For many families across the Illawarra, the traditional chaos of preparing Christmas lunch at home is being swapped for a seat at a restaurant table this year. With venues from Austinmer to Wollongong reporting strong bookings, the region is witnessing a significant shift in how the festive meal is celebrated.
The Allure of a Stress-Free Celebration
The scene is a familiar one for parents: it's midday on December 25th, the excitement from unwrapping presents has faded into hunger pangs, and the kitchen is a scene of escalating panic. The ham is undercooked, the sink is full, and a child's new toy has just made a break for it over the back fence.
This year, a growing number of residents are deciding that the effort simply isn't worth it. The sentiment is driving impressive bookings at local hotels, pubs, clubs, and restaurants, many of which are already at capacity for Christmas Day lunch.
Festive Feasts on Offer Across the Region
Venues are catering to the demand with elaborate festive menus. At the Headlands Hotel in Austinmer, a lavish buffet lunch is priced at $189 per person, or $249 with drinks included. The spread promises fresh seafood, classic roast dishes, salads, and decadent desserts.
In Wollongong, Steamers Bar and Grill is offering a set menu for $250 per person. The feast begins with a seafood platter featuring king prawns, oysters, and house-made salmon pastrami, followed by a main course "festive feast platter" of roasted ham, turkey and cranberry pie, and lamb noisette. The meal concludes with traditional Christmas pudding and a festive roulade.
For those seeking a different culinary tradition, Samaras in Wollongong is providing a Lebanese-inspired banquet. For $65 per person, guests can enjoy entree platters of hummus, baba ghanoush, and grilled vegetables, followed by skewers of lamb, chicken, and kafta with Lebanese rice, finishing with a platter of traditional sweets.
Families Embrace the Change
The decision to dine out is often about simplicity and togetherness. One local who spoke to the Illawarra Mercury explained their family's choice. "Some of my siblings have moved away, so there aren't as many of us left here in Wollongong," they said.
"So now for us, just the simplicity of not having to do the big clean-up and everything after Christmas. We thought we'd do something a bit different this time."
This trend underscores a broader move towards prioritising relaxation and quality time over the labor-intensive traditions of a home-cooked Christmas lunch. For those still pondering their plans, the Japanese tradition of a Christmas KFC meal remains a last-minute, budget-friendly alternative, highlighting the diverse ways the Illawarra will be celebrating on December 25, 2025.
