Seafood might be a touch smelly, tricky to peel and Wagga is some hundreds of kilometres from the ocean - but it hasn't deterred foodies from turning up in their droves to ensure it's on the table for lunch.

The South Wagga Butchery has recorded a jump in the number of people buying seafood over additional hot lunches this year.

Butcher Ray Farrell said it was becoming more affordable, which meant customers were willing to buy up to three kilograms of prawns at a time.

This year alone the butchery will sell more than one-and-a-half tonne of prawns.

"Everyone is chasing the fresh prawns," Mr Farrell said.

"The demand for fresh seafood generally is through the roof. It's very popular this year."

Mr Farrell said hot lunches will be enjoyed as well this year, with the traditional ham and turkey also selling well.

Wednesday South Wagga Butchery's busiest time of year, with staff arriving at 2am ahead of the morning rush.

Mr Farrell is expecting Wagga locals as well as people from towns within a 60-kilometre radius including Coolamon and Junee to flood the store.

"They start coming in from daybreak," he said.

Wagga restaurants also expect plenty of patrons on Christmas Day.

The Commercial Club on Gurwood Street is booked out for lunch as some 300 people walk through the doors.

Executive chef Mathew Oates, who runs the catering business CC Bar and Grill with his wife, said diners usually come in twos.

"There's a lot of people out there that don't have the big family Christmas. It's nice for people to come together," he said.

"I've been working Christmas Day my whole life and I think it's a community service."