This is our 2023 list. Here is our list of 2024 Christmas feasts.

It’s almost that time again Gold Coasters and if you’re anything like us, whipping up a Christmas lunch or dinner is the absolute LAST thing you feel like doing after sinking a few (too many) champers and opening all those pressies.

But never fear, we’re here to round up the local faves taking the hard yakka out of the jolliest time of year, so that you enjoy your food coma sans the prep and post feast clean up.

The Star Gold Coast
Who better equipped to handle our merry munches than the veritable recreation wonderland that awaits at The Star – we mean, they literally spend 365 days a year honing their impeccable hosting skills.. and an atmosphere primed for fun and frivolity is kind of their whole schtick.

Check out the epic array of soirees on offer here for the ‘star’ on the top of a tree-mendous Chrissy Day. Pssst, there are even gourmet hampers available for stress-free hosting.. (feel free to steal all the glory, our lips are sealed).
Where:1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach

Novotel Surfers Paradise
This Dec 25, have a cracker of a (carefree) Christmas Day with all of the cheer and none of the tears, and lock in a spectacular seafood buffet lunch at Novotel Surfers Paradise.

Find all the deets here to secure your spot – and score yourself a sneaky Chrissy morning sleep in while you’re at it – aka cut out the crack-of-dawn pilgrimage to the prawn trawlers altogether.. now that’s a Merry Christmas!
Where: Novotel Surfers Paradise, Cnr Of Surfers Paradise Blvd, Hanlan St, Surfers Paradise

Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach
Assemble your nearest and dearest for a delicious ripper of a Christmas celebration at the Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach this year. The Sofitel’s stunner trio of venues are set to transform for the occasion, on offer will be three enchanting experiences: a ‘Grand Ballroom Gingerbread House’, a jolly gastronomic journey for those who fancy their Christmas with a side of French indulgence, and sumptuous seafood and hot carvery buffet. Go here for all the delicious details.
Where: 81 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

JW Marriott Gold Coast
We’re more spoiled than a kid on Christmas morning with the array of delectable dining experiences on offer at JW Marriott. As experts in exquisite eats, their annual yuletide events always sell out.. so get on it like an empty parking spot in December, guys.

This Christmas, we’ve got four spectacular events to choose from. Citrique is gearing up to deliver a luxurious lunch (sold out) and dinner celebration, with a festive twist on their famous seafood buffet for $279 pp + BF, children starting from $49 (under 2 free).

The signature seafood buffet experience will also be hosted in Grand Ballroom, for a luxe lunch including live cooking stations, a three hour premium beverage package with Champagne, live entertainment, face painting and a visit from Santa. Tickets $339 pp + BF, children starting from $159 (under 3 free).

Alternatively, choose to celebrate at Chapter and Verse with the ‘Festive Feast of Seafood and Sweets’ Christmas Lunch, from 12.30pm – 3.30pm – a selection of mouth-watering morsels all set to satisfy, including seafood on ice, raw bar, cheese and charcuterie, tapas and dessert. Tickets $249 pp + BF.
Where: 158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise

QT Gold Coast
Families looking to converge for some magical (and mouthwatering) Christmas mems, look no further than the luxe QT luncheons – both the Ballroom and Bazaar (dinner also available) will be abuzz with 3-hour beverage packages, a sumptuous spread of roasted meats, fresh seafood and decadent desserts. Christmas cheer also comes courtesy of a festive cocktail on arrival, and for kids under 12, a gift from Mr Claus himself.

Alternatively, avid foodies can treat themselves to an exquisite gastronomic experience at the adults-only Christmas Lunch at Yamagen. Get in the spirit with a meticulously crafted 7-course menu, a masterclass in Japanese dining with a showcase of seafood dishes with a Christmas twist. Tickets from $299 pp + BF, including an arrival cocktail and curated wine pairings.

(Pssst – Santa called, he said you should go ahead and upgrade to the Premium Whisky/Wine/Sake Pairing, it is Christmas after all).

Want to bring the QT home with you this Christmas? Indulge in the epitome of festive luxury with a QT Gold Coast curated opulent hamper. Crafted to delight 4-6 people, this lavish banquet features culinary treasures like the iconic Moreton Bay bug & prawn roll, slow-roasted suckling Berkshire Porchetta with crackling, locally caught tiger prawns, Sydney Rock oysters and Tasmanian smoked salmon. From $649 per box with 20 dishes to unwrap.

Where: 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise

RACV Royal Pines Resort
Another festive contender for your consideration – round up your kin and revel in the Chrissy day array at RACV Royal Pines, for an indulgent spread hosted within the impeccable surrounds of the Royal Benowa Ballroom.

