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Your guide to the best bites in town

The full list of Gold Coast 2024 AGFG Readers' Choice Awards winners.

Hibachi Chicken Achiote & De Lechon (Pork) taco's, Agave Rosa (Image: © 2021 Inside Gold Coast)
Hibachi Chicken Achiote & De Lechon (Pork) taco's, Agave Rosa (Image: © 2021 Inside Gold Coast)

Taste buds at the ready, it’s time to toast to the tastemakers who make our hearts (and stomachs) sing! The Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG) has unveiled the winners of the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, and we’ve got the list of Gold Coast gems right here.

The awards, powered by public votes, celebrate everything we adore about our local culinary hotspots. In a year where supporting local has never been more crucial, the AGFG Readers’ Choice Awards spotlight the venues that make the Gold Coast a true foodie’s paradise.

Let’s raise a glass (or a fork) to the incredible winners who have captured your taste buds and our hearts.

Mamasan, Broadbeach (image supplied)
Mamasan, Broadbeach (image supplied)

American
Hickory, Mt Tamborine (retained)

Asian (3 categories)
Mamasan Kitchen, Broadbeach Asian
Etsu Izakaya, Mermaid Beach Japanese
Dae Bark, Southport Korean

Brazilian
Casa Brasil, Chevron Island

Longboards Laidback Eatery and Bar (image supplied)
Longboards Laidback Eatery and Bar (image supplied)

Burger
Longboards Laidback Eatery & Bar, Surfers Paradise

Café (3 categories)
Barefoot Barista, Palm Beach Café
Blackboard Coffee, Varsity Lakes Breakfast
Custard Canteen, Tallebudgera Coffee

Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Maman Kitchen & Bar interior (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Maman Kitchen & Bar interior (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Mediterranean
Maman Bar & Kitchen, Burleigh Heads

Mexican
Agave Rosa, Kirra

Middle Eastern
Mecca Bah, Broadbeach

French Beef Dip, Tarte Beach House (image by Nosh by Jade Quinlivan)
French Beef Dip, Tarte Beach House (image by Nosh by Jade Quinlivan)

Modern Australian
Tarte Beach House, Currumbin

Pizza
Arlo’s Pizzeria, Chevron Island

Pub Food
Canungra Hotel, Canungra (retained)

The Glenelg Public House (image supplied)
The Glenelg Public House (image supplied)
The Wine Barrel, Mudgeeraba (image supplied)
The Wine Barrel, Mudgeeraba (image supplied)

Thai
Thaitanic Nerang, Nerang

Vegetarian/Vegan
The Milkman’s Daughter, Mermaid Beach

Dessert
Aux Fines Bouches, Burleigh Heads

Aux Fines Bouches (Image: © 2019 Inside Gold Coast)
Aux Fines Bouches (Image: © 2019 Inside Gold Coast)

21 hatted Gold Coast restaurants in 2024

Rick Shores, Burleigh (image by Mathilde Bouby)
Rick Shores, Burleigh (image by Mathilde Bouby)

Look we’re all partial to a good hat but if you’re a chef, a hat is all that and a bag of chips. Each year, the Australian Good Food Guide awards hats to the crème de la crème in the restaurant world. Although many of our neighbouring states and cities may have once turned their noses up at the GC dining landscape, sir, times are a’changin!

This year, a whopping 21 of our fave local eats destinations scored at least one hat, and we are proud as punch! The AGFG rates each restaurant out of 20. No restaurant has yet achieved the holy grail of a perfect score.

Social Eating House + Bar kitchen (Image: © 2022 Inside Gold Coast)
Social Eating House + Bar kitchen (Image: © 2022 Inside Gold Coast)

In a twist everyone saw coming, Broadbeach cleaned up with seven venues receiving hats, including Social Eating House and Bar, which scored 14 and once again earned a special mention for its award-winning share plates.

Newcomer kōst Bar + Grill burst onto the dining scene with fanfare in August with its sleek and sexy venue and equally enticing menu, so it’s no surprise they have earned a mention (12).

