Nikki To
Not all of us want to be up at the crack of dawn on Christmas Eve curing a side of salmon, preparing three kilograms of prawns and glazing a leg of ham. And that’s before you’ve even started on your cherry and gingerbread bombe Alaska or Christmas trifle. Â
Christmastime is chaotic as it is – and that’s before we’ve factored in our culinary efforts – so to save you the time this year, we’ve curated a list of the best restaurants to dine at on Christmas Day in 2025.  Â
Outsource the festive stress and treat yourselves to a Christmas feast prepared by someone else’s hands. Â
Of course, many of the hospitality hotspots are closed over the holiday period, so we’ve done our due diligence to pull together a wrap of the top restaurants open on Christmas Day in Australia. Â
From harbourside Sydney restaurants to charming brasseries in Brisbane and regional dining rooms in Melbourne, these restaurants across Australia offer celebratory banquets for all palates. Â
Remember, restaurant bookings tend to go quickly this time of year, so it’s best to secure a table for you and your loved ones as soon as possible.Â
Without further ado, here are the top restaurants open on Christmas Day in 2025. Â
What’s open Christmas Day in Sydney
Infinity by Mark Best
CBD
Celebrate Christmas above the city this year with an indulgent four-course lunch or dinner by star chef, Mark Best. This might look like his signature sea urchin crumpets and a Yamba prawn cocktail, among other dishes. Enjoy a sparkling welcome drink while you take in the sights, and a festive gift to take home.Â
Price: From $300 per person or $95 per child. Â
Book now Â
Bennelong
CIRCULAR QUAY
In the way of divine dining rooms and restaurant firsts, Bennelong in Sydney’s picturesque Circular Quay is welcoming guests to a special Christmas Day lunch service. Enjoy Champagne and an amuse-bouche on arrival before settling into a festive three-course feast crafted by celebrated chef Peter Gilmore and head chef, Rob Cockerill. Â
Price: From $545 per person or $150 per child.Â
Quay
Circular Quay
Skip the stress of Christmas and nab one of the best seats in the house with a long lunch at one of Sydney’s most esteemed restaurants. Get greeted with Champagne on arrival and sit down to a luxurious five-course menu.
Price: $550 per person.Â
AmmosÂ
BRIGHTON-LE-SANDSÂ
To say that Greek cuisine is having a resurgence in Australia is an understatement. Outsource the cooking and cleaning this Christmas and capitalise on the momentum with a Mediterranean-inspired set menu. Led by chef Peter Conistis, the menu features Ammos favourites, including lamb shoulder, slow-roasted pork loin and a Christmas-pudding inspired baklava.
Price: $275 per person or $100 per child.Â
Book now Â
Delta Rue Â
CBDÂ
Situated in the heart of the city, this Vietnamese-French restaurant inside the Sofitel Wentworth is offering a leisurely lunch replete with seafood, cheese, Christmas terrine and plenty of festive proteins. Will it be the rolled turkey breast with cranberry sauce, or glazed rum ham for you? Or perhaps porchetta and slow-cooked lamb shoulder is your flavour of the day. Whatever your tastes, Delta Rue caters to it. Â
Price: $249 per person or $99 per child. Includes a three-hour beverage package. Â
Book now Â
Flaminia Â
CIRCULAR QUAY
Another handsome harbourside venue, Sydney’s Italian newcomer from lauded restaurateurs Giovanni Pilu and Marilyn Annecchini will open its doors on Christmas Day to a four-course festive menu — with an Italian twist.
Price: $350 per person or $200 per child.   Â
Book now Â
Cafe Sydney
Circular Quay
Looking for lunch with a view? Enjoy a five-course Christmas lunch featuring summer produce by executive chef, Sarahjane Brown. Think oysters, seafood, refined Christmas favourites and classic desserts from one of Sydney’s most recognised terraces. Â
Prices: $345 per person or $105 per child. Â
Book now Â
Lee Ho Fook
CBD Â Â
The popular Melbourne restaurant, which recently expanded to the Porter House precinct in Sydney, is reimagining tradition with a modern Cantonese twist this Christmas. Chef Victor Liong has curated a shared feast full of Lee Ho Fook’s signature elegance. Expect XO pippies and prawn noodles which you can upgrade to Southern Rock Lobster for an additional $88 per person. Â
Price: $195 per person or $50 per child.Â
What’s open Christmas Day in Melbourne
Reine & La Rue Â
CBD
Located in the original stock exchange of Melbourne, the heritage-listed Hogwarts-esque dining room at Reine is enough to bring the festive cheer. And for the first time, it’s opening its doors on Christmas Day to celebrate French festive traditions. An exclusive one-day-only menu has been designed to mark the occasion, featuring dishes such as white truffle and Comté choux, alongside roasted scallop with Kaluga caviar beurre blanc and honey- glazed Loddon Estate duck. Â
Price: $395 per person or $250 per child under 12. Â
ARU
CBD
At this modern Southeast Asian restaurant on Little Collins Street, Christmas lunch looks a little different. Expect seasonal plates with a distinctly Asian twist, from Asian fruits de mer platters, to crispy pork belly and wood-roasted pork scotch glazed with hoisin and five spice.  Â
Price: $295 per person Â
Book now Â
Chancery Lane Â
CBD Â
Housed in the historic Normanby Chambers building on Little Collins Street, Chancery Lane is the perfect setting for a moody, cosy lunch. Kick off the festivities with a glass of Champagne and savour European-inspired festive fare. Â
Price: $185 per person or $65 per child under 12. $100 per person deposit required per seat to be deducted from final bill. Â
The Dining Room
RED HILL
Escape culinary duties and the buzz of Melbourne this Christmas with a rendezvous to Red Hill in Victoria. Slow down with a glass of Taittinger and sit down to a five-course menu by executive chef, Nick McGonigal – or share a relaxed three-course long-table lunch. Â
Price: Long-table lunch for $250 per person or $100 per child; dining room $350 per person. Â
Book now Â
What’s open Christmas Day in Brisbane
The Brasserie at Naldham House Â
CBD
The Brasserie at the stately Naldham House is serving up a three-course, Euro-leaning Christmas feast featuring Brasserie classics that will save you the clean up this festive season. Seatings are 11am, 11.15am, 11.30am and 11.45am.
Price: $250 per person. Â Â
Donna Chang
CBD
Donna Chang is breaking tradition this Christmas, offering indulgent Cantonese food bound to impress even the fussiest relative. The two-and-a-half hour, four-course banquet includes beverages and dishes such as steamed coral trout with ginger and shallot, steamed lobster bao buns and crispy quail with Sichuan spice. Â
Price: $288 per person or $99 per child. Gluten-free, vegan, pescatarian and no seafood options available. Â
Book now Â
Decided to stay at home? Check out our best Christmas recipes, Christmas salads and festive Christmas dessert recipes.
