Head to these 10 places in Mumbai for a soul-satisfying Christmas brunch
Be prepared for Goan favourites, festive cocktails, and decadent sweet treats.
Is there anything more magical than waking up on Christmas morning and digging into an elaborate spread? We don’t think so. And with the festival this year falling on a Sunday, it’s the perfect excuse to dress up in your holiday best and head out for an extravagant brunch. With some of the best restaurants and cafés in Mumbai offering up special festive edits, here’s a list of the places that should be on your list.
O Pedro
No one does a Christmas feast like O Pedro, the Goan-Portugese restaurant at BKC. This year, too, they have a special festive a la carte menu called ‘Twelve Days To Christmas’. Expect dishes like grilled Portugese chorizo, Nana Cardoz’s pork meatballs, stuffed squids, and more. Sip on fun drinks that get the festive treatment too—there’s mulled wine, Xmas punch, ginger mule amongst others on the bar menu. Move on to the sweets that also bring ample of Goa vibes, like Nana’s Christmas cake and guava-cheese cake.
When: December 13-25, 2022; 12 noon to 1am (all days of the week).
Where: O Pedro, Unit No. 2, Ground Floor, Jet Airways-Godrej BKC Building, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra-East.
Pondichery Café, Sofitel BKC
Sofitel Mumbai BKC’s Pondichery Café is hosting a special Christmas day brunch that features everything from an extensive mezze bar to Indian classics like mutton dalcha, biryani, and kebabs. The usual suspects of a Christmas spread are there too, like the porchetta ham that comes with grilled vegetables, broccoli mousseline, and maple sauce, or the oven-roasted turkey. For dessert, go for the decadent Yule log, mince pies, or the beloved plum cake. There will be a dedicated kids section too, with treats like marshmallows, candies, éclairs, and more.
When: Sunday, December 25, 2022; 12:30 pm to 4 pm.
Where: Pondichery Café Sofitel Mumbai BKC, C 57, G Block BKC, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra-East.
Loci and Toot
Looking for variety in your Christmas spread? Then Loci and Toot’s special festive menu will be right up your alley, which has a delicious medley of soups, appetizers, mains, and desserts. Pick from appetizers like caper butter garlic prawns served with warm focaccia, or the classic chicken parma that has bocconi-stuffed chicken breast with arugula, spicy pomodoro sauce, and parmesan shavings. The mains are just as indulgent—think honey-baked ham with salt-baked potatoes and roasted brussel sprouts, or the Russian classic of chicken á la Kiev, which features stuffed chicken served with veggies and cheesy mashed potatoes. Vegetarians won’t feel left out as there are plenty of plant-based options too—like the vegetable lasagna and the indulgent veg au gratin. Round it off with a slice of buche de noel, which is a Christmas dessert shaped like a log of tree.
When: Monday-Sunday; 11 am to 12 am.
Where: Shop No. 2, Sangrila Vaibhav CHS Ltd Plot 616, 14th Road, Khar West.
La Poz Place
If you’d like to catch a traditional Christmas meal even after the special day is over, head to La Poz Place for their festive curated menu that will run till next month. The holiday menu has hearty dishes perfect for the season—dig into brie berry crostini, spiced pumpkin hummus, sweet potato and truffle dauphinois, and more. No Christmas feast is complete without something sweet, so don’t miss the flaming hot chocolate dome or the strawberry and cheese that comes with fresh strawberries and a tart berry compote.
When: Until January 2023; 12 noon to 1:30 am.
Where: La Poz Place, 105, Mumbai Samachar Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort.
Opa Kipos
Want to do something for your Christmas? Head to Opa Kipos for their set Christmas brunch that is all about spotlighting the best of Mediterranean classics—think hummus, chicken gyros, calamari with lemon aioli, and more. Vegetarians will love the moussaka made with grilled courgette and aubergines, and the tangy vegetable orzo, which has roasted vegetables and rice in a spicy tomato sauce. End your meal on a sweet note, by digging into desserts like the bougatsa, which is a warm chocolate phyllo pie, citrusy cheesecakes, and chocolate diples, which is a dish filled with chocolate mousse, wild cherry, and pistachio granola.
