Where to get merry

Want to escape from the turkey for a few hours?

Sofra 1 St Christopher's Place, W1 (020-7224 4080).

Forget the turkey and go Turkish when Christmas Day is business as usual at this excellent chain of Turkish restaurants and bars. Delights include an extensive list of small meze dishes, including falafel, tabbouleh and salads, and main courses of meat and fish dishes with a good selection of vegetarian options. Other Sofra branches in London are also open. Open noon-midnight.

The Rising Sun 248 Oakleigh Road, N20 (020-8368 3314).

Harvester restaurants, ever popular with families, will be opening for lunch on Christmas Day, and this Whetstone outpost is offering a three-course festive lunch for just £29.95. Locals in need of a quick libation before they tackle their own festive fare will also be welcome. Other Harvesters in London are offering similar deals. Open noon-3pm.

mybar myhotel, 35 Ixworth Place, SW3 (020-7225 7500).

The mybar in Chelsea is in one of the smaller boutique hotels and is offering a full bar service which is open to non-residents. mybar serves terrific cocktails, has a decent wine list, and fabulous snacks and maincourse dishes. On Christmas Day, there'll be warm mince pies, mulled wine and eggnog to maintain the festive cheer. Open noon-3pm & 5.30pm-10.30pm

Hare and Billet Hare And Billet Road, SE3 (020-8852 2352).

After a stroll around Blackheath, head for the olde-worlde charm of the Hare And Billet. There has been an ale house on this site since the 17th century, which was not the best time to be out and about on Blackheath. It was just a heath back in those days, with cutpurses lurking to cut the throats of travellers between London and Dover. It is much more respectable these days, but still takes its ales very seriously. Open noon-2pm.

The Library Bar Lanesborough Hotel, Lanesborough Place, SW1 (020-7259 5599).

A bit of style on the day, perhaps? None better, then, than the opulence and sophistication of this luxurious hotel bar close to Hyde Park Corner. Fabulous cocktails, terrific Bloody Marys and great bar snacks. Open noon-10.30pm.