Christmas Day in Perth 2025: Why families choose to eat out and where is open for festive feasts

For some people, Christmas Day is all about sitting around a table with family and friends to enjoy a home-cooked festive feast. But others prefer quality time with loved ones without slaving over a stove or barbecue on a sweltering hot summer day.

To that end, a raft of pubs and restaurants across Perth are open for business on December 25, where talented chefs are prepared to serve up delicious courses and buffets featuring all the Christmas classics from prawn cocktails and honey-glazed ham to roast turkey, pork belly, Yorkshire puddings, and all the trimmings.

Many of the lunches — bookings essential — include a two or three-hour drinks package, wines, beers, bubbles and soft drinks, while non-drinkers can enjoy festive mocktails.

One of the pubs to be for lunch on Christmas Day — which, almost three weeks out, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts will be a nice 25C — is The Bassendean Hotel.

With sessions stating at 12pm and 4pm, the venue hopes to make the special day effortless by providing a three-course lunch that costs $175 per adult, $65 per person 17 and under, with kids under four eating for free.

Hotel manager Bonifaciio Napolitano expects about 400 people and says the chefs have gone all in on the classics.

Guests can enjoy antipasto shared plates for entrée, alongside prawns, breads and dips. For mains, people can tuck into traditional favourites like honey-glazed ham and roast turkey with all the trimmings, and a pavlova and Christmas pudding to finish.

There is also a two-hour drinks package featuring bubbles, wines and selected tap beers. Non-drinkers are well looked after too, with festive mocktails, non-alcoholic wines and beers, soft drinks and juices.

Mr Napolitano said some people prefer to eat out at Christmas rather than at home so they can enjoy quality time with family or friends without cooking or cleaning up.

“It’s becoming a lot more common, with fellow hospitality venues opening their doors, it gives patrons the option to fit into their lifestyle and the chance to enjoy a stress-free holiday and a break,” he said.

Mr Napolitano said food is a big part of Australian culture, spending quality time with the family over a meal.

“For the hospitality industry, it’s incredibly special to be a part of a special day and families’ celebrations,” he said.

“Festive food is designed to be enjoyed while bringing people together to celebrate the holiday.

“It’s comforting and traditional, bringing nostalgia and tasty bites to bring home the Christmas spirit, even when you’re dining out.”

Other venues to open on December 25 — and some not necessarily offering a yuletide feast — include premium fare at the State Buildings, and budget and kid-friendly choices at the Peach Pitt and Woodbridge Hotel.

With panoramic views over the city and an atmosphere of pure elegance and joy at Wildflower, to a bold and vibrant Thai feast with a twist at Long Chim, the State Buildings have something for everyone.

If you’re after a more private dining space, try an intimate lunch seating 20 guests at the State Cellars Wine Room, surrounded by a 900-bottle reserve cellar and artworks or the Wine Merchant, seating up to 35 guests.

Post and Petition are not just open for lunch but are also offering dinner from 5.30pm for those wanting to enjoy the warm summer evening and soak up the Christmas atmosphere in the heart of the city.

Over at The Ritz-Carlton, Songbird Bar has reeled in luxe seafood platters with octopus, scallops and oysters, plus a welcome cocktail.

La Lune is dishing up a French-inspired fest designed for sharing, while The Duke Bar and Bistro has a bottomless carvery with all the trimmings.

If buffet is more your style, make a booking at The Peninsula in Mandurah, Victoria Park Hotel or The Bentley Hotel, where each venue is offering a generous spread featuring all the favourites.

The Paddington is set to host its first-ever festive lunch, a shared three-course feast featuring fresh seafood to start, traditional roast turkey or ham with all the classic trimmings, and something sweet to finish — all paired with a two-hour bottomless beverage package.

Expect festive fun for the whole family, including a visit from Santa and prizes for best dressed.

Also serving up its first Christmas Day lunch is recently opened The Lodge on Rottnest Island. So if you’re lucky enough to spending the day in island paradise, make sure you work up an appetite for a share menu featuring WA seafood, slow-roasted lamb and indulgent desserts.

If you’re after a more relaxed, budget-friendly experience, head to The Woody for a three-course lunch — kids’ meals also available — all for $99 per person.

Looking to the coast, swap snowflakes for sea breeze, sunshine and a Guinness (or two) at The Galway Hooker. Otherwise, swing past the Peach Pit after a morning dip at Scarborough Beach for a relaxed lunch, an ice-cold bevvie and plenty of laid-back, beachside festive vibes.

PUBS AND RESTAURANTS OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH:

CBD and Crown Perth

• Wildflower, State Buildings
• Post, State Buildings
• State Cellars Wine Room, State Buildings
• Wine Merchant, State Buildings
• Petition, State Buildings
• Long Chim, State Buildings
• Songbird Bar, The Ritz-Carlton
• Samuels on Mill
• C Restaurant
• Santini
• Lil’s Rooftop and Bar
• The Globe
• Market Grounds
• Modo Mio, Crown
• Silks, Crown
• Bistro Guillaume, Crown

Northern suburbs

• Fraser’s
• The Claremont Hotel
• Scarborough Beach Bar
• Galway Hooker
• Peach Pit
• Rendezvous Scarborough
• The Duke Bar and Bistro
• The Paddington

North-eastern suburbs

• The Guildford Hotel
• Bassendean Hotel
• Woodbridge Hotel

East Perth

• The Royal on the Waterfront

Southern suburbs

• The Bentley Hotel
• Quarter Acre Hotel
• Victoria Park Hotel
• Tucci
• The Raffles
• The Peninsula

Fremantle

• La Lune
• The Old Courthouse
• The National Hotel
• Sweetwater Fremantle
• The Wray Hotel

Mandurah

• Cobblers Tavern

Rottnest Island

• The Lodge