What's on and what's open on Christmas Day

Don't feel like cooking? These Southside venues are open for coffee, food and drinks. For venues offering Christmas lunch bookings, see our round-up in a separate list, also below.

Coffee, food and drinks on Christmas Day

Open for takeaway and walk-ins, these local spots are ready to feed and fuel you on Christmas Day. Check the individual venues' social media for operating hours.

Monarch Cakes (St Kilda)

Iconic Acland cake shop, Monarch Cakes, will be open from 9 am to 6 pm. Pre-order your favourites or drop in for coffee and cake.

Al Naturale cafe (St Kilda)

Newly opened at 6 Acland Street (just up from The Prince), Al Naturale serves natural, healthy food, using ingredients sourced from sustainable and ethical Victorian suppliers. Coffee is from Coburg roaster, St Remio. Their Melbourne-made range of almond, hazelnut milk and walnut milk is available for purchase on site. On Christmas Day, they're open between 7.30 am and 1 pm.

The Epsy Main bar (St Kilda)

The Espy is keeping a section of its main bar open for Christmas Day walk-ins. A menu of Espy faves, including stone-baked pizzas, and plenty of festive drinks will be on offer. Doors open 12 pm.

Woodfrog Bakery (St Kilda)

St Kilda locals can rest easy, fresh bread from Woodfrog Bakery will still be available on Christmas Day. Their Barkly Street location is open from 7 am to 1 pm.

Dana Patisserie (Balaclava)

Some of the best pastries in Carlisle Street can be found at Dana Patisserie. Think freshly baked, buttery croissants, lemon meringue tart and their famous chocolate babka. The coffee is also excellent. They're open 7.30 am to 2 pm on Christmas Day.

Batch Espresso (Balaclava)

Further along on Carlisle Street, Batch Espresso will also be open 7 am to 12 pm on Christmas Day, for takeaway coffee, sweets and snacks.

Arlo Cafe (Elwood)

Recently opened on Ormond Road, Arlo Cafe is open for coffee and takeaway food from 7 am to 11 am.

Jack the Geezer (Middle Park)

Armstrong Street favourite Jack the Geezer will be open 6.30 am to 2 pm, for both dine-in and takeaway.

Christmas Day lunch

Prefer to have someone else do the cooking on Christmas Day? These southside venues are all celebrating the season with festive dining options.

Spots for Christmas Day lunches are filling up and could book out. Contact each venue for the latest on availability.

The Espy (St Kilda)

You're spoilt for choice at The Espy with four different Christmas Day dining options on offer. There's even a space for walk ins!

Seafood banquet on the Main Bar Terrace and Balcony (bookings required)

Book for this modern take on a classic Australian Christmas feast. Menu includes seafood platter, mains and dessert. A three-hour beverage package is also included.

Cost: $175 (adult), $65 (child), 12 to 5 pm. Find out more.

Christmas Day walk-ins in the Main Bar

Didn't get around to making plans? There's also room in the Espy Main Bar for walk-ins, with selected menu and plenty of festive drinks on offer.

Doors open 12 pm. Find out more

Louey’s Bar and Kitchen (bookings required)

Christmas lunch at Louey's features an Italian-inspired menu with a fresh seafood platter to share, crispy free-range porchetta and tiramisu cannoli for dessert. Three hours of drinks, including selected sparkling, wines, beers and soft drinks, is included.

Ciost: $175 (adult), $65 (child), 12 to 5pm. Find out more.

Mya Tiger (bookings required)

Book for a Festive Cantonese banquet at Mya Tiger, including their Christmas take on a 'traditional' Char Siu roast ham. Includes a three-hour beverage package of selected sparkling, wines, beers and soft drinks.

Cost: $185 (adult), $65 (child), 12 to 5pm. Find out more.

Village Belle hotel (St kilda)

Book for a three-course Christmas lunch, served family-style, with a drink upon arrival.

Cost: $120 (adult), $50 (child 12 and under), doors open 12 pm, lunch at 1 pm. Find out more.

The Prince Public Bar (St Kilda)

Tasty dishes from the wood-fired grill are a feature of The Prince Public Bar's three-course Christmas Lunch. For mains, choose from brined and wood roasted turkey breast with chestnut stuffing or prime rib roast with triple cooked potatoes. For dessert, choose from peach and raspberry melba trifle and pavlova with mango salad and lychee sorbet.

Cost: $130 (adult), $55 (child). Find out more

Cornerstone hotel (Port Melbourne)

Book for a three-course Christmas lunch at Cornerstone Hotel, with three different options to choose form for entrée, main and dessert.

Cost: $95 (adults), 50 per cent off children under 12. Find out more

The Exchange (Port Melbourne)

Enjoy a three-course Christmas lunch at The Exchange, with a sharing menu of favourite Christmas classics. Gluten free and dairy free options, and a separate vegan menu, are also available.

Cost: $140 (adults), $45 (children under 13), 11 am and 2:30 pm seating times. Find out more.

The Local (Port Melbourne)

The Local is serving up a three-course sharing menu full of festive favourites. A vegan menu is also on offer, and a variety of dishes can also be adapted for gluten free diets. Children under 12 are also welcome to dine fromthe kids a la carte menu if preferred.

Cost: $125 (adults), $35 (children under 12 years), seating times: 11 am and 2.30 pm (downstairs) and 11.30am and 3pm (upstairs). Find out more.

Middle Park Hotel (Middle Park)

Spend the big day at Middle Park Hotel feasting on a three-course sharing menu of Christmas classics. Gluten free and dairy free options, and a separate vegan menu, are also available.

Cost: $150 (adults), $45 (children), 11 am and 2.30 pm seating times. Find out more

Golden Gate Hotel (South Melbourne)

Visit Golden Gate Hotel for a three-course traditional Christmas lunch, served sharing-style.

Cost: $110 (adults), $45 (children 4 to 12 years), $30 (children 4 years and under). 11 am and 2.30 pm seating times. Find out more.

The Pullman (Albert Park)

Indulge in a luxe Christmas buffet in the Pullman's Grand Ballroom, with a glass of sparkling on arrival. Includes a three hour beverage package, live entertainment with a special gift and visit from Santa for the children.

Cost: $340 (adults), $150 (teenaders 12 to 18), $75 (children 6 to 12) and children under 6 eat free. 12.30 to 3.30 pm. Find out more