The history of buffet style eating is a mixed affair. Its origins could be said to hark back to a mixture of cultures — from Asia to Europe. The ‘smorgasbord’ became internationally known as such at the 1939 New York World’s Fair exhibition, because the Swedes had to invent a new way of showcasing the best of Swedish food to large numbers of visitors. And the rest, as they say, is history…

Whoever can claim to have been responsible, we’re not fussed! The point is buffets — and smorgasbords — are amazing ways to reach newfound eating goals, and we’ve got quite a few exceptional ones right here on the Gold Coast. Happy binge eating, folks!

Terraces Restaurant
It’s the seafood buffet extravaganza in Main Beach that locals keep returning to time and time again, and as one of those locals, we can tell you it’s got all of the very best things you’ll love. Yes, fresh seafood galore but also a whole charcuterie section, an excellent Asian dish section, and so many delicious desserts to choose from. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Where: Level 1, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, 71 Sea World Drive, Main Beach

Harvest Buffet
Not only does Harvest Buffet treat their diners to top-notch eats, but they also allow patrons to feast on glistening poolside views as well. The stunning indoor and outdoor spaces are seriously as enticing as the food, and the private dining room screams “have your birthday/celebration here” and ok, if you insist…Open for breakfast and dinner daily, as well as lunch every Saturday and Sunday so you can get stuck into their famed prawn and oyster buffet, you’ll be sure to leave this place bursting at the seams. We must make special mention of their dinner offering which includes the freshest seafood like oysters, prawns, sushi, roasts from the carvery as well as crowd-pleasers like pizza, pasta, curries, soups and salads. Should we also mention they have a decadent dessert bar? Yep, complete with a chocolate fountain! It’s our buffet dreams answered!
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach

Horizon Sky Dining
Buffet in the sky? No probs. Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise is where you’re find this gem, nestled above the city skyline so you can (literally) take your dining experience to new heights. Think breathtaking views of the city skyline from ocean to hinterland and of course, the most incredible seafood feast curated by award-winning chefs. They’ve also got vegetarians covered with a huge range of options to make sure every leaves well and truly full. All that buffet-ing is thirsty work of course, so why not treat yourself to an expertly crafted cocktail (or mocktail) to seal the deal. Open for lunch and dinner from Thursday through Sunday.
Where: Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, 2807 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise

Il Barocco
It’s a quality over quantity affair at Il Barocco, it’s long been a favourite dining spot for buffet lovers for obvious reasons. After all, this is a 5-star luxury property we’re talking about! The team uses only the very best, locally sourced seafood and the aim of the game is to create a fresh, diverse-looking buffet — which they nail. Besides exceptional seafood, there are hot and cold meats, vegetarian dishes and the prettiest dessert section. Treat yourself to the most luxe buffet setting on the Coast. Open for breakfast and dinner daily.
Where: Imperial Hotel Gold Coast, 94 Sea World Drive, Main Beach

Frenzy’s Food Court
Catering to the entire family, Frenzy’s at Southport Sharks is open for dinner and offers an extensive buffet selection featuring dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world. The all-you-can-eat buffet offers a tasty range of meats, salads, international dishes and desserts, all available between 5.30pm and 8.30pm, 7 nights a week. Yep, we don’t know about you but we have our plates ready!
Plus, Frenzy’s is now serving up a mouth-watering, heart-warming all-you-can-eat breakfast feast every Sunday! The scrumptious selection includes all your brekkie favourites (as well as cheese and charcuterie, yes please) AND includes bottomless Bun coffee – they’ve really got everything covered.
Where: Southport Sharks, Olsen Ave & Musgrave Ave, Southport

Skypoint Breakfast Buffet
Not a morning person? Well breakfast up in the clouds might be the closest you’ll get to staying snug in that cosy bed of yours and to be honest, I’d say this brekky is worth the wake up. With all the classics you know and love on offer to build your own big breakfast, seasonal fruits (because, summer) and even cereal if your inner child is begging for coco pops – we won’t judge. You can indulge in the food and then indulge in the view of the GC because it always looks a little prettier from up above.
Where: Q1, Level 77 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise

