In the last few weeks it has felt like Australia has begun to come alive again and it’s a very good feeling.

On the Gold Coast we’ve had new venues popping up all over the place, cultural festivals back on with more scheduled over the next couple of months and we are absolutely thrilled about all of it.

One thing we can also do is travel throughout the country again (well, most of it), which is great but since the Gold Coast is the most beautiful place of all, we completely understand if you’d rather stay put.

Luckily, we’ve got the best of both worlds in the form of something new down Bilinga way and you may have noticed it going up in recent months (built by Gold Coast contruction company Condev Constructions).

It’s Rydges Gold Coast Airport Hotel and it’s an absolute stunner Gold Coasters.

Just a two minute walk from the airport and five minutes to the beach, it’s the perfect spot to pop into for a layover drink, while waiting to be picked up, or for a little staycation if you have a rudely early flight out.

There are many impressive things about our airport’s first onsite accommodation including the poolside Runway Restaurant and Bar, The Salty Fox Rooftop Bar, stunning local inspired artworks, a fitout to perfectly match the surrounds and 192 brand new rooms, some of which offer 180 ocean views.

It’s very exciting.

Now of course, you can stay overnight should you wish to (and it’s lovely, we highly recommend you do) but if not, you absolutely need to head into Runway Restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner to sample some tasty eats.

For breakfast we’re talking dishes like a Pork Belly Croissant, Belgian Waffles and a Bacon & Egg Brioche Bun to name a few.

At lunch and dinnertime you’ll have choices like slow-roasted pizzas, a variety of fresh salads, Saltwater Barramundi, Wok Tossed Mussels, a Flame Grilled Beef Burger and a range of high quality steaks.

All of which can be washed down with a very extensive drinks menu made extra enjoyable by the sparkly 25 metre pool you’ll be seated next to.

In the next few weeks, The Salty Fox will open and it’s the rooftop bar of your dreams.

Overlooking the ocean and the city from seven stories up, it’s the perfect spot for an afternoon of sipping with your favourites.

Again, you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy. And as more flights return to our fair city, we suggest when waiting for a mate’s flight to land, rather than the usual loop around the block, you chillax on the rooftop with a bevvy and have your guest meet you at the bar.

Epic views included.

There’ll be a tasty tapas menu too and we think you’ll be entertained for quite some time watching the planes takeoff and land (maybe it’s just the kid in us).

For now though, head into Runway Restaurant for some delicious eats and we’ll report back on The Salty Fox specifics soon.

Happy days friends.

LOCATION: Gold Coast Airport, Bilinga

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.

A fresh new venue is always good news but what’s even better is when that fresh new venue is by a group of people who have delivered such a thing time and time again.

Get excited Gold Coasters, The Gennari Group is back with a new addition to the Broadbeach dining scene, this time in the form of modern Asian venue Maggie Choo.

She’s the girl everybody wants to know, bright and cool, serving up tasty eats, some of the most unique cocktails around and of course, bulk good vibes.

Find her on Surf Parade, right next door to Broadbeach institution Koi Dining (one of The Gennari Groups many babies), with music pumping and neon lights aplenty.

Now you’ll probably hear Maggie Choo before you see her, a sign by the bar reads “if the music is too loud, you’re too old” and yes Maggie, we may just be but we’re coming anyway because there are many things to love about this place.

At the front, you’ll find high tables perfect for people watching and sipping many a frosty tipple but inside is where the magic happens.

A Cherry Blossom tree has been placed in the centre of the room and from that tree, millions of flowers grow up and out across the ceiling.

Paper umbrellas line the roof of a room at the back and there’s sleek, Asian-inspired artworks featured on porthole-esque windows.

Part of the kitchen is open, so you can watch the crew doing their thing and there are a few more neon signs placed throughout.

The whole effect is very impressive and the perfect spot for snapping all of the Insta content.

Now onto the menu that is made up of VERY fresh Asian dishes.

Start with the Thai Beef Tataki, Kingfish/Tuna Sashimi or the delectable Gado Gado that you absolutely must try!

Of course, the Honey Chicken Wings (with bush honey, yuzu and furikake) always go down a treat.

Moving onto the small plates like Indonesian Fritters, Prawn and Crab Dumplings, Bug Rolls and a range of Baos too.

Don’t visit without sampling the Tom Kha Curry which is made up of Moreton Bay Bugs, Prawns, Coconut and Kaffir Lime.

It’s perfectly balanced and the seafood is fresh and it’s well, perfect honestly.

There’s also banquet menu’s available for when you just can’t decide so Maggie will choose for you, the Tease is $45pp or Luxe for $55pp and vegans don’t miss out either, with an array of dishes available.

Cocktail-wise, expect some very interesting, very yummy sips including My Bubbles – an adult bubble tea – and Head in the Clouds (serves four), which is made up of all the watermelon things plus cherry things and look, just taste it.

They’re all amazing though, stay awhile and taste them all.

If you’re in need of a good time, laden with tasty eats and some of the best sips around, Maggie Choo is your girl.

Opening Wednesday 16^th September.

LOCATION: 89 Surf Pde, Broadbeach
HOURS: TBC

Words and photos By Kirra Smith