Christmas Day is almost here, and if you feel like treating yourself, step away from the kitchen and visit some incredible restaurants around Melbourne. Thankfully, there’s heaps of places open, serving up everything from casual bites to elaborate banquets. Feast on all the festive favourites, like glazed ham and Christmas pudding, or try something different, like an exquisite omakase dinner. Whatever you choose, there’s plenty of excellent dining options in Melbourne available for you and the whole family on Christmas Day.
1. State Library Victoria
Indulge in a remarkable lunch on Christmas Day, surrounded by the grandeur of State Library Victoria. Walk down the red carpet and enter Ian Potter Queens Hall, where you’ll be serenaded by festive tunes from a quartet. Look forward to a carving station, prawn and oyster bar, roast station with sides and plum pudding for dessert. You’ll receive a cocktail or mocktail on arrival, and sip on plenty of flowing wine, beer and cider. Spirits and cocktails are available for purchase. Three hour bookings are available from 11am to 1pm. This lunch costs $290 per adult, plus booking fee. See more here.
📍328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
2. Tippy Tay – Garden State Hotel
Tippy Tay is serving up a four-course feast, celebrating the culinary flavours of the Amalfi coast with an Aussie Christmas twist. Share starters like salmon crudo, oysters and baked foccacia, followed by heartier dishes like pasta and roasted whole flounder. For dessert, sweeten things up with pavlova, trifle and petits fours. Lunch is $195 per person and runs from 12pm to 3pm. More details here.
📍101 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
3. Afloat
Afloat is open on Christmas Day, and there’s a variety of options available. Classic table reservations for 2 to 20 guests require a minimum spend of $95 per person. This spend can be used at the bar for Mexican food and drink. For a larger affair, with 10 to 40 people, you can book a banquet from $70 per person. This includes three shared courses to try. Day bed packages and cabana packages are also available. DJs will be on deck to keep the good times flowing. Learn more here.
📍2, Flinders Walk, Melbourne VIC 3000
4. Yarra Botanica
Relax on Christmas Day and go with the flow at Yarra Botanica. This floating bar and eatery is cooking up their full à la carte menu for lunch. Bookings are available from 12pm.
📍North of 4 Riverside Quay, Lower Wharf, Southbank Promenade, Southbank VIC 3006
5. Lollo
Lollo at W Melbourne is open for dining on Christmas Day. They’re serving up a four-course lunch, starting with a glass of champagne on arrival. Feast on Great Ocean Road Duck Breast, Steamed Cod and more. There’s also a festive dessert station for you to explore. This decadent lunch costs $245 per person, with sessions available between 12pm and 2:30pm. Learn more here.
📍408 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
6. Warabi
Warabi is celebrating the festive season with their Love + Omakase Christmas Dinner. Embark on a culinary journey through their sensational 8-course Omakase menu. Discover dishes inspired by the season, such as Yakimono with Quail, Zensia with Ocean Trout, Wagyu with Wasabi and more. You’ll also receive a Japanese Christmas cake to enjoy at home. This meal costs $380 per person, with seatings available between 5:30pm and 8pm. Learn more here.
📍408 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
7. Botswana Butchery
Botswana Butchery is celebrating Christmas with a four-course lunch. Feast on starters like scallop ceviche and grilled quail, followed by hearty mains like wagyu sirloin and roasted snapper fillet. Side include duck fat potatoes and seasonal salad. For dessert, indulge in chocolate chestnut Buche de Noel, pavlova, berries mascarpone tart and an Australian cheese plate. This Christmas lunch costs $190 per person. See more here.
📍66 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
8. The Windsor
Treat yourself to an enchanting lunch or dinner at The Windsor this Christmas. There’s a few different options for you to choose from, starting with a dinner on Christmas Eve at 6pm. For lunch, you can enjoy a meal within the majestic Grand Ballroom at 11:30am, or inside the One Eleven restaurant at 1pm. The Christmas Eve dinner costs $388 for adults, while lunch on Christmas Day costs $468. All options include free flowing beverages. See more here.
