Over the past couple of years Palm Beach (or Palmy as it’s affectionately known) has well and truly been embracing it’s new found cool kid status.

While we can’t pinpoint the exact moment it officially transformed to ‘it’ suburb, lucky locals have been living large of late, with the emergence of all the beachside haunts to frolic between (though they do have to compete a little more for parking these days).

While in years gone by, the only thing reliably making Palmy a ‘must stop’ destination was a quiet-ish (albeit stunning) beach, and the high chance of catching a red on the way through. With an influx of laidback eateries, noteworthy restaurants, swanky bars and luxe boutiques popping up left right and centre, there’s never any shortage of things to do. These days, we can think of at least 17 epic reasons that make this buzzing suburb THE place to be.

Las Palmas
Overlooking the ocean with the perfect pastel palette, Las Palmas is bringing Latin America to Palm Beach with a share-style menu, made up of mouthwatering flavours and a fresh cocktail list to match. Head in there for a Sunday arvo session or long lunch with your loves. It’ll be your new summer fave for sure.
Where: Level 1, 1097 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

The Scottish Prince
Tucked away, all moody low-lit with wild times written all over it, The Scottish Prince, sister venue of The Cambus Wallace and is one of the best drinking holes we have here on the Coast. It’s primarily a whisky bar boasting over 300 varieties of the tasty tipple plus a perfectly complementary menu including Steak & Ale Pies, Scotch fillets, fish and chips and on Sunday nights, an authentic Taste of Scotland tasting menu. All the very best things. Get in.
Where: 1176 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Palm Beach Farmers Market
The Gold Coast is home to many an impressive farmers market and one of our absolute favourites can be found in Palmy on Saturday mornings. From 6am at Palm Beach Currumbin High School you’ll find fresh local produce, artisan foods, specialty coffee, epic doughnuts, flowers, dog treats, the lot. The perfect way to spend a weekend morning.
Where: Thrower Drive, Palm Beach

Frida Sol
Margaritas and Mexi-eats are some of our favourite things and happily, they’re on offer at Palmy’s delightful upstairs space, Frida Sol. There’s a chilli margarita that’ll knock your socks off and if you perch outside on the deck, a balmy ocean breeze – the combination of which will remind you exactly why you live on the Gold Coast. The perfect time.
Where: Level 1, 1176 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

The Pirate Park
Those with little ones will attest to the fact that the Pirate Park is up there with the best on the Coast. Located right near the water, the park far exceeds anything you ever got to play on as a kid with a pirate ship stuck in the sand and upended wine barrels perfect for all day climbing. If you don’t have any babes, Dune Café is close by as is the sparkling ocean and a dog beach on Currumbin Creek that’s always good for a laugh.
Where: 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach (on the left before the Currumbin Creek bridge)

The Collective
No doubt you’ve already set foot inside The Collective more than once and why wouldn’t you with five restaurants to choose from? Open for lunch and dinner, you can stay all day and, as it’s a communal dining setting, you’re bound to make some new friends along the way. So, if you’re in the mood for pizza and tacos, head to The Collective, order both and wash it all down with a cocktail at the rooftop bar.
Where: 1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

