If you are among those who cannot have enough seafood, you should consider the all-you-can-eat buffet to treat yourself. The collection sets apart the best seafood and serves the delicacies as a buffet — a combination of various seafood on one plate.
However, before indulging in this delicacy, you first need to check out the allergies of kinds of seafood and the nutritional benefits you will get from eating seafood. You will find all this information on the Washington State Department of Health webpage( there are articles written)
Brisbane is home to several bars and restaurants with all kinds of seafood, including the old tale kinds that come with a significant shared platter. If you are yet to try one of these platters, consider taking your family to one of the Brisbane restaurants and discovering the fantastic kinds of seafood that will blow your mind.
Brisbane’s beauty is unmeasured, especially during the night when the nights when the lights are up. Additionally, the numerous bridges on the Brisbane River act as a serving spot for seafood delicacies in Brisbane, where you can enjoy a platter as you enjoy the cool breeze and fresh air.
Here is a list of our Brisbane buffet seafood. Check out the various traditional twists and pick out your favourite delicacy — there is something for everyone!
1. Tempest Seafood Smorgasbord | Redcliffe
Redcliffe is about half an hour from the CBD of Brisbane along the Redcliff Peninsula. If you are a seafood enthusiast, this location will be a paradise. The chefs serve the freshest seafood from the harbour, with all the natural flavours intact; most foods lose their raw taste from preservation.
The Redcliff restaurant mainly serves the traditional family platter, but you can still order a plate for two or an individual platter if you do not want to share. Several options are available, but the most famous are; Kilpatrick, prawns, fish wings, Crumbed fish, oysters, and calamari.
2. Gambaro | Brisbane CBD
You will find Gambaro seafood palace on Caxton Street, a few meters from the Suncorp Stadium, established in 1953; it is right in the middle of CBD and quite hard to miss.
Even though this giant is known to deal primarily with seafood, they still have a variety of other dishes to complement its menu.
With a lobster tank in the restaurant., their seafood comes in fresh with all the natural flavours retained.
Although in the restaurant, you order food individually, there are still affordable family platters available on the menu starting from $99. The banquet often has Prawn cutlets, Sashimi, King Prawn Cocktails, and Calamari.
The la carte option has several varieties that support small groups, unlike the banquet option, which is mainly for large families. The kids, too, have a specialised menu available.
3. George’s Paragon Seafood Restaurant | Brisbane CBD
In addition to the mindblowing view of the Story Bridge and the breeze from the Brisbane River, George’s Paragon is home to many kinds of sea foods. Although they lack the buffet kind of service, the diversity in their meals will keep you rooted in the restaurant.
The owner is Greek, meaning most of the restaurant’s theme, including the choices of their 3-course meals, is Greek. Their meals are also quite affordable (from $40 for the entire 3- course meal), which entirely resonates with a broad group of people.
Therefore, if you want a European experience with a touch of Greek, you should try Georges Paragon.
4. Reef Seafood and Sushi | Newstead
Reef Seafood is a Japanese-inspired restaurant located on the northern end of Brisbane near the city centre. It is famous for its oysters and poke bowls prepared by the best chefs; the two delicacies have maintained excellent reviews for a while now.
Aside from that, they have Sushi, Bento Boxes, and sashimi that you can compliment with a shared platter of about four adults, and their prices are available. They also have take-out options and specialised meals for kids.
Another thing that stands out with this restaurant is that they have a grocery store on sight, where you can purchase groceries to take with you at friendly prices.
5. Sea Fuel | West End
Sea Fuel is a family-run business located on the western side of Brisbane, close to the city. The restaurant offers several kinds of seafood as a family buffet, take-out, or individual platters.
The family option is either 9 or 6 pieces depending on your budget.
A sharing platter includes a kids-friendly menu and outstanding dishes such as prawn cutlets, calamari, sea scallops, and baby octopus. Aside from the vast seafood, this area is quite famous for lively bars that boost its nightlife with fantastic music.
