Crown Christmas Show, Crown Melbourne This Christmas one of the best free things you can do to celebrate the festive season is to visit the Crown Christmas show. The Crown Towers Atrium Spectacular is on daily from Sunday 29 November until Thursday 4 January 2021. Crown Complex, Melbourne. Monday – Closed Tuesday – Closed Wednesday & Thursday 12-2.30pm & 5.30-10pm Friday 12-2.30pm & 5.30pm -11pm.

• Christmas Lunch At Crown Casino Melbourne Beach
• Christmas Lunch At Crown Casino Melbourne Menu
• Christmas Lunch At Crown Casino Melbourne Fl

Whatever your usual festive traditions are - whether your family does a roast, a BBQ or platters of fresh seafood for lunch on Christmas day—it's completely unavoidable that the person responsible for getting it all onto the table doesn't tend to have the most relaxing of Christmas mornings. So this year, why not sit back and let somebody else worry about filling your little elves' tummies?

Here are our top picks for Melbourne venues putting on a great 'do for families this Christmas Day 2020. Oh, and a heads up, due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place, bookings are absolutely essential across all of our recommendations. Get in quick!

Brighton Savoy

With multiple seating options available—all boasting spectacular views of the gorgeous Port Phillip Bay, you can bet your bottom dollar that Christmas lunch at the Brighton Savoy will be fit to bursting with festive cheer. The menu boasts all of the traditional fayre you'll fancy—seafood, turkey and plum pudding to name just a few of the suspects!

Where: 150 Esplanade, Brighton
When:12.30pm - 4.00pm on the 25th December 2020
Cost: Adult $199.00, Child 12 and under $99.00, Child 4 and under $48
More information here.

Melbourne Meat Market

Relish in all things meaty this Christmas at a three-course sharing style lunch with all the trimmings, serving traditional Australian Christmas favourites like turkey, ham and seafood. Start off the feast by sipping on a glass of Mumm champagne on arrival—before sitting back, relaxing and leaving the cleaning up to someone else this year.

Where: Meat Market South Wharf, 53 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf.
When: Two-hour sittings from 12 pm - 3 pm, December 25, 2020
Cost: Adults: $129, Children: $55
More information here.

The Duke of Wellington, Flinders St

Bring all of your loved ones together over a three-course lunch full of your favourite Christmas classics at The Duke of Wellington this year. We're talking leg ham or turkey for main, plus roasted veg on the side and Christmas pud for dessert! There are two sittings, 11 am and 2 pm to accommodate social distancing measures. The cost is $95 per adult for 3 courses, and $35 per child (12 and under for two courses). Cheers to that!

Where: Level 2, 142 Flinders Street, Melbourne
When: Seatings available at 11 am and 2 pm, December 25, 2020
Cost: Adults: $95, Child under 12: $35
More information here.

Pomelo Online - Restaurant quality Christmas at home

Relax at home on Christmas Day, undulging in the ultimate festive fare, with none of the hard work. Pomelo Online is a luxury delivery service offering restaurant quality, pre-prepared meals. With two specially curated, limited edition Christmas menus on offer, a stress-free fine dining experience full of family favourites is ready to be delivered. The Traditional Christmas Pack features a festive feast of ready to roast boneless leg ham and whole chicken roulade stuffed with pistachio and cranberry, and the Seafood Christmas Package includes a stuffed roasted salmon fillet and spencer gulf king prawns. Both packs also has an array of delicious mains, sides and dessert and comes in two sizes for 4-10 people. Each Christmas pack includes home delivery, instructions and Christmas colour-in kits to keep kids entertained.
Cost: Starting at $199 for up to six people
Find out more and order your Christmas package at Pomelo Online.

Melbourne River Cruises

Take the stress out of Christmas and spoil your family with a relaxing 3-hour lunch (from 12 pm to 3 pm) cruising along the scenic Yarra River. The lunch boasts all of your festive favourites from a hot buffet (roast turkey, roast ham, roast veg etc...) plus a cold buffet of salads and cold meats as well as a dessert bar. Drool!