White Bohemian
It’s every local boho babe’s dream come true. Opened in 2013, White Bohemian stocks all your favourite hippy-esque labels including GD brand Kivari, Byron Bay cult-fave labels SPELL and Arnhem. These guys were one of the first to bring us the magic of the laid-back luxe aesthetic before the #boho trend took over the world (and our wallets), so we trust them and their epic curation of all things effortless style endlessly. There’s homewares too so, you know, prepare to spend up.
Where: Cnr Seventh Avenue and Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Balboa Italian
It goes without saying that if you’ve ever driven through Palm Beach, you’ve definitely laid eyes on Balboa Italian. The beautifully appointed double-storey brick building is in a class of its own serving classic Italian dishes with modern interpretations and the freshest of flavours. It’s worth a visit just to experience the fitout, complete with overhead Vespa and exposed brick walls. The cocktails are unique and the wine selection varied. It’s all good to be honest, get down there.
Where:1069 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Espresso Moto
It’s a cafe crossed with a motorbike workshop and the home of the best banana smoothies on the Gold Coast. That’s right, the best. There is not a single thing not to love about Espresso Moto from their very delicious breakfast goods (the brekky burritos are the bomb), to their use of Allpress coffee and the ever-friendly staff who always say g’day. There’s also a communal dog bed and the beach is right around the corner. So yeah, it’s the best.
Where: 1389 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Suga
A somewhat secret cocktail bar, tucked away on the Gold Coast Hwy, Suga specialises in rum and good times and if you’re keen on either or both of those you should absolutely get down there. They have an impressive cocktail menu plus plenty of epic wines (pet nats, yes please) and beers so no matter what, you’re gonna love it.
Where: 1142 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Good Day Coffee Palm Beach
Launching a cafe in a hip and happening suburb surrounded by competition stiffer than a morning espresso is not for the faint of heart – but ever since they branched out from their OG Tugun location late last year, locals and weary travellers alike have unanimously agreed it’s always a good day for Good Day Coffee Palm Beach. Friendly faces serving Blackboard coffee and other staples like pastries and goat’s fetta laden smashed avo toast – we could easily eat and drink here every day. The epitome of simple eats, and great coffee, done well.
Where: 1073 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Ritual Yoga & Pilates
Found upstairs in a sunlit space oozing chill vibes is Ritual Yoga & Pilates. Owned by sisters Rose and Sophie, Ritual is only a couple of years old but has already become a favourite amongst both Palm Beach locals and those who reside in surrounding suburbs. If you’re in need of some rest and relaxation (or a solid sweat session), Ritual is calling your name.
Where: 9b Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach

Palm Beach Ave
PBA is one of those gems that so quickly won our hearts that we seem to forget this pretty-in-pink art deco stunner is only relatively new to Palmy’s ever-growing strip of uber-cool beachside hangouts. One of those venues where it’s 10’s all round, the tropical luxe, chandelier-laden interiors have us swooning every time, and we can never seem to get enough of the knockout food and cocktails (no matter how much we regret it the next morning). Plus they do bottomless brunch, so, need we say more?
Where: 6 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach

Tank Bar & Dining
We can never seem to talk about Tank without the urge to get, well… tanked, which is some fairly genius subliminal marketing if you ask us. In our defense, what else are we supposed to do in a cracking little craft beer bar? We’re certainly not there to lick stamps.

The 10 rotating craft beer taps offers a nice mix of local and international brews, and the laid-back vibes of a modern beach shack style bar a hops, skip and a jump from the ocean are pretty hard to beat. Plus, with two levels, there’s plenty of primo spots to perch up, catch the sea breeze and watch the GC Hwy go by.
Where: 1166 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Toro’s Pizza
As we’ve probably already well established by this point, us Gold Coasters are big suckers for a cute fit-out. It’s hard to tell if it’s the perfectly peachy-pink interiors, or the Italian aromas wafting from the kitchen that keep us coming back to Toro’s Pizza like moths to a flame. And spoiler alert: it’s definitely the latter, since there are few smells that compare to that of a freshly baked, still bubbling wood-fired pizza. Carbs, cheese, more cheese, and BYO – this place is what Italian dreams are made of.
Where: Shop 7/2 Eighth Ave, Palm Beach

Costa Taco
Overcoming the momentary temptation to leave this one out (in hopes of greedily keeping more of those highly coveted tables all for ourselves) – but no list about epic Palmy spots would be complete with such a glaring omission. Dishing up authentic Mexican eats, the menu is short but sweet, sticking only to their specialities with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients. Any day featuring beachside, street-style tacos like the zesty Birria Beef (complete with signature consommé to dip), and a coconut marg (because marg) is a very bueno day indeed.
Where: 1136 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Canvas Palm Beach
Who doesn’t love starting their day with a visit to their friendly local barista, with a leisurely peruse of some hand crafted homewares on the side #theperfectmorningdoesexist. And hey, if some of the latter – such as a candle that smells like bliss in a jar, or some cute ceramics – happen to come home with us along with a great cup of coffee, we’ll happily take the dopamine hit while we’re doing out bit to #supportsmall.

For Palmy locals the cute digs and delightful café fare are a definite draw card, but for parents the park proximity makes this spot unparalleled – along with the blissful moment’s peace and quiet babycino buys.

