2024 Christmas Day Lunch Spots in Sydney

Post

Subscribe

If you want to immerse yourself in the joy of the festive season, Christmas is truly a magical time to be in Sydney. The city comes alive with dazzling lights, enchanting decorations, and an atmosphere of celebration that offers something for everyone. From free attractions showcasing Sydney’s iconic beauty to indulgent lunches in world-class venues, there’s no shortage of ways to create lasting memories.



Last year, we did Christmas Eve on the Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise boat with Lunch. This year marks my second Christmas with my 17-year-old son in Sydney, while the rest of my family celebrates in Adelaide, South Australia, and Perth, Western Australia. Determined to make the most of the holiday season, I embraced a staycation and explored what this vibrant city offers. After thorough research, I discovered a wealth of options to suit all tastes and budgets.

A Festive Christmas Day in Sydney: Free Sights and Luxurious Lunches
Sydney knows how to celebrate the festive season with something for everyone. From free attractions that showcase the city’s breathtaking landmarks to indulgent Christmas lunches that add a touch of luxury to your day, there’s no better place to be on December 25th.

Start Your Day Exploring Free Sights in Sydney
Kick off Christmas Day by soaking in Sydney’s iconic sights, many of which can be enjoyed for free. Whether you're a visitor or a local, these attractions perfectly set the tone for a festive and memorable day.

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
Begin your morning with this iconic stretch, offering stunning ocean views, cliffside vistas, and access to Sydney’s most picturesque beaches. It’s a refreshing way to embrace the Aussie Christmas vibe.
Click here to find out more.

The Rocks Christmas Markets
If you’re in Sydney during the lead-up to Christmas, don’t miss the festive atmosphere at The Rocks Christmas Markets. Browse handmade gifts, festive treats, and decorations while enjoying live music.
Click here to find out more.

Darling Harbour Christmas Events and Lights
In the evening, Darling Harbour transforms into a dazzling display of sparkling Christmas lights and festive magic. Stay for the light shows and waterfront carolling. Enjoy rockin' around the harbour with many free activities, including the much-loved Christmas Festival, workshops, a floating Christmas tree, fireworks and guaranteed good vibes.
Click here to find out more.

Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House
Iconic and timeless, these landmarks offer spectacular views. Visit Circular Quay or the Royal Botanic Garden for photo opportunities and peaceful harbour views.

Martin Place Christmas Tree
The Martin Place Christmas Tree stands tall in the city’s heart, adorned with shimmering lights and ornaments. Evening visits are especially enchanting, with carolers and holiday music.
Click here to find out more.

Sydney Beaches
Head to Bondi, Bronte, or Manly Beach for an Australian Christmas twist. Bring a picnic or grab a takeaway from local cafes and enjoy the sun, sand, and surf.



Indulge in a Luxurious Christmas Lunch
After a morning of exploring Sydney’s free sights, treat yourself to a luxurious Christmas lunch. The city’s top restaurants and hotels go all out, creating gourmet menus paired with breathtaking views and festive cheer. This year, I decided to stay in Sydney and experience one of its most indulgent Christmas Day lunches while my family celebrated back home.

Here’s a curated list of exceptional venues hosting festive lunches on December 25, 2024. There's something for everyone, whether you’re after panoramic views or a gourmet feast.

SYDNEY CBD

WRITERS CHOICE*
Grand Ballroom at Shangri-La Hotel
Location: SYDNEY, The Rocks, The Grand Ballroom
Details: From 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., enjoy a lavish Christmas buffet with free-flowing sparkling wine and live entertainment. The lavish yuletide menu includes all the traditional trimmings, including Australian seafood, delicious carvery stations, classic terrines, charcuterie, luscious salads, antipasto, and more. Traditional Christmas pudding, cherry compote with crème anglaise, and a passionfruit pavlova roulade with vanilla Chantilly and passionfruit coulis. Enjoy your beloved Christmas classics paired with free-flowing house sparkling wine and red and white wines, all selected by the sommelier team.
Cost: AUD 288 per adult, including a standard 3-hour standard beverage package, AUD 159 per child aged 4 to 11 years old and AUD 200 per child aged 12 to 17 years old. Children under three may enter free of charge. Reserve before 7th December and enjoy an exclusive early-bird 15% savings. Prepayment is required; no cancellations
URL: Click here to find out more.

Altitude Restaurant at Shangri-La Hotel
Location: SYDNEY, The Rocks, level 36
Details: From 12 PM to 4 PM, enjoy a five-course set menu with panoramic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Optional wine pairing is available. Indulge in a luxurious five-course set menu featuring exquisite dishes such as Kombu-cured coral trout sashimi with finger lime and Avruga Caviar, kangaroo with watercress puree, and A5 Tajima MB 8+ steak with native tamarind jus. Conclude your feast with the delightful Santa on the Beach dessert, a masterpiece of orange Schnapps mousse with vanilla and cherry compote.
Cost: AUD 289 per person; AUD 189 for children under 12, conic Wine Pairing: Starting at AUD 155 per person, Guaranteed Window Table: AUD 400 per person
URL: Click here to find out more.

