Eat, drink and be merry – top spots for Christmas Day dining on the Gold Coast

Nov 06, 2024, updated Nov 07, 2024

While cooking a grand feast at home may be part of the usual Christmas routine, this year why not round up the fam and start a new tradition that involves you sitting back and relaxing? Skip sweating in the kitchen, ditch the dishes and leave the shopping, meal-planning, cooking and cleaning to the professionals. That sounds like a holly-jolly idea to us. In the spirit of the season, here are a bunch of places on the Gold Coast where you can eat, drink and be merry this Christmas Day.

The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach
Christmas Day is the gift that keeps on giving at The Star Gold Coast, with festive events being held across its popular venues. Prepare your appetites for a feast with all of the trimmings, because you’ll be spoilt for choice this Christmas at Harvest Buffet. You can start the feasting early with an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet on Christmas Eve or spend Christmas Day with more salivation-inducing seafood and a three-hour beverage package available for lunch and dinner. Those who are keen to while away the day with bubbles and a sumptuous spread can opt for The Star’s Christmas Spectacular at the Event Centre Ballroom. Enjoy a festive all-you-can-eat lunch complete with a four-hour beverage package and live entertainment that will keep the good times rolling into the afternoon. The talented team at Garden Kitchen & Bar has created a delicious four-course Christmas lunch, which is paired with a three-hour beverage package. If you’re keen to divert from prawns and ham this year, nibble your way through an exquisite Asian-inspired banquet lunch at Uncle Su. The masterfully designed festive feast brings traditional flavours, ingredients and cooking styles from different regions of China for a unique Christmas experience. More Asian-inspired delights await at Kiyomi, which offers the perfect location for your Christmas dinner celebration, especially if you asked Santa for a bounty of sumptuous sashimi. If you want to take the hassle out of cooking but still feast in the comfort of your own home, look no further than The Star’s Christmas hampers packed with delicious smoked ham, roasted turkey breast, Tasmanian salmon and more! Hampers come in a range of sizes and can be purchased online. To see all the Christmas day dining options available to book this December 25, head to The Star’s website.

Southport Sharks, Southport
Celebrate a coastal Christmas with Southport Sharks. Break your fast with a Festive Buffet Breakfast with tasty rashers of bacon, delicious eggs, juicy sausages, sides of mushrooms and tomatoes, hotcakes with warm butter or sweet syrup, a selection of pastries and so much more. Then at lunch you can dive into the spirit of the season with a spectacular Seafood Buffet at Sharks Events Centre, featuring prawns, oysters and an array of ocean-fresh delights perfectly paired with your favourite festive trimmings. Secure your seats now for an unforgettable Christmas Day for you and your loved ones.

The Island, Surfers Paradise
Iconic Surfers Paradise events destination The Island will be dishing up a Christmas Day buffet lunch featuring the freshest hot and cold seafood, succulent roast meats, seasonal roast vegetables, wholesome summer salads and decadent desserts. Adults tickets are $179 per person, with a cash bar available throughout the day. The Island Penthouse is also serving up a Christmas buffet and beverage package with spectacular views over Surfers Paradise. Tickets to this fancy festive feast are $229 plus a booking fee and include a full Christmas spread with sips like Mumm Marlborough Prestige Sparkling, premium wines, beers, Christmas sangria and spritzes, soft drinks and juices. Reserve your spot at The Island’s Christmas buffet online.

Miss Moneypenny’s, Broadbeach
Who doesn’t love a traditional banquet lunch with all of the trimmings on Christmas Day – especially if you don’t have to cook it yourself? At Miss Moneypenny’s, tuck in to four incredible courses that includes a jam-packed seafood platter, roast meats and a decadent dessert to finish. There are two seatings to choose from – 11:30 am to 1:30 pm or 2:30–4:30 pm. Adults are $209 and children (12 and under) are $99. Make a booking here.

QT Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise
When it comes to Christmas celebrations, Surfers Paradise gem QT Gold Coast says the more the merrier. Start things off with Christmas Eve at Bazaar Marketplace where you can feast your way through an abundant spread of festive food wrapped up with a cocktail on arrival and a chocolate fountain. On the big day return for Christmas lunch and dinner that’s catered for both the naughty and nice. You can also choose to indulge in lunch at Yamagen restaurant, where guests can savour a seven-course degustation of Japanese dishes, or go all out with a meal in the QT Ballroom complete with a seafood spread, traditional meats, Christmas cocktail and three-hour beverage package. Book online today – be quick though, as these sumptuous spreads will sell out.

