Gold Coast restaurant and bar openings of 2019.
Gold Coast restaurant and bar openings of 2019.
Hello it’s 2020 in case you missed that. In celebration let’s discuss everything that opened on the Coast in 2019 (but in two parts, because long).
Here are all the restaurants and bars and what a year it was for exceptional newbies. Enjoy.
St Helens bar + kitchen
Kirra became home to a modern, laidback venue boasting share-style eats, hand-crafted cocktails and glimpses of the ocean. Perfect for a laidback feast after a day in the sun.
Where: Shop 2, 78 Musgrave St, Kirra
Finn McCools
A good time Irish bar opened in Surfers Paradise bringing loads of fun, the coldest of beers and eats that go with both of those things perfectly. The perfect addition to the Surfers dining/drinking scene.
Where: 39 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Rosella’s Bar
Burleigh scored a sweet new Australiana bar by the name of Rosella’s that quickly became a firm favourite amongst locals. It’s all-Aussie everything from eats to cocktails, wines and beers and we’re big fans.
Where: 6/1734 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Goto Restaurant
A Japanese venue opened up in Southport bringing one of the coolest fitouts around plus of course, a menu filled with mouthwatering goodies including a signature dish of Champon Noodles (a healthier version) of ramen. Yum.
Where: Southport Central, 9 Lawson Street
Harry’s Sports Bar
Everybody’s fave Burleigh Heads steak restaurant Harry’s divided their space into two and opened a sports bar filled with epic memorabilia, tons of frosty beers and some of the tastiest eats there are. Best.
Where: 1744 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Grand Dynasty
The Oasis Broadbeach got an authentic new Chinese restaurant with some of the best dishes we’ve sampled in early 2019 and you should get in there to sample it ASAP.
Where: Broadbeach Mall, The Oasis Shopping Centre, Surf Pde, Broadbeach
La Diosa Mexicana
We love Mexi-foods. Especially traditionally prepared, flavour-filled ones paired with a specialty bar menu featuring all of the margaritas. Go try it out for yourselves. It’ll knock your little sombreros off.
Where: Shop 11, Circle on Cavill, 3184 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
Black Hops II
The legends at Black Hops opened their second venue up Biggera Waters way and it’s very spacious and very well fitout and there are many an exceptional beer on tap for your sipping pleasure. Food trucks too, fun.
Where: 14 / 665 Pine Ridge Road, Biggera Waters
Cross + Feather
The northern Gold Coast got a five-star venue in the form of Cross + Feather. Hailing from the UK, the owners are serving up exceptional eats and a cocktail list to match. Do yourself a favour.
Where: 2/2 Grice Ave, Paradise Point
Eddy + Wolff
An intimate little space opened in Robina, hidden away and serving up some of the best eats and drinks the Coast has to offer. By the people who created Can Tho Kitchen up north, it’s an absolute must-visit.
Where: 12-217/219 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina
Hyde Paradiso
Overlooking the ocean in Surfers Paradise is chic new bar and restaurant Hyde Paradiso who have created much-loved venues all over the world. It’s one of the most Insta-worthy interiors around and the menu is very good also.
Where: Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise, Level 2, 8 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Little Itoshin
The team behind beloved Gold Coast institution Itoshin opened a second venue in Miami, aptly named Little Itoshin and serving up the same high standard of eats in an intimate little space. We love.
Where: Shop 6/110 Mountain View Ave, Miami
Stoked Wood Fire Pizza
The crew behind Nook brought us Stoked and we were pretty happy about it. They’re got many an exceptional flavour on offer and they obvs deliver so you don’t need to do anything except enjoy.
Where: Stockland Burleigh Heads, West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Heads
Cychos Buffalo Wings
Fried chicken. What a tasty treat. Which is why it’s a really good thing that Cychos Buffalo Wings opened in Southport bringing us exactly that. On burgers, solo, in all the best ways.
Where: 6 Young Street, Southport
Madam Fu
Sister venue to long-established Gold Coast eatery FuManchu, this newbie is brought modern Asian dishes to Isle of Capri with a side of water views. The menu is packed with modern flavours combining Asian and European influences.
Where: Capri on Via Roma, Isle of Capri
Moana Restaurant and Bar
It’s a seafood extravaganza at another Isle of Capri newbie, Moana Restaurant and Bar and you’re going to want to sample this tasty spot. On the menu are all of the locally sourced seafood dishes and all at very affordable prices.
