Don’t fancy cooking at home this Christmas? 

It's granted that the festive season will be a little different this year but one thing remains the same - no one wants to be stuck doing the washing up. 

Perhaps you can’t see your nearest and dearest or maybe you’ve got a smaller crowd than usual, it's time to put the worry to one side and let the professionals handle Christmas dinner. 

Here are five places in Southend to enjoy a festive lunch:

Halfway House Toby Carvery, Eastern Esplanade

£59.99 per person

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

(Mitchells & Butlers/ PA )

The experts of a roast dinner, if anyone knows how to throw on an epic Christmas dinner it's the Toby Carvery.

Their festive menu offers all the classics with a little added Christmas sparkle.

Some of the menu highlights include a duo of salmon, baked camembert, all five meats (turkey, lamb, beef, gammon, pork), Christmas pudding and a Bailey's sundae. 

Three courses cost £59.99 per person and there is a non-refundable deposit of £10 per person which is payable at the time of booking.

To see the full menu or make a booking, visit the website.

Roslin Beach Hotel, Thorpe Esplanade

£125 per person or £40 for children

The Roslin Beach Hotel has curated an extra-special Christmas day menu this year, with options for your little ones too. 

The award-winning restaurant is offering a five course gourmet Christmas day lunch and a three course meal for children with a gift from Santa. 

Catering to all dietary requirements there really is something for everyone including a native lobster salad, atlantic halibut, Norfolk turkey and red velvet cheesecake to name a few. 

To find out more visit their website. 

Old Walnut Tree, Southchurch Blvd

Four courses for £45.99 per person.

From chicken liver pate to smoked salmon and prawns as well as vegetarian wellington and roasted turkey there is something to treat everyone at the Old Walnut Tree.

To book visit the website. 

Miller and Carter, Leigh-on-Sea

Five courses for £81.95 per person

Enjoy a carefully sourced menu on Christmas day that uses the finest seasonal ingredients. 

Menu highlights include confit chicken livers with pancetta and thyme, served in a Madeira sauce on toasted brioche. For a traditional main there is a hand carved roast turkey, with dauphinoise and house-made roasted potatoes, pomegranate glazed parsnips and other delicious seasonal trimmings

For more information visit the website.

The Shorehouse, Ness Road

£54.99 per person

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

(Image - Unsplash)

Putting on a fabulous festive feast at a good price is The Shorehouse Harvester in Shoeburyness. 

The Christmas Day menu includes duck pate, seafood trio,  roast turkey, sirloin steak and rib combo as well as Christmas pud and Baileys profiteroles for dessert. 

To see the full menu visit the website.

Where will you be having Christmas lunch this year? Let us know in the comments.