Sydney has to be one of the best cities in the world to celebrate Christmas. Whether you’re a local or visiting for the holiday season, you can enjoy the celebrations throughout the whole of December. The entire town lights up with illuminations, decorations, trees, gifts, carol singers and more, creating opportunities for making special memories. Some of the best restaurants in Sydney open their doors on December 25th to offer a spectacular Christmas lunch. For family get-togethers, grand reunions with overflowing buffets, intimate meals with a special someone or a fun-filled day to spend with a group, the best restaurants for Christmas lunch in Sydney promise some memorable times.
Christmas Day lunch buffets are the perfect way to indulge in everything your heart desires on this holiday – you can find some of the best Christmas Day buffet lunches in North Sydney and Roselands, with venues serving classic and modern Australian. For Christmas dinner with a difference, there’s a stellar Japanese joint in Darling Quarter offering a four-course set menu for lunch or dinner on December 25th. Or head on over to Maroubra and celebrate Christmas with a beachside party and aperitivo hour at a waterfront hotspot.
Book your seat at one of the best restaurants for Christmas lunch in Sydney on OpenTable today.
The best restaurants for Christmas lunch in Sydney – read on for a celebration
For a fancy four-course festive degustation menu – treat yourself to Glass Brasserie in Sydney CBD
Overlooking the historic Queen Victoria Building in Sydney is Glass Brasserie – lofty, elegant, and with panoramic views over the cityscape to complement your dining experience. From the stable of chef and critically acclaimed restaurateur Luke Mangan, this Sydney gem brings you a brasserie menu designed to take you on a journey through Australian fine dining with a hint of French and Asian culinary influences. For a Sydney Christmas lunch, you can expect all the stops to be pulled out. The menu begins with a seafood platter and charcuterie and mezze platter for the table, featuring caviar, Sydney rock oysters, cured meats, olives and much more. Each guest can then choose from four main courses, including red snapper with beurre blanc and honey glazed ham with duck fat potatoes, with truffle mash and garlic whipped potatoes on the side. The dessert platter includes a Christmas green apple and gingerbread trifle, while the 3,500-strong wine collection means you can try something new with every course.
For a transportive Japanese dining experience for Christmas lunch in Sydney – head to Ichoume in Darling Quarter
Ichoume specialises in Japanese cuisine with French influences. Sushi and other Japanese delicacies have long been recognised the world over as artistry on a plate, and this is what you can expect when you dine at this Sydney gem. Add to this the exquisite sake and shochu menu curated by sommelier Chiaki Komura, and the ultimate dining experience is, quite literally, served to you on a plate. For Christmas lunch in Sydney with a difference, you can enjoy a four-course set menu crafted by experts. Start with sharing platters of Tasmanian Pacific oysters, Australian wagyu beef carpaccio and Hokkaido grilled scallops, before indulging in some signature tempura. Choose your main from four carefully designed options, including grilled Australian lobster and Wagyu beef ramp cap steak, before finishing with a Japanese coffee jelly.
For a celebratory Christmas lunch in Sydney – book your seat at Mode Kitchen & Bar in The Rocks
Celebrate the festive season with the family at Mode Kitchen & Bar with a buffet menu that contains something for everyone. In 2025, Mode is offering unforgettable festive buffet selections for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day lunch and dinner, Boxing Day dinner and New Year’s Eve. Add optional beverage packages including red, white and sparkling wines, beers on tap and soft drinks to complete your evening. The semi-buffet style menus will change depending on your chosen celebration. The Christmas Day buffet lunch in Sydney includes a selection of breads, cheese and charcuterie, salads and vegetables, seafood small plates and a pasta station. Add to this a choice of hot mains, including wood roasted New Zealand red snapper in sambal sauce, Christmas turkey with cranberry sauce, and traditional Christmas ham with a maple and orange glaze, then pop back to choose from over 20 Christmas-themed desserts.
