Whether a traditional roast or fresh seafood is your idea of a Christmas feast, there’s no doubt one of the best things about the festive season is the food. If slaving away in the kitchen doesn’t sound like your idea of a fun Christmas day, you’re not alone. Let’s change it up this year and leave the cooking (and washing up) to the experts.
We’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up the best Christmas Day lunch spots for you, where you can eat, drink and be merry—stress-free! Sound like a Christmas wish come true? Here are 10 restaurants open on Christmas Day so you don’t have to cook.
QT Gold Coast
SURFERS PARADISE
‘Tis the season to spoil yourself and the team at QT Gold Coast know how to throw an awesome bash at the best of times, so it’s safe to hand over the reins on Christmas Day. The hardest choice you’ll have to make is choosing between their three lunch offerings - at Yamagen, QT Ballroom or Bazaar. Yamagen’s indulgent 7-course degustation menu features a range of Japanese seafood dishes with a Christmas twist, while QT and Bazaar will be dishing up all your traditional favourites, from fresh trawler-caught seafood to vibrant salads and decadent desserts (plus a free-flowing three-hour beverage package). The festive fun doesn’t stop there - expect live entertainment, a visit from Santa and a gingerbread making competition.
Harvest Buffet: Harvest Buffet is located at Casino Level, The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach, Gold Coast. It is rated 3.8 by 139 Zomato users. Serves Seafood, Modern Australian. The average cost for 2 mains and 2 beverages here is A$130. Expired Free Buffet Lunch at Star Casino and Free $20.00 Bet When You Register for Absolute Rewards talbot777 on - 13:49 star.com.au Star Casino are running a promotion for a free buffet lunch - mon-fri and free $20 bet. The Star Gold Coast offers luxurious hotel accommodation, a world-class 24-hour casino, sumptuous restaurant dining, lively bars, and thrilling entertainment! The Star Gold Coast Skip to main content The Star Gold Coast is open every day from 10am – 6am, operating under our approved Covid Safe Site Specific Plan.
Where: QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Cost: Bazaar lunch: Adults $275 (includes three-hour drinks package), teenagers $169 (13-17 years) or children $75; QT ballroom lunch: Adults $245 (includes three-hour drinks package), teenagers $155 (13-17 years) or children $75; Yamagen lunch: Adults $280 or $180 under 18’s
For more information, click here.
The Island
SURFERS PARADISE
Eat, drink and be merry while soaking up the stunning views at The Island this Christmas. Selling out every year, you’ll have to get in quick to buy tickets for a memorable Christmas lunch at the picturesque Island Pool Deck and Lounge. Go all out with the next-level festive buffet featuring warm and cold fresh seafood, traditional roast meats with the trimmings and wholesome salads. Make sure to save room for dessert and fill your belly with pavlova, panettone and traditional Christmas pudding.
Where: The Island Gold Coast, 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
Cost: Adults $159, teenagers $99 (13-17 years) or children $69 (4-13 years)
For more information, click here.
Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove
HOPE ISLAND
If you haven’t got your Christmas plans sorted yet, the swanky Intercontinental has got to be on your list. Experience five-star cuisine in the luxurious Macarthur’s Ballroom where you can drool over seafood share plates and three exquisite courses. Think chicken, pistachio and quail terrine, turkey with sage stuffing and chargrilled beef fillet, sweetened with a deliciously naughty dessert stand. Christmas lunch traditions don’t get much better than this.
Where: Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove, Manor Circuit, Sanctuary Cove
Cost: Adults $269 (includes premium beverage package), teenagers $145 (12-17 years) or children $95 (5-11 years)
For more information, click here.
Little Truffle
MERMAID BEACH
Mermaid Beach’s Little Truffle will be dishing up a gourmet Christmas banquet to remember, with their refined flavours and intimate venue. Indulge in a range of culinary delights from prawn and lobster cocktail to confit duck leg, seared veal backstrap or a 7+ wagyu tenderloin. It’s tempting to fill up on the mains but make sure to leave room for the Christmas pudding flavoured dessert offerings. Christmas pud with a twist, what’s not to love?
Where: Little Truffle, 2444 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Cost: $155 per person (food only)
For more information, click here.
Sheraton Grand Mirage
MAIN BEACH
Forget about that novelty kitchen apron this festive season, because Sheraton Grand Mirage at Main Beach is putting on your Christmas spread—and you won’t want to miss out. You will be spoilt with a sophisticated seven-course degustation menu boasting modern Christmas delights like wagyu beef, seared scallops, crispy turkey breast and peach and champagne sorbet. Bring the family and enjoy the wondrous ocean views in Horizons or keep things intimate in the Oyster Bar and Grill, ideal for tables of 4 and under.
Where: Sheraton Grand Mirage, 71 SeaWorld Drive, Main Beach
Cost: Oyster Bar: Adults $349 (matching wines); Horizons: Adults and teens $349 (matching wines)
For more information, click here.
