Where To Eat In Auckland On Christmas Day 2026 So You Don’t Have To Cook
Kathryn Steane
Former Contributor | Urban List NZ
Finding a restaurant to eat at in Auckland on Christmas Day isn't always easy (the phrase 'needle in a haystack' springs to mind). Well never fear, 'cos we've done the hard yards for you and found out who's open to play host this year so you can sit back, relax and make merry while someone else does all the work.
Here are all the best restaurants that are open on Christmas Day 2026 in Tāmaki Makaurau. Let the festive feasting begin!
Advieh
For a table laden with festive delights, you ought to book into Advieh. With just a click you'll unlock gin and tonic oysters and lamb tartare, with a glass of Ruinart Champagne on arrival. As for the main event? Get ready for zucchini blossoms stuffed with crayfish and scampi in a vodka butter sauce, for heirloom tomatoes and grilled watermelon, duck and pistachio terrine. There'll be stuffed and rolled Canterbury turkey, Wagyu beef Wellington with veges galore. And that's not to forget the cheese board and pavlova chaser (pictured).
The Details
Where: inside InterContinental Hotel Auckland, 7 Queen Street, Auckland
When: 25 December 2026
Cost: $159-259 per person (kids 1-4 dine free)
kingi
Kiwi Christmasses are synonymous with fresh seafood, and you won't find a more glorious spread of it come December 25th than at kingi. Known for championing local produce and sustainable fishing practices, this top spot is putting on a long lunch loaded with only the best kai moana in town and that means Te Matuku Bay oysters, pāua arancini, pork porchetta with leek and cranberry stuffing, and more. The fit-out here is equally epic—think exposed brick and shimmery chandeliers reminiscent of schooling fish, all inside a breezy open-air space just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the waters of the Waitematā Harbour. This is Christmas lunch, done right.
The Details
Where: inside The Hotel Britomart, 29 Galway Street, Auckland
When: 12pm & 2.45pm, 25 December 2026
Cost: $199 per person
Onemata
Perhaps a nod to those across Europe whose greatest celebrations take place the night before Christmas, at Onemata this year you can enjoy a ouis Roederer Champagne-studded three or five-course lunch, or five-course dinner and Christmas crackers. Expect an elevated take on tradition (yep, that includes mince pies) with a solid infusion of kai moana. One of several top-notch eateries located inside the stunning Park Hyatt Auckland hotel, these guys are serving up a feast fit for a Christmas queen, in an unrivalled waterfront setting.
The Details
Where: Park Hyatt Auckland, 99 Halsey Street, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland CBD
When: from 11.30am, 5.30pm and 6pm, 25 December 2026
Cost: $89-$299 per person
Harbour Society
SO/ Auckland, Corner Of Customs East Street & Gore Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Harbour Society / Facebook
Gorging on a buffet is the best gift you can give your stomach for Christmas, and one that's enjoyed 15 storeys above the city with views over the sparkling Waitematā Harbour? Well, you can consider that a gift for ya peepers.
Harbour Society is dishing up all this and more come Christmas Day, with an elaborate lineup of goodies like fresh seafood platters, more roast meat than you can shake a Christmas cracker at, and a tonne of brightly coloured veges that'll leave even the hangriest of vegetarians in a contented food coma.
And dessert is straight from my wildlest dreams headlined by a traditional Christmas pud, plus trifel, cherry and cocoa nib gâteau, cheesecake, macarons and gingerbread. I won't judge you if you go along purely for the dessert.
Feeling lush? Add on a bottomless drinks package for a spiffy $65 per person and get as lit as a Christmas tree. (Did I mention this package includes Batch espresso martinis and spicy margs? Praise be.)
The Details
Where: inside SO/ Auckland, Corner Of Customs East Street & Gore Street, Auckland CBD
When: 12pm, 3pm or 6pm, 25 December 2026
Cost: From $89-$299 per person
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Eight
For a Yuletide banquet with all the trimmings, head along to Eight. The team here believe that some traditions are worth keeping so with that in mind, they're serving up all the holiday fare you know and love—think succulent cuts of ham and turkey, delicious roasted veggies and rich Christmas pudding with brandy sauce from not one, but eight kitchens. Plus, there's a lavish champagne breakfast also up for grabs.