Shoreline Restaurant
Many things may have changed over the years, but the yum factor of Shoreline Restaurant’s famous buffet isn’t one of them #phew. Located in the Sea World Resort, treat yourself to a balanced and plentiful breaky smorgasbord from 6.30am to 10am daily, or all-you-eat-dinner from 5pm to 8pm every Friday and Saturday (no judgement if you do both). Special dinner shout-outs go to the Queensland prawns, wide array of international dishes, juicy Chef carved meats, and delectable desserts. And let’s not forget the coastal ambience and live entertainment, satisfying all the senses.
Where: Sea World Resort, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

Cove Cafe
Wake up with an expansive selection of season-inspired breakfast classics at Cove Café’s buffet.  Recently reimagined with a tropic-inspired aesthetic reflecting the natural beauty of Sanctuary Cove, it’s the perfect place to start your day. Hit the live omelette station for eggs cooked your way, seasonal fruit, international dishes and naughty but oh-so-nice delicate pastries. Wash your ten outta ten breakfast down with fresh juices and Vittoria Coffee, then saunter around the glorious Sanctuary Cove shops to burn off your brekky. At least that’s our excuse…. Open seven days a week from 6.30am until 10.30am.
Where: InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Manor Circle, Sanctuary Cove

Akoya
There are buffets and there are buffets and this my friends is the latter. A boujee buffet if you like (yes, we like!), Akoya is located inside The Langham Gold Coast, our go-to for luxury stays and plays. Serving up beautiful coastline views and some of Australia’s finest meat, fish, and poultry, this is a buffet connoisseur’s dream. Offering a buffet feast every Friday and Saturday night from 5.30pm to 10pm, or their signature breakfast buffet daily from 6.30am, it’s a must for any local or visitor. The only thing more delicious and high rent than the fare is the strikingly contemporary interiors, and bespoke open kitchen. Swoon!
Where: The Langham Gold Coast, 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise

Waves Buffet Restaurant
Described as THE place for people who love buffets, it simply had to make the list! Enjoy eggs cooked the way you like them (#AllTheWaysThanks), seafood-a-plenty (our pick: whole prawns and rock oysters on the shell), plus platters overflowing with tropical fruit. Plus there are Asian, Indian and Mediterranean dishes, seasonal options, and holy happy kids Batman, a dessert bar. Combining fresh eats for a mix of healthy and hearty, it’s perfect for a special occasion or just because. Available between 6.30am and 10am seven days a week, and every Friday and Saturday if you’re down for a seafood buffet dinner, in the words of Nike – just do it.
Where: voco Gold Coast, 3032 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

Citrique
One of the most beautifully presented buffets around is Citrique at the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa. Recently renovated, they are renowned for a next-level, seasonal seafood selection, and folks; it is the goods. Every dish you could possibly want is available at Citrique, including yum cha, sushi, curries, antipasto, European dishes, and speciality plates you’ll fall for in a big way. If the delish food offer wasn’t enough, the view of their iconic pool is the ultimate for giving holiday vibes while you fill up on the fare. It’s open for buffet breakfast daily, with Friday and Saturday buffet sittings in the evenings and lunches Sunday.
Where: JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Bazaar
We would like to boldly state that QT Gold Coast’s Bazaar is exceptional, and if you have not been, no excuse will suffice! Feel like a steak cooked perfectly medium-rare? Not a problem. Their helpful chefs can create made to order dishes right in front of your eyes, bake pizzas, and dish up fresh and cooked seafood, slow-roasted meats, epic salads, an Asian food section and easily the most delectable dessert offering on the Coast. It’s an absolute must-try and is open for breakfast and dinner daily. For extra indulgence, we highly recommend their Sunday Brunch.
Where: QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise

Words by Bianca Trathen and Jacqueline Bojanowski.

Ahh, the blessed ritual of brunch. Leisurely feasts of eggs every which way you can imagine, sticky, syrup drenched French toast stacks, and smoked salmon for days – what’s not to love? Plus, it gives us the excuse to sleep in, and our tastebuds are rewarded pretty handsomely for the trouble.

Couple it with a little concept known as bottomless cocktails and life doesn’t get much better. So universally beloved is the sip-happy cousin of this mid-morning rendezvous, we’ve rustled up an entire list of the best places on the GC to get your boozy brunch-fest fix (say that five times fast after two hours of free-flowing mimosa’s).

From north to south, gather your mates, don your stretchy pants and jump on the brunch bandwagon!

