Gold Coast's Best Seafood: A Local's Guide with Chef Gabriel Prado

Chef Gabriel Prado buys every piece of seafood he cooks on the morning of the booking, a habit that comes from a childhood spent fishing the Gold Coast coastline with his family.

That one habit changes everything about how his food tastes. Seafood is at its best within hours of coming out of the water, and it is the ingredient where freshness matters most. Here is what Gabriel looks for, and how he turns a morning at the market into a full night of dining in your home.

What to look for at the fish markets

You do not need to be a chef to shop well. These simple checks work whether you are buying for a dinner party or a weeknight meal.

• Clear, bright eyes and firm flesh on whole fish, never dull or sunken.

• A clean ocean smell, never a strong fishy odour.

• Oysters that are still tightly closed or close when tapped.

• Scallops with a slightly sweet smell and a firm, moist texture.

• Ask when it came in. A good fishmonger will tell you straight away.

Turning same day catch into a degustation

A degustation is a tasting menu made of several small courses, each one showing off an ingredient at its best. Gabriel builds his menus around whatever is freshest that morning rather than locking in dishes weeks ahead, which is why his Coastal Degustation changes subtly from booking to booking.

For you, that means a menu that feels current and personal. If the scallops are perfect that day, they get a bigger role. If the market has something unexpected, it might make an appearance on your table.

Seafood nights you can book at home

Gabriel's range runs from oyster bars to backyard seafood BBQs and a multi course degustation. The BBQ style is relaxed and social, perfect for warm evenings outside. The degustation suits milestone dinners, anniversaries and guests who love to eat well. Live per guest pricing for every menu is shown on each chef's page.

Tips for hosting a seafood night

• Tell us about any shellfish or fish allergies when you book, so the menu can be adjusted.

• Stay flexible on the exact dishes. The best seafood menus follow the market.

• Keep drinks cold and light. Seafood pairs well with crisp whites, sparkling and cold beer.

Common questions

Does the chef bring the seafood? Yes. Every Chef Coast chef shops fresh for your specific booking, so nothing is pre bought or frozen.

Is the menu always the same? Not exactly. The structure stays the same, but the dishes can shift with what is freshest on the day.

Who cleans up? Your chef does. Every booking includes the cooking, serving and clean up, and a flat $150 deposit secures your date.

Taste it yourself

See Gabriel's full range of seafood menus, from oyster bars to backyard seafood BBQs, on the Chef Coast team page. Planning a bigger celebration? Read our guide to hosting a dinner party on the Gold Coast.