Everyone loves a bit of oceany goodness on their plates, do they not? Okay, maybe not everyone but WE DO, so here’s a tale of tasty feasts from the sea and the best local Gold Coast venues to enjoy them at.

If you’re in the market for a seafood extravaganza, here are 11 exceptional Gold Coast venues to hit up ASAP. 

Restaurants

Omeros Bros Seafood Restaurant
A stunning space overlooking the water at Marina Mirage, Omeros Bros have been serving up the highest quality seafood for as long we can remember. If you’re a fan of all the ocean eats, grab yourself a platter and let the good times (and full bellies) roll. Next-level indeed.
Where: Shop 55/74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

Kiyomi
Part of The Star Gold Coast, Kiyomi is a stunning Japanese venue showcasing the highest quality seafood in an array of dishes you’ll probably never forget. Executive Head Chef Chase Kojima has received a prestigious Chef’s Hat, so you know you’re in for an absolute treat.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Terraces Restaurant
Located within the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort at Main Beach, Terraces is a much-loved seafood buffet (currently serving an ocean-to-plate dining experience) that’ll make your mouth water on sight. The produce is the freshest and tastiest and you can go back for seconds or thirds. It might be time to loosen that belt…
Where: 71 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

George’s Paragon
Every local knows, George’s Paragon is where it’s at when it comes to seafood on the Gold Coast. Their legendary and huge seafood platters include fresh king prawns, smoked salmon, mixed oysters, barbequed bugs, barbequed prawns, garlic prawns AND battered prawns. The extensive Greek-inspired menu is perfectly complemented by the restaurants’ perfectly positioned location overlooking the marina at Sanctuary Cove.
Where: 46 The Promenade, Sanctuary Cove

Moana Restaurant and Bar
Moana can be found at Capri on Via Roma serving up the freshest of seafood, all locally sourced and with a focus on the flavours of the Pacific Rim, and let us tell you, there is many a tasty morsel on the menu. The Tahi is made up of the fish of the day, juicy prawns, scallops, bugs on rice and white wine beurre blanc sauce. YUM.
Where: Capri on Via Roma, Isle of Capri

Seascape Restaurant + Bar
Pop your fancy pants on and get up to Seascape Restaurant + Bar. Perched above the Surfers Paradise oceanfront, you’ll experience some of the most incredible seafood of your life. It’s locally sourced and mouth-watering the whole lot of it.
Where: 4 The Esplanade, Soul, Surfers Paradise 

Choofas Smokehouse and Seafood
At the southern end of the coast, you have the casual dining option of Choofas to satiate your need for all things seafood and delicious. The selection of seafood is huge meaning there is likely something for everyone. You also have the option to eat your prawns there or take them home with you to enjoy at your leisure. With a well-stocked bar full of drinks to boot, this Coolangatta gem is a seafood lover’s dream come true.
Where:  150 Griffith St, Coolangatta

Rick Shores
I’m not sure we have to say much more here than… Bug Roll. Rick Shores famed the Moreton Bay Bug Roll with Sriracha, Bug Mayonnaise and Gem Lettuce. It may only seem like a few ingredients but it’s mighty big on flavour and reputation. Yes, every dish on the menu is top-notch and the magical view adorns many an Instagram account… but people, Bug Roll!
Where: 43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

Takeaway

Charis Seafoods
The biggest seafood retailer in Queensland, Charis Seafoods has been supplying the freshest of foods to hungry locals for quite some time. Whether you arrive by boat and just want some freshly cooked fish & chips or you’re in the market for some fresh prawns, everything here is the goods, so feast to your little hearts’ content.
Where: 371 Marine Parade, Labrador 

Two Wise Fish
Being hungry + craving seafood = two deciding factors to take you to Two Wise Fish. It can be found in Mermaid Waters and is up there with some of the best takeaways we’ve ever sampled. Get the seafood basket, and maybe some fresh fish for you to take home and throw on the barbeque?
Where: Shop 1/64 Karbunya Street, Mermaid Waters