Interior of kōst Bar & Grill, Broadbeach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Interior of kōst Bar & Grill, Broadbeach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

Of course, a couple of The Star Gold Coast’s restaurants collected gongs, including Japanese sensation Kiyomi (15) and Modern Australian go-to for a fancy night out Nineteen at the Star (14). Miss Moneypenny’s marvellous Mediterranean menu (say that a few times) earned 12, as did longstanding steak restaurant, Moo Moo The Wine Bar and Grill

Rounding up Broady’s winners are grinners list with a score of 13 is The Oracle’s melting pot of Asian goodness Mamasan Kitchen and Bar.

Little Truffle, Mermaid Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Little Truffle, Mermaid Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

Moving slightly south now to Mermaid Beach and the recently reopened Little Truffle has scored 15, while boutique dining superstar The North Room scored 14 and esteemed Japanese restaurant Etsu Izakaya earned a 13.

Nobby Beach also served up a winner in the form of Ally Chow (12) in all her amazing Asian glory.

Robina’s Eddy + Wolff represented with a well-earned 13. It just goes to show that the ‘burbs can cook up a winner too, not just the Insta-set-favoured pockets. Speaking of, Mudgeeraba’s intimate Japanese (and under-the-radar superstar) Anekawa, earned itself a 14.

Anekawa (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Anekawa (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Now let’s talk Burleigh and again, there are a few to unpack here. Rick Shores scored 13 for its delectable contemporary pan-Asian cuisine, along with Vietnamese pin-up boy Jimmy Wah’s.

Burleigh’s hidden gem, La Bella Cellar also got a nod (12).

Palm Beach’s ever-popular Balboa Italian was shown some love with 12.

Palette, HOTA (image supplied)
Palette, HOTA (image supplied)

Let’s journey back to the central neck of the woods, starting with Surfers Paradise’s Modern Australian superstar Palette located at HOTA, Home of the Arts, who proudly scored 15.

The QT’s Japanese phenomenon Yamagen scored 12, while the JW Marriott Gold Coast’s seafood superstar Citrique earned a 13.

Neighbouring Main Beach’s modern Australian relative newcomer La Luna scored a 12.

La Luna Restaurant interior (Image: © 2022 Inside Gold Coast)
La Luna Restaurant interior (Image: © 2022 Inside Gold Coast)

Anyone who still says we’re lacking in the quality eats department here on the Goldie, now is the time to concede defeat because this list of local victories confirms what we already knew – our foodie scene has officially become a force to be reckoned with and there’s plenty more to come…

Words by Belinda Symons.

Eddy + Wolff (Image: © 2019 Inside Gold Coast)
Eddy + Wolff (Image: © 2019 Inside Gold Coast)

Nobby’s new fusion is in the Nikkei time for spring sips

Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

Thanks to the GC’s status as a burgeoning foodie haven, it’s not often that we get the chance to bring you word of a totally new cuisine sauntering onto our local eats scene.

While it may be new to us, Nikkei cuisine has been having a moment of late – enjoying a rise in popularity internationally among heavy hitting culinary destinations such as Dubai, London and Miami #sohotrightnow.

Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

There’s nothing like the prospect of discovering a brand new fave that has us forwarding that hot little link to the group chat quicker than you can say ‘whose keen?’.

With Nobby’s recently welcoming Tayta Nikkei and Pisco Bar, and with it, a whole new cuisine for us to delight in – that’s one convo we’re defs not about to be ghosting #we’resothere.

Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

For the uninitiated, the intriguing combination of Japanese and Peruvian elements might seem a somewhat #unexpected new player in the world of fusion-style eats, though that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The culinary history behind this delicious hybrid has been formed over generations, with Nikkei the resulting cuisine of Japanese immigration to Peru some centuries ago.

Which quite frankly makes us feel like we’ve been missing out for far too long.

Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

For owner Adriano Antonini, he could not sit idly by knowing full well the mouth-watering goodness we here on the GC were missing out on.

An impressive tenure in hospitality venues across the globe was what led Italian born Adriano to discover his love of the cuisine, after a stint working in a Nikkei hotspot in Coya, London.

Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

Ultimately, the challenge of bringing something unique to the GC proved too irresistible, finally opening the doors to Tayta after a year long hunt for the perfect spot, adds Adriano ‘the location is great and we felt there was more need for casual fine dining options in Nobby’s’.

Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

Heading the fit-out himself, Adriano has gone for a dark and moody vibe for the space.

Thoughtfully selected traditional Peruvian colours and patterns have informed the direction for the interiors, resulting in an elegant South American jungle aesthetic.

The 60-seat venue offers the kind of intimate ambience that invites you to settle in for a few rounds of Pisco Sours, and we oblige.

Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

As for the food, we’re happy to report seafood lovers especially should be very keen to sea what Tayta has in store.

As a dish that originated in Peru, the menu prominently features an array of Ceviche style dishes where seafood takes centre stage.

While the likes of Tuna Chifa made with Chili Garlic, Sesame, Ponzu, Kombu, Wakame are where the obvious Japanese influences enter the chat.

Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

We can never go past the Okonomiyaki (no matter how much we embarrass ourselves trying to pronounce it) – a Japanese Pancake with Slow cooked Pork, Charred Corn, Spicy Mayo, Tayta spiced mix.

While sushi lovers, and even the sushi ambivalent (an oxymoron, surely) will be tempted with some zesty takes on their usual go-to’s, with a boujee Tuna Roll made with Cucumber, Spicy Mayo, Truffle Ponzu, Roasted Sesame that will undoubtedly see us unable to return to it’s food court counterpart.

Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

Also coming in September is Tayta’s Saturday brunch with bottomless Peruvian Chicha Morada cocktails.

Till then, we’ll make do with a few Hibiscus Pisco Sours – a delicious twist on the Peru’s national drink – the Classico Pisco Sour (and probably a couple of those, for good measure).

See you there, amigos!

Where: 2/2243 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
When: Tuesday-Saturday 5-10pm

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.

Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Tayta Nikkei Restaurant & Bar, Nobby Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

10 of Burleigh’s best breakfast spots

Tarte Bakery & Cafe, Burleigh Heads (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Tarte Bakery & Cafe, Burleigh Heads (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Breakfast and Burleigh go together like all of our favourite things. Bread and butter, eggs and bacon, macaroni and cheese, gin and tonic… you get this gist. And as you can probably tell, we’re partial to a good old breakfast.

What’s not to love about breakfast? And even more, what’s not to love about Burleigh? You’ve got sun, sand, surf and a boat load of egg-cellent spots to fill up and fuel up to get the day going. It is the most important meal of the day after all.

We took it upon ourselves to do the hard task of eating our way around one of our fave beachside suburbs to determine who exactly has the best brekky’s on offer and it did not disappoint. Here’s our pick of 10 of the best breakfast eats in Burleigh. Just don’t scramble to get to them all at once!

Breakfast spread at Commune, Burleigh (image supplied)
Breakfast spread at Commune, Burleigh (image supplied)

Commune
Back to where it all began, Commune has stood the test of time when it comes to bringing the breakfast goods and if you’ve been, you’ll know why. Recently taken over by the Blackboard crew, the menu is brimming with classics and new flavours. Their Eggs Florentine stacked on one of the best potato rosti’s going around is an all-time pick of ours. They’ve got acai bowls on tap along with their fan-fave chorizo burrito – it’s an IYKYK situation.
Where: 1844 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Palm Springs Cafe (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Palm Springs
You’ve no doubt seen this Palm Springs inspired brekky haunt taking pride of place on the Gold Coast Highway. It’s hard to miss the slice of California desert in the heart of Burleigh. Take it from us, the food is as fabulous as the space is gorgeous. Their Breakfast Tacos are an obvious front-runner for our favourite breakfast pick. We adore the Chicken & Waffles with southern fried chicken, chipotle mayo and maple syrup for a delicious taste of the US.
Where: 1878 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

 

