35+ Best Christmas Dinner Ideas in Melbourne (2024)

Whether you're separated from the usual family crew or simply weary after months of home-cooking and washing up, the restaurant Christmas dinner looks set to be more popular than ever this year. Though cooking and cleaning may be an unglamorous aspect of Christmas Day dinner, Melbourne may have the solution. Spanning across the city are plenty of places to have Christmas dinner, ranging from all you can eat smorgasbords to multi-course meals. Whether you're craving seafood, roasted meats, sweet desserts, or anything in-between, Melbourne holds plenty of restaurants open on Christmas Day to satisfy every member of the family.

Are you located in Melbourne, Victoria, planning a Christmas dinner idea? When you are planning for an occasion like this, you probably want everything just perfect. One of the best ways to make sure that it all turns out the way you dreamed it to select the place or restaurant yourself personally. This way, you can choose the ultimate location, the best entertainment and the most delicious food and craft your ideal Christmas dinner. 

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    Ultimate Christmas Dinner Ideas in Melbourne, Victoria

    Dinner At The Top of Brighton Savoy Hotel Melbourne 

    Brigthon Savoy Hotel ChristmasDinner Ideas Melbourne Lunch Date

    Visit their website at brightonsavoy.com.au

    Call (03) 9592 8233

    Christmas Day is about joining together with good friends, family and loved ones. Recommended by Domain Review as 'one of the best places for Christmas Dinner in Melbourne', share in traditional Christmas fare, sip a festive drink and celebrate in style with the Brighton Savoy.

    While our capacity will be limited due to current COVID-19 and government restrictions, we are delighted to be able to host bookings of 2 adults or more. Get your favourite friends and family members, together with bookings and details, opening very soon.

    Bookings Open in July 2021

    Seaview Room– Join us in the Seaview Room and enjoy spectacular views of Port Phillip Bay. Our elegantly decorated tables feature crisp white linens and elegant Christmas centrepieces.

    CHRISTMAS DINNER MENU

    ENTREE

    Seafood tasting plate prawn cocktail with a whole prawn garnish smoked salmon rosette on a blini with a horseradish cream virgin mary oysters.

    TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS DINNER

    Freshly carved roast breast of turkey & smoked ham served with roast potatoes, vegetables and cranberry sauce

    DESSERT

    Christmas plum pudding topped with hot brandy custard and a berry garnish

    FRUIT MINCE PIES, CHOCOLATE MINTS, TEA & COFFEE

    BEVERAGES INCLUDE

    • De Bortoli Willowglen Sem. Sauvignon Blanc
    • De Bortoli Willowglen Shiraz Cabernet
    • De Bortoli Willowglen Sparkling Brut
    • Carlton Draught and Cascade Premium Light
    • Soft Drinks and Iced water

    Brigthon Savoy Hotel Christmas Ideas Melbourne

    CHRISTMAS DINNER PRICING 

    • $TBC Adult Private table
    • $TBC Children 12 & Under
    • $TBC Children 4 & Under
    • $TBC High chair

    Book Christmas Dinner

    One of a Kind Experience Dinner at Melbourne Zoo 

    Melbourne Zoo Christmas Dinner Idea Melbourne

    zoo.org.au

    Call 1300 966 784

    The Melbourne Zoo is a popular dining option leading up to Christmas dinner, offering families a 3-course dinner to enjoy. You can enjoy dinner from the 7th to December 24 with prices starting at $25. 

    Enjoy a cup of coffee and something sweet from our patisserie kitchen in the morning or have dinner freshly cooked from a range of cuisines, including vegan and vegetarian options at the Lakeside Café. Or try our gourmet burger, franks and loaded fries at the Giraffe Lookout Café while watching giraffes on the observation deck or head over to Elephant Kiosk for rotisserie chicken and chips.

    Dinner at Sea Life Melbourne 

    Sea Life Christmas Dinner idea Melbourne

    visitsealife.com

    Call 1800 026 576

    Sea Life Melbourne's Christmas Day dinner includes a delicious feast alongside all-day entry into the aquarium. Families can look forward to a menu comprised of smoked salmon, duck breast, roast turkey, roast potatoes, mixed vegetables, pavlova, and heaps more, plus a menu specifically for kids under 12 years age. Head to the aquarium's website for potential announcements and updates regarding a Christmas dinner.

