For many, the festive season sparkles with cherished traditions and spirited family gatherings, yet all that merriment can come at its own cost. But what if, instead of juggling the kitchen chaos and the smorgasbord of personalties, you could sink into a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day feast where the table dazzles with holiday delights, glasses stay full, and you can savour the season — without a dirty dish in sight?
Thankfully, some of Auckland’s finest restaurants are ready to take the reins with their innovative festive menus. If you do decide to leave the magic to the professionals, or dare to do things a little differently this year, our definitive dining guide has you covered. Embrace a European-style celebration and reserve a spot at a Christmas Eve lunch to let the festivities linger a little longer. Whatever your itinerary, we strongly suggest you skip the stress and ditch the dishes — eat, drink, and be merry instead.
Onemata
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Step into the festive spirit at Onemata, where every detail is crafted to make your Christmas unforgettable. Gather your loved ones for a cosy Christmas Eve dinner or a leisurely Christmas Day lunch, and let three bespoke menus set the scene for celebration. Sip on Louis Roederer as you arrive, crack open festive treats at your pace, with seasonal creations from head Chef Rob Hope-Ede. Little gourmands will delight in the special surprises just for them. On Christmas Eve, enjoy a tailored three-course champagne pairing, and on Christmas Day, choose from three separate seating times to indulge in a vibrant five-course feast, brimming with holiday classics, plus a few surprises. Onemata’s festive feast is $175 per person, $87 per child.
Book Onemata here.
Kingi
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Experience Christmas Day the New Zealand way, with a vibrant seafood celebration at Hotel Britomart’s Kingi. Gather your loved ones and enjoy a leisurely four-course summer lunch, basking in sunlight at Kingi’s breezy, open-air space. Begin with a welcome aperitif, then indulge in a full seasonal menu that captures the essence of Aotearoa’s bountiful cuisine. Savour the Kingi platter, brimming with sustainably caught seafood, delicate steamed clams, asparagus, and tender pork porchetta. Sit back, unwind, and indulge in a Christmas feast where every detail is taken care of. Available across two separate seatings for $199 per person.
Book at Kingi here.
Soul Bar & Bistro
Open for: Christmas Eve
While Soul will enjoy a well-earned rest on December 25th, reserve your spot for lunch or dinner on Christmas Eve to soak up the Viaduct Harbour gem’s renowned hospitality and mouthwatering new menu. Alongside some firm favourites and hero dishes with a devout following, lean into seasonal updates like the tuna crudo with watermelon gazpacho, rockmelon, and mint. Try the succulent crumbed pork and kumquat mostarda doused with chilli sambal — a fast favourite among Soul staffers, we’re told. Step into the signature Soul energy, the perfect way to glide into a laid-back Christmas Day.
Book Soul Bar & Bistro here.
Metita
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Celebrate the season and step into the vibrant world of the Pacific at Chef Michael Meredith’s Metita, where every dish is a fresh adventure in flavour. This Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, enjoy a four-course, sharing-style menu, with bubbles included. Work your way through 10 Pacific-inspired dishes, each influenced by Meredith’s Samoan roots, reimagining classic Pacific flavours with innovation and creativity. Indulge in a Pacific Island festive feast and reserve Metita’s set menu, or gather your group for the ultimate tasting journey through Metita’s hero dishes. Available for $235 per person with champagne included.
Book Metita here.
Ki Māha
Open for: Christmas Eve
What better way to kick off the Christmas Eve festivities than with a jaunt over to Waiheke Island to indulge in Ki Māha’s delectable fare (and a glass or two of bubbles or one of their quenching signature cocktails). Perch at one of the outdoor tables overlooking the sparkling water and spend the afternoon enjoying a selection of share plates. Mouthwatering mains set the table for family-style feasts: saffron tagliatelle with tomatoes, parsley, chilli oil, and prawns; market fish with burnt-leek butter; harissa-roasted chicken; marinated lamb loin; and dry-aged duck breast with earthy oyster mushrooms, dates, marmite, and cashew cream — a sweet-and-salty symphony.
Book at Ki Māha here.
Non Solo Pizza
Open for: Christmas Eve
Celebrate Christmas Eve in true Italian style at Parnell’s Non Solo Pizza, where a leisurely lunch transforms into a lingering, festive feast. Start your day early, claim your spot in the sun, and indulge in generous platters of family-style favourites in NSP’s convivial courtyard, all paired with a glass or two to toast the season.