Where: Capri on Via Roma, Isle of Capri
Oi Izakaya
Love you Japanese eats. Especially if you’re of the authentic, extremely delicious variety and tucked away in a little back alley at Burleigh Heads. Oi Izakaya is bringing all of those things and more and we’re here for it. Try it ASAP.
Where: Shop 4-6, 30 James Street, Burleigh Heads
Nahm Kitchen & Bar
Some of the best Thai food on the Gold Coast can be found at newbie Nahm Kitchen & Bar on the mall at The Oasis Shopping Centre Broadbeach. The dishes are made up of all the flavours you know and love but with a modern twist that will see you devouring every single one.
Where: The Oasis Shopping Centre, Broadbeach
Belvedere Stonemill
How good is Italian food. Especially when it’s pasta in a wheel of cheese, topped with more cheese. Yep, Mushroom Gnocchi in a baby wheel of Pecorino cheese is a thing at Belvedere Stonemill in Burleigh. Get it.
Where: 1638 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Project Tokyo
Mermaid Waters scored big time with Project Tokyo who are serving up share-style Japanese dishes that are both delicious and pretty and we predict you’re going to want to sample every single thing. Very good this one.
Where: 90 Markeri St, Mermaid Waters
Brucie’s
A new gin and wine bar opened in Broadbeach bringing local sips and charcuterie boards to us lucky locals. Everything is sourced locally and everything is very, very delicious. Perfect for after work tipples.
Where: Shop 5/24 Queensland Ave, Broadbeach
Pepé Italia Deli
The Palmy newbie opened to absolutely rave reviews bringing a more casual style of Italian eats to their Burleigh venue and we dig it. There’s also takeaway meats and cheeses and meals like lasagnas and pastas that you can simply just heat up and claim you made yourself. Excellent.
Where: Pavilions Palm Beach, 10 Fifth Avenue, Palm Beach
Caracara
Tugun was lucky enough to nab themselves a top notch Mexican eatery and tequila bar by the folks at Lockwood Bar in Burleigh. The eats are all absolutely taste sensations and there’s a delightful array of margaritas and mezcals to wash it all down. Don’t miss out on this one.
Where: 455 Golden Four Drive, Tugun
Raw + Rice
A sleek, new poke bowl spot opened up in Coolangatta bringing fresh, healthy eats to the people. It’s the work of a couple of Sunshine Coast lads to whom we are very grateful. Choose your own adventure or opt for an already curated bowl. It’s all good.
Where: 2/110 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Surfers Paradise Beer Garden
The beloved Gold Coast institution got quite the makeover in 2019 including a giant games section, retractable roof, new menu and a whole new good time vibe. It’s now a pretty new drinking hole right in the heart of Surfers.
Where: Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
Fat Freddy’s
A fun new sports bar opened in Broadbeach complete with nine big old screens behind the bar alone plus an EPIC menu, boozy milkshakes and some hilarious artworks. So all the best things. They hit a home run with this one guys.
Where: 2663 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach (entry via Surf Pde)
The Bavarian
Beers and schnitzels is quite the combination and one we’ve all been fans of for quite some time thanks to an array of German venues across the Coast. The latest of which opened in Robina complete with a big old outdoor eating area. It’s the goods.
Where: The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre, Robina
Love Italy
Fast, fresh Italian food is the name of the game at Surfers Paradise’ Love Italy. There’s plenty of fab pizzas and share-syle dishes to indulge in plus a range of Italian cocktails to wash it all down. Yummy.
Where: 8 Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise
Miss Moneypenny’s
The long-awaited Noosa favourite moved into Broadbeach and everybody was very happy about it. The stunning venue boasts fine dining without the fuss and the menu is made up of all the very best options from bar bites to pizzas, entrees, mains, sides and desserts. Exceptional cocktails too.
Where: 50 Surf Pde, Broadbeach
Margarita Cartel
Mexi-goodness moved into Burleigh Heads in late September bringing a bit of a unique spin to everyone’s favourite cuisine. Margarita Cartel offers many a margarita as well as $12 Espresso Martinis and a menu absolutely packed with delicious eats.
Where: 2/1840 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Meat & Co
If you are a lover of mouthwatering, cooked-to-perfection meat feasts complete with authentic house-made sauces, you’re in luck. Meat & Co opened in Broadbeach and you can find those things and many more.
Where: 4/90 Surf Pde, Broadbeach
Surfers Paradise Beach Bar
With it’s lovely views of the sparkly ocean, an excellent array of all your favourite cocktails and tasty eats from sister-biz Surfers Paradise Beach Café, the new beach bar was exactly what we needed.
