Founded in 2016, Taste Film is the iconic immersive cinematic dining experience that has taken over venues across the UK for years. They show an array of classic films in a restaurant setting, bringing you a bespoke tasting menu inspired by the film as you watch. From a Pulp Fiction-themed Hawaiian smash burger to trying Remy's famous cooking in Ratatouille, you can finally eat the food you see on screen.
I had always been curious to try Taste Film, and what better time than at Christmas? From 20th November to 30th December, they're showing a number of festive favourites in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Brighton, with menus to match. You can catch Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually and How The Grinch Stole Christmas - and I was lucky enough to attend a screening of Elf.
Taste Film brings cinema to life through food.
DesignMyNight's Review Of Taste Film: Elf
- Location: The Refinery, 12 New Street Square, London, EC4A 3BF
- Price: £87.50 per person, including four food courses and one cocktail/mocktail course
- Dates: 20th November to 30th December 2026
Everything about this experience was full of seasonal magic, and I was impressed by their team throughout. We were welcome into a beautifully decorated seating area, where everyone was allocated a table with full view of the projector screen. We were all given our own personal menus, which had been thoughtfully designed to embody the Elf theme, and there were also cocktails available to purchase before the event started if you fancied it.
Of course, the beloved Will Ferrell film needs no introduction, but we all know it's an absolute classic. And so, I had high expectations for the menu - as the movie is filled with food. I wasn't let down, as every course was creatively presented and delicious, delivered to our tables promptly by discreet staff who didn't interrupt the viewing at all.
Eat alongside your favourite characters at Taste Film.
We began with 'milk and cookies for Santa', which consisted of a festive Amaretto, oat milk, orange and cinnamon cocktail, served with a gingerbread man. From then on, we ate hotdogs during Buddy's journey to New York, a Christmas dinner paired with cola and even the iconic maple syrup spaghetti with marshmallows and chocolate-covered peanuts - it works better than you might expect. To finish, there was a Christmas cookie cheesecake served in Santa's sleigh, by which point I was suitably stuffed.
I particularly loved the thoughtful touches and attention to detail - they even bought us a mini passionfruit spray at the point of the film where Buddy is sampling perfume in a department store - luckily, this one was actually edible.
I couldn't recommend Taste Film enough for a quirky Christmas experience - this is much more than your standard tasting menu. They offer classic and vegan menus, as well as gluten-free options, and are happy to cater for other dietary requirements. Whatever your festive film of choice is, these guys are guaranteed to interpret it perfectly via food, truly immersing you in the story like never before.
Discover more Christmas cinema events in our guide.
