Festive food and drink to enjoy in Salisbury
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of overindulgence!
For 800 years Salisbury’s hospitality businesses have offered a warm, friendly welcome and they are continuing that tradition right the way across the festive season.
Whether it’s a traditional afternoon tea or a creative Christmas cocktail, Salisbury’s cafes, restaurants, bars and shops are injecting a little Christmas twist into to their offerings:
Henderson's Artisan Bakery and Cafe
The ideal location to soak up the atmosphere in the historic Market Place and tuck into a feast of festive sweet delights! Try the chocolate orange pastries, “Christmas on a Plate”, mince pies, stollen and Christmas cake. Need to re-fuel during a day of Christmas shopping? You can definitely do that at Henderson's!
The Old Ale and Coffee House
Invite some friends, gather round and enjoy some festive tipples at The Old Ale and Coffee House on Crane Street this Christmas. The only problem is, deciding whether to have the mulled wine or cider! The velvety mulled wine is made with a lovely full bodied Italian Sangiovese, while the mulled cider is Weston's Old Rosie scrumpy. Or, and this might be a bit of a marmite option (literally), there is Hot Bovril too!
Best Western Red Lion Hotel
Get dressed up and treat a loved-one to a Festive Afternoon Tea in the historic surroundings of one of Europe’s oldest purpose-built hotels. They’re available all week at The Red Lion Hotel but you do have to book in advance. Their Festive Afternoon Teas are filled with sandwiches, orange and cinnamon scones, mince pies, orange cake... and so much more!
Frost at Christmas on the Square
Is this the most festive venue in Salisbury this Christmas? Probably! Sit back, relax and enjoy a drink next to a roaring fire at Frost. The destination pop-up bar is part of Salisbury City Council's Christmas on the Square in the Guildhall Square and it really makes you feel like you've stumbled on a winter wonderland. Whether you want an alcholic tipple or warming hot chocolate, you'll find it here.
Sonder Coffee
This is Sonder Coffee's first Christmas in Salisbury and they are pushing out the boat! They have a range of winter treats including the delicious sounding amaretto mocha, maple spice latte and honeycomb chocolate. Which will you choose?!
Despite all the festive cheer at this time of year Sonder Coffee know it can also be a difficult time for many. Because of that, on Sunday 12th of December the team will be staying later and leaving the door open for anyone struggling through the festive season. They will be at the cafe on the High Street from 5.30pm to 7pm.
The Anchor
Feeling the chill? Get warmed through with this tasty mulled cider! The Anchor on Winchester Street has made this deliciously smelling treat with Sandford Orchard’s Devon Mist cider. There’s also a little kick of rum and of course some Christmas spice!
Pritchetts Family Butchers
From stuffing to meats, award-winning black pudding and cheese gift sets, Prichetts Butchers on Fish Row have all the food you need to keep you going this Christmas. Although orders for the big day have now closed, you can still pop into the shop to see the team and pick-up some of their usual delicious offerings.
Caboose
Caboose on Western Road have Christmas cocktails for the perfect party night with friends or family! What about Grandma’s Christmas Cake or Dark Forest? We can’t decide which to try first!
The Salisbury Museum
It’s more than just historical artefacts you'll find at The Salisbury Museum, they also have gifts and food and drink too! Award-winning Norlo speciality organic coffee – which you can buy at the museum - could be the perfect way to round off your Christmas dinner. It bursts with bold aromas and natural goodness, is ethical, sustainable, beautifully packaged but above all delicious and produced right here in Salisbury!
Blueberry Den
Looking to do your bit for the environment this Christmas? Blueberry Den is a zero waste shop on Winchester Street that offers a range of re-fill food products that will help you cut down on plastic whilst catering for the big day. From cereals to baking ingredients, snacks and freshly baked breads you can get them here.
Reeve the Baker
It’s feeling very festive at Reeve the Baker this year. Gingerbread Santa’s and Christmas trees, Christmas Slab cake, Christmas Yule Logs, mince pies, stollen.... you couldn’t get more Christmassy! Find them at their stores on Butcher Row and Silver Street.
Salisbury Information Centre
A tasty accompaniment to any Christmas dinner can be found at the Salisbury Information Centre on Fish Row. These chutney’s - which include a special Christmas chutney – are handmade in and exclusive to Salisbury. There are also Salisbury preserves and jams ideal for Christmas breakfast. Keep for yourself or give as a gift.
Bishops Mills
From sharing boards to traditional Christmas dinner there’s a lot on the menu at the Bishops Mill in The Maltings but our eyes have been drawn to their Festive Burger! With sausage meat patty, Croxton Manor brie, smoked streaky bacon, cranberry barbecue sauce and a sprout slaw it puts a Christmassy twist on a familiar favourite.
Tinga
Why not try something a little different this Christmas - a taste of Mexico! Tinga, the independently owned Mexican bar and restaurant on Salt Lane, is offering special Christmas cocktails alongside their normal Mexican fare. Coquito (bottom photo) and Papá Noel Margarita (top photo) are the ones to try.
The Cake Forge
If you’re looking to make your own Christmas delights then head to The Cake Forge in The Maltings. They have everything you need from Christmas treat bags to festive cake toppers and cupcake making kits!
As well as all the above, you can also pick up all you need for your Christmas lunch - from vegetables to fresh meats - at Salisbury historic Charter Market every Tuesday and Saturday. or pick up some Christmassy treats at the Sunday Festive Markets. Click here for all the details on those.
Whatever you need to make your Christmas a merry one this year, you can find it in Salisbury. Head our Shop and Taste pages for more inspiration and #ExperienceSalisbury this Christmas.
Christmas in Salisbury
Blog
Salisbury's Best Christmas Window competition 2021
Salisbury BID, in partnership with the Salisbury Journal, launched a Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition.
Blog
Experience Christmas in Salisbury this December
It’s December, and the countdown to Christmas really begins! Whether you want traditional carols, original theatre, Christmas games or family trails, we have it all across our modern medieval city.
Christmas gift ideas from Salisbury independents
Salisbury is a city lucky enough to have a large community of independent businesses so you don’t need to look anywhere else for your Christmas shopping this year!