Is it even Christmas in Australia without a healthy serving of fresh seafood taking pride of place on the dining table or BBQ? If you are wondering where to get the best seafood in Brisbane this Christmas then you may want to check out some of the places listed below. Whether it is cold prawns, oysters, or an indulgent lobster you are craving, the following places have you covered.
These details are correct at time of publishing (November 2024). Please check with individual business for current details.
Best Seafood in Brisbane at Christmas – Northside
Aussie Seafood House, Lawnton/Strathpine
With over 40 years of experience in the seafood industry, with multiple locations (Capalaba, Durack and Lawnton/Strathpine) available to collect from, the Aussie Seafood House promises only the best and freshest seafood experience possible.
Christmas Ordering: Aussie Seafood House is generally open 6am to 6pm on Christmas Eve and guarantees a huge range of stock availability over this busy period. With a one hectare warehouse and a fleet of trucks constantly delivering to their three stores throughout the day, they make sure no one leaves empty handed.
Address: 1/390 Gympie Road, Lawnton
Contact: (07) 3881 0895
Clayfield Seafood Markets, Clayfield
Clayfield Seafood Markets have been the Finalist for Australia’s Best Seafood Shops multiple times, finishing in the top 10 nationally in the Australian Fish & Chip Awards. They receive fresh deliveries direct from Australian fisherman six days a week with everything filleted fresh onsite or made from scratch by their qualified chef’s to ensure the best restaurant quality seafood.
Christmas Ordering: Christmas pre-order forms are available online or you can contact the store to place your Christmas order. Last orders for pre-ordered seafood will be COB Friday 20th December, 2024.
Address: 5/823 Sandgate Road, Clayfield
Contact: (07) 3262 6279
Fresh Fish Company, Fortitude Valley
The staff at Fresh Fish Company in Fortitude Valley travel many times a week to pick up fresh produce from their contracted fishermen in 1770 and other local areas. It’s more than possible that you could be eating fresh coral trout or red emperor caught on the same day.
Christmas Ordering: All orders are subject to availability on the market and require a couple of days notice. The shop is open from 6am to 5pm on Christmas Eve.
Address: 22 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Contact: (07) 3252 8000
Lucinda Bay Seafoods, Shorncliffe
Lucinda Bay Seafoods is a Brisbane-based prawn trawler in Moreton Bay which offers freshly caught seafood, selling it at unbelievable prices right off the trawler at Cabbage Tree Creek, Shorncliffe.
Christmas Ordering: Keep an eye on their facebook page as they regularly update with what is available and also when you can put in and order anything for Christmas.
Address: Second Jetty Right (off Palm Avenue), Sinbad Street, Shorncliffe
Contact: 0434 744 410
Morgan’s Seafood, Scarborough
Morgans Seafood is a family-owned and operated business and brings together the best of the season’s locally grown produce and matches this with impeccable seafood – sourced from the trawlers or direct from the fishermen. Slightly further out but hugely popular with anyone who loves their seafood, Morgan’s definitely had to make our list.
Christmas Ordering: Christmas pre-orders are available online (usually from early November). A minimum of $120 order applies and a (non-refundable) $50 deposit is required for each order placed/confirmed. Pick-up is on the 24th December from Morgan’s Depot between 7am – 4pm. Your order will be packed in a Poly Esky, so please do not bring your own esky. A $5.50 packaging charge applies (includes poly esky and ice). A limited number of Christmas pre-orders are on offer so be sure to get in early!
Address: Bird O’ Passage Parade, Scarborough Boat Harbour
Contact: (07) 3203 4799
Princess Charlotte Seafood, Virginia
Princess Charlotte Seafoods aims to provide you with the most outstanding seafood experience possible. Each week they source the freshest seasonal seafood from local fisherman and reputable wholesalers and it is available to you through the Factory (Thursdays & Fridays) and several Farmer’s Markets & Pop Up Market locations in the greater Brisbane area.
Christmas Ordering: Check the online shop in November or sign up for their emails to see when Christmas orders open. Orders generally close about a week prior to Christmas, so make sure you order in time to secure scrumptious seafood for your festive celebrations. Just a reminder that pick up for online orders is from the factory only.
