Your Guide To The Ultimate Christmas Long Lunch In The Shire
Sun, spritzes and seafood platters — here’s where to celebrate the silly season in style
Benny’s, Cronulla
'Tis the season for long lunches, clinking glasses, and maybe one too many plates of pavlova.
If there’s ever an excuse to settle in for oysters, rosé, and a few hours of good company, it’s Christmas — and in the Shire, we take that very seriously. From beachside favourites to spots made for a midday spritz, here’s your guide to where to eat, sip, and celebrate the silly season in style.
Bobby’s
Long lunches don’t get much prettier than this. With its sun-bleached palette, coastal breeze, and a menu made for grazing, Bobby’s is where Christmas celebrations unfold in style. Start with a spritz, stay for the ragu, and let the afternoon melt into golden hour.
Pippi’s
The stylish Pippi’s projects seriously cool Mediterranean seaside vibes — the only setting you need for a Christmas long lunch. Bask on the sun-drenched deck while enjoying a share-style menu that’s perfect for unwinding, indulging, and celebrating with friends. If your crew loves to settle in for a proper catch-up, the set menu is a great pick. And since it’s BYO, don’t forget to bring your favourite bottle — it is Christmas, after all.
Jensen’s
With a sense of effortless elegance, a menu that never misses (yes, the Fried Gnocchi makes an appearance), and desserts worth lingering over, Jensen’s is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for your Christmas long lunch. Scout tip: For something a little more intimate (and fancy), The Cellar, Jensens’ private dining room, offers a chic, secluded space perfect for festive celebrations.
Hurricane’s
For those who prefer their long lunch with a little more indulgence, Hurricane’s Private Dining Room is calling your name. With luxe, neutral interiors and the same premium meats and seafood the brand’s known for, it’s perfect for a festive catch-up that feels effortlessly refined. The kind of place where the conversation flows, the plates keep coming, and no one’s in a rush to leave. Scout tip: When you’re done lingering over lunch, drift over to the in-house bar to keep the good times going.
Rocksalt
If your kind of Christmas lunch involves bottomless Aperol and seriously good food, Rocksalt’s the move. A long-standing local favourite that knows how to throw a festive feast, their modern Australian menu delivers every time — and the desserts? Let’s just say the Snickers Bar has a fan club of its own. Scout tip: Every Saturday, they roll out their bottomless lunch, giving you full permission to sip, snack, and celebrate the season like you mean it.
Hazel
For something a little more refined, Hazel brings French countryside charm right to the Shire. Nestled within Hazelhurst Arts Centre, it’s a serene spot to toast the season with a fresh, French-inspired share-style menu and an open deck overlooking the gardens. For something more intimate, their private dining room offers the perfect setting for a festive long lunch with a touch of elegance.
Pino’s al Mare
Sunshine, spritzes, and pasta that’s way too good to share — Pino’s has the long-lunch formula down pat. This Cronulla fave nails the art of festive feasting with a coastal Italian twist. Go the set menu route or pick your own plates — either way, you’re in for a celebration that feels like summer in Italy. Scout tip: order the Tiramisu. It’s basically a house rule.
Benny’s
Laid-back yet luxe, Benny’s was made for Christmas catch-ups that turn into all-day affairs. With bay views that set the scene and a menu by hatted chef RJ Lines, expect a fresh Australian–Mediterranean twist to every dish. Settle in with a spritz, share a few plates, and if you time it right, you’ll be toasting under a sky that turns golden over Gunnamatta Bay. It’s easy to see why this spot is a local favourite.
Giro Osteria
When only pasta, prosecco, and a long, lazy lunch will do. With share-style dishes, coastal Italian flavours, and a cocktail list worth working through, Giro Osteria is the ultimate spot for a festive feast with friends. The antipasto is always a hit, and their cheese wheel spaghetti Cacio e Pepe? An absolute must-try. The Apple Martini is iconic — but truthfully, everything here hits the mark.
Audley Dance Hall
Tucked away in the National Park, Audley Dance Hall offers a Christmas long lunch with a twist — your own private setup right by the water. Picture your very own bar and bartender, a menu crafted by their talented in-house chefs, and a space styled exactly how you want it. It’s the kind of festive celebration that feels intimate, effortless, and just a little bit special.
Homer
New to the Cronulla dining scene, Homer Rogue Taverna is already stealing the spotlight — and for good reason. The team behind Ham has brought the spirit of a Greek taverna to the Shire, with charcoal-roasted meats, handmade flatbreads, and plenty of wine to go around. It’s the perfect place for a Christmas catch-up, where share plates hit the table as they’re ready — and before you know it, you’re toasting to the season like a local in Athens.
Fior
A long lunch that turns into a full-blown festive afternoon? Fior delivers every time. With its chic yet moody interiors, creamy burrata, and plates of pasta designed to share, it’s the perfect place to celebrate the season with your crew. Add in good wine and a scoop (or two) from their in-house gelato cart, and you’ve got yourself the dream Christmas lunch.
Alphabet St
Spice up your Christmas catch-up at Alphabet St, the spot that’s been winning over the Shire for years. With bold Asian flavours, sleek interiors, and cocktails worth coming back for, Alphabet St hits all the right notes. Start with the Hiramasa Kingfish Sashimi, keep the Roti coming, and don’t even think about skipping the Salted Caramel Espresso Martini.
Johnny Hu
Johnny Hu has quickly cemented itself as one of the Shire’s coolest places to celebrate. From the crew behind Alphabet St and Giro Osteria, it’s modern Chinese done with personality — bold dishes, buzzing energy, and cocktails worth writing home about. Start with the Lychee Bubble Cocktail, stay for the vibe, and maybe cancel your afternoon plans.
Sealevel
If your ideal Christmas lunch involves seafood and sea views, Sealevel’s the pick. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows give you front-row seats to the ocean, while the menu delivers on everything from fresh prawns to signature seafood platters. Scout tip: it’s BYO, so pack your favourite bubbles and make an afternoon of it.
Summersalt
There’s beachside dining — and then there’s Christmas lunch at Summer Salt. With ocean views, local seafood, and Italian-inspired dishes on the menu, it’s the perfect place to toast the season. Order the Strawberry Kiss cocktail, settle in by the window, or make it a private celebration in their elegant dining room.