For many, the prospect of yet another panicked day spent in the kitchen labouring over a Christmas spread for friends and family is just too much. If memories of burnt turkey and botched brussel sprouts have been enough to put you off this year - never fear! Alternatives to cooking Christmas lunch at home are there, if you look. Whether you fancy treating yourself to London's finest food at a fancy restaurant or prefer to go with the fuss free hamper option, below are a few suggestions on how to avoid Christmas chaos.
Restaurants
Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's
If canapés and confit foie gras tickle your fancy then head to Claridge's this Christmas to try Gordon Ramsay's gourmet food. Sample the champagne and settle yourself in for seven luxurious courses for £185 a head.
Inn the Park
Nestled pond-side in St James's Park, the unique Inn the Park provides a lovely setting in which to enjoy your Christmas lunch. The menu features caramelised fennel, slow cooked pork belly with chestnuts and of course - Christmas pudding! This family friendly restaurant offers Christmas lunch for £29.50 a head.
The Cinnamon Club
If tradition isn't your thing then head to The Cinnamon Club and tuck into tandori partridge breast with dried mango and peanut. This Indian restaurant is housed in an historic building which used to be the home of the Westminster Library. For £75 you can enjoy a little slice of India this Christmas.
Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley
If you'd really like to splash out, consider heading to the prestigious Berkeley hotel in Knightsbridge. Marcus Wareing's restaurant offers an eight course tasting menu for Christmas Day. The menu is available from 12:00pm to 2:30pm and is priced at £330 a head.
Butlers Wharf Chop House
The Butlers Wharf Chop House offers up your traditional Christmas lunch. You can enjoy their roast Goosnargh turkey with all the trimmings whilst gazing at the nearby Tower Bridge. A three course meal is available for £85.
Lunch with a view
Prefer your Christmas lunch to come with a little scenery? If you're up for eating out but want something different to the usual confines of a restaurant try City Cruises. The cruise along the Thames lasts just under three hours and takes you past the sites of central London and down to Greenwich. Tickets for the cruise and three course traditional Christmas lunch are £105.
Hampers
If you're after a more low key option, the trusty hamper provides just that. Whip around the supermarket and throw in a few of your favourite cheeses, wines and snacks to make up the hamper. Or, for a completely hassle-free option just go online and choose from one of the many hamper delivery services and have Christmas lunch arrive on your doorstep. You can see why hampers for Christmas are such a popular option when the only hard part is choosing where to eat them! Take one round to a friend's house or wrap up warm and head to your favourite park.
