The festive season is here; and that can only mean loads of Yuletide cheer in the form of tons of fabulous dining deals. By Belinda Wan

Whoever said Christmas was all about giving and receiving had it all wrong. Well, maybe not—but to us, Christmas season just doesn’t mean a thing if you’re not overeating—in gigantic, shameless amounts. This is when you can nobly claim you had to eat up all the grub because nothing should be wasted in this season of giving (hint: Start playing Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” track as you say this). But it’s likely no one will care—because they’re also stuffing themselves with mad abandon like you are. Anyhow, here are the grandest deals to zero in on this season (forget the “d” word—“diet,” by the way).

Reasonable Indulgences

Don’t despair if you’re somewhat on a festive budget this Yuletide season. Many places have extremely affordable prices for lunch or dinner. Chef Luca Pezzera and Dean Fisher of District 10 Bistro Wine Bar (#01‑17, 10 Winstedt Rd., 6738‑4788) have come up with an excellent menu for the brunch buffet ($58 per person) on Christmas Day. Think items like oven‑baked Black Angus sirloin served with Yorkshire pudding and barbeque style Louisiana baby pork ribs for mains, and chocolate roulade for dessert. Much has been made of Chef de Cuisine André Chiang’s beautiful French Nouvelle offerings at Jaan par André (70/F, Equinox Complex, Swissôtel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Rd., 6837‑3322); now you can enjoy it and not feel the pinch when footing the bill. Through Dec 31, Chiang will produce an impressive collection of exquisite fall and winter produce in exciting festive set menus (three‑course set lunch for $58 per person—with exception of Dec 25‑26). Over at Peranakan institution Plaza Market Café (2/F, Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Rd., 6431‑6156), you can dig into a spread of grub comprising local flavors, Peranakan dishes and regional treats during their Christmas Eve dinner buffet ($75 per person) and the Christmas Day lunch buffet ($50 per person). Some highlights include chicken buah keluak, slow‑braised lamb shoulder with celeriac purée, pan‑fried duck liver, braised pork belly, roasted duck, beef rending, nyonya chap chye and more. At Senso Group’s La Nonna (76 Namly Place, 6762‑1587; 26/26B Lor. Mambong, 6468‑1982), you can have a lovely Christmas Eve meal (four courses for $58 per person) in a rustic, unpretentious setting. Items include grilled sea scallops and asparagus; pan‑fried cod fish; or traditional braised pork shank “zampone.” From now through Dec 23, Olive Tree (G/F, InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Rd., 6825‑1061) has a festive buffet lunch ($39 per person)—which comes with an extensive Christmas spread and a glass of house wine, unlimited juices or soft drinks from noon‑2:30pm.

Splash Out

Christmas doesn’t come by every day, so when it does—like from mid‑November through the New Year—you’ll want to celebrate it someplace nice, with great ambiance (and although it may set you back a bit, it’s one of the few times you say “never mind the price” grandly). Fitting the, ahem, bill perfectly is the Sex and the City‑esque Bedrock Bar & Grill (#01‑05 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites, 96 Somerset Rd., 6238‑0054), that has planned a three‑course Christmas Eve set dinner ($118 per person). Pick your choice of starter, main course and dessert from the multi‑option menu—with the whisky trout salad, Angus beef, and smoked marrow and Bedrock Crumble dessert being some delectable highlights. Alas, tastes may change with time, but one thing’s for sure—a stunning view never hurt. Drink in the view at The Lighthouse (8/F, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, 1 Fullerton Sq., 6877‑8933), where a knock‑them‑out view co‑exists nicely with outstanding nosh from Chef de Cuisine Diego Martinelli. On Christmas Eve, dig into a sumptuous five‑course dinner with dishes like the yellow fin tuna carpaccio; suckling pork tenderloin wrapped in pancetta ham; raspberry and basil semifreddo and more—complemented nicely with a flute of Prosecco and a mini panettone for $198 per person. Or live up the sweet life at Dolce Vita (5/F, Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Marina Square, 5 Raffles Ave., 6885‑3551), with Michelin‑starred chef Marco Pedrelli at the reins (pun intended). For lunch and dinner on Christmas Eve, a three‑ ($108 per person inclusive of a glass of champagne) or five‑course set menu ($158 per person inclusive of a glass of champagne, or $258 per person for a five‑course wine pairing dinner) is available—with intricate offerings like the foie gras parfait with torcolato sweet wine jelly, mango‑orange compote and caramelized vanilla brioche; and cod fish with saffron risotto, prime seafood and basil‑tomato foam. Also not-to be-missed is the five-course truffle dinner menu at Pierside (#01-01 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd., 6438-0400). For $180++, you’d get two starters including pan roasted duck liver with steamed persian white asparagus, and two mains of cappellini with chanterelle, trumpet and black truffle peelings (so good!); and braised 300-day grain fed beef cheeks with artichoke barigoule, fried parsnips, truffle mash and maderia sauce. We’re there already!