6. Yellowfin Seafood and Grill | South Bank
Yellowfin Seafood has several branches throughout Brisbane, but the most popular one is along the South Bank Venue. It is close to several tourist attractions like; the Wheel of Brisbane and the river bank of Brisbane, where most people enjoy the night and romantic walks as they enjoy the cool breeze.
The food is also fresh, given that the ingredients are sourced directly from the food market; the food market gets its food from local farmers and sells it while new.
They mainly work with reservations, and dinner starts at 5:00 PM till late at night, with the option to dine indoors or outdoors. Their shared options are bug platters and lobsters, while their seafood platter comprises the following delicacies; Moreton Bay Bugs, calamari, grilled prawn skewers, scallops, and half-mud crab.
The serenity of the river bank, in addition to the hotel’s delicious foods, is one you must try.
7. Morgans Seafood Redcliffe
If salty foods are your poison, you must take advantage of Morgans’ sea foods on your next visit to Brisbane. They are the most prominent vendors of seafood and salty foods in the whole of Queensland.
They deal with live fish caught in their local harbors, old-school sashimi, vegetarian sushi, nigiri, and cooked seafood. They occasionally also deal with kinds of seafood buffets, but you must enquire before you visit if you want to enjoy that delicacy.
Finally, their oyster bar is one you must check out on your visit; check out the reviews online for a snake pic of what to expect.
8. River Quay Fish
The view added to the coziness of River Quay Fish is one you should never miss out on. The beauty of their tables is highlighted with cozy leather benches if you enjoy the indoor setting. If you are for the outdoor environment, their seats are under an umbrella to protect you from harsh weather.
The seats face the Brisbane River, ensuring you get the most out of the breathtaking view.
If you are a fish lover, you should order one of their main dishes, Calamari or oysters, although they still have other fishes. If you are not into fish, you can opt for a plate of salad, grilled steaks, burgers, and a sweet dessert.
They also have sharing platters and kids’ specialised meals for a family setting.
9. Sofitel Brisbane Seafood Buffet
Sofitel Brisbane Seafood is quite famous for its buffet option that brings together meals from all over the world and the sophisticated dishes of Brisbane onto a single plate. Their lunch and dinner options combine seafood and other land meats.
Unlike the other restaurants that source seafood from local fishermen, Sofitel has another option of importing fresh products from other countries; the foods come in new on crushed ice. Aside from the typical fresh-shucked oysters, marinated mussels, and cooked King Prawns that are served daily, their menu includes delicious sand crabs and juicy Moreton Bay bugs that are done on weekends.
Sofitel Brisbane Seafood is the best restaurant in Brisbane, but you need to book for them to prepare your meal in advance.
10. Redbank Plains Feast Restaurant
Redbank Plains offers several kinds of sea and nonsea foods. The restaurant is known for its varied cuisine that accommodates several cultures. You can either go the Asian way and pick fresh salads, seafood plates, hot soups, entrées, hot and cold desserts, pasta, and pizza, among other dishes.
They also have kid-friendly foods and an all-you-can-eat buffet ideal for family outings.
11. Gambaro Brisbane CBD
Gambaro Brisbane is located in Caxton Street, the most active part of the CBD of Brisbane, a few meters from the Suncorp Stadium, founded in 1953. Although they are famous for seafood, they also have other foods on their menu, accommodating diverse groups of people.
Their restaurants have a lobster tank, ensuring freshly cooked foods retain natural flavours. Even thou the hotel has individual servings as its mode of service. There are still servings for two, including Moreton Bay Bug, prawns, crab, crayfish, and clams, among other foods.
The cold seafood option costs about $169, while the hot and cold platter costs $198. Gambaro also has a kids-friendly menu for children abovetwo2 years.
12. Yeronga Services Club
Please note, as of April 2023, this buffet has been paused while the club is refurbished, so be sure to keep checking back.
Yeronga Services Club is an all-you-can-eat buffet kind of hotel that serves several hot dishes( roast meats and vegetables, cold dishes, and desserts (cheeses, fruits, and ice creams) to finish your meal every Friday and Saturday evening. They charge $29.95 for all members and $34.95 for non. Kids between 6-12 pay $1 per age, while those under 6 eat free.
