A man and woman sitting at a table full of food with a Christmas tree in the background.
Christmas starts only in the city

Christmas eat and drink

Savour the city’s festive flavours with rooftop bars, laneways and menus made for merry moments.

Special offers on drinks and dining

Ilza

Enjoy your katsu sando with a strawberry matcha latte for $22. 1 Nov–24 Dec.

Special offer

Om Vegetarian

All-you-can-eat vegetarian thaali for $9.50, plus special Christmas desserts to buy. 15 Nov–31 Dec.

Special offer
Empty dining room of Miss Mi restaurant.

Miss Mi

Celebrate Christmas Eve with a luxe two-course meal and glass of sparkling on arrival for $99 pp.

Special offer
Two orange Aperol Spritz cocktails garnished with an orange slice, on a table alongside a pizza.

Vespa Caffè

Enjoy a special $16 Christmas spritz, made with Aperol, prosecco & cranberry. 12 Nov–24 Dec.

Special offer
A festive toasted sandwich of brie, cranberry sauce and fresh rocket, served on a white plate.

Lafayette Cafe

Enjoy a toasted sandwich with creamy brie, jam, cranberry sauce & rocket, $16. 12 Nov-24 Dec.

Special offer
A traditional Colombian spiced milk custard dusted with cinnamon served with deep-fried cheese fritters, on a plate.

Casa Latina

Enjoy two traditional cheese fritters with dulce de leche-flavoured natilla, $15. 12 Nov–24 Dec.

Special offer
Three cloth-covered pannettone breads, one in green, one in natural white and one in red.

Saluministi Docklands

Designed in Melbourne, fatto in Italia: classico, cioccolato and pandoro pannettone. $85 each.

Special offer
Small table with velvet blue club chairs in a hotel restaurant and lounge area.

Chronicle 502 Bar & Dining

For a limited time enjoy a special Christmas menu, valid 14 to 26 Dec.

Special offer
Three cloth-covered pannettone breads, one in green, one in natural white and one in red.

Saluministi Flinders Lane

Designed in Melbourne, fatto in Italia: classico, cioccolato and pandoro pannettone. $85 each.

Special offer
A decorative reindeer figure with large antlers set up inside a festive holiday event at the East Melbourne Library.

East Melbourne Library

Celebrate the festive season at a community BBQ (bring cash), plus fun activities. 5 Dec 11am-2pm.

Special offer
A festive variety of plated dishes, side bowls, and Christmas table crackers arranged on a dark tabletop.

Sunset House

Celebrate Christmas with skyline views and a festive menu, 15–26 Dec, from $75 pp.

Special offer
Three cloth-covered pannettone breads, one in green, one in natural white and one in red.

Saluministi Melbourne Quarter

Designed in Melbourne, fatto in Italia: classico, cioccolato and pandoro pannettone. $85 each.

Special offer

Ilza

Enjoy your festive katsu sando with a strawberry matcha latte for $22. 1 Nov–24 Dec.

Special offer

Christmas dining events

Cropped image of a Christmas tree with fairy lights and large red bows against a deep red background.

Christmas Lunch at Blackbird

Celebrate Christmas Day in true Blackbird style with a three-course festive banquet.

An array of Christmas-themed High Tea sweet and savoury treats on a white table alongside champagne glasses and two red-wrapped presents.
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FestiviTea

Enjoy three tiers of handcrafted sweet and savoury delights at this Christmas-themed High Tea.

A children's themed three-tiered platter of high tea treats, alongside a teddy bear, drinks and Christmas baubles.
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Le Petit FestiviTea

Little ones can join the festive celebrations with a high tea just for them.

The dining room of No35 restaurant with large windows looking down at the skyline of Melbourne

Christmas Eve Dining at No35

Celebrate Christmas Eve with exquisite dining and sweeping Melbourne views at No35 Restaurant.

Diners wearing Santa and party hats, seated at restaurant table.

