Best places to eat on Christmas Day
No sweating by the oven, supermarket trolley wars on Christmas Eve, and finding room in the fridge for the leftover ham this year. There are plenty of places taking care of the hard work for you, leaving you and your family free to relax, feast and argue only over who won the bon bon.
Luke’s Kitchen
Set within the heritage-listed Art Deco surrounds of Kimpton Margot Sydney, Luke’s Kitchen captures that nostalgic Christmas in the city feeling. With its red marble columns and buzzing lobby, you half expect to turn around and see Bing Crosby playing the piano in the corner.
This year in Luke’s Kitchen, celebrity chef Luke Mangan is serving up a Christmas feast with flair. Expect five indulgent courses featuring dishes like tuna sashimi with aged soy and ginger, poached coral trout in fragrant broth, and whole roast porchetta with peach and tarragon salsa - plus shared sides like duck fat roast potatoes and radicchio salad with almonds and port-soaked currants. Guests are welcomed with a festive cocktail or mocktail on arrival, set to a lively soundtrack from DJ Sheba. Christmas brunch is $195pp.
Address: 339 Pitt St, Sydney NSW
Christmas hours: Wednesday 25 December, 12pm-3.30pm
More info and bookings: www.lukeskitchen.com.au
Izakaya Publico & Bar 1603
At Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre you can recreate the full breakfast-to-lunch tradition with a creative twist. Start your festive day at Izakaya Publico, where a family-friendly buffet overflows with holiday favourites like honey-glazed ham, fluffy pancakes, made-to-order omelettes and, best of all, unlimited barista coffee (a rarity on Christmas Day). All this for just $125pp for adults, $40pp for four to 12 year olds, and free for children under three.
Then, opt for a festive feast with a difference with Tokyo-style indulgence at Bar 1603, where the $99pp Japanese set menu stars wagyu aburi tataki, misoyaki chicken and a yuzu crepe suzette with black sesame ice cream.
Address: 27-35 Turbot St, Brisbane QLD
Christmas hours: Wednesday 25 December - Breakfast sittings 7am-11am (Izakaya Publico) | Lunch 12pm-2pm (Bar 1603)
More info and bookings: www.izakayapublico.com/christmas-day-breakfast-buffet
www.izakayapublico.com/christmas-day-lunch-bar1603
Zuma Restaurant
There’s nothing that says Aussie Christmas like a classic seafood buffet, and Zuma Restaurant is taking it to the next level with Mooloolaba King Prawns, Sydney Rock Oysters, Moreton Bay Bugs, Blue Swimmer Crab, New Zealand Green Lip Mussels and more. The desserts are equally as scrumptious, with highlights including classic Christmas pudding, pavlova and lemon meringue tarts. With riverside views and a glass of bubbles in hand, it’s the perfect setting for a stress-free Christmas gathering. The seafood buffet lunch with a drinks package is priced at $299pp for adults, $199pp for teens (13-17), $129pp for children (5-12) and children under four eat for free.
Address: 85-87 North Quay, Brisbane QLD
Christmas hours: Wednesday 25 December, 12pm-3pm (Doors open 11:45am)
More info and bookings: brisbanecitycentre.vocohotels.com/christmas-at-voco
Hurricane’s Grill & Bar Surfers Paradise
Newly-renovated and reopened Hurricane’s Grill & Bar Surfers Paradise has two sensational shared set menus lined up for Christmas Day this year, featuring dishes from the new menu, perfect for enjoying while overlooking those unbeatable beachfront views. Served with bubbles on arrival, the standard set menu is priced at $115 per person and the premium set menu is priced at $170 per person.
Expect flame-grilled ribs, premium award-winning Wagyu steaks from Tajima and Shiro Kin, fresh seafood starters from the new raw bar, including Yellowfin Tuna Tostada and Grilled Butterfly Wild King Prawns, and that unmistakable holiday energy that only Surfers can deliver. A dip in the water afterwards is obligatory.
Address: Soul Boardwalk, 4 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise QLD
Christmas hours: Christmas Eve - 12pm-9pm, Christmas Day - 12pm-10pm and Boxing Day - 12pm-9pm
More info and bookings: www.hurricanesgrillandbar.com.au/surfers-paradise
