Christmas Dinner Melbourne 2026: Restaurants Open on Christmas Night

Looking for somewhere actually serving Christmas dinner in Melbourne on Friday, 25 December 2026? You have fewer options than you might expect.

Melbourne has plenty of restaurants and hotels offering elaborate Christmas Day lunches, but many finish service during the afternoon. Finding somewhere that is genuinely serving dinner on Christmas night can be considerably harder.

For this guide, we have focused specifically on restaurants, hotels and venues where we could verify an evening Christmas Day service for 2026. We have not assumed that a restaurant will be open simply because its normal Friday trading hours include dinner.

Where 2026 pricing or dinner details have not yet been clearly published, we say so rather than relying on an old Christmas menu or a previous year’s price.

Christmas Day in 2026 is Friday, 25 December.

Information checked September 2026. Christmas menus, prices, inclusions and availability can change, so always confirm the final details with the restaurant before paying for your booking.

Quick Answer: Where Can I Have Christmas Dinner in Melbourne in 2026?

Some of the strongest confirmed Christmas dinner options currently include Amora Herencia Riverwalk Melbourne from $115 per adult, SkyHigh Mount Dandenong at $180 including drinks, Elevate at Pullman Melbourne City Centre at $260, Stamford Plaza Melbourne from $275, No35 at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins at $330, Langlands at Hyatt Centric Melbourne at $330 and Melba at The Langham from $350.

For something considerably more casual, Transit Rooftop Bar at Federation Square has announced Christmas Day trading continuing into Christmas night.

 

Looking for Christmas lunch rather than dinner? See our separate guide to Christmas Lunch Melbourne 2026: Best Restaurants Open on Christmas Day.

Christmas Dinner Melbourne 2026 at a Glance

Prices shown are based on published 2026 information available when this guide was checked. Always confirm the current price, children’s pricing, inclusions and booking conditions before paying.

A Note From Brighton Savoy

Brighton Savoy has a long history with Christmas Day dining. For many years we welcomed Melbourne families for Christmas lunches and dinners, so we understand how different Christmas Day restaurant service can be from an ordinary meal out.

Brighton Savoy is not hosting Christmas Day dining in 2026. Instead, we are using our hospitality experience to help Melbourne families compare other Christmas Day options.

Christmas Day often involves larger family groups, young children, grandparents, dietary requirements, fixed sitting times and people travelling from different parts of Melbourne. The advertised adult menu price is therefore only one part of the decision.

We recommend looking closely at sitting times, children’s prices, beverage inclusions, accessibility, parking, dietary arrangements and cancellation conditions before booking.

1. Amora Herencia Riverwalk Melbourne, Richmond

Best for: Affordable Christmas dinner

✓ Confirmed Christmas Dinner 2026

Amora Herencia Riverwalk Melbourne is currently one of the most affordable clearly advertised Christmas-night dining options we have found.

Its Christmas Day Dinner Buffet runs from 5pm until 9pm on Friday, 25 December 2026.

• Adult: $115
• Children: From $65 according to the advertised Christmas dinner offer
• Time: 5pm-9pm
• Style: Festive buffet
• Drinks: Purchased separately
• Location: 649 Bridge Road, Richmond

The event includes a festive buffet, Christmas decorations and bonbons. Drinks are not included in the base dinner price, so remember to include beverages when comparing the total cost with packages elsewhere.

Brighton Savoy perspective: The biggest attraction here is value. Many premium Melbourne Christmas dinners now cost considerably more than $250 per adult, making Amora particularly interesting for families who want to dine out without committing to a luxury-hotel package.

2. SkyHigh Mount Dandenong

Best for: Value with drinks included

✓ Confirmed Christmas Dinner 2026

If you are happy to travel beyond central Melbourne, SkyHigh Mount Dandenong has one of the strongest value propositions in this guide.

Christmas dinner operates from 6pm until 9:15pm.

• Adult: $180
• Children 5-17: $90
• Under 5: Free
• Time: 6pm-9:15pm
• Style: Christmas buffet
• Drinks: Beer, wine, soft drinks, tea, filter coffee and standard spirits included
• Location: Mount Dandenong

The Christmas buffet combines traditional festive dishes with seafood, while the elevated Mount Dandenong location provides a very different setting from a CBD hotel.

Brighton Savoy perspective: At $180 including a substantial beverage package, SkyHigh deserves to be compared with restaurants carrying much higher headline prices. It may be particularly attractive for an extended family where several adults would otherwise purchase drinks separately.