Christmas Day Lunch at Hophaus

Enjoy a delicious festive luncheon by the Yarra River, with views overlooking the city of Melbourne.

Diners at Dolly European Restaurant and Bar, with backlit arched mirrors on the wall and a central column surrounded by tables.

Christmas Day Grand Luncheon at Dolly

A sumptuous Christmas buffet with seafood, holiday roasts, decadent desserts and free-flowing drinks

A fine dining steak and vegetable dish served with wine and water at a table in a restaurant.
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Christmas Dining at Eureka 89

Enjoy a festive Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meal with your loved ones at Eureka 89.

A Christmas buffet with yule log, small cakes, trifle cups and a sign saying NOEL.

Christmas Day Dining at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins

Celebrate Christmas Day with festive dining at No35, Sofi’s Lounge and the Grand Ballroom.

Patrons enjoying dinner at a crowded restaurant.

Christmas Day Lunch at Sassy Italian

Enjoy Christmas with an unforgettable Italian-inspired lunch featuring a live Italian band.

A festive high tea with a tiered stand, plates of treats and a gold teapot alongside gold teacups and two glasses of sparkling wine.
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High Tea on Little Lonsdale

T6 Pâtisserie has joined forces with Dorsett Melbourne for a beautifully presented festive high tea.

A fried chicken or poultry dish served on a bed of crispy straw or garnish, characteristic of fine-dining Japanese omakase courses.
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Christmas Dining Omakase at Warabi

Celebrate Christmas Eve or Christmas Day with a 14-course omakase dinner experience.

Three women sharing a table of food and laughing, a large red mural on the wall beside them

Christmas Lunch at Miss Mi Restaurant & Bar

A Christmas Day dining experience with Christmas cocktails and bon bons.

People toasting with raised champagne glasses over a formal lunch table with white linen, the Melbourne skyline in the background.
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Festive High Tea at No35

A festive take on traditional high tea, with Christmas pâtisserie and Parisian charm at No35.

Transport Bar exterior at Fed Square with multilevel dining.

Christmas Day Dining at Transport Public Bar

Celebrate with a festive roast, cocktails and live music at Fed Square.

Customers wearing party hats, dining at tables in an indoor venue.

Christmas Day Lunch at BangPop

Enjoy Christmas Day by the Yarra with Thai food, fun and festive cocktails.

Top down view of a festive afternoon tea setting complete with scones, cream, jam, and sparkling wine.

Festive Afternoon Tea

Enjoy a festive afternoon tea at the Pullman East Melbourne.

A festive table setting with lit candles, pine cones and holly in amongst the plates.

Christmas Day Dining at Alluvial

Celebrate the festive season with a buffet lunch or dinner at a luxury heritage hotel.

DJ at a turntable with a record playing.

Christmas Day Dining at Transit Rooftop Bar

Celebrate on the rooftop with seafood, festive cocktails, DJs and city views.

A festive dining table featuring a selection of seafood (such as seared scallops on half-shells) and small bites served on decorative platters with a Christmas bob-bon cracker on the table.

Christmas Eve Dinner at Blacksmith Bar & Grill

Spend Christmas Eve with a relaxed dinner set against sweeping views of Melbourne’s skyline.

A hotel buffet with a line of bain-marie with lids open against a deep red background.

Christmas Day Buffet Lunch at Stamford Plaza

A festive Christmas Day buffet lunch in Melbourne with seafood, Santa, gifts and family cheer.

The interior of JUNI restaurant, with tables all set for service and two chefs in the kitchen.

Christmas Day Lunch at JUNI

Celebrate Christmas Day at JUNI with a six-course long lunch.

Gold Christmas bauble suspended from the branch of a Christmas tree.

Christmas Day Lunch at Taxi Kitchen

Celebrate with a five-course festive lunch and cocktail on arrival.

Christmas decorations on a table and champagne being poured into a glass.

Christmas Day Lunch at Blacksmith Bar and Grill

A delicious premium buffet featuring all your favourite Christmas classics with city views.