Kicking off from from 12:00 pm, this years proceedings include a 3-hour beverage package along with all the traditional festive fare – delight in fresh Australian seafood, carved meats, and a selection of hot dishes, salads and desserts. Tickets start from $51.00 for children aged 2-4 (ages 0-2 free) up to $297.85 per adult (+ booking fees).
Where: Ross St, Benowa

The Langham Gold Coast
Are you and/or the fam fans of the finer things? Then look no further than The Langham for your December 25 festivities, friends. As a destination with a rep for all things luxury, our unofficial dealers of decadence are especially equipped to deliver a swanky soiree.

This year, their swoon-worthy spread includes fresh local seafood, a crudo and oyster bar, live barbeque with premium meats such as wagyu steaks (feat. sausage sizzle for the littles) salads, desserts and more. Their stellar shin-dig kicks off from 12:00 pm, with tickets ranging from $148 per child (ages 0-4 free) to $468 per adult inc. premium beverage package.
Where: 38 Old Burleigh Rd, Surfers Paradise

Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove
Offering two decadent dining experiences, spend your Christmas Day situated among Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove’s stellar surrounds and get amongst some fanciful fare to mark the occasion in the most delicious of ways.

If the thought of festive fine dining sparks a whole lot of joy for you – we present to you, option numero ono: the long, and lavish – Degustation Lunch. Secure your spot at this little advent affair for an all-inclusive experience hosted at The Fireplace, and prepare to sip and savour your way through your Christmas Day for $449pp + BF.

If you’d rather take the night off following a jam-packed day of festivities (aka keep the arvo open for a very necessary nap) the Seafood Buffet Dinner option will be enticing on every level. With two convenient seatings available at 5 pm and 8 pm, get cosy at Cove Cafe and sidle up to a mouthwatering spread of traditional Christmas fare fused with modern Australian flavours. Tickets from $209 per person, children aged 5 to 12 are priced at $89 per child (ages 0-4 free).
Where: Sanctuary Cove, Manor Cir, Hope Island

Southport Sharks
Sadly for fans of the legendary Sharks seafood buffet lunch, this event has already sold out for this year #tear – though if the thought of this leaves you languishing, tickets to the Festive Buffet Breakfast are still available. On the bright side, this means we can bring forward our scheduled smorgasbord proceedings – and frankly, feasting sooner is never a bad thing in our books.

Start your Christmas day with a classic brekkie banquet fit for a ‘Kringle’, complete with all the morning mainstays – tasty rashers of bacon, delicious eggs, juicy sausages, sides of mushrooms and tomatoes, hotcakes with warm butter or sweet syrup (both, obvs), piles of pastries and so much more. Tickets for this very merry morning start at $15 for kids (ages 0-3 free) up to $55 for adults + BF, with 90 minute seatings available from 7:30am – 10am.
Where: Corner Olsen and, Musgrave Ave, Southport

The Island
This year, Surfers’ stellar pozzy, The Island, is poised to throw not one but two tantalising Christmas day events – take your pick of the Family Buffet in the Glasshouse – or the all-inclusive Buffet & Beverage Package in the Penthouse.. either way, yule be left feeling rather jolly indeed.

From 11am – 2pm, prepare to tuck into all the traditional festive provisions and trimmings – savour hot and cold seafood, succulent roast meats, seasonal roast vegetables, wholesome summer salads and decadent desserts.

Tickets for the Family Buffet event start at $89 for kids (ages 0-3 free), through to $179 for adults (+ booking fees) – with drinks available at the bar throughout the day.  While the Penthouse Buffet & Beverage tickets are $229 pp + BF including 3-hour beverage package – which we might add, includes Christmas sangria and spritz, bc it would be rather Rudolph us to omit this very important detail.
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

voco Surfers Paradise
We need not spend days toiling away in the kitchen, offload the preparations (read: stress) and let the voco pros handle your Chrissy day proceedings. Indulge in a banquet of iconic Christmas Day fare, such as fresh seafood, summer salads, succulent roast carvery, a variety of hot and cold dishes – complete with a mouthwatering dessert bar for your feasting pleasure. Plus, face painting and a sneaky cameo from the big man in red, for some extra special Christmas magic for the kiddos.

This little Chrissy extravaganza will set you back $289 per person, with children from $130 (ages 0-4 free).. and simultaneously deliver max satisfaction and zero stress in the process.
Where: 31 Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Words by Kellie Leader.

