Christchurch Restaurants Open On Christmas Day 2026 So You Don’t Have To Cook
Kathryn Steane
Former Contributor | Urban List NZ
"All I want for Christmas is to spend the day slaving over a hot oven and washing dishes," said nobody ever. Most of us would prefer a delicious meal cooked and cleaned up afterwards by someone else. Which brings us to one of the festive season's greatest blessings—restaurants that kindly open their doors on the 25th of December, especially for our wining and dining pleasure.
Here are the best restaurants and adjacent open in Christchurch for Christmas Day 2026.
King Of Snake
Image credit: King of Snake | Instagram
For Christmas lunch with a bit of a different vibe, head to King of Snake. The crew will be slingin' a four-course Trust the King menu and while the details are under wraps for now you can expect a culinary romp through King of Snake's most coveted dishes, with a glass of bubbles on arrival (or a soft drink/juice for the kids), and a sweet treat to finish.
The Details
Where: Level 1/79 Cashel Street, Christchurch Central
When: 25 December 2026
Cost: $99-149 per person
The Acheron Restaurant & Bar
When was the last time you had a classic shrimp cocktail? Far too long ago, right? Which is one of the many reasons why we're keen to book a spot at The Acheron Restaurant & Bar's generous Christmas Day buffet lunch (sorry folks, dinner has already sold out).
Other reasons to visit include their cranberry and apple stuffed turkey, their baked herb crusted blue cod, pavlova roulade, black forest gateaux, and chocolate fountain. Ooh, and the obligatory festive fizz on arrival.
The Details
Where: inside Sudima Christchurch Airport, 550 Memorial Avenue, Christchurch
When: 11am or 1pm, 25 December 2026
Cost: From $85-159 per person
Strawberry Fare
Image credit: Strawberry Fare | Instagram
While Christmas in Aotearoa is no Winter Wonderland, there sure are some serious benefits to getting festive in the summer months. Namely, strawberries. So if you're less about the traditional dishes and more about embracing the literal fruits of summer, Strawberry Fare is the spot to pull up a pew at this Christmas. Work your way through the three-course meal and you'll arrive at the headliner: their strawberry pillows. Soft sponge, strawberries, mascarpone orange cream, berry sauce and crème anglaise? It's summer on a plate.
The Details
Where: 15 Bealey Avenue, Merivale | 158 Hussey Road, Northwood
When: From 11am (lunch), from 4pm (dinner), 25 December 2026
Cost: $99 per person
The Square Restaurant & Bar
Christmas lunch at one of Christchurch's best hotels doesn't sound half bad... so with that in mind, pack up the family sleigh and head along to The Square Restaurant & Bar. Their premium central-city spot is serving up a generous buffet for both lunch and dinner this year, with sackloads of food to feed you and yours.
Stuff your face with bread and antipasto, down oysters, gorge yourself on pork belly and black pepper sesame tofu, throw in a salad or two, and appease your sweet tooth with sticky date pudding, eaton mess and passionfruit cheesecake.
Don't forget the free mocktail or glass of bubbles on arrival.
The Details
Where: inside Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square, 52 Cathedral Square, Christchurch Central City
When: 25 December 2026
Cost: $80-120 per person
Sweet Soul
Image credit: Sweet Soul | Instagram
Okay so Sweet Soul isn't a restaurant per se but a cheeky pre-order in the lead up to the big day will make your Christmas that little bit more magical (and by that I mean outsourcing the dessert you've been told to bring to your family shindig). Snag a box of red and green chocolate-dipped madeleines, or a haul of snowflake cookies and dapper gingerbread people or (definitely and) treat your loved ones to the full lineup of festive desserts, from a strawberry-spiekd pistachio choc Christmas tree, to a mt blanc snowman, a bauble, a jolly-lookin' santa hat, or a triking dark chocolate pine cone.
The Details
Where: 1/79 Cashel Street, Christchurch City
When: In the lead up to Christmas
Cost: varies
Market Place Restaurant & Bar
If your ideal Christmas day involves a dreamy lineup of desserts, you'll want to wrap your mouth around the buffet at Market Place. Yes, the savoury dishes deliver, on traditional fare and otherwise, but the dessert lineup, which is 15-strong at last count, is impressive in its own right. From a chocolate fountain to black forest gâteau, Christmas pudding to mixed berry trifle, and brandy snaps with eggnog cream.
The Details
Where: inside Crowne Plaza Christchurch by IHG, 764 Colombo Street, Christchurch
When: from 12.30-9.30pm, 25 December 2026
Cost: $85-209 per person (kids 4 and under eat for free)
Casa Publica
Image credit: Casa Publica | Instagram
Happily skip the usual Christmas lineup? Head to Casa Publica and toast the summer season with tacos and other South American tapas instead. From chilli caramel pork belly bites to agave cauliflower fried in chipotle agave, and smoked provolone, with not one but three different guac edits to choose from (and some cheeky drink specials), you'll leave totally stoked.
The Details
Where: 180 Armagh Street, Christchurch Central
When: 25 December 2026, 12-5pm
Cost: varies (à la carte menu)
Fig Restaurant & Bar
You'll be as stuffed as a turkey after Christmas Day lunch at Fig Restaurant & Bar. This spot is pulling out all the stops on December 25th with a buffet fit for Santa and every one of his reindeer. From a loaded seafood selection to a carvery and Christmas dessert buffet (this is not a drill), along with a tonne of tasty sides to balance things out, this is festive feasting at its absolute finest.
The Details
Where: inside Hotel Elms, 456 Papanui Road, Papanui Christchurch
When: 25 December 2026
Cost: $99-210 per person (kids under 5 eat for free)
Wanna know where to eat in the 03, on a normal day? Here are the best restaurants in Christchurch to tick off your list.
Main image credit: Market Place via Crowne Plaza Christchurch | Instagram