Where to eat on Christmas Day in Canberra

Posted on 4 December, 2015

Hosting Christmas for your family and friends this year but don’t want to deal with the stress of organising lunch?

Fear not! We’ve rounded up the best places to eat and drink on 25 December, organised by the type of experience you’re looking for and the company you’ll be bringing.

Happy Holidays!

A FAMILY AFFAIR 

For a grown up approach to Christmas lunch for families of all ages

Hyatt Hotel Canberra

120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla

What: Buffet breakfast with a glass of sparkling, morning tea buffet including a glass of sparkling, festive lunch buffet with a two hour drink package, carvery buffet lunch and a two hour drink package, five course meal lunch with a premium two hour drink package, and a festive dinner buffet including a two hour beverage package plus dessert buffet.

When: Breakfast 7 – 8.30am, morning tea buffet 10.30am – 12pm, festive lunch buffet 12 – 1.30pm, carvery lunch buffet from 12pm, and dinner from 6pm.

Cost: Breakfast $68 per adult and $34 for children aged 7 – 12, morning tea buffet $69 per adult and $34.50 for children aged 7 – 12, lunch buffet $218 per adult and $97 for children aged 7 – 12, carvery lunch buffet $199 per adult and $97 for children aged 7 – 12, five course lunch $230 per adult, and dinner buffet $150 per adult and $75 for children aged 7 – 12.

Book: 6269 8949

Pod Food

Beltana Road, Pialligo

What: Six course degustation

When: Lunch hours

Cost: $170 per adult and $60 per child

Book: Online

The Boat House by the Lake

Grevillea Park, Menindee Drive, Barton

What: Seven course lunch

When: 12pm arrival for a 12.30pm start

Cost: $190 per adult and $90 per child

Book: Online via their website

Hotel Realm

18 National Circuit, Barton

What: Buffet style lunch and dessert with live music, Santa giving out free presents to the kids and kids entertainment and buffet

When: 12 – 3pm

Cost: $150 per adult, $85 for children aged 11 – 17, and $45 for children aged 5 – 10

Book: 6163 1800

Redsalt Restaurant at Crowne Plaza

1 Binara Street, Canberra

What: Lunch, dessert, Baker’s Basket and a selection of house beverages

When: 12 – 3pm

Cost: $170 per adult, $90 per 13 – 17 year old, $50 per 6 – 12 year old

Book: 6247 8999

Banana Leaf

240 City Walk, Canberra Centre

What: Three course sit down lunch with vegetarian and vegan options available

When: 11.30am to 2.30pm

Cost: $72.50 per adult and $47 for children under 12

Book: 6248 5522

Yarralumla Yacht Club

Mariner Place, Yarralumla

What: Four fabulous courses plus beverage package, with picturesque water views and great festive atmosphere at the Yacht Club Restaurant, seafood buffet and beverage package in the Lakeside Marquee, and a five course lunch and beverage package whilst gliding across Lake Burley Griffin at M.V. Southern Cross

When: Four courses from 12pm, seafood buffet from 12pm, and five course lunch from 12pm.

Cost: Four courses $150 per adult and $60 for children under 12, seafood buffet $150 per adult, and five-course lunch $190 per adult.

Book: Details here

Pavilion on Northbourne

242 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson

What: Three course buffet lunch plus a three-hour beverage package

When: Lunch hours

Cost: $139 per adult, $60 per 13-17 year old, $40 per 6-12 year old

Book: functions@capitalhotelgroup.com.au or 1800 828 000

RYDGES CAPITAL HILL

17 Canberra Ave, Forrest

What: Gourmet seafood and traditional roast lunch buffet with three hours of Australian draught beer, bottled house red, white and sparkling wine, soft drinks and juices

When: 12 – 3pm

Cost: $165 per adult, $95 for teenagers aged 13 – 17, and $4 for children aged 3 – 12.

