Knives, forks and elasticated trousers at the ready!

The King’s Arms, Dorchester

Thomas Hardy used to frequent this atmospheric 300-year-old coaching inn but I think we can safely say he never scoffed a sprout bhaji. But you could be, it’s one of the things on the Christmas menu at the 1 AA Rosette restaurant, along with dishes like dressed crab focaccia; mushroom parfait; roast turkey with Christmas stuffing; Christmas porchetta & salsa verde; roasted cauliflower in white wine; gingerbread sticky toffee pud; and rum-baked pineapple. £48 for three courses. From Fri 28 Nov (excl Christmas Day, when there’s a separate menu).

The Pony Chew Valley, near Chew Magna

The former Michelin-starred Pony & Trap pub, re-imagined by Josh Eggleton and sister Holly as a restaurant, cookery school and venue with events, showcases local produce including from their own kitchen garden. Listed in the Michelin Guide, their inventive Christmas set menu includes mussel & clam & lovage chowder spelt, pumpkin spelt risotto; potato sage gnocchi; dry aged duck breast; whole sole with brown shrimp; rabbit pork belly & mushoom pie; parsnip sticky toffee pud; Christmas pudding ice cream profiterole. £50 for three courses. From Weds 3 Dec – Thurs 1 Jan, Weds to Sat, lunch and dinner.

Old Harry Rocks, Bournemouth

You’re in a cool cliff-top restaurant overlooking the sea, so knock back another cocktail, tuck into your festive feast and be transported to somewhere hot and balmy. Festive set menu includes trout rillette and wild mushroom soup; turkey bacon parcels, plancha bass; truffled brie and honey (yum), and Christmas pud. £29 for two courses, £35 for three. From now until Weds 24 Dec (excl Sundays, when they serve a Sunday roast).

Platform, West Bay, near Bridport

It’s all aboard a couple of vintage railway carriages (one of which is dog-friendly) for Christmas cocktails and a festive feast at Platform. Twice voted Best Restaurant in Dorset, Somerset & Bristol in the Muddy Awards, with 2 AA rosettes and numerous Taste of the West Golds, the quirky restaurant’s set menu for tables of six and over includes Cornish crab & king prawn cocktail; roasted winter squash soup; duo of Norfolk turkey; pan-fried chalk stream trout; loin of Dorset beef; Christmas pud cheesecake; and blood orange panna cotta. £50 for three courses, for parties of six or more.

Alfredo’s, Somerton

It’s Buon Natale! at the Best Restaurant in Somerset, Dorset & Bristol, which serves a taste of Italy in the heart of the West Country. Gather fam and friends together for the sharing Festive Feasting menu for groups of eight or more, which starts with Italian snacks and breads, continues with stuffed porchetta carved at the table, and ends with warm apple strudel. £45 per person. Everyone want something different? The festive party menu, including dishes like celeriac and truffle cannelloni; smoked duck breast; roasted guinea fowl; braised beef short rib; Ferrero Rocher semifreddo and Christmas fruits polenta cake, is available at lunch and dinner for parties of six or more. £34 for two courses; £42 for three. From now until Jan.

The Barrington Boar, Barrington, near Ilminster

Having a Michelin-listing, Good Food Guide‘s Best 100 Pubs (#12 FYI) under its belt, the pub and restaurant in the pretty village of Barrington is a sure-fire bet for a festive foodie get together. Chef-patron Alasdair’s delightful sounding Christmas party menu includes ragù bolognese of welfare-assured Devonshire rose veal; wild mushroom soup; confit duck leg ballotine; grilled monkfish with roasted shellfish red curry sauce; pineapple marinated in chilli mint & rum. £42 for two courses; £48 for three, for tables of six or more. From Weds 3 – Tues 30 Dec (excl Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day).

The Queen’s Arms, Corton Denham, near Sherborne

sunday lunch by the fire The Queen's Arms Corton Denham, Somerset Dorset

Whether it’s just for two or – you’re really popular – up to 28, the cosy, stylish pub on the Dorset/Somerset border’s tempting Christmas menu includes Jerusalem artichoke soup; smoked salmon rillettes; roasted turkey ballotine; Cornish skate; Ginger and egg nog baked Alaska; and Queen’s Christmas pud. £35 for two courses; £45 for three. You must book 48 hours in advance. From Thurs 27 Nov – Sat 20 Dec, every day at lunch and dinner.

