Christmas Dinner Options 2017 (updated Dec. 21)

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

There's no lack of Christmas dinner options in Pattaya. At least 100 restaurants offer some sort of festive holiday meal. The difficulty is finding one that's both good and offers decent value for money.

 

My choice has already been made.

 

 

I had the Christmas carvery buffet at the Hard Rock Cafe last year and it was excellent. It had everything you could want in a Christmas buffet and then some.

 

 

I wrote about in Christmas Eve Buffet at Hard Rock.

 

 

But it is a bit confusing this year. Apparently Hard Rock has two Christmas options, the Santa Rock buffet ...

 

and a BBQ buffet that's more expensive.

 

Both buffets are held at the same time on Dec. 24th and Dec. 25th in the Starz Diner, so I imagine the BBQ buffet includes more dishes to appeal to non-Western diners. I can do without BBQ skewers, sushi and tiger prawns on Christmas Eve; I just want turkey, stuffing and other fixings, plus Christmas desserts. The Santa Rock buffet is fine for me. I sent HR an email asking for a clarification.

 

Otherwise, the restaurants popular among farang are offering Christmas meals. I read frozen turkeys now cost 600 baht per kilo in Thailand, so it's understandable the meals are quite expensive. If past history is any guide, you need to book a table ASAP.

 

 

 

More to come.

 

Santa Penevil

Edited December 20, 2017 by Evil Penevil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

At the upper end of the Christmas meal scale you have Bruno's ...

 

 

 

and at the top, there's the Hilton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Marque Bar has a Christmas party, but I haven't seen anything about a Christmas meal.

 

 

Last year's thread on Christmas dinners is still relevant and contains more suggestions. Of course you'll need to check with the restaurant about details and prices and preferably to make a reservation.

 

Santa Penevil

Edited December 7, 2017 by Evil Penevil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

 

 

 

Santa Penevil

Edited December 9, 2017 by Evil Penevil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Two in Jomtien:

Santa Penevil

[Bushcraft 2,591]

I'm in Bah, Humbug! mood this year. I'm not going to spend around 1000 Baht per head crammed into some some place that merely serves turkey, some Xmas pud and a paper hat as a Christmas extra to what is actually nothing but a standard Sunday-type roast normally costing 3-500. Turkey may be expensive, but Xmas is bonanza time for restaurants at that price level, and few can cater for large number of customers within a short lunchtime period. Standard roast lunch somewhere quieter for me thanks.

[MM 6,562]

I'm with Bushcraft on this viewpoint. It's an overpriced roast commonly served every week, with bad precooked turkey (artificially expensive) serving to boost the price.

 

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[pattysteve 34]

I'll be sticking to my regular food for Xmas day.A nice hot Indian curry.

 

Little India will be the choice,YUMMY,beats roast turkey all ends up.

[Big_Brian 179]

I'll be sticking to my regular food for Xmas day.A nice hot Indian curry.

 

Little India will be the choice,YUMMY,beats roast turkey all ends up.

Not a bad idea, might well do that - if I can find one that my TG will eat at "no like, India man dirty", "but it's a Thai lady cooking, look", "no like".........

 

When they get an idea in their pretty little heads, it stays there!

[Bazle 1,500]

I'll be sticking to my regular food for Xmas day.A nice hot Indian curry.

 

Little India will be the choice,YUMMY,beats roast turkey all ends up.

 

Good! I'm not the only one who is not a fan of the traditional English Xmas fayre.

 

I really do not understand all the excitement about it.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Another expensive option, this time at the Holiday Inn:

Santa Penevil

[jacko 8,822]

 

Good! I'm not the only one who is not a fan of the traditional English Xmas fayre.

 

I really do not understand all the excitement about it.

If you are back in the UK I kinda feel it is the Indian food that is over-hyped.

A well done Xmas dinner is sensational but it doesn't really suit the Thai climate and one needs something good on TV, a comfy chair and the ability to unfasten ones pants after.

 

Coming home, after visiting the pub on a Christmas afternoon, to all those lovely smells!

Wonderful.

Edited December 11, 2017 by jacko

[mac657 0]

Thank you Mr Penevil for another excellent Xmas Dinner round up! Does anyone have any particular recommendations for my first Christmas Dinner in Pattaya as a lone dinner? Your recommendations and advice is greatly appreciated.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Thank you Mr Penevil for another excellent Xmas Dinner round up! Does anyone have any particular recommendations for my first Christmas Dinner in Pattaya as a lone dinner? Your recommendations and advice is greatly appreciated.

