Christmas Day is about celebrating with loved ones over good food and conversation, so head to one of these fantastic restaurants or cosy pubs and have a festive feast
- Abode
30-33 High Street, Canterbury
Located in ancient Canterbury is Abode, the late 19th century hotel with a three AA Rosette awarded restaurant. There is a six-course feast being put on this Christmas Day, so take a stroll through the winding streets of the city to the High Street where you will find this striking building.
Festivities start immediately with a glass of Champagne and canapés to put you in the festive mood before your six course feast. First comes Jerusalem artichoke with truffle oil then braised pig cheek. Third course will be pan-fried scallop and the main event will be a plate of either traditional turkey with festive trimmings or fillet of beef with red cabbage, parsnip and red wine jus. Dessert will feature Christmas pudding with brandy anglaise or a chocolate and yuzu pudding. All this will be followed by coffee and mince pies.
£115 per person
- Rocksalt
4-5 Fishmarket, Folkestone
The popular Rocksalt will be known to those in Folkestone, and it is definitely worth the travel from further afield if you haven't visited. With a passion for locally sourced ingredients and a focus on utilising the flavours of seasonal availability, you are sure to be given a delightful Christmas Day meal that has been thought through from the bubbles and canapés to after-dinner coffee.
Six courses commence with creamed Jerusalem artichoke soup with mustard crème fraiche after bubbles and canapés. A choice of starters includes a prawn and crab cocktail with bloody mary dressing and mains of course include turkey with trimmings but also a maple and mustard glaze ham. Cleanse the palate with spiced clementine sorbet before dessert which has a happy decision between boozy Christmas pudding and other sweet treats such as rhubarb sherry trifle with toasted almonds. Loosen your belt as you sip on a coffee and nibble a mince pie.
£110 per person
85 London Road, Tunbridge Wells
Cosy, stylish and unassuming, Thackeray's in Royal Tunbridge Wells knows how to create a welcoming atmosphere that will be a perfect backdrop to your Christmas Day lunch celebrations. There is a distinctly grown up menu on offer with the option of wine pairings to go alongside the festive courses.
After a tasty canapé, tuck into starters including partridge with candied hazlenuts. There are three mains to choose from but a fantastic roast Norfolk turkey with goose fat roasted potato, pigs in blankets, crushed root vegetables and more trimmings is available for traditionalists. Christmas pudding with vanilla and brandy crème anglaise and winter berry compote finishes the meal - what could be more festive? There are some Christmassy cocktails to try too.
£150 per person, plus £50 per person for wine pairing
6 High Street, Sturry, Canterbury
In the pretty village of Sturry is Kathton House, the modern British restaurant that uses locally sourced fare for its Christmas Day menu. Rave reviews describe the restaurant's food as "exquisite" and "simply the best".
The Christmas Day menu's first course includes pan fried scallops with celeriac and a raisin purée. If you don't opt for roast turkey with all the trimmings (honey roast parsnips!), you can go for lamb rump with pearl barley, pan-fried cod or sweet potato and goat's cheese tortellini. Desserts include a Christmas pudding and a sticky toffee pudding.
Two courses £70, three courses £75
54 Albion Street, Broadstairs
Fresh, local ingredients populate the menu at Restaurant 54, which is an amalgamation of dishes from Britain and the Continent, with a curated wine list to accompany.
On Christmas Day, after a glass of Prosecco on arrival, enjoy starters such as the tempting home-smoked meat platter. For main, choose traditional turkey with rosemary roasted potatoes and all the trimmings (including chorizo sautéed sprouts), monkfish fillet or beef wellington with rosemary dauphinoise and vegetables. Dessert is a platter including plum pudding with brandy custard, bakewell tart, whiskey ice cream, poached pear and chocolate orange cheesecake or choose a cheese board with local cheeses. Vegetarian main available on request.
£80 per person
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Does your restaurant have a Christmas Day lunch menu that we should know about? Send an email to samuel.mathewson@archant.co.uk