Gather the gang- it’s officially time to lock in some epic New Year’s plans! Thankfully, this year, deciding on ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘when’ and ‘where’ will be a much easier task. In usual form, The Star Gold Coast has it all laid out for us.

This year’s NYE lineup is shaping up to be The Star’s biggest yet– with no less than nine options on offer, we are well and truly spoiled with a multitude of ways to countdown and celebrate in style. Let’s get this thing started; hey, party animals?

NYE Masquerade Ball
Slip away, if only for a night, for an evening of mystery and masquerade! It’s a ball that calls for your best black and gold attire and a mask, of course. Be treated to a Grey Goose cocktail and canapes on arrival before a decadent 3-course menu and 4.5-hour beverage package (7.00pm – 11.30pm).

Guests will be chauffeured into a stunning night of glittering gold with roaming performers, including golden fire dancers, living statues, a birdcage aerialist, and more. Headlining the entertainment is 42 Band, who will have all your favourite hits pumping on the dancefloor. To keep the party kicking on through midnight, we have DJ Charlie and DJ Libre. Then, as the clock almost strikes midnight, head out to The Lawn for a magical fireworks display.

Garden Kitchen & Bar
Get the party – and 2025 – started right, at the Star’s time-tested party playground and purveyors of good vibes, Garden Kitchen & Bar. Rock and roll into 2025 with Liam Bowditch on The Deck.

For those seeking a place to dine amongst all the dancing, you can tuck into a 4-course menu and 3-hour drink package up at the restaurant, with a side of NYE fireworks on The Lawn. If you have little ones tagging along- no problem! Before toooo much fun begins, a kid-friendly first Seating is available, 5.00pm – 7.30pm. Second Seating: 8.00pm – 12.00am (over 18s only).

Cucina Vivo
If you seek a slice of La Dolce Vita to end your year, then it’s Cucina Vivo for you. End your year with a mouth-watering Italian set menu and bask in stunning firework views from Cucina Vivo’s poolside balcony. Sway to the sweet sound of singer-songwriter Eleea before turning things up a notch with Gold Coast’s very own DJ Libre!!

Get the good times rolling asap with a First Seating feast starting at 5:30pm. Enjoy a glass of Chandon on arrival and a 3-course menu for just $75 per adult (13 and above)! A kids menu is also available.

Second Seating will be best dressed on this occasion, with a 3.5-hour drink package and a 3-course menu starring house-made arancini, local and seared Goldband snapper and, drum roll please, Italian meringue bombe with raspberries, popping candy and dark Valrhona chocolate! Then, to top it all off, live entertainment and NYE fireworks- all for just $199 per adult. Cin cin!

Harvest Buffet
Our family-friendly hero for all manner of special occasions, Harvest Buffet, is ready and willing to host our nearest and dearest as we farewell the year that was. Offload the entertaining stress (*cough* in-laws onslaught) and gather for the famous smorgasbord spread with two seatings available for New Year’s Eve.

Good luck seeing midnight after you’ve feasted on hot and cold seafood, live shucked fresh oyster stations, carvery stations, salads, cheeses and desserts.. #foodcomaimminent. Adults (13 and above) are $120 pp, children 5 – 12 years $40, and 4 and under free – how good!

Nineteen at The Star
Set the tone for your 2025 by starting it in style, sophistication and on (roof) top of the world! We believe it’s called manifesting. Go for a bar package or settle into your choice of two seatings, emboldened by knockout views and stellar vibes. Make a bunch of ambitious ressos you’ll definitely keep this year (wink wink).

For $220pp, the Sunset seating kicks off from 5.30pm–8.00pm, with a four-course set menu. For anyone looking to ring in the new year in timeless, tasty luxury (and we mean luxury with a capital L) – the Moonlight Seating runs from 8.30pm–late for $260pp.

For live entertainment, we have killer beats by DJ Charles Oliver and DJ Dezastar to ensure an unforgettable end to 2024. Side note: this year’s theme is a white party, so dress to impress!

Kiyomi
For those of us who firmly believe at the heart of every epic celebration should be exquisite food –farewell 2024 with the kind of fanciful feast only Kiyomi could pull off. This December 31, our Japanese eats darling is offering two seatings, with full rein of the sumptuous a la carte spread. The prospect of saying cheers to New Year with stacks of Sushi, Chilli Ponzu Oysters, Miso Ceviche Kingfish – and, of course, crafted cocktails – will surely be a popular one, so be quick to book out before you miso out. San, Ni, Ichi…Happy New Year!

