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Food & Drink

Where To Buy The Gold Coast’s Best Fresh Seafood

20th Nov 2025
Written by:
Danielle Read
Contributor | Urban List

The Gold Coast’s idyllic beachside locale affords us much more than just stunning views and seaside strolls for days. With an abundance of local fishing spots, the ocean’s finest seafood is dished up right across the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country. 

I've spent the last decade living out my childhood dreams. Also known as ordering a parcel of fresh fish and chips, then dashing to the beach for a quintessential Gold Coast feast. Not to mention the many rounds of applause for fresh local prawns over the summer, and oyster bars that set the scene for an elevated catchup.

Naturally, I've had my fair share of so-so seafood over the years. Although I can confirm that there are some clear frontrunners who consistently deliver on the finest produce and most delish fish.

From trawlers and markets to good old-fashioned fish and chipperies, ordered from north to south, here are the best places to buy fresh seafood on the Gold Coast in 2025.

Peter’s Fish Market

130 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217 | 7 days from 9am

It’s salty. It’s crispy. It’s drizzled with lemon and as fresh as it gets. Peter’s Fish Market is a true front-runner when it comes to the best fresh seafood on the Gold Coast. Though lines are likely, the goods are worth the wait. 

Notably true masters at cooking calamari, order piping hot seafood from 11am through to 7pm seven days a week. With a wide selection of fresh seafood also available from 9am to 7pm seven days a week, opt to pick up and go for the ultimate Sunday arvo barbie.

INSIDER INTEL
  • Peter’s place is located at perfect proximity to The Spit for a post-feast dip
  • The team's set to open a sprawling (and stunning) seafood precinct in 2026, stay tuned 

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Fishermen’s Co-Op 

168 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217 | 7 days from 6 or 7am, until sold out

Ask anyone on the Gold Coast where to find the best fresh seafood and the Fishermen’s Co-Op will likely spring to mind. Brimming with the freshest selection of seafood, these guys offer catch of the day straight from the trawlers. 

Established in 1970, this Fishermen’s Co-Op is located right on the marina. So when they say fresh, they mean it. Check out their website for frequent (read: daily) updates about the latest catch and what time to drop in and buy for your next boozy long lunch.

In my opinion, this joint's a top pick for fresh seafood and a unique experience supporting the Gold Coast fishermen community. 

INSIDER INTEL
  • Check out the Fishermen's Co-Op's website for their catch of the day, conveniently updated daily
  • This is a grab and go sitch, no sit-down and have your goods cooked option, so BYO esky to cart home

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Miami Fish Market

1/54 Paradise Ave, Miami QLD 4220 | 7 days, from 8am weekends and 9am weekdays

fresh seafood gold coast
Image Credit: Miami Fish Market | Instagram

This chic supplier is giving refined seafood luxury at an accessible price point and I'm here for it. The crew at Miami Fish Market offer fresh oysters, Moreton Bay bugs and spanner crabs through to succulent prawns and delicacies like sea urchin, each served on ice. 

Although that really is only the beginning, and a trip to this seafood haven even just to ogle the impressive range of traditional and speciality produce is well worth it. Choose ready-made sushi from the impressive sashimi and oyster bar, or snag takeaway fresh fish with a side of artisan condiments.

INSIDER INTEL
  • You can also create your own bright seafood or sashimi platter here for those special occasions. Or just because.
  • It's helmed by Paul and Fallon Gloftis. Paul is the younger brother of Simon, who's the mastermind behind owns Burleigh's award-winning Fish House, Sushi Room and Callile Hotel's dining scene for starters

Tasman Star Seafood Market

20 Casua Dr, Varsity Lakes QLD 4227 | 7 days from 7am

A bounty of delights fresh from the sea, Tasman Star Seafood Market consistently delivers delicious seafood from the unsuspecting location of Varsity Lakes. 

Family owned and operated, only the finest selection of the day’s catch makes the cut. Think: caviar, gigantic prawns, mussels, cod and more.

INSIDER INTEL
  • Expect a seafood selection brimming with delicacies caught from Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads, through to Mooloolaba and beyond.

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Charis Seafoods

371 Marine Pde, Labrador QLD 4215 | Open 7 days from 7am

Fresh prawns and oysters by the water’s edge? Don’t mind if I do. This iconic fish and chippery, Charis Seafoods, backs onto waterways and makes for a sweet day out.

Pack a rug, your bathers and the little tackers, order piping hot fish and chips to waterfront, then take away fresh fish for your next meal. This has got to be the best seafood on the Gold Coast for families to make an afternoon of.  

INSIDER INTEL
  • There's what can only be describe as a daily 'pelican feeding frenzy' from 1:30pm for around 15 minutes and it is genuinely a sight to behold. 
  • Take the path up to the left along Marine Pde for tiny private beaches with your name on them. Think of it as the Northern Gold Coasts version of Tallebudgeera's Murlong Park
  • If you opt to feast out front during your visit, keep an eye on curious swans in the area

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Reef Seafood & Sushi

107 Ferry Rd, Southport QLD 4215 | Open 7 days from 8am

Dropping by Brickworks Ferry Road to browse art, shop home wares and chow down at artisan eateries? Good move. Although, you’ll likely want to add Ferry Road Market’s Reef Seafood & Sushi to your weekend meander once you see their impressive range of fresh seafood on offer right here on the Gold Coast. 

Ferry Road Market’s own Reef Seafood and Sushi Bar offers a complete oyster bar, sashimi kiosk and fresh fish ready to add to your market haul. Hands down, one of the best places for fresh seafood on the Gold Coast, as part of your convenient grocery shop. 

INSIDER INTEL

There's a bunch of Japanese-inspired seafood dishes and the team have 50+ years combined seafood knowledge to learn from

Drop into nearby Cardamon Pod for takeaway desserts and together your next event's produce is totally sorted

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Scales Seafoods

47 Kennedy Drive, Tweed Heads NSW 2485 | Open 7 days from 9am

Snuggled near the Tweed River, Scales Seafoods is the Southern Gold Coast’s answer to locally-sourced seafood. Boasting a multi-award winning status, this team is backed by brothers Steve and Mick who offer a filleted and cooked-to-order service. 

Crack open a coldie and cosy up on the riverbank. Here’s to the Tweed Trawler Fleet’s finest on your fork.

INSIDER INTEL
  • They're known as 'chip technicians' and I can confirm this crew make some of the crispiest chips to accompany your seafood cookup on the Coast. 

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Looking for more? Check out:

Main image credit: Kaitlin Maree Photography | Supplied
 
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