The Butterfly And The Pig

Little touches of quirk, whimsy and nostalgia mean B&P is ideal for groups. As well as traditional roasts, there’s confit duck leg, mushroom risotto or vegan Wellington. Evenings often bring live music, with different rooms for parties of all sizes.

The Butterfly And The Pig, 151 Bath Street 

The Dhabba

Their standard of curries is super-high, and there always seems to be big bookings in at this popular North Indian spot where slow-cooked meats and thick, sticky sauces shine. If no one’s actually bothered about turkey, Dhabba’s a shout.

The Dhabba, 44 Candleriggs 

Five March

It’s a boutique festive experience at Five March. The set menu encourages both sharing (a sprout and radicchio salad with cranberry) and individual plates (spiced pumpkin with ginger, or beef shortrib with Roscoff onion), backed up by a proper, fully fledged cocktail bar.

Five March, 140 Elderslie Street

Royâ 

It opened earlier this year and it’s already a hit. Sultry décor, Persian small plates and rigorously balanced flavours are the vibe. Fig and brie, spicy fattoush, and turkey roasted with saffron and turmeric are just some of the stylish touches on their Christmas offering.

Royâ, 59 Elmbank St 

Santa Lucia

This expansive Merchant City Italian has a broad enough festive menu to appeal to everyone while offering plenty of regional and modern twists for the more discerning diner: nduja, king prawns and venison ragù all make an appearance.

Saint Lucia, 68 Ingram Street  

The Spanish Butcher

There are elevated seasonal dishes like Galician-style hake, but coming here is an exercise in allowing top-notch beef cuts to shine. For a fancy night out, 30-day-aged fillet steak with Manchego truffle fries is never not in season.

The Spanish Butcher, 68 Ingram Street 

Stravaigin

The reassuringly snug, twinkling confines of Stravaigin make for a relaxed affair. Dishes like Shetland pollock Kyiv, or falafel with hazelnut and pickled apple, feel just festive enough without the need to (over) step into Christmas.

Stravaigin, 28 Gibson Street 

West On The Green

This cracking big space looks out onto Glasgow Green. They handle large bookings all year round and the food (solid these days) is reassuringly simple for December: think turkey, trimmings and a pint brewed right on site.

West On The Green, 15 Binnie Place