Brace of Pheasants, Plush, near Dorchester

Cosy up at The Brace, a thatched inn in a tiny Dorset hamlet dating back to the 16th century with low ceilings, beams, an open fire and great, locally sourced food. Try this festive menu for parties of six or more, which includes twice baked cheese soufflé; panko partridge breast; venison, turkey, chalk stream trout (not all on the same plate); trad Christmas pud & custard, and hot choc fondant. £32 for two courses; £38 for three. From Weds 26 Nov – Sat 20 Dec.

Circus, Bath

With the iconic Circus a minute (or less) in one direction and the Royal Crescent a couple of minutes in the other, you’re in the very heart of Georgian Bath at this buzzy, AA Rosetted indie restaurant. Their Christmas set menu includes black garlic cashew curd; Cornish fish stew; venison and ale puff pasty pie; leek & artichoke barigoule; flat iron steak; mince pie bread and butter pud; crème brûlée. £51 for two courses, £56 for three, includes canapés. From Thurs 27 Nov – Tues 23 Dec (closed Sundays).

The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury

Enjoy lunch at the stylish Georgian coaching inn and AA Rosette restaurant in the heart of the Dorset hilltop town, then go and contemplate one of the county’s most iconic views – Gold Hill is about 100m away. The menu includes smoked Godminster and cranberry arancini; hot smoked trout; duck rillette; Jurassic coast mushrooms; roast wild venison; stone bass fillet; date, fig & brandy pudding; stuffed baked apple and homemade fruit pastille petit four. £44 for three courses. From Fri 28 Nov (excl Christmas Day, when there’s a separate menu).

The Blaise Inn, Bristol

With the Michelin Bib Gourmand pub so close to the 650-acre Blaise Castle Estate, it’s the perfect walk/scoff combo. The only question is: do you work up an appetite or walk off your lunch? The sample menu includes smoked trout rillettes, goat’s cheese panna cotta; roast pheasant; pumpkin & carrot pasilla; roast sea bass fillet; peanut butter parfait; Christmas pud. £33 for two courses; £40 for three. From Fri 28 Nov – Weds 24 Dec, Weds to Sat.

The Red Lion Inn, Babcary

Voted Best Pub in Dorset, Somerset & Bristol in the Muddy Awards 2024, December is Christmas Party time at the Red Lion, where a majestic lion overseas proceedings in the rich red dining room. The Christmas party menu includes roast parsnip, pear and sherry soup; citrus cured salmon; slow-cooked lamb shoulder; roast hake; turkey & cranberry pie; dark choc cremiux; lemon posset; and Christmas pud. £36 for two courses, £45 for three courses. Minimum of 8. From Weds 3 – Tues 23 Dec (excl Sundays).

The Clockspire, Milborne Port

christmas festive menu clockspire somerset

Slurp a cocktail up in the mezzanine bar before heading down to the Michelin-listed restaurant in the former Victorian schoolhouse. No school dinners here, the festive menu – from head chef Luke Bryant (who trained with Michael Caines in Devon) – parsnip soup, parsnip & pecorino raviolo; spiced duck leg terrine; slow-cooked beef short rib; Cornish hake; toffee tart with gingerbread ice cream; vanilla crème brûlée. £42 for two courses, £48 for three courses. Optional wine flight two glasses £15; three glasses £20. Weds to Friday, lunch and dinner; Fri & Sat lunch only, from Weds 26 Nov.

The Swan, Wedmore

We’re talking fantastic 2 AA Rosette grub in a former Georgian coaching house, with cosy leather sofas, flagstone floors, wood-burners as well as a dining room overlooking the gardens – nice. The festive menu includes pheasant sausage roll; Devon crab cake; venison steak; roast turkey; sumac roasted butternut squash; mulled cider poached pear; sticky toffee pud. £42 for three courses. From Fri 28 Nov (excl Christmas Day, when there’s a separate menu).

Eat, drink and be merry! Festive set menus under £60

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