While 'tis the season to be jolly, the yuletide period can sometimes be a bit of a stressful affair. Organising the masses (or even just a small family do) for Christmas dinner in Cardiff can turn into mission impossible as you search for somewhere suitable for all tastes.
To make it as easy as possible for you to get your party sorted, we've compiled a list of our favourites right here. Discover cosy pubs, sophisticated restaurants and more, perfect for family outings, festive parties and even Christmas Day lunch.
Find out more about how we curated this guide in our Editorial Policy.
Wondering where to go for a mouthwatering Christmas lunch menu in Cardiff city centre? Over at Pen & Wig, you can tuck into a comforting three-course feast or fabulous finger food spread while in traditional pub surrounds. As for drinks, you'll find lager, cider and prosecco aplenty.
The Ivy is an ideal destination if you're looking for the best Christmas dinners in Cardiff city centre. Think botanical wallpaper and geometric floors, as well as plush velvet seats and hanging foliage, not to mention hearty roasts and warming mugs of mulled cider.
Mowgli is home to the best Cardiff Christmas lunch with a twist. Dig into three Indian street food-style courses, such as gunpowder chicken and Himalayan cheese toast, then quench your thirst by tipping back a glass of bubbles and tuck into a hearty main of two-tiered tiffin boxes filled with curry.
Expect all that and more for just £40, within the enchanting dining room that's brought to life by fairy lights and indoor trees.
In search of casual pubs for Christmas dinner in Cardiff? Come the festive season, Pontcanna's Brewhouse & Kitchen is a cosy haven of sumptuous roasts, with salted caramel tiramisu cheesecake and black forest fondant for dessert. Pop over to see why this is a top spot for mates, dates, colleagues and family.
On the hunt for a Christmas dinner in Cardiff Bay? Then make a beeline for The Eli Jenkins. A trendy boozer if we ever saw one, this joint offers a mouthwatering array of festive feasts and a bucketload of buffet options. To wet the whistle, there are plenty of drinks packages available.
The Botanist is always a great shout when it comes to a lip-smacking Christmas meal. These guys are featuring two to three-course menus filled to the brim with seasonal eats - think turkey kebabs, baked camembert and sticky toffee pudding. Not in the area? Check out their Cardiff Bay venue instead.
Celebrate the festive season in style at The Cosy Club Cardiff, tucked inside St David's Shopping Centre but brimming with retro charm. With faded portraits, quirky lamps, and an interior that feels like a grand relative's living room, it's the perfect backdrop for a cosy Christmas feast.
The menu features pigs in blankets, York House roasted pork belly, the show-stopping Cosy Christmas Pie with turkey, smoked ham hock, confit garlic mash, and maple-roasted vegetables. Vegetarians are catered for with maple-roasted squash or forest mushroom arancini, while desserts - from traditional Christmas pudding to salted chocolate truffle torte and clotted cream cheesecake - complete the festive indulgence.
'Tis the season to brunch, and Flight Club Cardiff is pulling out all the stops with its Festive Brunch. Gather your work pals, best mates, or chosen festive fam for two hours of pure Christmas joy. We're talking a whole bottle of prosecco or four beers per person, bottomless pizza to keep you merry, and an hour of Social Darts to bring out your competitive streak.
With twinkling lights, wreaths wrapped around the dartboards, and festive tunes setting the mood, it's a Christmas party with a side of friendly rivalry.
Looking for an Italian twist on Christmas dinner? Then look no further than ASK Italian, located in Wyndham Arcade. This laid-back spot is filled with casual decor, from the tiled walls to the comfy seating, with two different menus on offer.
Nab three courses for just £29.95, including sprout and pancetta croqettes, spaghetti al pomodoro and Biscoff cheesecake. Their premium offering costs £5 extra featuring burrata pizzas, slow-cooked beef pappardelle and so much more.
Eclectic furnishings and dark wood interiors make Owain Glyndwr a homely place to spend a Christmas dining experience with friends, colleagues or family. Nestled in a historic 18th-century ale house near Cardiff Castle, the refurbishes pub sets the scene for group feasts fuelled by great drinks, including their classic and signature cocktails.
Make the holidays count by indulging in their festive menus, filled with seasonal classics and all the trimmings, served alongside themed drinks for a lively affair that will get you in the mood to celebrate.
🍔 Midweek Eats - 1 Course & A Drink for £14 or 2 Courses & A Drink for £18 🥤 and 2 other offers
The pattern-clad, multicoloured Slug and Lettuce in Cardiff City Centre or The Friary is a staple for cocktails lovers – and now it's out to impressive lovers of all-things festive.
Coming in hot with a winter buffet, set menu and bottomless brunch, there are plenty of new dishes to indulge in this season. From the holiday buttermilk pancake stack to turkey loaded fries and pigs in blankets skewers, enjoy familiar flavours delivered in a way that's fresh and exciting.
Planning your Christmas dinner in Cardiff? Head to The Botanist for an unforgettable dining experience surrounded by beautiful botanical decor.
Enjoy festive menus starting from £26.95 per person for a two or three-course lunch, or a full 3=three-course dinner. Kick off your meal with delicious pigs in blankets or warm fried Camembert, then tuck into their famous Christmas dinner hanging kebab.
Prices vary for Christmas dinner. For example, ASK Italian offers three courses for £29.95, with its premium menu costing £5 more. Mowgli's three-course festive meal is £40, so check current prices with each venue before booking.
Yes, Cosy Club Cardiff caters for vegetarians with maple-roasted squash or forest mushroom arancini. ASK Italian and Mowgli are both listed as vegetarian restaurants, which makes them useful for mixed groups. Check dietary requirements with the venue when booking, especially for set menus.
Y Mochyn Du in Pontcanna is a cosy haven of sumptuous roasts, with salted caramel tiramisu cheesecake for dessert. The Eli Jenkins in Cardiff Bay offers festive feasts, a buffet and drinks packages. Owain Glyndwr, near Cardiff Castle, is a historic 18th-century ale house with festive menus and themed drinks.
Mowgli serves three Indian street food-style courses, including gunpowder chicken and Himalayan cheese toast. Slug and Lettuce Cardiff serves turkey loaded fries and pigs in blankets skewers. The Cosy Club's Cosy Christmas Pie, filled with turkey, smoked ham hock and confit garlic mash, is another standout.
The Eli Jenkins offers buffet options and drinks packages, which suit bigger groups. Owain Glyndwr's festive menus are designed for group feasts, and Cosy Club Cardiff is tagged as an event space. Booking ahead is sensible, as peak dates fill quickly.
