Festive feasting in South Bank

From mince pies and mulled wine to gingerbread and fondue, here’s our guide to where to find the most delicious festive food in South Bank this Christmas.

For more on where to eat, drink and be merry in South Bank, explore our comprehensive guide to all of South Bank's bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants here.

Alpine pop-ups

As the days get shorter and the colder weather draws in, South Bank’s pop-ups take on a cosy wintery feel with filling favourites like raclette, bratwurst and fondue the order of the day!

At Jimmy’s Alpine-inspired Fire & Fromage pop-up right on the riverside next to Southbank Centre there are firepits for toasting marshmallows and a mouthwatering menu of Alpine dishes including raclette burgers, chicken schnitzel or go all out and book a table for a 90minute unlimited raclette feast in the racelette bar. Open from 31 October.

Just around the corner underneath Hungerford Bridge is another winter pop-up The Curling Club. This fun ‘casual curling’ pop-up chalet also takes inspiration from the apres-ski scene with Alpine burgers and raclette fries on their street food menu. Open from 10 October.

At Gabriel's Wharf, South Bank's Caribbean bar and restaurant Limin' has taken on a whole new look, transforming from a summer beach bar into the Limin' Winter Lodge. The whole venue gets a snowy mountain makeover complete with plenty of fairylights and fir trees, while the menu also gets a winter upgrade with dishes like Scotch bonnet and Christmas spice glazed ham making an appearance.

Festive street food

The Southbank Centre’s Winter Market is all about comfort food this season. Look out for market classics like truffle burgers, sweet Dutch pancakes and gourmet cheese toasties. Wash it all down with a mug of mulled wine or hot chocolate from one of the winter pop-up bars Beltane & Pop or The Thirsty Farrier.

Right opposite the Winter Market is Between the Bridges where you can find even more street food stalls. There are also several pop-up bars with both indoor and covered seating areas where Christmas cocktails, hot drinks and craft beers are on the menu.

Southbank Centre's regular weekend Food Market outside the Royal Festival Hall also continues to operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season, with many stalls serving up some extra special treats to match the season such as gourmet hot chocolates and mulled wine.

Christmas afternoon tea

The Library at the grand London Marriott Hotel County Hall is serving a special Christmas afternoon tea this winter, available daily from 14 November to 5 January.

The fantastically festive afternoon tea spread, served in County Hall’s grand Edwardian library, includes homemade Christmas scones, traditional mince pies and gingerbread, enjoyed with a choice of Louis Pommery England sparkling wine or the finest loose-leaf teas.

Special occasion dinners

Celebrate in style this Christmas with a special occasion dinner at a top restaurant. Choose from the a la carte menu or book in advance for a multi-course Christmas feast.

Sea Containers Restaurant is celebrated for its prime riverside views. The sky’s the limit this season when it comes to all-day dining with choices including oven-roast salmon and a whole Scottish lobster, or book for a group for Sea Containers' gourmet take on the classic Christmas dinner, served with all the trimmings.

French bistro Brasserie Blanc's menus change with the seasons. As winter rolls around the Brasserie Blanc menu is all about rich, comforting and flavoursome food such as duck leg confit, cheese souffle and bramley apple and gooseberry crumble. There's also a delicious set Christmas party menu (booking required) that consists of three courses plus mince pies with tea or coffee to finish.

If you haven’t yet tried the critics’ favourite Lasdun at the National Theatre, now’s the time! Signature dishes like their celebrated chicken, leek and girolles pie are classic wintery fare and for dessert the brown butter and honey custard tart is unmatched.

Located on the eighth floor of the famous OXO Tower building, guests can take in unparalleled views of St Paul's from the expansive garden terrace at OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a spectacular backdrop for enjoying elegant seasonal British cuisine, a classic Afternoon Tea or cocktails.

Sparkling nightlife

Say cheers to the fanciest cocktails in town at the glam Lyaness and 12th Knot cocktail bars at Sea Containers. Join the cool crowd sipping Christmas negronis on the terrace at the National Theatre's chic Forza Wine or settle in for tapas and wine at Southbank Centre’s Galician wine and tapas bar La Gamba.

For that inimitable Christmas-time pub buzz join the party at one of the UK’s biggest bars BrewDog Waterloo, where there are also duckpin bowling lanes to keep you busy. For something a bit different find your way to The Lost Property Office, the small secret speakeasy cocktail bar hidden inside BrewDog (look for the old-fashioned phone booth to find the entrance).