Not cooking for Christmas? See these affordable restaurant options

Have you decided that you are not slaving over a hot stove this year? Here are some affordable Christmas lunch options in pleasant surroundings.

South Africa has a rich culinary spread, which brings excitement and taste to meals. The country is not short of restaurants and delicious fare. Even on Christmas Day!

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CHRISTMAS LUNCH

If you are not up for a Christmas lunch at home next Monday, Eatout has come up with some brilliant restaurant suggestions.

Here are some relatively affordable Christmas lunch options around Johannesburg and Pretoria.

JOHANNESBURG

Carnivore (Muldersdrift, Johannesburg)

For an real South African Christmas lunch, head to the Carnivore restaurant for their ‘Beast of a Feast’ offering. This option is a real winner for an authentic experience and meat lovers!

Costing R495 per adult and R260 for kids (under 12), the meal begins with Carnivore’s soup of the day served with homemade honey bread.

You then enjoy a range of starters including salads, chicken livers, pork spare ribs and venison samoosas, before moving on to the main course with options that include turkey roll, gammon, rump of beef, venison biryani and more.

For desserts, you can choose from festive mince pies, gingerbread treats, malva pudding and cheesecake. Filter coffee, tea are included. Lunch starts from 12.00.

For reservations, call 011 950 6000 or email carnivore@rali.co.za.

Neck & Deck Restaurant (Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, Johannesburg)

Why not celebrate Christmas Day surrounded by nature and wildlife? This option is a winner for families or for anyone wanting to enjoy animals and the outdoors.

Here you can enjoy a special three-course lunch at Neck & Deck Restaurant. Lunch begins at 12.00 and is priced at R490 for adults and R245 for kids (aged 5 to 12).

For starters, there’s poached smoked salmon with sour cream on ciabatta bread and a quinoa salad with tomato caprese, strawberries, mint leaves, raisins and baby carrots.

You then have main course options including braised lamb neck infused with rosemary and thyme, lemon-and-garlic-infused hake or traditional homemade chicken lasagne, all served with a choice of sides.

The dessert options include delicious panna cotta with raspberry coulis or sticky toffee pudding.

For reservations, call 011 957 0106 or 011 957 0109 or email nfo@rhinolion.co.za.

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PRETORIA

Country Kitchen Restaurant (Premier Hotel Roodevalley, Pretoria)

This option is ideal for those in or near Pretoria. Get into the festive spirit with a Christmas lunch at the Country Kitchen Restaurant.

The menu is priced at R340 per adult and R165 for kids (aged 4 to 12).

You begin the lunch menu at the harvest table which offers a range of salads and breads, before moving on to the carvery selection of beef prime rib with Yorkshire pudding and honey-glazed gammon.

Main course options include oxtail casserole, butternut fritters, Mediterranean grilled vegetables and garlic and Parmesan baby potatoes.

For dessert, there’s malva pudding with custard, chocolate eclairs or baked cheesecake.

For reservations, call 012 845 5000 or email conf.roodevalley@premierhotels.co.za.

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