The Weekend Edition - Sleep In. Slow Down. Enjoy.

The round-up: eat, drink and be merry – top spots for Christmas Day dining on the Gold Coast in 2023 The round-up: eat, drink and be merry – top spots for Christmas Day dining on the Gold Coast in 2023 The Star Christmas The round-up: eat, drink and be merry – top spots for Christmas Day dining on the Gold Coast in 2023

The round-up: eat, drink and be merry – top spots for Christmas Day dining on the Gold Coast in 2023

If you've spent the last few Christmas Days stuck in a hot kitchen, meeting prawn trawlers at dawn, and trying oh-so-hard to salvage a dry roast turkey (we've all been there), then perhaps it's time for a change this year. While cooking at home may be part of the usual Christmas routine, consider rounding up the fam and starting a new tradition that involves you sitting back and relaxing – and leaving the shopping, meal-planning, cooking and cleaning to the professionals. Sounds like a holly jolly time if you ask us! So, 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 treasure chest of 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 (kicked off with a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, of course) or spend Christmas Day with more salivation-inducing seafood and a three-hour beverage package. 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.

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. Christmas Day will be no exception – in fact, the team is seriously upping the ante this year with multiple events across its venues. 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 $468 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 $368 per adult and include a two-hour premium beverage package. To secure your seat at the table, head here.

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 (complete with Western Australia rock lobster), roast turkey breast, rosemary and garlic porchetta, and a decadent gingerbread trifle. There are two seatings to choose from – 11:00 am to 1:00 pm or 2:00–4:00 pm. Adults are $189 and children (11 and under) are $99. Make a booking here.

QT Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise gem QT Gold Coast has several time slots covered this Christmas, meaning you could effectively pop in for breakfast with the family, stay for lunch with the in-laws and round it out with a Christmas dinner feast with friends. Bazaar will be dishing up pancakes and bacon (yum!) for one-hour breakfast bookings (different prices apply for QT guests and external visitors), and 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.

Southport Sharks, Southport
Go ahead and loosen that belt buckle in anticipation of the ultimate Christmas buffet breakfast – we’re talking 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. Adults are $55, kids (8-12 years) are $20, kids (4-7 Years) are $15 and little ones three and under are free. Make a booking 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 giant gingerbread house. Take the family to this whimsical wonderland covered in seasonal decorations and share a festive spread of sumptuous seafood and a hot carvery selection with all of your favourite traditional trimmings. Grab your tickets here. Festive folk looking for a more intimate setting can experience a hearty smorgasbord of merry flavours at Bistro On3. You’ll be able to delight in ocean-caught fare like Moreton Bay bugs, freshly shucked Pacific oysters and Tasmanian smoked salmon, as well as a traditional Christmas carvery featuring tender roasted meats and an array of delicious accompaniments. A thirst-quenching three-hour drinks package is included and sweet tooths will be sated too with plenty of decadent desserts sure to keep you in the holiday spirit, including a chocolate fountain. Secure your spot at the table here. Another jolly-good culinary experience awaits at Room 81, where you can tuck in to a special lunch that will take your taste buds on a delicious journey. With mouth-watering mains like lobster gribiche with young asparagus and duck a la orange with witlof and maple-glazed turnip, you’re sure to be sent to culinary heaven. At this adults-only affair, diners can wet their whistles with three hours worth of Moët & Chandon and curated wines and beers. Gift yourself an early Christmas present and nab a ticket here.

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 freshly shucked oysters, king prawns, spanner crab and smoked salmon. You can enjoy a range of fresh salads from the farmers market and all of your hot Christmas classics like honey-baked ham, roasted chicken, potatoes and honey pumpkin. Finish it all off with a helping or two from the DIY pavlova station, complete with a chocolate fountain, and assorted candy and marshmallows. Bookings are essential and available now with two seating options at 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and 1:30-3:30 pm. Tickets are $165 plus booking fee for adults, $99 plus booking fee for children 13-17, $79 plus booking fee for those 4–12, and free for kids under three!

JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, Surfers Paradise
If you’re keen to kick your celebrations up a notch and enjoy a feast on the fancier side, look no further than JW Marriott’s Christmas lunch at Citrique. From 12:00–3:00 pm, patrons can enjoy a seafood buffet packed with enough goodies to give Santa’s sleigh a run for its money. There will be lobster, live cooking stations, a three-hour premium beverage package including champagne, live entertainment, face painting and a visit from Santa. Reserve your spot here. Psst … there’s a seafood dinner too, you can nab your table here.

FirePlace Restaurant

InterContinental Sanctuary Cove, Sanctuary Cove
The InterContinental will host a couple of special events across two stunning venues this Christmas Day. If you’re seeking an exclusive experience, step inside signature restaurant The Fireplace to enjoy an all-inclusive degustation lunch, complete with a personalised gift for every guest. For something slightly less intimate but equally delicious, you can enjoy a Christmas Day dinner brimming with seafood, roast meats and all the festive trimmings at Arnie’s Cafe & Bar. Be sure to save some room for the decadent dessert collection featuring a traditional Christmas pudding, fruit mince pies and other indulgent sweet treats. The desserts are accompanied by a nitrogen ice-cream station – how cool!

Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences, Surfers Paradise
Head to the signature Hilton restaurant in the Surfers Paradise hotel for a lavish seafood buffet lunch with a beverage package on Christmas Day. Dine on fresh oysters, prawns and bug tails, traditional meats and desserts, and sip on house wine, local beers and ciders. Adult tickets are $329 per person with lunch running from 12:00–3:00 pm . To secure your booking, head here.

Peppers Soul, Surfers Paradise
If you’ve been dreaming of a white Christmas, Soul in Surfers Paradise is the next best thing. This year, the venue’s ballroom will transform into a winter wonderland for its annual Christmas lunch. Guests can treat themselves to a festive buffet lunch featuring all of the classic holiday trimmings alongside a three-hour beverage package, plus a special visit from Santa. Tickets are $185 per adult and $90 for children (12–4 years). Jump over here to nab a table.

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 five-course banquet that is inspired by locally grown produce and native flavours. With two seatings available – the first from 12–2:30 pm and the second from 3:00–5:30 pm – you can immerse yourself in a culinary journey that features palate-pleasing plates including the likes of brussel leaf with cashew cream and kombu caviar, watermelon gazpacho with tomato, strawberry and cucumber, beets and brussels salad with Spanish onion, orange, cashew ricotta, pecans and balsamic dressing, mushroom and mango ceviche with wonton crackers wellington with mushroom, pumpkin, walnut, heirloom carrots, shallots and cranberry jus and kipfler potatoes with garlic and herb butter. Finish the feasting festivities with a chocolate parfait with gingerbread, caramel and honeycomb, and apple tarte tatin with oat crumble, coconut-vanilla ice cream and brandy custard – yum! Secure a seat to this palate-pleasing plant-based feast by heading here.

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!

The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Gold Coast dining guide with more than 870 places to eat, drink, shop and play.



Suggested Food & Drink Reads

The round-up: where to find the Gold Coast’s best fish and chips

The round-up: where to find the Gold Coast’s best fish and chips

… more

Beat the bunny – here are some of the best Easter treats to seek out across the Gold Coast

Beat the bunny – here are some of the best Easter treats to seek out across the Gold Coast

… more

The round-up: where to get your hot cross bun fix this Easter

The round-up: where to get your hot cross bun fix this Easter

… more

The round-up: get cracking to the Gold Coast’s best seafood restaurants

The round-up: get cracking to the Gold Coast’s best seafood restaurants

… more



back to top