Celebrate Christmas Day at Gee’s, beneath the twinkling lights of one of Oxford’s best-loved neighbourhood restaurants. Housed in a beautiful Victorian conservatory in North Oxford, Gee’s combines elegant surroundings with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Its distinctive glass-roofed dining room provides a memorable setting for a festive celebration.

Begin with beef fillet tartare, wild mushroom parfait, seared scallops or heritage beetroot risotto, followed by Norfolk Bronze turkey, fillet of turbot, butternut squash and lentil Wellington, or beef fillet with braised beef cheek and truffle potato gratin. Finish with Pedro Ximénez Christmas pudding, sherry trifle, a rich chocolate pot or a British cheese plate.

Bookings:

• £160.00 per person for 3 courses, including a selection of Canapes on arrival
• Served from noon until 4.30pm
• For more information and reservations, visit geesrestaurant.co.uk or call 01865 553540

The Parsonage Grill offers an elegant setting for Christmas Day in the heart of Oxford. Set within the historic Old Parsonage Hotel, the restaurant combines literary heritage and country-house character with intimate dining spaces. A roaring open fire and attentive service provide the backdrop for a traditional Christmas celebration, with classic British cooking given a contemporary touch.

Christmas Day lunch begins with canapés, followed by a choice of Jerusalem artichoke and rosemary soup with seared scallops, roast duck and foie gras terrine, Severn & Wye smoked salmon or heritage beetroot with sheep’s curd and walnuts. Mains include turbot with pomme Anna and lemon velouté, a herb potato blini with ceps and truffle, traditional Norfolk roast turkey or beef fillet with potato gratin and bone marrow sauce. Finish with steamed Christmas pudding, chocolate fondant soufflé, apple and cinnamon crumble or mulled wine-poached pear.

Bookings:

Located in the heart of historic Jericho, Brasserie Blanc Oxford is the original restaurant in the Brasserie Blanc collection and a well-established local favourite. Its light, airy front dining room and more intimate, cosy space at the back provide a welcoming setting for festive gatherings, whether celebrating with family and friends or enjoying a special occasion.

Christmas Day lunch is a five-course celebration, beginning with a glass of Buck’s Fizz on arrival. Menu highlights include filet de boeuf, darne de flétan and traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings. To finish, choose from homemade Christmas pudding, a selection of British and French cheeses or a classic bûche de Noël.

Bookings:

• £115.00 per person for five courses, including Buck’s Fizz
• £57.50 per child aged 12 and under
• Open from noon to 5.00pm but serving food until 3.00pm
• For more information and reservations, visit brasserieblanc.com or call 01865 510999

Located on Oxford’s historic High Street, Quod is a much-loved city-centre restaurant and the lively dining hub of the Old Bank Hotel. Set within a former banking hall, its elegant interiors feature magnificent Georgian windows, a striking onyx bar and an Italian garden terrace. Combining a buzzy brasserie atmosphere with a menu of European classics, Quod provides a sophisticated setting for a festive celebration in the heart of the city.

Christmas Day lunch begins with a selection of canapés, followed by a choice of starters including Cornish crab ravioli, venison carpaccio, goat’s cheese tart or seared scallops with spiced pork belly. Mains include roast Bronze turkey with all the trimmings, Hereford beef fillet with slow-cooked beef cheek, halibut with lobster velouté or butternut squash and Puy lentil Wellington. Finish with Christmas pudding, warm chocolate tart, salted caramel cheesecake, poached pear or a selection of English cheeses.

Bookings:

Set beside the River Thames at Folly Bridge, The Folly is a distinctive riverside restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and a beautiful waterside setting. Its dining spaces and floating terrace offer views across the river, making it a memorable location for a festive meal. Combining modern British and European cooking with its characterful setting, The Folly provides a welcoming place to gather with family and friends on Christmas Day.

Christmas Day lunch is a five-course celebration, beginning with homemade bread and a choice of starters including mulled wine-cured trout, French onion soup, roasted baby aubergine, confit chicken terrine or mushroom parfait. After a palate cleanser, choose from roast free-range Bronze turkey with all the trimmings, chestnut, apple and spinach pithivier, pan-fried wild bass, spice-crusted duck breast or butternut squash ravioli. Desserts include Christmas pudding, muscovado crème brûlée, chocolate and strawberry lava cake, apple mille-feuille or a red velvet gâteau, followed by petits fours.

Bookings:

• £139 per person for five courses
• Sittings available between noon and 3.00pm
• For more information and reservations, visit the-folly.co.uk or call 01865 201293

Occupying a prime position beside the River Thames at Folly Bridge, The Head of the River is a traditional Oxford pub with a popular riverside terrace and welcoming dining spaces. Its central location, characterful interiors and views across the water make it an appealing setting for a relaxed Christmas celebration. The pub also has a collection of individually designed bedrooms, offering the option of extending the occasion with an overnight stay.

Christmas Day lunch begins with a glass of English sparkling wine, followed by a choice of starters including prawn and queen scallop ravioli in an English sparkling wine sauce or whipped chicken liver parfait. Mains include British turkey breast with pigs in blankets and apricot stuffing, fillet of British beef with braised beef pie, Cornish hake with griddled tiger prawn or wild mushroom, spinach and celeriac pithivier. A traditional festive dessert completes the meal.

Bookings:

• £105 per person
• Children’s menu (12 and under) at £52.50
• A glass of English sparkling wine is included.
• For more information and reservations, visit headoftheriveroxford.co.uk or call 01865 721600

Set in a beautifully restored 17th-century coaching inn in the Cotswold village of Clanfield, The Double Red Duke combines historic character with bold interiors and a relaxed country-pub atmosphere. With its cosy fires, thoughtfully designed dining spaces and kitchen championing seasonal British produce, it makes a welcoming setting for a special Christmas celebration.

Christmas Day lunch begins with Exmoor caviar and potato rösti, smoked trout with black truffle and cucumber, and freshly baked baguette with butter. Choose from starters including diver scallops, duck liver parfait or truffle and chestnut soup, followed by pumpkin tart with aged Comté, stuffed turkey leg, brill with champagne and caviar, or rib of beef. Traditional sides are served to share, with a choice of Christmas pudding, cranberry and orange trifle or warm chocolate pudding to finish.

Bookings:

• £180.00 for 3 courses, including a selection of sides to share
• Served from noon
• For more information and reservations, visit countrycreatures.com or call 01367 810222

Set in the picturesque Cotswold village of Minster Lovell, Old Swan & Minster Mill brings together a historic country inn and a charming riverside retreat, surrounded by gardens and the beautiful countryside of the Evenlode Valley. The Old Swan, with its traditional interiors and characterful dining spaces, provides a relaxed setting for celebrating Christmas with family and friends.

The Old Swan is serving both Christmas Day lunch and an evening buffet. Lunch features a traditional four-course menu, accompanied by Champagne, while the evening buffet offers a more informal way to enjoy seasonal food and festive company.

Bookings:

• Lunch served from noon to 3.00pm at £135.00 per adult and £95.00 per child
• Evening buffet from 6.30pm to 8.00pm at £55.00 per person
• For more information and reservations, visit minstermill.co.uk or call 01993 774441