Festive Feasts: Melbourne Restaurants Open on Christmas Day

If the idea of racing around on Christmas day roasting, baking and frying a dozen different dishes – much less the clean up – doesn’t appeal to you, take this year’s festivities out of the home and into the capable hands of the professionals. There are plenty of restaurants still available to book for lunch on Christmas day in Melbourne, so you can forget the stress and give full attention to exchanging gifts and enjoying the company of your nearest and dearest. 

Dolly

Say Joyeux Noel to the holiday season, with two spectacular days of Christmas dining and cheer at Dolly. Situated within Le Meridien Melbourne, this European diner will be hosting an elegant five-act dinner on Christmas Eve, and piece de resistance seafood buffet with free-flowing champagne on Christmas Day. 

On Christmas Eve, descend the Dolly staircase to indulge in some truly classic European dishes, including house-smoked oysters, lobster beignets, and a show-stopping red fruit bombe Alaska. The best part? It's expertly torched tableside. 

Or, take the stress out of Christmas, with Dolly's indulgent Christmas Lunch. It's set to be a magnificent seafood buffet with all-you-can-eat holiday roasts, decadent desserts, and free-flowing drinks throughout the celebration. Delicious and extravagant, it's setting the scene for Christmas at its most magical! 

Christmas Eve Feast: $150 per person; book here

Christmas Day: $299 per person, $149 for children (4-12 years); book here

20 Bourke Street, Melbourne 

Christmas Day Brunch at Stella Restaurant & Bar

Champagne on arrival, a grand seafood platter, and other elevated brunch fare await at this Melbourne restaurant open on Christmas Day. Stella is serving up the goods for the festive season, with the likes of Oscietra caviar and crème fraiche, shucked oysters, scallop herb Mornay, king prawn cocktails, cured salmon, and crab and celeriac tarts leaning beautifully into Australia's natural inclination toward seafood on Christmas Day. A choice of main follows this bounty of the ocean, between chicken cacciatore or a filet steak with potato gratin, watercress and a béarnaise sauce, plus sides of confit kipfler potatoes and a cos and endive salad with buttermilk dressing. It all ends with a shared pavlova, that'll guarantee making spirits bright. 

Lollo

Experience a delightful Christmas lunch at Lollo featuring a four-course meal and an indulgent dessert station inspired by the festive season. The only way to toast to the occasion? With a glass of NV Andre Clouet ‘Grande Reserve’ Brut, Bouzy, France upon arrival, of course! 

Indulge on a menu that begins with a creme fraiche ice cream with caviar, lemon broth and a ginger yuzu foam, followed by soy butter braised Port Lincoln baby abalone, chorizo spiced mussel, baked Hokkaido scallops with curry sauce, grilled prawns with a prawn bisque foam; and Great Ocean Road duck breast with macerated cherry, silverbeet and kale, spiced kohlrabi, and a madeira and whisky jus. Guaranteed to ignite your festive spirit! 

Book here

$245 per person, $65 per child under 12; beverage packages available from $78 per person

Monday 25th December; seatings between 12.00pm and 2.30pm

W Melbourne, 408 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

Love + Omakase Dinner at Warabi

In Japan, Christmas is celebrated as the most enchanting season of the year, and Warabi is fully embracing that spirit of love, joy, friendship and food with an indulgent and exquisite 8-course Warabi Omakase menu. Think thoughtfully crafted dishes including quail and foie gras with gobo and umeshu, ocean trout with sugita, yuzu, umeboshi and micro herb, and lamb with yuzumiso, native leaves and smoked koji. 

At the end of this divine Christmas dinner in Melbourne, you'll be able to continue the festivities by receiving a delightful Japanese Christmas cake to enjoy at home the following day.

Book here

$380 per person; beverage pairings available, starting from $90 per person

Monday 25th December; seatings available between 5.30pm and 8.00pm

W Melbourne, 408 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

Festive Bottomless Sessions at Farmer's Daughters

If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate Christmas in the lead up to the actual day, this is your answer. Running until 24th December, Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters has proudly teamed up with 2023 International Gin Producer of the Year, Four Pillars, to launch a festive bottomless brunch offering, including Christmas Sunday Sessions and an exclusive Christmas pop-up shop offering a range of gifts including the bespoke Four Pilars Christmas Gin.

