Sydney Eat Street: Christmas dinner or lunch without the fuss
Sick of all the hard work it takes to host a Christmas lunch or dinner at home? Sydney Eat Street has put together a list of great restaurants open on Christmas Day, offering a wide range of foods from traditional Aussie feasts to something a little bit different.
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SAILMAKER RESTAURANT
Hot or cold. Whatever your preference for your traditional Christmas dinner you’re bound to find it at this decadent buffet.
There are a number of different stations throughout the chic 300-seat restaurant but the highlights have to be the seafood station with mounds of locally sourced plump prawns, Sydney rock oysters, and mussels — and the carving station with roast lamb and turkey.
You’ll also find all the hot fare fixing you’d hope for including cranberry sauce, gravy and stuffing.
“The buffet has an Australian theme but still with a traditional connection,” head chef Shariq Hassan says.
He notes how certain ingredients, such as pumpkin and leg of lamb are typical to an Australian dinner but probably don’t make an appearance in other countries so this is a great opportunity for a new experience.
There are other stations including one loaded with salads, another with cold cuts and cheeses and of course, a dessert station featuring pavlova and other festive desserts.
Dinner from 6-10pm. ($65 per adult, $32.50 per child – 4-12yrs)
— Hyatt Regency Sydney, 161 Sussex St, Sydney; sydney.regency.hyatt.com
SYDNEY FISH MARKET
The largest seafood market in the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney Fish Market, goes into overdrive for 36 hours with their 24th annual seafood event, which commences trading at 5am on Monday, December 23.
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If last year is any indication, more than 130 tonnes of prawns and 1,000,000 oysters will be sold during that period. (To mix things up a bit, and help producers affected by the drought, consider adding some wild-caught or aquaculture seafood from NSW to the table.)
While fish is the star of the show, you can also pick up most everything else needed for your Christmas Day menu.
Head to Vic’s Meats for pre-ordered turkey or ham then off to Blackwattle Deli for pre-dinner nibbles of gourmet cheeses and dips.
Though your arms may be full, don’t forget to stop at Fisherman’s Fine Wine. Considering the surrounds, they’ll be sure to give you the best advice on pairing wines with your food.
After all that, it’s simply time to crack open a beer and “throw some shrimp on the barbie”.
— Corner of Pyrmont Rd and Bank St, Pyrmont; sydneyfishmarket.com.au
AFOUS
For the first time in years, this popular waterfront restaurant is inviting customers to join the family for Christmas, flinging open their cobalt blue doors for lunch and dinner.
Those familiar with Afous, know that gregarious owner Omar Majdi already greets everyone with a handshake and a sincere “Welcome home”, both reminiscent of the hospitality you’d encounter with his parents’ tribe, Berber, in Morocco but come Christmas, expect an extra helping of hospitality.
The mouth-watering aromas of spices lures you to your table, ready to indulging in a special set menu.
As befits the season, sharing is at the core of this meal as plate after plate is brought out and passed around the table.
On offer will be Sydney oysters topped with a light pomegranate and mint dressing, Safi seafood parcels, calamari with shaksouka, lamb brochettes and so much more.
Round that off with a platter of desserts then when Omar bids you farewell, “see you next time”, you’ll already be making plans to follow him up on that suggestion. ($79 per adult, $30 per child).
— Level 1, 81 Parriwi Rd, Mosman; afous.com.au
BLACK BAR & GRILL
Things are heating up at Black Bar & Grill, a refined steakhouse with a sweeping harbour views.
Chef Dany Karam’s take on the classics with a masterful use of wood-fire grills and charcoal ovens instilling flavours into choice cuts of meat and premium fish.
For Christmas Day, Dany has created a special four-course share-menu that starts with chilled oysters and prawns followed by turkey with macadamia stuffing, striploin Angus and the coveted Toothfish from the charcoal oven.
The festive feast wraps up with a chocolate parfait and seasonal fruit sorbet.
After that, it just might be time to take a walk around that glorious harbour you’ve been admiring for the past few hours. Lunch is from 11.30 am. ($224.25 per adult, $63.25 per child)
— The Star, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont; star.com.au/sydney
CASCADE DINING BELROSE
Once Santa’s left the house and all the presents have been opened, head out for some summer fun with a game of bowls and Christmas dinner.
