If the thought of sitting around the table with 30 of your nearest and dearest you only see once a year (especially the ones who turn up at your house with a box of Roses chocolates and drink all your booze and eat all the crayfish), give it a miss this year and do something different. Here are a few suggestions.
Grand Harbour, City
Most yum cha restaurants are open on Christmas Day, and one of the most popular is Grand Harbour in downtown Auckland. The rules are tight though because it's so busy — you're allocated an hour and there is a 10 per cent surcharge on your meal. We advise you to book quickly.
Cnr Pakeham St and Custom St West, Auckland Central. Visit grandharbour.co.nz
Hauraki Blue Cruises, Hauraki Gulf
Dine at sea on December 25 on a scenic cruise, complete with commentary, around the Hauraki Gulf with Hauraki Blue Cruises. The lunch cruise is all sold out but there are spaces available for the dinner cruise, which goes from 6pm-10pm. The menu is a self-serve buffet, think glazed champagne ham, roast turkey or vegetarian nut loaf, and a range of sides and desserts. Adults $159, children $109.
Board at the Hobson West Marina, Viaduct Harbour. Visit haurakibluecruises.co.nz
Satya, Auckland-wide
The generous people at Satya have hosted free Christmas lunch and dinner for the past few years and are doing it again this year at their four restaurants around Auckland. On the menu are papadams, vegetable curry, butter chicken, lamb rogan josh and soft drinks. Lunch is 12pm-2pm, dinner 6pm-9pm, and there are no bookings.
K Rd, Sandringham, Newton and Mt Eden. Visit satya.co.nz
Deco Eatery, Titirangi
Popular eastern Mediterranean restaurant Deco Eatery, at Titirangi's refurbished Lopdell House, is open for lunch and dinner on Christmas Day, serving a shorter version of its standard menu. Book fast, this is a popular option.
418 Titirangi Rd, Titirangi, visit decoeatery.co.nz
The Langham, Symonds St
Hotels are always a good option because the guests need to eat something, so why not make an occasion out of it? Get the day started right with a champagne breakfast at The Langham or, if that's too early, there are lunch and dinner options too at Palm Court and Eight.
83 Symonds St, Auckland Central, visit langhamhotels.com