The Jolly Roger
If healthy fish and chips are something you’d like to sample, look no further. The Jolly Roger offers Keto fish and chips and it’s all very delicious. The crumbs are made from an almond meal as opposed to flour and there’s also the healthier option of zucchini chips. YUM. Oh, and there’s beer on tap to sip while you’re waiting too.
Where: 3/110 Mountain View Avenue, Miami

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

Paradise calling… And by that, we mean Surfers Paradise of course. You might have thought it’s all just bikini and booze but there is so much more just waiting for you to rediscover. Whether you’ve been looking for something laid-back to take the whole fam to or something a little bit fancy for that date night you’ve been putting off, and of course, somewhere to have a cheeky beverage – Surfers has it all. Did we mention it’s beachside?

So we’ve done the leg work and found the 10 must-try spots for you to get the best feed in the heart of the Coast.

Citrique
It’s one of the Gold Coast’s most loved buffets, Citrique takes its reputation seriously. For real, its award-winning seafood buffet is the GOAT for a reason – think fresh prawns, oysters and lobster tails (did someone say boujee) alongside flavours of the world. If breakfast is more your vibe then you’re in luck because they’re dishing up all-you-can eat breakfast and weekend long lunches alongside their signature seafood feast. Calling the beautiful JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa home, you would expect nothing less from this five-star favourite!
Our pick: Anything seafood!
Where: JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

The Langham
If feeling a bit fancy is on the menu then The Langham Gold Coast is the destination. Just as luxe as you’d expect the international hotel to be, The Langham can’t stop, won’t stop on delivering the finest food from the East and the West. Meticulously plated, T’ang Court is where precision meets passion with each dish a show of art for the ultimate Cantonese fine-dining affair. Dine beachfront while you treat yourself at Akoya or pop down to Palm Court for a spot of Afternoon Tea.
Our pick: The Langham’s iconic chef’s menu at T’ang Court
Where: 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise

Palette
Palette stormed onto the dining scene just a few short years ago and it’s been a fan favourite ever since. Located within the HOTA Gallery, this dining spot brings art to life with Executive Chef Dayan Hartill-Law using the Gallery’s exhibitions to inspire the decadent degustation menu. The award-winning restaurant has also modestly received Two Chef Hats from AGFG, which is reason enough for us to book a table already. Art you can eat? Yes please.
Our pick: Go all in on the Tasting Menu you absolutely won’t regret it
Where: HOTA, Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise

Shiraz Persian Restaurant & Bar
Shiraz have been calling their Surfers Paradise corner home for a couple of years now, so I suppose you could say they’ve settled in well. The perfect spot whether you’re looking for a cute date night or somewhere to take the entire family, Shiraz’s incredibly chic interior is big enough (like, 200 seats big) for you to get your authentic Persian fix. Best enjoyed with their namesake’s Shiraz. Ps. If you don’t feel like cooking on a Monday (honestly, who does) then pop in for their BYO day – it would be rude not to.
Our pick: We can’t pick favourites, so go hard on the banquet, we say
Where: Mantra Wings, 2893 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise

The Island Gold Coast
This Island has long been a landmark of the Gold Coast and we think the reason locals and visitors on the Goldie love this place is in part thanks to an aptly named spot called, Goldies. With a huge lineup of foodie favourites from steak and seafood through to pizzas and parmy’s there’s something to satisfy everyone’s cravings. If you’re after a tipple then the Rooftop is the place to perch up with a Pina Colada in hand while you soak in the iconic Gold Coast skyline, we just love a dining destination that’s as vibrant as the city itself.
Our pick: Mare e Monti Pizza
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

Yamagen Japanese Izakaya
Tucked away in the QT, this is new generation Japanese for the discerning diner. It’s modern fine dining in a way that ignites all of your senses while celebrating the best of authentic Japanese cuisine. Market fresh sashimi dishes are the hero of the menu, bringing the freshest fare and flavours together to be expertly paired with vast whisky list.
Our pick: Sashimi Moriawase for a taste of it all