Where: Soul Boardwalk, Surfers Paradise
Nobby’s Rock
A low-lit bar opened in Nobby’s bringing a whole new vibe to the suburb along with an array of guzzle-worthy cocktails and a menu perfectly matched. It’s all localled sourced and organic where possible and that’s just fine by us.
Where: 2243 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
Gallura Italian
Exceptional Italian fare was bestowed upon Tweed Heads last month in the form of Gallura Italian and aren’t they the lucky ones. Offering Sardinian, coastal-inspired eats with a focus on fresh seafood it’s some of the absolute finest Italian food ever.
Where: 1/20 Stuart St, Tweed Heads
Fig + Frankies
Fig + Frankie’s opened down a little side alley in Broadbeach bringing share-style eats and a tasty slew of cocktails within a chic, intimate little setting. The cocktails are numbered rather than named and they’re all worthy of your love and adoration. Where: 2707 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach
Jamie Oliver’s Pizzeria
The man himself gifted us with an exciting newbie last month and Pacific Fair were the ones lucky enough to score it. The menu is packed with authentic pizzas and pastas and it’s perfect for after a spot of shopping.
Where: Pacific Fair, Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach
Mr.
Simple by name, decadent by nature is the idea behind Nobby’s newbie Mr. It’s the work of the team behind Forreal Kitchen and Nobby’s Arc’s recent revamp so you know the menu (and the cocktails) are five-star.
Where: 28 Chairlift Ave, Nobby Beach
i like ramen
Bringing their signature ramen, panko mushrooms (love you) and a whole lot of epic cocktails, the boys moved back home to Nobby Beach and they’ve been overrun by lovers of their magical goodies every since.
Where: 2251 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
Loki
Taking up space where Hellenika once lived, the Meditteranean-inspired space is serving up delicious eats and of course, an array of epic cocktails that are some of the very best around. Perfect summer vibes here.
Where: Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
Goukai Ramen
Burleigh Heads became home to an authentic ramen bar who are serving up a few varieties of delicious broth as well as Japanese beverages and tasty sides too.
Where: 3/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Light Years Asian Bar and Diner
The Byron Bay and Noosa fave finally moved into Burleigh and everybody fell in love with the stunning interior, exceptional eats and creative cocktails. It’s perfectly at home here and we are absolutely stoked.
Where: 1848 Lower Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Moxy’s Rooftop Bar
A sweet, new rooftop bar, Moxy’s, opened in Cooly with 180 degree ocean views and plenty of good vibes. It’s a small bar so you can order food in while sipping on one of the many DELICIOUS cocktails the team have whipped up.
Where: 2/152 Griffith St, Coolangatta
Nightcap
A new dive bar was a fun addition to Nobby Beach. Especially one with live music, late night revelry and everything you’ve come to expect from the people who brought us Nightjar, Soho Place and Hideaway Kitchen and Bar among others. It’s epic.
Where: 2245 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
Burleigh Bar + Bites
A sophisticated little bar and restaurant opened up on James Street bringing tasty cocktails and share plates to the people. It’s an intimate vibe perfect for lunching with the ladies or date night of course.
Where: 12 James Street, Burleigh Heads
The Sporting Globe
Robina Town Centre scored an impressive new sports-themed venue in the form of The Sporting Globe in late December. With 50 high definition screens, you absolutely won’t miss a second of the live sporting action.
Where: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina
Bay Pho
A Byron Bay favourite opened in Tweed Heads and their ramen is as authentic and tasty as it comes. If you’ve visited the southern version, you’d know they offer many options of the traditional noodle soup including beef and brisket, chicken, tofu, and the Bay Pho special noodle soup – all of which are also on offer at our very own Tweed Heads space.
Where: Tweed City Shopping Centre, Minjungbal Dr, Tweed Heads South
That’s a lot, thanks for sticking with us. Stay tuned for the café version. Resting now, bye.
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
They say Australia is the lucky country and in particular those of us who call the Gold Coast home (made that bit up, but look around friends). Well, in the last week the lucky country got even luckier and (again) in particular a little place on the south east coast of Queensland, we like to call Burleigh Heads.
The latest little pot of gold comes to us in the form of a brand new bar but not just any brand new bar friends, it’s the kind that dreams are made of.
Rosella’s Bar flew into town just last week ahead of the Australia Day long weekend and it is the refined Aussie-inspired bar you never knew you needed in your life. But need it you do and, as usual, we’re here to tell you why.
