Easter weekend is nigh and while you might be packing up for a long weekend trip away, if you’re not, we live in paradise already, so lucky us.

As you’re no doubt aware, Good Friday is a day on which traditionally we’re not supposed to consume any meat besides seafood and again lucky for us, there’s many an epic fish and chippery (great word) on the Gold Coast to choose from.

Here are 11 of them from north to south.

Charis Seafoods
The folks at Charis Seafoods are the biggest seafood retailer in Queensland, so they have everything you could possibly need for a seafood feast. The family-owned business are serving up fresh and cooked fish, prawns, lobster, oysters, mussels, scallops, octopus and crab and everything is of the highest possible quality. YUM.
Where: 371 Marine Parade, Labrador

Peter’s Fish Market
A Gold Coast institution and an absolute must-visit, Peter’s Fish Market can be found right on the Broadwater with fresh seafood coming in off the trawler daily. There’s often a lineup out the door for both fresh and cooked seafood and everything is absolutely delicious, every time. Get in early, they’re very busy this time of year.
Where: Seaworld Drive, Main Beach 

Sunkist Fish & Chippery
The newest fish on the block, Sunkist Fish & Chippery is the latest venture at The Oxley 1823. Offering locally sourced seafood, steps from Nobby Beach, this place is dishing out seriously fresh and super tasty seafood. If you prefer to cook your own step into The Oxley Village Grocer for a boatload of Easter seafood specials.
Where: 17 Lavarack Road, Nobby Beach

Mermaid Beach Seafood
The crew at Mermaid Beach Seafood are serving up the goods with a wide variety of fresh and cooked fish, epic traditional burgers and all the salty extras like crumbed sausages, potato scallops (or potato cakes) and of course the infamous chiko roll. Choose from plenty of sweet fish and chip options or one of their epic family packs for a little bit of everything.
Where: 7/2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Two Wise Fish
Boasting 3 generations of fish & chip knowledge and love Two Wise Fish opened in Mermaid Waters to rave reviews. For good reason. Their menu is an impressive one with plenty of fresh fish and seafood to choose from plus tasty treats like a Golden Crumbed Fish & Salad Sandwich which is the absolute goods. Pop in and taste all of that for yourself.
Where: Shop 1/64 Karbunya St, Mermaid Waters

Miami Fish Market
The Miami Fish Market is a game changer for locals living on the southern end. First and foremost because they sell everything from prawns, clams, oysters, crabs, and even have a specially designated area for carefully prepared Japanese style seafood delicacies. Choose from an array of whole fish, and you can have it filleted and prepared as you wait. The selection here is one of the most extensive and diverse anyone is likely to find outside our major cities.
Where: 1/54 Paradise Avenue, Miami

The Jolly Roger
The Jolly Roger opened in Miami in 2020 to bring us fish and chips with a bit of a twist. Which comes in the way of Keto options. Yes, meaning there are healthy fish and chips and they taste mighty fine. Of course, you can get the regular version here too plus things like prawn skewers and salads and there’s beer on offer too. Perfect.
Where: 3/110 Mountain View Ave, Miami

Small Fry
The newest airstream on the block, Small Fry serves super fresh and delicious seafood out the front of Global Pacific Seafoods. The signature dish is Bug Bao and honestly, we can’t imagine a world where these don’t exist. The lightly battered bug meat is served in a freshly steamed bao bun with homemade coleslaw, fresh chilli, shallots and sriracha mayo. A staff and customer favourite for a reason, it’s pure ecstasy in edible form.
Where: 273 Scottsdale Drive, Robina

Burleigh Heads Fish Mongers
If you’ve ever set foot in Burleigh, you will have seen James Street’s beloved fish and chip joint, Fish Mongers. It’s generally packed with diners and or takeawayers and that’s because they’re serving up the absolute goods when it comes to seafood. Choose from the freshest of fish to take home and cook yourself or opt for their famous cooked-for-you options should you wish to do absolutely nothing except eat. Same. Definitely try this one team.
Where: James Street, Burleigh Heads