3. Essence at Melbourne Marriott Hotel

Best for: A straightforward CBD hotel buffet

✓ Confirmed Christmas Dinner 2026

Essence Restaurant at Melbourne Marriott Hotel is advertising a dedicated Christmas Day Dinner Buffet, separately from its Christmas Day lunch.

• Adult: $250
• Children 6-11: $120
• Style: Christmas dinner buffet
• Location: Corner Exhibition and Lonsdale Streets, Melbourne

Its central location may make Essence particularly convenient for Melbourne visitors staying in the CBD or families who do not want to travel to an outer suburb on Christmas Day.

Brighton Savoy perspective: Essence sits around the middle of the current Christmas dinner price range. Compare its final inclusions with Pullman, Stamford and other CBD hotels before deciding which package offers the best overall value for your group.

4. Elevate at Pullman Melbourne City Centre

Best for: Christmas dinner buffet with city views

✓ Confirmed Christmas Dinner 2026

Pullman Melbourne City Centre is offering Christmas Day lunch and dinner at its Level 15 Elevate venue.

Dinner guests can choose a start time of 5pm, 5:30pm or 6pm, with a three-hour sitting.

• Adults 18+: $260
• Teenagers 12-17: $159
• Children 5-11: $99
• Children under 5: Free
• Dinner starts: 5pm, 5:30pm or 6pm
• Dining duration: 3 hours
• Drinks: Not included in the base price
• Optional: Beverage package available
• Location: 265 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

The buffet is advertised as including seafood, charcuterie, a substantial carvery, festive sides and desserts.

Brighton Savoy perspective: Pullman’s separate child and teenage prices make the total cost easier to calculate for families with older children. A three-hour sitting also allows time for a reasonably relaxed Christmas meal.

5. Stamford Plaza Melbourne

Best for: A traditional CBD Christmas buffet

✓ Confirmed Christmas Dinner 2026

Stamford Plaza is hosting a dedicated Christmas Day Buffet Dinner at Harry’s Indoor Dining & Atrium.

The dinner runs from 6:30pm until 9:30pm.

• Adult without alcoholic beverage package: $275
• Adult with three-hour beverage package: $335
• Time: 6:30pm-9:30pm
• Soft drinks, juice, tea and coffee: Included
• Location: 111 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

The buffet features seafood, Christmas roasts, traditional festive dishes and desserts.

Stamford also advises guests to notify the hotel about dietary requirements when booking.

Brighton Savoy perspective: The choice between a package with alcohol and one without it can be useful for families where not every adult drinks. It avoids automatically forcing everyone into the highest-priced beverage package.

6. No35 at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

Best for: Late Christmas dinner and Melbourne skyline views

✓ Confirmed Christmas Dinner 2026

No35 at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins is one of the clearest options for people looking for a genuine evening Christmas dinner rather than an extended afternoon sitting.

There are both early and late dinner reservations:

• Early sittings: 5:30pm or 5:45pm
• Late sittings: 8:15pm or 8:30pm
• Adult: $330
• Children 6-11: $95
• Children 3-5: $65
• Style: Set menu
• Drinks: Classic Beverage Package included
• Guaranteed window seating: Additional charge
• Location: Level 35, 25 Collins Street, Melbourne

The late sitting is particularly noteworthy. Many Melbourne Christmas Day experiences have finished by this time, so an 8:15pm or 8:30pm reservation provides a genuine Christmas-night meal.

Brighton Savoy perspective: This could work especially well for couples or adults who already have family commitments during Christmas Day but still want a special restaurant dinner that evening.

7. Langlands at Hyatt Centric Melbourne

Best for: Multi-course Christmas dinner with drinks

✓ Confirmed Christmas Dinner 2026

Langlands, located high above Melbourne at Hyatt Centric, is offering a premium Christmas Day dining experience priced at $330 per person.

• Adult: $330
• Style: Chef-curated festive menu
• Drinks: Two hours of free-flowing beverages included
• Location: Level 25, 25 Downie Street, Melbourne

The advertised Christmas menu includes premium seafood alongside contemporary versions of traditional festive dishes.

Brighton Savoy perspective: Langlands is a useful alternative for diners who would rather have a structured multi-course meal than another large buffet. When comparing its $330 price with cheaper restaurants, remember that the beverage component is already included.

8. Melba Restaurant at The Langham Melbourne

Best for: Luxury Christmas dinner buffet

✓ Confirmed Christmas Dinner 2026

Melba Restaurant at The Langham has two separate Christmas Day dinner sittings for 2026.