 

In terms of that sweet spot between quality and price, the Hard Rock Cafe is looking like the best deal this year. Take a look at the info in the OP. It's where I'll be eating on Christmas Eve.

 

To clear up some confusion about the price of this year's Santa Rock Christmas Carvery Buffet at the Hard Rock Cafe: it is 899 baht, inclusive tax and service. This year the HR is requiring pre-payment. I have erased any identifying info from the invoice.

That's the SAME price it was last year without the free flow of booze option. In 2016, I paid 1,389 baht, but that included the free flow of booze. Without it, the cost last year would have been 899 baht. This year, there doesn't appear to be a free-flow option.

I tried asking about the difference between the Santa Rock buffet and the BBQ buffet but unfortunately, I haven't got an answer back. I believe the only difference is that the BBQ buffet includes beef skewers and seafood.

Santa Penevil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Breaking news- Chik-n-Coop Bar in the arcade next to Soi Diana is offering a Christmas buffet at 500 baht, turkey and all the trimmings.. For anyone who's had Coop's holiday meals. it's great value for money. Coop told me tonight he has 55 places left.

So if you want a great Christmas dinner on Dec. 25 American Style, call in at Coop's. It's a better deal than any of the fixed-plate options. It starts at 6.00 p.m. on the 25th, get there by 5.30 p.m. if you want to be assured of a seat.

Santa Penevil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Two more at the least expensive end of the scale for Christmas buffets. Both are close to LK Metro.

Santa Penevil

[Big_Brian 179]

 

Two more at the least expensive end of the scale for Christmas buffets. Both are close to LK Metro.

Santa Penevil

 

Evil, the one on the left, I can't see a restaurant name? Thanks

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Evil, the one on the left, I can't see a restaurant name? Thanks

 

Sorry about that. It's The Haven on Soi Lengkee. I've never had Christmas dinner there, but a friend recommends it.

 

Santa Penevil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

A few points regarding Christmas dinner in Pattaya.

 

1) If you have booked at Jolly's for Christmas or are considering it, you might want to check with the restaurant to see if anything has changed recently regarding the Christmas carvery. This ONLY concerns Jolly's.

 

2) Several restaurant owners have said advanced bookings for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are way down compared to previous years. Whether this is due to fewer farang tourists in town or prices for Christmas dinner have reached the tipping point is hard to say. But I've been told by someone with insight into such matters that restaurants which in past years wete fully booked by early December still have plenty of spaces with 10 days to go.

 

3) Another more expensive option:

 

 

4) Some details about the dinner at Chik-n-Coop (home-made fudge!!! )

 

 

Another great thing about Coop's meals is that he always has som tam and other Thai dishes so that Thai female companions have food they like. They can nibble on a bit of turkey or ham and try a spoonful of dressing to say they have eaten farang Christmas dinner, but then fill up on familiar food.

 

 

 

Santa Penevil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Sunny's Restaurant on the Darkside. I've never been to Sunny's, but a friend who knows his food has recommended it. If anyone needs the address or map, Sunny's has a Facebook page.

Santa Penevil

[laffnliv 78]

Glad to see Coop is still hosting his wonderful holiday meals. But am so sorry I won't be there. Not only is the food very good, but friends I have had for years are always there along with new people I always wish I had time to visit.

 

Evil, if you stop in, please say hello to Dick, the former CIA AirAmerica pilot, and Rad, the well known retired Marine. Special people.

 

Enjoy!

 

Little Roy

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

The Robin Hood Tavern on 2nd Road (The Avenue shopping Plaza):

 

 

 

 

Santa Penevil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

This one isn't a Christmas dinner per se, but it's holiday related and carries a great price:

Another on the Darkside that could be a good option for those who don't want a traditional U.K. or U.S. Christmas dinner two days in a row:

On the Darkside yet again for Christmas dinner. but in the traditional style:

Santa Penevil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

This one isn't a Christmas dinner per se, but it's holiday related and carries a great price:

[Big_Brian 179]

Evil, I may not take up any of your suggestions, but I want to say thanks for all the trouble you've gone to on our behalf.

[jacko 8,822]

Evil, I may not take up any of your suggestions, but I want to say thanks for all the trouble you've gone to on our behalf.

Agreed, a great thread, and extremely useful.

Someone asked the Q at the Expats Club and I was able to reel off a few suggestions having read this.

Edited December 15, 2017 by jacko