Café Mix at Shangri-La Hotel
Location: SYDNEY, The Rocks, level 1
Details: Seating time from 12:30 PM until 3:30 PM; enjoy international and Australian holiday dishes. Celebrate the magic of Christmas with a festive buffet lunch at Cafe Mix! It features a seafood display of blue swimmer crab, king prawn, and green lip mussels served on ice alongside a chef’s exquisite sushi selection. Savour the roasted beef sirloin and golden and juicy turkey roulade, complemented by various vibrant salads, cannelloni and freshly baked bread. Finish the feast with a decadent Christmas Stollen Cake, rich with fruits and nuts, evoking the season's spirit in every slice. This most jolly occasion would not be complete without a three-hour drinks package. Enjoy your Christmas cuisine with free-flowing house sparkling wine and red and white wines, all selected by the sommelier team.
Cost: AUD 248 per adult, including standard beverage package, AUD 168 per teenager (aged 12 to 17), and AUD 98 for children under 11. Reserve before 7th December and enjoy an exclusive early-bird 15% savings.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Park Hyatt Sydney – The Dining Room & The Living Room
Location: SYDNEY, The Rocks
Details: Lunch: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM + Dinner: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM Celebrate Christmas at the Park with a delectable Australian feast. Indulge in a five-course set menu featuring fresh seasonal seafood, glazed Berkshire ham, and a delightful summer stone fruit pavlova, all complemented by a glass of Champagne to toast the occasion.
Cost: AUD 385 per person.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Infinity at Sydney Tower
Location: Sydney CBD
Details: Indulge in a 5-course menu with a glass of Champagne on arrival with panoramic city views, Christmas in the Clouds with Fine Dining Destination. Book by Thursday, 5 December
Cost: Standard Seating: AUD 270, Window Seating: AUD 300, Children: AUD 95
URL: Click here to find out more.

The Pier Dining
Location: Sydney
Details: Cocktail and Oyster Bar on arrival, followed by festive ‘Feed Me’ menu and bottomless drinks package. Dinner: Festive ‘Feed Me’ menu and festive arrival cocktailXMAS Lunch
Cost: Adult AUD 433.55 Festive ‘Feed Me’ menu + arrival cocktail + bottomless package Child (Aged 6-17)AUD 229.89 includes non-alcoholic package (2hrs) (Price Includes 15% Public holiday surcharge)
URL: Click here to find out more.

Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney
Location: Sydney CBD
Details: Christmas Seafood Buffet with live cooking stations and desserts. From King Prawns and roasted Turkey Roulade to Chocolate Croquembouche and other festive treats, every dish has been thoughtfully crafted by our skilled chefs to capture the very essence of Christmas with a mixture of traditional and modern favourites.
Cost: Adult AUD 250 includes a 3-hour house beverage package, Adult without beverage package AUD 239. Child AUD 145 per child; Children 5 years and under eat free
URL: Click here to find out more.

Aria Restaurant
Location: Circular Quay
Details: Three courses from a tasting menu curated by renowned chefs, scallop, heirloom tomatoes, kombu & basil, Maremma duck, beetroot, radicchio & maple, chocolate, cherry, almond & buckwheat. Additional cost: an additional indulgence, Choose to add N25 Beluga caviar, the pinnacle of this stunning ingredient, or, enjoy the delicate flavour of Tasmanian rock lobster in our handmade linguine with fingerlime as an alternative main course. Simply add to your reservation when prompted in your booking journey.
Cost: AUD 160 per person.
URL: Click here to find out more.

WOOLLOOMOOLOO

OTTO Ristorante
Details:From 11:30 AM, OTTO Christmas Packages a Four-course Christmas lunch with an Italian twist, served al fresco. Celebrate a truly merry Christmas with friends and family at OTTO on the picturesque Woolloomooloo Wharf with two exceptional Christmas Day lunch packages to choose from.
The Main Restaurant Celebrate the Christmas waterside with a luxurious dining experience. Menu: Four-course choice menu with assaggi, and a glass of Champagne on arrival
Cost: AUD 545 per person | Children’s menu: AUD 120 per child. Optional four-hour beverage packages are available. Semi-Private Option: For a more intimate experience, book the 100-year-old Wool Lift, ideal for groups of 10 to 14 guests.
Upstairs Dining Dine indoors on the upper level while enjoying stunning views of Woolloomooloo Wharf. Three-course sharing menu
Cost: AUD 350 per person, Optional four-hour beverage packages available | BYO allowed, including magnums (AUD 40 corkage per bottle). Minimum of 6 adults. A children’s menu (under 12) is available upon request.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Kingsleys Woolloomooloo
Details: On arrival, the four-course festive menu with a glass of Moët, THE CHRISTMAS LUNCH IS NOW SOLD OUT. Check their sister venue:
Details: The Winery in Surry Hills, 11 am & 2:30 pm seatings 3-course shared-style Christmas set menu & glass champagne on arrival. Turkey ballotine, honey-glazed ham, an array of seafood, and a delectable dessert. Our kid-friendly menu, rumour has it, Santa may even pay a visit…
Cost: AUD 180 per person, AUD 50 for children under 12
URL: Click here to find out more.



