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.

It’s a whole new era for Kirra – as the hotly anticipated Kirra Beach House, slinks into town bringing chic sips, cabana chills and rooftop revelling to the formerly not-much-happenining Marine Parade precinct, and totally transforming the southern social scene as we know it.

And let’s all just try to maintain an orderly fashion here.. thankfully, there’s plenty here to go round.

Like, 1200 whole sqm of it – the mammoth, terrace-studded stunner is fully prepared for the inevitable inundation as we all clamour to get a glimpse of the dreamy new venue, equipped with multiple indoor and alfresco areas, wine and cocktail bars (three, to be exact!) and high-end event spaces.

The kitchen, meanwhile, brings the likes of raw and cooked seafood platters, succulent steaks and signature burgers to Kirra’s picturesque beachfront – slinging perfectly crisped pizzas out of the Marina Forni pizza oven daily.

And did we mention the uninterrupted ocean views from every angle?

The new standard for a spectacular summer has well and truly been set here, guys.

Our jaws may be on the floor, but we’re not at all surprised – after all, the new concept was pioneered by local hospo trailblazer, Dave Galvin, an undertaking a mere four years in the making.

The SITE Hospitality owner/operator has been working tirelessly to deliver us not one, but two bar-raising venues this year alone – already blessing us with Broadbeach show-stopper, kost a few months back (and before that Mozza Mozza, Bird Royale and Crafty’s Sports Bar).

Somebody stop him (but don’t, actually, keep ’em coming Dave).

And frankly, we just have one question.. when doth the man sleep?

When it comes to new venues, often the phrase ‘game changing’ often gets bandied about rather liberally (guilty) – but Kirra Beach House is truly unlike anything we’ve seen this far south, the breathtaking venue putting the seaside village on the map as a destination for elevated dining and drinking.

And we do mean elevated in all senses of the word – the new venue sits atop it’s more casual counterpart, the newly unveiled and fresh-faced Kirra Beach Hotel one level below.

The new additions signify a whole new chapter for the suburb’s seaside promenade that comes courtesy of the KTQ Group’s multi-stage Kirra Point Project.

“The venue will have a beach club atmosphere about it, with great music, mesmerising panoramic views of Kirra, Mediterranean-style food using the incredible local produce we have on our doorstep, a world-class drinks list and, of course, great service” says Dave.

And really, did anyone expect anything less?

The kitchen of Kirra’s darling new destination is led by head chef Drew Wilson, curating a Mediterranean-style grazing menu that is both flavour-packed and true to the laidback, coastal location.

It features a contemporary mix of dishes such as Kingfish crudo with citrus vinaigrette, chive oil and floral salt… or perhaps the summery ‘burrata with yellow peach, aged balsamic and smoked salt’ to woo the cheese fans.

Bars Manager, Kaden Pool invites us to ‘dive in’ to a delectable menu of resort-style cocktails, the type that scratch that nostalgia itch in all the right places.

Such as ‘Bahamas’ Champagne Piña coladas and ‘Cancun’ spicy watermelon margaritas, made for summer sunsets and crafted to make you feel like you’re on holiday…

Wait, we’re pretty sure we might be. Or dreaming. Who could say for sure. We might need to get around a few spicy melon margs to determine, first.

Where: Level 1, 2 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
When: Sunday to Thursday 11am–late, Friday & Saturday: 11am–1am

Words by Kellie Leader.

For those who are ardent lovers of all things seafood, finding yourself a quality and consistent retailer of the ocean’s bounty can, at times, be a bit tricky. You’ll also find yourself limited by the selection and, more often than not, it won’t be as fresh as it could be. But hold that thought. What if somebody came up with the bright idea of having a completely independent fish market where you could come and purchase, as well as sample, Australia’s finest and freshest selection of seafood all under the one roof: zero hassle and no searching out trawlers as they return with — or without — their catch.

Well, we’re pleased to say for the love of all things from the deep blue, two Gold Coast locals have gone ahead and done it. We introduce to you possibly THE opening of 2021 — the brand spanking new Miami Fish Market.

Seafood aficionados Paul Gloftis and Craig Warren are the co-owners of the new shop space and what these guys don’t know about delicious things plucked from the sea, frankly, isn’t worth knowing. The concept, by their admission, has been in the works for the best part of four years, and like everyone else, we’re excited to see it come to fruition.

The space is plentiful, and for what Miami Fish Market is offering, this was always going to be the case. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by a large island-style wrap around glass counter showcasing everything from prawns, clams, oysters, crabs, and a specially designated area for carefully prepared Japanese style seafood delicacies — all of these are naturally prepared by a troop of in house chefs and fishmongers, no less.

Set back, there are separate counters for live seafood, whole fish and a designated sashimi bar. This is where your options to taste the fruits of the ocean truly come into play. Choose from an array of whole fish, and you can have it filleted and prepared as you wait.

But why just stand around when you can grab yourself a readily prepared sashimi pack or perhaps a few oysters? Why not grab some freshly prepared lobster sashimi and a seat outside in their blissful decked area? You’ll have to show restraint, though; there are too many delicious things to try!

The selection here will be one of the most extensive and diverse anyone is likely to find outside our major cities. The network of suppliers and the areas of the country where produce is coming from is vast. This said you’ll likely come across seafood you didn’t even know existed, like freshwater lobsters (Marron) from Western Australia or hand-dived Abalone from the Great Southern Bight — a highly coveted delicacy throughout Asia.

You may just come for fish, but there’s a high possibility you’ll also come away with knowledge and a taste for so much more!

Extras worth mentioning are the shop’s ability to dry age fish, something you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Pick yourself a fillet of prime fish, ask them to dry age it for you and return a few days later — it’s that easy.

In time the shop will also be smoking fish on-site; with a variety of different woods, you can expect a plethora of tasty smoked morsels from mussels and oysters right through to fish. Expect no stone to be unturned!

And if this all wasn’t enough, to assist you with your ascent to seafood heaven, there is a small section containing high-grade European deli items. We’re talking Spanish smoked paprika, pastas from Greece, vinegar from Portugal and exclusive soy sauces from Japan — meaning an at-home gourmet experience is very achievable.

A lot of attention has surrounded the venue and their works to open. In truth, there have been a few little Covid induced setbacks along the way, but we are pleased to announce Miami Fish Market have confirmed with us they are officially swinging open their doors for their grand opening on Saturday 31st July featuring free caviar tastings!

So, should you be looking for sumptuous clams and pre-marinated fish for your Saturday night dinner party or oysters and lobster for a decadent midweek BBQ, you’ll find all you need — plus more — at the new and impressive Miami Fish Market.

Hours: Officially opening Saturday 31st July with trading hours being 8am — 6pm Monday – Saturday and 8am — 4pm Sunday’s
Where: 1/54 Paradise Avenue, Miami

Words by Alex Mitcheson.