    Dine Under the Sea

    Melbourne's only underwater dining experience is back! The Private Dining packages include a self-guided tour of the aquarium, a three-course dinner, and a two-hour beverage package open to guests of all ages.

    Dinner at Hophaus German Bar And Grill

    Hophaus German Bar And Grill Christmas Dinner Ideas Melbourne

    hophaus.com.au

    Call (03) 9682 5900

    Dining at the Hophaus German Bar And Grill for Christmas dinner will deliver families with plenty of delicious cuisines to enjoy. The menu includes the famous glazed roasted turkey, as well as honey roasted ham. Potential announcements for a Christmas Day dinner may be found on the venue's website later this year.

    As far as Southbank restaurants go, Hophaus provides a truly unique experience. With an expansive art deco-inspired dining hall, fabulous terrace overlooking Melbourne, a glazed polychrome brick centrepiece bier bar and an open rotisserie-fired kitchen.

    From smalls, snacks & salads to generous helpings of house-smoked meats, wood-fired oven & rotisserie dishes along with delicious contemporary twists on classic Euro favourites. A speciality is our whole suckling pig, smoked and slow-roasted over the coal pit – perfect for group bookings and functions.

    Dinner At No. 35 Melbourne 

    No. 35 Christmas Dinner Idea Melbourne

    no35.com.au

    Call 03 9653 7744

    The No 35 Restaurant of the Sofitel Melbourne has offered an impressive dining experience throughout Christmas Day in the past. Kicking off the festivities is a breakfast buffet from 6:30 am for $45 per person. Otherwise, the Christmas Day dinner runs from 12:30 pm to 3 pm, serving a buffet with seafood, meats, and dessert, plus a visit from Santa.

    Spend Dinner at Le Bon Ton Melbourne 

    Le Bon Ton Christmas Dinner Idea Melbourne

    lebonton.com.au

    Call (03) 9427 2133

    Christmas dinner at Le Bon Ton brought plenty of traditional classics for families to sink their teeth into. The menu featured oysters, turkey breast, smoked ham, sweet potatoes, macaroni cheese, and a pumpkin pie to finish. For a potential announcement or update for Christmas dinner at Le Bon Ton, see its website.

    As you travel outside the city, you will notice that the phrase is shortened and simplified by the locals. The rules of the French language are discarded, and the accents changed. Away from the neon lights of Bourbon Street, "Le Bon temps rule" is a much more common phrase. It or one of its Cajun/Creole variations is a typical toast heard in the local roadside bars, oyster houses, crab shacks and BBQ joints of the Louisiana countryside. The ultimate simplification, which rolls perfectly off the tongue and still embodies the original's spirit, is only 3 words long – Le Bon Ton.

    Come Hungry, Leave Happy

    The kitchen showcases dishes and cooking techniques drawn from multiple American South regions, with inspiration from as far west as New Mexico and as far east as Alabama. All pit-smoked meats are smoked over ironbark & fruit woods for up to 12 hours and will melt in your mouth.

    Christmas Evenings at Grosvenor Hotel  

    Grosvenor Hotel Christmas Dinner Idea Melbourne

    grosvenorhotel.com.au

    Call 03) 9531 1542

    St. Kilda's Grosvenor Hotel is serving a delicious Christmas dinner, with a menu featuring fresh prawns, salad, roast duck, and a Christmas pudding to finish off the meal. Prices for the dinner start at $215 per person. 

    Walk-ins are welcome at all times, and we will always try our best to accommodate you. However, if you plan to join us for a meal, we suggest you take a few minutes to make a booking.

    Hot Pot Dinner at Panda Melbourne 

    Panda Hot Pot Christmas Dinner Idea Melbourne

    pandahotpot.com.au

    Call 03 9888 9899

    Step into Ancient China and an unforgettable hot pot experience complete with free nightly shows. Panda Hot Pot is Melbourne's BIGGEST premier premium hot pot experience, like none other! 

    Panda Hot Pot is Melbourne's most significant premium Sichuan hot pot restaurant. To enjoy a delicious meal, just add the finest ingredients to any of the dozen broths they have developed.

    Try Dinner Time at Henry Sugar Melbourne 

    Henry Sugar Christmas Dinner Idea Melbourne

    henrysugar.com.au

    Call (03) 9448 8196

    Henry Sugar's Christmas Eve Dinner offered families a variety of tasty dishes to sink their teeth into. Serving a 5-course menu, visitors could enjoy rainbow trout, turkey, pudding, creme brûlée, and more.  We have recently relaxed our booking policy, now offering bookings for a la carte dining and our chef's menu. Menus are seasonal and subject to change without notice.

