The most unusual Christmas food of 2019

If you’re a festive fanatic but also a raving foodie, a typical British Christmas dinner can get a bit tiresome.

For some truly unique Christmas food, there are restaurants across London that have the answer. 

Chai eggnog, Yorkshire pudding on a pizza and garam masala in your mince pies… it’s all here and more:

Stackmas and Veggie Stackmas – The Table Cafe

Described by Urban Intention as “the perfect Christmas brunch in one epic dish”, Stackmas boasts “three grilled bagels stacked with The Table’s secret recipe chorizo and ham hock baked beans, a pan-fried stuffed turkey roll, pigs-in-blankets and two free-range, organic poached eggs”.

And if you’re a vegetarian suffering from FOMO, there’s also a veggie option featuring “The Table’s secret recipe cherry tomato and charred red pepper baked beans, a pan-fried nut roast roll, veggie pigs-in-blankets and two free-range, organic poached eggs”.

The Table Cafe, 83 Southwark Street, London SE1 0HX; thetablecafe.com

Mince Pie Naan – Cinnamon Bazaar

Yes, this really is a naan and mince pie hybrid. The iconic bread has been hollowed out and stuffed with Cinnamon Bazaar’s homemade mincemeat: a mix of dried fruit, nuts, dark rum, red wine, brandy and – for a smidge of authenticity – a touch of garam masala. 

Cinnamon ice cream is also available to have on the side for that extra festive kick.

Cinnamon Bazaar, 28 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7JS; cinnamon-bazaar.com

Christmas Pizza – Homeslice

At Homeslice’s multiple locations across the capital, guests can sample their Christmas pizza: a unique mix of confit goose leg, Ticklemore goat’s cheese and Fior Di Latte mozzarella, all served on a bread sauce base.

Being a Christmas offering, the pizza is naturally topped with Brussels sprouts, blackberries, redcurrants and Christmas gravy.

Homeslice, various London locations; homeslicepizza.co.uk

Santa’s Little Dunker – Twisted

If you thought Homeslice was pushing the boat out, you ain’t seen nothing yet. 

Online food delivery service Twisted is going to take some beating in the weirdness stakes this Christmas following the launch of its “Santa’s Little Dunker”, a pizza topped with pigs in blankets, stuffing balls, chargrilled Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce and a Yorkshire pudding brimming with turkey gravy plonked in the middle.

“If (like any right-thinking human being) you’re uncomfortable with the notion of dipping pizza into gravy,” The Grocer says, “you can also order crunchy turkey tenders, too.”

Available online at twistedlondon.com

Christmas Ramen – Tonkotsu

Noodle lovers shouldn’t overlook Tonkotsu’s Kurisumasu Spiced Duck Ramen.

The dish is made with “Christmas-spice glazed crispy duck, pomegranate seeds, bamboo shoots, charred Brussel sprouts and seasoned egg, topped with Tonkotsu’s signature homemade noodles, in a rich chicken broth”, Hot Dinners says.

Tonkotsu, various locations across London and Birmingham; tonkotsu.co.uk

The Gobbler Burger – Burger & Beyond

For a festive burger, look no further than Burger & Beyond. The Gobbler Burger is compiled of “sausage meat, maple turkey bacon, red cabbage, raclette cheese, sprout slaw and turkey gravy”, London on the Inside reports.

And be sure not to miss out on the Christmas-tinged tater tots, loaded with cheese curds, turkey bacon, sausage stuffing, crispy sprouts, cranberries and gravy.

Burger & Beyond, two locations in London; burgerandbeyond.co.uk

Christmas Cracker Gyoza – Itsu

Described by the Daily Mirror as the “world’s first Christmas dinner gyoza”, the Christmas cracker is an unusual offering which sees turkey, bacon, pork and even cranberry sauce packed into a soft steamed dumpling.

“Designed to taste like stuffing, each gyoza works out at just 302 calories,” the Mirror adds. “As well as tasting unique, the dumplings are also bright red, thanks to a natural beetroot flavouring.”

Itsu, locations across the UK; itsu.com

Christmas Feast – Dishoom

Less a single dish and more a blowout meal, Dishoom’s Christmas feast menu (£42 per person) is made for groups of 10 or more and contains everything from slow-cooked whole turkey leg prepared in the traditional Indian way to Bombay-style potatoes, masala winter greens and spiced cranberry chutney.

The meal also comes with a selection of hot festive drinks, starters and desserts. There’s even a Chai eggnog.

Dishoom, locations in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh; dishoom.com

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––