Red Hot Cod
Consistently voted Burleigh’s #1 Fish and Chips Shop and regularly voted Top 10 on the Gold Coast, it wouldn’t be an accurate fish and chips list without Red Hot Cod. These guys are doing fish and chips old school-style with a twist. While all the usual fish and chips suspects are available, we highly recommend the Burleigh Beach Box with one Crumbed Whiting, one Battered Fish, three Pieces Calamari, two Prawn Cutlets, one Seafood Stick, Chips, Salad and Sauces. Tell us if you’re still hungry after all of that!
Where: 1716 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Captain Hook’s Seafood, Tugun
Captain Hook’s Seafood is an old school fish & chip joint offering takeaway and you’re probably going to want to sample everything. The best of ocean goodness, everything on the menu is fresh and tasty.
Where: 451a Golden Four Drv, Tugun

Words by Bianca Trathen.

If there’s one place on the Gold Coast where you can shop till you drop, eat your body weight in quality nosh, do some srsly cool stuff, and wander amongst stunning natural parklands, it’s Robina.  There’s also a hospital, a train station and a sports stadium, one of which is exciting enough to make our list (hint; it’s not the hospital or the train station).

In honour of this central GC gem, we’ve compiled a list of 14 reasons why Robina peeps love their ‘burb, and why wider GC locals travel en masse to experience all it has to offer.

Pasta Emporium
With their Euro background and extensive experience in the food industry, mum and daughter duo Natalie and Sonia have created an artisan pasta boutique store like no other. Made with a high-quality durum wheat semolina (rich in fibre, protein, vitamin B and also digestion friendly), their fresh-as pasta can be paired with a selection of nasty-free slow cooked sauces. The.Best!
Where: Easy T Centre, 514 Christine Avenue, Robina

Palmer Golf Course
Carved out of 65 hectares of native woodlands with fairways lined by towering gum trees, this uniquely designed course is in the top 30 resort courses in the country #noice. A 6078-meter, 18-hole, Par 71 championship golf course (Aust Course Rating 72) designed by the Marsh / Watson team, its rolling fairways, manicured greens, towering eucalyptus and natural water course make it a local and visitor fave.
Where: Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina

Zone Bowling / Timezone
This dual-branded entertainment venue is an uber-exciting entertainment experience, combining Zone Bowling and Timezone in one renovated super space. Perfect for a birthday of any vintage and for corporate functions, you’ll find ten pin bowling, the latest arcade games, a laser tag arena with a ‘futurism/apocalyptic robots’ theme, and super fun spin zone bumper cars (coming later this year). Just yay!!!
Where: Robina Town Centre, 1 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina

My French Pastries
A venue called My French Pastries needs no introduction but since it’s amongst the cream of the crop here on the GC, we’ll give them one anyway. Jen and Antonio Marchesi have created something really spesh with French pastries made from scratch. Think key lime Chantilly, lemon meringue, blueberry and chocolate tarts, and if you’re not salivating, you must be unwell. A special shout-out must go to the scrumptious savoury goodies, providing a well-rounded experience for your tastebuds.
Where: Robina Quays Shopping Centre, 5/361 Robina Parkway, Robina

Eddy + Wolff
The trendiest of the Robina bunch, Eddy + Wolff opened in early 2019 bringing exceptional, modern Asian eats to the people. It’s a sleek, 22-seat venue serving up ten-outta-ten eats, just like it’s northern brother from the same mother, Can Tho Kitchen at Runaway Bay. The menu features BBQ-style dishes, snacks, larger plates and sides, all of which are designed to share and hail from Thao and Vien’s home country of Vietnam, China, Japan and Korea to name a few. The drinks list is tight and perfectly curated to match the food with an unmissable lemon sake. An absolute fave.
Where: 44 Commerce Drive, Robina 

The Kitchens
Fact; foodie marketplace-style situations are one of life’s greatest gifts. The Kitchens is precisely that, with an array of exceptional venues all in the one beautifully appointed area. Think tasty teppanyaki, big ‘ole burgers, a vegan foodie venue and even a craft beer bar offering delicious eats to name a few. There is more choice here than you can poke a stick at and bonus; it’s attached to one of the region’s best shopping centres #UnicornsDoExist.
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina 