Where: Southbank Promenade
When: 12 pm - 3 pm, December 25, 2020
Cost: Adult: $189.00, Child 14 - 17: $119.00, Child 2 - 13: $99
More information here.

The Windsor Hotel

Known for serving up one of the best Christmas feasts in Melbourne, The Windsor Hotel is serving up a delectable degustation dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to help you celebrate with your loved ones. Taking over The Windsor, SUNDA_ will be offering all of your Christmas favourites, imbued with SUNDA_'s trademark smattering of Southeast Asian flavours and native Aussie ingredients.

Both the Christmas Eve degustation dinner and the Christmas Day lunch are 6-course affairs; including 15 dishes from a tasting menu and free-flowing wine and beverages. While it's a gorgeous spot for a festive lunch; it isn't the most kid-friendly in our list—so definitely one for treating older kids and teenagers who love their grub, as opposed to your little ones!

Where: 111 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000
When: Christmas Eve 7pm, Christmas Day 12pm
Cost: Set price of $388 for adults and children

More Festive Ideas For Melbourne Families

Where To See Christmas Lights
The Best Christmas Markets In Melbourne
Christmas Movies To Watch With The Family

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Is there anything more fabulous than a long lunch? When you’ve got good food, cold drinks, great company and the whole afternoon to knock yourself into a food coma the world is your oyster. Here are 15 of our favourite Melbourne restaurants to hit up for a long lunch this Summer.

Supernormal

CBD

If you are yet to dine at Flinders Lane's Asian masterpiece, you need to get down to it—of course, we're talking about Supernormal. Andrew McConnell's crown jewel and home to the most famous lobster roll in Melbourne. The Supernormal menu is changing all the time, but it's always designed to be shared, so grab a couple of mates and try a serve of duck bao, a whole flathead with burnt butter sauce, wild watercress and shaved kombu, some beef tartare, and whatever else you can fit in.

Prince Alfred Hotel

Richmond

As the weather is warming up, why not book a table and soak up the atmosphere at PA’s by enjoying a lazy feast in the legendary outdoor courtyard in the heart of Richmond. They’ve mastered a perfect balance between classic pub meals like chicken parma with more modern Aussie dishes such as the ancient buddha bowl and cauliflower orecchiette. For lunch with your girlfriends, we recommend the Aperol Spritz and charcuterie board for $45, available every day of the week.

San Telmo

CBD

When the craving for Argentine food strikes, Melbournians head to San Telmo. Accept no substitutes. We’re talking empanadas, chargrilled sardines, house-made pork and beef sausages, and of course, big hunks of meat. Lamb rump, flank steak, beef sirloin, ribs, eye fillet—you name it, they’ve got it and it’s cooked damn well (or medium-rare, if that’s how you prefer). A lovely mid-week date option.

Skinny Dog Hotel

Kew

It’s hardly slim pickings at Skinny Dog Hotel. From cold beers to crisp ciders, you’ll need something when you’re chowing through the Famous Skinny Dog Parma—a 350-gram schnitzel with slow roast Napoli, Virginia ham, chef’s secret three cheese blend, special salted beer battered fries and salad. Finger-lickingly messy pizza and loaded herby pan-roasted chats will keep a hanger at bay.

Mamma’s Boy Trattoria

Brunswick

$25 Aperol Spritz jugs, mushroom and mozzarella arancini and steaming bowls of linguine marinara, what more could you want? This humble, traditional Italian restaurant lies in the trendy laneways of Brunswick and is churning out some irresistible dishes, with tonnes of specials to get your hands on like pasta and vino or two for one cocktails every Friday lunchtime. Mamma’s Boy has done bottomless lasagna and bottomless gnocchi, so you won’t want to miss what’s next.

Arbory Afloat

CBD

Melbourne’s favourite river restaurant and bar has hit the Yarra early for its third consecutive season this year and we are urging you to try it. The 2019 design takes inspiration from 1970’s summer in Miami- think pastel colours, palm trees and a menu that celebrates all things Latin American, Mexican and Cuban. Book a booth at Arbory and spend the afternoon gorging on white fish ceviche, lobster tacos and truffle pizzas with a cocktail in hand.