The Langham, Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise
If there’s one thing we’ve learnt about The Langham, Gold Coast, when it hosts an event, it really hosts an event and Christmas Day will be no exception. Guests can settle in for an incredible feast at the dazzling Diamond Ballroom, featuring fresh local seafood, a crudo and oyster bar, a live barbecue with premium meats such as wagyu steaks, salads, desserts and more. Tickets are$495 for adults and include a premium beverage package. There’s also a Christmas Day lunch and dinner at Akoya, featuring a traditional seafood-inspired buffet boasting Moreton Bay bugs, blue-swimmer crab, a crudo bar, aged meats and desserts. Tickets are $449 per adult and include a two-hour premium beverage package. To secure your seat at the table, head here.

Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, Broadbeach
There’s no need to spend weeks preparing a Christmas lunch as Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach has got you covered with a selection of flavoursome Chrissie feasts yule love! On Monday December 25, the hotel’s grand ballroom will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Take the family to this whimsical wonderland covered in seasonal decorations and share a festive spread of sumptuous seafood  including Moreton Bay bugs, Whitsunday tiger prawns and freshly shucked Pacific oysters. Stop by the hot carvery selection serving honey-roasted ham with all of your favourite traditional trimmings. And save room for dessert – the Christmas feast will finish with an indulgent selection of traditional Christmas sweet treats and decadent dessert creations, from white Christmas meringue mountains to a dedicated ice-cream station. Accompanying the extravagant spread is a three-hour beverage package, offering free-flowing Louis Pommery Brut French Sparkling, wines, beers and soft beverages to complement your Christmas cheer. Grab your tickets here.

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Robina Pavilion, Robina
Save yourself the hassle of shopping, cooking and cleaning for Christmas lunch this year and head to Robina Pavilion for the ultimate festive feast. Begin with a selection of antipasto before diving into fresh seafood. You can enjoy a range of fresh salads from the farmers market and hot Christmas classics like honey-baked ham. Finish it all off with a stop or two at the dessert station. Bookings are essential and available now with two seating options at 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm onwards. Tickets are $185 plus booking fee for adults, $120 plus booking fee for children 13-17, $85 plus booking fee for those 4–12, and free for kids under three!

Hyde Paradiso, Surfers Paradise
Celebrate Christmas in style at Hyde Paradiso’s spectacular Christmas day lunch, featuring panoramic ocean views and a festive atmosphere. Start with a Christmas cocktail on arrival then partake in a three-hour premium beverage package with a delightful selection of spritzes. The Hyde Signature X-mas Buffet will showcase fresh local seafood, a lavish carvery, and all your cherished Christmas classics including crispy rosemary and garlic lamb shoulder and a build-your-own pavlova station. Book your spot now

No Bones, Byron Bay
Gather your nearest and dearest for a flavour-packed festive feast that is sure to fill your heart (and belly) with Christmas cheer. Plant-based eatery No Bones Byron Bay is hosting a vegan Christmas banquet that is inspired by locally grown produce and native flavours. With two seatings available – the first from 12:00–2:30 pm and the second from 3:00–5:30 pm – you can immerse yourself in celebration of delicious flavours, sustainability, and the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones. Secure a seat to this palate-pleasing plant-based feast by heading here.

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Main Beach
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort is pulling out all the stops to make your festivities truly sparkle this year. Indulge in a seafood buffet at Terraces Restaurant for a Christmas Day luncheon or dinner.  Or enjoy a family-style feast in Horizon’s Room with Take in sweeping views over your complimentary glass of champagne and enjoy roving entertainment. This flavoursome experience will be happening from 12:00–3:00 pm on Christmas Day for $259 per person. Book your spot here.

InterContinental Sanctuary Cove, Sanctuary Cove
The InterContinental is hosting a couple of special events this festive season. Stop by on Christmas Eve for a delightful fusion of modern Australian flavours and traditional Christmas fare from executive chef Hamish Watt and his culinary team at the Christmas Eve Seafood Buffet. Be sure to save some room for the in-house pastry chef’s decadent dessert collection, featuring a traditional Christmas Yule log, fruit mince pies and other indulgent sweet treats.  If you’re seeking an exclusive Christmas Day experience, step inside signature restaurant The Fireplace to enjoy an all-inclusive degustation lunch, complete with a personalised gift for every guest. This highly exclusive experience is available at $489 per person and has limited seats available, so get in now.

Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive! If you know of another festive feast, feel free to shoot the details through to [email protected] and we can add it to the list. Happy holidays!