Escape to the Alpine: London's top winter pop-up dining experiences

Get away from the chill with these Alpine inspired winter terraces at some of the capital’s best restaurants

York & Albany’s Gingerbread Cabin serves venison croquettes and butternut squash soup with a ‘gingerbread man’ crouton

Out come the thermals as temperatures plummet and those dreary long nights set in. Let’s not get too gloomy though, as the onset of winter brings some of London’s most exciting pop-up experiences out to play. Rocking up all over the capital equipped with seasonal hot cocktails, winter-warming fare and all manner of quirky entertainment, here are a selection of London's best pop-ups:

York & Albany’s Gingerbread Cabin

(York & Albany)

Transport yourself to a storybook setting with the return of York & Albany’s Gingerbread Cabin pop-up, nestled in the courtyard of the Camden townhouse.

The cookie-coated home is decorated like a children’s story with a warm and cosy interior. This enchanting cabin conjures the innermost memories of Christmas and is inspired by the long-held festive tradition of crafting gingerbread houses.

There’s a series of menus inspired by the cabin’s storybook setting including dishes such as venison croquettes, butternut squash soup with a “gingerbread man” crouton and crab and avocado salad – you can also pre-order a giant gingerbread man to decorate yourselves –alongside a Winter Cocktail Menu of hot toddies and warming tipples. Highlights include the Gingerbread Espresso – a festive blend of gingerbread-infused Grey Goose L’Orange, Kalhua, Amaretto and espresso with a flurry of grated gingerbread, an elegant combination of chocolate box flavours in a martini glass.

Camino Bankside’s Winter Lodge

(Camino Bankside)

Camino Bankside is perfectly placed for those wanting to combine a spot of culture followed by a relaxed festive drink with friends.

The Winter Lodge is a veritable wonderland of hanging lanterns, parasols, tree garlands, Christmas trees and, of course, plenty of fairy lights. An outdoor bar serves a selection of Christmas drinks including Spiced Sangria (made with Licor 43, orange juice, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, Cava, Whitely Neill, green apple and Rame), and mulled wine, and blankets are available to help warm your cockles. Meanwhile, there are a range of Christmas menus and dishes available at Camino Bankside for those wishing to dine.

The Tate Modern Christmas Market is well underway, featuring a Victorian-style carrousel among other festive delights.

Winter ski terrace

(Courthouse Hotel)

Perched above Carnaby Street, The Courthouse Hotel’s central London rooftop become a luxurious après ski terrace for winter.

Snuggle up and while away those cold afternoons and evenings in plush fleece chairs covered in sumptuous cushions and blankets by outdoor heaters and ski lanterns. Grey Goose has even designed an exclusive warming cocktail menu for the winter season, including the Grey Goose L’Orange – a wintry, seasonal cocktail tinged with a smoky orange flavour alongside festive nibbles.

Lodge D Argent

(Coq D’Argent)

Bringing a touch of the Alps après-ski atmosphere to the City, Coq D’Argent has transformed its famed roof garden into a chalet-inspired terrace.

Lodge d’Argent is inspired by the Little Red Riding Hood story, evoking the fairy tale with rustic wooden walls, fur blankets and cushions. In addition, beautiful mason-style jars with miniature Little Red Riding Hood scenes are displayed throughout the terrace, and rafts of wintry ferns adorn the space – all to make it the perfect escape in the heart of the City.

Tuck into a special indulgent festive menu featuring well-loved, hearty French classics alongside winter warmer cocktails in collaboration with Hennessy Cognac.

Bodo’s Waffle & Fondue Bar

(Bodos Schloss)

Kensington’s famous alpine lodge, Bodo’s Schloss takes your tastebuds to the alps with its first dedicated food bar, Bodo’s Waffle and Fondue Bar.

Every Wednesday Bodo’s Schloss transports you to an alpine retreat to indulge in Bodo’s special take on an après ski favourite. The dedicated Waffle & Fondue Bar offers a multitude of options complemented by specially crafted cocktails.

Bodo’s Schloss dishes up more than 10 different sweet and savoury waffle combinations, including an Austrian take on chicken ’n waffles, The Schnitzel Waffle with sauerkraut and mild mustard mayo and The Holy Guacamole Waffle with spicy chorizo cooked in a red wine sauce topped with guacamole and tarragon crème fraiche.

Alongside the array of indulgent waffles, Bodo’s is launching a warming alpine fondue bar – available in both savoury and sweet options. The classic cheese fondue with emmental and gruyere cheese is served alongside crusty Swiss bread, grilled frankfurters, seasonal vegetables and pickles and the Belgium chocolate fondue served with fresh strawberries, mini waffle pieces, rum-infused pineapple and pillow-like marshmallows.

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