Where to go for Christmas Day lunch in Melbourne
Want to skip slaving over a hot stove and have someone do the work for you? It’s not too late to back out of hosting the family shindig — just dish up one of these options.
Best of Melbourne
Don't miss out on the headlines from Best of Melbourne. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Melbourne, relax. You’ve still got time to hit the panic button and back out of hosting this year’s family festivities.
If you don’t want to end up in a fight about who makes the better pav, or whose turn it is to bring the booze, one of these venues might still be able to save your Christmas.
But the clock is definitely ticking.
The Duke
142 Flinders St, Melbourne
This city pub favourite will dish up a three-course menu for less than $100 a head. Fancy roast turkey breast with sausages, sage mash and cranberry jus or potato gnocchi and a wild mushroom ragu? Sounds perfect.
Price (per person): Adults $95. Kids 12 and under $35.
Le Bon Ton
51 Gipps St, Collingwood
Add a touch of smoky New Orleans flavour to your Christmas plans. Their three course banquet includes variations on the classics — think pit-smoked turkey breast and cajun ham with buttermilk mash and pumpkin pie to finish.
Price (per person): Adults $79, Kids $30 (for the under 16s)
Melbourne River Cruises
Forget buffets on land. For this price you can tick off Christmas lunch with the rellies and get a taste of the city from a different angle with a three hour punt along the Yarra River. You might be on a boat, but they’re still serving up classics like hot turkey and pork, fresh prawns and antipasto, plus a tipple or two.
Price (per person): Adults $189. Children (14-17) $119, (2-13) $99
Campari House
Hardware Lane, Melbourne
One family member set on turkey while someone else fancies something more unusual? Campari House in the city will deliver. Spots for their three-course lunch are still up for grabs, with enough options to (hopefully) please everyone.
Price (per person): Adults $125, Kids (4-12) $55
Brighton Savoy
150 Esplanade, Brighton
Does your idea of a perfect Christmas involve carols followed by traditional ham and turkey and some plum pudding to finish? This could be the spot for you. While the Christmas lunch is fully booked, their Christmas dinner at 7pm still has space.
Price (per person): Adults $160 each, Children (under 12) $80 each.
The Ballroom at Sheraton Melbourne
27 Little Collins St, Melbourne
The buffet is a classic crowd pleaser for a reason. If you still want to go OTT with seafood, meat and dessert choices, this might fit the bill. Think prawns, turkey and lobster mornay followed by pudding, pavlova and pastries. It’s not a cheap ticket but does include beer, wine and sparkling for the adults and soft drinks for the kids.
Price (per person): Adults $245, Kids (4-12) $99. Under 4-year-olds eat free. Tickets eventbrite.com.au
For their full list of Christmas Day dining, head here.
The Arbory
Flinders Walk, Melbourne
A Christmas feast, two hours of drinks and a river view? What more could you need. This will be the perfect spot to keep you cool this Christmas.
Price (per person): Adults $145, Children $45 (12 and under)
Annual Christmas Day BYO Picnic Lunch
Queen Victoria Gardens, Southbank
If you’re really in the mood for something cheap and cheerful, make some new friends at the 13th annual Christmas Day BYO Picnic, opposite the NGV. Load up with your favourite treats and bring something to share. Best part, it’s free. Make sure you register though, details here.
The venues on this list had some availability as of yesterday afternoon. Have we missed a gem that’s still free? Let us know in the comments below.
How to plan a post-lockdown Great Ocean Road getaway
The regional border has lifted, which means we can plan a trip to the Great Ocean Road. Here’s where to eat, stay and play.
‘I wouldn’t even s*** that’: What you missed on Wentworth
Wentworth does WikiLeaks in the third episode of the new season, as the Foxtel drama welcomes a new face. And there’s drama for Reb and Lou. Warning: Spoilers.