    Please advise of dietary requirements at the time of booking.We always have plenty of tables reserved for walk-in drinkers or grazers, and we take bookings for full dinner only.

    The innovative drinks program at Henry Sugar is centred around sustainability and independence. The small producers we work with, across the wines we pour, and the spirits we mix carry these same values. We make whatever we can from scratch. 

    Dinner at the Conservatory in Crown Melbourne 

    Conservatory Crown Melbourne Christmas Dinner Idea Melbourne

    crownmelbourne.com.au

    03 9292 8888

    The Conservatory is known for offering a classy buffet experience in its elegant space. Still, it's switching it up for Christmas dinner and offering a set five-course menu with a glass of Piper Heidsieck Champagne per adult and live entertainment on offer. Expect the likes of blood orange and gin cured ocean trout with osetra caviar, Moreton Bay bugs, wild mushroom tortellini, turkey breast wrapped in serrano ham and a golden chocolate dessert that looks like a bauble filled with popping candies and nougatine honey parfait. 

    Conservatory is Crown's upmarket buffet restaurant. There's seafood, sushi, Indian, salads and mod Oz faves in at least three sittings per day, so you can choose your adventure for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

    Dinner at St Ali Melbourne 

    St Ali Christmas Dinner Idea Melbourne

    stali.com.au

    Call (03) 9132 8966

    Located in South Melbourne, St Ali is open from 7 am to 3 pm on Christmas Day, making it the perfect breakfast, lunch, and dinner option for Melbourne families. The menu includes plenty of flavours, with a little something for everyone to enjoy. Head over to the St Ali website for potential updates or announcements for their Christmas Day trading hours. 

    Dinner at Duke of Wellington Hotel Melbourne 

    Duke of Wellington Hotel Christmas dinner Idea Melbourne

    dukeofwellington.com.au

    Call 03 9810 0066

    Melbourne's oldest pub has you covered for all your after-work needs.

    The Duke of Wellington is clean and modern: a bit of a rarity for inner-city pubs. Comfortable green banquettes ring the minimalist public bar. The ceiling of exposed air-con ducting painted black gives it a chic industrial feel. This is the Melbourne Demons' official home, and there's a couple of big screens playing highlights from the week when a game's not on.

    Beers on tap stick to the standards, along with a cloudy and balanced James Squire cider. There's also a couple of solid options in the bottle, like Acme Pale Ale and Four Pines. The second level holds a wine bar and function area, and the top floor is now home to Manhattan lounge-style steakhouse, Dutchess. Even on a Monday, there's plenty of loosened ties enjoying a pint and a banter, proving the Duke's position as a CBD favourite.

    The Duke of Wellington is located a stone's throw away from Flinders Street Station so that you can roll after that you've stuffed yourself silly at dinner. There's the obligatory ham (with a bourbon and apricot glaze) and turkey (slow-cooked with a currant, fig and chestnut stuffing), plus cold cuts, prawns, oysters and Christmas pudding. Vegetarians can feel at home, too, with a separate menu subbing the ham for eggplant and the turkey for pumpkin. 

    Try Evenings at Eureka 89 

    eureke 89 christmas dinner ideas melbourne

    eureka89.com.au

    Call (03) 9693 8889

    For families on the hunt for a Christmas Day dinner with spectacular views, Eureka 89's dining experience is a popular choice. The 4-course meal includes caviar, prawns, turkey, and sticky date pudding. Prices for the experience are $260 for adults, $160 for teenagers, and $85 for children under 12 years of age.

    EUREKA 89 DINING ROOM

    In a city that thrives on food, wine & culture, there are few better places to experience the heart and soul of Melbourne than the Eureka 89 dining room. Towering 300 metres above sea level, enjoy breathtaking views of Melbourne whilst indulging in our chefs tasting menus curated by award-winning Executive Chef Renee Martillano.

    Renee's ever-changing chef's tasting menus adapt to seasons, working closely with local Victorian & Australian producers to deliver modern Australian menus committed to showcasing the best seasonal produce available.

    Christmas Dinner in Pure South Dining 

    Pure South Dining Christmas Dinner Idea Melbourne

    puresouth.com.au

    Call 03 9699 4600

    Pure South Dining has forged a reputation for offering a beautiful dining experience based on stunning produce from King Island, Flinders Island and Tasmania since 2004.