When: Sunday, December 25, 2022; from 12 noon to 4pm.
Where: OPA Kipos, Wadia International Centre, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Kamagar Nagar Number 1, Worli.
Poco Loco
If a Spanish-inspired holiday lunch is more your thing, then Poco Loco’s Christmas special menu will fit the bill perfectly. It includes poached turkey salad, festive turkey tacos, potato chicken croquettes, and mole chicken—the classic Mexican dish made with different types of chillies and mole sauce. The drinks get a Christmas makeover too, with concoctions like Dr. Locos eggnog and spiked chilly hot chocolate. Sweet lovers will particularly enjoy the rum-soaked and nut-studded Christmas plum cake.
When: December 23-31, 2022.
Where: Poco Loco Tapas and Bar, Khar & South Bombay.
Hakkasan
While Hakkasan organises a Sunday brunch every week, they have a special festive edition this week for Christmas. Try heart-warming soups before making your way through the small eats like the crab dumpling with Singapore sauce, the spicy jackfruit dumplings, or the crispy tofu. There are plenty of side options too—truffle fried rice, chicken Szechuan noodles, and the Hakka hand-pulled noodles with shimeji mushrooms are some you can pick from. Don’t forget to try the free-flowing cocktails and the desserts—there’s an indulgent apple and vanilla crème brulee and dark chocolate mousse on the brunch menu.
When: Sunday, December 25 2022; 12 noon to 3:30 pm.
Where: Hakkasan, 206 Krystal, Waterfield Road, Bandra (West).
Slink & Bardot
Christmas feasting is taken to the next level at Slink and Bardot’s brunch that has everything from a roasted turkey platter for one (in case you’re spending the day solo!) or the unlimited feast table if you’re celebrating with friends and family. Pick from a long list of Christmas specials, like the roast chicken with rosemary potatoes, the cacio e pepe orzo with wild mushroom, or the charred brussel sprouts with garlic labneh. When it comes to the desserts, you’re spoilt for choice—there’s a rum fruitcake, berry trifle, dark chocolate Yule log, and more in the sweets section.
When: Sunday, December 25 2022; 12 noon to 4 pm.
Where: Thadani House, 329/A, opposite Indian Coast Guard, Worli Village.
Foo
If Asian food is your jam, then the Foo-Sum brunch should be on your list. The menu has a selection of festive dishes this season with your loved ones. The menu showcases a selection of signature Foo dishes like the miso soup, the refreshing som tum salad or the sushis and dim sums like Nikkei avocado uramaki, spicy hamachi maki, or the baos. The highlight of the brunch is the dim sum trolley with a range of fan-favourite dumplings. A Christmas feast wouldn’t be the same without desserts—go for black marble sesame cheesecake.
When: Sunday, December 25, 2022 and January 1, 2023.
Where: Foo Town, Foo Bandra, Foo Andheri, and Foo Nesco
Toast Pasta Bar
Toast Pasta Bar is celebrating its first Christmas ever with a special Christmas eve dinner and Christmas brunch designed by chef Devika. Start off by digging into antipasti like caramelized onion and thyme focaccia or the grilled squid with grapefruit, oregano, and chilli. The mains are just as interesting, with dishes like smoked potato and pecorino ravioli. The porchetta with sage, pistachio and cranberry stuffing with apple sauce and jus is decidedly festive, as is the braised oxtail cappelleci with rosemary and bone marrow. End your Christmas meal with the sticky toffee pudding and whiskey ice cream or the gingerbread tiramisu. There are limited-edition holiday cocktails too, that will go perfectly with the dishes.
When: December 24 dinner and 25 brunch; call on +91 9594398238
Where: Toast Pasta Bar, Kamala Mills, Lower Parel
Lead image: Slink and Bardot