Here are 13 of the best buffets — in no particular order — on the Gold Coast where you can pig out.

13. BAZAAR, QT GOLD COAST, SURFERS PARADISE

LOCATION: 7 Staghorn Ave, Gold Coast

This is not your average buffet.

This is Bazaar’s Interactive Marketplace, a space designed to feel like a bustling communal market, packed with deliciously fresh food and limitless options.

“Walking up the stairs to the Bazaar entrance, the smell of freshly roasted garlic fills the air and instantly makes your tummy rumble and your heart sing!” director of food and beverage Jedd Rifai says.

“The concept behind QT’s Bazaar Interactive Marketplace is to not only offer guests a mosaic of dishes, but to provide a memorable dining experience with the help of our friendly staff and talented chefs.

Many dishes are made to order, while others are ready for you dig in.”

Bazaar Interactive Market Place buffet at QT Hotel Surfers Paradise

Bazaar spans breakfast and dinner, and with the huge selection of treats, nobody will go hungry. “At breakfast you’ll enjoy everything from warm waffles, fresh pastries and made-to-order omelettes while Sunday lunch boasts a seafood spread like no other,” Jedd says.

“Dinner brings it to another level with an exciting array of slow-roasted meats, Asian wok dishes and handmade dumplings, wood-fired pizzas, vibrant salads and the Gold Coast’s finest selection of sweet treats.”

12. COVE CAFE, INTERCONTINENTAL SANCTUARY COVE

LOCATION: Manor Cir, Hope Island

It’s tough to decide which is more beautiful — the grounds of InterContinental or the sight of the buffet.

“Our Cove Cafe seafood buffet has one core focus: presenting the very best of local seafood and produce,” executive chef Matt Hart says.

“My culinary team work with seafood mongers who personally hand-pick the freshest of prawns from the local trawlers, source crabs from the Sunshine Coast or Northern New South Wales, and we regularly feature whole fish that have been sourced from the local waters.

To complement our high quality seafood the culinary talent interactively create unique and authentically flavoured dishes from around the world and the dining experience is rounded by expertly crafted pastries.”

11. SEASON BUFFET

LOCATION: 80 Scarborough Street, Southport

This is a buffet with a difference — you have to cook it yourself.

Season Buffet specialise in hot pot and barbecue buffet, for an all-you-can-eat, DIY, communal dining experience.

Some of the options you can barbecue include chicken wings, lamb, prawn, squid, beef and chicken skewers, while the hotpot ingredients range from octopus to meatballs, tofu and noodles. There are also a range of hot dishes available including fried rice, fried noodles, deep fried chicken wings, wok-tossed vegetables and more.

All up there are over 90 items to choose from and thousands of potential combinations, but save room for dessert.

10. IL BAROCCO, PALAZZO VERSACE

LOCATION: 94 Sea World Dr, Main Beach

As expected, Palazzo Versace’s offering takes the buffet concept to the next level.

“Our famous seafood buffet celebrates the best in fresh seasonal flavours with a bountiful array of the best quality seafood.

Our breakfast buffet includes unlimited barista made coffee which is essential within our coffee connoisseur society,” marketing manager Jasmine Webb says.

And while Il Barocco’s buffet is tried and tested, they know how to mix things up.

“From Monday to Wednesday we have a special offer; $72 per person, Thursday is our Asian fusion buffet and on the first Friday of the month to complement Música Palazzo we offer a special ‘Flavours of the Mediterranean’ buffet. We also have a seafood buffet lunch on Sundays, which is the ultimate long lunch and popular with locals,” Jasmine says.

9. FOOD FRENZY, SOUTHPORT SHARKS

LOCATION: Corner Musgrave Ave and Olsen Ave, Southport

Southport Sharks Food Frenzy is aptly named, with the seven-day-a-week all-you-can-eat buffet resembling a shark tank, swarming with hungry locals who can’t get enough.

Sunday and Monday is build your own hotdog night and kids eat free (T & Cs apply), Thursday is build your own nachos night while every Friday and Saturday is seafood basket madness. Executive chef Andrew Dugard says some of the regular favourites include roasts, fresh salads, Asian and Italian themed dishes and of course, the desserts, featuring choc-dipped waffle cones and unlimited lollies to add to your ice-cream and jelly.

A selection of Asian dishes at Food Frenzy, Southport Sharks.

8. FOOD FANTASY, THE STAR

LOCATION: 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach

There’s plenty happening on the food front at recently rebranded Star Gold Coast, and even more to come, but it’s business as usual at family favourite buffet Food Fantasy.

For breakfast find all your typical favourites plus fresh baked pastries and an omelette station where a chef will cook your ultimate omelette on the spot, just how you like it.

Lunch and dinner has over 80 dishes from around the globe on offer, from fresh seafood to crispy salads and hot roasts.

