Where to eat on Christmas Day in Canberra 2014

Posted on 9 December, 2014

The word on the street is that Canberra empties out for the Christmas break, but we’ve done our research and there are plenty of options on offer for those wishing to avoid the hassle of cooking and cleaning on the most festive of days. The good news? There are a lot of good options still available. The bad news, it’s not cheap.

We’ve made a list and checked it twice, here are our top picks for eating out on Christmas day.

Restaurants

There are a surprising amount of good options on the restaurant front, everything from Asian food to fine dining. With prices starting from just $60 a person, Canberra has everything you could feel like eating this Christmas day.

The Boathouse by the Lake

Offering views over the glistening waters of Lake Burley Griffin, it’s a beautiful setting matched with great food and attentive service. At $190 it’s one of the most expensive Christmas offerings and you have to factor in the cost of wine if you want to have a tipple on Christmas Day. What you do get though is seven courses that include cured duck breast with smoked egg yolk and kohlrabi, cowra lamb rack with pumpkin jam, and cucumber and chervil sorbet with yoghurt panna cotta.

Cuttlefish | rockmelon | Buche d’Affinois | almond from Boathouse on The Lake.

the essentials

Where: The Boathouse by the Lake
When: Christmas day lunch, 12 – 4pm
What: 7 courses, wine not included
How much: $190 per adult, $90 per child – food only
Book: via this link www.boathousebythelake.com.au

Podfood

A Canberra institution, Podfood has a reputation for delivering top quality food. This Christmas, they’re offering 6 courses plus snacks, and you can opt to have matching wines for $60 extra per head. You can expect a real summer menu – scallop and salmon ceviche, venison carpaccio, beetroot terrine, maple cured duck, slow cooked veal and their fine dining version of strawberries and cream.

the essentials

Where: Podfood at Pialligo Plant Farm
When: Christmas day lunch, from 12noon
What: 7 courses, wines extra
How much: $170 per adult, $230 with matching wines; $85 per child
Book: via phone on 02 6257 3388

Benchmark Wine Bar

If wine’s your thing, there’ll be no shortage of choice at Benchmark. You get a glass of champagne on arrival and five courses, but you’ll have to fork out for any extra wines you might choose to have. On the menu is gin cured ocean trout, spanner crab gazpacho and barbecue quail just to name a few.

the essentials

Where: Benchmark Wine Bar, Civic
When: Christmas day lunch, 12 – 3pm
What: 5 courses, with champagne on arrival
How much: $125 inc a glass of champagne
Book: via phone on (02) 6262 6522

Banana Leaf

It’s a bit of a mishmash menu, but if you’re hankering after sometraditional Sri Lankan dishes OR modern Australian cuisine food, Banana Leaf has you covered. It’s one of the cheapest options on the list too and you get four courses with a choice of main.

the essentials

Where: Banana Leaf, Civic
When: Christmas day lunch, from 11.30am
What: 4 courses
How much: $60 per adult, $45 per child under 12
Book: via phone on 02 6248 5522

Wild Duck Fine Asian Cuisine

If Chinese food is more your thing, Wild Duck is offering a banquet style menu that includes cold roast duck, lobster tail and wontons.

the essentials

Where: Wild Duck, Kingston
When: Christmas day lunch
What: 6 courses, banquet style plus dessert, tea and coffee
How much: $88 per person
Book: via phone on 02 6232 7997

Also worth checking out:-

If you feel like an early celebration, Courgette, which has one hat is open Christmas Eve for lunch and dinner and are serving food from their regular menu (but they’re closed Christmas Day). Other good bets are A. BAKER, and Peppered Prawn are doing a three course a’la carte lunch for $98 per adult, $60 for children aged twelve and under.

Hotels

With most hotel restaurants staying open, there are more options than you could poke a stick at (in a good way!) From one hatted Capitol Bar and Grill to the various buffets at the Hyatt, there’s lot of options depending how much you want to spend.

Monster Kitchen and Bar

If long lunch is your thing, Monster has you covered. The menu is in their style of shared plates, and they’re offering champagne to start. Expect modern, updated Christmas fare like goose, ham, gratin potatoes, glazed carrots – need I say more? Oh ok, there’s also Moreton bay bugs and pepper berry cured trout to share.

