From whole baked fish to extravagant shellfish platters, discover festive flavours, sides and serving ideas for a brilliant holiday centrepiece.
When most of us imagine Christmas dinner, we picture a golden turkey, a mountain of roast potatoes and the familiar trimmings passed down through generations.
But in recent years, more households across Britain have been rethinking their festive menus and embracing something lighter, more luxurious and wonderfully celebratory: a seafood-focused Christmas feast.
If you’re ready to bring a touch of coastal sparkle to your holiday dining, here’s how to create a seafood centrepiece that feels both indulgent and perfectly seasonal.
Why Choose Seafood for Christmas?
Seafood offers a fresh, elegant alternative to the traditional roast. It’s ideal if you’re expecting fewer guests, catering for pescatarians, or simply fancy a change from the usual marathon of turkey-based cooking.
It also tends to be quicker to prepare, giving you more time to enjoy the day rather than watching the oven like a hawk.
And from a presentation perspective, few things look as spectacular as a grand platter of lobster, gleaming prawns, plump scallops or a whole roasted fish.
Choosing Your Showstopper
Your centrepiece can take many forms, depending on budget, confidence level, and how dramatic you want the reveal to be.
1. Whole Baked Salmon or Sea Bass
A whole fish baked with herbs, citrus and seasonal vegetables looks impressive yet requires very little hands-on effort. It’s naturally festive when served on a large platter surrounded by sprigs of dill, pomegranate seeds and roasted new potatoes.
2. Luxury Shellfish Platter
For pure extravagance, nothing beats a cold seafood platter:
Lobster tails
King prawns
Oysters
Dressed crab
Smoked salmon
Add bowls of lemon wedges, Marie Rose sauce, and herb-infused butter, and you have a Christmas lunch worthy of a seaside grand hotel.
3. Scallops with a Winter Twist
Pan-seared scallops served with crispy pancetta, winter squash purée or even a splash of champagne butter make an unforgettable starter—or a decadent main if you serve larger portions.
4. Festive Seafood Paella
Perfect for a relaxed Christmas Eve gathering or Boxing Day feast. Packed with prawns, squid and mussels, it’s warm, colourful and a brilliant centre-of-table dish for communal eating.
Flavours That Feel Christmassy
Seafood pairs beautifully with seasonal ingredients. Consider adding:
Citrus: clementines, oranges, lemons
Fresh herbs: dill, parsley, chives
Winter spices: saffron, star anise or nutmeg in small amounts
Festive garnishes: pomegranate arils, cranberries (fresh or dried), edible gold dust
And don’t shy away from serving with a chilled glass of English sparkling wine, it’s a match made in heaven with shellfish.
Sides That Complement a Seafood Feast
To keep your table balanced and Christmassy, pair your seafood centrepiece with:
Roasted new potatoes or buttery mashed potatoes
Winter greens with garlic and lemon
Honey-roasted carrots and parsnips
A zesty fennel and orange salad
Crusty bread for mopping up sauces
These sides are light enough not to overwhelm the star of the show, yet seasonal enough to keep the festive spirit alive.
Make It Social and Spectacular
Presentation is everything with a seafood Christmas. Use large white platters, rustic wooden boards, or tiered stands to show off different elements. Add greenery, bay leaves, rosemary or holly (for decoration only!)—to bring in that unmistakable Christmas feel.
A few candles and a scattering of sea-salt flakes over the platter just before serving can elevate the whole moment.
A seafood-led Christmas dinner is a refreshing, elegant and utterly delicious way to celebrate the season. Whether you opt for a majestic whole fish or a lavish shellfish tower, it’s a wonderful opportunity to introduce new flavours and traditions to your festive table.
If you’ve never tried it before, this might just be the year to bring the seaside to your Christmas Day feast.
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