For an expansive Christmas Day buffet lunch in Sydney – reserve your spot at LB’s Restaurant in North Sydney
Enjoy a chef-prepared buffet lunch with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine at LB’s Restaurant on the ground floor of View Sydney. LB’s showcases dishes inspired by French and Mediterranean flavours, with a wine list curated from a carefully chosen selection of both local and international winemakers. The Sydney Christmas lunch buffet is served from 12:30 pm until 3 pm on the 25th of December, with a special price for any children under 12 in the party. Sample dishes include turkey roulade with cranberry and apple seasoning, baked Berkshire ham leg with mustard jus and a rack of lamb with herbs de Provence, all carved by the chef for you. Or pay a visit to the seafood station and try rock oysters or ocean king prawns in bloody Mary sauce, add a salad or antipasti platter, and finish with international cheeses, croquembouche or traditional Yule log or Christmas pudding.
For a Christmas lunch with a view in Sydney – book your seat at OTTO Sydney in Woolloomooloo
Italian fine dining on the waterfront, OTTO Sydney has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most respected culinary venues in Sydney. Modern Italian cuisine with old-world hospitality, al fresco dining and waterside views. This Christmas, you can experience the OTTO charm that has been keeping locals coming back for more than 17 years with special Christmas lunch Sydney 2024 packages. Opt for a four-course choice menu in the main dining room or a three-course sharing menu in the upper level, or book the semi-private Wool Lift for an exclusive experience for 10-14 guests. Start with a complimentary glass of champagne and amuse bouche – chef’s kiss – from the kitchen. Following this, sample dishes include pink snapper fillet in mussel sauce and dry-aged Wollemi duck breast with cherry jus from the choice menu, and prawns with espelette pepper mayonnaise and Grainge angus beef carpaccio with truffle dressing from the sharing menu.
For a Christmas lunch or festive afternoon tea in Sydney – book a table at The Langham Sydney in Sydney CBD
Share the festive cheer at The Langham Sydney for Christmas lunch on the day, or a festive afternoon tea any afternoon from November 28th to December 29th. Indulge in carefully prepared seasonal dishes for your Sydney Christmas lunch, with four courses plus wine. Start with an iced seafood platter featuring rock oysters, kingfish sashimi and Queensland tiger prawns, or a charcuterie board, followed by free-range turkey breast and red snapper fillet with seasonal greens and a local tomato salad. Double-smoked glazed ham, lamb shoulder with confit garlic, and heirloom potatoes follow, with five festive desserts to choose from for the finale. The festive afternoon tea at The Langham includes tea, coffee, sparkling wine or champagne, alongside a tiered platter of festive delights. Bring your friends, family or colleagues and get into the spirit of the season with a selection of savoury and sweet snacks and treats.
For a family-friendly Christmas culinary experience – pull up a chair at Bathers’ Bistro in Mosman
Panoramic views every day of the year, and now a festive Christmas breakfast and lunch menu await at Bathers’ Bistro. Overlooking the promenade at Balmoral Beach, this scenic hotspot is bright, bold and always buzzing. A mixture of cane chairs and booth seating with pops of colour make the space warm and inviting, with a quirky, eclectic vibe. Head chef Perry Hill is on hand to bring you the flavours of the day, with dishes crafted from the best seasonal ingredients. The Christmas experience at Bathers’ Bistro can include breakfast, brunch or lunch – start the day with blueberry pancakes with poached peach and maple, or eggs Benedict with smoked salmon or leg ham. For your Sydney Christmas lunch, options include grilled scallops with pancetta and pangrattato to start, followed by roast turkey with all the trimmings, or perhaps a glazed ham with spiced cherries or rock lobster with stuffed zucchini.
For a festive Thai banquet for Christmas with a difference – book your seats at Betel Leaf @ Bathers’ in Mosman
Betel Leaf @ Bathers’ delivers fresh, vibrant Thai food with modern twists on classic dishes. Under the leadership of head chef Air Jantrakool, the team brings you a festive menu with a difference. Indulge in a Thai banquet for anything from end-of-year corporate lunches to Christmas breakfast with the family. Located on the first floor of Bathers’ Pavilion, with outdoor terrace seating inspired by grand European hotel resorts. Asian delights on the lunch banquet menu include smoked trout on betel leaf with a caramelised peanut dressing, tender beef cheek massaman curry with sweet potato and Thai basil, and Asian greens in a garlic and oyster sauce. To finish, a light and refreshing mango and lime parfait with candied cashews and rice milk sorbet. Add an Asian-inspired cocktail to round it all off – the kaffir lime margarita with tequila, Cointreau and agave is a must-try.