Fresh Options

Want to deviate from the tried‑and‑tested formula of turkey and dinner? Then drop by BROTH (21 Duxton Hill, 6323‑3353), a “bar restaurant on the hill.” Owner Steve Hansen has planned some Yuletide exotica—he will be serving imported wild central Australian camel (it’s high in protein and super low in cholesterol). Great camel meat items to try on the comprehensive à la carte menu through Dec 31 are the carpaccio of free range camel, thyme, lime caviar, and virgin olive oil starter ($18), and the succulent camel fillet steak with camel and date sausage and peppered Shiraz glaze ($32). If you’re a Chinese food fiend, traipse down to Peach Blossoms (5/F, Marina Mandarin Singapore, Marina Square, 6 Raffles Blvd., 6845‑1111) for dinner on Dec 24 (six‑course, $88 per person) and Dec 31 (seven‑course, $98 per person). Spoil your loved ones with delicious fare from Head Chef Aw Yeong Kin. Savor Cantonese dishes like creamy pan‑seared fillet of grouper in white wine and sauce, and wok‑fried hand‑pulled noodles with shredded pork in black pepper sauce. Or spend Christmas by the pool, alfresco‑style—at Pool Grill (5/F, Singapore Marriott Hotel, 320 Orchard Rd., 6831-4627), of course. Check out the four‑course set menu ($85 per person), which includes vichyssoise, traditional Christmas turkey roulade, and more.

Terrific Turkeys

The centerpiece of any family dinner, the turkey is super important. This year, Rendezvous Hotel (9 Bras Basah Rd., 6336‑0220) has created a spanking new Asian turkey flavor—the roasted turkey with Thai spices ($118, 4.5 kilograms), with Asian ingredients such as lemongrass, lime leaves, crushed black pepper, blue ginger, yellow ginger, young ginger, and red pepper along with staple veggies Brussels sprouts and broccoli. Another interesting example is the black nut rempah (ayam buah keluak) marinated turkey ($118, 6.5 kilograms) from Swissôtel Merchant Court (20 Merchant Rd., 6337‑2288), which comes served with roasted turmeric potatoes, garden greens, chestnut stuffing and buah keluak gravy. Yummy. Over at Plaza Brasserie (Parkroyal on Beach Road, 7500A Beach Rd., 6298‑0011)—the star of the Christmas dinner is not just the turkey per se, but also the sauces—yup, all 12 of them (the requisite magic number). Some cool examples include giblet, cranberry, pineapple, Sichuan, black pepper, Thai chili, kamquat, truffle, foie gras, and more—with all being available for takeaway from Dec 14‑31. Or simply grab the traditional turkey ($88, four kilograms) also from Dec 14‑31, which will be neatly accompanied by four sauces. Well, we say—the sauce maketh the turkey.

Top Logs

No Christmas is complete with a magnificent logcake. These days, you can find them everywhere, but here are a few extra‑yummy ones. The mint chocolate yule log ($58, one kilogram) from Meritus Mandarin Singapore (333 Orchard Rd., 6737‑4411) combines the sinfulness of chocolate imbued with the refreshing zing of mint—enough said. Yet another exemplary addition is the peanut feuillentine logcake ($45 for 1 kilogram) from COVA Pasticceria—Confetteria (#01‑20A Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd., 6733‑0777). This swoon‑worthy logcake is made up of an exquisite combination of chocolate sponge, chocolate feuillentine (chocolate cream mixed with cereal) and peanut butter cream mixed with chopped peanuts. Equally sinful is Bakerzin’s (01‑207 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, 6438‑8700 and other outlets) Gush Of Love cake ($47.60, 800 grams)—a striking confection of decadent Sacher sponge cake layered with chocolate and brandied cream, and covered in edible chocolate‑shell Christmas baubles. Shangri‑La Hotel (22 Orange Grove Rd., 6737‑3644) also has a star confection—the strawberry and lychee yule log cake ($48, one kilogram), which we think will hit the spot with everyone—as the tartness of the strawberries balances the sweetness of the lychees wonderfully.

Take It Away

Great when you want to chow down on tasty food at home, these places offer takeaway items. Goodwood Park Hotel (22 Scotts Rd., 6737‑7411) has a brand‑new creation this year—the delicious roasted boneless challandais duck with red currant‑apple stuffing ($268 for six to eight persons), which consists of tender, juicy French poultry paired with slightly tangy and savory bread stuffing. If you love breads, you’ll dig the Panettone ($13.80, 400grams) from Bread Society (#B2‑19 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6509‑4434)—an Italian dome‑shaped creation made with yoghurt and wheat flour and studded with candied fruits such as dark raisins, dried mixed fruits, all topped with crunchy blanched almonds. Even ice‑cream has joined the festive fray. Marble Slab Creamery (#04‑01 Iluma, 201 Victoria St., 6884‑5933; #01‑05B Cluny Court, 501 Bukit Timah Rd., 6468‑6056) has rolled out a selection of ready‑mixed ice‑cream delights—available through Dec 31. Our faves are the sweetly nostalgic The Tooth Fairy Treat (peppermint ice‑cream dotted with peppermint candy, marshmallows and gummy bears, covered with marshmallow sauce topping) and the ultra‑rich The Nutcracker Dance (Rocher ice‑cream with chopped peanuts, Oreos and chocolate sprinkles). Available in Kiddy ($6), Original ($8), Big Dipper ($10) sizes; and takeaway pints ($14.50).