Three champagne or sparkling wine bottles chilling in an antique-style metal ice bucket.

Christmas Day Lunch at Chancery Lane

Enjoy a European-inspired festive lunch at Chancery Lane.

The interior of the restaurant, From Here By Mike, with wooden tables and chairs and neutral decor.

Christmas Day Lunch at From Here By Mike

This Christmas, gather around the table for a festive lunch shaped by exceptional local producers.

A long table set for a a meal with wine glasses and plates, in a timber-lined and dark-curtained room in a restaurant.

Christmas Day Lunch at Ludlow

Spoil yourself this Christmas with a lovely festive lunch by the river.

A festive seafood buffet spread featuring fresh oysters, king prawns, and rock lobsters served on ice in galvanized tubs, accompanied by dipping sauces.

Christmas Day Buffet at Belasco

Celebrate Christmas Day at Belasco with a festive buffet made for gathering and indulging.

A festive dining setup featuring a Christmas dining experience on a table, with banquette seating.

Christmas Day Lunch at LCSK

Celebrate with family and friends for a festive four-course lunch at Little Collins St Kitchen.

Diners at Dolly European Restaurant and Bar, with backlit arched mirrors on the wall and a central column surrounded by tables.

Christmas Eve Dinner at Dolly

A Christmas Eve beneath Bourke Street where European dining, cocktails and live jazz come together.

A lavish, traditional Christmas feast spread out on a wooden table, featuring a large roasted centrepiece ham surrounded by festive dishes like fresh seafood, salads, desserts, and cherries.

Christmas Day Dining at Bossley

Celebrate Christmas with a festive feast featuring the finest Melbourne produce.

Christmas buffet with meat, seafood and cakes.

Christmas Day Lunch at Dock 37

Celebrate the magic of Christmas with an indulgent buffet luncheon.

The contemporary restaurant interior of Fico, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass windows that look out onto a lush, green park with mature trees, with tables set up for a dining service.

Christmas Day Lunch at Fico

Celebrate Christmas Day with a five-course Italian feast at Fico Carlton.

People dressed in 1920 attire at a table where a woman is reading from a sheet, all look shocked.

Christmas Capers: A Gatsby Murder Mystery

A killer is hiding among the guests at the Christmas party – will you find them first?

A Christmas buffet including seafood, ham and turkey plus a gingerbread house and a statue of a reindeer.

Christmas Day Lunch at Allegro

Celebrate the festive season with a special Christmas Day buffet lunch at Allegro Restaurant.

Large group of people sitting under the shade of a large tree in a park setting.

Melbourne Social Club Christmas Day Lunch

Join a relaxed festive picnic lunch in Queen Victoria Gardens and meet new people this Christmas.

Three people smiling for a photograph on the bow of a river cruise vessel with the Port of Melbourne in the background.
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Bonza Christmas Cruise

Celebrate with friends, family or colleagues with an incredible Christmas cruise on the water.

A curated spread of Christmas dishes displayed on a wooden table.

Christmas Day Dining at Langlands

Celebrate the festive season with Langlands' Naughty but Nice Christmas dining experience.

A dining table in a club laden with a Christmas feast including platters of roasted vegetables, ham, roast turkey, salads, and glasses of wine.

Christmas Day Dining at Elevate Club Lounge

Celebrate Christmas Day with a festive buffet above Melbourne.

People wearing party hats seated at tables inside a cruise boat cabin decorated with Santa boots and other Christmas decorations.

Christmas Day Lunch Cruise

Celebrate Christmas Day in comfort this year on a three-hour lunch cruise.

View of Melbourne from across the Yarra River

The Yarra Social Set: Christmas White Party

Part Christmas party, part summer soirée, inspired by iconic white parties around the world.

Christmas food and drink ideas

A restaurant with red bikes parked outside.