(And yes, we stopped being cool right around the same time we started caring about babycinos and where the good parks are.)
Where: Shop 3, Magnoli Building, 1338 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Words by Kellie Leader.

Wildernis Café and Bar will soon add rooftop hotspot to their name with the opening of their latest venture, you guessed it, a rooftop-style space overlooking the ocean and bringing a whole new level of cool to Palm Beach.

A Mediterranean-inspired space with wide windows opening out to reveal the beach below, tons of natural light flooding in from every direction (including the retractable roof) and a secret laneway, Wildernis Bar and Café is the Coast’s new go-to for communal dining and cocktails.

Owners Josh and Andy have completely transformed the once dark, cramped space, installing skylights, Spanish tiled floors and a custom built bar perfect for watching the sun set and soaking up the sea breeze.

Serving up large share plates and signature cocktails, Wildernis Bar & Restaurant is the epitome of the laidback Palm Beach vibe you know and love, with a touch of style thrown in for good measure.

Four signature cocktails will be made fresh daily – think Watermelon Margaritas and Blueberry Amaretto Sours – along with more varieties of Espresso Martinis than you could ever imagine.

To eat, don’t go past the European-style Cured Meat Board, Fresh Oysters Three Ways and Szechuan Peppered Squid. Everything on the menu is made from locally sourced goods, further enhancing the community vibe of the venue.

There’s no doubt Wildernis Bar and Restaurant is set to bring a fresh new feel to the already thriving Palm Beach foodie scene.

See you there for a sunset cocktail.

HOURS: Opening Weekend – Saturday 3pm – 12am (Both restaurant downstairs and rooftop) Sunday 12pm – 12am (Both restaurant downstairs and rooftop)

Ongoing – Friday, Saturday & Sunday 12pm – 12am

LOCATION: Upstairs on the corner of the Gold Coast Highway and Eight Ave (above the BWS).

Words and photos by Kirra Smith.

He’s one half of the brains behind Palm Beach favourite Wildernis Café and Bar and a Gold Coast local of 32 years.

We chat with Andy about the changes he’s seen in the local food scene and creating a venue inspired by connecting with the community.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
My whole life, 32 years, I was born and bred in Palm Beach and then moved to Currumbin. I went to Currumbin Primary and PBC High School. Born in Southport Hospital. My friends and family are all here, it’s great.

You were a tradie before you were a foodie, how did all of this come about?
Josh and I just wanted to have a change and do something different, to see people with a smile on their face when they’re walking out of somewhere instead of going to work and seeing grumpy people every day. We’ve been mates for about six years, he’s a bit younger than me but we all went to the same school. He’s a born and bred local too.

What did you want to create with Wildernis Café?
We just wanted somewhere people could come and relax. Everyone is welcome here, no matter who they are. We have a broad range of people who come, young and old, and everyone enjoys themselves.

Have you always been a foodie?
I’ve always loved food, and I just wanted to be a part of the community, create somewhere to go. Growing up my father had a car yard in Currumbin so all my family and our friends would always go there. I just wanted to create something similar where everyone could go and hang out.

How do you come up with the menu?
We do bit of research see what’s trending at the time. We always look around the local region for food and use seasonal produce. The chef and Josh and I go over and figure out what we can do at the time. We try to change the menu every three months and keep it all fresh.

What are your thoughts on how quickly the food scene has been growing on the Coast?
It’s great, so good for the community. Palm Beach is such a good hub for everyone to come to now. I’ve been here for so long and seen it all, through the good times and bad times. It gives jobs to the locals and allows businesses to support and give back to the community. We sponsor a couple of football teams, it’s good to be able to get involved.

What’s next on the agenda for you?
We’ve got plans to build a beer truck to take to festivals and markets, which will have beers on tap and food available as well. Wildernis Weddings is our next thing and we want to start doing other events soon too.

Favourite piece of life advice…
You’ve got to have a purpose to get up for in the morning. Also, being happy and healthy is most important.

Beach… Currumbin and Palm Beach
Bar… Wildernis haha. Anywhere in Palm Beach, I just like keeping it local
Café…Wildernis
Weekend hangout…I’m always here seeing family and friends. Otherwise surfing, golf or cruising around on the Harley’s.