• First dinner: 5pm-7:30pm
• First sitting: $375 per adult
• Second dinner: 8:30pm-11pm
• Second sitting: $350 per adult
• Drinks: Standard beverage package
• Entertainment: Live entertainment
• Location: 1 Southgate Avenue, Southbank

Melba sits at the luxury end of Melbourne’s Christmas dinner market, combining its extensive buffet format with beverages and entertainment.

Interestingly, the later 8:30pm Christmas-night sitting is currently priced below the earlier dinner sitting.

Brighton Savoy perspective: Melba is unlikely to suit families primarily looking for value, but it is one of the most comprehensive premium Christmas-night experiences announced so far. The 8:30pm sitting is particularly useful if you have other family commitments during the day.

9. Transit Rooftop Bar, Federation Square

Best for: Casual Christmas night and after-lunch drinks

✓ Confirmed Christmas Day evening trading 2026

Not everyone wants a formal $250 to $375 Christmas package.

Transit Rooftop Bar at Federation Square is taking a more casual approach, with Christmas Day trading continuing well into the evening.

• Style: Casual rooftop dining and drinks
• Food: À la carte and festive seafood options
• Drinks: À la carte
• Entertainment: DJs
• Location: Federation Square, Melbourne

The Christmas offering includes seafood and festive cocktails, with music continuing through the afternoon and into Christmas night.

Brighton Savoy perspective: Transit could be particularly useful for people who already have Christmas lunch organised but want somewhere to meet friends afterwards. It also provides an alternative for smaller groups who do not want to commit to an expensive prepaid hotel package.

10. Collins Kitchen at Grand Hyatt Melbourne

Best for: A CBD Christmas buffet to watch

✓ Christmas Day Dinner 2026 advertised

Grand Hyatt Melbourne has listed separate Christmas Day Buffet Lunch and Christmas Day Buffet Dinner experiences at Collins Kitchen.

The Christmas dinner is advertised as featuring festive favourites including Christmas ham, turkey, freshly shucked oysters and traditional Christmas desserts.

• Date: Friday, 25 December 2026
• Style: Christmas buffet dinner
• Location: 123 Collins Street, Melbourne
• 2026 dinner price: TBC

Brighton Savoy perspective: Collins Kitchen qualifies as a genuine Christmas dinner candidate because dinner is being advertised separately from lunch. We have deliberately left the price as TBC rather than publishing an old price or guessing what the final 2026 charge will be.

How Much Does Christmas Dinner Cost in Melbourne in 2026?

Based on the confirmed offers currently available, Christmas dinner in Melbourne ranges from approximately $115 to $375 per adult.

However, comparing Christmas dinner prices is not simply a matter of choosing the lowest headline figure. Some packages include substantial beverage packages, while others charge separately for drinks.

 

A $180 dinner including beer, wine and standard spirits can therefore potentially represent better overall value for some guests than a $250 dinner where beverages are additional.

Christmas Dinner for Families: Don’t Forget the Children’s Price

Children’s pricing varies enormously between Christmas Day venues, and so do the age brackets.

Some restaurants allow very young children to dine free, while others have separate prices for children, teenagers and adults. That can make the true cost of Christmas dinner very different from the headline adult price.

 

For families, calculate the total cost for the entire table before deciding whether one restaurant represents better value than another.

Remember to consider:

• the price for every adult;
• the age brackets used for children’s pricing;
• whether teenagers have a separate price or pay the adult rate;
• whether very young children eat free;
• drinks and beverage packages;
• parking or transport;
• any public holiday surcharge; and
• optional extras such as guaranteed window seating.

You should also check whether the restaurant provides highchairs if needed, permits prams at the table, has accessible facilities and can comfortably seat your entire family together.

Christmas Dinner With Drinks Included

When comparing premium Christmas packages, beverage inclusions can significantly alter the real value.

SkyHigh Mount Dandenong is particularly notable at $180 because food, beer, wine, soft drinks and standard spirits are included.

No35 includes its Classic Beverage Package, while Langlands includes two hours of free-flowing beverages.

Melba includes a standard beverage package, while Stamford Plaza allows adults to choose between a lower-priced package without the alcoholic package and a higher-priced option with it.

Always check exactly what a restaurant means by a “beverage package”. Premium wines, Champagne, cocktails and spirits may not necessarily be included.

Where Can I Have a Late Christmas Dinner in Melbourne?

Late Christmas-night dining is even harder to find than an early Christmas dinner.

 

Two of the strongest options currently are No35, with late bookings beginning around 8:15pm or 8:30pm, and Melba at The Langham, with its second dinner sitting running from 8:30pm until 11pm.

For something casual rather than a formal Christmas dinner, Transit Rooftop Bar is another option for people wanting to continue celebrating into Christmas night.