Book: 6295 3144

JUST THE TWO OF US

For those couples who want Christmas lunch to be all about the food (and wine)

Monster Kitchen and Bar

Hotel Hotel, New Acton

What: Shared plates and champagne

When: Flexible lunch hours

Cost: $150 per adult

Book: monster@hotel-hotel.com.au or 6287 6287

Wild Duck Fine Asian Cuisine

77-78/71 Giles Street, Kingston

What: Six courses

When: Flexible lunch hours

Cost: $98 per person

Book: 6232 7997

Chifley’s Bar and Grill

Hotel Kurrajong, 8 National Circuit, Barton

What: Smorgasbord lunch buffets of seafood and traditional favourites plus a visit from Santa

When: Lunch hours

Cost: $185 per person

Book: 6234 4444

Benchmark Wine Bar

65 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City

What: Five courses with champagne on arrival

When: 12 – 3pm

Cost: $125 per person

Book: 6262 6522

Marble and Grain

25 Mort Street, Braddon

What: Four-course lunch

When: Lunch hours

Cost: $100 per adult

Book: 6162 2909

Capitol Bar and Grill at QT Hotel

1/1 London Circuit, New Acton

What: Three course lunch

When: 12pm start

Cost: $175 per person

Book: 6247 1488

CHEAP, CHEERFUL AND KID FRIENDLY 

For those families with an ever expanding collection of grandchildren

George Harcourt Inn

3 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls

What: Three course sit down lunch with fresh seafood platters available

When: Lunch hours

Cost: $65 per adult and $35 for children under 10

Book: 0423 257 978

Essence at The Dickson Tradies

2 Badham Street, Dickson

What: Three-course à la carte lunch with a complimentary drink on arrival and free Christmas crackers and decorations

When: 12 – 2pm

Cost: $60 per adult and $30 per child

Book: 6162 5656

Pillars at The Woden Tradies

Corner Furzer and Launceston Streets, Woden

What: Cold and hot lunch buffet with a complimentary drink on arrival and free Christmas crackers and decorations

When: 12 – 2pm

Cost: $49 per adult and $30 per child

Book: 6285 1995

Canberra Labor Club Belconnen

Chandler Street, Belconnen

What: Entrées, traditional buffet and dessert

When: Lunch hours

Cost: $55 per adult and $25 per 5 – 12 year old

Book: 6251 5522

Canberra Labor Club Ginninderra

Corner Lhotsky Street and Charnwood Place, Charnwood

What: Cold and hot lunch buffet with salad and dessert plus a free glass of bubbly on arrival

When: Lunch hours

Cost: $57.50 per adult, $29.50 per 12 – 16 year old and $16.50 per child under 12

Book: 6258 8618

Canberra Labor Club Weston

Teesdale Close, Stirling

What: Cold and hot lunch buffet with salad and dessert plus a free glass of bubbly on arrival

When: Lunch hours

Cost: $57.50 per adult, $29.50 per 12 – 16 year old and $16.50 per child under 12

Book: 6288 5047

Canberra Southern Cross Club Jamison

Corner Catchpole and Bowman Streets, Macquarie

What: Full three-course lunch buffet plus a visit from Santa

When: Lunch hours

Cost: $75 per adult and $30 for children under 12

Book: In person at the club

Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong

Corner Pitman and Holwell Streets, Tuggeranong

What: Three course lunch with seafood buffet entrée plus a visit from Santa at Valley Grille and four festive courses at Peppercress.

When: Lunch hours

Cost: Three course lunch $75 for adults and $30 for children under 12, and four festive courses $90 per adult and $50 for children under 12

Book: In person at the club or online

Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden

92 – 96 Corinna Street, Woden

What: Three course lunch with seafood buffet entrée at Golden Grille and full buffet lunch including seafood and traditional fare plus beverage package at Corinna Ballroom.

When: Lunch hours

Cost: $115 per adult and $50 for children under 12

Book: In person at the club or online

Vikings Club Erindale

6 Ricardo Street, Wanniassa

What: Five-course set menu

When: 12pm onwards

Cost: $75 for members and $35 for children under 13

Book: 6121 2100

Vikings Club Lanyon

Heidelberg Street, Conder

What: Traditional Christmas dishes, soups with bread, seafood, carvery and dessert buffet

When: 12pm onwards

Cost: $68.90 for members and $26 for children under 13

Book: 6200 8400

Image of ‘Christmas place setting with ribbon and christmas decorations‘ via Shutterstock