian main, or a side dish with roast beef or lamb. Japanese mushroom, chestnut and pumpkin pilaf If you can get hold of fresh shitake mushrooms this dish is on the table in just 20 minutes, perfect for mid-week! Alternatively you can use vac-packed ones: Merchant Gourmet can be found in most supermarkets. Pumpkin seed recipes Butternut squash soup Spice up your butternut squash soup with crunchy toasted pumpkin seeds and a crumble of feta cheese thrown in for good measure! Pumpkin seed butter on rye This makes the perfect vegan toast topper for breakfast. Serve with apple and chia seeds for an energy boosting brekkie. Add date nectar (available from Sainsbury’s and Waitrose) for sweetness, or leave out for savoury toast toppings. Burrata with savoury granola Ever thought of baking a batch of savoury granola? Check out this super simple spiced recipe with cumin seeds, smoked paprika and crunchy pumpkin seeds. We've served our's with creamy burrata - perfect for an easy but flavoursome starter recipe. Try our impressive starter recipes here... Sweet potato and miso mash Sweet potato just got sweeter with this clever addition of miso seasoning and pumpkin seeds. It's easy to make, vegetarian and the perfect side dish to complete your meal. Banana and pumpkin seed muffins Add some crunch to your morning muffin with our best ever banana and pumpkin seed muffin recipe. Packed with energy they are the perfect way to start the day. Bake a batch of muffins with our ideas here... Granola clusters with yogurt drizzle Check out this recipe for our super-quick and easy granola clusters. These make for a great mid-morning or energy-boosting snack. Overnight oats This healthy, no-fuss breakfast can be prepped just five minutes the night before, ready for you in the morning. Customise with your choice of fruit, nuts, seeds and other toppings. How to roast pumpkin The best way to cook pumpkin is by roasting as it often has a high water content so this helps dry it out a little and concentrate the flavour. Use a large, heavy knife to break the pumpkin down into manageable pieces, scoop out any seeds and use a potato peeler to peel away the skin. Cut into wedges or chunks then toss with a splash of olive oil and lots of seasoning. Spread out on a large non-stick baking tray then cook in a 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 oven until tender. The timing will depend on your pumpkin but it should take around 30-40 minutes. How to toast pumpkin seeds To toast your pumpkin seeds, scoop out of the cavity of the pumpkin into a bowl. Rinse the seeds with water to get rid of any remaining pulp then pat as dry as possible on kitchen paper. Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Spread the dried seeds out on a non-stick baking tray. Add a splash of olive oil and a good pinch of sea salt flakes then toss everything together. If you want to add any extra flavourings (chilli flakes, smoked paprika, cumin seeds, garam masala are all good) then sprinkle over at this point and toss. Bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway, until lightly golden. Cool on the tray then keep in an airtight jar for snacking. What to do with leftover pumpkin Have you carved up the perfect pumpkin design for Halloween? Rather than throwing away the leftovers, you can use any edible parts in a range of savoury dishes, snacks and bakes. Our pumpkin soup and pumpkin pie below involve blitzing up pieces of pumpkin to form a smooth purée, or you can grate them to give an extra moist texture in our pumpkin cake. Whole wedges of pumpkin work well in pumpkin curry and risotto, or you can slice them thinly to make our stunning pumpkin pesto tart Pumpkin seeds can also be put to great use as a topper for soups, muffins and overnight oats.
Crunchy potatoes make the ideal bed for spicy avocado. Serve these veggie nibbles with pink pickled onions and aleppo chilli flakes on top
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A quick pickle takes simple melon and parma ham skewers to the next level. Perfect for a Christmas or New Year's Eve canapé
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