While, for many, the festive season is usually packed to the rafters with fun traditions and celebrations, these don’t come without their fair share of work and effort. The trade-off is usually worth it, of course, but what if you could enjoy a sit-down meal on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day where the feast is piled high, the drinks are flowing — and you don’t have to lift a finger?
Some of Auckland’s best eateries have us all sorted in this regard, with their festive menu offerings. Should you wish to let the experts take care of the big day itself, there are excellent options available for you. Otherwise, we suggest making like the Europeans and booking in for one of the Christmas Eve extravaganzas, further stretching out the festivities. ‘Tis the season, after all.
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Onemata
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
The luxury waterfront hotel has a comprehensive Christmas offering this year that will ensure you don’t have to worry either the night before or the day of. At Park Hyatt’s flagship restaurant Onemata, enjoy a three-course Christmas Eve dinner from 5.30pm on the 24th. At $170 per person, choose from delectable dishes like a starter of crayfish salad or lamb prosciutto grissini, for mains, there’s duck leg with orange sauce or Chatham Island blue cod with sides of Christmas ham mac ‘n’ cheese and strawberry salad — followed by dessert, of course.
Christmas Day itself sees a four-course lunch served from 11.30am, and dinner from 6pm. The lunch is $290 per person for a four-course menu and dinner is $220 per person for a four-course menu, with each including a glass of champagne. Both have similarly delectable dishes to the Christmas Eve dinner, yet with slightly more to choose from.
Book at Onemata here
Living Room
Open for: Christmas Day
The hotel’s relaxed yet elegant Living Room restaurant has a Christmas Day extravaganza on offer too — at $240 per person for five courses and a glass of champagne. Dive into the likes of smoked kahawai with crispy brioche, crayfish and oysters, followed by a choice of snapper or lamb rump, and dessert.
Book at Living Room here
Andiamo
Open for: Christmas Eve
Sneak in a final catch-up with friends before the festivities well and truly begin at Andiamo’s Otto Hour, where, between 4-5pm, you’ll find an elevated selection of libations priced at a modest $8 each. If you fancy staying for dinner, the beloved Herne Bay haunt is offering its usual Italiano fare all day long, so park up at a coveted street-side table, order a selection of sharing plates and a spritz, and while away a few hours in the late afternoon sun. Divine.
Book at Andiamo here
Masu
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
This inner-city Japanese gem is open on the 25th, and has quite a spread available as part of its five-course festive set menu. For $195 per person, enjoy a whole host of Masu’s moreish Robata dishes, from Wagyu beef tataki to dry-aged sancho salt duck breast, to pacific oysters with yuzu granita — and much, much more.
Book at Masu here
Advieh
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Opening its doors on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and serving a delightful festive feast featuring the likes of wagyu beef wellington, rolled turkey ,and a decadent Christmas trifle, Advieh is a perfect spot to dine with the family. For $229 per adult, and $115 per child come lunch, and $249 and $125 respectively come dinner (both of which are complete with bubbles for the over-18s), you’ll be met with a multi-course, share-style meal that the whole family will enjoy wholeheartedly.
Book at Advieh here
Jervois Steak House
Open for: Christmas Eve
For the most carnivorous amongst us, paradise is always found at Jervois Steakhouse, and this Christmas Eve the beloved Herne Bay institution is open for business with plenty to inspire indulgence. Whether you’re looking for a casual pre-festive feast or a more convivial get-together, JSH has it all. Just make sure to book early — as we’re sure, come Christmas Eve, this beloved eatery will be packed to the rafters.
Book at Jervois Steak House here
Kingi
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Head to Kingi for Christmas lunch, and you’ll be able to indulge in some exquisite fare, from swordfish with bisque butter to Christmas trifle with Central Otago berries. Beloved antipasti and raw bar dishes like oysters also make a delectable appearance. It’s $185 per person for a four-course family-style sharing menu. And, should you wish to be able to simply toddle to your bed, seeing as Kingi is in the same building as The Hotel Britomart, why not enquire about staying overnight?