    Our elegant dining lives on in the Upstairs Dining Room, but we have 'opened the doors wider' by offering a more casual and unplanned dining experience at Pure South Kitchen on the River Level. The heart of our offer to you is still the stunning produce an informed, intelligent service. This is a modern Melbourne eatery that draws inspiration from Farmers, Fishermen and Artisan Producers.

    Whether you're looking for a more formal four-course dinner in its upstairs dining room or a casual three-course experience by the riverside, Pure South Dining in Southbank has you covered. Each offering is paired with premium beverages. You can choose from a list of mains that includes King Island grass-fed beef wellingtons served with asparagus, shallot and sauce Bordelaise pan-roasted Huon salmon with smoked potato, peas and preserved lemon. 

    Celebrate the Apple Isle with this Tasmanian restaurant in Southbank

    Pure South focuses on Tasmanian, including King Island Beef, St Helens oysters, Bass Strait scallops, seafood and quality dairy products. The venue is both a restaurant and an event space, and there are private and semi-private dining spaces for parties and events.

    Arbory Afloat Melbourne Christmas Lunch 

    Arbory Afloat Christmas Dinner Idea Melbourne

    arboryafloat.com.au

    Call 03 9614 0023

    Arbory Afloat is teaming up with Four Pillars Gin to bring you a floating Christmas party like no other. With sittings from 11:30 am to 9pm on Christmas Day, Arbory Afloat is dishing up the ultimate four-course Beach House feast with matched Four Pillars cocktails and flowing beer, cider, wine and Champagne. The daybeds and cabanas will also be available to book with packages available for four to ten guests. Join in for a three hour sitting from 11:30 am onwards. 

     

    Ways To Enjoy Christmas In Melbourne

    Crown's Atrium Spectacular

    For a quick burst of Christmas cheer, head to Southgate and the Atrium at Crown to see the Christmas Spectacular lighting and music display. Featuring animatronics, dancing fountains, and a well-utilised crystal-filled ceiling, the show plays out every half hour from 10 am to midnight. The family-friendly Christmas Spectacular has been running for over 10 years, and this year's display can be seen until January 3 2016. The Atrium can be found just inside the entrance closest to Queensbridge Street.

    The Art of Christmas at Melbourne Central

    The Melbourne Central Shopping Centre is extending shopping hours and putting on events to celebrate the time of year. Workshops include Christmas present wrapping tutorials, iced tea classes, cupcake decoration and Kit Kat creation. But you don't have to go shopping to enjoy the festivities. The iconic central cone and the shot tower will be lit up in a winter-themed lighting show from 8 pm to 10 pm until December 23. There's also the opportunity to create awkward Christmas photos with family and friends- terrible sweaters and ironic props are supplied.

    Christmas Carols

    Carols always complete the holiday season. Fortunately, there are many different ways to hear them sung live around the city. The Australian Girls' Choir will be performing carols with special guests at Christmas Square on December 18 and wander around Collins Street singing carols from December 21 to 23. Meanwhile, the Salvation Army carollers will take to the Southgate stage every Saturday in December to sing festive songs.

    Christmas Lights

    Many of Melbourne's iconic buildings will light up in all their Christmas finery in December, including the State Library, the Melbourne Star, the Arts Centre, the MCG and the Royal Exhibition Building. The most impressive may be the Melbourne Town Hall, which will display its Christmas Projections, set to The 12 Days of Christmas, every night from 9 pm to 10:30 pm until Christmas is over. The animated lighting, made especially for the building, is a fantastic thing to see.

    The Myer Windows

    The Myer department store has been celebrating Christmas with window displays for 60 years. It's become a Melbourne tradition to line up in Bourke St Mall and watch Christmas stories and fairy tales come to life with animated puppets and moving scenes. This year, the windows adapt an Australian children's book, Little Dog and the Christmas Wish. The story follows a small dog lost on the streets of 1950s Melbourne, a setting covered in incredible detail by the artisans who have spent the entire year working to bring the story to life.

    The Gingerbread Village

    For the fifth year in a row, chefs from Epicure have created a little village made of gingerbread, full of Melbourne icons and references and with some sneaky sugared surprises. This year it features an edible Melbourne Grand Prix. It's open at the Melbourne Town Hall from December 1 to December 24. Entry is a gold coin donation, which goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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