Catering for the clan on Christmas Day can really take the fun out of the festive season. Sweating away in the kitchen and frantically trying not to burn anything doesn’t really evoke thoughts of festive cheer. So why not hang up your novelty apron and leave it to the experts this year?
We’ve rounded up the best Christmas Day lunch spots for you, where you can eat, drink and be merry—stress-free. Sounds like a Christmas wish come true? You can thank the Urban List team later. Here are 13 Sunshine Coast/Gubbi Gubbi country restaurants open on Christmas Day 2023.
Editor's Note: If we're missing any of your favourite Christmas lunch spots, let us know at editorsc@theurbanlist.com.
Ocean Ended
1/14 Duporth Avenue, Maroochydore QLD 4558
Start the Christmas festivities the night before with a beautiful Christmas Eve feast at Ocean Ended, where exceptional flavours meet coastal elegance. Spoil your tastebuds and indulge in three courses of culinary bliss while overlooking the stunning Maroochy River.
Enjoy a Chambord Kir Royale upon arrival, then indulge in a decadent seafood plate, duck confit parmentier and finish strong with Mont Blanc for dessert.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Adults $130
Time: Various times available
For more information, click here.
Miss Moneypenny’s
6 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Christmas ‘tis the season of indulgence and indulge you shall at Miss Moneypenny’s Christmas Day Lunch.
You’ll be treated to a four-course banquet that showcases festive delights like locally sourced seafood and Christmas roasts with all the trimmings. Be sure to wear your stretchy pants for this Christmas Day feast.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Adults $189, children $99 (under 12 years)
Time: 11am to 1pm & 2pm to 4pm
For more information, click here.
ALBA
3 Alba Close, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Relax and indulge in the joy of the season with ALBA's exquisite Christmas lunch, in the beautiful surrounds of the Noosa Heads restaurant.
Celebrated chef, Peter Kuruvita has created a sumptuous four-course Christmas feast and petit fours, spotlighting exquisite local ingredients in a celebration of Queensland summer Christmas. We love that there is a separate vegetarian menu, so vege friends are covered too.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Adults $245, children $89 (under 12 years)
Time: 11:30am
For more information, click here.
The Savvy Squire
123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
The Savvy Squire is dishing up the brews and chews this Christmas Day on the Sunshine Coast. The multi-course Christmas feast includes a fresh local seafood grazing board, roast turkey breast, baked salmon, grilled beef sirloin and more.
Finish strong (and sweet) with the selection of petite desserts and add on a drinks package for an extra-festiv day. Dust off your Santa hat and let The Savvy Squire team bring you the best gift of all—no cooking or cleaning.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Adults $165, seniors $99, teenagers $105 (13-17 years), kids $65 (4-12 years)
Time: 11am
For more information or to book, click here.
Flaxton Gardens
313 Flaxton Drive, Flaxton QLD 4560
‘Tis the season to spoil yourself and the team at Flaxton Gardens know how to throw a beautiful event at the best of times, so it’s safe to hand over the reins on Christmas Day.
Their Christmas Day lunch is filled with classic festive delights and you can also pre-order vegetarian and vegan options. That’s Christmas tradition done right. This Christmas Day feast sells out every year, so we recommend booking in early.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Adults $175, children $85 (under 12 years)
Time: 11:30am to 3:30pm
For more information, click here.
Noosa Boathouse
194 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville
If you’re after top-notch waterfront views this Christmas Day, Noosa Boathouse is the Christmas restaurant for you. Indulge this Christmas in a seaside soiree featuring either a four-couse lunch with three-hour beverage package or a decadent seafood experience accompanied by a three-hour drinks package. Oh, and both beverage packages are free-flow.v
Featuring unobstructed ocean views, beautiful decor and interiors and mouthwatering food options to suit everyone, there are few better ways to spend Christmas Day lunch than at Noosa Boathouse.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Four-course lunch: Adults $329, children $199 (2-17 years)
Christmas Seafood Experience: Adults $329, children $259 (2-17 years)
Time: Multiple seating times available
For more information, click here.
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The Long Apron
36-68 Balmoral Road, Montville QLD 4560
Forget about that novelty kitchen apron this festive season, because Spicers Clovelly Estate’s award-winning The Long Apron is putting on your Christmas spread—and you don’t want to miss out.
You will be spoiled with a four-course French-inspired Christmas feast, eptimosing culinary creativity and fine food and wine. Christmas just got a whole lot fancier and we love it. Note: this event is now sold out but you can join the waiting list.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Adults $250, children $75 (under 13 years)
Time: 12pm to 4pm
For more information, click here.
Noosa Springs
Links Drive, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Eat, drink and be merry at Noosa Springs this Christmas Day, as you stuff yourself silly at their share-style Christmas Day Lunch. Beginning with a mouth-watering board of local seafood, meats and cheese, you’ll progress onto a hot meat and seafood platter and then finish the feast with something sweet—petite tarts, mince pies, pavlovas and all your usual festive goodness.
