Hold your horses, Gold Coasters! The Melbourne Cup is galloping towards us, and The Star Gold Coast is saddling up for a day of glitz, glamour, and good times that’ll leave you chomping at the bit. Whether you’re a seasoned punter or just in it for the fashion, food and frivolity, The Star has a stable full of options that are sure to be the ‘mane’ event of your Cup Day.

Garden Kitchen & Bar
Restaurant
This GC institution is serving up a three-course lunch that’s more satisfying than a perfect trifecta, paired with a three-hour beverage package. With live entertainment by the Huddy Faulkner Duo, Fashions off the Field, and a special guest MC, you’re in for a galloping good time! Tickets are $195 per person.
Grab your tickets here.

Booth
Ok this one sells out faster than Kingston Rule ran back in 1990 so get on it quick smart! Be the ultimate lady (or lad) that lunches with two premium platters, a three-hour beverage package, live entertainment by Huddy Faulkner Duo, and a special guest MC, you’re in and Fashions off the Field. $2,000 per booth for a maximum of 15 people (that’s only $133 per person if you have the full 15!).
Grab your tickets here.

The Lawn
From the moment the gates fly open to the final glass is raised, a fancy picnic-style celebration on The Lawn is a front-runner this Melbourne Cup Day. Watch the live action on the mega screen and enjoy two decadent platters, a three-hour beverage package, Fashions off the Field, and an epic lineup of live entertainment. Tickets are $600 per high-top (four adults), $900 per high-top (six adults), and $1,500 per picnic table* (maximum 10 adults).

Also on The Lawn, the ‘rein’ing queen of the dance world, DJ Havana Brown, will be on the decks for the ultimate post-race party. The best part? You can mosey on over and watch her spinning up a storm for free! Gi-gi-gi-gimme!
Grab your tickets here.

Cucina Vivo
Giddy up and gallop over to Cucina Vivo for a lunch oozing Italian elegance and fabulous Flemington flair! Indulge in a winning three-course lunch paired with a three-hour beverage package that’ll guarantee a strapping good time. There’s also live tunes by the Kent Dustin Duo, Fashions off the Field to crown the best-dressed filly, and a special guest MC to steer the day’s festivities. Tickets are $199 per person.
Grab your tickets here.

Nineteen at The Star
Restaurant
Saddle up high rollers because at Nineteen at The Star (Restaurant), they’re taking Melbourne Cup to new heights – literally! Perched on the 19th floor, this elegant venue offers panoramic views that will delight even the fanciest of fillies. Enjoy a four-course lunch and beverage package, live racing screens, MC Liz Cantor, and Fashions on the Rooftop. Get ready to ‘trot’ your stuff! Tickets are $375 per person.
Grab your tickets here.

Bar
This iconic rooftop venue is transforming into the ultimate cocktail party, complete with “Fashions on the Rooftop,” live racing on big screens, and vibes brought to you by DJ Dezastar. Enjoy roaming oyster shuckers, a premium 3-hour canapé package, and indulge in a 4-hour beverage package that includes a glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival.

Hosted by the fabulous Liz Cantor, it’s the perfect setting for an elegant race day celebration.
Grab your tickets here.

Harvest Buffet
Large groups, listen up! Harvest Buffet is THE go-to for party seekers looking to soak up the pristine pool vibes and a premium seafood buffet, including two chocolate fountains (yes, we said TWO!). Don’t forget the three-hour beverage package (umm, as if), Fashions off the Field, live entertainment with Rene Le Feuvre, and guest MC, local radio icon Moyra Major! Tickets are $140 per person.
Grab your tickets here.

Sports Bar
Terrace Package
There’s no place where the Melbourne Cup vibes are vibier than the Sports Bar so frock up or suit up with the Terrace Package for all the live and loud surround sound racing action. Including premium roaming canapes, a complimentary drink on arrival, 20+ screens, state of the art TAB facilities, a cash bar and of course, exclusive access to The Terrace, it’s Sports Bar for the win. Tickets are $95 per person.
Grab your tickets here.

