‘Tis the season for foodie gatherings with your nearest and dearest. Whether you’re after a traditional roast — with Christmas crackers and all the trimmings — or you fancy something a bit different, Croydon has a great selection of first-class eateries with specially-curated festive menus on offer, all within a stone’s throw from your South London rental apartment. So dig out your Santa hat and bag yourself one of the hottest seats in town.

The Store

One of the top 20 new venues in the UK, according to The Independent, chic South Croydon neighbourhood bar The Store is offering both formal sit-down meals or casual sharing platters this festive season. Decked out with a forest of plants, low-hanging lights and ornate tiled floors, The Store oozes laid-back Californian style. Order one of their drinks packages and choose from prosecco or festive martinis on arrival, to make the occasion extra special.

@the.store.croydon

Little Bay

Fancy a bit of live opera with dinner? Then head on down to Little Bay, a quirky gem serving French fusion cuisine. Its eccentric theatrical décor is a feast for the eyes – you can even dine in your own gilded theatre box – and the menu is just as eclectic. Choose from crab stuffed fillet of plaice, slow cooked lamb shoulder or a vegan burger. Plus, there’s live opera and musical entertainment on selected nights. What’s not to love?

@littlebaycroydon

BOXPARK, Croydon

If you’re looking for a party, look no further than BOXPARK, just a one-minute walk from Enclave’s all-inclusive apartments. Offering all the traditional trimmings with a twist, you can enjoy a tinsel-tastic programme of entertainment every Thursday until the big day – from singalongs to bingo nights. The Croydon venue houses more than 25 food traders offering a festive take on favourites too, such as Kanji’s Xmas curry, or Rudies’ Jamaican Christmas cake, as well as a stellar winter drinks menu.

@boxparkcroydon

Basil & Grape

Who says you can’t have pizza for Christmas lunch? Rustic Italian restaurant Basil & Grape in the heart of Croydon’s town centre, serves up some of the area’s best handcrafted Pinsa pizzas – a traditional Roman recipe dating back more than 500 years. Offering bespoke tasting experiences all year round, the cosy spot also offers an impressive wine list worthy of the occasion, spanning all 20 wine regions in Italy. So choose your poison and toast the season.

@basilandgrape

The Treehouse

Pub, restaurant and late-night club in one, The Treehouse is a great place to host a celebration. The festive menu offers a free glass of prosecco on arrival, as well as hearty vegan options. If you have a four-legged friend, they can get in on the action too; The Treehouse is one of Croydon’s most dog-friendly pubs, offering a specially-prepared bowl of beef, veggies and gravy for them to chow down on. And if after all that food and fizz you’re not ready to call it a night, head upstairs to the club, open until 3am at weekends.

@treehousecroydon

Aqua Mediterranean Bar and Grill

If you don’t feel like cooking on Christmas Day, check out Aqua Bar and Grill’s special festive lunch, with enough options to suit any taste. This modern eatery in Croydon’s South End has been serving up simple, quality food since it opened 14 years ago. From prime roast beef to delicate vegetarian tortellini, all dishes are cooked to perfection. So you can sit back, relax and enjoy a special holiday meal, leaving the washing up to someone else.

@aqua_croydon

Galicia

Experience an authentic Spanish celebration at Galicia, a lively tapas bar serving up tasty sharing dishes from the region. With its bright blue awnings and tiled bar, Galicia brings a touch of the Mediterranean to Croydon’s High Street. This busy dinner spot is the perfect place to celebrate with friends, so ditch the turkey for vegetarian paella or sirloin steak. Looking for somewhere to see in the New Year? Its annual late-night DJ party would be a great way to say goodbye to 2023.

Yumn Brasserie

For relaxed fine dining head to Yumn Brasserie in Croydon’s South End. Its festive menu from head chef Connor Godfrey – formerly of Kensington’s Royal Garden Hotel – offers plenty of dishes to make the occasion special. Try the gnocchi and spiced butternut squash and basil pesto, or blade of beef with creamy mash. You can take a seat in one of the restaurant’s plush booths or book the intimate private dining room to enjoy your own playlist (Mariah optional) and a dedicated server.

@yumnlondon

Atesh

If you’re in the market for some of London’s best Turkish food, book a table at Atesh. This Croydon High Street favourite serves delectable sharing platters and flavourful grilled meat kebabs in a grand, atmospheric setting where the gallery kitchen takes centre stage. Its cocktails aren’t bad either, with all the classics on offer, as well as a few alcohol-free options. We’d go for the baklava and mince pie dessert alone.

@atesh_restaurant

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