Second only to receiving a special gift from a loved one is sitting down to enjoy a delicious lunch together. Spending time with family — whether biological or chosen — is undoubtedly the best part of Christmas, but the day can really take it out of you, as any host can attest to.
Maybe you’ve taken one for the team over the years and have opted to host the big Christmas lunch. You’d know all too well that the magic of the holidays really starts to wear off when you’re left to clean a pile of dishes in the mid-afternoon when all you really want to do is lie on the couch with everyone else or even head to the beach for a swim.
That’s why, in more recent years, we’ve come to prefer doing lunch out. Yes, it’s perhaps a little more to pay, but ultimately, being able to sit back, relax, and feast on incredible produce while never having to lift a finger is infinitely better than cooking, and is thus a priceless trade-off.
Here, we’re revealing the 10 best restaurants to enjoy a delicious Christmas lunch in Sydney in 2020.
1. Quay
Sydney’s stunning waterfront restaurant, Quay by Peter Gilmore, is hosting a luxurious Christmas Day feast in 2020. “Guests will enjoy a festive cocktail and canapés on arrival, followed by an elegant five-course menu by Executive Chef Peter Gilmore,” the Quay site reads. For the standard menu, adults can expect to pay $450 per head. The Quay wine pairing is available for an additional $205pp, while the sommelier pairing can be added on for an additional $295pp. Book Christmas lunch at Quay here.
2. Manta
Lovers of fresh seafood simply cannot go past Manta at Woolloomooloo. Complemented by stunning water views, diners will enjoy a sumptuous four-course menu, plus a glass of Champagne on arrival. Over the course of the sitting, you’ll enjoy choosing from delights like Port Stephens king prawns, lobster cocktail sliders, Sydney Rock oysters with Oscietra caviar, scampi, chargrilled grass-fed eye fillet, green asparagus and truffle risotto, and heaps of desserts. Without additional alcohol, the feed costs $325pp, and $120pp for children. Book Christmas lunch at Manta here.
3. Terrace on the Domain
Positioned in a leafy clearing with stunning park and city views, Terrace on the Domain is back again this year with an affordable and decadent Christmas lunch. On Christmas Day, the restaurant will host two lunch sittings, serving up a four-course shared feast with a glass of prosecco on arrival. Italian flavours are highlighted by local ingredients to bring a menu that includes cured meats and antipasto, rich pastas, roasted meats and fish, and delicious desserts including a Panettone tiramisu. Adults pay $150pp while kids come in cheaper at $55pp. Book Christmas lunch at Terrace now.
4. Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel is hosting Christmas lunch in 2020 with two menu options at varying price points, depending on whether you sit in the high-end dining spaces or casual beach club. The $299pp menu serves a three-course shared feast of buffalo mozzarella Caprese, chilled seafood, baked snapper, porchetta, sides, and eggnog and chocolate ice cream sandwiches to finish off. The $199pp menu is yet to be announced, but you can expect it to be just as yummy. Both menus come with four hours of beverages, so it’s a pretty sweet deal. Book Christmas lunch at Watsons Bay now.
5. Botanic House
Nestled in the lush surrounds of the Botanic Gardens, the menu at Botanic House, curated by Chef Luke Nguyen, boasts a modern Asian palette with native Australian ingredients. Following a drink on arrival, diners will enjoy a four-course shared feast that includes assorted dumplings, seared scallops, chicken skewers, king prawns, roast duck and braised Wagyu beef brisket. A vegetarian menu is also available on request. For adults, the menu is great value at $160pp, while kids pay $55pp. Book Christmas lunch at Botanic House here.
6. Otto
Otto wants you to take a load off this Christmas and enjoy a feast of seafood and fresh produce on the water at Woolloomooloo. You’ll toast to the holidays with a glass of Champagne on arrival before a four-course menu is presented before you. Choose from menu items like seared scallops, pepper-crusted kingfish, zucchini flowers, lobster linguine, blue swimmer crab spaghetti, wood-fired scampi, eye fillet, and much more. The menu is $395pp for adults and $120pp for kids. You can add beverages for four-hours from $90 to $140pp too. Book Christmas lunch at Otto here.
7. InterContinental Double Bay
Eastern Sydney dwellers will love the lush Christmas Day offering at the InterContinental Double Bay. Seated in the Stillery Dining room or Ballroom, the Christmas buffet serves an unlimited menu of grazing antipasto, salads, roast meats, sides, desserts, and of course, seafood. We’re talking prawns, calamari, oysters, crabs, mussels and baby octopus. For those with kids, the visit from Santa Claus is sure to put a smile on their faces. It’s $230pp without alcohol, $315pp with the beverage package, and $115pp for kids under 12. Book Christmas lunch at the InterContinental Double Bay.
8. Fratelli Fresh
This Christmas, the chefs at Fratelli Fresh are serving up a four-course share-style lunch menu at the Crows Nest, Darling Harbour, Entertainment Quarter and Manly restaurants for $89pp and $29pp for children. You’ll get limoncello on arrival, plus an antipasti board, prawn bucket, glazed leg ham, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, plus a bunch of sides. If you’re thirsty, you can even add the two-hour drinks package that includes Aperol spritz, espresso martini, house wine, prosecco and craft beers for $39pp. Book Christmas lunch at Fratelli Fresh here.
9. O Bar and Dining
View Sydney in all its glory as you revolve slowly in the restaurant high atop the CBD. O Bar and Dining puts on a memorable Christmas lunch every year, and it’s back in 2020, better than ever. Treat yourself to a five-course lunch or dinner with dishes like scallop tartare, ocean trout ceviche, roast turkey, and sides, plus coconut and sour cherry pavlova. Yum. For adults, it’s $225pp and for kids, it’s $100pp. Book Christmas lunch or dinner at O Bar and Dining here.
10. Sir Stamford Hotel
The Sir Stamford Hotel in Circular Quay is back with it’s lavish Christmas spread. The buffet lunch leaves no oyster unshucked, plus there’s crab, king prawns, mussels, smoked salmon, tuna poke, fish ceviche and sushi. There’s also a salad bar, antipasto station, hot buffet, carvery with roast meats and literally 13 desserts. In addition to all that, there’s live entertainment and a visit and gift from Santa for the kids. Adults will pay $249pp, which includes a two-hour beverage package. Kids aged 6-12 cost $145pp, while kids under five eat free. Book Christmas lunch at the Sir Stamford Hotel now.
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