Uncle Su
If a crowd-pleasing taste bud party is in your flavour, look no further than one of the GC’s favourite (honorary) uncles – Uncle Su. Gather the friends and fam to tuck into some time-honoured celebratory fare: Cantonese-style classics and a selection of signature Beijing and Szechuan favourites. Take your pick of the two seating choices and tackle an a la carte menu fit for a king, including abalone, lobster and crab, every way you can imagine.

Atrium Bar
The ultimate cheat code for a no wukkas NYE? Book a booth and guarantee you and the crew a prime possy to cosy up and bid adieu to 2024. For groups sized 6–12, $399 gets you a bottle of Domaine Chandon to get into the swing of things, dibs on one of the Atrium’s booths and a $250 bar tab.

DJ Brent, Electro Disco and DJ Soundvibe will be there to keep you entertained while you kick it back, carve up the DF or people watch the night away. Let the good times (and woo’s) roll.

Spend the last hour of 2024 in a state of euphoria- dancing the year away to the hits of Touch Sensitive (currently supporting San Cisco’s tour), live and loud on The Lawn! What better way to close out, than jamming to next-level remixes and collabs by one of Australia’s top DJs?! Catch it all from 11pm on The Lawn and from the Garden Kitchen & Bar for free!

Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: Various times, Tuesday 31 December 2024

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST

The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be 18 years or over to enter the Casino and Atrium Bar. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT.

It’s a whole new era for Kirra – as the hotly anticipated Kirra Beach House, slinks into town bringing chic sips, cabana chills and rooftop revelling to the formerly not-much-happenining Marine Parade precinct, and totally transforming the southern social scene as we know it.

And let’s all just try to maintain an orderly fashion here.. thankfully, there’s plenty here to go round.

Like, 1200 whole sqm of it – the mammoth, terrace-studded stunner is fully prepared for the inevitable inundation as we all clamour to get a glimpse of the dreamy new venue, equipped with multiple indoor and alfresco areas, wine and cocktail bars (three, to be exact!) and high-end event spaces.

The kitchen, meanwhile, brings the likes of raw and cooked seafood platters, succulent steaks and signature burgers to Kirra’s picturesque beachfront – slinging perfectly crisped pizzas out of the Marina Forni pizza oven daily.

And did we mention the uninterrupted ocean views from every angle?

The new standard for a spectacular summer has well and truly been set here, guys.

Our jaws may be on the floor, but we’re not at all surprised – after all, the new concept was pioneered by local hospo trailblazer, Dave Galvin, an undertaking a mere four years in the making.

The SITE Hospitality owner/operator has been working tirelessly to deliver us not one, but two bar-raising venues this year alone – already blessing us with Broadbeach show-stopper, kost a few months back (and before that Mozza Mozza, Bird Royale and Crafty’s Sports Bar).

Somebody stop him (but don’t, actually, keep ’em coming Dave).

And frankly, we just have one question.. when doth the man sleep?

When it comes to new venues, often the phrase ‘game changing’ often gets bandied about rather liberally (guilty) – but Kirra Beach House is truly unlike anything we’ve seen this far south, the breathtaking venue putting the seaside village on the map as a destination for elevated dining and drinking.

And we do mean elevated in all senses of the word – the new venue sits atop it’s more casual counterpart, the newly unveiled and fresh-faced Kirra Beach Hotel one level below.

The new additions signify a whole new chapter for the suburb’s seaside promenade that comes courtesy of the KTQ Group’s multi-stage Kirra Point Project.

“The venue will have a beach club atmosphere about it, with great music, mesmerising panoramic views of Kirra, Mediterranean-style food using the incredible local produce we have on our doorstep, a world-class drinks list and, of course, great service” says Dave.

And really, did anyone expect anything less?

The kitchen of Kirra’s darling new destination is led by head chef Drew Wilson, curating a Mediterranean-style grazing menu that is both flavour-packed and true to the laidback, coastal location.

It features a contemporary mix of dishes such as Kingfish crudo with citrus vinaigrette, chive oil and floral salt… or perhaps the summery ‘burrata with yellow peach, aged balsamic and smoked salt’ to woo the cheese fans.

Bars Manager, Kaden Pool invites us to ‘dive in’ to a delectable menu of resort-style cocktails, the type that scratch that nostalgia itch in all the right places.

Such as ‘Bahamas’ Champagne Piña coladas and ‘Cancun’ spicy watermelon margaritas, made for summer sunsets and crafted to make you feel like you’re on holiday…

Wait, we’re pretty sure we might be. Or dreaming. Who could say for sure. We might need to get around a few spicy melon margs to determine, first.

Where: Level 1, 2 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
When: Sunday to Thursday 11am–late, Friday & Saturday: 11am–1am

Words by Kellie Leader.