From hotly anticipated brunches and special-themed menus to cutesy food stalls and street fests, there’s so much to look forward to around you this festive season — here’s our highlights for the best Christmas feasts in India’s biggest cities.

Mumbai

Dine Away In True Christmas Spirit 

Still scrambling for a worthwhile spot to indulge in hearty Christmas fare? Well, stopping by for specials at Gallops in South Bombay would be a good idea. The iconic fine dining restaurant has rolled out its customary Christmas Eve Buffet, curated by chef Yajush Malik. You’ll find traditional favourites on the seasonal menu such as Christmas roast turkey, maple-glazed ham, garlic broccoli, parmesan crusted fish and baked brie, along with new surprises.  Finish up the meal in true X-masy spirit, with sweet picks like chocolate hazelnut yule log, pecan pie, Christmas pudding and fruit savarin, among several other delights. While you’re at it, don’t forget to look up and soak in your surroundings — Christmas fairy lights, special evening décor, chandeliers, and the lush trees offering a natural canopy and a starry sky overlooking the lush green racecourse.

Gallops Christmas Special menu is available from 16th December, 2022 to 1st January, 2023. 

Where: Inside Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Via Gate 1, Keshavrao Khadye Marg, Royal Western India Turf Club, Mahalakshmi, Mumbai  
Timings: (For Christmas Eve Dinner) 7:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Call: 226 960 0111 
Cost: Dinner Buffet 2800/-++, Imported Alcohol Package 1200/-++

Sign Up For A Limited Edition Holiday Sunday Brunch

Hakkasan’s Sunday brunch comes with a special add-on this Christmas — a celebratory experience with free-flowing Cinzano Prosecco cocktails, paired alongside a special 6-course menu, bursting with authentic Cantonese flavours. The brunch features interesting options such as wild mushroom clear soup, the Hakkasan signature crispy duck salad with pomelo, pine nut and shallot, spicy jackfruit dumplings, chicken and prawn shui mai, edamame and egg fried rice, stir-fry chicken in szechuan peppercorn and more. For beverages, pick from accompaniments like classic Aperol spritz with Aperol, cinzano Prosecco and seltzer; Cheng with vodka, aperol, fresh orange juice, almond syrup and ginger beer.

Timings: Every Sunday, 12 pm to 3:30 pm
Call: 835 587 7777 
Cost:  ₹ 3000/- (plus taxes per person)

Fancy Oriental Fare Is Always A Good Idea

Lovers of dumplings, chicken wings, and wok-tossed seafood are in for a surprise at BrewDog. Curated by chefs Gaurav Gidwani and Roshan Seth, this year’s Christmas menu includes signature offerings like bamboo shoot & root ginger fish en papillote, crispy wok-tossed prawns with pink peppercorn, special honey sesame pork sticks, chong quin chicken wings, spring rolls and dumplings. The mains also feature signature dishes like stir-fried chicken with dried red chilies, and sweet and sour pork. Vegetarians can tuck into specials like the Chinese eggplant in garlic sauce or the special version of mapo tofu. Interestingly, everything on the menu meshes well with their in-house beers — so don’t be afraid to drink up.

Where: Brewdog Bandra/Brewdog Midtown Mumbai 
Timings: 12 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. 
Call: Midtown: 809 744 6944 | Bandra: 897 698 1272 
Cost: Rs. 2000 +taxes 

The Perfect Getaway Christmas Feast

How about stepping into the Christmas weekend with a true holiday spirit? That’s what Saltt Karjat promises to offer with its first-ever Christmas brunch menu. Away from Mumbai’s bustle, dine on menu highlights such as French onion soup with port wine, greek quinoa and mock duck tart and honey bourbon roast chicken. Of course, there’s the traditional Christmas pudding with rum sauce and berries, apple strudels with rum, raisins, apple; cake crumbs and crème anglaise — the list goes on. You can also expect a specially curated flea market, live music, kids activities, and further attractions for the perfect Sunday outing.

The Christmas special menu is ongoing until 25th December. 

Where: Saltt Lawns, Oleander Farms Pvt Ltd, Karjat Chowk Road, Vavarle Village Karjat, Khalapur, Maharashtra  
Timings: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.    
Call: 225 002 2224/225 002 2225

Delhi

Tipsy-Topsy Times Ahead This Christmas! 

The yuletide spirit in the air calls for some serious merry-making — for all you early birds, drop by Monkey Bar for Christmas festivities that start early and go on for an entire fortnight. An exciting line-up featuring boozy concoctions, foot-thumping music, special themed evenings, dessert giveaways and lots more await from December 15 to 31, 2022. 

Where: Plot No 11, Pocket C 6& 7, Local Shopping Complex, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 
Timings: Monday to Sunday 1 pm to 12:30 am  
Call: 114 109 5155   
Cost: Meal for two with alcohol: Rs. 2000++/ Meal for two without alcohol: Rs. 1400 ++

Kick Off Your Sunday On The Right Foodie Note

Since it’s the perfect time of year to stay in bed that extra bit longer, one8 Commune has rolled out a ‘late breakfast’ menu, curated by Chef Pawan Bisht. Treat yourself to a booze-fuelled brunch with a range of exquisitely crafted cocktails infused with assorted spices and syrups to pair with yummy bites like the avocado tartare to the crowd’s favourite pepperoni pizza. For your sweet tooth, pick from a range of complimentary desserts curated by La Dolça.