Booth Package
Fancy front-row seats to take in the horseplay? Then you want a private booth at Sports Bar with up to 10 of your best mates. Lap up a $600 food and bev tab, two All Star Platters with 500g chicken wings, salt and pepper calamari, mozzarella sticks, and chips), three garlic breads, three cheesy garlic breads, and branded merch with access to state-of-the-art TAB facilities. $1,200 per booth (that’s only $120 per person with a gang of 10).
Grab your tickets here.

Free Post-Race Entertainment

The Lawn, Garden Kitchen Bar
Don’t miss Australia’s own DJ superstar Havana Brown getting on the decks to keep the party going between 4.30pm and 6pm.

Atrium Bar
For the ultimate post-race party, Atrium Bar is the obvious choice with live DJs pumping out the tunes from the early afternoon. It’s the perfect way to keep the festivities going long after the last horse has crossed the finish line – and it’s free!

Cherry Bar
Another venue serving up charon-hay and other delicious drops is Cherry Bar. Head on over to this luxurious space in main gaming floor for kick-ons and live beats from The Fontosi Bros Duo, DJ Mister P, and DJ Libre. With free entry and a lavish insta-famous 22 metre bar, it would be rude not to.

The Star Grand Hotel Offer
And finally, if ever there was a time to spoil yourself with a luxurious staycation, Melbourne Cup is it. A (minimum) two-night stay in a superior deluxe king/twin room between Sunday 3 November and Friday 8 November will set you back a mere $199 per night (conditions and booking dates apply, subject to availability). Neigh way!!

For tickets and more information on any of the above, stirrup some Cup fun at The Star here.
Where: 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: Various activations on Tuesday 5th November

Words by Bianca Trathen.

STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST

The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be over 18 years to enter the casino, Atrium Bar and Sports Bar. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT. Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 gamblinghelpqld.org.au

A lush garden oasis where delectable dining meets lively entertainment, you ask? Hold that request- your order has already been filled. It’s time to reacquaint yourself with Garden Kitchen & Bar!

If you haven’t found your way to The Star Gold Coast in a little while, we have the perfect excuse for you to change that right away. Garden Kitchen & Bar has proven time and time again to be the oracle for our dining and entertaining desires, which explains why it’s one of the Coast’s best loved hangout spots no matter the weather.

Built to bolster the Gold Coast’s enviable climate and luxuriously laid-back lifestyle, the open-concept venue blurs the lines between the indoors and out to reveal a quintessential Queensland design. The lavish bar and dining area is bathed in natural light and filled with lush green foliage. Find a spot on the emerald green velvet lounges and enjoy the garden oasis that surrounds you.

If you’re not long-lunching here, you really shouldn’t be long-lunching at all. Picture this, the sound of a champagne bottle pop and the clink of glasses. A charcuterie board arrives with locally sourced cured meats, pickled vegetables, house-made crisps & Australian cheddar. Kilpatrick oysters are being slurped back like you’re running someone else’s card, along with Airlie Beach tiger prawns because Garden Kitchen & Bar is killing the seafood game.

We all know Garden Kitchen & Bar is perfect for casual drinks and eats, as well as more intimate celebrations (hello dedicated semi-private dining room). The lunch and dinner menus are a feast of mouth-watering seasonal dishes, utilising only the freshest produce and a selection of garnishes and herbs hand-picked from an onsite herb garden.

For starters, we must recommend the baked bread and macadamia dip– it’s to dough for. For category crowd pleasers, indulge in a stockyard 200-day grain-fed tomahawk or their succulent rosemary-marinated Milly Hill lamb cutlets- both dished with a Chefs’ selection of fresh Australian produce and chips. The Garden Nourish Bowl with cauliflower and fried chickpeas is a stand-out vego option.

Now we don’t like to pick favourites, but we’re going to make a special exception for their deluxe Australian Seafood Experience; a selection of Australia’s best seafood from the tropical waters of Northern Queensland and the ice-cold southern oceans of Tasmania. How could we not?

Once lunchtime inevitably rolls into the afternoon, step outside onto The Lawn. There’s no time for putting around on this green. Well-versed in providing an unrivalled afternoon/evening place to assemble there’s stellar live entertainment on tap every weekend! Imagine you and your posse enjoying a toasty crackling fire, live entertainment, cheeseboards, mouth-watering bites from the Container Kitchen and delectable beverages. Yes please!

