People usually checking out what a Christmas Eve set menu in Melbourne offers are essentially asking two things: what they’re going to be served and if the price is reasonable for the festive season. To Melburnians, Christmas Eve can often feel a bit like a mini-warm-up lap to all the Christmas festivities – but the good news is that restaurants make the most of the occasion by putting together a Christmas set menu loaded with seasonal tastes, seafood, and classic festive lunch faves. If you’re trying to decide where to eat, knowing what’s usually on the menu can help you skip all the unnecessary scrolling.
A set menu really takes the pressure off – no more worrying about which dishes to choose, no bill confusion, and no stressing about whether the kitchen is running on fumes by the end of December. Many places actually treat Christmas Eve dinner as a dry run for their Christmas lunch or festive-themed lunch service the following day, which means you get to know they’ve got their act together and are ready to go.
Contents
- 1 Expect Seasonal Produce And Festive Classics
- 2 Common Entrees You’ll See
- 3 Main Courses That Reflect Melbourne’s Food Culture
- 4 Desserts With A Seasonal, Summery Twist
- 5 Drinks: What’s Included And What’s Extra
- 6 How Much Does a Set Menu Cost?
- 7 Do Offer Kids’ Menus On Christmas Eve?
- 8 Dietaries: How Flexible Are Set Menus?
- 9 Checklist: What To Confirm Before You Book
- 10 FAQ
- 10.1 Are drinks included in a Christmas Eve set menu?
- 10.2 Do venues do traditional festive food like roast turkey or Christmas pudding?
- 10.3 Are Christmas Eve menus more expensive than regular menus?
- 10.4 Do restaurants do vegan or gluten-free versions of their Christmas menu?
- 10.5 Do I have to pay a deposit for Christmas Eve dinner?
Expect Seasonal Produce And Festive Classics
Restaurants use Christmas Eve to show off the best of Victorian produce while throwing in some festive fun – think seafood platters, roast turkey, a glazed ham with apricots, and all sorts of dishes that make you think of summer fruit. You’ll see this at both city venues and places by the bay like The Brighton Savoy, where they regularly highlight local seafood and seasonal flavours in their Christmas Eve dinner offerings.
A good Christmas set menu knows how to keep things celebratory without diving headfirst into clichés. It’s all about simple, solid technique and using the best local ingredients.
Common Entrees You’ll See
It’s usually warm at this time of year, so lighter entrees are the way to go. Seafood is super popular as it’s a bit of a nod to the Christmas Day seafood feast tradition that many families love.
You can expect these kinds of dishes:
- Local oysters or a prawn cocktail (a nod to the Christmas Day seafood buffet tradition)
- A burrata with heirloom tomatoes
- Smoked salmon with a squeeze of citrus and some fresh herbs
- Duck terrine with toasted brioche
- Some tasty veggie options like grilled asparagus or roasted beetroot
Main Courses That Reflect Melbourne’s Food Culture
Melbourne dining is all about blending multicultural flavours with festive flair. You might be in the mood for a classic roast turkey or an Italian-inspired feast – either way, the Christmas Eve dinner menus around town usually cover all bases.
What To Expect In The Mains
Restaurants usually offer two or three options, like:
- A turkey roulade with cranberry sauce (a Christmas Day classic)
- Beef tenderloin with a rich red wine glaze
- A barramundi with herbs crusted on
- A mushroom Wellington with a bit of truffle thrown in for good measure
- A slow-cooked lamb shoulder
Places with a bit of Italian flair might be doing up an Italian-inspired feast with handmade pasta or seafood platters, while the modern Aussie restaurants will be all about highlighting local produce while still keeping it festive.
Desserts With A Seasonal, Summery Twist
Christmas Eve desserts – they’re a time for nostalgia, but also for giving some of those old faves a bit of a fresh spin. You’ll see all sorts of sweet treats that’ll make you feel like you’re snuggled up in front of the Christmas tree on a warm summer night.
Popular Christmas Eve Desserts
- Pavlova with a load of berries and passionfruit – a classic for a reason
- Chocolate fondant that’ll knock your socks off
- Panettone bread-and-butter pudding
- Mango semifreddo
- Traditional Christmas pudding with a twist
Some of the posh places will even pull out all the stops with a dessert bar or chocolate fountain – a little sneaky teaser for their Christmas Day buffet lunch.
Drinks: What’s Included And What’s Extra
Drinks are where things can get a bit tricky. Some places will chuck a basic drink package in with the meal, complete with softies, wine or bubbly – but others will charge extra for the decent stuff. Some might even offer a premium drink package or a cheeky bottomless beer upgrade if that’s your thing.
Booking data from Melbourne restaurants (2023-24) shows 62% of people go for a drink package if it’s offered – especially around Christmas when everyone’s trying to keep things in check.
Drink Options You Might See
- A glass of bubbly on arrival
- Wine or cocktail matching
- Premium drink packages
- Festive mocktails and soft drinks
If you’re not sure what to expect, just check – drinks can really blow out the final bill.
How Much Does a Set Menu Cost?
Prices depend on the venue type, how elaborate the Christmas set menu is, and whether extras like seafood buffet trays or live cooking stations are included.
Price Ranges In Melbourne
| Venue Type | Price Per Person (AUD) | Typical Inclusions |
| Casual Bistro | $70–$110 | 2–3 courses, optional drinks |
| Mid-range Restaurant | $110–$180 | 3–4 courses, festive favourites |
| Premium Hotel or Fine Dining | $180–$350+ | 4–6 courses, petit fours, arrival drink, gourmet seafood options |
Premium hotels often offer a mini version of their Christmas Day Buffet Lunch, complete with seafood platters and seasonal flavours.
Do Offer Kids’ Menus On Christmas Eve?
A lot of venues do, including family-friendly restaurants and hotels such as The Brighton Savoy, which often put on kids’ menus at a lower price. Kids’ meals are usually simpler versions of the festive food you’d expect to find, like roast turkey or pasta, with a dessert thrown in for good measure.
But because Brighton Savoy Christmas Eve dinner is so busy, it’s always a good idea to check on kids’ menus early so the kitchen can get prepared.
Dietaries: How Flexible Are Set Menus?
Melbourne restaurants normally handle common dietary needs pretty well, especially around Christmas time, when more people are expecting somewhere to be able to cater to their needs. Most places can offer:
- Veggie options
- Vegan
- Gluten free
- Dairy free
Though, for allergies – especially around nuts or shellfish – chefs usually need 48-72 hours’ notice to make sure they can do it safely.
Checklist: What To Confirm Before You Book
Before you choose your Christmas Eve spot, make sure to check:
- The total price (and if a drink package is included)
- How long you have the table for
- What dietary options are available
- What’s the deal with kids’ meals
- Deposit and cancellation policies
- If they do the whole Christmas dinner thing or not
- Whether they do a decent Christmas pudding or something more modern
FAQ
Some places include something like a soft drink or a little something bubbly in the price; others will charge extra for a drink package or premium drinks.
Do venues do traditional festive food like roast turkey or Christmas pudding?
Yes – a lot of menus will feature roast turkey, a bit of ham or a seafood platter, or Christmas pudding with a bit of a twist.
Usually they are – especially if they’re doing any of the high-end stuff like seafood buffet or live cooking stations.
Most places do, but it’s always a good idea to ask early because it’s pretty busy on Christmas Eve.
Do I have to pay a deposit for Christmas Eve dinner?
A lot of places will require a deposit or pre-payment due to the high demand around Christmas time.
