Subtropical Santa: Where to Go For Christmas Dinner in Shenzhen

While it is true that many expats will be traveling home this Christmas to spend the festive period with family and relatives, there will still be a number of us loafing around Shenzhen with nothing much to do. Christmas isn’t really celebrated by Chinese people in Shenzhen, unless they are in a relationship or have a family with a Western partner. This was evident last year when bosses at the Coco Park shopping centre decided to enter the festive spirit by decorating the main entrance with a giant… clown.

Thankfully, there are many places, both high and low, where you can go to enjoy Christmas lunch or dinner in Shenzhen. If you are here over Christmas, it is likely that you will either be working in your office or on a forced holiday (alone, as all your mates have shipped off to Thailand or the Philippines for some heat). Whatever your circumstances, rest assured that there will be somewhere you can go to suit any budget, and get your fill of Christmas cheer.

1)  The Kitchen
If you are looking for somewhere intimate and refined to take your partner on Christmas Eve, look no further than The Kitchen. Situated in Coco Park North, this restaurant has recently come under the management of executive chef Justus Jennings. He has put together a mouth-watering Christmas menu including mulled wine, baked ham with orange and clove, irresistible vegetables and divine desserts. The idea this year is for groups to book up to tables of six, and the food will be brought to the table in a ‘help yourself’ family style: the turkey or lamb taking centre stage. Individual diners will be served by the plate. As The Kitchen has limited space, it is advisable to book early to secure your table.

The Kitchen
Add: Shop 144, Coco Park North, Mingtian Lu, near Fuhua Lu, Futian District, Shenzhen
地址: 深圳市福田区民田路购物公园北园公交车接驳站路边站台
Tel: 0755 2531 3860
Opening hours: Daily, 11:00-22:00
Price: 289 RMB per person plus 10% service charge
Web: www.thekitchenfutian.com

2)  Flavorz - Ritz-Carlton
For those of you who really want to push the boat out on Christmas day in classic surroundings, Flavorz at the Ritz-Carlton is providing several options for Christmas lunch or dinner. Although it’s not particularly cheap, the food promises to absolutely scrumptious, and you can pretty much guarantee top level service as you enjoy the open ambient atmosphere that the restaurant offers. Expect to pay 488 RMB per person for the lunch or dinner buffet (including a glass of bubbly), or pay an extra 200 RMB per person for free flow champaign.

Flavorz
Add: 2nd Floor, Ritz-Carlton, 116, Fuhuasan Lu, Futian District, Shenzhen
地址: 深圳市福田福华三路116号
Tel: 0755 2222 2222
Opening hours: Daily, 06:30-10:30, 12:00-14:30, 18:00-22:30
Price: 488 RMB (buffet and a glass of champaign), 688RMB (buffet and free flow champaign)
Web: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Shenzhen/Dining/Default.htm

 
3)  McCawley’s Irish Pub (Shekou branch)
Christmas in China just wouldn’t be Christmas if there wasn’t a traditional Irish pub in which to go and drown your homesickness in a sea of Guinness or possibly mulled wine. Thankfully the chaps at McCawley’s are also providing an outstanding Christmas dinner to soak up all the stout, and at a very competitive price. Available from 12th December to Boxing Day (26th December), they will be providing a carvery-style buffet with all sorts of imported delights, including turkey, honey-glazed ham, beef and lamb. This could be the ideal place to meet up with a group of friends for a Christmas day celebration.

McCawley’s Irish Pub
Add: Shop 118, Seaworld, Shekou, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
地址: 深圳市南山区太子路蛇口海上世界118号
Tel: 0755 2668 4496
Opening hours: Daily, 10:00-Late
Price: 160 RMB per person for Christmas lunch, 185 RMB per person for Christmas dinner
Web: www.mccawleys.com
(See website for other information on branches in Shenzhen and Guangzhou)

4)  Grange Grill – The Westin
A truly stylish restaurant in one of the top hotels in Shenzhen, the Grange Grill won’t disappoint this Yuletide. Perched like a proud bird on top of the Westin Hotel, this place is usually known for its dedication to serving the best, hand-selected steaks available this side of the Hong Kong border. However, from 12th December they are offering a fairly-priced roast turkey set dinner for 288 RMB per person. This has got to be one of the best deals in town this Christmas, if not only for the palatable seasonal fare, but also because the views from the terrace over to Hong Kong and Nanshan are truly breathtaking.

Grange Grill
Add: 25th Floor, Westin Hotel, 9028-2 Shennan Dadao, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
地址: 深圳市南山区深南大道9028-2 号
Tel: 0755 2698 8888
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs, 18:00-00:00; Fri-Sat, 18:00-01:00
Price: 288 RMB per person
Web: www.starwoodhotels.com/westin

So don’t sit at home with your ayi this Christmas sipping cheap Chinese beer and eating pot noodles; there are several venues to suit all budgets that are guaranteed to chase away the inevitable seasonal homesickness. Now all you have to do is think of where to escape to over Chinese New Year!
 

Related links
5 Expat-Friendly Bars & Pubs in Shenzhen’s Coco Park
Where to Get Your Hands on Imported Food in Shenzhen
One Venue Two Functions: Restaurant Bars in Shenzhen