6 Australian Restaurants to Dine in This Festive Season

Whether it's a lunchtime extravaganza with colleagues, a friendly pre-Christmas catch up, a Christmas Eve dinner with the in-laws or Christmas Day decadence with the fam, we've got you covered.

Check out these festive favourites (all partners of the Good Food Gift Card).

Coco's Restaurant, Cairns

Located on the lobby level of Pullman Cairns International Hotel, Coco's Restaurant is one of the best in Cairns. Famous for their seafood buffets, they are offering two sittings of Sunday brunch in December, which not only include their amazing array of seafood, but come with all the Christmas trimmings too.

Choose to dine Sunday December 10 and from $89 per person you can feast while enjoying a three-hour beverage package inclusive of cocktails. Can't make it before Christmas? Then why not dine at Coco's on New Year's Eve where you can enjoy a mouth-watering buffet of fresh local seafood and a glass of sparkling wine from just $85 per person. Again there are two sittings, an early evening sitting and a later sitting that's perfect for seeing in 2018.

The Independent Gembrook, Gembrook, Victoria

The Independent Gembrook is casual restaurant where you can dine on contemporary Argentinian food in the beautiful setting of the Dandenongs and Yarra Valley. It's a place where great food is about family and friends and where the best local ingredients shine.

Taste the best of what's on offer with their Christmas Eve 'Six Steps' menu at $58 per person, which includes classic dishes for the whole table to share. Alternatively you can go all out and enjoy 'Mauro's Table' at $76 per person, in which you'll receive eight courses. Take it to $114 per person and your dinner will include 4 matching beverages.

Bistro Bellavista, East Perth

Family-owned Bistro Bellvista is a fully-licenced Italian restaurant open for dinner and breakfast every day and lunch on Friday and Sunday. It offers authentic woodfired pizza and a la carte dining experience with exceptionally friendly service.

This Christmas Day they are offering a beautiful set menu consisting of entree, main, dessert, tea and coffee for just $95 per person or $49 for children (aged between 5-12 years). Enjoy antipasto di Natale, a selection of hot and cold delicacies. Choose between slow cooked beef cheek, fresh WA fish fillet, gnocchi or seafood pasta and then finish with your choice of creme brulee or profiteroles. A range of child-friendly options are available for the kids.

Embassy XO, Sunshine Beach, QLD

Located in the heart of Sunshine Beach, Embassy XO presents an award-winning menu and wine list. Noosa's premier Asian dining experience, diners can choose from a range of banquet options incorporating entrees, mains, sides and desserts.

Overlooking the ocean and Sunshine Beach village, it's the perfect place for a pre-Christmas catch up over Yum Cha. On New Year's Eve, fans of Embassy XO can indulge in a special New Year's Eve banquet inclusive of French Champagne on arrival. Choose from two sittings, an early one and a later one, both of which are priced at $125 per person.

The Botanical, South Yarra, VIC

One of Melbourne's most revered hotels, The Botanical reopened its doors in November 2010 after a significant $4 million renovation. An exciting dining and drinking destination, it is superbly located adjacent to the famous Botanic Gardens and serves as a multifaceted venue complete with formal restaurant, informal wine store and cafe, a bar and a lounge. There's also the alfresco-inspired Archer Room for casual dining and private events.

A celebration of Provincial French/Mediterranean cuisine, it offers award-winning Christmas party packages for up to 200 people. On New Year's Eve, diners can enjoy four courses and a glass of champagne on arrival for $125 per person.

Vaporetto Venetian Bar & Eatery, Hawthorn, VIC

Bringing a little slice of Venice to Hawthorn, Victoria, Vaporetto Venetian Bar and Eatery is something truly unique. Enter through an old tobacco shop front and you'll find dark timbers, hand-blown Murano chandeliers, marble, aged brass, leather banquettes and an experienced bartender. Sip on traditional Venetian cocktails in crystal cut glassware before being escorted to your table in 'The Eatery'.

The menu is quintessentially Venetian, with pure and simple Italian food that has a strong emphasis on homemade pasta. The pasta is complimented by cicchetti (small tastes), and a stunning little grill section that focuses on flavours from "the lagoon". On New Year's Eve, diners can choose an early five-course sitting with three-hour dining time for $95 per person inclusive of a welcoming Prosecco. For those preferring to see in midnight, a premium experience is available and offers welcome Prosecco, five-courses and a celebratory glass of Vintage Franciacorta for $115 per person.

Time to get festive

While traditional Christmas foods vary from one culture to the next, there's no denying that food sits at the heart of festive celebrations.

This year, choose to dine at one of these Good Food Gift Card partner restaurants for a festive meal to remember.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.

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