We've scoured the country for the most interesting and tastiest Christmas menus - London to Cardiff, traditional roasts to inspired Scandinavian food - there's something for everyone on our top ten!

Whether you're dining out for your Christmas dinner or you're looking for inspiration for that special Christmas dish, we've done all the hard work researching, so you don't have to.

1. Peace & Loaf, Newcastle

Peace and Loaf, Newcastle restaurants, Christmas Menus 2016 — Ham, pease pudding, beetroots and stotties | Roast goose, mash, red cabbage, carrot, redcurrant

MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Dave Coulson opened Peace and Loaf on Tyneside in late 2013 and the restaurant has since received an overwhelming amount of praise, including a very postive review from food critic and MasterChef judge Jay Rayner! Dave worked previously for Michel Roux Jr and has adopted a similar attention to intricate detail in his food. The ham & pease pudding, beetroots and stottie starter was inspired by a sandwich that David's mum used to make him and he says it's already going down a treat with the guests!

>>> Related: 10 Minutes With: David Coulson, Peace & Loaf

The main is a traditional roast goose with all the trimmings. David told us that he prefers cooking goose to turkey and it's a lot tastier, better meat. He also wanted us to shout out to his staff, both in the kitchen and Front of House who are already working very hard over this busy Christmas period - well done all! You can see the whole Peace and Loaf menu and find out booking info here.

2. Eat Norse, Harrogate

Norse restaurant, Harrogate restaurants, Christmas Menus 2016 — Julmust Salmon, horseradish and sorrel | Pork, cabbage and potatoes

Previously the guys at Norse hadn't put on a Christmas menu but this year, they have decided to do their own take on a Scandinavian 'Julbrod' - a Christmas buffet table. Taking inspiration from the Norse classics, head chef Simon Jewitt told us about their 'fruity and fresh' Julmust Salmon, cured with mulled wine flavours and served with a horseradish puree, compressed pear and a sorrel sorbet. They're also serving their interpretation of Flæskesteg, a Danish roast pork dish with juniper cabbage and 'slutty' chicken glazed potatoes! For more information about Norse's quirky five course Christmas menu and how to book, see their website here.

3. Flat Three, London

Poached sea bass with fermented cauliflower at Flat Three — Poached seabass and fermented cauliflower at Flat Three

Next on our list of interesting festive menus is Flat Three in Holland Park, where head chef and co-owner Pavel
Kanja has created a selection of sharing dishes with diverse flavours from Japanese, Korean and Nordic cuisine. The poached sea bass with fermented cauliflower has already been praised as a highlight of the menu from diners. Also being served are a scallop dish and a decadent Wagyu short rib with salsify and oyster sauce. The menu is only available Tuesdays through Thursdays from now until the 21st December so book now to avoid disappointment!

4. Grey, Cardiff

Grey at the Hilton Cardiff, Cardiff restaurants, Christmas Menus 2016 — Grey | The Hilton, Cardiff

Grey at the Hilton Cardiff hasn't been open very long but they're serving Christmas lunch with a distinct Welsh twist. Each course features Welsh produce including Baked Perl Wen with pear chutney and sourdough baguette; Dry-Aged Cefyn Mawr Farm sirloin steak cooked and served on a Himalayan pink salt stone; and warm sticky toffee pudding with locally made sea salted caramel ice cream. With a variety of set menus at different prices available across the festive period, its best to book now for your Grey Christmas dinner.

5. Chefs Table, Chester

The Chefs Table, Chester Restaurants, Christmas Menus 2016 — Iced Nougat Snowball - iced nougat parfait, marshmallow, dark chocolate, coconut, mango

The Chefs Table is Chester has won multiple awards, including two Rosettes in the AA Restaurant Guide. Called a 'hidden gem' of the city by Cheshire Life, the restaurant has had their Christmas menu on for a couple of weeks already and it's doing very well! For mains, guests can choose between a range of traditional meats (venison, duck breast, ham hock, stonebass) or the vegetarian option of a Jerusalem artichoke gratin with salt roast celeriac, pickled salsify, kale, red leicester custard, golden raisins and apple. Another highlight is their delicate iced nougat snowball - an iced nougat parfait with marshmallow, dark chocolate, coconut, mango. Book now on their website.