Where Can I Go After Christmas Lunch in Melbourne?

Many families celebrate over lunch but still want somewhere to meet friends, have a drink or eat later that evening.

Transit Rooftop Bar is particularly relevant because its Christmas Day program extends well beyond the traditional lunchtime period.

No35 and Melba can also work for guests with daytime family commitments because both offer genuinely late dinner sittings.

Christmas Day Restaurants Currently Offering Lunch Rather Than Dinner

One reason this guide concentrates specifically on Christmas dinner is that many of Melbourne’s best-known Christmas Day restaurant events are actually lunch-only experiences.

A restaurant advertising “Christmas Day dining” does not necessarily mean it will be serving dinner that evening.

At the time of our latest check, a number of prominent Melbourne hotels and restaurants were advertising Christmas Day lunch without a separately confirmed evening sitting.

That doesn’t necessarily mean those restaurants will be closed on Christmas night. It simply means we don’t think readers should assume an evening service until the venue confirms one.

If a daytime meal works for your family, you will have considerably more choice. See our dedicated Christmas Lunch Melbourne 2026 guide.

Restaurants We Are Still Watching for Christmas Night 2026

Some well-known Melbourne restaurants have previously opened on Christmas Day, have announced festive dining or are likely candidates for Christmas-night service. However, we have not included them in the confirmed table unless we could find sufficiently clear evidence of a 2026 evening service.

We are continuing to watch:

• Crown Melbourne restaurants;
• additional Southbank restaurants;
• Melbourne Chinatown and Cantonese restaurants;
• Chinese and other Asian restaurants that traditionally trade during public holidays;
• selected Melbourne pubs and casual restaurants; and
• additional hotel restaurants releasing their festive programs later in the year.

Important: Normal Friday opening hours are not evidence that a restaurant will be open on Christmas night. Christmas Day is a public holiday and individual venues can operate completely different hours.

What About Chinatown for Christmas Dinner?

Melbourne’s Chinatown is often suggested as somewhere to look when many mainstream restaurants close for Christmas Day.

However, we don’t recommend assuming that a particular Chinatown restaurant will be open for dinner on 25 December simply because it normally trades on Friday evenings or has opened on previous Christmas Days.

Individual restaurants can change their public holiday opening hours from year to year.

As restaurants publish their final 2026 Christmas Day trading hours, we will add suitable evening options to this guide where we can verify them.

Christmas Lunch vs Christmas Dinner in Melbourne

Christmas lunch remains considerably easier to find than Christmas dinner in Melbourne.

Many hotels operate a major Christmas lunch from approximately midday until 3pm or 4pm and then close the restaurant rather than resetting the dining room for another full evening service.

 

This distinction is easy to miss when researching Christmas Day restaurants. A venue may advertise an elaborate Christmas Day celebration while only accepting reservations around lunchtime.

That is why we have treated Christmas lunch and Christmas dinner as separate searches throughout this guide.

If your family doesn’t specifically need an evening meal, choosing lunch will normally give you a much larger selection of restaurants and hotels.

See our dedicated Christmas Lunch Melbourne 2026 guide for those options.

What to Check Before Booking Christmas Dinner

Christmas Day restaurant bookings tend to have stricter conditions than ordinary restaurant reservations.

Before paying, check:

• The exact date: Make sure the event is for Friday, 25 December 2026.
• Whether it really is dinner: Don’t confuse Christmas lunch, Christmas Eve dinner or a general December festive menu with Christmas-night dining.
• Your allocated sitting: Some venues operate two or more sittings.
• How long you have the table: A relaxed three-hour sitting can feel very different from a tightly timed meal.
• Children’s prices: Age bands vary considerably between venues.
• Beverage inclusions: Check exactly what is and isn’t included.
• Dietary requirements: Notify the restaurant when booking rather than waiting until Christmas Day.
• Accessibility: This can be particularly important for grandparents and guests with limited mobility.
• Parking and transport: Christmas Day public transport and parking arrangements may differ from an ordinary Friday.
• Cancellation policy: Christmas events commonly require full or substantial prepayment.
• Refund conditions: Some special-event bookings become non-refundable well before Christmas.

Our Experience With Christmas Day Dining

Having hosted Christmas Day events at Brighton Savoy over many years, one lesson stands out: Christmas service needs to work for the whole family, not just look impressive on the menu.

A spectacular seafood buffet is of little help if elderly family members cannot comfortably access the venue, the sitting is too short, young children have little suitable to eat or dietary requirements haven’t been organised in advance.