📍111 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3000
9. Langlands Restaurant & Bar
Hyatt Centric Melbourne’s Langlands Restaurant & Bar is putting their own naughty but nice twist on Christmas lunch. Start with unlimited small plates like Tasmanian oysters, tiger prawns and charcuterie, followed by sharing-style plates for mains. Look forward to Southern Ranges beef, Western Plains pork, NZ snapper and more. Then, for dessert, there’s pavlova, eggnog and petits fours. Pair your experience with free-flowing bubbles, cocktails, wine, beer, mocktails and soft drink. Lunch is $199 per person. Learn more here.
📍Level 25/25 Downie St, Melbourne VIC 3004
10. The Savoy Hotel
Pop into the Alexander Bar at The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins Street, and tuck into a lavish buffet lunch. You’ll find plenty of Christmas favourites, like turkey, prawns and roast chicken, as well as a dessert and lolly station. Lunch runs from 12pm to 2pm, and costs $179 per adult. See more here.
📍630 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
11. Pascale Bar & Grill
Pascale Bar & Grill is open for dining on Christmas Day at QT Melbourne. Start with a cocktail on arrival, and feast on heaped platters with roast spiced duck, market fresh seafood, roast turkey, rib eye steak and more. End on a sweet note with fruit mince and sherry pies, Christmas gelato with shortbread, peach melba and more. This costs $350 per person, and starts from 11:30am. See more here.
📍 Level 1/133 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
12. Conservatory
Conservatory at Crown Melbourne is open for Christmas dining for both lunch and dinner. Both options include a sumptuous buffet. Lunch runs from 12:30pm to 4pm, and costs $475 per adult. Meanwhile, dinner has two seatings available, starting from 5pm and 8:30pm. It costs $295 per adult for just the food, or $395 with a beverage package. See more here.
13. Ichi Ni Izakaya or Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya
Both Ichi Ni Izakaya in St Kilda and Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya in Fitzroy are open on Christmas Day, from 12pm to late. If you’ve got cravings for delicious sushi platters, this is the place to be. Opt for a banquet menu for $55 per person, or browse through their à la carte menu for gyoza, yakitori, nigiri, tempura and more. As it is Christmas, bookings are recommended.
📍12 The Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182 or 127 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065.
14. Stella Restaurant and Bar
Have a stellar Italian lunch on Christmas Day with Stella in South Yarra. Enjoy a glass of champagne on arrival, followed by a seafood platter, caviar and more to share. Choose between chicken, steak and fish for the main, along with delicious sides. For dessert, treat yourself to pavlova with a Stella twist. Kids can also enjoy pizza or pasta. Lunch is available for sessions from 11:30am to 2pm and 2:30pm to 5pm. It costs $195 per person. For bookings, click here.
📍427 Chapel St, South Yarra VIC 3141
15. Pullman & Mercure Melbourne Albert Park
Step into the Grand Ballroom of Pullman & Mercure Melbourne Albert Park, and feast on a Christmas Buffet Lunch. Receive a complimentary glass of bubbles, and stack your plates with festive dishes like turkey, ham, seafood and more. Santa will also make an appearance to spread some Christmas cheer, take photos and hand out gifts. The buffet is $340 for adults, and runs from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Learn more here.
📍65 Queens Rd, Albert Park VIC 3004
16. The Smith
Share a family-style lunch with your loved ones at The Smith on Christmas Day. There’s a three-course menu, with holiday favourites like glazed ham, turkey and Christmas pudding. Vegan alternatives are also available, such as a mushroom & chestnut roast for the main. Seatings are available from 11am to 1:30pm, and 2:30pm to 5pm. It costs $145 for adults. Find out more.
📍 213 High St, Prahran VIC 3181
17. Rippon Lea Estate
Spend your Christmas Day dining with loved ones at the historic Rippon Lea Estate. Look forward to a complimentary drink on arrival, a fresh seafood platter, lamb, turkey and ham with sides, as well as Christmas desserts. The lunch goes for three hours, and sitting times are at 11am, 11:30am, 12pm and 12:30pm. Tickets cost $220 per adult. See more here.
📍192 Hotham St, Elsternwick VIC 3185
18. Olinda Tea House
Drive out to Mount Dandenong this Christmas, and celebrate at Olinda Tea House. There will be a live performance by violinist Dario Zhang, and the chance to win Christmas prizes. They are open for lunch and dinner, with banquets to share starting from $179 for two people. Their signature high tea is also available on Christmas Day. Bookings are required.