Spent most of Christmas Eve and Day in a boozy haze? Good thing there's still Boxing Day to eat and be merry. Whether or not you've attended Flock's iconic RETOX brunches in the past, the experience is not to be missed. Sober up with fresh seafood over ice, stuff your face with medium rare cuts of Angus beef Tomahawk, and give thanks that the toughest year ever is officially drawing to a close.

Dates & Prices

Christmas Set Menu
Dec 1 - 31 (lunch or dinner), RM188 nett (50 pax minimum)

RETOX At Dusk: Xmas Eve Edition
Dec 24, RM288 - 728 nett (depending on choice of beverages)

RETOX Brunch: Xmas Edition
Dec 25, RM328 - 728 nett (depending on choice of beverages)

Boxing Day Xmas Buffet Dinner
Dec 26, RM288 - 728 nett (depending on choice of beverages)

With Chef Luigi Stinga overseeing loaves of panettones in the kitchen, it's up to jolly ol' Saint Nic to entertain guests in the dining room. But if celebrity appearances don't really rouse your interest, perhaps cheerful Christmas carollers will; the latter's melodic voices will fill the halls of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on both Christmas Eve and Day.

TATLER TIP: Fulfil a child's wish via the Christmas Tree of Hope campaign; visit the festive desk in the lobby or make an online contribution.

Dates & Prices

Festive Afternoon Tea @ Lounge on the Park
Dec 7 - 31, RM158 (top up RM60 for a glass of champagne)

Festive Menu @ Mandarin Grill
Dec 1 - 23 and 26 - 30, RM178 onwards for lunch and RM448 for dinner

Festive Seafood Buffet Dinner @ Mosaic
Dec 4 - 18, RM218

Christmas Eve Buffet @ Mosaic & Lounge on the Park
Dec 24, RM228

Christmas Eve and Day Set Menus @ Mandarin Grill
Dec 24, RM558 (add RM198 for wine pairing)

Christmas Eve BBQ @ AQUA Restaurant
Dec 24, RM288

Grand Christmas Brunch @ All restaurants
Dec 25, RM488

Recent news: Mandarin Grill Reopens With A More Courageous Menu

If you think that Christmas offerings are all one and the same, think again. The St Regis KL is making the most of Malaysia's conducive weather to stage a poolside afternoon tea session with activities; executive pastry chef Gael Moutet will host a gingerbread decorating session for young 'uns while adults nurse their glasses of champagne. Prefer to take your tea indoors? Place reservations for The Drawing Room, then. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself, the hotel's main activities will unfold in The Brasserie, where gleaming roasts await you at their respective carving stations.

TATLER TIP: Stop by Santa's Kitchen—you can't miss it! The shopping station is the first thing you'll see when entering the hotel. It's the ideal place to pick up bon bons, chocolates and desserts for loved ones.

Dates & Prices

Festive Afternoon Tea @ The Drawing Room
Through Dec 31, RM158+ (add RM90 for glass of champagne)

Family Traditions Afternoon Tea @ The Pool
Dec 12 and 13, RM158+

Christmas Eve Buffet @ The Brasserie
Dec 24, RM418+ (add RM180 for free-flow alcoholic beverages)

Christmas Day Brunch @ The Brasserie
Dec 25, RM418+ (add RM180 for free-flow alcoholic beverages)

ICYMI: 6 Sumptuous Facts About The Feast Of Versailles At The Brasserie

Suited to intimate tête-à-têtes, The Librari at The RuMa Hotel and Residences is rolling out bite-sized, Christmas-themed afternoon tea pickings. But if it's a feast you're after, book yourself in for the Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day brunch. With regards to the former, as not only will Chef Tyson Gee and team be serving a sumptuous five-course spread, but one also has the option of getting a reasonably priced wine pairing—just tack on RM170 to your total bill.