Running every Sunday across two sittings, the sessions will feature bottomless Four Pillars Christmas Gin cocktails, as well as a nostalgic Christmas menu of grazing plates, heaving with free range roast turkey and ham served with a Bloody Shiraz Gin 'mock cranberry' sauce, fried chicken with Marie Rose aioli, charcoal grilled lamb and beef with Christmas pudding spice BBQ sauce, and scrumptious mince pies. 

The Four Pillars Australian Christmas pop-up shop located at the entry is selling Four Pillars Christmas Gin alongside merchandise, gift boxes, marmalades, ham glaze, as well as exclusive cocktail packs tailored to the Christmas Sunday Sessions’ signature drinks.

Book here

$90 per person

Every Sunday until 24th December, 11.30am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Federation Square, Tenancy 26/2 Swanston Street, Melbourne 

Morris House

The newest multi-level pub in the CBD is Morris House, and a Christmas Day lunch is the perfect excuse to experience its charm. That's right, an indulgent lunch will be served in the main dining room as a four-course share-style menu...and it begins with the likes of Skull Island king prawn cocktails, with lemon, truffle Marie Rose and paprika, oysters, pâté and even a festive little beetroot tartare, served with brandy-soaked raisins and croutons. Expect more traditional mains, including a luscious beef wellington, grilled Southern Rock lobster, a vegetarian nut roast, and loads of delectable sides to share around the table. 

Finish with a Christmas pudding drizzled with brandy sauce for dessert. 

Book here

$175 per person, $55 per child (12 and over) 

11.00am and 2.30pm sittings

120 Exhibition Street, Melbourne CBD

Maha North 

With seasonal festivities fast approaching, Shane Delia has announced that Maha North will be hosting one seriously delicious Christmas lunch offering. Celebrate the silly season with a combination of their delightful meze, like poached Mooloolaba king prawns, summer tomatoes, harissa and lime, followed by mains of pan fried King George whiting, red chermoula and watercress and a salt roasted Otway pork rack, served with a sweet jus of pickled mustard seed, coriander and pine nuts. Sides and share plates of olive oil roasted kipfler potatoes with toum and green and white asparagus poached in a seaweed, fennel and lemon butter sauce atop a bed of Lebanese couscous, are easy to navigate  around the table here and you'll end on the sweetest of notes with a Moorish spiced fruit and chocolate cake, with Pedro Ximenez soaked medjool date, white figs, raisins, and a ras el hanout ice cream. Gather your loved ones and experience a Christmas celebration like no other! 

Sitchu Tip: Spots are limited, so reserve a table quickly. 

21 Bond Street, Melbourne

36 Chapel Street, Windsor

Langlands Restaurant & Bar 

There's a naughty but nice twist to the special Christmas day menu at Hyatt Centric Melbourne's Langlands Restaurant & Bar. It's perfect for those seeking a festive dining experience that breaks away from tradition. 

Guests will dive into a luxurious array of unlimited starters, including freshly shucked Tasmanian oysters, chilled tiger prawns, premium cold cuts, and delectable summer salads. Moving on to the main courses, sharing-style plates feature mouthwatering options such as Southern Ranges Beef, Western Plains Pork, and NZ Snapper, while the night ends with the quintessential festive Pavlova dessert - because there's always room for a little indulgence! 

To enhance the celebration, guests can revel in the festive season with free-flowing bubbles, cocktails, house wines, beers, mocktails, and soft drinks. 

Book here

$199 per person, $45 per child, free for children under 6

Monday 25th December, 12.30pm to 3.30pm

Hyatt Centric Melbourne, Level 25/25 Downie Street, Melbourne 

Botswana Butchery

Botswana Butchery's Christmas day lunch will more than live up to the hype this year. Take a seat and join in for an unforgettable festive celebration with your loved ones, as you delight in head chef Andrew Zdravkovski's decadent four course menu. This specially curated Christmas dining experience begins with amuse bouche of tuna cones and zucchini tarts, and starters of venison tartare with smoked egg yolk and potato crisp, scallop ceviche and grilled quail with blood plum salad and salsa verde. Choose from mains like 300g Westholme wagyu sirloin (MB3+) with red wine and bone marrow or béarnaise, a harissa roasted cauliflower, and roasted snapper fillet with mussel escabeche, before settling on the must-have dessert - a mango passion pavlova, served with mango passion crème, mango sorbet, and finger lime. Delicious! 

For those who wish there are also some special additional menu items available for pre-order, including their very popular 1.4kg Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder, 1kg Westholme T-bone MB6-7, and Whole Southern Rock Lobster. 