Mozza Mozza
For a surefire way to stave off the Sunday scaries, the groovy and oh-so boozy, discotheque-themed Italian feast (don’t ask questions, just go with it) going down weekly at Mozza Mozza would have to be one of the best. For $75 per person, the Sunday Bottomless Disco dishes up share-style plates such as Pizzas, Arancini Balls and House-Made Focaccia to load up on – studded by a fruity Spritz and Mimosa menu to strategically work your way through. As far as bottomless spreads go, we particularly love the options on offer here – feeling like flanking your Italian feast with a boozy slushie upgrade? Say no more, fam! Craving Mozza Puff Bread or Tiramisu? Sure thing, just add ‘em on for a fiver. You’ll be shakin’ your groove thang in no time.
Where: Southport Sharks, Corner Olsen Avenue & Musgrave Avenue, Southport

Winey Cow
If you consider yourself a bit of a brunch connoisseur, Main Beach’s resident egg-slinging specialist, Winey Cow is a must try for several reasons. Reason numero uno, is that they live and breathe this brekkie business – after all, the much-lauded namesake Melbourne location has the boasting rights to accolades like Café of the Year and Best Breakfast Restaurant. And when you’re in the mood to take the Chilli Scramble Croissant up a notch, they also throw a particularly spectacular bottomless brunch any ‘ole day of the week. For $55 per person, you can grab a main with endless mimosas for an hour, with Cranberry & Lime and Pineapple, Passionfruit & Lime options if you wanna switch it up from the Classic OJ. And ‘wine’ not, we say?
Where: 5/11 Woodroffe Ave, Main Beach

QT Gold Coast
There’s Sunday brunch… then there’s Soul Sundays at Bazaar. A bubbly twist on the beloved Bazaar buffet experience we know and love, Soul Sundays takes this fanciful spread to the next level! From 11am–3pm every Sunday, you can nosh your way through brekkie faves like waffles and crepes while being serenaded by the sounds of live music and the chorus of clinking glasses as the champas flows freely. To chaperone your delectable experience, there’s even a Director of Champagne at the ready to customise your sip with a selection of juices and nectars. Yep, this one does indeed speak to our soul.
Where: QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise

Surfers Pavilion
The Surfers Pav always delivers the goods and this is especially so when we’re talking about their Brunch Club experience. The perfect waterfront setting, DJs will be on the decks from 1pm every Sunday to set the mood. Choose from the $59 per head package including a selection of Oysters, or the $99 per head package with a choice of Cauliflower popcorn, Calamari or Chicken riblets, followed by either Nachos, Lamb ragu, Fish and chips, or Mushroom lasagne. Both packages entitle you to Prosecco, Bellinis, Mimosas, Pineapple mimosas, Mango mimosas, Pav lager, along with requisite softies. Walk-ins or bookings welcome anytime from 12.30pm.
Where: 30 – 34 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Hyde Paradiso
It’s the ultimate beachside brunch overlooking the ocean and yeah, we had you at beachside. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, tuck into the Standard Brunch or Vegan Brunch for an all out, four-course feast of Mediterranean-inspired mixed tapas, including delightful bites like Eggs Benny Hash made with truffle honey hollandaise. But ‘bottomless’ we promised, and bottomless ye shall receive – here you can pick your poison with two-hour sip packages such as Aperol Spritz, Bellini Spritz & Limoncello Spritz, Chandon Brut & Chandon Rosé, or perhaps the Veuve Clicquot upgrade will be more your speed. Available between 12pm and 2pm, minimum of 2 people required.
Where: Peppers Soul, Level 2/8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

The Island Gold Coast
The Island says Saturday afternoons are for gathering, grazing and good times, and who are we to disagree? And yes, technically speaking, this one is classified as a ‘lavishly long lunch’ – but when it comes with two hours of tantalising eats, arrival mimosa and cocktail and spritz carafes – does anyone really mind? Spend your Saturday nibbling your way through Charcuterie and share-style bites of Karaage Chicken, Lamb kofta and Wood-fired pizzas, alternated with jugs of Passionfruit and Vanilla Mojito, Watermelon Margarita Spritz and Mimosa. $79 per person, two sittings (from 11:30am or 1:30pm) available.
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