Dates & Prices

Festive Afternoon Tea @ The Librari
Dec 4, 2020 - Jan 3, 2021, RM150 nett

Christmas Dinner
Dec 24 and 25, RM288 nett (top up RM170 for wine pairing)

Great Christmas Day Brunch
Dec 25, RM395 nett (top up RM120 for free-flow alcoholic drinks)

Recent news: Cocktails Inspired By Lilin+Co Scented Candles At RuMa Hotel & Residences

Sky-high views meet a Santa Maria-style barbecue at Horizon Grill, which is serving a mouthwatering Christmas Eve dinner as well as an 'extended breakfast' (the rest of the world calls it brunch) on Christmas Day. We're most impatient to pair our Yorkshire puds with an artisanal Christmas cocktail or two. "Let’s all enjoy the break and recharge our batteries for 2021," enthused general manager Anders Dimblad. We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Dates & Prices

Christmas Eve Dinner @ Horizon Grill
Dec 24, RM588 nett (top up RM475 for a bottle of champagne)

Christmas Day Extended Breakfast @ Horizon Grill
Dec 25, RM148 nett (add RM75 for free-flow soft drinks and RM190 for the hard stuff)

Festive Brunch @ Horizon Grill
Dec 5, 12, 19 and 26, RM200 nett (add RM75 for free-flow soft drinks and RM190 for the hard stuff)

ICYMI: San Pellegrino’s First Guest Chef Series At Horizon Grill

Sure there's honey-glazed and spice-brined turkey at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, but if the traditional style of turkey doesn't rub you the right way, know that the hotel is also offering fusion dishes. Take, for instance, Chynna's Pan-fried Turkey with Thyme Leaf, Turkey Dumplings with Black Truffles, and Hot & Sour Soup with Shredded Turkey. Chef Lam Hock Hin and team can take full credit for the newfangled creations.

TATLER TIP: Prefer different kinds of poultry? Chynna also does a decadent London-style roast duck.

Dates & Prices

Seasonal Specialities @ Chynna
Dec 1 - 31, À la carte dishes, Price varies
Special London Duck, RM159 nett

Christmas Eve Dinner or Christmas Day Lunch @ Vasco’s
Dec 24 and 25, RM248 nett
 
Christmas Day Dinner Buffet @ Vasco's
Dec 25, RM228 nett 
 
Boxing Day Lunch @ Vasco's
Dec 26, RM228 nett
 
See also: The Ultimate Guide To Weekend Brunch In KL & PJ

If there's one rendition of Christmas turkey that has piqued our interest this month, it's the Bak Kwa-Crusted Turkey from Quan's Kitchen.

The inspired take on turkey came out of a collaboration with local purveyor of dried meats Oloiya, and gives a nod to the historic neighbourhood of Chinatown and its surrounding culture.

Dates & Prices

Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner @ Quan's Kitchen
Dec 24, RM158 nett

Christmas Day Buffet Brunch @ Quan's Kitchen
Dec 25, RM128 nett

Related: Where & What To Eat: New Openings In Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown

Three's a crowd—unless the number applies to Man Tao Bar's festive flight of cocktails. Sample the trio of boozy delights—The Man Tao Rock, Sleigh Ride and Rudolph’s Night—while snacking on complimentary munchies at one of KL's most underrated rooftop bars. For something more filling, head downstairs to all-day dining restaurant Brasserie 25; the cosy eatery has jazzed up its We Grill, You Chill menu for the holiday season.

TATLER TIP: Enjoy one-for-one beer, wine and bubbly from 6-10pm during promotional periods.

Dates & Prices

We Grill, You Chill Christmas Edition @ Brasserie 25
Dec 18, 2020 - Jan 2, 2021, RM120+ for two pax

Festive Flights @ Man Tao Bar
Fri - Sat, RM110+

See also: Brasserie 25 At Hotel Stripes Introduces A 'Bao-Tea-Ful' Afternoon Tea

Reluctant to rub shoulders with strangers while Covid-19 is still on the prowl? Then reserve the entire orchid conservatory at The Majestic Hotel. An alternate space is The Smokehouse, which seats smaller parties but also costs less.

Dates & Prices

Festive Afternoon Tea @ The Tea Lounge, The Drawing Room & The Orchid Conservatory
Dec 24 - 27 and Dec 31 - Jan 3, RM70 - 120 nett

Festive Menu @ Contango
Lunch, Dec 25 - 27 and Dec 31 - Jan 3, RM150 nett; Dinner, Dec 24 - 26 and Dec 31 - Jan 2, RM200 nett