Imperial at the Star Gold Coast
BROADBEACH
Looking for something not-so-traditional this Christmas? Experience a feast of authentic Asian flavours, ingredients and cooking styles, producing delicious interpretations of Asian classics at Imperial at the Star. The banquet lunch, which is paired with a 2.5-hour beverage package, and features delights like dim sim platters, baked toothfish, special sweet and spicy chicken and mango pudding already has us drooling.
Where: Imperial at The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach
Cost: Adults $164, children $77 (5-12 years) or $41 (3-4 years)
For more information, click here.
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
CANUNGRA
Buffet Gold Coast Star Casino San Diego
Escape the hustle and bustle of the festive season and spend your Christmas day relaxing in the stunning Lamington National Park. O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is surrounded by pristine rainforest and is the perfect place to unwind and descend into a post-feast food coma - plus you can walk off your Christmas lunch on one of the stunning bushwalks. Expect mouthwatering fresh seafood, traditional roasts and a fresh cold selection - Thai cucumber and raw mango salad, anyone? Top it off with a tempting range of traditional Christmas desserts and you may have to roll home.
Where: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, 3582 Lamington National Park Road, Canungra
Cost: Adults $160 (including beverage package), teenagers $99 (13-17 years) or children $60 (4-12 years)
For more information, click here.
Hilton Surfers Paradise
SURFERS PARADISE
Hang up your apron, get out of the kitchen and celebrate Christmas with your loved ones at Hilton Surfers Paradise. Relax in style at the glamorous hotel and let their talented chefs treat you to an extravagant feast - no washing up required! Tuck into their sumptuous seafood buffet which showcases fresh oysters, prawns, traditional meats and a range of tempting desserts. Spaces fill up fast so get onto it quickly and book your spot to avoid missing out on the Christmas cheer.
Where: Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel, 6 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Cost: Adults $225 (includes beverage package), teenagers $195 (13-17 years) or children $60 (5-12 years)
For more information, click here.
Novotel Surfers Paradise
Buffet Gold Coast Star Casino Atlantic City
SURFERS PARADISE
Indulge in a delicious display of Christmas fare at Novotel where they will be letting the elves loose on lunch and whipping up a decadent meal for the whole family. Feast on a succulent seafood and carvery buffet and seasonal sweet treats at Hanlan’s Restaurant - make sure to come with an empty stomach. Perfect for getting the whole family in the Christmas spirit, all children under 12 will receive a gift from Santa himself and the roaming entertainment will keep the adults happy.
Where: Novotel Surfers Paradise, 3105 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Cost: Adults $185 (includes three-hour beverage package), teenagers $135 (12-17 years) or children $95 (4-11 years)
For more information, click here.
Robina Pavilion
ROBINA
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Robina Pavilion. Let the kids loose in the Christmas wonderland while you sit back and indulge in their generous traditional-with-a-twist buffet. You’ll struggle choosing from their mouthwatering selection - think freshly shucked oysters, crispy pork belly, seasonal salads, tropical pavlova and their famous sticky bread and butter pudding. A feast fit for Santa himself.
Where: Robina Pavilion, 229 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina
Cost: Jolly Feast: Adults $199 (including 3-hour beverage package), Festive Feast: Adults $139, teenagers $79 (12-18 years) or children $45 (5-12 years)
For more information, click here.
Want to whip up some deliciously naughty Christmas goodies at home? Stock up on seasonal treats with Bam Bam’s new bake-at-home range.
Image credit: Kaitlin Maree for Urban List
The eating season (aka the festive season) is well and truly upon us and we Aussies certainly know how to make the most of it. Dining out, picnics by the water, afternoon cheese platters, all of the above; we’ve got this eating business covered.
Which is why buffets are a handy invention. Maximum eating opportunities combined with exceptional things to eat and you’ve got yourself a time. There can never be enough buffets.
Excitingly, a new one is arriving on Thursday 13th December and it comes to your favourite drinking, dining and good time destination, The Star Gold Coast (who are changing things up at warp speed of late).
Harvest Buffet is the brand new piece of the upgrade puzzle and it is one buffet you are going to want to sample at the earliest available opportunity.
The space, previously Food Fantasy, has undergone a major renovation in keeping with The Star Gold Coast’s fancy new aesthetic. It’s people-holding capacity will increase from 100 to 500 (yay, more friends) and the design now boasts more of a light, airy feel reminiscent of the laidback Gold Coast vibes we know and love.
Abundant greenery is offset by washed timber and natural stone with accents of mint, blush and brass (our absolute favourite colours) completing the pretty picture. There’ll be floor to ceiling windows with views of the venues next-level pool, stunning indoor and outdoor spaces with the whole vibe sleek and modern, right up our alley.
A private dining room is available if you’ve got a party going on, otherwise pull up a seat and get acquainted with the other 499 people sure to constantly indulge in the eats.