Book Non Solo Pizza here.
Advieh
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Choose Advieh for your Christmas Day celebration and enjoy a festive, contemporary feast complete with classic trimmings. Kick-start the festivities with a crisp glass of Ruinart on arrival, followed by an indulgent menu celebrating the season, with dishes like the nostalgic Wagyu Beef Wellington, pancetta-stuffed turkey, and a fluffy Kiwi pavlova to finish. Advieh’s festive feast is $249 per adult, $125 per child.
Book at Advieh here.
Andiamo
Open for: Christmas Eve
Steal a final golden hour with friends at the freshly revamped Andiamo before the real celebrations take hold. From four to five pm on Christmas Eve, imbibe your way through the stellar bubbles and beer menu, each drink just $10. Tempted to linger a little longer? Herne Bay’s cherished spot will serve its signature Italian fare all day, so settle into a sun-drenched seat, explore the new menu, and let the afternoon drift on by — pure bliss.
Book at Andiamo here.
Takapuna Beach Cafe
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
For early risers who choose to start their Christmas Day with a morning stroll along the beach, rest assured that your go-to for barista coffee and quality cafe fare — Takapuna Beach Cafe — will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, from 6:30 am until 12 pm. Enjoy the full menu on Christmas Eve, and on December 25th, takeaway options include coffee and freshly baked pastries (with no added surcharge).
Book Takapuna Beach Cafe here.
Masu
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Think outside of the bento box and linger over an elevated Japanese Festive Experience with Nic Watt’s contemporary five-course menu. Designed to be enjoyed by family members of all ages, Masu’s seasonal set menu makes for a delicious, unconventional Christmas Eve and Christmas Day feast. On Christmas Day, the five-course, family-style menu is sure to delight with its fresh ingredients, unique flavours, and artful plating. Available from $195 per person or $65 for a kid-friendly bento box.
Book at Masu here.
Esther
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Channel the Mediterranean vibe this Christmas with Esther’s rolling festive feast menu. Available for both lunch and dinner seatings, the set menu is $249 per adult and $99 per child (aged 12 and under). Share Esther’s famous puff bread around the table, and indulge in the baked saganaki, Cloudy Bay Diamond Clam Risotto, and Speckle Park Rib Eye off the bone. We have no notes.
Book at Esther here.
Huami
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
For an entirely satisfying Christmas yum cha experience, Huami delivers on all fronts and is the perfect spot to take the family for an immersive festive feast. Offering a selection of elevated Chinese cuisine, indulge in fruit wood-roasted Peking duck, deep-fried soft shell crab, crispy tabasco prawns and more, washed down with a Huami gin, a whiskey from the restaurant’s impressive selection, or a glass of something bubbly. End the day on a high note with a delectable dessert — like the tart lemon confit and mascarpone cheesecake — and head off on your merry way, well-satiated. The Yum Cha Lunch and Nectar Set Menu is available from $98.
Book at Huami here.
Bivacco
Open for: Christmas Eve
While the beloved Sunday Christmas Feast officially wraps on December 21st, the much-lauded waterfront address will be open and operating until closing time on December 24th. Guests can enjoy the full Bivacco menu — including a whole host of Italian shared plates and apertivos —right up until the big day.
Book Bivacco here.
Jervois Steak House
Open for: Christmas Eve
For the most carnivorous among us, paradise is always found at Jervois Steakhouse, and this Christmas Eve, the beloved Herne Bay institution is open for business with plenty to inspire indulgence. Whether you’re looking for a casual pre-festive feast or a more convivial group get-together, JSH has it all. Just make sure to book early — we’re sure this beloved eatery will be packed to the rafters come Christmas Eve.
Book Jervois Steak House here.
Mudbrick
Open for: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
If you are lucky enough to be on Waiheke Island for the festive season, or simply need a reason to escape the mainland, Mudbrick’s beloved dining rooms await you on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. From midday, indulge in a creative take on classic Christmas fare. At The Mudbrick Restaurant, linger over the seven-course degustation as you gaze out over rolling vineyards and enjoy exceptional wines. For a more laidback celebration, The Archive Bistro offers a set menu of chef-selected bites, followed by your choice of entrée, main, and dessert.
Book at Mudbrick here.
