Where to eat in Brisbane on Christmas Day 2016

Forget worrying about the Christmas ham and instead, make a reservation at a restaurant that's open on December 25.

The Balfour Kitchen

Instead of being haunted by loads of cooking and washing up to do, book in for lunch at this summer-friendly hatted restaurant inside Spicers Balfour Hotel. The a la carte options include Fraser Isle spanner crab and Sichuan pickled kohlrabi, smoked duck breast with radicchio and chicken liver parfait, hazelnut crumb and beetroot puree. To finish, you may have trouble deciding between French Earl Grey ganache with rose, raspberry or its dessert menu rival, cherry or buttermilk sorbet with wild strawberry, mint and a chunk of chocolate Aero. This is a no-brainer, though - the view of Story Bridge is one of the best in town.

Price: $130 per person.

37 Balfour Street, New Farm, 1300 597 540, spicersretreats.com

Bavarian Bier Cafe

If you're going to have a food coma, taking the German Christmas route is not a bad idea. The Bavarian Bier Cafe will be serving a la carte options at Brisbane's Eagle Street Pier outlet - think holiday-appropriate crackling pork belly, apple strudel and other hearty dishes you can chase down with a "bier". If you're at Broadbeach, there's a set menu that includes house-made pretzels, the requisite schnitty (the "turkey uber schnitzel" with cranberry compote and orange fennel salad), oysters and, of course, Christmas plum pudding as a meal-ender.

Price: A la carte at Eagle Street Pier, $89 per person at Broadbeach.

Eagle Street Pier, Level 1, 45 Eagle Street, 07 3015 0555; 2 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach, 07 5512 0555, bavarianbiercafe.com

The Lab Restaurant and Bar

Why go for a platter, when you can go vertical? The Lab's Christmas lunch at Treasury Casino & Hotel starts off with a seafood tower. 'Cos why not use the height advantage when showcasing the local seafood you're serving? The four-course menu also includes choices such as Moreton Bay bug tail with macadamia crumb, watercress and rainforest lime confit, quail with prosciutto, parsnip puree, quandong jus and on-theme cranberry and apricot stuffing and yuzu panna cotta with strawberry meringue, raspberry ice cream and aerated sponge. For kids, there will be a visit from Santa and, if they're under 12, a present as well. Also at Treasury Casino & Hotel is The Grand Buffet Lunch ($265 per person), so you can book in for that DIY feast option if you're prepared to max out your appetite on Christmas Day.

Price: $225 per person (includes a premium beverage package), $155 for kids aged from 13 to 17, $115 for kids from five to 12 and free for kids under four.

The Treasury Casino & Hotel, 130 William Street, Brisbane, 07 3306 8888, treasurybrisbane.com.au

Thyme2

The Sofitel in Brisbane has every meal of Christmas Day covered with breakfast, lunch and dinner options at Thyme2. Breakfast kicks off at 6.30am and is bound to be exponentially better than bickering with your relatives over who gets to use the toaster first. Lunch starts from midday and kids will be happy to know that Santa will be visiting and he won't be empty-handed. Like at dinner (from 6pm), the menu includes traditional holiday dishes (turkey and roast ham aplenty) as well as locally sourced seafood and free-flowing bubbly, beer and other beverages to help you get into the festive mood.

Price: $84 for breakfast for adults, $42 for kids; $269 for lunch for adults, $129 for kids; $229 for dinner for adults, $105 for kids

249 Turbot Street, Brisbane, 07 3835 3535, sofitelbrisbane.com.au