Where: QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise

The Avenue
Everyone has a story from The Avenue, right? And for good reason. Where else can you go and literally spend all night long there. Pop in for a bite at the restaurant and stay for the vibes at the nightclub or one of the iconic drag shows. Live music venues are becoming harder and harder to find, but luckily for us The Avenue aka the home of live music is doing the heavy lifting so you can sip back and listen to sweet tunes every week.
Our pick: Crispy Pork Belly
Where: 3-15 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Coast Beach Bar & Kitchen
There’s something about sipping back on a cocktail while you look at the ocean that just makes it taste that much sweeter. Fortunately for you, that view and those cocktails are accompanied by one of the best new additions to the restaurant scene. Coast Beach Bar & Kitchen brings the perfect balance of fancy food with a relaxed vibe, so you can soak up your surrounds while indulging on your choice of steak or seafood, or head out to the Terrace Bar for more relaxed bites.
Our pick: Kingfish Ceviche
Where: Ocean by Meriton – Level 1, 86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

Central Lounge
Something you might not know about us is that we love a lounge bar, so you bet we were fans of Central Lounge the moment those glorious doors opened. Massive cocktail list? Check. Epic easts? Check. R&B Sunday sessions? Check. We’ll go ahead and call that a trifecta. If you’ve been hunting for a stylish spot to sip cocktails and people watch, then this the place for you.
Our pick: Crab Linguine
Where: 8/27 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Driftwood Social
Driftwood Social, tucked just off Ferny Ave brings blissed-out, Miami pool club vibes to the banks of the Nerang River – and if it’s been a while between drinks, this secluded social spot is every bit as lush as you remember. A stacked menu is another real drawcard, and don’t be tempted to assume we’re talking basic bar bites here.
Our pick: Linguine Alla Vodka And Prawns
Where: 42 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane…yep, it’s definitely a plane. And for flying out loud, it’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen! That’s what we’ll be chanting come August 2023 when one of the world’s biggest and most awe-inspiring airshows comes to town! In an epic coup for our region, Major Events Gold Coast (MEGC) with the support of the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland has ‘landed’ Pacific Airshow – and it’ll send us all into a tailspin!

Renowned for its heart-pumping aerobic displays, jaw-dropping aviation feats, huge crowds and pumping party atmosphere, Pacific Airshow will be right at home here in our hood. The inaugural sister event of the biggest event of its kind in the US, Pacific Airshow Gold Coast will launch over the iconic Surfers Paradise beach in just over twelve months…and yep, things are certainly ‘looking up’ for our beautiful city.

This landmark win is part of a five-year partnership that will see this globally popular event staged on the GC until at least 2027 – and we are here for it! Not only will it give us one of the most exhilarating visual shows guaranteed to awaken the adrenaline junkie within, it’s also set to inject a significant economic boost into the local economy. Win win.

Even if you think airshows are Boe-ing, we can assure you that once you’ve experienced Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, you’ll have an absolute blast – plane and simple. It’ll be love at first flight as you see hair-raising performances by elite military aviators and the best civilian performers from around the world. Top Gun, eat your heart out!

Set to redefine what we think we know about airshows, the scale of this family-friendly spectacular will leave you high-ly impressed. You’ll be reaching for your smart phone to document the experience in your insta-feed…and possibly for an imaginary oxygen mask as you witness death-defying OMG moments a-plenty.

Not only a first for the Gold Coast but also Australia, Code Four – the leading US events company behind this hotly anticipated event – promises the scale and wow-factor will only grow each and every year. I mean, could there be a better backdrop than our stunning coastline (offset by our world-famous hospitality) and without being up ourselves, we all know the answer.

If this doesn’t cement our reputation as a world-class events provider (it will), then we’re sorry (sarcastic) because it can only be described as next level fly. The winning combo of sun, surf, excellent food, great music and the heart-stopping, jaw dropping spectacle that is Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is a recipe sure to delight locals, tourists and aviation enthusiasts alike.

So watch this space for more deets and get ready for something truly air-mazing!

Where: Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
When: Annually from August 2023

Words by Bianca Trathen.