Address: Unit 5/53 Northlink Place, Virginia
Contact: (07) 3256 9175
Rufus King Seafoods, Ashgrove
Rufus King Seafoods can be found in Ashgrove and on Stradbroke Island too. They also offer home delivery every Tuesday and Thursday to selected suburbs and for all other suburbs outside of this it is an all-day delivery every Friday.
Christmas Ordering: Rufus King Seafoods offer pre-orders for Christmas and have a long list of items available to order on their website. You can order in store at their Straddie or Ashgrove store.
Address: 243 Waterworks Road, Ashgrove and 44 Sovereign Road, Amity Point
Contact: Ashgrove: (07) 3366 2526 or Straddie: (07) 3409 7224
Sammies Seafood, Hamilton
Sammies Seafood has long been a hit with the locals, with over 90% of their products deriving from Australian and New Zealand waters. They even have their own fish filleters in store, so you are guaranteed the freshest fish possible.
Christmas Ordering: Sammies generally have different pre-order Christmas packs available. If you want to order them, click here. Alternatively, you can head in-store and select the items you may want to pre-order. Pre-orders to be collected from the Hamilton store between the 22 – 24 December (select date and time).
Address: 33 Remora Road, Hamilton
Contact: (07) 3268 1220
The Travellin Trawler, Kurwongbah
The Travellin Trawler is a mobile seafood van that brings the freshest of seafood straight from their trawler to you. The best way to keep up to date with what they currently have in stock and what you can get for Christmas is via the Facebook page.
Christmas Ordering: Keep an eye on their Facebook page for regular updates on what is available and how you can order products for Christmas.
Address: 385 Moore Road, Kurwongbah
Contact: 0410 374 315
Best Seafood in Brisbane at Christmas – Southside
Aussie Seafood House, Capalaba|Durack
With over 40 years of experience in the seafood industry and with multiple locations available to collect from (Capalaba, Durack and Strathpine/Lawnton), the Aussie Seafood House promises only the best and freshest seafood experience possible.
Christmas Ordering: Aussie Seafood House is generally open 6am to 6pm on Christmas Eve and guarantees a huge range of stock availability over this busy period. With a one hectare warehouse and a fleet of trucks constantly delivering to their stores throughout the day, they make sure no one leaves empty handed.
Address: 3230 Old Cleveland Road, Capalaba or 656 Blunder Road, Durack
Contact: (07) 3881 0895
Big Gun Wholesale Meats, Underwood
Big Gun has over 20 years experience and understands the needs of customers. They have a huge quantity of quality meats and seafood and are open six days a week.
Christmas Ordering: For a $50 deposit, Big Gun will take your Christmas pre-order anytime you are ready. They do get extremely busy in the lead up to Christmas Day. The store is generally open until 6pm on Christmas Eve.
Address: 2912 Logan Road, Underwood
Contact: (07) 3341 2033
The Festive Fresh Market, Rocklea
At Christmas the Festive Fresh Market returns. This special market features your favourite Saturday Fresh Market produce, seafood, meat, deli, and gourmet food stalls to you help feed your family and friends during the holiday season.
Christmas Ordering: Brisbane Fresh Markets are open 6am to midday Saturdays so if you’d like to pre-order from a vendor there, it’s best to head down and make arrangements with individual sellers. Christmas Lane generally opens up on the three Saturday’s before Christmas, allowing your to do your usual shop but also stock up on Christmas hams, prawns, and produce galore too.
Address: 385 Sherwood Road, Rocklea
Contact: (07) 3915 4277
The Fish Boy, Hawthorne
Open six days a week and selling delicious seafood including oysters, prawns, bugs and more, The Fish Boy at Hawthorne will have you licking your lips in anticipation of your next meal. Christmas seafood including mixed seafood platters and salads can be pre-ordered online.
Christmas Ordering: Christmas pre-orders can be made online here. Pick up details will be confirmed when order is complete.
Address: 48 Orchard Street, Hawthorne
Contact: (07) 3899 5873
The Fish Factory, Morningside
The team at The Fish Factory are driven by their family values and bring a passion and energy to supplying fresh seafood. If you are looking for any further inspiration on ways to prepare your seafood, they also offer some very tempting recipe ideas on their website.
Christmas Ordering: The Fish Factory choose not to do pre-orders as they want to guarantee only the freshest seafood possible.