Your guide to Christmas Day dining in Melbourne

From fancy fine dining to casual eats, these spots are open on 25 December 2026.

A couple on a sunny city rooftop bar with a circular window cut out of a brick wall.

Melbourne's best rooftop bars

Schedule in a rooftop sesh at these sun-soaked rooftops.

An outdoor restaurant by the river with pizza and pasta dishes on the table.

The best family-friendly restaurants in Melbourne

Grab a bite at one of these kid-approved and pram-friendly spots.

A couple walking in a laneway.

What’s open on Christmas Day in Melbourne

What's open to do, see, eat and drink on Christmas Day in Melbourne.

A couple sitting in a bar at night

The best restaurants for group dining in Melbourne

Catch up with friends at these group-friendly local venues.

A couple dining on share plates and margaritas on a city rooftop bar with cacti.

The best dining pop-ups, specials and deals in Melbourne

Find unique dining experiences plus specials and deals.

A group of people are sitting on sun loungers and by the pool on a floating bar on a river. There is a palm tree in the background as well as the city skyline.

The best waterfront restaurants in Melbourne

Take in sparkling views at these beautiful city spots.

A corridor with an old bookshelf, colourful wall paper and a mannequin wearing a tuxedo.

Melbourne’s best bars behind hidden doors

Find these secret bars hiding in unlikely spaces across the city.

More Christmas guides

Make the most of the season

A neon light display of Santa's sleigh being pulled by kangaroos.

The ultimate guide to Melbourne's best Christmas lights and decorations

Where to see stunning Christmas trees, the best Christmas lights and more beautiful decorations.

People are enjoying a carnival with carnival games and a skyflyer ride in the background

The ultimate guide to Melbourne’s best Christmas events

Seek out Christmas movies, festive pop-ups, glittering decorations and more.

Santa sitting on a throne with two kids.

Best Santa photo spots in Melbourne

Skip the Westfield crowd and get unique Santa photos in Melbourne.

A glowing neon river show at night with Melbourne's city skyline in the background

The best free and cheap family activities

Find family-friendly fun and free events in Melbourne.

A group of friends picnicking at the Music Bowl.

Melbourne's best blockbuster events

The best major events on in Melbourne this year.

A family with kids at a Christmas event with a large glowing Christmas tree.

The best things to do with your family at Christmas

Rediscover the magic of Melbourne with free events, festive lights and more.

A busy market with lanterns in the city.

The ultimate guide to Melbourne's best Christmas markets

Explore Melbourne's iconic markets.

A Ferris wheel in the city at sunset with colourful reflections on the river.

Melbourne’s most Instagrammable experiences

You won't need filters at the city's most photogenic spots.

Christmas

Christmas starts only in the city
Start here
A man and woman dancing next to a woman dressed in a Santa outfit who is using a DJ deck.

Christmas things to do

The city’s wrapped and ready with magical moments, twinkling lights and festive fun.

A man and woman sitting at a table full of food with a Christmas tree in the background.

Christmas eat and drink

Savour the city’s festive flavours with rooftop bars, laneways and menus made for merry moments.

Two women holding several shopping bags while they walk through a shopping arcade decorated for Christmas.

Christmas shopping

Start ticking off your list in the city’s iconic laneways, arcades and malls.

Start here

Christmas Event Partners

Crown Fed Square Transport Accident Commission

Discover more

A modern restaurant with glam light fixtures and velvet booths.

The best deals in Melbourne this week

Find dining deals, ticketing offers, retail sales and more.

A girl on her father's shoulders in front of Christmas decorations.

Christmas in the city

See the city light up with dazzling displays, festive events and activities for the whole family.

Red fireworks over the city viewed from a floating bar with umbrellas and lanterns.

The best restaurants to book for New Year's Eve

Book a restaurant, find fireworks near you and plan the best New Year's Eve in Melbourne.

A couple walking past a restaurant

Melbourne's most iconic restaurants

Book in an unforgettable night out at some of Melbourne's best restaurants.