Where To Eat In Auckland On Christmas Day 2025 So You Don’t Have To Cook
Kathryn Steane
Contributor | Urban List NZ
Alice Rich
Contributor & Former Editor | 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 2025 in Tāmaki Makaurau. Let the festive feasting begin!
kingi
The Hotel Britomart, 29 Galway Street, Auckland CBD
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, Wild Waipiti venison nigiri, hibiscus-cured kahawai, diamond clams and Mt Cook salmon rilette, along with a selection of other, non-seafood dishes thrown in for good measure. 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.
Satya
17 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Every year the team at Satya put on a free Christmas lunch for those in need, no questions asked. While the dishes will be revealed on the day, there are two things we can be certain of. Firstly, there's sure to be a South Indian curry or three with something for everyone (dietaries included). And secondly, whatever appears on your plate will be sensational because Satya is, hands down, one of the absolute best Indian restaurants in Tāmaki. And what a gift to be able to eat for free—talk about embracing the festive spirit.
Onemata
Park Hyatt Auckland, 99 Halsey Street, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland CBD
Perhaps a nod to those across Europe whose greatest celebrations take place the night before Christmas, at Onemata this year you can enjoy a Louis Roederer Champagne-studded three-course dinner on Christmas Eve in addition to their annual Christmas day five-course lunch and four-course dinner offerings. 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.
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 strawberry gazpacho, 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 fetching peach and champange trifle, plus tiramisu, cheesecake, lemon mousse, carrot cake, chocolate entremets, macarons, gingerbread cookies, blueberry friands, and fruit. 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? Living.)
Eight
Cordis Auckland, 83 Symonds Street, Auckland CBD
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 (along with some more unconventional goodies like sushi and sashimi, and steamed buns and dumplings) from not one, but eight kitchens. Plus, there's a lavish champagne breakfast also up for grabs.
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Tapestry
Pullman Auckland Hotel, 6 Princes Street, Auckland CBD
If there's one day of the year where it's totally acceptable to stuff your face, it's Christmas. And Tapestry will enable you to just that with their elevated buffet-style lunch and dinner, which is all the more tasty given this spot's ethos around supply and sustainability.
Scoff down Christmas classics like honey-glazed ham with pineapple and mustard sauce, seasonal veggies, and turkey with sage and onion stuffing; along with treats from a jaw-dropping raw bar and dessert selection (lemon meringue Yule log and banana Biscoff cream cake included).
Metita
SkyCity Auckland, Federal Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Metita | Facebook
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 Michael's iconic corned beef steamed buns with oysters, tuna tartar, kingfish oka, scallops, a pork roast with all the trimmings and a rum-spiked panipopo (Samoan sweet coconut bun) dessert to finish. Not to mention a glass of bubbles on arrival...
FISH Restaurant
Hilton Auckland, Princes Wharf, 147 Quay Street, Auckland CBD
Also partaking in the festivities this year is FISH Restaurant, who invite you to join them for an unforgettable shared-style Christmas lunch or dinner. Perched at the end of Princes Wharf, this is certainly a beautiful spot to spend the big day and the menu is just as gorgeous.
Curated as a three course edit, there'll be king salmon carpaccio and Mediterranean vege tartlets to start, beef tenderloins, pan-seared market fish or roast lamb cutlets for mains, and a Valrona chocolate ganache to round out your meal in a suitably sugary manner.
Saint Alice
Level 1/204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD
Viaduct hotspot Saint Alice will be serving platter after platter this Christmas day starting with a curation of fresh seafood (including caviar bumps, if that's a bit of you), followed by a meat board inspired by traditional festive fair and accompanied by duck fat potatoes, roasted table carrots, green peas, charred greens, beetroot and feta salad and a citrussy cous-cous salad. A little sugar plum fairy told us you'll get your fix of a Christmas Log for dessert, too, slathered with vanilla custard and chased with an Eton Mess 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. Vegetarian and vegan menus available.
Esther
QT Hotel, 4 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Esther / Supplied
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 fan faves like puff bread 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 Italian trifle and chocolate terrine for afterwards.
Masu
SkyCity Auckland, Federal Street, Auckland CBD
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 an exotic Kurisumasu menu for dinner.
Expect plenty of scrumptious Japanese-inspired fare, including sashimi and beef tataki, prawn gyoza, tempura eggplant and wagyu sirloin steak, plus pavlova with sour cherries and sake kasu ice cream to finish. Merīkurisumasu!
The Cut
Rydges Auckland, 59 Federal Street, Auckland CBD
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, bread and butter pudding, buttery mince pies, tiramisu, pav, chocolate mousse and strawberries and cream (can you tell I'm currently ravenous?) There's even a festive lolly tray for the littl'uns. Schtaaaap.
Cooke's Restaurant
Fable Auckland, 58-60 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Cooke's Restaurant / Facebook
A chic Christmas menu awaits those who choose to spend December 25 at Cooke's Restaurant, which you'll find hidden inside the lush Fable Auckland hotel. They're running an exquisite seven-course feast for both lunch and dinner this year, guaranteed to take your Christmas Day celebrations to tasty new heights.
Enjoy the restaurant's stylish heritage setting whilst feasting on delectable dishes like herb crusted lamb rack, NZ king scallops, fillet mignon and Aoraki salmon. The finale? A decadent chocolate nemesis and while I'm not entirely sure what that is, I am certain it'll be a total showstopper.
Orbit 360° Dining
SkyCity Auckland, Federal Street, Auckland CBD
One thing we know about Christmas Day dining at Orbit 360° Dining—spirits will be high. How could they not be, when the food and drink are flowing, and the views are otherworldly (for the uninitiated, this spot sits high up the Sky Tower).
These guys are putting on a mouthwatering four-course dinner menu showcasing the best local and seasonal produce. Think poached pear with spiced honey and walnut crunch; turkey, sage and cranberry terrine; mushroom and feta pansotti, and Black Forest or an enigmatic Exotic Slice to end, all enjoyed while sitting in the country's only rotating restaurant. That's right, you will probably definitely have to play find my table if you pop to the bathroom mid-meal. I suggest you come up with some sort of call-and-response bird call, just in case.
Morningside Tavern X Glasshouse Morningside
18 McDonald Street, Morningside, Auckland
Two Morningside greats are joining forces for an extra special Christmas Day collab. We're talking about Glasshouse Morningside, the incredible light-filled venue usually reserved for weddings and other special occasions, who will be providing the location; and Morningside Tavern, who will be supplying the food and drink.
And not just any food and drink—this is the most wonderful day of the year, after all—a three-course shared lunch comprising festive faves like Christmas ham and rolled turkey, house smoked salmon, seared beef sirloin and a tonne of sides, like honey-roasted carrots, roasted rosemary potatoes and mac and cheese. If you've got room left (you'll make room, I assure you), the feasting will reach its pinnacle with Christmas mince pies, pavlova and Christmas triffle. Hell to the yes.
Under 5s eat for free.
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Main image credit: Cooke's Restaurant / Facebook