Address: 355 Lytton Road, Morningside
Contact: (07) 3399 9888
The Fishery, Milton
The Fishery is owned and managed by Murray Dalton. Working as a chef for over 20 years, Murray has developed a vast knowledge of Australian and New Zealand seafood, and endeavours to source the freshest possible product for the local retail market. Customers are freely encouraged to ask for advice on choosing particular fish and how best to prepare and cook the product.
Christmas Ordering: The Fishery at Milton don’t do pre-orders for Christmas but are generally open from 6am until they sell out on Christmas Eve.
Address: 6A/16 Baroona Road, Milton
Contact: (07) 3369 4707
Marine World Seafood Cafe, Tingalpa
Marine World Seafood Cafe in Tingalpa is one of the best-known fish and chip take away outlets on Brisbane’s Bayside. Known for more than just fish and chips, they also supply fresh fish, prawns and other fresh seafood direct to the public all year around, including at Christmas.
Christmas Ordering: Prices vary depending on the season, call in advance to see if they have in stock what you require.
Address: 19/1029 Manly Road, Tingalpa
Contact: (07) 3907 0776
Underwood Seafood Market, Underwood
Using over 20 years of experience in the Queensland seafood industry, The Underwood Seafood Market supplies quality, fresh and sustainably sourced seafood for everyone to enjoy. They offer a wide variety of seafood ranging from fresh whole fish to freshly shucked oysters and everything in between.
Christmas Ordering: The Underwood Seafood Market doesn’t usually do pre-orders as they know they will be able to keep their customers happy and arms full. Pop into the store and chat to the friendly staff to see what is on offer at Christmas.
Address: 2/2952 Logan Road, Underwood
Contact: (07) 3423 1883
Other Places to Get Fresh Seafood
Butchers
While we have listed the popular places to get your festive seafood haul, there are obviously a few other venues where you can source seafood from. While butchers usually focus on meat, they often sell seafood, so it is worth chatting with your local butcher to see if this is something they do at Christmas.
Supermarkets
If timing, cost and distance is an issue for you in accessing the above seafood places, you may like to consider purchasing your Christmas seafood from your local supermarket. While quality and variety will vary from store to store, there is usually some good options available. Chat with the deli staff to see what they will be offering at Christmas and if there is pre-ordering available.
Tips for Getting the Best Seafood in Brisbane for Christmas
When it comes to securing the best seafood in Brisbane at Christmas then fresh really is best. Making sure you are prepared and plan ahead can make a big difference to the quality of Christmas marine life you have on your festive menu.
Below are some simple tips which can help make sure you have the freshest, most tasty seafood this Christmas.
- The number one golden rule is to order in advance. Seafood is an extremely popular Christmas dish in Brisbane so if you don’t want to miss out then once you have decided on where to purchase from, lock in your order.
- If you are ordering fish, look for ones with clear, raised eyes, this is a sign of the freshest fish. The cloudier the eyes, the older the fish.
- Be sure to pack an esky in the back of your car with some ice to keep any seafood you are picking up as cool and fresh as possible on the ride home. You don’t know what traffic or Summer heat will be.
- Sauces and dressings are a crucial accompaniment to any seafood dish, so when you are scouring the seafood markets for your lunch spread don’t forget to buy these at the same time!
- Ask the store you are buying from if they can scale and gut any whole fish for you. Most will do this for you for free and it is a great job to avoid yourself if you can.
Tips on What to Look for When Selecting Your Seafood
We found these great tips online from the Sydney Fish Market on things to look out for when selecting your seafood items and thought it might be worth a share.
Crustaceans and molluscs
- Brightly coloured, lustrous shells or flesh
- Firm, intact shells, heads, tentacles or flesh
- Shells closed or close when tapped or gently squeezed
- Pleasant fresh sea smell
- No discolouration, particularly at joints
Fillets and cutlets
- Bright, lustrous and firm flesh
- Any dark muscle should be pink-red in colour
- Pleasant fresh sea smell
- No discolouration, gaping or bruising
Whole fish
- Bright and lustrous skin or scales
- Firm flesh that springs back when touched
- Bright pink-red gills
- Pleasant fresh sea smell
Hopefully you will be able to source the best seafood spread for your family this Christmas at one of the places above. If not, why not check out one of the many seafood buffets in Brisbane.