Spiced quince, PX, crème catalan from Monster Kitchen & Bar.

the essentials

Where: Monster at Hotel Hotel, New Acton
When: Christmas Day lunch, flexible start time
What: shared plates, with champagne to start
How much: $120 per person, $185 with matching Canberra wines
Book: via email at monster@hotel-hotel.com.au

Capitol Bar and Grill

It’s certainly not the cheapest option, but one-hatted Capitol offers champagne on arrival and house made limoncello alongside their already-extravagant Christmas menu. There’s truffled choux pastry balls, a seafood platter and a choice of main plus individual Christmas puddings.

the essentials

Where: Capitol Bar and Grill at QT Hotel, New Acton
When: Christmas lunch, from 12noon
What: 3 courses, with choice of main, includes a glass of Champagne and house made limoncello
How much: $175 per person
Book: via phone at 02 6247 1488

Konoba

Canapes on arrival, seafood platter and choice of beef or fish main are the order of the day at Konoba, plus you also get sorbet and traditional Christmas pudding.

the essentials

Where: Konoba at Hotel Realm
When: Christmas day lunch
What: 3 courses, with canapés on arrival and sorbet as pre-dessert
How much: $135 per adult, $60 per child under ten
Book: via phone on 02 6163 1818

Hotel Realm

Also at Hotel Realm, but buffet-style instead is a Christmas lunch that includes house beers, sparkling, white and red wine, or juice and soft drink. You’ll get all the fixings – a seafood selection that includes oysters, poached prawns, smoked salmon and gravlax, plus carving station that includes roast turkey, truffled glazed ham and roast beef sirloin. Plus, if you’ve got kids under 7 they’ll get a gift from Santa.

Is there anything better than seafood on Christmas Day?

the essentials

Where: Hotel Realm, Barton
When: Christmas day lunch
What: Buffet style lunch including drinks
How much: $135 per adult, $85 for children under 17, $35 for children under 7 (inc gift from Santa)
Book: via phone on (02) 6163 1800

Rydges Capital Hill

Traditional Christmas fare that includes seafood selection, roast meats and sides are what you’ll find ‘under the tree’ at Rydges Capital Hill. Drinks are included for adults and children under 12 can expect a visit from Santa and a Christmas gift.

the essentials

Where: Rydges Capital Hill, Forrest
When: Christmas Day Lunch, 12 – 3pm
What: Buffet style lunch, including drinks
How much: $165 per adult, $95 for children, children 7 and under eat free
Book: via phone on 02 6295 3144

Canberra Park Hyatt

Whether it’s Christmas breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, the Hyatt will cater to you. With by far the most dining options, it deserves a post all to itself. 

the essentials

Where: Canberra Park Hyatt
When: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
What: breakfast, lunch, tea or dinner
How much: breakfast from $68, lunch from $190 (includes two hour drinks package), dinner from $140 (includes two hour drinks package)
Book: via phone on 02 6269 8949 to book

Also worth checking out: –

The soon to be opened Chifley‘s Bar & Grill at Hotel Kurrajong is serving lunch Christmas day. It’s buffet style including cold seafood and carvery station plus drinks are included. $135 per adult, $75 per child, free for children under 4. Book via phone at 02 6234 4444.

 Clubs

If casual is what you’re after, local clubs offer a much cheaper alternative to Christmas eating out. Most clubs allow non-members for a small surcharge, but it’s worth calling to double check if they’ll let you in, in the spirit of Christmastime sharing.

Dickson Tradies

Tradies has all the Christmas bonbons, decorations and lollies you could want – plus they’re offering three courses including both contemporary and traditional dishes, along with a complimentary drink served on arrival. There’s Christmas bonbons, decorations and lollies.

Canapes from The Tradies.

the essentials

Where: Essence at Dickson Tradies
When: Christmas day lunch
What: 3 courses, inc complimentary drink on arrival
How much: $59 (members), $64 (non-members)
Book: via phone on 02 6162 5656

Woden Tradies

Pillars at The Woden Tradies is also doing three courses, with a complimentary drink on arrival.

the essentials

Where: Pillars at Woden Tradies
When: Christmas day lunch
What: 3 courses, inc complimentary drink on arrival
How much: $46 (members), $50.60 (non-members)
Book: via phone on 02 6285 1995

Also worth checking out: –

With outlets at Belconnen, Ginninderra and Weston Creek, the Labor Club are offering entrees and desserts buffet-style with your choice of plated up mains; Canberra Southern Cross Club is an option for those near Woden, Tuggeranong and Jamison, and has Christmas lunch menus starting at $69 (three courses with your choice of two roast meats including all the trimmings); and the Burns Club has a lot of buffet options – seafood, hot roasts with sides and dessert. $70 for adults, $50 for seniors and $35 for children under 12.

Merry Christmas everyone! May your day be filled with laughter, love and lots of food!