Christmas Day is also different from an ordinary restaurant booking because the consequences of something going wrong are greater. If a booking falls through at 7pm on Christmas night, finding an alternative table for a large family can be extremely difficult.

We would therefore choose a Christmas dinner based first on the needs of the people attending, then compare the menu, atmosphere and price.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Dinner in Melbourne

What restaurants are open for Christmas dinner in Melbourne in 2026?

Confirmed or clearly advertised Christmas-night options currently include Amora Herencia Riverwalk Melbourne, SkyHigh Mount Dandenong, Essence at Melbourne Marriott, Elevate at Pullman Melbourne City Centre, Stamford Plaza Melbourne, No35 at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, Langlands at Hyatt Centric Melbourne, Melba at The Langham and Collins Kitchen at Grand Hyatt Melbourne. Transit Rooftop Bar is also confirmed to trade into Christmas night.

Are restaurants open on Christmas night in Melbourne?

Yes, but there are considerably fewer Christmas-night restaurants than Christmas lunch venues. Christmas Day is a public holiday and many restaurants close after their afternoon service, so you should specifically confirm evening trading before making plans.

What is the cheapest Christmas dinner in Melbourne in 2026?

Among the confirmed special Christmas dinners researched for this guide, Amora Herencia Riverwalk Melbourne is currently one of the least expensive at $115 per adult. Transit Rooftop Bar provides a more casual à la carte alternative rather than a fixed Christmas package.

How much does Christmas dinner cost in Melbourne?

Major advertised Christmas dinner packages currently range from approximately $115 to $375 per adult. Premium Melbourne hotel Christmas dinners commonly sit between approximately $250 and $375 per adult, although beverage and menu inclusions vary considerably.

Where can I have Christmas dinner with drinks included?

SkyHigh Mount Dandenong includes beer, wine, soft drinks and standard spirits with its Christmas dinner. No35 includes a Classic Beverage Package, Langlands includes two hours of free-flowing beverages and Melba includes a standard beverage package. Stamford Plaza also offers an upgraded package including alcoholic beverages.

Where can I have a late Christmas dinner in Melbourne?

No35 at Sofitel has late Christmas dinner bookings beginning around 8:15pm and 8:30pm. Melba at The Langham offers a second dinner sitting from 8:30pm until 11pm. Transit Rooftop Bar provides a more casual option extending into Christmas night.

Are Melbourne Chinatown restaurants open on Christmas Day?

Some Chinatown and Asian restaurants have traditionally traded on Christmas Day, but holiday hours vary by restaurant and by year. Confirm 25 December 2026 evening trading directly rather than relying on normal Friday opening hours or previous Christmas opening patterns.

Do I need to book Christmas dinner in advance?

Yes. Major Melbourne Christmas Day restaurant events generally require advance reservations, and many require prepayment. Popular sitting times, late dinners and larger family tables can sell out well before Christmas.

Can Melbourne restaurants cater for dietary requirements on Christmas Day?

Many can, but Christmas Day menus are generally more restricted than normal restaurant service. Tell the venue about allergies and dietary requirements before paying and ask specifically what can be accommodated during the Christmas Day menu.

Can I have Christmas dinner in Melbourne after 8pm?

Yes, although choices are limited. No35 and Melba are two of the strongest confirmed options currently offering Christmas dinner sittings beginning after 8pm.

Is Brighton Savoy hosting Christmas dinner in 2026?

No. Brighton Savoy is not operating Christmas Day restaurant events in 2026. We hosted Christmas celebrations for Melbourne families over many years and now use that hospitality experience to help readers compare current Christmas dining options around Melbourne.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Christmas Dinner

Christmas dinner in Melbourne requires a little more planning than Christmas lunch.

At the affordable end, Amora Herencia Riverwalk stands out at $115 per adult. For value with beverages included, SkyHigh Mount Dandenong is particularly compelling at $180.

For a traditional CBD hotel experience, consider Essence, Pullman Elevate or Stamford Plaza. For a more premium evening, No35, Langlands and Melba provide some of the strongest confirmed options currently available.

If your idea of Christmas night is seafood, cocktails and music rather than a formal buffet, Transit Rooftop Bar provides a very different alternative.

Most importantly, check that you are booking an actual Christmas Day dinner on Friday, 25 December 2026. A surprisingly large number of Melbourne Christmas restaurant promotions refer only to lunch, Christmas Eve or general December festive dining.

We will continue updating this guide as Melbourne restaurants announce additional Christmas-night dining for 2026.

Prefer a daytime celebration? See our complete guide to Christmas Lunch Melbourne 2026: Best Restaurants Open on Christmas Day.