The best Christmas Day lunches in Cape Town

• Pepperclub Hotel, 167 Loop St, Cape Town City Centre 
• Time: noon - 3pm
• Cost: R1,350; children under 12: R675
• Bookings via email copa@pepperclub.co.za

With the tagline, “Let the fest begin,” you know you’re in for a jolly ‘ol time.

COPA is going buffet style, but make it bougie. Guests will start with a grazing table decked with artisanal breads, flavoured butters, hummus, and preserves.

Don’t overdo the bread because you won’t make it to the best part: a live carving station with leg of lamb and beef sirloin. Vegetables and sides are included.

End on a sweet high. Stake your claim at the ice cream bar or wager your bets at the hot dessert station.

• Lagoon Beach Hotel & Spa, 1 Lagoon Gate Drive, Lagoon Beach 
• Time: Arrival from noon
• Cost: R500, including welcome drink
• Bookings via events@lagoonbeachhotel.co.za 

I love the idea of a festive feast without the price tag. Lagoon Beach Hotel’s famous Christmas buffet really is the girl she thinks she is.

Tease your taste buds with a starter and salad buffet. Ease into the next course with Roast turkey, pork chipolatas, and cranberry sauce. Dessert won’t disappoint. Expect traditional Christmas pudding with brandy butter.

Also at Lagoon Beach, the Spectacular Festive Feast is a more refined version of the Frugal & Festive seating.

For R850, additions include an interactive sushi station and more options at the hot buffet and dessert stations.

• Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, 99 Rhodes Drive, Newlands
• Time: noon - 4pm
• Cost: R390 - R1 250, bookings via MOYO

Nobody does a South African Christmas party like MOYO. Where else would you find mielie brood, bobotie spring rolls and beef dombolo at the buffet table?

You’ve got laid-back vibes and hectares of lawn space for the kids to burn off that extra energy from too much Christmas pudding. Plus, a ticket to MOYO’s Christmas Day Buffet gets you free entry into Kirstenbosch Gardens. 

• Victoria Road, Camps Bay
• Time: 12:30pm/1pm - 4pm
• Cost: R2 295 - R2 495 bookings via Dineplan

Christmas lunch at the 12 Apostles is legendary, as each of its dining venues hosts a top-drawer gourmet lunch.

The Atlantic Marquee Buffet Lunch is priced from R2 295. Prepared by Executive Chef Christo Pretorius, best you abstain from eating the evening before. From artisan bread to a signature hot selection and a festive dessert selection, you'll regret not having space for dessert.

The Azure Restaurant (R2 495 per person) brings a more bespoke buffet menu with more than enough vegan options.

• Dassenberg Road, Franschhoek
• Time: 1pm - 4pm
• Cost: R1 750, bookings via reception@montrochelle.virgin.com

Christmas lunch at MIKO is a departure from a classic buffet. Think a family-style harvest table followed by sharing platters and festive desserts. Jazz musician and composer Lionel Beukes will serenade Gran into reminiscing about the good ‘ol days. MIKO has also curated a vegan Christmas Day menu, consisting of sharing platters and a salad station.

• 4 Alexander Road, Bantry Bay
• Time: 1pm - 3:30pm
• Cost: R795 - R2,950, bookings via Dineplan

Family-friendly and all sorts of friendly, The President Hotel has no shortage of activities for the kids. From the pool to the beach on its doorstep, they won’t want to leave.

Christmas Day is a celebration of Cape favourites and festive traditions. Highlights include a carvery trolley, whole salt-baked salmon, oysters, oxtail potjie, Cape Malay curry and a Christmas-themed sweet table. Kids under 3 eat free.

• 64 New Church St, Gardens, Cape Town
• Time: noon - 4pm
• Cost: R425 - R850, bookings via protea.fireandicecpt@marriott.com

Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! is pulling out all the stops this Christmas. Expect a buffet lunch serving up all the festive favourites. From tender roasts to decadent desserts, the day kicks off with a welcome drink.

A live band will get you in the festive groove, and there'll be a photo booth, because if you didn't post it, it never happened.