Australians spend $249pp on food for Christmas Day so is it cheaper to dine out?

Hosting Christmas at home will cost 10 per cent more this year: an average $249 per person, data shows. But some restaurants are offering it for less. With champagne. And you can bring the dog.

Christmas lunch at Fratelli Fresh. Picture: Supplied

Is it cheaper to dine at a restaurant on Christmas Day?

According to new data, the average person is predicted to spend $249 on food and $192 on alcohol on Christmas Day.

The numbers, from Finder, indicate that Australians are spending 10 per cent more this Christmas, compared to last.

To combat the increase, Sydney’s restaurants have gone out of their way to tempt customers in on Christmas Day with deals that match the price of cooking at home – without the cleaning up.

Surry Hills restaurant The Winery classic festive feast of fresh seafood, honey-glazed ham, turkey ballotine and salmon, plus two hours of drinks, sold out in November because of its alluring price point at $188 per person.

Michael and Rachel Worden, with Lois, 9, Scarlett, 6, and Oscar, 9, with Duke the dog, at The Gymea Hotel. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“I think Christmas is the time for celebrating with loved ones. So, we created a special menu that is suited for the holidays and included dishes that bring a hint of nostalgia. We want to be able to recreate that feeling of being a home away from home, where people can just sit back, relax, and enjoy their day,” said Winery venue manager Sanna Peltonen.

GONE TO THE DOGS

Gymea Hotel is welcoming dogs at their $115pp Christmas Banquet Lunch, and it too is already sold out.

Michael Wordon, pictured with his pup, said that his family loves bringing Duke to the pub with them, adding that it makes his family feel more welcome.

“As they say, dog is man’s best friend, but Duke truly is a member of our family. The kids love it when he’s able to join us at the pub,” Mr Wordon said.

Bookings at ALH Hotels for the festive season are on the rise, with Christmas Day bookings up 13 per cent compared to last year.

Fratelli Fresh has locations open on Christmas Day in Darling Harbour, Moore Park and Manly with a Christmas lunch menu, including slow braised lamb shoulder and Maple and Orange Glazed Ham for $99 per person. Darling Harbour is already sold out.

French CBD restaurant Bouillon L’Entrecote is bringing the festive spirit with a three-course meal for $115 a head, and includes duck foie gras, stuffed quail and a classic Yule Log Cake.

In Manly, a 10-course feast at Little Pearl, complete with a Two-and-a-half-hour drinks package is $199pp, which is way under the national average.

The award-winning Chu by China Doll in West HQ is offering up a $88pp Christmas Day set menu.

SAVINGS ALL SEASON

But it’s not just Christmas Day which will see restaurants offer cost-saving deals.

French restaurant Franca, in Potts Point, has launched a festive Fruit de mer, or seafood tower, to mark the Christmas season.

The tower includes natural oysters, cooked prawns, raw kingfish, lobster and caviar and four mini martinis for $150.

The Carolan Family. (L to R) Eliza, Dad John, Lily, Mum Samantha, Phoebe, & Darcey enjoying the festive lunch in Franca in Potts Point. Photo: Tim Pascoe

Owner Andrew Becher said the menu was designed to create the best sense of value in a tough economic climate.

“We were primarily focused on how to create the best sense of value rather than reducing price. We wanted to maintain the sense of easy luxury that Franca has become known for, so we felt that creating a sense of experience around the offer would better resonate with our guests,” he said.

“We have had huge amount of interest in this offer throughout the December period. It’s really resonated with work Christmas functions, but also with people looking for that something extra to mark the holiday season.”