As of April 2023, Yeronga Services Club paused their buffet option for renovation purposes; keep checking for when they resume operations.
13. Brisbane Marriott Hotel
Brisbane Marriott Hotel is an exquisite restaurant known for its delicious seafood, with a tasting platter option for $129. It is cost-friendly, considering the various meals on the platter. They have; King prawns, Pacific oysters, black lip mussels, slipper bugs, cocktail, rock lobster, tartare, nuoc cham, and mignonette in the package.
Which Brisbane Seafood Restaurants Stopped Selling Seafood Buffets?
Sadly, some of the Brisbane seafood palaces stopped operating permanently or temporarily because of various factors; be sure to be on the lookout for when some restaurants re-open.
Here are some of those restaurants;
1. Kookaburra Showboat Cruises Eagle Street Pier
The restaurant is on the Eagle Street Pier, slightly North of Geoge’s Paragon; you will come accord wheeler boats with paddles strategically placed to launch guests on the Brisbane cruises of several meals, both private and public functions.
The cruise has a buffet serving, topped with a bar where you can enjoy various meals while waiting for your food. You could also tour the river as you want sceneries like the Botanic Gardens, South Bank, some homes of the rich and famous, and Story Bridge.
The prices depend on the cruise booked; therefore, you should research the several options and find one that suits you.
2. The Brasserie on the River (Stamford Hotel)
Stamford Hotel is a buffet seafood hotel located along the breathtaking backdrop of river Brisbane. Although it no longer serves a seafood buffet, the hotel still has several expensive individual-serving kinds of seafood.
Depending on your preference, you can either dine indoors or outdoors, as you enjoy their A-La-Carte menu and dynamic specials on weekends. The hotel is famous for exquisite, traditional riverside morning tea or delectable chocolate high tea on a tri-tiered platform.
3. Greenbank RSL
Although it doesn’t offer the Deluc Sea Food Buffet, this location is the perfect destination for large groups and families, with both indoor and outdoor dining, social teppanyaki cooking shows, and sushi trains excellent to light up your Sunday afternoon. They have every RSL classic experience you’d anticipate from Aussie institutions.
4. Suncrop Seafood Restaurant
It is famous for its glass walls spotted with tablecloths with upholstered seats perfect for banquets and daily yum cha. Their seafood comes with a twist and is served as a buffet the Brisbane way.
What Should You Consider While Picking Out a Good Restaurant?
Before selecting the hotel to host your occasion, you must carefully vet it to ensure it meets the standard. You don’t want to leave a negative reputation with your peers because you didn’t do your due diligence.
Here are the few factors you need to be keen about;
Reviews
Nowadays, knowing what other people say about a restaurant or their food is easy. You only need a good internet connection, a laptop, or a mobile phone to access the hotel’s website. Reviews will give you a brief image of the restaurants and what to expect.
Specialty
There are several hotels in Southbank, Brisbane, but each hotel specialises in its kind of cuisine. Therefore, before you settle on a particular restaurant, you should research the various specialties and filter them out based on your preference.
For example, if you have children, you should pick a restaurant with children-friendly meals or specialised food.
Proximity
If you have an event, pick a location that is reachable for you and your guest. Proximity will help you have a great time as most people will attend the occasion, and people will be on time to leave to cover long distances.
Affordability
Before you select a restaurant, research the prices and the reviews of the food standards to ensure the quality of the food matches the beautiful scenery ( some of the waterfront hotels are costly but have low-quality meals) to avoid money wastage, disappointment, and embarrassment from your friends.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
Ensure your hotel has top-notch hygiene to avoid embarrassment and health problems after the event. If you cannot find the reviews online, visit the hotel beforehand to ensure everything is checked.
Best seafood buffets in Brisbane
Brisbane is home to diverse kinds of seafood prepared in different forms in respect of the various cultures of people found in Brisbane. Whether you are looking for grilled fish, succulent prawns, or fresh oysters, Brisbane food outlets have covered your tastebuds.
Their prices are also diverse, ranging from high-end restaurants to economic ones, allowing everyone to enjoy these mouthwatering delicacies.