As a jewel on the Australian East Coast, the Gold Coast's seafood restaurants are naturally brimming with world-class fare.
Admittedly, having access to some of the world’s finest, freshest seafood straight from our pristine oceans makes it a tough gig to narrow down the very best seafood on offer on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country to just a handful.
Though as the Urban List team and myself throw back glistening oysters, marvel at roe, bite into calamari and divi out the Barramundi to friends across the table, we've landed on our finalists.
Scroll on for 12 of the best seafood restaurants on the Gold Coast to add to your culinary bucket list.
The Best Gold Coast Seafood Restaurants At A Glance
Casual Seafood Restaurants
The Tropic
3b/43 Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Situated at the northern end of the Burleigh Pavilion, The Tropic has made a name for itself among Gold Coast restaurants as a unique Mediterranean take on our fresh Aussie seafood. "The Tropic consistently delivers on a bustling vibe, attentive service, next level seafood," confirms Urban List Contributor Danielle Read. "In my opinion, this place dishes out the best taramasalata on the Gold Coast and the Goldband snapper is fresh, citrusy and damn tasty," she continues. Check out the refined menu.
Treated carefully and lightly with a focus on complementary flavours that highlight the produce itself, The Tropic is one for the purists, the curious, and the all-round foodies. Enjoy a little sea spray with your ceviche because it doesn’t get more waterfront than this. Read more.
Eska
The Oxley, 17 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
The self-confessed 'merchants of the sea', Eska is one of the freshest additions to the seafood restaurant scene on the Gold Coast, and its been worth the wait. "The share-style menu at affordable prices means you can sample plenty of dishes and keep ‘em coming," says Urban List Editor Isabel Croker. "I can't go past the delicate fillet o-fish sando with crumbed fish, tamago nori tartare, cheese and gem lettuce sandwiched between milk bread, and the char-grilled prawns with chilli garlic butter."
Though, what if Isabel had to choose a favourite? "The caviar and crispy tots is an homage to the tater tots of our childhood; but elevated with caviar, chives and crème fraîche atop handmade potato gems." It's just the beginning when it comes to this inventive and elevated seafood menu. Happy hour is Tuesday through Sunday 3pm-530pm. Read more.
Pipi's
Lvl 1/275 Boundary St, Coolangatta QLD 4225
Avid seafood lovers will recognise the Gambaro Group as the family that's behind some of the highest quality seafood in the whole of Queensland. So when I first heard that they'd opened Pipi's in Cooly, it just felt so right.
The 100 seater seafood restaurant brings traditional Mediterranean cuisine to the Gold Coast's southerners in a big way. Urban List Editor Isabel Croker notes, "At the heart of Pipi's, the open kitchen and bar creates a theatrical dining experience with an open flame Josper grill, oyster display, Peninsula Bar and even a private dining room." And from the menu? "The chargrilled Mooloolaba king prawns with lemon and garlic butter, the handmade lobster linguine with tomato and bisque, and if you're sharing, the Pipi's fresh seafood platter is as impressive as it is delicious." Read more.
Omeros Bros Seafood Restaurant
74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217
This gorgeous Marina Mirage gem, features twinkling waterfront views, a decent helping of yachts to gaze at and the most pristine setting for your next long lunch. Dishing up a stunning range of contemporary Australian seafood dishes, paired expertly with delicious wines, multi-award winning Omeros Bros is clearly one of the Gold Coast’s best seafood restaurants for a no-fuss feast.
Dine a la carte or kick back while their budget-conscious set menu takes you on a journey through generous helpings of Snapper soup with Italian seasonings, grilled Barramundi and fresh calamari which will have you planning your next visit. Read more.
George’s Paragon
Sanctuary Cove, 46 The Promenade, Hope Island QLD 4212
George’s legendary Greek-inspired, seafood-heavy menu is widely loved. This long-time Sanctuary Cove pearl is a Gold Coast favourite seafood restaurant, renowned as much for its feta-laden fries as much as it is for its creamy oysters mornay, tender calamari and generous portions.
While its Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta locations pull a crowd, we love the lesser known locale of Sanctuary Cove for its shining seafood on the northern end of the Gold Coast. The extensive seafood menu is perfectly paired with the cyclade aesthetic as though you're on the island of Oia. Read more.