The only thing left to do is pencil Garden Kitchen & Bar into your social calendar stat!

Where: Casino Level, The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: Monday & Thursday: 17:30 – late, Friday 4:00 – late, Saturday – Sunday 12:00 – late. Live Entertainment Thurs – Sun

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST

The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be 18 years or over to enter the Casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT. Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858.

The history of buffet style eating is a mixed affair. Its origins could be said to hark back to a mixture of cultures — from Asia to Europe. The ‘smorgasbord’ became internationally known as such at the 1939 New York World’s Fair exhibition, because the Swedes had to invent a new way of showcasing the best of Swedish food to large numbers of visitors. And the rest, as they say, is history…

Whoever can claim to have been responsible, we’re not fussed! The point is buffets — and smorgasbords — are amazing ways to reach newfound eating goals, and we’ve got quite a few exceptional ones right here on the Gold Coast. Happy binge eating, folks!

Terraces Restaurant
It’s the seafood buffet extravaganza in Main Beach that locals keep returning to time and time again, and as one of those locals, we can tell you it’s got all of the very best things you’ll love. Yes, fresh seafood galore but also a whole charcuterie section, an excellent Asian dish section, and so many delicious desserts to choose from. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Where: Level 1, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, 71 Sea World Drive, Main Beach

Harvest Buffet
Not only does Harvest Buffet treat their diners to top-notch eats, but they also allow patrons to feast on glistening poolside views as well. The stunning indoor and outdoor spaces are seriously as enticing as the food, and the private dining room screams “have your birthday/celebration here” and ok, if you insist…Open for breakfast and dinner daily, as well as lunch every Saturday and Sunday so you can get stuck into their famed prawn and oyster buffet, you’ll be sure to leave this place bursting at the seams. We must make special mention of their dinner offering which includes the freshest seafood like oysters, prawns, sushi, roasts from the carvery as well as crowd-pleasers like pizza, pasta, curries, soups and salads. Should we also mention they have a decadent dessert bar? Yep, complete with a chocolate fountain! It’s our buffet dreams answered!
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach

Horizon Sky Dining
Buffet in the sky? No probs. Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise is where you’re find this gem, nestled above the city skyline so you can (literally) take your dining experience to new heights. Think breathtaking views of the city skyline from ocean to hinterland and of course, the most incredible seafood feast curated by award-winning chefs. They’ve also got vegetarians covered with a huge range of options to make sure every leaves well and truly full. All that buffet-ing is thirsty work of course, so why not treat yourself to an expertly crafted cocktail (or mocktail) to seal the deal. Open for lunch and dinner from Thursday through Sunday.
Where: Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, 2807 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise

Il Barocco
It’s a quality over quantity affair at Il Barocco, it’s long been a favourite dining spot for buffet lovers for obvious reasons. After all, this is a 5-star luxury property we’re talking about! The team uses only the very best, locally sourced seafood and the aim of the game is to create a fresh, diverse-looking buffet — which they nail. Besides exceptional seafood, there are hot and cold meats, vegetarian dishes and the prettiest dessert section. Treat yourself to the most luxe buffet setting on the Coast. Open for breakfast and dinner daily.
Where: Imperial Hotel Gold Coast, 94 Sea World Drive, Main Beach

Frenzy’s Food Court
Catering to the entire family, Frenzy’s at Southport Sharks is open for dinner and offers an extensive buffet selection featuring dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world. The all-you-can-eat buffet offers a tasty range of meats, salads, international dishes and desserts, all available between 5.30pm and 8.30pm, 7 nights a week. Yep, we don’t know about you but we have our plates ready!
Plus, Frenzy’s is now serving up a mouth-watering, heart-warming all-you-can-eat breakfast feast every Sunday! The scrumptious selection includes all your brekkie favourites (as well as cheese and charcuterie, yes please) AND includes bottomless Bun coffee – they’ve really got everything covered.
Where: Southport Sharks, Olsen Ave & Musgrave Ave, Southport