El Camino Cantina
A good time Mexi-joint at Robina Town Centre, what’s not to love? Rocking one of the most colour-filled interiors you ever did see, a menu packed with family-friendly Mex-cellent eats, and frozen margaritas, it’s love at first sight/bite/sip. The legendary venue is one of seven Queensland restaurants, synonymous with funky neon signage, sweet sombreros, and an all-round winning ambience. Gather the crew and get on it.
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina

CBUS Super Stadium
Home of our beloved Titans, CBUS Super Stadium is one of the best regional stadiums in Australia and it’s ours, all ours (insert wicked snigger). Not only do Gold Coasters spend their weekends cheering on the boys here, but we’ve also been lucky enough to watch A-league and international football games, the Nitro Circus, and the Rugby 7s as part of the Commonwealth Games. High five to CBUS for being our homegrown hub of sporting joy.
Where: Centreline Place, Robina

Robina Pavilion
A tried and tested (regularly. Very regularly….) favourite, Robina Pav features a sleek look’n’feel, dreamy deck overlooking the water, a specialised kids area, and plenty of good vibes. Boasting a menu packed with epic eats from woodfired pizzas to stacked burgers, it would be rude not to get involved with the impressive cocktail menu #IfWeMust. It’s the perfect spot for sun-soaked afternoon sessions with you posse.
Where: 229 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina

Robina Parkway Dog Park
Obviously one for the locals with hairy mates but if you live further afield and have a furry friend in tow, we highly recommend. There are all kinds of fun things for your doggo to explore including tunnels and hurdles, and they’re bound to make a new buddy or two in the process. If you don’t have a pooch, get down there anyway and score free pats a-plenty #GoodForTheSoul.
Where: Lot 21, Robina Parkway, Robina

Parkway Coffee
Ahh Parkway Coffee how we love thee and your equally irresistible sibling Third Base in Palmy. Like its southern sister, this Robina crowd pleaser offers similar laidback community vibes, and also serves up the same level of tasty brunch eats. Their Reuban Toastie with beef pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, gherkins, and thousand island dressing on golden toasted sourdough is the perf example of Parkway’s culinary prowess. Pair your feed with some quality time in the garden…and day made.
Where: Robina Quays, 361 Robina Parkway, Robina

Cheltenham Park
If open spaces and oodles of greenery, in the middle of a city no less, is your thing (yes please), Cheltenham Park is the business. There are plenty of areas for the kids – human and fury – to run themselves ragged (#yeahmums!) bushwalking tracks, and big leafy trees to stretch out beneath with a picnic and your favourite people. Perfect for escaping the rat race without chewing through the petrol in search of a tree change.
Where: Cheltenham Drive, Robina 

The Sporting Globe
The spacious, sports-themed bar and restaurant made a big splash on Robina Town Centre when it first moved in and continues to do so in 2023. Within The Sporting Globe there are no less than 50 high definition screens including two 5m2 screens and a nine-screen video wall, so yeah nah, you’re not missing a single second of the action. They’re also serving up perfect sport-watching food, frosty bronsons galore, and an all-round cracking good atmosphere. It’s a sure thing.
Where: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina

Alpine Indoor Climbing
Robina’s state-of-the-art climbing centre is positively R.A.D if you’re somewhat of an adrenalin junkie, or someone looking for a new sporty-spice-esk challenge. Alpine Indoor Climbing is a favourite amongst both professional and beginner climbers (including those lacking in coordination, AKA us). There are varying levels of challenges and you can go across, straight up, or anyway you like really, and there are cushioned pads underneath should you lose your grip. Good times.
Where: 86 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina

Words by Bianca Trathen.

If there’s a food truck involved, you know it’s an event worth going to. In fact, we’re rather partial to frequenting a market/festival/wedding/birthday/anything really purely because our fave food trucks will be on-site serving up their drooly awesome goodness.

We’re unpacking 9 of the best local food trucks, so grab a pen #OldSchoolLike and start scrawling your to-eat list now!

