Five of the best Gold Coast Christmas lunch options

THE kids might be trembling in anticipation of December 25 but if you’re trembling at the prospect of Christmas Day catering, here are five festive suggestions.

Christmas lunch

THE kids might be trembling in anticipation of December 25 but if you’re trembling at the prospect of Christmas Day catering, here are five festive suggestions.

The Star

1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Harvest Buffet at the Star

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The Star has all bases covered for Christmas Day lunching.

This will be the first Christmas for the soon-to-be-unveiled Harvest Buffet’s sumptuous spread featuring fresh seafood, hot and cold meats, pizza, pasta, salads, soups and, of course, desserts.

If you’re looking for something a little less traditional, The Star’s executive chef of Asian cuisine Song Yao Su has put together a special menu featuring the tastes of China with a pan-Asian twist at the Imperial at the Star.

But if Christmas just isn’t Christmas without excessive theming, trimmings and carols, the ballroom is undoubtedly the place for you.

There’ll be an indulgent buffet with roving entertainment, pressies for the kids and a special guest appearance from the man of the moment, Mr S Claus, before his return to toymaking duties in the North Pole.

Seaduction

Level 2, Peppers Soul, 8 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

Christmas at Seaduction, Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise

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From its prime location overlooking the Surfers foreshore, Seaduction’s Christmas Day menu is bulging with fresh seafood, festive meats, special salads and Christmassy desserts.

Guests will receive a seasonal egg nog on arrival before tucking in to the table-share menu. The highlights include shucked oysters, baked prawns, whole fish, double smoked leg ham and roasted chicken with stuffing and jus.

If there are children in attendance, Santa has also promised he will finish his surf in time to drop in for a visit.

Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa

158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Christmas Day seafood tower and champagne lunch for couples at Chapter and Verse Bar and Lounge at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa

If you’re planning for a quieter Christmas this year without the extended family, the Marriott is offering an adults only seafood tower and champagne luncheon in its Chapter and Verse Lounge Bar.

Perfect for couples or very small groups, it’s a classy Christmas option promising a more laid-back Yuletide vibe.

But if you want to go the whole suckling pig, Citrique is pulling out all stops for its ever-popular Christmas Day feast featuring lobster, premium roasted meats, Moet champagne and other luxury delights.

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Seafood buffet at Citrique, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa

This one sells out quickly so it’s advised to book early.

Sofitel

81 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Fine dining tasting plates at Sofitel Gold Coast's room81

If you’re worried about the kids being a little hyped by the time Christmas lunch swings around, the Sofitel is offering a family-friendly winter wonderland Christmas Day experience. Its ballroom will be blitzed by the Christmas theming department while the chefs will take care of the fresh seafood and a hot carvery buffet with all the trimmings.

There’ll be live entertainment from the ominously-named Gee’d Up (in case the kids aren’t there already) and a personalised gift for every child under 11, delivered by none other than Santa himself.

Meantime, Sofitel’s signature restaurant Room81 is offering refuge for unaccompanied adults with a four course crafted Christmas lunch and premium drinks package.

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Room81’s Christmas cocktail

Surf Clubs

Burleigh Heads, crnr Goodwin Terrace and Gold Coast Highway

Currumbin, 741 Pacific Parade

Currumbin SLSC with a Christmas Day view to remember. Picture Glenn Hampson

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If your family can’t do Christmas without the beach, some of the Gold Coast’s favourite surf clubs are opening their doors to Christmas Day diners.

Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park is serving up a three-course traditional lunch, while at Currumbin, there’ll be a buffet of fresh seafood, hot and cold meats, salads and sweets.

No snoozing on the couch in a post-lunch food coma — the pitch for traditional Christmas afternoon beach cricket will be but a stumble away.