It’s the work of local lads Jon Debeere (next-level wine connoisseur) and Jack Connor (ex-Aloha cocktail creator extraordinaire) who are both passionate about all-Aussie adventures and wanted to showcase the work of local wine and craft beer makers, plus do a little making of their own.
It’s an intimate space found on the highway in Burleigh, where a little hairdressing salon once lived, and streuth is it a beauty. Louvered windows open out into the street so you can perch yourself up there and watch the (unfairly good looking) world go by while a couple of booths and high tables line one wall and, of course, you can perch at the bar and have a chat with the boys (or talk their ears off if you’re us).
Brightly coloured, Aussie-inspired artwork is hung throughout, vintage, stained glass light shades hang overhead and Ken Done cloths line the bar. It’s beautifully put together, refined with a side of tongue in cheek and we are absolutely here for it.
Let’s chat drinks though because they are, of course the star of the show. The cocktail menu is unlike anything you’ve seen before with over 10 signature cocktails plus all your old faves. Each one is made with Australian spirits and each one is way more epic than the last.
The Ironman, for example, is made with Beenleigh white rum, Bundaberg small batch rum, lime, banana and a Nutri Grain Orgeat (a housemade syrup type situation) and topped with, you guessed it, our beloved Nutri Grain. It’s a gamechanger and our new go-to tipple.
The Rosella is made with White Light Vodka, rosella jam, Australian bitter, lemon and lilly pilly and served in a rosella shaped glass, all delightful and refreshing. Honestly, they’re all some of the best we’ve ever sampled so do yourself a favour and get there ASAP.
The wine list is equally as impressive, filled with natural, Australian-produced wine made with minimal intervention, many of which you won’t find anywhere else on the Gold Coast (or Queensland for that matter).
Rosella’s are all about showcasing Pet Nat wines (Pétillant-naturel) which refers to sparkling wines produced in the ancient way where the wine is bottled before primary fermentation and finished without the addition of secondary yeasts or sugars.
Sounds fancy, is amazing. We taste-tested quite a few and, let it be known, they are some of the most flavour-filled, clean tasting wines we’ve ever come across. And we’ve come across a lot.
Oh and there’s also Fosters. In a can. Not to mention MANY other Aussie beers you’ve probably never seen before. We’re in love.
Now to the food.
The menu has been designed with a nostalgic nod to the Aussie eats you know and love but minus the throw-it-on-the-barbie-and-hope-for-the-best attitude your Dad was all about.
Think Vegemite Beef Jerky, Bug Sambos, Raw Aussie Beef Burgers and Prawn Cocktails but all made with a refined, sophistication to match the exceptional drinks menus.
Last but not least, there are jaffles. The very best jaffles at that. How does Vegemite, Cheddar and Wattleseed butter sound? Yep. There’s also Onepot Lamb with soft herb cheese and spiced chutney.
Okay we’re done. Seriously just go. Right now. We’ll seeya there.
Love you ‘Straya.
LOCATION: 6/1730 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
HOURS: 4pm until late weekdays and 12pm until late weekends
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Nobby’s is one of the Gold Coast’s most loved good-time spots but over the last few weeks (months, years etc.), there has been A LOT going on. Exceptional new venues are popping up left, right and centre with more to come and originals we absolutely love, closing their doors for good (sad face). A lot see.
The latest news coming out of the little beachside beauty is very exciting indeed friends and it is that of i like ramen’s return to our shores. As you’re no doubt aware, the vegan ramen slinging lads made the move to Brissy a little while ago, after setting up shop at Miami’s The LC (now closed) and a weekly stint at Bine, also in Nobby’s.
But now THEY’RE BACK and they’re never leaving again (or else).
The crew, led by Bobby and Dom, have moved into the downstairs space on the corner of the Gold Coast Highway and Wave Street and underneath sweet, new surf store Surfboard Empire. Which is the perfect pairing honestly!
Now as you’d expect, the space is quite a treat with windows opening out onto the street down one side, an-industrial-style interior complete with low hanging lights made from planks of wood and a chalkboard on which you may write messages of love and noodle appreciation.
A bar at the back boasts a stunning black rendered bench by RENDER X but the pièce de résistance is (without a doubt) the bright yellow trike at the front door and if you ask nicely, the team might just let you take it for a spin (don’t tell them we said that though).
