It’s always fascinating doing this story.

First, you would think that restaurants, already going out of their minds with the buzz of Christmas parties, would save themselves the hassle of answering phone calls on whether they’re open by just updating their websites. I can tell you, more than 90 per cent of those I checked didn’t indicate their holiday times online and so forced me into a phone call.

Second, some restaurants didn’t answer their phones. I gave up after seven rings and, no, I didn’t call during the height of any service.

Third, a fair few who answered the phone didn’t know and had to yell out to someone to confirm.

Fourth, and this is the good news, more and more eateries in Canberra are welcoming customers at this time of year than ever before. So, gone are the days when we can all moan and groan about “nothing being open in the capital”.

Here’s a selection to keep you from starving as January dawns…

• Akiba, Civic: closed January 1; regular hours after that.
• Bentspoke Brewery, Braddon: open regular hours.
• Bicicletta, New Acton: open regular hours.
• Chifley’s Kurrajong Hotel, Barton: open regular hours.
• Hopscotch, Civic: open regular hours.
• Jamie’s Italian, Civic: open regular hours.
• East Hotel, Kingston: open regular hours.
• Les Bistronomes, Braddon: open regular hours.
• National Museum Café, Acton: open regular hours.
• PappaRich, Civic: open regular hours.
• Pod Food, Pialligo: closed January 1; regular hours after that.
• Saffron Restaurant, Kingston: closed January 1; regular hours after that.
• Sammy’s Kitchen, Civic: open regular hours.
• Schnitzel Haus, Braddon: open regular hours.
• Urban Pantry, Manuka: closed January 1; regular hours after that.

Happy eating; I’m looking forward to munching my way through 2016.