Here are a few more to consider, without the added details.....

Barangaroo
- Meat & Wine Co.
Details: Premium cuts and festive-inspired side dishes for Christmas lunch.
URL: Click here to find out more.

- Love.Fish
Details: Sustainable seafood-focused festive menu.
URL: Click here to find out more.


Bondi
- Harry’s Bondi
Details: Beachside casual dining with festive Australian cuisine.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Bondi Beach
- North Bondi Fish
Details: Casual beachside dining with a festive twist, featuring fresh seafood.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Circular Quay
- Café Sydney
Details: Five-course Christmas lunch with spectacular harbour views.
URL: Click here to find out more.

- Quay Quarter Lanes
Details: Boutique dining spaces offering festive menus with modern Australian flavours.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Freshwater
- Pilu at Freshwater
Details: Coastal Italian menu featuring Sardinian-inspired festive dishes.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Manly
- Little Pearl
Details: Coastal dining with a curated festive menu and breathtaking views.
URL: Click here to find out more.

- Manly Pavilion
Details: Modern European cuisine with a three-course festive menu.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Milsons Point
- Ripples Milsons Point
Details: Scenic waterfront dining with a four-course festive menu.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Mosman
- Gunners Barracks
Details: Elegant dining with harbour views, offering a four-course Christmas menu.
URL: Click here to find out more.

- Ormeggio at The Spit
Details: Contemporary Italian cuisine with a festive set menu.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Pyrmont
- Flying Fish at The Star Sydney
Details: Premium seafood menu with modern Australian festive specials.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Rose Bay
- Catalina
Details: Three-course festive lunch featuring premium seafood and meats.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Royal Botanic Garden
- Botanic House
Details: Christmas dining amidst lush greenery with Asian-fusion cuisine.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Rushcutters Bay
- Bar Machiavelli
Details: Stylish dining with an Italian-inspired festive menu.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Sydney CBD
- Pullman Sydney Hyde Park
Details: Christmas Day seafood buffet with a dessert bar and two-hour beverage package.
URL: Click here to find out more.

- Establishment Bar
Details: Chic dining with a festive multi-course menu and cocktail pairings.
URL: Click here to find out more.

- Hubert
Details: French-inspired festive menu with a cosy ambiance and live music.
URL: Click here to find out more.

- O Bar & Dining
Details: Rotating restaurant with a premium festive menu and sweeping city views.
URL: Click here to find out more.

- Rockpool Bar & Grill
Details: Festive steak and seafood dishes in an opulent setting.
URL: Click here to find out more.

The Rocks
- Quay Restaurant
Details: Tasting menu featuring Christmas-inspired dishes.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Walsh Bay
- Ventuno Restaurant
Details: Relaxed Italian dining with waterfront views and a festive set menu.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Watsons Bay
- Doyles on the Beach
Details: Fresh seafood feast with uninterrupted ocean views.
URL: Click here to find out more.

- Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
Details: Beachside festive buffet with traditional roasts and seafood.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Woollahra
- Hotel Centennial
Details: Cozy and elegant festive menu featuring seasonal dishes.
URL: Click here to find out more.

Woolloomooloo
- Manta
Details: Luxury dining with a festive menu showcasing Australian seafood.
URL: Click here to find out more.

- The Tilbury
Details: Festive three-course menu with a contemporary twist.
URL: Click here to find out more.



Sydney: A Festive Wonderland for All

Whether you spend the morning exploring free attractions or indulging in one of the city’s best Christmas lunches, Sydney offers endless ways to make your festive season unforgettable. This city truly sparkles with holiday magic, from iconic landmarks to gourmet feasts. This year, I embraced the charm of Sydney’s festive offerings and discovered there’s no better place to celebrate Christmas, whether with family or by creating your own traditions.

Make your plans now to secure your spot at one of these incredible venues or bask in the beauty of Sydney’s festive atmosphere. Let me know how you’re planning to celebrate your Sydney Christmas!



Merry Christmas; Feliz Navidad; Joyeux Noël; Frohe Weihnachten; Buon Natale; Feliz Natal; Vrolijk Kerstfeest; God Jul (Swedish); God Jul (Norwegian); Glædelig Jul; Hyvää Joulua; Wesolych wit; Veselé Vánoce; Boldog Karácsonyt; Mutlu Noeller; Giáng sinh vui v; Maligayang Pasko; Selamat Hari Natal; Krismasi Njema; UKhisimusi Omuhle; Geseënde Kersfees; Gleðileg jól; Nollaig Shona; Nollaig Chridheil; Nadolig Llawen; Craciun Fericit; Sretan Boži; Vesel Boži; Veselé Vianoce; Krismas Mubarak; Happy Holidays.

%wnsydney
#music
#food_drink
#family_friendly
#markets
#festivals
#community
#nightlife
#holiday
#shopping_markets
#services
#random
#dance