Overview
Can't be stuffed hitting the kitchen on Christmas Day? Or maybe you're hunting a spot to enjoy some post-lunch cocktails with the crew?
Luckily Melbourne's got no shortage of cafes, restaurants and bars that are dishing up the goods — even on December 25. Here are a few spots that are open and ready to whet your whistle and fill your belly on Christmas Day, 2021.
St Ali
CAFES
Tall Timber, Prahran: 7.30am–3pm
Friends of Mine, Richmond: 7.30am–3pm
Commonplace Coffee Brewers, CBD: 7am–4.30pm
Juliette Coffee & Bread, Malvern East: 7am–12pm
Glovers Station, Elsternwick: 7am–12pm
Bentwood, Fitzroy: 7am–12pm
BAWA Cafe, Hawthorn: 7.30am–3pm
Auction Rooms, North Melbourne: 7.30am–4pm
St Ali, South Melbourne: 7am–5pm
Prince Dining, by Gareth Sobey
RESTAURANTS
Panda Hot Pot, Carlton: 11.30am–2pm and 5–11pm (performances at dinner)
JiYu Thai Hotpot, CBD: 5.30–10pm
Hofbrauhaus, CBD: 12–3pm
Prince Dining Room, St Kilda: three-course lunch, sittings from 12pm
Mamak, CBD: 11.30am–2.30pm, 5.30–10pm
David's Master Pot, CBD: 11.30am–5pm
Chef David, CBD: 5.30pm–12am
Cappo Sociale, Fitzroy: from 12pm (lunch only)
Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya, Fitzroy: 5pm–late
Da Long Yi Hotpot, CBD: 11am–2.30pm, 5–10pm
Tim Ho Wan, CBD: 10am–8.30pm (walk-ins only)
The Smith, Prahran: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11am and 2.30pm
Mr Joe, Richmond: set lunch banquet, 1–3pm
Taxi Kitchen, CBD: 12–4pm (five-course banquet)
The Station Hotel, Footscray: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11am and 2.30pm
Bistro Guillaume, Southbank: four-course lunch menu, sitting at 12pm; four-course dinner menu, sittings at 5pm and 8pm
The Imperial, CBD: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11.30am and 2pm
Bang Pop, South Wharf: Thai lunch banquet, sittings from 12pm
O'Connell's Hotel, South Melbourne: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11am and 2.30pm
Newmarket Hotel, St Kilda: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11am and 2.30pm
Section 8
BARS
Arbory, CBD: 12pm–late (banquet available)
Arbory Afloat, CBD: 12–10pm (various banquets available)
Prince Public Bar, St Kilda: three-course lunch, sittings from 12pm
State of Grace, CBD: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11.30am and 2pm
Section 8, CBD: 12pm–1am (annual Orphans Xmas)
The Espy, St Kilda: noon–late
New Guernica, Collingwood: 9pm–4am (Eat the Beat Christmas Party)
Colour, Carlton: from 10pm (Technoir's 17th Annual Christmas Party)
Top image: Panda Hot Pot.