They don't forget about the kid's here either, with battered flathead with shoestring fries and tartare sauce, a Botswana cheeseburger and macaroni and cheese guaranteed to keep the little ones lip-smackingly happy. There's even a triple chocolate brownie for dessert.

Book here

$165 per person, $65 per child. For an additional $85, guests can elevate their culinary journey with a specially curated wine pairing by award-winning Group Sommelier Piers Hazard 

Monday 25th December, seating from 12.00pm

66 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Arbory Bar & Eatery 

Enjoy a relaxed Chrissy by the water at Melbourne’s favourite riverside bar, where they’re offering general table reservations with a minimums spend of $85 per person and $45 per children under 17. Designed for four to 16 guests, Arbory will get your party started this Christmas. Spend will be offered as a tab that can be used at the bar on food and beverage.

Book here

Monday 25th December 

Min spend $85 per person, $45 per child under 17 

1 Flinders Walk, Melbourne

Arbory Afloat 

Feeling a party vibe for Christmas? This year, Arbory Afloat has turned itself into a Tulum-inspired agave bar, packing a vibrant atmosphere with seafood fiesta banquets and drinks to match. They’re open all day on Christmas day and making spirits bright with packages to suit any group of family or friends. From table reservations to banquet bookings...you can even hang out on daybeds and cabanas while popping Christmas crackers, basking in sunshine and blissing out to DJs. Sunshine and Viva Mexico bliss! 

Book here

Monday 25th December

Prices range from $70 (standard banquet package) to $457 (day bed package) per person, or go big with the cabana package (8-10 or 11-15 guests, $1095 or $1640)

2 Flinders Walk, Melbourne

Hotel Esplanade

With its generous alfresco zones and ever festive vibe, St Kilda mega-pub The Espy is a go-to place to eat, drink and be merry. This year they’re serving a modern take on the classic Aussie Christmas feast, with a delicious seafood banquet menu on their terrace and balcony. Help wash the feast down with a three hour beverage package including tap beers, house sparkling, house wines and soft drinks.

Keeping things more casual? The Main Bar will be serving up a select menu of Espy faves like stone-baked pizzas, seaside-inspired snacks, punchy cocktails and more. Just bring yourself and your festive cheer! 

Book here

$175 per person, $65 per child

Monday 25th December, 12.00pm to 5.00pm (walk-ins only)

11 The Esplanade, St Kilda 

Chancery Lane

Celebrate family, friendship and the magic of the season at Chancery Lane. The opulent restaurant is cooking up a feast to remember this Christmas, starting with festive rock oysters with cucumber and Oscietra caviar, prawn cocktails with iceberg and brioche, and cured Atlantic salmon with spanner crab and avocado. For main course, indulge in a duo of Wagyu beef, with beetroot, radicchio and a sauce Diable, and sides of pomme frites with aioli and a salad of red oak lettuce, radish and house vinaigrette. Finish with an opulent dessert of black forest terrine and cherry sorbet. 

Kids get their own menu they’ll love, with bites including mac and comte croquettes, chicken fricassee and chocolate mousse. 

Joyeux Noël!

Book here

$195 per person, $60 per child

Monday 25th December, sittings from 11.30am, 11.45am, 2.15pm and 2.30pm

430 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 

Bistro Guillaume 

Make it a joyeux noël this year by celebrating as the French do, with a generous feast that will have you full until Boxing Day. Experience Bistro Guillaume’s signature French food in a five course lunch, that includes a glass of Veuve Clicquot per adult. Their Christmas Day menu showcases exceptional local produce, such as Abrolhos Island scallop crudo and wagyu beef tenderloin. Pass by the hours on their riverside terrace or picturesque dining room as you share wine and relish the company of your loved ones.

Book here

$250 per person, $125 per child

Monday 25th December, 11.00am to 3.00pm, 5.00pm until late

Whiteman Street, Southbank

Middle Park Hotel

Enjoy a relaxing lunch near the bay at Middle Park Hotel. Tuck into their three-course festive sharing menu, offering a mouth-watering take on the favourite Christmas classics, as well as gluten free and dairy free options, and even a separate vegan menu. Think king prawn cocktails, pork terrine and toasted brioche, oysters, honey glazed ham and turkey with a sage and onion stuffing. Sides of charred broccolini, chipolatas, roasted heirloom carrots, garlic-rosemary roast potatoes, heirloom tomato salad round out the savouries, and for dessert, enjoy a classic Christmas pudding with brandy sauce and a lovely cheese selection that will have feeling festive...and perhaps a little like a stuffed turkey.

