If you’re searching for the best set menus for Friendmas dinners this festive season, this in-depth look at The Ivy’s Festive Set Menu dining experience covers everything from festive cocktails to Christmas desserts served at The Ivy with signature theatrical style.
The Ivy Cafe Marylebone: Festive Atmosphere
Marylebone Village sparkles at this time of year, its elegant streets strung with twinkling lights that feels more film set than postcode. Stepping through the doors of The Ivy Cafe Marylebone only heightens the mood.
Festive wreaths adorn the windows, the walls are covered in Art Deco prints, and the room hums with the sort of convivial energy usually reserved for a Friday night rather than a Monday. Yet the buzz is warm, never chaotic, and perfectly matched to a celebratory Friendmas supper.
What to Expect from The Ivy Christmas Menu
The Festive Set Menu brings a comforting sweep of classics designed to soothe winter-weary souls. French Onion Soup arrives crowned with bubbling cheese, a fragrant bowlful ideal for traditionalists, while the Tamarind, Beetroot and Endive Salad would delight the more virtuous among us with its jewel-bright cranberries and candied pecans.
Mains such as the Lentil and Aubergine Bake promises plant-based indulgence layered with roasted pumpkin purée, and the Pan-fried Sea Bass with wild mushrooms entice seafood lovers.
Even the side dishes lean into the season, from Buttered Green Beans with roasted almonds to Garden peas with broad beans and baby shoots, each bringing its own festive flourish. Succulent Pigs in Blankets are of course available for a £6.95 supplement.
Dessert on the set menu is pure theatre. The flambéed Christmas Pudding ignites the table with brandy-scented drama, The Ivy Santa offers playful opulence with layers of vanilla parfait and white chocolate blondie, while the melting Ivy Chocolate Bombe creates that all-important gasp as hot caramel cascades over its glossy shell. Though we did not sample them all, their presence alone signals a menu crafted for joyful feasting.
Festive Cocktails at The Ivy Cafe Marylebone
After a busy afternoon spent at Winter Wonderland, our trio settled in for a well-earned Friendmas feast, starting with cocktails. The Johnnie Walker Blue Choco and Madeleine Old Fashioned was a velvet-smooth delight, weaving whisky warmth with chocolate wine and the buttery whisper of madeleine. It is an ideal choice for those who appreciate a spirit-forward drink with a gently festive twist.
Santa Baby, meanwhile, danced across the palate with sparkling wine, spiced berries and a cloud of cotton candy perched jauntily on top – a whimsical confection for guests who enjoy a touch of theatre with their tipple. The Wild Berries Alcohol-Free offered vibrant fruit, passion fruit brightness and Wild Idol fizz – a clever creation for those seeking celebration without the alcohol.
Our second round continued in the same spirit. The Gift of Christmas balanced Don Julio Reposado with Beesou honey, lime and fig leaf soda, resulting in a refreshing yet gently spiced drink ideal for tequila aficionados who prefer refinement over punch. The Ivy Peach Iced Tea proved a soothing blend of peach syrup and an Earl Grey-Breakfast-Jasmine tea medley, perfect for guests seeking something mellow and beautifully aromatic.
Nibbles at The Ivy Cafe Marylebone
From the nibbles menu, the Salt-crusted Sourdough Bread arrived warm, its crisp exterior giving way to a soft, aromatic crumb – the sort of bread that disappears almost too quickly, especially with a generous smear of butter.
The Truffle Arancini brought golden spheres of creamy rice enriched with truffle, each bite indulgent without being heavy. These will undoubtedly delight anyone who covets earthy, luxurious flavours. The
Starters from The Ivy Festive Set Menu
Starters set a high bar. The Prawn Cocktail combined plump, sweet prawns, lightly marinated avocado and a finely balanced Marie Rose sauce, all presented in a bowl held by a gleaming metal crab. It is a classic elevated, one that seafood lovers will adore.
The Duck Liver Parfait came silk-smooth and crowned with caramelised hazelnuts, accompanied by apricot and apple chutney and crisp brioche – a luxurious choice for diners who favour richness intertwined with gentle sweetness.
A La Carte Starter: Oak-Smoked Beef Tartare
For the carnivores among us, the Oak-smoked Beef Tartare was irresistible. Finely hand-cut, lightly seared and tossed in mustard dressing, the dish arrived under a cloche lifted with dramatic flourish, releasing a fragrant plume of smoke. Topped with egg yolk and Italian cheese, it was a bold, beautifully textured delight.
Mains from The Ivy Festive Set Menu
Mains continued the festive mood. The Turkey Ballotine offered succulent meat wrapped around apricot, cranberry and pork stuffing, balanced by sprout and parsley mash, a glossy red wine sauce and a single, perfectly crisp pig in blanket. It is a dish made for those who adore Christmas traditions presented with polish.
The Shepherd’s Pie – a decadent trio of duck, lamb and beef – arrived crowned with golden mash scented with sage and orange zest. Rich, hearty and dotted with tangy cranberry chutney, it delivered deep comfort on a cold evening.
A La Carte Main: Rib-eye on the Bone
For the purist, the Rib-eye on the Bone showcased the beauty of 21-day Himalayan salt dry-ageing, cooked to perfection and offering robust flavour and satisfying chew. Paired with thick-cut chips, creamy mashed potato and Brussels sprouts glazed with chestnuts and cranberries, it was a feast of textures and festive accents.
Festive Desserts from The Ivy Christmas Menu
Desserts brought a triumphant finale. The Ivy Chocolate Bombe, filled with vanilla ice cream and honeycomb, was melted theatrically under a stream of warm caramel…
… revealing a swirl of textures that enchanted both sweet-tooths and dessert connoisseurs.
Hidden under a red ceramic cloche, The Ivy Santa delivered playful luxury with its blend of parfait, mousse and white chocolate blondie.
The Classic Christmas Pudding was flambéed at the table, the brandy flame licking the air before revealing fruit-laden richness alongside vanilla cream.
Why The Ivy Festive Set Menu Is Perfect for Friendmas
For those seeking an elegant yet joy-filled Friendmas celebration, The Ivy Cafe Marylebone’s Festive Set Menu strikes the perfect note. It balances comfort with spectacle, warmth with indulgence and festive tradition with contemporary flair. Surrounded by glittering village lights and the restaurant’s own seasonal shimmer, it is an experience tailor-made for friendship, celebration and the simple pleasure of dining well together.
The Ivy’s Festive Set Menu is priced at £55 for 2 courses and £60 for 3 courses, available from now until December 31. For more information, please visit ivycollection.com
For more reviews of seasonal menus like The Ivy Festive Set Menu, explore our restaurant review features here.
The Ivy Cafe Marylebone
96 Marylebone Lane, London, W1U 2QA
020 3301 0400
ivycollection.com
