Mumbai's ultimate guide to Christmas

Eat
There's plenty to choose from, if you'd like to get a taste of the real deal of a Christmas feast. Across the city and its suburbs, restaurants are whipping it up for you to exclaim "Ho! Ho! Ho!" as soon as you lay eyes on the menu. Tuck into spreads that include traditional Christmas food, from roast turkey, pudding, and mulled wine to cold cuts, stuffed duck, and a host of lip-smacking goodies. Take your pick and may it be a hearty Christmas as well!

WHITE OWL BREWERY& BISTRO: One Indiabulls Center, Tower 2-B, Tulsi Pipe Road,u00a0Lower Parel (W); 24210231
BUSABA: 4, Mandlik Road, behind Taj Mahal Hotel, Colaba; 22043769/79/42 & also at Lower Parel
SALT WATER GRILL: Plot No 87, Ground Floor, Rose Minar Annexe, Chapel Road, Bandra (W); 26434441
JAMJAR DINER: Plot No 7A & B, Aram Nagar ll, Jai Prakash Road, Versova, Andheri (W); 26368880
TOWN HOUSE CAFE: 16, Murzban Road, near Sterling Cinema, CST; 22037356
LI BAI-THE ASIAN BAR: Level 37, Palladium Hotel, Lower Parel; 61628000
INDIGO: 4, Mandlik Road, Colaba; 66368999; also at Andheri, Ghatkopar, Lower Parel and Bandra (W).
THALASSA POP-UP: Olive Bar & Kitchen, Amateur Riders Club Building, Mahalaxmi Racecourseu00a0Gate No 8, Mahalaxmi; 40859595
YAUATCHA: Raheja Towers, BKC, Bandra (E); 18002661000
SANCHO'S: Pinnacle House, junction of PD Hinduja and 15th Road, Khar (W); 67094455
BOVEDA: G-04, Morya Landmark 1, off New Link Road, Andheri (W); 67080859
AMADEUS: National Centre for the Performing Arts, NCPA Marg, Nariman Point; 22824242
HAKKASAN: Raheja Tower, near IL&FS Building, BKC, Bandra (E); 26444445
Nom Nom: Bharat Nagar, near Banana Leaf Restaurant, Juhu Link Road, Andheri (W); 26244280 & TPS Road, Junction of 16th & 33rd Road, opposite Mini Punjab, Bandra (W); 26057766
THE LITTLE DOOR: Ground Floor, Shree Siddhivanayak Plaza, off New Link Road, Andheri (W); 9892649040
COPA: Lanna Building, 13th Road, opposite Juhu Gymkhana, next to Natural Ice Cream; 6708383
ELLIPSIS: B-1, Amarchand Mansion, 16, Madame Cama Road, next to YWCA, Colaba; 66213333
SMOKE HOUSE DELI: Unit No 9G, Block No 3, High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel; 9619863248
THE DAILY: Ground floor, behind Shoppers Stop,u00a0SV Road, Bandra (W); 26418409
THE FOOD STUDIO: Opposite Runwal Greens Project, Link Road, Mulund (W); 25624999

Volunteer
Christmas is here; you've put up the big, green tree, lit the star and set the crib up. The turkey is set, the pudding is in order, and the marzipans are fresh out of the oven. Something is amiss? Now is the time to share, and what better way than to drop by and spend time with the lesser privileged and the lonely? Share the real meaning of the festival, and spread a few smiles with the old, the abandoned and the differently abled.

Missionaries of Charity: Church Road Vile Parle (W); 26184068
Cheshire Home: Mahakali Road, MIDC, opposite Canosa High School, Chakala, Andheri (E); 28324515
St Anthony's Home for Aged: 51, Chapel Road, Mount Mary Church, Bandra (W); 26424046

Laugh & Dance
We suggest you head to the Canvas Laugh Factory, where Sorabh Pant's Traveling Pants, and Anuvab Pal's The Nation Wants to Know on December 25, so you remain in good spirits through this time. There are loads of live gigs and DJ-driven playlists as well, to keep you tripping on the dancefloor.

December 24>
Canvas Laugh Factory: Palladium, Tulsi Pipe Road, Lower Parel; 43485000
CHEVAL: Next to LIV, 145, VB Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort; 40396638
D'BELL: Lobby Level, Tower 2-A, One Indiabulls Centre, Tulsi Pipe Road, Lower Parel; 65374666
F BAR AND LOUNGE: 3rd Floor, One India Bulls Centre, Tulsi Pipe Rd, Lower Parel; 66505820
BONOBO: 2nd Floor, Kenilworth Mall, Phase 2, off Linking Road, Bandra (W); 26055353
BLUE FROG: Mathuradas Mills Compound, opposite Kamala Mills, Tulsi Pipe Road, Lower Parel; 61586158

December 25>
Trilogy: Sea Princess, Juhu Tara Road;u00a026469689

HARD ROCK CAFE: Bombay Dyeing Mill Compound, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli; 66511209 & Veera Desai Industrial Estate, Andheri (W); 66511209

Song & Celebration
From the solemnity, to the singing, you can take your pick of churches to attend mass in the city, on December 24. With a nip in the air, it should be a great time to soak in all the warmth and goodwill, especially since most masses will be held on open grounds. Most churches will begin service with choral singing.

Don Bosco, Matunga: 10 pm onwards
Mount Mary's, Bandra: Midnight
Holy Name Cathedral, Opposite YMCA, Colaba: 9.30 pm onwards
St Paul's, Ambedkar Road, Parel: 9.30 pm onwards
st thomas, near railway station, Goregaon (E): 9.30 pm onwards
St Blaise Church, Amboli: 9.30 pm onwards
Afghan Church, Colaba: 11.30 pm onwards
St Andrews, Bandra (W): 10 pm onwards
St Thomas cathedral, Horniman Circle, Fort: 10.30 pm
our lady of lourdes, Orlem, Malad (W): 10.30 pm onwards
St Pius X Church, near Mehul Cinema, Mulund (W): 9.30 pm onwards
St John The Baptist, Talao Pali, Thane (W): 10.30 pm onwards

Experience
If you're one of those who loves to soak in the X'mas spirit, slip into a pair of comfortable walking shoes, and stroll around pockets of the Christian community - be it Bandra, Santacruz, Khotachiwadi, Orlem, IC Colony or Vakola, to get a sense of the celebration. The stars, the decorated trees and the community cribs will add to the Christmas fervour It's a great way to partake in the festivities and get a taste of the real deal.

Tip: Evening time is best to soak in the revelry.