Where: one8 Commune Aerocity, Punjabi Bagh, and Civil Lines 
Timings: 11th December onwards, every Sunday between 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
Call: 971 841 8995/837 692 1944 
Cost: Rs.3000 to 3500 for two

Feast On French Delicacies In A Floral Fairyland

Lovers of French cuisine can sample a specially-curated Christmas menu at Café De Flora’s this season. For starters, sink your teeth into the punchy flavours of orange citrus salad, followed by a main course featuring signature favourites such as grilled chicken with mashed potatoes & veggies, and cottage cheese steak. No holiday meal is complete without a decadent dessert, so tuck into festive treats such as gingerbread, macaroons, rum cake and more. Also on offer is a unique and interactive experience with the outlet’s DIY hot chocolate. Guests can choose hot chocolate from the menu, and customize their drinks with a tray of toppings such as candies, cakes, whipped cream, and marshmallows.

Where: Shop No-24 25, Santushti Shopping Complex, opp. Samrat Hotel, New Delhi 
Timings: 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Call: 888 292 7513
Cost: Rs. 1500 for two

Bengaluru

Get The Best Of All Worlds On Your Plate 

A day as special as Christmas warrants a special meal, so treat yourself to some extra indulgence at the Hyatt Centric Bangalore. The festive menu by chef Gaurav Ramakrishnan features an array of options like smoked fish rillette, pork salami, chicken liver pate, grilled chicken and sweet figs salad, a Turkey station (carving), butter tossed baby vegetables, cranberry sauce, Giblet gravy, cornbread stuffing, a prune tart, the classic Yule log, bebinca, stollen cake and more. There is also a special counter for kids with cheesy specials to pint-sized desserts. After all, it’s the season of joy! 

Where: Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore
Timings: 24th Dec 2022 – Christmas dinner buffet – 07:00 PM to 11:00 PM | 25th – Christmas Brunch 12:30 PM to 04:30 PM
Call: 959 151 0193
Cost:  INR 1999++ with alcohol and INR 2999++ with alcohol

For The Love Of Sweet-Somethings

Forget about the calories and sink your teeth into festive treats at Magnolia Bakery this Christmas. They’ve got plum cakes, plum cake loaves, and an array of mini-pies and beautifully decorated holiday cupcakes. The treats can be customized into a hamper as well. Did we forget mentioning the bakery’s crowd-favourite pies? Of course not. So, pick from best-selling options like mini double crust apple pie, mini caramel apple lattice pie, and mini pear cranberry crumble pie.

Where: J.K. Plaza, Indiranagar, RMZ Ecoworld, Sarjapur, Phoenix Market City, Mahadevapura
Timings: 10 a.m to 12:30 am
Call: 960 674 6364 
Cost:  INR 160++

Ring In The Festive Cheer With A Glorious Spread 

Yuletide treats, celebratory seasonal feastings, live stations and much more are on the cards at the Four Seasons, Bengaluru. Tuck into traditional favourites as well as in-house creations, along with a range of savouries, biscuits and Christmas-themed pastries such as stollen, plum pudding, and ginger cookies.

Where: CUR8, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru
Timings: December 24, 2022
Call: 804 522 2281
Cost:  INR 3500+ taxes (food only); INR 5200+ taxes (beverage selection), per person

Goa

Dig Into A Little Bit Of Everything

The sunny Goan shacks are calling! It’s the perfect season to tuck into a sumptuous pre-Christmas dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton, as the upscale hillside hotel is serving up dishes like roasted turkey with accompaniments, honey-glazed leg of pork, live stations of Indian & international cuisine, and traditional Christmas desserts. What’s more? Expect a live vocalist to get you grooving as you dig into a decadent X-masy meal! 

Where: Comida, DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji 
Timings: 07:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. 
Call: 832 671 9234 
Cost: INR 3,600 exclusive of taxes for two people (20% festive cheer discount)

Kolkata

Make Your Tastebuds Go Cha Cha Cha!

While it’s always a tough call to pick a favourite food joint in the city of joy, The Daily somehow manages to sustain its charm irrespective of how many players enter Kolkata’s vibrant food space. The popular cafe & bistro’s winter menu features keto-friendly, and vegan options apart from specialities like the pumpkin with orzo, peppers, parmigiano reggiano and garlic,  steak with a side of green salad and truffle fries, ham and cheese omelette, along with eggs-celent breakfast options like benedict, scrambled, shakshuka, akuri, and omelette) — all within its cosy, perfect-for-dates decor.

Where: 5, Satyen Dutta Road, Desapriya Park, Kolkata
Timings: 12:00pm to 10:30pm, Sundays 10:30am 
Call: 801 709 9950
Cost: Rs. 1,100 for two

Unleash Your Inner Child At A Food Fest  

Mark your calendars for the annual Park Street extravaganza, as the evening will come alive with the dazzle of theme lighting, carols, live music and food stalls. Take home a volley of cutesy buys such as the devil horns, Santa caps, oversized glasses, and balloons—they’re sure to make you smile!

Where: Park Street, Kolkata
When: December 26 – December 30.   

Images: Hakkasan, Saltt