Ah, Christmas, the loveliest time of the year, a time where friend and family gather together, exchange gifts, and drink copious amounts of wine. As with most other parties, the only real chore is having to clean up the whole shebang — not the most ideal task to tackle when you’re nursing a hangover, or digesting the remnants of that last Christmas pudding you demolished.
So here are some of the best Christmas dinners in town for this year. We promise there’ll be no fuss, just good food and good vibes. (Whether you choose to swaddle yourself in your most garish sweater is completely up to you, but we think it adds to the mood.)
01 | Capella
This one’s for the kids (and the kids at heart). Capella’s Gingerbread Man-themed Christmas brunch will make you believe in Santa all over again.
Held at the property’s Grand Ballroom Foyer, kids can gorge on specially-made mini beef sliders and pizzas before partaking in the other activities, which include carolling, electric animal rides, a magic show, face painting, and of course, making their own gingerbread men.
But mum and dad need not worry, there’s also plenty to eat for adults: We’re saving room for the dill crusted salmon with champagne sauce and stuffed turkey.
02 | Publico
Sure, you’ve had pizzas, but have you ever had Publico’s Pizza Royale? This lavish wood-fired pizza comes with the works, and then some: from Avruga caviar and black truffle to sea urchin and juicy Hokkaido scallops, you can’t call yourself a pie connoisseur until you’ve had this. Oh, and it all comes finished with a sprinkling of edible gold leaf — because of course it does.
If a pizza fit for a Saudi royal seems a little too extra to you, they’ve also got an array of exquisite seafood, and an endless supply of bubbly.
03 | il Cielo
It’s no surprise that during the festive season people tend to go up a pant-size (or two). But instead of sacrificing your Christmas favourites, we suggest eating them a little differently — as il Cielo demonstrates.
Christmas classics take on a refreshing Japanese spin at Hilton’s scenic rooftop restaurant. This Michelin-plate awardee has a special festive tasting menu that will leave you satisfied, but not stuffed: Try the Ravioli di Lasagna, stuffed with premium Miyazaki A4-grade Wagyu ragout and topped with freshly shaved winter black truffle.
04 | The White Rabbit
If you haven’t already been to The White Rabbit then there’s really no better time than Christmas to experience it. Set in a restored 1930s chapel, the vaulted ceilings and stainless windows will charm you as much as the food will. The White Rabbit serves up a glistening array of roasts and festive classics like ratatouille and Black Forest cake — rustic, unpretentious, and downright good.
05 | Alley on 25
We’ve all got that one tacky Christmas sweater stashed away at the bottom of our closets. Now’s the time to unleash them at Andaz’s Alley on 25 Ugly Sweater Christmas Party, where you can feast on slow-roasted lamb shoulder, glazed Kurobuta ham, the ubiquitous roast turkey, and a smorgasbord of sweets. (Eat as much as you want — those roomy sweaters are rather forgiving, after all.)
The best part? The kitschiest sweater of the night wins a mystery prize. And really, you only ever get a free pass to wear red-and-green knits once a year. ’Tis better to embrace the festive mood, ugly sweaters and all.