Let’s talk food and if you haven’t had the pleasure of sampling i like ramen’s goodies, get onto that right now. The menu is made up of plates and bowls, it’s all vegan and it’s all VERY GOOD.
Plates along the lines Panko Mushrooms (love you), Kimchi Potatoes (love you too), Sticky Eggplant, Garlic Soy Asian Greens and Holy Duck Baos are absolute flavour sensations and look, we’ll be spending a lot of time there from now on.
The Kimchi Ramen is a firm favourite with ramen noodles served in a spicy kimchi broth, loaded with kimchi perfection and fried tofu and topped with chopped spring onions, fresh sprouts, fried shallots, roasted seaweed, chilli threads and sesame. Too good.
There are also Mean Green, Mushroom Ramen, Chick’n White Miso Ramen and Loaded Bowls and we recommend eating one every single day forever.
Come summer time (next week), the team will be serving up salads and cold noodle bowls because it’s quite clearly going to be the hottest one we’ve ever experienced.
Drinks wise there are several Japanese whiskies on offer and we really love Japanese whisky. There are also mouthwatering cocktails – we were big fans of the Umeshu Spritz with Choya plum liqueur, Prosecco and soda – and an impressive beer and wine list too.
So all your (our) favourite things.
Not only all of that, there are some exciting events in the works, so even more reason to go spend time there. How good.
Welcome home I like ramen, we missed you.
LOCATION: 2251 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
HOURS: Wednesday to Sunday 11.30am until late
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
They say good things come to those who wait and that certainly seems to be the case for the good people of Robina who have (probably) been waiting quite some time for an eatery of newbie Eddy +Wolff’s calibre.
The not-quite-open space has been the talk of the town for the last couple of months with owners Thao and Vien Nguyen (of Can Tho Kitchen fame) keeping tight-lipped on the location and style of venue. But it’s a secret no more with the intimate eatery set to open on Wednesday March 27th and here’s the low down for your learning pleasure.
You’ll find Eddy + Wolff in the midst of bustling Robina, just slightly out of the way and bringing all your Asian food dreams to life. The space, a former Laundromat, has been absolutely transformed into a chic, 22-seat venue with a curved, polished concrete ceiling, a neon sign reading ‘I love drinking beer’ (written in Chinese Mandarin, which is amazing) and a pink velvet corner bench seat we would give up everything we own for.
You can perch up at the bar, with iron shelves holding many a bottle of delightful spirits hanging overhead or, at said pink velvet couch underneath the front window. It’s all very edgy and understated and, to be honest, one of the most beautiful fitouts we’ve come across in our local travels.
Having taken over and transformed Can Tho Kitchen (from Thao’s Mum) in 2014, the pair were keen to create something quite different for the Coast. Eddy + Wolff is a combination of their travels throughout Asia and, a trip to sample many a Melbourne eatery, and it is indeed unlike anything else around these parts.
The menu is made up of BBQ-style dishes, snacks, bigger plates and sides, all of which are designed to share and hail from Thao and Vien’s home country of Vietnam, China, Japan and Korea to name a few.
Don’t go past the Vietnamese-style Pork Collar, Korean BBQ Quail (with a bit of a spicy kick) and the Isaan Tofu Salad with Kaffir lime and sweet and sour caramel. All absolute taste sensations.
The wine list is tight, curated to match the menu perfectly and featuring a select few Canberra beauties because Canberra, friends, is the city where the couple met and Eddy and Wolff are the streets they lived on at that time.
There are just four cocktails on offer and we highly recommend Peace to the East with Jinzu gin, maraschino liqueur, Yuzu lime juice and cucumber. Fresh and zesty.
All your favourite Asian beers, and a few local ones, are on offer too and a very tasty Lychee cider that can’t be found anywhere else locally. YUM.
As always, you may choose your own adventure in the dish department or go with The Lucky Eight set menu ($40 for lunch and $45 for dinner), which is made up of two dishes from each section of the menu – BBQ, snacks, a bit bigger and side dishes. Such good value.
Oh and, quite the fans of meaningful little touches everywhere, the team have created a sweet menu that features both an illustrated cityscape of the spots they’ve travelled and also little speech bubbles with words like ‘love’, ‘tradition’, BBQ, and ‘spicy’ in many languages, dotted throughout.
So you see, good things really do come to those who wait. We’ll be in Robina if you need us.
LOCATION: 12-217/219 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina
HOURS: Wednesday 5pm until 10pm, Thursday to Saturday 12pm until 2pm and 5pm until 10pm and Sunday 12pm until 2pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
