The summer of 2020 is shaping up to be the best yet with a slew of sweet new venues popping up all the over the place promising good vibes, mouth-watering eats and the most delicious sips.

Palm Beach in particular is experiencing quite the glow up and we’re absolutely thrilled to share an inside look at the latest newbie to hit the beachside suburb.

It’s called Las Palmas Bar & Restaurant and you may have heard whispers of just how good it is already but allow us to enlighten you.

Found upstairs where Lester & Earl once lived, you’ll enter through a little doorway a few steps down from Sisterhood Café and follow the stairs up to a stunning space that may just be what interior dreams are made of.

Las Palmas is all laidback, coastal vibes, decked out in the prettiest pastel palette with pops of greenery throughout, a bright pink entry way, exposed ceiling beams and low hanging rattan feature lights that bring it all together to be one space you’re going to think about long after you’ve left.

There are high tables set across from the bar, lower tables in the front and of course, a wraparound deck complete with salty sea breezes and ocean views. Heavenly.

It’s the work of The Mez Club owners Monica Pacheco and Rob Doherty, alongside head bartender Jeffrey Meeker and head chef Dayron Concepcion and what a team they make.

Chef Dayron has called upon his Cuban roots to offer a menu packed with share-style Latin American eats with an emphasis on fresh seafood and the highest quality produce.

While it’s all begging to be sampled, a few standouts include the Tuna Tartare with tarragob, davidson plum chowder and crispy rice, the Roasted Cauliflower with miso butter, cashew cream, salsa verde and macadamia (absolutely incredible) and Arepas – short rib with guacamole, coriander and corn.

No one’s ever been disappointed by ordering a serve of the Homemade Churros with chocolate ganache for dessert either.

All outstanding.

To drink, Jeffrey (poached from NYC to head up The Mez Club bar) has created a menu that’s perfect for a summer sipping session and lucky Palmy honestly. Seasonal Australian flavours some together to create cocktails that are both delicious and refreshing – the perfect combination.

There’s the ‘Something with Vodka’ made with blackberries, raspberries, lemon, vermouth bianco and vodka (to die for) and the ‘Hey MACarana’ with Aussie aromatics, aquafaba, lemon, amaro, Averna, mac and Jameson to name a couple of stunners.

Of course, as always we recommend you sample them all because they’re quite unlike anything you’ve sipped around here before.

Las Palmas is the perfect addition to the Palm Beach dining scene and some of us live just down the road so we’ll be seeing you there quite a lot no doubt.

Happy almost-summer.

LOCATION: Level 1, 1097 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
HOURS: Thursday from 5pm until late, Friday from 3pm until late and weekends from 1pm until late

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Nobody needs to tell you that summer has absolutely arrived on the Gold Coast in the last few days but since we have the floor, let us make it known, these stifling days are here to stay.

And since there’s no way to escape to say Southern California for a sweet little sojourn, a few clever local lads have brought Southern California to you via a sweet new eatery that’ll make you forget you’re melting every time you step outside.

It’s called Palm Springs Café and it is indeed reminiscent of the city found with the Coachella Valley, dotted with palm trees and known for it’s pastel hues and lowset mid-century modern architecture. It’s one of our absolute fave places in the world and so we are absolutely thrilled to introduce you to this newbie.

Found on a corner block between Burleigh Heads and Miami (a Queenslander previously occupied by Siam Orchid), Palm Springs Café is a fresh, double storey space all rendered whites with a cactus garden and peach umbrellas throughout the street-facing outdoor space.

Inside it’s an Insta-dream come true with arched windows, white tiled floors, terrazzo tabletops and splashes of pastel green. Famed photographer Slim Aarons’ poolside snaps line the walls and you’ll find a few more cacti throughout.

The coffee bar is a round-edged masterpiece, all layered and beautiful and begging to be touched. Round pendant lights hang in clusters from the ceiling and look, it’s aesthetically perfect if you ask us.

The idea behind the café is a little different from the norm, with said Southern Cali vibes taking over the menu too. Excitingly, there’ll be brunch cocktails on offer at all times and see, it won’t take much to forget that heat.

To eat, you’ll probably want to get involved in everything but let’s chat about a couple of dishes. The Cali Breakfast Burrito is a must with chorizo sausage, egg, cheddar cheese, avocado salsa, black beans and pickled jalapeno. Three please.

There’s also a Bacon and Egg Burger but not as you know it; with American bacon, fried egg, provolone cheese, potato hash and chipotle mayo on a milk bun. Yep. If bacons’ not your thing, there’s a halloumi version too.

Nourish Bowls are a good time too – there’s the Palms Wholesome Bowl with black bean hummus, brown rice, tomato salsa, house pickles, charred corn, avocado, a soft-boiled egg and mojo dressing. You can add teriyaki salmon to that too.

To drink, there’s Therefore Coffee, out of Tweed Heads (a very good drop), all of the alternative latte varieties, cold-pressed juices and of course, cocktails. Bloody Mary’s, an array of Margaritas and an Espresso Martini grace the menu, as well as pink gin and soda cans.

It’s perfect for a Sunday (or any) morning sip and honestly, it’s everything we Gold Coasters have been waiting for.

Palm Springs Café opens Friday 20th November and you should be very happy about it.

LOCATION: Cnr Gardenia Grove and Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
HOURS: 6.30am until 2.30pm daily

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Occasionally a new venue slips in quietly, without fanfare or excessive shouting from the rooftops and that Gold Coasters, is how you know it’s a good time.

And you know what makes secretive newbies even better? When they are an underground, mezcal-inspired speakeasy with a doorway you need to discover to be allowed entry.

HOW FUN.

As you might expect, all of those things are true of the new space we’re here to discuss today. That space is called Veladora. It’s named after a true Mexican classic – a Mezcal glass made from prayer candle holders – and it is unlike anything we’ve seen around here for quite some time.

Veladora’s unsigned doorway is the gateway to an otherworldly, Mezcal-inspired speakeasy allowing for an exclusive 30 guests at a time.

Slip inside and discover the Gold Coast’s newest signature margaritas, ice-cold Tecate and a slew of exciting new sips to rival any you’ve experienced before.

We’re particularly partial to Midnight in Cancun (for various reasons), which is made with Don Julio Tequila, Woodford Bourbon, almond and homemade Yucatan cordial.

There’s also the La Catrina with Sloe Gin, herbs liquor, blackberry and rosemary and look, it’s all a little bit dark and mysterious and those are our absolute favourite things. Of course you can sip on beer and wine too and there’s an impressive selection of each of those.

To eat, you’ll be greeted with some mind-blowing delights and we’d bet our Grandmother that you’ve never tasted combinations like these before.

How does black guacamole with green ants and mealworm-seasoned salsa sound? Maybe some squid ink-infused popcorn, spicy peanut and cricket trail mix and decadent duck parfait with cherry jelly and brioche? It’s all very exciting isn’t it?

The location of Veldora remains a closely guarded secret (and we’re not telling you either) but clued-up Coasties know to cross the bridge where the Broadbeach monorail once lived and look for a red palm tree to light the way.

We have no doubt you’ll find it and it’ll absolutely be worth it when you do.

LOCATION: Top secret, Broadbeach
HOURS: Thursday to Sunday 6pm until late