Northern Gold Coast
Shuck on Tedder continues to delight oyster-lovers with its selection of shellfish. Whether it’s Sydney rock or Pacific, plates are shucked to order, which means they are super fresh. There is always the signature crab lasagne with tomato and abalone sauce if oysters aren’t your thing. Head a little further north to Labrador for two Gold Coast seafood institutions. The Lazy Lobster, a firm favourite with locals who come back again and again for their seafood chowders, salt-and-pepper calamari, burgers, platters and seafood pastas, in the relaxed surrounds of their smart dining room. Head to Charis Seafood for the best and biggest range of cooked and fresh fish fillets as well as whole fish, prawns, oysters, mussels, clams, scallops, squid, octopus, crab, lobster, bugs and prepared platters. The staff will be quick with great suggestions if your feeling a bit lost.

Central Gold Coast
Surfers Paradise is the place to go for fancy plates and fine dining seafood options. Seascape, barely a beach hop away is a temple to seafood with two floors of surf-side dining. Head to the bistro for the shellfish cold platter that contains oysters, prawns, Moreton Bay bugs and Hervey Bay scallops and a glass of crisp white wine. The restaurant specialises in a minimum of six different types of fresh fish daily, preparing each carefully to showcase the unique tastes and textures of the species. For a quick bite, Bonita Bonita’s range of piscatorial tacos feature snapper, crispy baby calamari or tiger prawn with tasty salsas, slaws and a slathering of queso fresco. Why not get one of each!

Southern Gold Coast
If you’re after tacos but find yourself a little further south in Burleigh, get your Mexican seafood fix at California Tacos. Their crusted white fish and house-made mango and pineapple salsa tacos are a must have. Still in Burleigh but tipping the other end of the dining scale is the two-hat award winning restaurant The Fish House. With a standout menu devoted to glorifying everything edible in the sea, and a carefully matched wine list, save this one for a special occasion. If you prefer a bit of spice with your seafood and have a big group to feed, try Pablo Pablo the Palm Beach home of Spanish cuisine. It offers a seafood paella packed with fish, prawns and mussels, wash it down with a jug or three of sangria and you’ll be set. In the same region of flavour the little Italian trattoria, That’s Amore, in Miami is loved by locals for a simple menu that includes chilli mussels in a tomato and herb reduction ready to be mopped up with crusty bread. And, who can go past a good seafood pizza? New opening Poboy Cajun & Creole at Coolangatta have hefty serves of the traditional Louisiana Creole spiced rice-based dish with shrimp or oyster if you’d fancy something a bit different.