Frugal feasts – five of the Gold Coast’s best budget-friendly banquets under $59
With the cost of living climbing higher than a seagull eyeing your hot chips, it’s getting harder to justify splurging on a big night out. But fear not, fellow food lovers – we’ve scoured the Gold Coast to find the best banquet menus that are kind to your taste buds and your wallet. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just hungry for a feed that doesn’t break the bank, these generous group-friendly feasts come in under $59 and $69 per person.
Under $59
Harajuku Gyoza, Broadbeach
If you like your dinner with a side of fun and your dumplings with serious flavour, Harajuku Gyoza is your go-to. With quirky Tokyo vibes and a menu that delivers hit after hit, the aptly named Salaryman Banquet is a bonafide bargain at $48 per person. Packed with crowd-pleasers, you’ll feast on grilled gyoza (pork, prawn and veggie), cauliflower karaage, charred miso-corn ribs and meltingly tender lamb ribs. It’s indulgent, it’s affordable and it feels like a party every time. Want to go full tilt? Upgrade to the $88 Bottomless Banquet and sip cocktails, Japanese craft beers and more for 90 glorious minutes. Kanpai to that!
MexiCali, Nobby Beach
If you’re feeling a Mexican vibe for your frugal feast, MexiCali in Nobby Beach has you sorted with six generous courses featuring house-made guac and chips, golden chicken drumettes, street-style corn and the kind of chilli-salt squid you’ll still be thinking about next week. There’s even a taco of your choice to finish things off (go on, treat yourself to the bug taco upgrade). All this for just $44 per person. Add churros with dulce de leche if you’re feeling fancy. With colourful plates, coastal vibes and something for every dietary need, this one’s a fiesta without the financial sting.
Oi Izakaya, Burleigh Heads
Hidden down an alley in Burleigh Heads, Oi Izakaya is the kind of spot you stumble upon and instantly feel cooler for knowing. With a cosy, character-filled vibe and a menu packed with personality, the venue’s $55 standard omakase is a steal. It’s a curated little journey through Japanese comfort food – think miso soup to start, followed by charred sweetcorn, silky miso eggplant and delicate portions of sushi. It’s simple, satisfying and perfect for date nights or low-key hangs where you want great food without the big price tag.
Justin Lane, Burleigh Heads
If carbs are your love language (same), then Justin Lane’s Feed Me menu is your kind of banquet. For $59 per person, you’ll kick things off with a spread of Justin’s favourite starters – no decisions necessary, just delicious share plates delivered to your table. Then, the real fun begins, one main between two to get started, and if you’re still hungry, just say the magic words “feed me” and the pizzas keep rolling in until you roll out. It’s communal, comforting and perfectly crafted for a night out with friends, fuelled by good vibes and even better crusts.
Monsieur Chow, Nobby Beach
If you’ve got a hankering for a long lunch, Monsieur Chow is dishing up a lunch banquet that’s as cheeky as it is delicious. For just $49 a head, you’ll score a modern Asian feast featuring pillowy chicken bao, finger-lickin’ Malaysian coconut fried chicken and melt-in-your-mouth sticky pork belly with fluffy coconut rice. Want to level up your lunch? Elevate to Banquet One for $59 per person and finish on a sweet high with its wobbly, tropical pandan panna cotta. Available for lunch only.
Under $69
Pipi’s Restaurant, Coolangatta
If you’re keen for a daytime feast, this southern gem serves a four-course Banchetto menu for $69 per person. The spread includes a curated taste of the Med with starters of focaccia with extra-virgin olive oil and marinated olives followed by entrees of chicken souvlaki or gnocco fritto. Mains offer the choice between fish of the day and eggplant rigatoni with sides of mixed-leaf salad or fries – and bringing it to a fitting finale is a vanilla creme brulee. The Banchetto menu is available from Wednesday to Friday, lunch only.
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Madame V, Palm Beach
Just steps from the sand in Palm Beach, Madame V serves up seductive vibes and serious flavour. The space is moody, beautiful and perfect for those who like their banquets with a side of glamour. For $69 per person, the venue’s banquet is a generous spread of Asian-fusion goodness – think sticky pork ribs with black-vinegar caramel, miso-glazed salmon and wagyu dumplings with a chilli-spiced kick. It’s a culinary world tour without leaving the coast.
Light Years Asian Diner, Burleigh Heads
Step into the neon-lit cool of Light Years in Burleigh Heads and let the chef take the wheel with the $69 Chef’s Selection banquet. This vibrant Asian eatery is all about bold flavours and good times and its set menu reads like a greatest hits album. Think salmon sashimi with truffled ponzu, firecracker fried chicken that well and truly lives up to its name, pillowy pork-belly bao, and seriously drool-inducing miso-buttered corn. There’s even a turmeric coconut cauliflower curry to round things out – and yes, dessert is included.
Hideaway Kitchen & Bar, Broadbeach
If colourful decor and Asian street food sounds like your ideal vibe, Hideaway’s Street Feast banquet brings the party to the table. For $69 per person, you and your crew get to build your own feast, choosing from a mix of small plates, big plates, noodles or rice and fresh greens or salad. Think crispy lotus roots, spicy dumplings, saucy noodles and share-style mains made for lingering over cocktails on the terrace. It’s vibrant, loud and full of flavour – just like the perfect night out.