At Cascade Dining, Club Belrose’s revamped eatery, there’ll be a four-course meal on offer that includes oysters, prawns and a cheeseboard to share, an alternate drop of roast turkey or pork and a Christmas wreath pavlova. ($65 per person)
— Club Belrose, 146 Forest Way, Belrose; clubbelrose.com.au
TAYIM
Head into The Rocks this Christmas for a culinary tour of the Middle East.
Tayim’s executive chef, Ran Kimelfeld (former head chef of Nour), has prepared a special three-course menu that features the exotic flavours of the region paired with fresh Australian ingredients.
You’ll be delighted with such dishes as house-made falafels and grilled prawns with herb tahini, or zucchini flowers with smoked goats cheese.
Mains include of wagyu flat iron with bone marrow and herb wine sauce and bone marrow; or baked barramundi.
No Christmas is complete without a pavlova so Ran has added an Arabian flare and added rosewater, figs and berries.
Lunch from 12-3pm. ($90pp with a glass of bubbles on arrival; extra $40pp for matching wines, $30pp for children under 12)
— 34 Harrington St, The Rocks; tayim.com.au
THE BUCKET LIST
Nothing says summer in Sydney quite like Bondi Beach so why not head down to the water’s edge for sun, fun and fabulous food at Christmas lunch.
Embrace the festive spirit with a selection of seafood, turkey, a DIY pavlova station and more.
For added entertainment, there’ll be Christmas carollers, bon-bons and even a visit from Santa.
($110 per person) thebucketlistbondi.com
— The Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi Beach; thebucketlistbondi.com
6HEAD
Located at the foot of the historic Campbell’s Stores with a stunning view of Sydney Opera House, premium steakhouse 6HEAD has settled in to offer guests from near and far a waterfront dining destination that features seafood, choice cuts of meats and other seasonal ingredients.
For Christmas lunch, diners can enjoy a four-course festive menu including a two-hour beverage package.
Lunch from 11am to 5pm. ($298 per adult, $50 per child)
— Bay 10 & 11, Campbell’s Stores, 7-27 Circular Quay West, The Rocks; 6head.com.au
THE STAR
HARVEST BUFFET
For a place with plenty of Christmas Day options, consider dining at one of the signature restaurants and buffets to be had at The Star.
If you’ve got a big group filled with big appetites and indecision the Harvest Buffet is the spot fro your crew.
It’ll be quite the spread with carving stations, an abundance of seafood and plenty of desserts. Lunch from 10.45am; dinner from 5pm. ($153.32 per adult, $50.42 per child)
FLYING FISH
Celebrate the best of Australian and New Zealand waters with a four-course menu that showcases the culinary magic executive chef Peter Robertson.
For Christmas Day, he has curated a menu that includes prawn toast, ocean trout tartare, sashimi selection, charcoal roast shellfish platter and porchetta with a prawn sauce, followed by a tropical yet traditional, mango and passionfruit pavlova.
Lunch from 12pm. ($184 per adult, $63.25 per child)
SOKYO
Treat yourself to a decadent lunch at award-winning Sokyo restaurant where you’ll savour the fusion of Asian flavours with exceptional Australian seafood.
The menu includes Pacific oysters with plum wine granita, a sashimi platter of scampi, snapper and tuna, a Tajima MBS 9+ sirloin dish and a stunning selection of nigiri aburi.
Be sure to save room for dessert with the famous Sake Jelly, Cherry, Milk Ice Cream and White Chocolate.
Lunch from 12pm. ($184 per adult, $63.25 per child)
CHRISTMAS TREATS
PASSIONTREE VELVET
Forego the salad and bring a gingerbread Christmas tree to lunch. Take a quick picture though as with the tasty cookies, these won’t last til dessert.
— For more details, go to passiontreevelvet.com
PINKSTER GIN CRACKERS
Silly hats are cute and all, but it’s these crackers with a mini bottle of Pinkster Gin and Pinkster Jam inside that will be the party favourite.
Made from the berries left over from the distilling process, the jam tastes great on scones, in trifle or even atop the Christmas Pavlova. ($22 per cracker. Available in-store at First Choice, LiquorLand or Vintage Cellar.)
Originally published as Sydney Eat Street: Christmas dinner or lunch without the fuss
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