Last Updated on November 18, 2025
Visit and explore Christmas in the City of London
A mild evening spent exploring the City of London’s Christmas offerings got me well into the festive spirit. Not that I am any sort of Grinch, just that I have not had much time to get out and enjoy the lights, festive foods and spirit.
There is no doubt that London does Christmas well. Often locals and tourists alike opt for the well-trodden path of central London to see the lights and do some last-minute shopping. However, there is much pleasure to be had in some lesser-known areas where the crowds are thinner but there is much festive cheer on offer. This year the City of London has introduced its inaugural ‘Christmas in the City’ guide where you can read up on the diverse array of offerings in the Square Mile.
Invited to experience some of the Christmas sights and experiences in the City of London, I enjoyed a happy few hours snapping away at illuminated Christmas trees, gorgeous light displays and some lovely festive food. This is an area I usually associate with the world of finance, but is bursting with historic buildings, modern architecture, iconic churches and a plethora of places to eat and drink.
I began my tour with a proper festive treat – a rich hot chocolate. I often find this winter favourite far too sweet but award-winning Rosslyn’s Coffee sells what can only be called hot chocolate for grownups. They have collaborated with Mork Chocolate and the blend contains 50% cocoa from Peru and 50% coconut blossom sugar from Indonesia. This was rich but not cloying, deeply flavoured with dark chocolate which imparted a slightly bitter edge which I love. The small chain – there are three branches in the City – was established in 2018 and has become very popular indeed. The branch on Queen Victoria Street – across the road from Mansion House underground station – is run by the friendliest group of women whose welcome was as warm as the chocolate.
Not only did it taste utterly delicious, but it was served in a beautiful ceramic cup made for Rosslyn by ceramic artist Melisa Dora. I was tempted to buy a full set in all four pastel shades in which it is available. Rosslyn Coffee have a delectable selection of pastries and I could not resist a doughnut they buy from St John bakery.
Rosslyn Coffee 78 Queen Victoria Street, City of London EC4N 4SJ
From here I walked through the darkening streets to St Paul’s Cathedral a few minutes away. As the city lights came on so did the illumination of the iconic dome.
In Paternoster Square, alongside the Cathedral I found a most festive atmosphere with a series of small wooden cabins selling artisan foods from around the world as well as stalls selling jewellery and other stocking fillers. The Madison Rose Bar provides drinks for those who fancy a tipple, and I was spoiled for choice at stalls selling fish and chips, hotdogs, shawarma, waffles, filled churros, tacos and burritos, sweets, Malaysian and Japanese cuisine.
Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7DX
Further towards the centre of the City, I discovered that Leadenhall market was humming with pre-Christmas spirit. Packed to the rafters, the crowds spilt out of the bars and restaurants in a lively hubbub of humanity.
It was very festive, all the more so thanks to the lovely Christmas tree that takes pride of place in the centre of the historic market. It has a rather fetching light display too. This is a wonderful area to visit to buy some last-minute gifts and have a drink or something to nibble on your way.
Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT
By now it was approaching dinner time and what better place to enjoy a fabulous view over the City of London than from a rooftop bar? Across the road from Aldgate underground station, I found Florattica Rooftop Bar. Situated on the 11th floor it affords a wonderful lightscape of the City and no doubt it is lovely during daytime too. At night the lights of the surrounding buildings are magical.
The bar offers a creative selection of signature cocktails as well as a short menu of small plates and nibbles. It has a warm and elegant atmosphere and is festively decorated with a hanging ceiling of gold baubles and dried plants. The building is situated in the heart of London’s historic textile industry and is home to the 17th-century French Huguenots who created beautiful silk woven floral patterns.
We sampled alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails both of which were excellent. From a bijoux list of small plates we chose two each and this was more than adequate for our dinner. I particularly enjoyed a plate of burrata with heritage beetroot, orange segment, balsamic glaze and olive powder. This not only looked very attractive on the plate with its brightly coloured beets contrasting with the white burrata strewn with black olive powder, but it also tasted fresh, and healthy and had interesting textural contrasts. This is the sort of dish I love to find on a menu.
We also enjoyed the cured salmon with horseradish, lime crème fraiche, and mini blinis. Another example of a simple dish done well is a few high-quality ingredients adding up to a few pleasant mouthfuls. A lobster and prawn brioche roll took me right back to a summer’s day on Cape Cod. This version had a good, sweet brioche, overflowing voluptuously with well-seasoned seafood the sweetness of which is such an important focus. This dish is full of understated luxury.
Service was friendly and very efficient and the ambience was most convivial. The views are stunning, the cocktails interesting and the food tasty.
Florattica Rooftop Bar, 11-15 Minories, EC3N 1AX
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