Elk Espresso
Broady gem Elk is another superb spot popping the cork on bottomless brunch daily. And bonus, it’s walk-ins only – so just grab the gang and rock up between 10am–1.30pm to partake in their delectable assortment of colourful, petal-topped dishes along with one hour to go ham on the bottomless Mimosa menu. Yep, that’s sixty whole minutes of mimosa action and nope, we sure as heck ain’t driving. Pick your fave between the the Classic, Strawberry lime and Tropical varieties, then ‘sip’ back and marvel as your flute magically refills itself. You certainly don’t have to tell us twice! $49 per head.
Where: Oasis Shopping Centre (opposite the beach), Broadbeach

Miss Moneypenny’s
Weekends are for sleep-ins, so if you didn’t quite make it out of bed in time for brunch, turn those lemons into two hours of citrus-studded spritzers, cocktails or French champagne (which absolutely beats lemonade, any day of the week) at the famous Miss Moneypenny’s bottomless lunch. Opt between the degustation-style Chef’s Signature or Three-course a la carte menu, and nosh your way through delectable dishes like saffron-infused Coral Coast Barramundi and Waygu Carpaccio. Talk about lush …we’re not saying it was this stellar spread in particular that was responsible for bagging them an AGFG chef hat for the past three years running… but we’re not not saying it, either. Available Saturday and Sunday, 12–2pm from $110 per person.
Where: 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Tropic Vice
Yes, this one’s technically a ‘lunch’, but we’re happy to look the other way for any excuse to a) incorporate more margs into our weekend and b) hit snooze few dozen times. From 12–4pm every Sunday, the Tropic Vice rooftop transforms into a free-flowing fiesta with live music, DJ’s bites and bottomless margs for $99 per person. We’re talking a set menu of Truffle fries, Halloumi Bites and Tacos, with the option to upgrade to a Dozen Oysters & Bottle of Luc Belair for an extra $85 if you’re really in the mood to celebrate. Monday can wait indeed!
Where: 2215 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Ally Chow
Ally Chow dishes up Asian fusion done right, and their two brunch options do not disappoint. For $99 per person, the Chow Out features the Chef’s choice banquet with two-hours of bottomless thai basil caprisokas, Asahi beer and prosecco. Or, have a go of the Margarita Lunch Banquet and yes, this has us written all over it. For $130, enjoy the same offerings mentioned above, only substitute bottomless caprioskas for bottomless margis! Once again recognised with the Australian Good Food Guides Chef Hat Award, this one is a no-brainer.
Where: Lavarack Road, Nobby Beach

The Tropic
One of the GC’s very favourite ocean-view venues, The Tropic offers a solid ten bottomless brunch and absolutely nobody is surprised to hear this. Taking place exclusively on the terrace on the last Saturday of every month, not only will you be privy to multi-million-dollar views and DJ beats, but deliciously fresh seafood and innovative fare. Think Oysters, Spiced bread, Stracciatella & Persimmon, Pavlova, and more, but no need cuz we’re already #sold. Veuve, Rose and Bellini Cocktail packages available from $75 per person. Don’t mind if we do!
Where: 43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

Palm Beach Ave
Palmy’s resident art deco stunner isn’t just a pretty face—it’s also home to some pretty spectacular dining deals (shout out, $60 3-course set menu) – including one of the most irresistible bottomless brunch options going! Every weekend, from 10am to 2pm, get beachside for your boozy brunch fix for only $45 per person. The mid-morning soiree kicks off with a salmon blini canapé to start, while you settle in to 1.5 hours of free-flowing mimosas and ponder between options like the Chilli Scrambled Eggs and Prawn and Bug Roll from the mouthwatering menu… #decisionsdecisions.
Where: 6 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach

Refinery Coffee
Why wait for the weekend? Refinery Coffee reckons any day is a good day to bust out the boozy OJ for this beloved mid-morning ritual, and we wholeheartedly agree. Available from 10am daily, gather your celebratory crew and report to Currumbin’s light-filled converted warehouse for the Bottomless Brunch option. Here, you can tuck in to your pick from the all-day eats menu, such as Chilli Scram and Eggs Benny, while throwing back Classic & Watermelon mimosas for 1.5 blissful hours. The only caveat is that your whole crew must be partaking (is that even a question) with a non-alc option also available. Bottoms up!
Where: 37 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters