Dine out this silly season! Where to book a Christmas feast on the Gold Coast

Hungry for something a bit different this Christmas? Join Uncle Su at The Star on the 25th for a festive feast with an Asian twist.

The banquet hones in on traditional regional Chinese cuisine, with strong attention to detail in ingredients, cooking technique and balance of flavours. Enliven your palate with Chef Song Yao Su’s creations, which include appetisers, a special dim sim platter, soup, mains and dessert.

First up, there’s traditional chicken and water chestnut san choy bao, followed by a curated selection of handmade dumplings.

The minced beef egg white and coriander soup is the perfect palate cleanser before an array of Cantonese delicacies. Indulge in filet mignon with King mushrooms in Shao Zhi sauce, deep-fried coral trout fillet with baby bok choy, sauteed king prawns and fried rice with golden scallops.

Fittingly tropical for a Gold Coast Christmas lunch, dessert is a coconut and mango mousse with egg custard tart.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Christmas Day menu ($169 per adult, $55 per child)

Book it here

This year, the Novotel in Surfers Paradise is hosting a special Christmas lunch in the Grand Ballroom.

The meal includes succulent seafood, plenty of hot and cold dishes to choose from, chef’s signature sushi station and a range of desserts to satisfy every sweet tooth in the family. There’s even a cascading chocolate fountain!

Start with smoked salmon and fresh oysters on ice. Main highlights include barramundi with lemon, creamy butter sauce and garlic mash, honey-glazed leg of ham double baked with bourbon and studded with cloves, and the garlic and cumin crusted lamb rump.

Roast turkey lovers, you won’t be disappointed. Novotel’s is filled with chestnuts, sage, onion and fresh herbs, and comes with a cranberry and orange sauce.

Best of all, beer, wine and sparkling are included in the package so you can toast the festive season to your heart’s content.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Christmas Day lunch ($235 per adult, $175 per child)

Book it here

When the dazzling Versace brand touched Queensland’s shores, it’s clear to see no stone was left unturned. Palazzo Versace is the epitome of five-star luxury.

So those with an appetite for grandeur will be dining at Palazzo Versace’s Il Barocco this Christmas, where a spectacular seafood buffet will be on offer.

Held over dinner, the meal is a celebration of fresh, seasonal flavours and the best local seafood and fish available. Think Moreton Bay and Balmain bugs, Pacific oysters and local spanner crabs.

For a Christmas twist, you’ll also discover mouth-watering roast meats with all the trimmings, and a decadent dessert spread to conclude the evening. Can it get any more extra?

Dish Cult’s top pick: Christmas dinner buffet ($169 per adult, $89 per child)

Book it here

Let’s face it: for families with little ones, Christmas is all about the kids.

If a sit-down affair won’t tick their boxes, then this two-hour Christmas Day cruise from Sea World will. Kids even get a present!

Enchant the whole family with a spectacular trip along the Gold Coast’s waterways, including an indulgent buffet feast.

Aboard Sea World’s spacious vessel, the Spirit of Elston, you’ll enjoy fresh local seafood, juicy and tender meats, traditional pavlova and more.

Mum and dad will love the unlimited drinks package, including bubbly, local wines, craft beers and all non-alcoholic beverages included. The cruises are held over both lunch and dinner so you can choose a time that suits your family.

Be quick as this package from Sea World is rumoured to sell out fast.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Christmas Day cruise ($199 per adult, $99 per child)

Modern and stylish, Miss Moneypenny’s bar and restaurant in Broadbeach is the perfect spot for a laidback Christmas lunch this year.

The banquet lunch includes four courses and a glass of sparkling, lager or soft drink on arrival.

You’ll begin with freshly baked artisan rye sourdough to share, before tucking into an elegant seafood platter replete with spicy king prawns, smoked salmon, Pacific oysters with a mignonette-style dressing and chilli and lime scallops.

The main feast showcases Bangalow ham in a belly-warming orange, cinnamon and clove glaze, and roast turkey breast with a herbaceous stuffing and cranberry sauce.

Load up on plenty of sides to keep your table satisfied, and end the night with Miss Moneypenny’s glorious pavlova sphere. It comes with seasonal berries, passionfruit, fresh cream and a beautiful dusting of white chocolate snow.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Miss Moneypenny’s Christmas lunch ($179 per adult, $95 per child)