The best Christmas Day lunches in Melbourne 2018
Take the stress out of hosting yuletide celebrations and book a merry restaurant lunch instead
If the thought of cooking another Christmas meal for the family results in sweaty palms and flashbacks to dishes piled high, maybe it's time to consider treating yourself to a merry Christmas lunch at one of Melbourne's finest restaurants. Each of these venues is putting on something special at price points to suit all budgets.
Christmas doesn't have to be stressful, which is why we've put together your ultimate gift guide. For more restaurant tips for the holiday season, visit our essential hit list.
Where to celebrate Christmas
Arbory Bar and Eatery
Enjoy Christmas lunch at Melbourne’s longest bar while looking out over the Yarra River. For $145 you’ll get a two-hour drinks package (sparkling, red and white wine, beer, cider and soft drink) plus charcuterie and seafood to start, Meatsmith’s Christmas ham, sides and spiced Christmas cake with brandy crème anglaise to finish. Two sitting are available, one at 11.30am and one at 3pm. $145 per person.
Aria Lounge
You’ve heard of Christmas lunch: now meet Christmas high tea. Aria Lounge at the Langham is hosting two Christmas afternoon tea sittings. There will be Christmas stuffing quiches roast turkey vol au vents, yule logs and Christmas puds plus chintzy tea favourites like scones with jam and cream and endless tea, espresso coffee and hot chocolate. Bubbles on arrival. $99-$149.
Sea Life Melbourne
Spend your Christmas eating with the fishes. Sea Life Melbourne is hosting Christmas lunch for $169 per person (bookings for kids start at $29). As far as unique Christmas settings go you can’t beat views of the Yarra River and a floor to ceiling tropical marine display. On the menu is Huon River smoked salmon, roast turkey and pavlova. Your lunch also includes all day entry to the aquarium. $29-$169.
Matilda 159 Domain
Experience festive Australian delicacies this Christmas at Scott Pickett's Matilda 159 Domain. This Christmas day menu features damper bread with truffled Tasmanian leatherwood honey; a selection of main courses (such as glazed rotisserie ham, Macedon ranges duck and Northern Territory barramundi). Make Christmas that little bit more extra by swapping out your main for wagyu steak or adding a 50g tin of caviar. There are two sittings available, one at 11.30 am and one at 2.30 pm. $150.
Sheraton Melbourne
If you’re of the opinion that no Aussie Christmas is complete without something dragged from the ocean, then Christmas lunch at the Sheraton is for you. They’re hosting a seafood buffet on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day accompanied by salads and desserts by executive sous chef Gil Zamudio – meaning you can have as much crab, salmon, oysters and prawns as your heart desires. $99-$295.
Intercontinental Melbourne the Rialto
Enjoy a buffet on Christmas afternoon at the high-end and historic InterContinental Melbourne the Rialto. The hotel will offer dishes like Moreton Bay bugs, blue swimmer crab, Crystal Bay prawns and New Zealand green-lipped mussels. Other than the large selection of seafood, there will also be salads, sides, honey dijon roasted lamb shoulder, wagyu beef carpaccio with horseradish slaw and more. For dessert, there are plenty of options to choose from such as Pina Colada panna cotta and white chocolate cheesecake. $275- $350
The Hotel Windsor
You’ve two options for Christmas at the Windsor Hotel. Both are five-course degustations but you can choose whether you want to take lunch in the grand ballroom or the light and airy One Eleven restaurant. Either way make sure you save room for the Windsor's housemade plum puddings. Vegetarians get their own menu as well so they don't need to subsist on the sides. $359.
Sofitel Melbourne
The Sofitel has a number of Christmas Day dining options available but if you want a stunning view this Christmas our advice is to book in at No35. The restaurant has a 10/10 view of the city (its loos are also some of the best in Melbourne) and will be doing Christmas breakfast, lunch and dinner this December 25. The lunch will be served buffet style and includes a glass of Taittinger Champagne and a visit from Santa.
Allegro
The Westin’s Allegro restaurant is serving a luxurious Christmas buffet with a very generous selection of dishes. The menu features seafood (try the Australian slipper lobster); traditional Christmas roasts such as roasted Saskia Beer turkey; and mouth-watering festive sweets such as burnt butter whiskey and raisin truffle. To top it all off, there will be an extravagant Christmas cheese tower with artisanal bread and local and European cheeses. $330.
Stuck for gift ideas?
Christmas markets in Melbourne
Christmas is the time for family, friends, feasting and forgetting to buy presents until the last minute. Thankfully Melbourne has a number of December Christmas markets giving you ample opportunity to grab handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts that will make your loved ones smile on Christmas morning.