Skypoint Breakfast Buffet
Not a morning person? Well breakfast up in the clouds might be the closest you’ll get to staying snug in that cosy bed of yours and to be honest, I’d say this brekky is worth the wake up. With all the classics you know and love on offer to build your own big breakfast, seasonal fruits (because, summer) and even cereal if your inner child is begging for coco pops – we won’t judge. You can indulge in the food and then indulge in the view of the GC because it always looks a little prettier from up above.
Where: Q1, Level 77 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise

Shoreline Restaurant
Many things may have changed over the years, but the yum factor of Shoreline Restaurant’s famous buffet isn’t one of them #phew. Located in the Sea World Resort, treat yourself to a balanced and plentiful breaky smorgasbord from 6.30am to 10am daily, or all-you-eat-dinner from 5pm to 8pm every Friday and Saturday (no judgement if you do both). Special dinner shout-outs go to the Queensland prawns, wide array of international dishes, juicy Chef carved meats, and delectable desserts. And let’s not forget the coastal ambience and live entertainment, satisfying all the senses.
Where: Sea World Resort, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

Cove Cafe
Wake up with an expansive selection of season-inspired breakfast classics at Cove Café’s buffet.  Recently reimagined with a tropic-inspired aesthetic reflecting the natural beauty of Sanctuary Cove, it’s the perfect place to start your day. Hit the live omelette station for eggs cooked your way, seasonal fruit, international dishes and naughty but oh-so-nice delicate pastries. Wash your ten outta ten breakfast down with fresh juices and Vittoria Coffee, then saunter around the glorious Sanctuary Cove shops to burn off your brekky. At least that’s our excuse…. Open seven days a week from 6.30am until 10.30am.
Where: InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Manor Circle, Sanctuary Cove

Akoya
There are buffets and there are buffets and this my friends is the latter. A boujee buffet if you like (yes, we like!), Akoya is located inside The Langham Gold Coast, our go-to for luxury stays and plays. Serving up beautiful coastline views and some of Australia’s finest meat, fish, and poultry, this is a buffet connoisseur’s dream. Offering a buffet feast every Friday and Saturday night from 5.30pm to 10pm, or their signature breakfast buffet daily from 6.30am, it’s a must for any local or visitor. The only thing more delicious and high rent than the fare is the strikingly contemporary interiors, and bespoke open kitchen. Swoon!
Where: The Langham Gold Coast, 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise

Waves Buffet Restaurant
Described as THE place for people who love buffets, it simply had to make the list! Enjoy eggs cooked the way you like them (#AllTheWaysThanks), seafood-a-plenty (our pick: whole prawns and rock oysters on the shell), plus platters overflowing with tropical fruit. Plus there are Asian, Indian and Mediterranean dishes, seasonal options, and holy happy kids Batman, a dessert bar. Combining fresh eats for a mix of healthy and hearty, it’s perfect for a special occasion or just because. Available between 6.30am and 10am seven days a week, and every Friday and Saturday if you’re down for a seafood buffet dinner, in the words of Nike – just do it.
Where: voco Gold Coast, 3032 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

Citrique
One of the most beautifully presented buffets around is Citrique at the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa. Recently renovated, they are renowned for a next-level, seasonal seafood selection, and folks; it is the goods. Every dish you could possibly want is available at Citrique, including yum cha, sushi, curries, antipasto, European dishes, and speciality plates you’ll fall for in a big way. If the delish food offer wasn’t enough, the view of their iconic pool is the ultimate for giving holiday vibes while you fill up on the fare. It’s open for buffet breakfast daily, with Friday and Saturday buffet sittings in the evenings and lunches Sunday.
Where: JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Bazaar
We would like to boldly state that QT Gold Coast’s Bazaar is exceptional, and if you have not been, no excuse will suffice! Feel like a steak cooked perfectly medium-rare? Not a problem. Their helpful chefs can create made to order dishes right in front of your eyes, bake pizzas, and dish up fresh and cooked seafood, slow-roasted meats, epic salads, an Asian food section and easily the most delectable dessert offering on the Coast. It’s an absolute must-try and is open for breakfast and dinner daily. For extra indulgence, we highly recommend their Sunday Brunch.
Where: QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise

Words by Bianca Trathen and Jacqueline Bojanowski.