For one of the best restaurants for Christmas lunch in Sydney for steaks and views – visit Elements Bar and Grill Pyrmont in Pyrmont
Steak is the house specialty at Elements Bar and Grill Pyrmont – seared and sizzled to satisfy the senses. Quality ingredients, cooked to perfection, are the Elements mantra, and the team live up to this ambition well. Only the choicest cuts make the menu, and on Christmas Day you can sample wagyu MB9, eye fillet and wagyu tomahawk MB9 cuts, cooked exactly as you like them. The menu also features an array of juicy, fresh sustainable seafood, and multiple exciting vegetarian options. The Pyrmont venue has waterfront views stretching across the harbour, a delight for the eyes while you dine. The vibe is homey and cosy, with a stunning outdoor terrace perfect for the December weather. The friendliness and attention to detail of all the staff ensures each visit is one you will enjoy and remember.
For festive lunches and group bookings at a friendly neighbourhood bar – choose The Waratah in Darlinghurst
Loved by locals, The Waratah is a warm and welcoming neighbourhood bar with a focus on serving artistic cocktails and great small plates. Celebrating all that makes Australia great, the menu revolves around ingredients sourced from small, local suppliers and independent producers, showcasing the diverse landscape of the region. Think Australian Bay lobster rolls with Ziggy’s hot sauce, Kinross Station lamb rump with pumpkin and wattleseed, and strawberry gum romesco with cauliflower and hazelnut. Finish with a 30-year-old Dudognon cognac or a dish of seasonal sorbet and gelato. The festive season is a time for coming together, and The Waratah is the perfect hotspot for group bookings. Celebrate the season with a Sydney Christmas lunch with friends and family, or book an end-of-year work event for lunch or dinner.
For a beachside Christmas celebration Italian-style – take a seat at barmilano in Maroubra
Celebrate Christmas on the beach at barmilano, with an Italian feast fit for kings and queens. This oceanfront festive experience can be booked for $145 per adult and just $45 per child, with a carefully curated set menu comprised of seasonal favourites. Try crumbed pork cutlet with pickled fennel and sage, spaghetti with prawns in a shellfish bisque, butterbeans with artichoke and dragoncello and more, all served right on the waterfront on Christmas Day. Festive party bookings are also available throughout the lead-up to the big day – reserve the entire venue and enjoy live DJs, musicians and top-tier entertainers. Dine on the covered terrace and soak up the warmth of the day while celebrating the festivities in style. This unique Sydney Christmas lunch dining experience focuses on Northern Italian flavours with a beachside vibe. Pop in Wednesday to Saturday from 3 pm until 6 pm for aperitivo hour and start the party early.
For one of the best restaurants for Christmas lunch in Sydney for families – try Mazi-Lantern Club in Roselands
Infusing Mediterranean ingredients and techniques into modern Australian dining, Mazi-Lantern Club is a unique experience that will keep you coming back for more. Luckily, with the Christmas Day buffet, you can come back for more as many times as you like. With sittings from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm and then 2 pm until 4 pm, you have two hours to fill your boots. Start with a selection of fresh breads, charcuterie and seafood and a variety of salads. For the mains, choose from dishes such as glazed leg ham with honey and maple, poached salmon with lemon and herbs, lamb shoulder with jus and mint sauce, and roast turkey breast with all the trimmings. Or don’t choose – try the lot. The Christmas Day buffer must be booked in advance, no walk-ins, and has a special price for members of the Lantern Club. Over 50 wine choices can be paired with your meal.
Sydney is in full-on Christmas mode throughout the whole of December. Everywhere you go you can expect lights, carols, decorations and plenty of festive cheer. Make your festive season truly special, the best restaurants for Christmas lunch in Sydney await.
Book at the best restaurants for Christmas lunch in Sydney on OpenTable and celebrate the festive season in style.
These guides look at the best restaurants in Sydney for any occasion or time of year, whether it’s Christmas, a birthday or just a great night out:
- The best rooftop bars and restaurants in Sydney for breathtaking views and great times
- The 10 best restaurants in Sydney to visit right now
- The 10 best cocktail bars in Sydney for your next night out
- 12 Sydney restaurants serving exceptional brunches
- The 10 best family restaurants in Sydney for kids and adults alike
- 6 unique restaurants and bars reshaping Sydney’s dining scene