Christmas Eve Dinner @ Colonial Cafe
Dec 24, RM280 nett

Christmas Day Lunch @ Colonial Cafe
Dec 25, RM200 nett

Private Dining @ The Smokehouse
RM4,000 nett for 8 guests

Private Dining @ The Orchid Conservatory
RM6,000 nett for 12 guests

Before Covid-19 barged into our lives and made a blunder of everything, English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran made a stop in KL for his 2019 Divide Tour, supping in multiple well-known establishments including Marini's On 57. Rumour has it that Sheeran so loved the Sportoletti Villa Fidelia Rosso with its hints of tobacco and leather that he asked for a bottle to be brought to his hotel room postmeal. Sample this very same wine while enjoying Marini's On 57's Christmas set menu, an eight-course extravaganza comprised of Hokkaido Scallops with Parsnips, Turkey Confit with Sweet Potato Foam, Roasted Lamb Rack with Lamb Tartlet and Porcini Mushrooms, and much more.

Dates & Prices

Dec 24 and 25, RM480++ (vegetarian menu also available)

Talk about being spoiled for choice! At Troika Sky Dining, it's tough to pick from South American specialities like Turkey Chorizo with Mushrooms and Red Mizuna, Italian-inspired dishes such as Cured Beef-Wrapped Seabass Saltimbocca, and contemporary Chinese eats like Five Spice Yam Dumplings with Foie Gras.

Sister restaurants Fuego (South American), Strato (Italian), Cantaloupe (French), Mr Chew's Chino Latino (contemporary Asian) and Brasserie Fritz (French) each have their own Christmas specialities, so it simply comes down to what you're in the mood for. Price points (see below) matter too, of course.

Dates & Prices

Christmas Eve Menu @ Fuego
Dec 24, RM240++ (2 diners minimum)

Christmas Eve Menu @ Strato
Dec 24, RM200++

Christmas Eve Menu @ Cantaloupe
Dec 24, RM480++

Christmas Brunch @ Cantaloupe
Dec 25, RM180++

Christmas Eve Menu @ Mr Chew's Chino Latino
Dec 24, RM240++

Christmas Eve Menu @ Brasserie Fritz
Dec 24, RM250++

Entrusted with serving royalty and celebrities, from The Prince of Wales to actress Keira Knightley, Chef Wai had led a storied life. Nevertheless, the modest man prefers to let his food speak for himself. Those who read our previous review of The Library may remember us saying, "Devour (the chef's cooking) as you would your favourite novel." We have no doubt that Chef Wai's Christmas menu will prove remarkable.

TATLER TIP: Re-enact the tale of Hansel and Gretel by stepping into The Ritz-Carlton's life-size Gingerbread House, except instead of evil witches, it's filled with gourmet gifts.

Dates & Prices

Afternoon Tea @ The Lobby Lounge
Dec 12, 13, 19, 20, 24 - 27, 31 and Jan 1 - 3, RM160 for two diners

Christmas with Chef Wai @ The Library
Dec 24, RM300

Sparkling Christmas Brunch @ The Cobalt Room
Dec 25, RM198

Home to Kampachi, which is responsible for introducing many a Malaysian to the joy of Japanese cuisine, EQ has announced its festive offerings at not one or two but four different outlets. While we're partial towards Kampachi's Christmas offerings, which include Seared Skipjack Tuna Sashimi and Lobster Koganeyaki, Nipah's assisted buffet spread also stirs our appetites with its ample stews and roasts. Meanwhile, Étoile and Sabayon are close contenders when it comes to choosing rooftop restaurants with bird's eye views.

Dates & Prices

Eat, Drink and Jingle @ Nipah
Dec 1 - 30 excluding Christmas Day and Eve, RM98 per adult, RM49 per child

Christmas Eve Dinner / Day Lunch @ Nipah
Dec 24 - 25, RM188 per adult, RM94 per child (add RM180 for free flow drinks, including wine and beer)

Christmas BBQ @ Étoile
Dec 25, RM128 per adult, RM64 per child (add RM128 for free flow beer)

Christmas Eve Dinner or Day Lunch @ Kampachi
Dec 24 - 25, RM268 - 388 per adult (sake and wine pairings available)

Taste of Nostalgia @ Sabayon
All month except Dec 25 and 31, RM588 per adult (add RM300 for wine pairing)

Christmas Eve or Day @ Sabayon
Dec 24 - 25, RM588 - 688 including a glass of champagne

Throwback: The Ultimate Guide To Christmas Buffets & Meals In 2019