Book at Kingi here
Esther
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Embrace a Mediterranean vibe for your Christmas meal with restaurant Esther’s Feasting Menu at QT Auckland. Available at both lunch and dinner, the set menu is $199 per adult and $90 per child (12 and under). Enjoy Esther’s delectable renditions of the classics, from Harmony Farm porchetta with apple sauce, to more indulgent dishes such as Alaskan King Carb risotto with salmon caviar, and baked saganaki with honey.
Book at Esther here
Soul Bar & Bistro
Open for: Christmas Eve
Although Soul’s staff are having a well-deserved break on the 25th, book in for lunch or dinner on the 24th and you’ll be able to enjoy the Viaduct Harbour treasure’s famous hospitality and delightful fare. Get ready for a classically Soul-ified buzzing vibe, just the thing to ease into a relaxing Christmas day.
Book at Soul here
Orbit 360° Dining
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
If you fancy taking your Christmas meal to soaring new heights, look no further than Orbit 360° Dining. Putting on a four-course special menu for the festive period, the jewel in the Sky Tower’s crown will be sure to make a luxurious affair of the proceedings. For $195 per person, indulge in the likes beef wellington, pork & pistachio terrine, heirloom tomato carpaccio, and more.
Book at Orbit 360° Dining here
Non Solo Pizza
Open for: Christmas Eve
Parnell’s Non Solo Pizza has all you need to celebrate Christmas Eve in the most delicious way possible with a leisurely long lunch. Kick off the festivities nice and early, securing a lunchtime table, and settle into a tasty feast of delectable Italian fare (which can always be guaranteed when dining at NSP) — and a drink or two to set the festive tone.
Book at Non Solo Pizza here
Metita
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
If it’s an entirely unique Christmas feast you seek, look to the refined Pacific flavours of Michael Meredith’s Metita. The SkyCity favourite is offering an exceptional four-course sharing menu this Christmas, with all the makings of a festive meal to remember. For $195 per person, you’ll be served a glass of champagne alongside a considered selection of Meredith’s experimental Samoan fare. Guests can expect the likes of fried pork belly with spiced caramel and shiso leaf, kingfish with tamarind, mandarin, and tomato jelly, and slow braised lamb shanks with spiced coconut gravy, rounded off with the exceptional passionfruit sasalapa dessert that has quickly earned cult status.
Book at Metita here
Huami
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
For an entirely satisfying Christmas lunch, Huami delivers on all fronts and is the perfect spot to take the family for a festive feast. Offering a selection of its elevated Chinese cuisine, this Christmas you can indulge in fruit wood-roasted peking duck, kong bao chicken, crispy tabasco prawns and more, washed down with a Huami gin, a whiskey from the restaurant’s impressive selection, or a crisp glass of champagne. End the day on a high note with a delectable dessert, and head off on your merry way well-satiated.
Book at Huami here
Bivacco
Open for: Christmas Eve
Bivacco has well and truly turned up the Sunday feast this Christmas, offering some of the most festive fare in the city with their Sunday Christmas Feast. On December 24th, while not on a Sunday this year, you can head down to the sun-soaked deck and indulge in all manner of great food and drink, including a host of festive libations to keep you well-watered.
Book at Bivacco here
Ki Māha
Open for: Christmas Eve
What better way to kick off the Christmas festivities than with a jaunt over to Waiheke Island to indulge in Ki Maha‘s delectable fare (and a glass or two of bubbles or one of their quenching signature cocktails). Perch at one of the outdoor tables overlooking the sparkling water, and spend the afternoon enjoying a selection of share plates — from wagyu croquettes with smoked oyster mayo to crisp zucchini flowers with ricotta, chilli, lemon, and mint, settling into the festivities in fitting style.
Book at Ki Maha here
Mudbrick
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
If you find yourself on Waiheke Island this festive season (or simply want an excuse to leave the heart of the City), both of Mudbrick’s popular dining rooms are open on Christmas Day, serving variations on classic Christmas lunch and dinner from midday onwards. In The Mudbrick Restaurant, enjoy a spectacular, seven-course degustation while enjoying the vineyard’s sweeping views and stunning wines. While in The Archive Bistro, you can partake in a slightly more casual affair involving a set menu of chef’s-choice nibbles followed by an entrée, main and dessert of your choosing.
Book at Mudbrick here
