Where to book a Christmas Day lunch in Brisbane
By Nick Dent
If you believe Bluey then backyard cricket and a Christmas swim are non-negotiables of a Brisbane Yuletide celebration.
But if you’d rather just kick back and eat like royalty in air-conditioned splendour, then lunch or dinner at a hotel or restaurant may be just the ticket.
Not only will you avoid arguments over who has to stand guard over the barbie, there’s no mountain of washing up to contend with once the rellos have scarpered.
From seafood feasts to lavish roasts with all the trimmings, here’s 14 of the best Christmas Day lunches in Brissie. All were available at the time of publication, but get your reservation in quick as most will sell out.
Blackbird Bar and Grill.Credit: Ghanem Group
Christmas Day at Blackbird Bar and Grill
Where: 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane
When: Wednesday, December 25, 12-4pm
How much: $99-$269pp
This restaurant specialising in seafood and Australian produce is the place for the long lunch set, with a Christmas feast that includes three courses and 3.5 hours of premium booze. Take in the river views while savouring menu highlights ranging from baked turkey Wellington to a Queensland seafood selection.
Christmas Day Buffet Lunch at Lennon’s Restaurant and Bar
Where: 72 Queen Street, Brisbane
When: Wednesday, December 25, 12.30-3pm
How much: $79-$339pp
Linger over the seafood bar and salad bar; choose from lamb, ham, turkey and seared salmon at the hot station; and go back for seconds at the dessert bar for extra Christmas pud, Bailey’s cheesecake and pav. Top-price seats include a full drinks package featuring Taittinger champagne.
Cucina Regina.Credit: Morgan Roberts
Christmas Day Dining at Cucina Regina
Where: 33 William Street, Brisbane
When: Wednesday, December 25, 12-3pm
How much: $35-$199pp
Get an Italian feast at this brand spanking new restaurant at The Star Brisbane in the Queen’s Wharf precinct. Four courses, three hours of beverages and a visit from the man in white and red are included. On offer are prawn ravioli, porcini risotto, 12-hour slow-roasted lamb shoulder, and panettone cake with pistachio cream, pistachio crumb and raspberries.
Christmas Day Lunch at Naldham House
Where: Ground Floor, 33 Felix Street, Brisbane
When: Wednesday, December 25, from 11am
How much: $275pp
The restored heritage building in the CBD is hosting possibly the most luxe Chrissie in town, with executive chef Doug Keyte’s menu featuring a southern rock lobster cocktail, Murray cod grenobloise, crispy roasted porchetta and salted caramel profiteroles. Drinks are extra.
Donna Chang.Credit: Ghanem Group
Where: 171 George Street, Brisbane
When: Wednesday, December 25, 12pm and 3pm
How much: $99-$288pp
This modern Chinese restaurant is offering a four-course Sichuan banquet paired with a 2.5-hour premium beverage package. Eat drunken prawns, tea-smoked duck breast, roast goose with five treasure rice, and steamed coral trout with ginger and shallot. Forget plum pudding: what about deep-fried ice cream?
Christmas Lunch at the Inchcolm Bar
Where: 73 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill
When: Wednesday, December 25, 12-4pm
How much: $80.72-$295pp
Spring Hill’s stylish hotel is hosting four shared courses and a three-hour drinks package in the Charleston Room. There are gifts for everyone, whether they’ve been naughty or nice.
Goldfinch Christmas Lunch and Dinner
Where: Pullman Brisbane King George Square, Brisbane
When: Wednesday, December 25, 12.30-3pm & 5.30-8pm
How much: $107-$259pp
Goldfinch’s executive chef has curated a four-course menu complete with a free-flowing beverage package. Get an amuse-bouche, a seafood platter to share, two selections from each course including turkey breast roulade or glazed baked Christmas ham, and pavlova or Christmas pudding.
Bisou Bisou.Credit: Ghanem Group
Where: Ground Floor, Hotel X, 458 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
When: Wednesday, December 25, 11.30pm & 3pm
How much: $89-$169pp
Double-kiss your nearest and dearest then settle in at this stylish French bistro for the likes of spanner crab tartlet, prawn cocktails, ham hock terrine, rolled and roasted organic pork, trifle and pavlova. Beverages are extra.
Where: Podium Level 1, Brisbane Quarter, 300 George Street, Brisbane
When: Wednesday, December 25, 11.30am-3pm
How much: $95-$299pp
Enjoy snacks on arrival, a three-course lunch, petit fours and a three-hour beverage package with live music and views of the river and South Bank. Enjoy Christmas ham, lobster tartlets, smoked wagyu and buffalo curd, scallops Rockefeller, White Pyrenees lamb rump, grilled local reef fish, duck fat potatoes, and date pudding with caramel and vanilla ice cream.
Persone is one of several Italian restaurants hosting Christmas Day lunches.Credit: COCOM
Where: Podium Level 2, Brisbane Quarter, 300 George Street, Brisbane
When: Wednesday, December 25, 11.30am
How much: $75-$245pp
Italian restaurant Persone has a four-course lunch with an antipasti platter, half lobster with watermelon and rocket salad, porchetta with roasted potatoes, and panettone with seasonal berries and mascarpone. The event includes a three-hour beverage package, Christmas carollers and a cameo appearance from Santa.
Where: 3 Sidon Street, South Brisbane
When: Wednesday, December 25, 11.30am-2.30pm
How much: $275pp
South Brisbane’s fancy Italian offers three shared courses and three hours of beverages. Get stuck into ricotta and spinach gnudi meatballs, duck fettuccine, wild herb crusted toothfish and a classic Italian panettone.
Pullman Brisbane Christmas Lunch.Credit: Pullman Brisbane King George Square
Pullman Brisbane Seafood Buffet Feast
Where: Presidential Ballroom, Pullman Brisbane King George Square, Brisbane
When: Wednesday, December 25, 12-3pm
How much: $107-$319pp
The buffet lunch features five separate food stations covering seafood, cold meats and traditional roast turkey. A three-hour beverage package is included. Those spoiled kids will get a special gift, face painting and a Santa act, and there’s live music and a disco.
Tenya Christmas Eve and Christmas Day buffet.Credit: Brisbane Quarter
Where: Podium Level 2, Brisbane Quarter, 300 George Street, Brisbane
When: December 24-25, 11.30am-2pm
How much: $70-$140pp
Have a Meri Kurisumasu with the Japanese buffet at Tenya and its river views. Be treated to sashimi platters, sushi rolls, king prawns, oysters, mussels and prawn tempura as well as roast turkey and ham for the purists. Drinks are extra.
Voco Christmas Day Seafood Buffet Lunch
Where: 85-87 North Quay, Brisbane
When: Wednesday, December 25, 12-3pm
How much: $85-$275pp
Voco’s Seafood Buffet Lunch includes a three-hour beverage package. Expect seafood, salads, roasts, and a dessert bar with chocolate fountain and ice creamery. Kids can expect a present too.