Lucy Liu

CBD

You’ve probably seen it all over Instagram- the classic red-lit alleyway with a large neon sign saying ‘Lucy Liu’ on the back wall, inviting you into a dimly lit and funky warehouse serving up some mouth-watering plates. Lucy does an express lunch, with 4 courses and a drink leaving you stuffed to the brim. We recommend the hot trout salad, fried chicken bao and lamb shoulder with roti, mmm.

Elwood Bathers

Elwood

This beautiful seaside venue is perfect for a slightly classier lunch, with marble floors and large glass windows looking onto Elwood beach. Go healthy with the Bathers salad or splurge on some kingfish sashimi, Porterhouse steak and chips and a creme brulee to finish. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Elwood Bathers is a little haven churning out dishes that’ll have you coming back for more.

Rooftop Burger Shack

CBD

Looking for something low-key but with an impressive skyline view of Melbourne’s city...look no further than Rooftop Melbourne where an understated little burger truck sits churning out the best buns in town. On the menu stands 7 burgers which they’ve mastered to a tee, but we recommend the mushroom burger with whipped feta, baby kale and onion jam. It’ll send you, whether vego or not, into a frenzy. So sip the afternoon away on a cold beer and tuck into a burg while soaking up the best the city has to offer six storeys high.

Trunk Diner

CBD

In the city’s biggest beer garden lies Trunk Diner, an American style diner with its own Melbourne flair. Guests can sit outside on wooden tables with red and white striped umbrellas and fairy lights spanning the space while chowing down on the Mac Daddy burger or a California style salad. If you’re after something a little more classy, Pepe’s Italian and Liquor has just opened up at the same space who are mixing Italian and American cuisine with dishes like spicy vodka rigatoni. Perfect for a long, boozy lunch to satisfy all your carby cravings.

Tenpin

Port Melbourne

Shimmy into Tenpin after a swim at Port Melbourne beach (hopefully sewerage water-free but at this stage we’re not sure)—they’re bowling strikes. A (bowling) ball of fun, expect a hub of Asian-inspired cocktails and some of the best curry around. Betel leaf with sticky pork, prawn, pineapple and peanuts are a fresh, zesty start while crispy squid and BBQ salmon with red pepper relish is non-negotiable.

Mukka

Fitzroy

If share-style Indian cuisine doesn’t scream long lunch, we don’t know how to help you. Start with modern classics at Mukka including light, pancake-like Dosas made from rice and lentils. Served with curried potatoes, sambar dal and coconut chutney, it’s a vibrant, flavour-bursting start to your lazy lunch. Slow-cooked goat curry and the ever-popular, creamy butter chicken will thrust the loudest tables into silence.

Eat'aliano by Pino

Windsor

Italian food was made for (spirited) sharing. Eat’aliano by Pino fills tables with puffy-crusted, cheese-coated pizzas including the all-time favourite Margherita. For those averse to sharing (you know the one), main courses include a homemade pappardelle with slow-cooked lamb ragu to die for, and roman semolina gnocchi with four-cheese sauce and walnuts. Toss a few Pizza Nutellas in to make the dessert crowd happy.

Iki-jime

CBD

If the fact that Iki-jime is Shannon Bennet's baby isn't enough to tempt you, the food sure will. Iki-jime is a gorgeous seafood restaurant in the heart of our CBD. Treat yourself to the finest quality seafood including rusty wire oysters, a selection of raw fish with condiments, seaweed gnocchi and much more fishy goodness. If you want to extend your stay, try a cocktail in Bar Jime, right next door. You won't be wanting to get up from your seat any time soon…

Christmas Lunch At Crown Casino Melbourne Beach

Feast of Merit

Christmas Lunch At Crown Casino Melbourne Menu

Richmond

Christmas Lunch At Crown Casino Melbourne Fl

It’s wine-o’clock at every hour when you’re at Feast of Merit. Cocktails, beers and a generous range of wines (any lover of red would be pleased) are perfect for washing down a feast with serious merit. We rate the middle Eastern crumpet with lamb shoulder and poached eggs or the Karnibahar- cauliflower, chickpeas and caramelized yoghurt...ooft.

Image credit: Simon Shiff