We all agree that one of the best parts of Christmas Day is the food, right? Luckily, you don’t have to wait until December to enjoy it.
It’s winter in Sydney, meaning that it’s time to forget about the beach bod and load up with all the comfort food necessary to get through the colder months. Enter Christmas in July, and the perfect excuse to eat a huge festive feast, even though Christmas Day is actually six months away.
Restaurants across Sydney are embracing the season with festive set menus filled with all the classics, from roast meats and Yorkshire puddings to rich gravy and indulgent puddings. Whether you’re headed for a decadent, classic English spread at Rick Stein’s new restaurant on Coogee Beach, or a simple beef roast with veggies and a Yorkie at Forrester’s, there’s a set menu in Sydney for every taste.
Read on for all the best Christmas in July menus in Sydney, and get ready to make your month a little merrier.
The best Christmas in July menus
Chiswick, Woollahra
Woollahra’s favourite neighbourhood restaurant is embracing the spirit of Christmas this July with a one-night-only celebration. Festive tunes will fill the air and crackers will adorn the tables as guests tuck into the special Christmas in July menu, featuring wood-fired turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy, alongside glazed ham and roast vegetables.
For dessert, it’s all about classic Christmas comfort, with Christmas pudding and brandy custard and Christmas trifle, and if you’re feeling extra indulgent, sip one of their seasonal cocktails, including Hot Buttered Rum and a special Coffee Cocktail.
Where: 65 Ocean St, Woollahra NSW 2025.
When: July 26, bookings from 5pm.
Price: Adults’ menu from $100 per person, $30 per child, 12 years old and younger.
Darling Glebe
Forget the traditional Christmas in July feast; Darling Glebe is taking a more playful approach. Throughout July, the restaurant is serving up The Naughty List: a five-week series of secret off-menu dishes created by Chef Jeff Schroeter.
Each diner receives a sealed envelope containing three exclusive winter specials, one entrée, one main and one dessert, with the menu remaining a mystery until the seal is broken. Each dish is individually priced and can be ordered on its own, paired with another Naughty List creation or enjoyed as a three-course experience alongside Darling Glebe’s regular à la carte menu.
The menu changes every week from Wednesday to Friday throughout July, with a new trio of limited-edition dishes replacing the previous week’s offerings, creating 15 exclusive dishes across the month. The only giveaways they’re offering is that they’ll be “rich buttery sauces”, “nostalgic luxuries”, “slow-cooked comforts” and “desserts capable of derailing even the strongest intentions.”
Where: 134A Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037.
When: Wednesday-Friday in July.
Price: Each selection is individually priced.
Three Blue Ducks, Rosebery
The Three Blue Ducks in Rosebery recently topped the list of our favourite Sunday roasts in Sydney, so there’s no doubt that their Christmas in July offering will be equally as delicious. They’ll be celebrating Chrissy with a menu of festive favourites: think ham and turkey roast, Yorkshire pudding, pigs in blankets, proper gravy and all the trimmings.
You’ll also get a Christmas Gilda with grilled chorizo, pineapple, cheddar and onion to start, plus a traditional Christmas pudding and eggnog custard for dessert. Mulled wine will be on the menu, plus other specials and their usual bevvy offerings.
Where: 1/85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery NSW 2018.
When: July 26, from 11:30am.
Price: $79 per person for adults, $25 per person for kids.
Ripples Chowder Bay
Mosman’s harbourside favourite, Ripples Chowder Bay, is embracing the festive season with a special Christmas in July dinner series. For $59 per person, guests can enjoy a two-course set menu complete with bread and shared sides.
For the main event, choose between roasted porchetta or roast chicken, both served with Yorkshire puddings and generous sides of maple-roasted carrots, spiced red cabbage and rosemary baby potatoes. Finish with a classic Christmas plum pudding, served with salted caramel and rum and raisin ice cream for the perfect festive finale.
Where: Building 7 C, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman NSW.
When: Available Sunday evenings throughout July.
Price: $59 per person ($18 corkage per bottle for BYO).
The Botanist, Kirribilli
This North Shore fave is elevating Christmas in July with a premium festive banquet designed to warm guests from the inside out. The best part? This Christmas in July menu will be available every day throughout the month. The menu (which will set you back $88 per person) includes grilled king prawns with chilli miso butter, Wagyu roast sirloin, maple glazed carrots, Yorkshire puddings and a decadent Christmas trifle.
Adding to the festivities, The Botanist will also host a special Christmas In July Party on Sunday 26 July from 12pm, where guests can enjoy the full festive banquet alongside live music from local artists and a lively Sunday session atmosphere.
Where: 17 Willoughby St, Kirribilli NSW 2061.
When: Every day in July, special party takes place on July 26 from 12pm.
Price: $88 per person.
Rick Stein at Coogee Beach
Rick Stein wants you to have a “proper English Christmas” at his new restaurant, Rick Stein at Coogee Beach. The demand was so strong, with their July 12 lunch selling out, so they’ve opened a second seating on Friday July 24. The decadent menu features oysters kilpatrick, mini prawn cocktail and roast beef profiterole to begin. Entrées include confit duck or New Zealand king ora salmon gravlax.
For mains, you’ll choose between Blamain bug and prawn pithiver or roast turkey with all the trimmings. Dessert is either classic Christmas pudding or black forest trifle. The menu will set you back $120 per person, and is no doubt one of the boujiest Christmas in July menus going round.
If you can’t make the dedicated set menu dates, they’ll still be running their Christmas à la carte from July 14-31.
Where: 242 Arden St, Coogee NSW 2034.
When: July 24.
Price: $120 per adult, $60 per child.
Forrester’s, Surry Hills
Forrester’s is embracing Christmas in July with a festive sharing feast available throughout July for groups of four or more. Priced at $82 per person, the banquet features seasonal favourites including crackling pork belly with all the trimmings, mini Yorkshire puddings, mashed potato and gravy, roasted carrots and braised red cabbage. Leave room for dessert and indulge in a mouthwatering sticky date pudding served with vanilla ice cream.
Where: 336 Riley St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
When: The sharing feast is available throughout July.
Price: $82 per person.
The Glebe Hotel
Celebrate Christmas in July at The Glebe Hotel with a traditional three-course feast packed with festive favourites. Available on Saturday 25 July for lunch and dinner, or throughout the month for groups of four or more, the $75 per person menu includes roast turkey, honey-glazed ham, duck fat potatoes, a glass of mulled wine on arrival and Christmas crackers, with a vegetarian option also available.
Where: 63 Bay St, Glebe NSW 2037.
When: July 25, lunch and dinner (plus throughout the month for groups of four or more).
Price: $75 per person.