They have Christmas Day celebrations covered, a delicious festive feast paired with all your favourite tipples; there's really nothing more you could ask for this festive season! 

Book here

$150 per person, $45 per child under 12 years of age

Monday 25th December, 11.00am & 2.30pm sittings

102 Canterbury Road, Middle Park

The Windsor

Serving one of Melbourne’s grandest Christmas lunches is five star hotel The Windsor, where you can expect crisp white tablecloths, fresh flowers and the backdrop of their majestic Grand Ballroom (one of only two times a year they open it for dining). Join in the festivities with a Christmas Day lunch in their majestic Grand Ballroom or at One Eleven restaurant. Executive Chef Damien Neylon combines festive tastes with a contemporary twist to pay homage to his years celebrating Christmas in the heart of country Victoria.

Lucky guests will be lavished with hot smoked trout, zucchini flowers with mozzarella and ham hock and parsley terrine, Murray Cod and local mussels in a broth of school prawns and snow peas, eye fillet with summer squash, berry trifle and many more delights. The package includes three hours of free flowing drinks too, to get you feeling extra merry.

Book here

$468 per person (with free flowing beverages), $198 per child (3-12 years)

Monday 25th December, 11.30am or 1.00pm

111 Spring Street, Melbourne 

Matilda 159 Domain

Scott Pickett’s acclaimed restaurant is a masterclass in cooking over open fire, using charcoal and smoke to tease intense flavours out of fine produce. Matilda 159’s special Christmas menu will be no different, impressing guests with dry-aged duck and charred strawberry, a festive marron thermidor and a new, lush pavlova that’s been licked by flames. Christmas Day would be nothing without a little glass of bubbles, so definitely order a glass of Champagne to start!

Book here

$195 per person, $60 for children 12 and under

Monday 25th December, 11.30, 11.45, 12.15 and 2.30pm sittings

159 Domain Road, South Yarra

Luci

Surrounded by the old-world glamour of the historic Equity Chambers’ grand hall, Luci provides a spectacular setting for your Christmas celebrations. Book into an Italian-inspired five course feast that includes a seafood and antipasto sharing platter on arrival, choice of main served with side dishes, and to finish...a decadent dessert buffet! For children, a 3-course choice menu is on offer. 

Expect exceptional food, the famously friendly Luci service and an inspiring yet comfortable ambience. It really is the perfect place to be merry on Christmas Day.

Book here

$220 per person, $60 per child

Monday 25th December

472 Bourke Street, Melbourne 

Nobu

Fancy a fine dining Christmas lunch this year? Look no further than Nobu's exclusive holiday dining experience. The lavish five-course menu is far from traditional but is sure to impress the foodies of the family. Get excited over exceptional dishes of grilled spicy tuna, a Chef sushi selection and a yuzu and vanilla chocolate mousse, as you reconnect with loved ones over glasses of Veuve. 

Book here

$250 per person, $125 per child

Monday 25th December, 11.00am to 3.00pm, 5.00pm until late

Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank

Prince Dining Room

Santa’s sleigh is filled with decadence, and this year you can find your gourmet Christmas Day lunch at Prince Dining Room. The hatted Melbourne restaurant is pulling out all the stops for Christmas lunch, serving up some of its most popular dishes, along with some familiar Christmas flavours.

Courtesy of the Prince Dining Room team, whet your appetite with fresh seafood, starting with oysters, tuna tartlet and the kingfish tartare, followed by warm pumpkin bread, prawns, burrata and turkey pie for the table to share.

Moving on to the main course, enjoy Cape Grim sirloin with mushroom mustard, served alongside wood oven baby potatoes and green goddess salad. Finishing the meal with a classic Christmas pavlova, find torched meringue served with fresh mango and passionfruit and topped with citrus curd.

Plus, Christmas for many consists of three things: good food, good company and a cheeky swim. The Prince is one of the only venues on our list of Melbourne restaurants open on Christmas day within walking distance to the beach, which means a post-lunch paddle is definitely on the cards. 

Bookings can be made by e-mailing Lauren at l.webster@theprince.com.au (dietary changes to the menu are available upon request)

Monday 25th December

$210 per person, $70 per child

2 Acland Street, St Kilda

Make the most of silly season by visiting all the best new bars, restaurants and cafes around the city. Looking for something new to sip this weekend? Try one of these delicious new alcoholic (and non alcoholic) drinks.