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Sage
5/20 Queensland Ave, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Sage is a relic as far as seafood restaurants Gold Coasters love goes. It's their commitment to the ocean's finest finds and their swag of award-winning chefs that give this OG eatery and its menu serious charm. "Bloody Mary oysters with Tabasco, vodka and Worcestershire is one of the cheekiest renditions of oysters I've seen on the Coast," says Urban List Contributor Danielle Read. "Stay for the salmon fillet for some of the crispiest skin I've tasted." Read more.
Holy Ship Bar & Restaurant
Berths C7-C8 Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217
If the novelty of eating seafood on a docked ship adorned in blue and gold gets you as excited as me, then Holy Ship is for you. Part water-top restaurant, part unique experience, and all next-level seafood, drop by 3pm-5pm daily for half price oysters.
A long afternoon sunbasking while tucking into trawler prawns, bugs and oysters at this floating seafood restaurant on the Gold Coast has got to be experienced at least once. A special nod to their extensive drinks menu, say yes to the Veuve Cliquot. Read more.
Upscale Seafood Restaurants
Citrique
158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
JW Marriott’s Citrique knows how to do a seafood buffet right. For me, theirs is definitely up there with the best of the best, and it's open every Friday and Saturday from 530pm-930pm and Sundays for lunch, 12pm-230pm.
This award-winning Gold Coast seafood experience comes replete with a range of hot dishes from a variety of cultures, including Asian foods, hot roast and of course a full dessert buffet, but it’s the endless piles of glistening oysters, prawns, salmon and crabs that really has me coming back time and time again. If you're going to try just one seafood restaurant on the Gold Coast, definitely consider, Citrique. Read more.
Kiyomi
Lobby Level, The Star, 1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Kiyomi is The Star Gold Coast’s flagship high-end Japanese dining experience, and it's a gamechanger for Gold Coast seafood restaurants. Flavour bombs, quality ingredients and the most precise attention to detail reins supreme. Here, the food is interchangeable with art, and the artist at the helm—hatted Chef Chase Kojima—uses the colours of the sea as his palette to delight the palates of his guests. Their plethora of menus featuring a lineup of star-dishes.
I adore their sushi and sashimi grazing menu for something different, complete with seared kingfish nigiri, traditional seasonings like yuzu kosho and firikake. You won’t regret it. Read more.
Rick Shores
3/43 Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
If you haven’t been to this beloved Asian-fusion restaurant in Burleigh Heads, I urge you to check it out ASAP. An iconic seafood restaurant Gold Coast locals rave about and a seafoodie’s dream, Rick Shores combines pan-Asian flavours with fresh, locally and ethically-sourced produce in a series of colourful plates designed to share with mates.
I'd take a bold guess and say their famous bug roll could quite possibly be one of the most Instagrammed snacks on the Gold Coast. "Don't let the dazzling and deserved hype for the Moreton Bay bug roll distract you from the true glory that is the lobster and prawn dumplings whith smoked honey truffle and chilli oil," warns Urban List Contributor Danielle Read. Book well in advance—Rick Shores welcomes a full crew on board at just about every sitting. Read more.
Seascape Restaurant & Bar
Lvl 2, 4 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Nestled within the Soul building overlooking the Surfer Paradise beachfront, Seascape Restaurant comes with a 'wear your good clothes' disclaimer and a menu you'll want to bookmark for later.
Their selection of largely locally sourced delights include seared scallops with truffle and the stacked lobster and blue swimmer crab lasagne finished with a lobster bisque done right. No need for an Uber—you’ll be floating home on waves of gastronomic pleasure. Read more.
La Luna Dining
Shop 26/74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217
When a seafood restaurant has a dedicated cold bar, it's a clear sign you're in the realm of seriously good fish. While the menu changes with the seasons and availability, expect the likes of ortiz marinated anchovies, classic prawn cocktails with tangy sauce, cucumber Champagne mignonette and perfectly balanced kingfish ceviche with charred green chilli, lime emulsion and black salt.
While the vibe is seriously luxe, prices are reasonably on-par with other seafood restaurants Gold Coast is home to. If La Luna has been on your wishlist to taste your way around, the cold seafood platter for two really is worth the splurge. Read more.
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