Quench your thirst with their premium three-hour beverage package and enjoy the festive entertainment. The little ones will even go home with a small festive gift.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Adults $249, teenagers $179 (13-17 years), children $99 (3-12 years)
Time: 11:30am to 2:30pm
For more information, click here.
Takeaway Hampers From Urban Lamb
From the comfort of home
Buddina's slow-cooked lamb takeway (but make it fancy) joint, Urban Lamb, is pulling out all the stops this Christmas, and it's looking seriously delicious. Celebrate Christmas from the comfort of home with a feast that tastes home-cooked but, well, isn't. Even better.
Choose from Urban Lamb's three menu options, which range in catering size, and are loaded with different combinations of slow-cooked lamb shoulder, twice-cooked potatoes, salad, pita bread and tzatziki. You can even order personalised Urban Lamb catering, to really take the stress out of Christmas.
THE DETAILS
Cost:Prices vary; $95 to $150, depending on hamper choice
For more information, click here.
Takeaway Hampers From Dirty Moes
From the comfort of home
Image Credit: Dirty Moe's | Supplied
Do you want to look like you’ve put a lot of effort into your Christmas feast, whereas in reality...you haven’t? No judgement here. Let the talented Dirty Moes team do all the hard work this Christmas and feast on one of their takeaway Christmas hampers, complete with smoked wagyu beef brisket, smoked Christmas ham, cornbread and finger-lickingly delicious sauces—all from the comfort of your own home.
Pre-order now for pickup or delivery by 24 December and if you’re feeling boujee, you can even customise your Christmas hamper and add in extra meat.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Prices vary; $140 to $240 depending on hamper choice
For more information, click here.
Casual Christmas Lunches
Chancellors Tavern
20 Chancellor Village Blvd, Sippy Downs QLD 4556
Eat, drink and be merry at a lowkey Christmas Day buffet at Chancellors Tavern this festive season. Experience a deliciously decadent yet casual Christmas Day lunch feast, full of festive trimmings and hot and cold Christmas favourites.
We’re talking about delights like a traditional roast turkey, roast pork, Tasmanian smoked salmon and a traditional Christmas pudding to top it all off.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Adults $150, children $6- (5 to 15 years)
Time: 11am to 2pm
For more information, click here.
Buderim Tavern
81 Burnett St, Buderim QLD 4556
If you're looking for a casual Christmas affair, this certainly tickes all the boxes. Buderim Tavern's casual Christmas lunch includes a seafood entree (helloooo fresh oysters and Mooloolaba prawns), roast turkey, salmon, all the festive trimmings and vanilla bean panna cotta and lemon meringue to finish sweet.
There is also a separate menu for those with specific dietary requirements, which we dig. And best of all? No cooking or cleaning required.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Adults $195, seniors $110, teenagers $110 (13-17 years), children $65 (4-12 years)
Time: 11:30am
For more inforamtion, click here.
The Sands Tavern
Plaza Parade, Maroochydore QLD 4558
Get around that Christmas spirit, Sunny Coast-style, with an epic Christmas Day buffet lunch at The Sands Tavern. It’s all about those family favourites, minus all the effort and mess that comes with it.
They're bringing you everything from seafood to traditional roasts, along with delicious sides and trimmings. You might want to skip breakfast for this one or don the stretchy pants
THE DETAILS
Cost: Adults $145, children $55 (5 to 15 years)
Time: 11:30am to 2:30pm
For more information, click here.
Currimundi Hotel
32 Buderim Street, Currimundi QLD 4551
Hang up your apron, get out of the kitchen and celebrate Christmas with your loved ones at the Currimundi Hotel.
For the big day, Currimundi Hotel is celebrating with a festive buffet lunch from 11.30am, packed full of all the Christmas classics. How does honey mustard glazed ham, roast pork (with crackling, duh) and oven-baked barramundi sound?
THE COST
Cost: Adults $150, children $65 (5-12 years)
Time: 11:30am to 2:30pm
For more information, click here.
Christmas Lunch At Kings Beach Tavern
43 Burgess Street, Kings Beach 4551
‘Tis the season for festive feasting and Kings Beach Tavern is pulling out all the stops with their epic Christmas Day Buffet this year. From 11.30am, you will be spoiled for choice with a hot and cold buffet featuring fresh spins on all the traditional favourites.
The Christmas Day menu will feature everything from fresh prawns and oysters to honey-glazed ham and oven-baked barramundi, to traditional Christmas puddings, pavlovas, and more.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Adults $150, teenagers $75 (12-16 years), children $60 (5-11 years)
Time: 11:30am to 2:30pm
For more information, click here.
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Main image credit: Kaitlin Maree Photography
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