The best places for Christmas lunch in Johannesburg

Roar Bistro and Bar is serving a Christmas lunch like no other. This festive feast promises to spoil guests with a beautifully curated harvest table overflowing with seasonal favourites. To elevate the experience even further, guests will be treated to a live perfomance, setting the perfect mood for a warm and memorable Christmas celebration. Expect delicious food, great music and an atmosphere filled with festive cheer from the moment you arrive. The lunch costs R950 per person (children under 12 pay half price). There will also be a welcome drink to kickstart your experience. 

Address: 8 Maude St, Sandown, Sandton

Make Christmas memorable with a delicious festive lunch served at Forking Good. The restaurant is offering a buffet experience, priced at R500 per adult and R250 per child under 12 - perfect for famillies looking to celebrate without the stress of cooking. The menu is set to impress, featuring everything from prawn and avocado salad to hearty favourites like gammon, and cheesecake. The Christmas lunch promises to be nothing short of amazing. 

Aduna Bistro is serving a Christmas Day family-style lunch and dinner, ensuring a memorable festive celebration. The lunch is priced at R985 per person, offering a generous feast designed to bring people together. Expect delicious food, a warm atmosphere, and amazing vibes. 

Adress: The African Pride Hotel, Melrose Arch, 1 Melrose Square, Birnam. 

Elevate this year's Christmas experience with a festive lunch at Cyra restaurant. The fine-dining gem has curated a Christmas menu sure to satisfy anyone craving mouth-watering holiday dishes. The 7-course lunch costs R1950 per person. Guest can look forward to a selection of beautifully  presented, flavourful, dishes that capture the essence of the holiday season. 

Address: Lloys Ellis Ave, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg.

Celebrate Christmas the African way with mouth-watering traditional dishes at Epicure Restaurant in Sandton. Enjoy a specially curated menu featuring rich, diverse, and soulful African cuisine. Whether you are treating yourself, family, or gathering with friends, come hungry and ready to induldge.

Address: One Rosebank, 37 Cradock avenue, Sandton.

Delicious food. Great vibes. Stunning decor. All these and more is what you can expect at Brambles Restaurant. The eatery is serving Christmas lunch for R1250 per adult and kids under 12 pay only R600 per child. From seafood and hearty roasts to comforting vegetarian dishes and decadent desserts, there is plenty to enjoy! 

Roughly 36 kilometres from Johannesburg's CBD lies the stunning Craddle Boutique Hotel, and this year, it's pulling out all stops to give guests an incredible festive experience. The hotel will be serving; Christmas vegetarians set menu for R450 per person, the Christmas set menu for R685 per person and buffet for R750 per person. Expect a vibe no other as the hotel brings the magic, flavour and warmth of the season to life. 

Address: Cradle of Humankind, R540 Kromdraai.

Enjoy Christmas lunch like no other at The Bull Run in Sandton. Whether you're planning a family gathering, a festive outing with friends, or simply want to treat yourself to a memorable Christmas feast, The Bull Run promises a dining experience filled with flavour, warmth and holiday charm. This festive season, the iconic steakhouse is pulling out all the stops to make your holiday meal unforgettable. Diners can indulge in a 3-Course Festive Bull Set Menu for R795 per person. Expect a generous spread of seasonal favourites, and fresh flavours.  

Address: 20 Maude St, Sandown, Sandton. 

The award-winning, internationally-renowned Carnivore Restaurant, located at Misty Hills Country Hotel, invites you to experience a meaty Christmas like no other. Specialising in all-you-can-eat African cuisine cooked on open flames and served on swords, Carnivore offers a feast for true meat lovers - paired with a wide selection of top South African wines. This Christmas, the restaurant is pulling out all the stops with a festive feast that promises indulgence at every bite. Guests can enjoy a carefully curated menu featuring premium cuts of game meats, and traditional African favourites. 

Address: 69 Drift Blvd, Estate, Muldersdrift.

Ditch the kitchen- Santa is ready to serve you this Christmas at The Maslow Hotel. Whatever your festive fantasy looks like, prepare to be blown away by the variety of meals the restaurant has prepared. This year, diners can enjoy a beautifully curated Christmas lunch or dinner, designed to capture the magic of the season. The buffet costs R795 per person, R365 for children aged 3-10, and little ones under 3 eat for free. Not only will you be spoiled with delicious food, but the hotel has planned plenty of entertainment for the whole family. Expect live entertainment, a face painter for the kids, a balloon animal artist, and of course, a special appearance from Santa Claus himself. Make this Christmas unforgettable - all you have to do is arrive hungry and ready to experience the joy and festive cheer of the season.

Address: Corner Grayston Drive and Rivonia road, Sandton. 

Head to Kempton Park this Christmas and treat yourself to a festive feast at Rosetta’s Bistro. The restaurant is renowned for its daily buffet, featuring a diverse mix of local favourites and international dishes. This Christmas, Rosetta’s is turning things up a notch with an exciting menu packed with flavour and festive cheer.

Emperor's Palace's Convention Centre will also be serving a delicious Christmas lunch which will include live entertainment and a complimentary welcome drink. Come ready to induldge in mouth-watering dishes and amazing flavours. 

Address: Emperors Palace, 64 Jones Rd, Kempton Park, Johannesburg. 

Celebrate Christmas at Nova Bistro in Houghton Estate, where a cosy atmosphere meets a delicious lunch. The restaurant promises not just great food, but plenty of festive fun and family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained.

Address: Lloys Ellis Ave, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg. 

Sandton Sun & Towers is hosting a luxurious Christmas lunch for the whole family. Kids can enjoy food coupled with fun and games at the designated play area, while adults indulge in mouth-watering dishes. Lunch costs R750 per person, with kids under 3 enjoying 50% off.

Adress: Corner of Alice Lane &, 5th St, Sandown, Sandton. 

Multiple Southern Sun hotels across Johannesburg will be hosting festive Christmas lunches, including:

Southern Sun Hyde Park

Southern Sun Katherine Street

Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport

Southern Sun Sandton

Each venue will offer a festive dining experiences. So gather your loved ones and get ready to eat, drink, and be merry.

Enjoy Christmas lunch like no other; head to one of Joburg’s top entertainment destinations, Montecasino, and savour a festive feast at Piazza Hotel for only R595 per adult and R315 per child - including a welcome glass of sparkling wine.

Address: Montecasino Boulevard, Fourways. 

Located at Emperors Palace, Reign Restaurant, is serving up a special Christmas lunch for R975 per person. Children aged 4–12 pay R450, while those aged 3 and under dine for free. To make the day even more memorable, guests will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival and festive crackers to set the mood.

Address: Emperors Palace, 64 Jones Rd, Kempton Park, Johannesburg. 

This Christmas Day, gather your family and friends for a memorable lunch bursting with delicious food, warm hospitality, and holiday cheer. Take your pick from three Indaba Hotel's stunning venues, each with their own unique charm and joyful atmosphere:

Epsom Restaurant
Kgotla Venue
Chief’s Boma Restaurant

All three will be beautifully set up in Christmas décor and ready to welcome you for a joyous day of celebration.

Address: Winnie Mandela Drive, Pieter Wenning Road Johannesburg, Fourways, Sandton.