6. German Gymnasium, London

German Gymnasium - free range roasted goose, red cabbage, port, red wine and spices, bread, potato dumplings, spiced orange, London restaurants, Christmas Menus 2016 — Free range slow roasted goose, sweet & spiced red cabbage, bread and potato dumplings and a spiced orange sauce

D&D restaurant German Gymnasium (which won Best Overall Restaurant in the Restaurant Bar and Design Awards 2016) is offering a whole free-range, slow-roasted goose for four to six people to share. Created by Executive Chef Bjoern Wassmuth, the bird is roasted for three hours to ensure the meat is rich and succulent. Then to balance, it is served with a side of a side of sweet and sharp braised red cabbage with port, red wine, fruit and spices. Then to finish, there are traditional bread and potato dumplings and a spiced orange sauce. This elegant Christmas dinner can be booked here.

7. Dirty Bones, London

Dirty Bones, burger restaurant, London restaurants, Christmas Menus 2016 — Christmas burger - aged beef with spiced red cabbage, kale holly, bread sauce mayonnaise and Christmas gravy | Mince Pie Bramble cocktail

For a New York style Christmas celebration, why not do something a bit different at Dirty Bones? They've got three London restaurants in Kensington, Carnaby and Shoreditch and some seriously indulgent food including their Christmas Burger (aged beef with spiced red cabbage, kale holly, bread sauce mayonnaise and Christmas gravy) and the Mince Pie Bramble cocktail (Bombay Sapphire, lemon, brandy and port-infused mince pie reduction). Need we say more? Pre-orders are available for groups of eight or more from their website here.

8. The Frog, London

The Frog, London Restaurants, Adam Handling, Christmas Menus 2016 — Salmon, peas, sweet and sour wasabi | Mulled wine

MasterChef: The Professionals 2013 finalist Adam Handling is known for incorporating his love of Asian flavours into exciting modern dishes. His three course Christmas Menu at London restaurant, The Frog is no exception. Guests can choose from a selection of flavoursome dishes for each course, including a salmon, peas and sweet and sour wasabi starter and a Yuzu, white chocolate and whiskey dessert. Each booking also includes a glass of prosecco upon arrival and group bookings of six or more will get you a free bottle! Book now on The Frog website.

9. Comptoir Libenais, various locations

Salmon, pomegranate molasses, sumac, Middle Eastern food, Lebanese food, Lebanese restaurants, Comptoir Libanais, Christmas Menus 2016 — Salmon marinated in pomegranate molasses with sumac at Comptoir Libanais

If you don't fancy a traditional roast, why not opt for something different for Christmas dinner this year and sample some glamourous Middle Eastern fare? Comptoir Libanais are a chain of casual dining restaurants that serve wholesome and healthy Lebanese food across the country. This year, you could swap the turkey for salmon marinated in pomegranate molasses and sumac and some mezze to share with friends. Comptoir also have a souk shop, where you can browse the bazaar for a gift with a bit of a difference! Find your nearest restaurant and book now.

10. The Corinthian Club, Glasgow

The Corinthian Club, Glasgow restaurants, Christmas Menus 2016 — The Corinthian Club, Glasgow

The Corinthian Club have several exciting things on over the festive period! From film screenings to a proper Hogmanay party, there’s plenty of ways to celebrate with them in Glasgow. Their Christmas menu includes some delectable mains including traditional turkey with Date & Apple Stuffing, pork chipolatas and cranberry jus or a fish course of sea bass with tarragon and crab cream and potato gnocchi. With a range of price options available, you can tailor your party to suit your needs. Also, if you’re a party of six or more, attending from Sunday – Wednesday, they’ll throw in a free glass of bubbles for each guest. Book now on their website.

Got an interesting Christmas menu on this year? Upload your pictures to Chef+ and we'll share them to all our social media followers!

By Jenna Lloyd

@canteenjenna

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