7. FOUR WINDS REVOLVING RESTAURANT, CROWNE PLAZA

LOCATION: 2807 Gold Coast Hwy, Surfers Paradise

Four Winds 360 Revolving Restaurant at Crowne Plaza, Surfers Paradise

Marketing manager Victoria Peterson says with incredible 360 degree views of the Gold Coast beaches and hinterland, Four Winds Revolving Restaurant is the perfect place to indulge in a breakfast, lunch or dinner.

“You can even take in a spot of whale watching as they migrate past in the winter months or do a surf check at breakfast before heading out,” she says.

“We’ve got something for everyone with an Australian-fusion and seafood buffet topped with the revolving experience. Must tries are the antipasto station, the crispy pork belly with chill jam, honey sesame chicken, and of course the prawns, crabs and oysters.”

6. WAVES BUFFET, WATERMARK HOTEL AND SPA GOLD COAST

LOCATION: 3032 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

Just hearing deputy area general manager Jane Kingston describe Waves’ buffet is mouth-watering.

“Dinner offers tastes to savour, from authentic Indian cuisine to Asian inspired dishes such as pad Thai freshly made to order, pasta, succulent roasts, winter casseroles … and that’s just a third of the buffet. Thought caramel came one way? We make it five ways, all are made with love by the designer chefs,” she says.

While there’s a considerable touch of food sophistication, littlies are more than welcome.

“Waves looks after the little ones with squeals of delight heard from the children as they cast their eyes over the colourful display and carefully select their treats. Profiteroles already doused in chocolate can be made doubly decadent courtesy of the free flowing chocolate fountain,” Jane says.

5. TERRACES, SHERATON MIRAGE, MAIN BEACH

LOCATION: 71 Sea World Drive, Main Beach, Gold Coast

With ocean and poolside views, you might think ‘Is overeating at this buffet worth it?’ as Gold Coast bikini babes skip by looking trim and fabulous.

The answer is yes, the Terraces buffet is worth it.

The Sheraton says while obviously tourists and guests of the hotel make up a sizeable percentage of their buffet guests, people might be surprised with how many locals they feed as well.

With an on-site bakery baking fresh bread and croissants daily of a morning and a fresh seafood buffet offering mounds of prawns, bugs, salmon and oysters both hot and cold, it’s no wonder locals keep going back for more.

4. SHORELINE BUFFET, SEA WORLD RESORT

LOCATION: 120 Sea World Dr, Main Beach

Attracting tourists from every corner of the globe, Sea World’s resident buffet has made pleasing everyone and sharing culture through food their main goal.

Communications manager Mitch Olivey says there’s something different every night of the week. “The Shoreline Restaurant features multiple internationally inspired dinner options throughout the week including our sensational seafood buffet Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Plus, enjoy our interactive live-cooking displays as you delight your tastebuds.”

On Monday indulge in international flavours, tropical barbecue on Tuesday, flavours of the world on Wednesday, pizza, pasta Italiano night on Thursday, Friday is seafood international, Saturday is the seafood extravaganza and Sunday is for seafood and carvery.

3. GOVINDAS

LOCATION: 3120 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

Govindas Surfers Paradise has been serving up vegan, karma-conscious food for 11 years and operating as an all-you-can-eat buffet for about four.

It’s safe to say owner Zardi Manning predicted the vegan boom, but he does what he does because he loves our planet.

“Eating vegan helps decrease the footprint we have on the world as animals need a lot of food, water and care to produce a small amount of meat and dairy,” he says.

The Govindas buffet is full of salads, curries, warm dishes and desserts that are all packed with vegetables and generally, stuff that’s good for your body.

Zardi says often non-vegans visit if they feel their veggie levels need a top-up.

2. CITRIQUE, SURFERS PARADISE MARRIOTT, SURFERS PARADISE

LOCATION: 158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise

Seafood is definitely the focus at Citrique, with piles of fresh, vibrant seafood greeting hungry diners.

The team at Surfers Paradise Marriott pride themselves on using only the freshest seafood available and local — everything is harvested within a 100 mile radius of the hotel.

As a result, their Moreton Bay bugs and spanner crabs are sourced from the Moreton Bay region, king prawns right here on the Gold Coast and scallops from Hervey Bay.

If you’re not a seafood fan, there’s plenty more on offer from wood-fired pizzas to fresh salads.

1. NOSH PAN ASIAN, MANTRA ON VIEW

LOCATION: 22 View Ave, Surfers Paradise

If you haven’t heard of this buffet, it’s because Nosh Pan Asian is less than a year old, boasting a stylish, modern fitout and fresh food ideas.

Previously known as Deja View, the all-new kitchen is headed by executive chef Praveen Dutt, an experienced chef with a particular interest in Asian fare.

A dish from Nosh Pan Asian Surfers Paradise flavours of the world buffet night.

Along with a dedicated team of chefs he has put together Nosh Pan Asian’s buffet menu, including an Asian breakfast. Every Friday and Saturday Nosh offer a ‘Flavours of the World’ buffet with dishes from all over the world.