Going out Xmas day

moneysaverz83

Hi :T
We are thinking as a family to have lunch out on Xmas day for first time.
I'm looking to :money: for suggestions, that don't break the bank please and other info as to when best to book and places to eat.
Don't mind if festive or not, though a traditional Xmas lunch/carvery is good.
Any help please:beer:

Ms_Chocaholic

The prices are always put up due for lunch on Xmas Day and that's why we have always thought about it but decided to cook our own or be invited to relatives.

You say you are looking for recommendations but where do you live? Do you not have a favourite pub/restaurant that you usually frequent for meals out/Sunday lunch, at least you'll know what to expect. Unfortunately our fave pub for Sunday lunch won't be open on Xmas Day

A colleague at work went to an Indian restaurant a few years ago for on Christmas Day and had curry for lunch; not for me but the prices were reasonable.

Abbafan1972

I think if you don't want to break the bank on going out for Xmas day, you'd better stay in as everywhere is expensive!

We have opted to go out on Boxing day for a Toby Carvery as it is £22.99 each for a 3 course meal.

This is instead of £49.99 each for Xmas day and for 4 of us that's ridiculous!

We are cooking a curry for Xmas day, as we didn't want roast dinner 2 days on the trot.

Pollycat

I don't think anyone can help with suggestions of places to eat as nobody has any idea of your location.

Not much point suggesting a fab but cheap place in Aberdeen if you're in Abergele.

It depends what you mean by 'don't break the bank'.
You'll have no change out of £50 per head for a traditional Christmas lunch and possibly may have to pay more.

kazwookie

moneysaverz83 wrote: »

Hi :T
We are thinking as a family to have lunch out on Xmas day for first time.
I'm looking to :money: for suggestions, that don't break the bank please and other info as to when best to book and places to eat.
Don't mind if festive or not, though a traditional Xmas lunch/carvery is good.
Any help please:beer:

Daft question, we don't know where you live.

moneysaverz83

I live in a top 3 big city, so am spoilt for choice, hence question about TYPE of places and suggestions...as likely I'll have one of those near me
Could do posh pub? Farm pub? Standard pub?
Chains? Maybe won't feel as festive / special?
I guess 50-60 pp, 2-3 courses is ok. We won't be drinking if it helps

Pollycat

moneysaverz83 wrote: »

I live in a top 3 big city, so am spoilt for choice, hence question about TYPE of places and suggestions...as likely I'll have one of those near me
Could do posh pub? Farm pub? Standard pub?
Chains? Maybe won't feel as festive / special?
I guess 50-60 pp, 2-3 courses is ok. We won't be drinking if it helps

In fairness to the people who replied, you didn't actually ask about TYPE of places. You asked about 'places to eat' which to me was asking for suggestions for actual restaurants/pubs.

moneysaverz83 wrote: »

Hi :T
We are thinking as a family to have lunch out on Xmas day for first time.
I'm looking to :money: for suggestions, that don't break the bank please and other info as to when best to book and places to eat.
Don't mind if festive or not, though a traditional Xmas lunch/carvery is good.
Any help please:beer:

You mention chains as maybe not being so festive but in your first post, you say you don't mind festive or not. :huh:

I'd google chains - Wetherspoons, Toby, Harvester etc that you know are located in your 'top 3 big city' and see if they are open on Christmas Day and if the menu appeals.
Personally, having popped into our local Wetherspoons for a quick drink on Christmas Day a few years ago, it wouldn't be somewhere that I'd want to have Christmas lunch.
Look in your local paper for adverts for Christmas lunch.
Look at potential places as you drive about, if they do Christmas lunch they'll be advertising it.


As for when to book, I'd say you might be a bit late.

moneysaverz83

Do you need to book in August or something?!

Maybe a nice hotel lunch, or gastro pub type place. I don't eat out every week and go to chains more due to allergies, so was for looking for inspiration I guess

moneysaverz83

Ye don't want to do weather spoon whatsoever, and maybe looking for a step up from Toby carvery or harvesters

Pollycat

A lot of people book early - especially if the venue is open over a long period of time - to ensure they get to eat at the time that suits them.

Not exactly the same, but a friend has just (in the last week) booked for a Christmas Fayre evening meal at a local hotel (not a chain) for 13 people.
They wanted a particular day, 1st December so not close to Christmas and the hotel could only book them in for one time slot which isn't great for them but my friend has first refusal if another party cancels.

You'll only know if you're too late once you decide where you want to eat and ask.
Nobody can give you inspiration as we don't know where you live.

If you're serious about eating out, I'd get your skates on and find somewhere before it gets booked up.

Pollycat

moneysaverz83 wrote: »

Ye don't want to do weather spoon whatsoever, and maybe looking for a step up from Toby carvery or harvesters

So not a chain then...?

As before, nobody can recommend a hotel/gastro pub near you - because we don't know where you live.
As I don't live in the top 3 big city, I personally couldn't recommend somewhere local to you.

Can't you ask friends, family, workmates where they would recommend?