Top spots to get festive on Christmas Eve

Christmas traditionally marks the shutdown of the hospitality industry so they too can enjoy at least a few days well-earned rest with their loved ones before they get back to the ovens. But before they hang up their aprons, we have rounded up our top picks to spend a festive and merry Christmas Eve out with friends and family covering everything from pizza in the vines to a bucket of prawns at the local to a sit down three-course extravaganza.

The Pedlar

Campbell’s local pub, The Pedlar, features a great range of wines, cocktails, craft and tap beers – perfect to linger over on a sunny afternoon or a cosy evening. They also offer a cracking diverse food menu from breakfast staples through to dinner classics.

Throughout December right up until midnight on Christmas Eve, they have some scorching summer seafood specials to celebrate the festive season! Look out for buckets of prawns, overflowing seafood platters along with fish and chips, live music, and promotions on local bottles of wine.

The Pedlar is located at 65 Constitution Ave, Campbell.

Olleyville

A memorable meal set in a beautiful location is what is on the cards at Olleyville. Located in one of the Canberra region’s favourite family-owned wineries, Shaw Vineyard Estate in Murrumbateman, Olleyville has been a hot destination dining spot since opening in 2017.

Enjoy attentive service and a three-course sit down meal for a very special Christmas Eve feast. For $90 per person, there is a choice of three entrees, mains, and desserts. The tempting options include a fresh Kingfish ceviche with horseradish cream, pickled daikon and crisp croûtes; a festive Porchetta with fennel and sage, wilted summer greens, parsnip puree and jus; and for dessert, a tangy Pavlova with lemon curd, whipped cream, passionfruit and toasted almonds.

Colleyville is located at Shaw Vineyard Estate, 34 Isabel Drive, Murrumbateman.

Turkish Pide House Woden

This family-owned business has been feeding Southsiders with their sumptuous banquets since opening their doors in 2000. A meal at Turkish Pide House Woden usually sees the table covered in an array of hearty Mediterranean dishes.

They have special Turkish Christmas banquets for lunch and dinner that are wallet-friendl, available to feed a crowd either for dining in or takeaway. Starting from $18 per person, dishes include their famous soft fragrant Turkish bread with a selection of dips, crispy zucchini puffs, pides along with juicy lamb, beef and chicken skewers.

Turkish Pide House Woden is located at Westfield Woden, 99/97 Corinna St, Phillip.

Chairman and Yip

Since its opening in 1992, the Chairman & Yip has become one of Canberra’s longest-standing and most highly regarded institutions, having received numerous awards over the years.

Located in the vibrant Realm Precinct, Chairman & Yip has long combined the best of Oriental and Occidental culinary flavours to create delicate and classic dishes to a fine dining level. Spoil your loved ones on Christmas Eve sitting in a private dining room or the fully enclosed balcony garden while making your way through either the five or seven-course set menus. Standout dishes include the freshest of sushi, whole fish of the day in hot and sour sauce along with the Shantung lamb belly and twice-cooked crispy duck pancake with spices-infused hoisin sauce.

Chairman & Yip is located at Burbury Hotel, 1 Burbury Cl, Barton.

Four Winds Vineyard

Escape the house and the city with a drive to Murrumbateman for Christmas Eve lunch, sitting among the vines and enjoying Four Winds Vineyard wines with delicious wood-fired pizzas.

The cellar door will open for last-minute shopping so you can grab a bottle of Riesling Gin or a festive mixed six-pack. Or just sit and enjoy a glass of their 2019 Sparkling Riesling with a selection of cheeses from their deli fridge. Or pair a bottle of the 2019 Sangiovese with a spicy chorizo pizza.

Four Winds Vineyard is located at 9 Patemans Ln, Murrumbateman.

Lanterne Rooms

Lanterne Rooms is known for its bold Nyonya flavours, dishes with an ‘A-ma’ (grandma) soul, presented with modern elegance. All served up in a spacious home in Campbell with private rooms and outdoor dining areas plus a new sleek Lanterne Bar.

With a few Christmas set menus to choose from, you are guaranteed to be spoilt. From the decadent colonial Malaysian décor featuring crisp white tablecloths and soft lighting to the stellar food. Highlights include a starter of pineapple Tom Yum infused prawns with rockmelon and apple and a main of Penang-style slow-cooked beef short ribs with wood ear mushrooms.

Lanterne Rooms is located at Unit 139 / 81 Constitution Ave, Campbell.

Pavilion Dining at Pialligo Estate

The picturesque rural setting of the property may only be 10 minutes from the city and a few blocks from the airport but it feels like an entirely different world. Upon driving through the gates of Pialligo Estate and making your way to the beautiful entrance marked by the refined water fountain, all you can see is greenery, fruit trees and rolling hills in the distance.

Overlooking Mt Majura, the vineyards, Paul Bangay-designed orchards, market garden and olive groves, it all makes for quite a view to accompany a meal at the unique and stylish Garden Pavilions. Enjoy it one last time for 2020 over Christmas Eve lunch featuring their signature seasonal set menu before they shut for a short break until 7 January.

Pialligo Estate is located at 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo.

Given the busy time of year and COVID-19 restrictions, make sure you make a booking in advance.