The Weiner Haus
The Wiener Haus is a GC-based food truck (and diner!) dishin’ up gourmet hot doggies and good vibes with a side of tongue in cheek…and das ist wunderbar! Offering authentic German Kranskies loaded with a variety of gourmet toppings, the Coast’s original food truck opened in 2013 and quickly became an institution. I mean, who doesn’t dig a German sausage?
Our pick: MAGNUM P.I. – Hawaiian Style with pineapple, bacon, sour cream & tasty cheese
Where to find them: At markets and festivals from Brisbane to Byron Bay. Diner located at Stockland Burleigh Heads, 149 West Burleigh Road, Burleigh Waters

Notorious E.A.T. Foodtruck
With a tagline “sicker than yo average catering” yeah, they kinda have our attention. Started in 2017 by Chef Jemma Wickham and now joined by fellow Chef Dan Fox, NOTORIOUS E.A.T. serves up mouth-watering burgers and other gourmet street food with THE COOLEST 90s rap inspired names. You’ll always find Jem or Dan on deck (or on the decks…) and nothing beats a hands-on team!
Our pick: Straight Outta Chooklyn Burger
Where to find them: Black Hops II, Nobby Beach Holiday Park, Candana Brewing, Brendale Brewing, Bardown Bowls, Glow Church

Hungarian Food Factory
For an authentic Hungarian street food experience including the ultimate langos creations, Hungarian Food Factor has been delivering a multicultural experience for seven mouth-watering years. Committed to sourcing the highest quality local ingredients, keep your eyes peeled for the red, white and green Hungarian flag at your next festival or market.
Our pick: Avocado Lovers Langos.
Where to find them: Various markets and events across the Gold Coast, check their instagram for the latest.

BUBBO dessert
The first Hong Kong-style bubble waffle/eggette brand in Australia, BUBBO’s yummos look as spectacular as they taste! The ultimate comfort food with a crispy outside and chewy inside, BUBBO cooks up combinations of flavoured waffle bases and assorted ice creams, sprinkled with various fruits and toppings…filled with all kinds of tasty and textured surprises!
Our pick: The Classic Original Waffle
Where to find them: Moonlight Night Markets at Dreamworld

House of Poffertjes
If mini-Dutch pancakes are your love language, then same – and let’s live happily ever after… No, but really, House of Poffertjes dishes out pure lurve in the form of the fluffiest, batter-iest, Dutch-iest treats ever served. They’re fresh, flavoursome, SO worth the calories, and always served with a smile.
Our pick: Traditional with butter icing sugar and syrup
Find them at: Moonlight Night Market at Dreamworld

Burger Lane Co
No prizes for guessing what this local fave food truck’s (not so) secret weapon is! With unbelievably tasty high-quality burgers, unfaultable service and owners who are totes down to earth and keen to interact with their customers, what’s not to love?! If you see it, do your tastebuds a favour and indulge!
Our pick: Southern Fried Chicken. If you know, you KNOW!
Where to find them: White Oat Distillery, Black Hops & Black Hops II and Balter Brewery. Opening soon in Paradise Point!

Vagabond Foods Truck
If there’s one thing we know, it’s always Bao-O-Clock. You win some, you dim sum, and the legends at Vagabond Foods Truck know a trend when they see it (or cook it). There’s no such thing as a flat bao here, with cloud-like dough and the tastiest fillings providing the ultimate texture mash-up. What more can we say other than we’re crazy ‘bao this food truck?
Our pick: Crabbin Out Bao
Where to find then: Moonlight Night Market at Dreamworld

OMG Decadent Donuts
The name kinda says it all with no further spruiking required. OMG not only caters to food allergies and intolerances, but also addresses cultural and religious considerations having certifications from Vegan Australia, Kosher Australia and the Halal Authority of Australia. Australian-owned with 100% natural and locally sourced products, what’s left to say other than OMG?!
Our pick: Berry Sinful Donut
Where to find them: Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets, Burleigh Farmers Market, Gold Coast Vegan Market & Currumbin Community Market

Micasa Burger Truck
Just look for the epic Vincent Vega and Mia Wallace Pulp Fiction-esk truck and you’ve found the iconic Mi Casa! The owner, an international chef and catering guru, creates mesmerising American street food items at the speed of light, with Micasa holding the title as the first food truck in Australia to enable customers to order – and not wait around for their nosh. Hallelujah!
Our pick: Jules Burger
Where to find them: Moonlight Night Market at Dreamworld

Words by Bianca Trathen.