Here at Urban List, when we see food, we eat it. And when we see seafood, we’re not just eating it, we’re the ones fork-fighting over that last grilled prawn on the share plate.
With Gold Coast having access to some of the world’s finest, freshest seafood straight from our pristine oceans, the hardest part is narrowing down the Gold Coast’s seafood restaurants to just eleven incredible spots. Scroll on for eleven of the best seafood restaurants on the Gold Coast and thank us later.
Kiyomi
Broadbeach
Kiyomi is The Star Gold Coast’s flagship high end Japanese dining experience, so you know that means flavour bombs, quality ingredients and the most precise attention to detail. 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. If you’re after an extra luxe experience, perch yourself at the bar and order the twenty-course omakase menu, complete with sake flight and ‘bump’ of top shelf caviar. You won’t regret it.
Citrique
Surfers Paradise
Thank cod for seafood buffets, is all we can say. And when it comes to doing them right, JW Marriott’s Citrique is definitely up there with the best of the best. 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 the seafoodies coming back time and time again. If you're going to try just one seafood restaurant on the Gold Coast, make it Citrique.
Omeros Bros Seafood Restaurant
Main Beach
You’ll want to yell ahoy with joy at this gorgeous Marina Mirage gem, situated as it is within fin’s reach of the twinkling waterfront. Add in a decent helping of yachts for you to gaze at as you spend a long lunch enjoying a range of contemporary Australian seafood dishes, paired expertly with delicious wines, and Omeros Bros is clearly one of the Gold Coast’s best seafood restaurants. Dine a la carte or let the set menu take you on a journey across the seas. These guys know what they’re about.
George’s Paragon
Sanctuary Cove
We’re sure everyone will find something to love on George’s legendary Greek-inspired, seafood-heavy menu. This long-time Sanctuary Cove pearl of a restaurant is a Gold Coast favourite, renowned as much for its feta-laden fries as much as it is for its creamy oysters mornay, tender calamari and generous portions. Best part is, with a half-price day menu on offer, you won’t be shelling out too much cash for your lunch. See what we did there?
Seascape Restaurant & Bar
Surfers Paradise
Nestled within the Soul building overlooking the Surfer Paradise beachfront, Seascape Restaurant is a night out on the town worth dressing up for. Be sure to include a bib though, because you’ll be drooling over the selection of largely locally sourced delights including seared scallops with truffle and lobster and blue swimmer crab lasagne. No need for an Uber—you’ll be floating home on waves of gastronomic pleasure.
Rick Shores
Burleigh Heads
If you haven’t been to this beloved Asian-fusion restaurant in Burleigh Heads, can you even call yourself a Gold Coaster? 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. And we’d take a guess and say their famous bug roll could quite possibly be one of the most Instagrammed snacks on the Gold Coast. Be sure to book ahead though—Rick Shores welcomes a full crew on board at just about every sitting.
The Tropic
Burleigh Heads
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. 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.
Gods of the Sea
Main Beach
If you’ve found yourself missing Burleigh’s The Fish House, Gods of the Sea has got you covered. With a menu created by their talented ex-chef Jon Nurminen, you’ll find yourself indulging in such creative oceanic delights as poached scampi tail, crayfish linguine and crocodile ribs. The ever-changing seasonal menu is made up of 100% Australian produce too and you can taste the difference. Hands down, one of the best seafood restaurants on the Gold Coast.
The Jolly Roger
Miami
Finally, a fish and chips option for those with dietary needs. The Jolly Roger in Miami offers a different kind of takeaway experience, with the traditional fish and chips nestled alongside a coeliac-friendly almond flour option for those avoiding gluten. Lovers of keto will also be able to tuck in guilt-free and if you’re aiming for a lower carb fries experience, the zucchini chips are definitely for you. Our vegan friends will enjoy the ‘to-fish’, made from a secret homemade recipe. Get your claws into it.
Charis Seafoods
Labrador
Not only the best spot to order your Christmas prawns, Charis Seafoods also serves up piping hot cooked seafood treats pretty much straight from the trawler, into the fryer and handed straight to your eager hands. It really doesn’t get any fresher, as the local pelicans who turn up for daily feeding would agree. Don’t let you mates seagull any of your hot chips either—at these prices they can afford their own. It’s easy to see why these guys are the largest seafood retailer in Queensland.
Peter's Fish Market
Southport
You’ll be spoilt for choice at this fresh-off-the-trawler experience, with 14 different types of fish on offer. Wander the icy aisles, gazing at the colourful just-caught snapper, coral trout, oysters, perch, octopus and crimson crustaceans that are vying for your attention. Peter’s Fish Market slings the heftiest serves of tasty hot chips, too. Take your cooked catch down to The Spit and enjoy your food hot from the paper as you laze on the sand, or pull up a bench at the trawlers if you can’t wait another second to tuck in.
Looking for more incredible foodie dining spots? Hit up our list of the best new openings on the Gold Coast.