You deserve it: The best festive feasts for couples, families, friends and colleagues

Cantonese restaurant Hai Tien Lo’s Dim Sum Brunch Buffet (S$98 per adult and S$49 per child aged six to 12 years) on Dec 25 and Jan 1 have nearly 50 dishes for choosing, including chef Ben Zeng’s signatures such as Stewed Beef Brisket with Tendon and Carrots and Stir-fried Sliced Grouper with Ginger and Spring Onions in Signature Homemade XO Chilli Sauce.

The famous buffet at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore’s The Line restaurant comes with the likes of Canadian Lobsters, Lebanese-style Roast Turkey, Prawn Tandoori and Baileys Coffee Yule Log Cake (from S$68++ per adult and S$34++ per child aged six to 11 years). Children can also get into the adulting fun with their own Kids Festive High Tea set of sweet and savoury items (S$42++ per set, serves two).

When you come for the semi-buffets at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore’s One-Ninety Modern Asian Brasserie, there’s no holding back. The restaurant includes live stations of Mesquite Wood-Smoked Peking Duck, Grilled King Prawns and Ricotta Tortellini and delectable housemade desserts such as White Wine-poached Pears and Orange Spice Crème Caramel. Prices from S$48 per adult and S$24 per child (aged six to 12 years) for the Festive Semi-Buffet lunch.

READ> Couples and families: These staycation packages will evoke some festive cheer

FOR ROMANTIC REPASTS

Exquisite plates, heritage stories and panoramic views make for memorable meals with a special other.

On Dec 24 and Dec 25, chef Han Li Guang of one Michelin-starred Labyrinth presents a special Homage to Cairnhill Steak House menu. There will be re-interpretations of classics from his late grandfather’s restaurant, one of Singapore’s pioneers on the Western steakhouse scene. Go down memory lane with dishes such as mushroom on toast, grilled pomfret with butter sauce and premium wagyu with Hainanese red wine sauce served on the iconic cow-shaped hot plate. Prices start from S$138++ for lunch.

An English treat awaits at one Michelin-starred Jaan by Kirk Westaway on Dec 25 and Dec 31. On both nights, chef Kirk Westaway serves a special eight-course menu featuring the finest ingredients from the UK such as Cornish Seabass with Caviar Sauce and Truffle Pudding, Creedy Carver Devonshire Duckling with apple and cranberry sauce and Baron Bigod cheese toast. Sparkling views of Singapore’s skyline included. Prices from S$388++ per person.

FOR CHARITABLE CHEER

Every order here gets a meal to someone in need. After closing its Ann Siang Hill location in July, British gastropub Oxwell & Co has popped up at the Straits Clan until Dec 31, and is partnering The Food Bank Singapore to provide at least 5,000 meals to the local community.

There’re plenty of reasons to do good. The Roast & Toast festive set menu (S$98++ per person) includes turkey roulade, free-range roast chicken, a crackling pork belly, roasted vegetables and sticky date pudding.

The a la carte Oxwell Classics list has a range of starters, mains and desserts to pick and choose. If you’re a Straits Clan member, there’s 20 per cent discount. For sleep-in Sundays, you can wake up to a hearty Boxwell & Go roast delivery right to your doorstep. Don’t forget to add Oxwell’s famous tipples to your meals. Yuletide specials such as the Spiced Pear Spritz and the Unusual Eggnog are sure to stir up the merriment.

FOR GIRLIE GATHERINGS

They say brunch without champagne is a sad breakfast. So head over to Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa’s Kwee Zeen restaurant for happy brekkies with your besties.

Besides the weekly Ultimate Festive Sunday Champagne Brunch (S$128++ per person), there’re also menus for Dec 24, Dec 25 and Dec 31 as well as Jan 1. There will be enough food to keep the chatter up: Fresh seafood, savoury meat cuts, foie gras terrine, desserts, cheeses and more. Top up from S$98++ per person for free-flow champagne and enjoy a bubbly afternoon.

Never had a women-only Christmas or New Year pow wow? Now’s the time to do so with cousins/mothers/aunts et al. over a Vintage Champagne Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore’s Colony restaurant.

The food is tantalising – roasted turkey with chestnut stuffing and giblet gravy, pan-seared cod and scallop with mashed potato and truffle butter sauce, etc – but the highlight is the unlimited pours of Champagne Barons de Rothschild Reserve Ritz Millesime 2010 and Champagne Barons de Rothschild Reserve Ritz Rose NV. Top up a little more for the Bollinger La Grande Annee 2007. Prices from S$198++ per adult for New Year’s Day Vintage Champagne Brunch.

FOR OFFICE OUTINGS

In this chaotic year where keeping a business afloat has never been harder, you and your work team deserve a pat on the back – and a good meal or two.

For something that won’t leave you too doze-y and is conveniently accessible to everyone, head to Sofitel Singapore City Centre. The hotel’s Racines restaurant offers three-course lunches (S$40++) and five-course dinners (S$68++) with delicious options such as Hay-smoked Magret Duck Breast and Sauteed Locally Farmed Barramundi served with lime leaf pilaf.

Mandarin Oriental, Singapore’s Italian restaurant Dolce Vita will transport you to la bella vita with their five-course set menus for Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1. Sumptuous plates include Riserva Ascquerello rice with artichoke coulis and seared langoustine, and overnight braised wagyu beef. Prices start from S$158++ per diner.

For the perfect backdrop to crew photos, make a booking at SKAI, located on the 70th floor of Swissotel The Stamford. In between high tea nibbles and two to four-course lunch and dinners with delectable dishes such as Lock Fyn Salmon and Rhug Organic Lamb Rump, you can capture gorgeous wefies to commemorate surviving this extraordinary year. Food and service here are top-notch too. Prices from S$55++ for a two-course Festive Set Lunch.