Restaurants and cafés open on Christmas Day in Sydney 2023

Restaurant and bar St Siandra brings year-round summer vibes to Mosman, so much so that the Mediterranean-inspired venue is situated on a white-sand private beach (yes, really), overlooking the turquoise waters of the Spit. Spend Christmas Day watching yachts glide by with Spritzes on tap, and eating delicious dishes like roast porchetta with smoked honey; whole barbecue snapper; and burnt apricot gingerbread trifle. How's that for la bella vita?

This ace deli-bar-bistro will be open on Dec 25, and it's offering a brilliant set menu for $250 per person. Forget the family dilemmas, and make a beeline for Continental Deli (and their killer 'Mar-tinnies') instead.

Gowings Bar and Grill is pulling out all the stops on Christmas Day. Their festive feast includes kings prawns with a zesty Italian sauce, dry-aged Thirlmere duck breast with orange star anise, and cherry chocolate tiramisu. Lunch here will cost you $260 per adult (and $100 for each child aged six to 12). And if you wanted to stay home and feast (but not do the hours of cooking) QT is offering Christmas banquet catering for up to six guests, available to pick up on December 23 and 24. 

Yes, England has the snow and Christmas jumpers, but we have the sea. Snag pole position this Christmas and make a booking at Promenade Bondi Beach, which is open for lunch. Feast on chilled king prawns, Moreton Bay bugs with Marie Rose sauce and cherry-glazed ham with honey mustard right on Sydney's most famous stretch of sand. Booked out? The front area is open for walk-ins, so get down there quick!

Glebe Point Road's café and restaurant the Wedge will be open for Christmas Day, which is good news if you're keen for a great cup of Joe (us) and great feed (also us). Sit back and leave it all to the team – they will be serving a three-course family friendly lunch which costs $150 per person, and includes Champagne on arrival. A kid's menu is available, and there will be bonbons!

You'll have a joyeux Noël at Loulou Bistro in Milsons Point. The three-course French-style sharing menu ($195 per adult, and $50 for kids) features freshly cooked Yamba prawns; Loulou’s signature chicken liver parfait; John Dory Farci; roast saddle of lamb; traditional Christmas cake ‘Bûche de Noël’ and more.

Lunch at Pilu at Freshwater is like stepping through the looking glass into a Mediterranean island holiday on a normal day, so we wouldn't sniff at the idea of whiling away Christmas Day there. For $330 per adult (or $150 for kids), you'll be served a fresh, Italian-inspired, seafood-centric menu, with a side of sea breeze.

Pasture of Kirribilli and new sibing Pasture of Balmoral will both be open for Christmas Day lunch this year. Their three-course menu will feature dishes like cured salmon carpaccio; king prawns; and Sydney rock oysters. For mains, enjoy either slow-roasted lamb shoulder with a rosemary-pepper crust; or turkey breast with pork and fennel sausage, and pistachio stuffing. Finish with a pav or matcha honey coconut pannacotta. The lunch costs $170 per person, and that includes a drink.

With postcard-perfect water views and an inspired take on seafood, Ormeggio is an archetypal Australian summer destination. At Christmas lunch, you'll get a luxury four-course sharing menu that will set you back $375 per adult (or $150 for children). Dietary requirements can be catered to with notice, and matching wines are available.