The Details
Where: inside Cordis Auckland, 83 Symonds Street, Auckland CBD
When: From 7.45am, 25 December 2026
Cost: From $60-$299 per person
Saint Alice
Viaduct hotspot Saint Alice will be serving platter after platter this Christmas day starting with a curation of fresh seafood, followed by a meat board inspired by traditional festive fair and a hearty serve of veges. A little sugar plum fairy told us you'll get your Christmas pud fix, too, slathered with vanilla custard and chased with macarons because, Christmas. Just don't get so distracted by this tremendous spread, that you forget to enjoy one of the city's most fabulous waterfront views.
The Details
Where: Level 1/204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD
When: From 11am or 3pm, 25 December 2026
Cost: $58-230 per person (4 and under, free)
Esther
Image credit: Esther / Instagram
Switch up the festivities this year with a Mediterranean-inspired spread at celeb chef Sean Connolly's beloved restaurant, Esther. Located inside the stylish QT Hotel, you'll be treated to your choice of lunch or dinner featuring fare like milk buns and baked saganaki alongside seasonal specials such as Cloudy Bay diamond clam risotto, Speckle Park rib eye with salsa verde and grilled asparagus. Ooh, and a gorgeous zuppa anglaise raspberry Italian trifle and chocolate creme caramel amaretti afterwards.
The Details
Where: inside QT Hotel, 4 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland CBD
When: From 11.45am (lunch) or from 6.15pm (dinner)
Cost: $99-$249 per person
Tapestry
Festively stuff your face at Tapestry with their elevated buffet-style lunch, which is all the more tasty given this spot's ethos around supply and sustainability. The menu is a mix of classics like roasted lamb shoulder and turkey with sage and onion stuffing, and other delights like mezze boards and vegan lasagne. Throw in treats from a raw bar and dessert selection that's practically heaven-sent (stone fruit pavlova, panettone loaf, and pistaachio raspberry yule log included).
The Details
Where: inside Pullman Auckland Hotel, 6 Princes Street, Auckland CBD
When: 12-3pm, 25 December 2026
Cost: $91-182 per person (under fives are free)
Metita
Christmas is getting the island treatment over at Metita, the latest offering from acclaimed chef Michael Meredith. Fresh Pacific flavours, redefined and reimagined are the order of the day here, presented in the form of a scrumptious four-course shared menu for you and your whānau.
Expect nui tea vinegar and smoked apple-spiked oysters, cured king salmon with taro toast, kingfish oka, steamed snapper and duck gbreast, and a passionfruit curd pavlova, with a welcome drink on arrival.
The Details
Where: inside SkyCity Auckland, Federal Street, Auckland CBD
When: 12-4pm, 25 December 2026
Cost: $175 per person
Masu
SkyCity Auckland, Federal Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Masu | Instagram
For those wanting to steer clear of tradition, there's not a single slice of ham in sight at the award-winning Masu—which is instead offering diners a sharing-style Masu Kurisumasu menu straight from the robata grill. Expect plenty of scrumptious Japanese-inspired fare, including sashimi, beef tataki, and fish nanban, plus pork gyoza dumpling, wagyu sirloin steak, chicken tsukune sliders, and flamed sweet corn ribs, with strawberry yoghurt mousse and burnt cream ice cream to finish.
The Details
Where: inside QT Hotel, 4 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland CBD
When: From 11.45am (lunch) or from 6.15pm (dinner)
Cost: $99-$249 per person
The Cut
Let The Cut take care of Christmas lunch and/or dinner this year, and you'll be treated to an exquisite buffet featuring traditional carvery roasts, a bounty of fresh seafood, and desserts of both the naughty and nice variety... And by that I mean Christmas pud with warm brandy custard, brioche pudding, spiced mince tarts, vanilla bean pav, tiramisu, a cheesecake lineup, a dark chocolate yule log, and chocolate fondue (can you tell I'm currently ravenous?).
The Details
Where: inside Rydges Auckland, 59 Federal Street, Auckland CBD
When: from 12pm (lunch), from 5.30pm (dinner), 25 December 2026
Cost: $59-$179 per person (under fives free)
Morningside Tavern
The good folks at Morningside Tavern are throwing a festive buffet this Christmas with everything from prawn cocktail and cured kingfish to manuka honey mustard whole leg ham, slow baked lamb, triple cheese mac and cheese bake, duck fat potatoes, and just about everything else your heart could desire. A case in point? Their ice cream bar and Whittakers chocolate fountain brandysnap situation.
The Details
Where: 18 McDonald Street, Morningside, Auckland
When: From 11am, 25 December 2026
Cost: $54-$160 per person (5 and under eat free)
Keep the festive spirit a-flowing with:
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Main image credit: Advieh | Instagram.