Bullseye Bang, Double smoked streaky bacon, free range fried eggs, avocado, rocket and house chilli sambal on a NY Everything Bagel, Tarte Bakery, Burleigh (image supplied)
Bullseye Bang, Double smoked streaky bacon, free range fried eggs, avocado, rocket and house chilli sambal on a NY Everything Bagel, Tarte Bakery, Burleigh (image supplied)

Tarte Bakery
It’s the spot that almost doesn’t need an introduction because if you haven’t been to the Euro-inspired café then where have you been?! They’ve been reinventing the breakfast game with dishes like their loaded bagels (hello Bullseye Bang) and their iconic Tomato Soup – if you’ve seen it, you’ll get it. If you’re more about a liquid breakfast then the Parisian Hot Chocolate is a no brainer, or the Breakfast Mary if you like a bit of a kick. We’re also pretty sure it’s illegal to leave without one of their baked goods. Get the strawberry muffin top and thank us later.
Where: 1748 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

LOCAL, Burleigh (image supplied)
LOCAL, Burleigh (image supplied)

Local
Right in the heart of Burleigh you’ll find this spot that’s become a firm favourite among locals – that’s right, it’s not just in the name. It’s big, it’s busy and it serves up a mean breakfast – which is obviously a prerequisite on a breakfast list. Local is our go-to for those tried and tested brekky must-haves, think French Toast for the sweet tooth and Chilli Scramble (because what’s not to love). No acai bowl? No problem because they’ve done one better – the Acai Panna Cotta with coconut sorbet is the freshest twist on a GC staple but we’re into it.
Where: 1744 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Social Brew, Burleigh (image supplied)
Social Brew, Burleigh (image supplied)

Social Brew
James Street has long been the heart of Burleigh when it comes to all things food, fashion and fun and tucked away in the Big B Arcade is Social Brew. A bustling melting pot of Gold Coasters, from brekky dates to catch ups with friends and people working over a bite to eat, the people watching is almost as good as the food. Stay for a good time and a long time if that’s your vibe, with breakfast turning into lunch on the reg. The Truffle Mushroom Bruschetta and Nasi ‘Brew’eng are must-try’s for a reason.
Where: 34-36 James Street, Burleigh Heads

People dining at Paddock Bakery (image courtesy of Destination Gold Coast)
People dining at Paddock Bakery (image courtesy of Destination Gold Coast)

Paddock Bakery
Remember when Paddock Bakery changed the game with their epic sweet treats and loaded donuts? How could we ever forget, we’re grateful for it pretty much every day. But they’re so much more than just baked goods, tucked away in their little weatherboard haven is a bakehouse so as you can imagine – they’re big on bread and their menu shows. The best part? After you’ve filled up on food, you can take home some of their bakehouse goods – whether it’s an Almost Croissant Cookie or their signature Sourdough.
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads

Bacon Cheeseburger, Two Yolks (image supplied)
Bacon Cheeseburger, Two Yolks (image supplied)

Two Yolks
If anyone knows a thing or two about eggs, it’s these guys – some may even call them eggs-perts. And what’s breakfast without eggs? As far as we’re concerned, even breakfast time is burger time so you bet we were pumped when we saw the menu loaded with things like the Triple B (Big Brekky Burger) and the Two Yolks Grande Burrito filled with scrambled eggs (naturally), tater tots, guac, bacon, halloumi and chipotle aioli. The unsung hero of their brekky menu is the Tater Tots aka potato gems though, get the morsels of crispy goodness as a side or you’ll have fomo later.
Where: 13 Connor Street, Burleigh Heads

Pretty Handsome
They’re baaaack and they’re better than ever, if we do say so ourselves. With a schmick fresh look and their ripper original menu – plus some new additions of course – Pretty Handsome has been a sight for sore eyes and we’re just pretty darn happy that we’ve got their Breaky Wrap Combo back. Seriously, what’s not to love about a wrap and a coffee combo for $12.50 – we’re in a cost of living crisis, people!
Where: 18 Christine Avenue, Burleigh Heads

Big Breakfast, bacon, eggs your way, hash browns, sausages, steak, mushrooms, spinach, cherry tomatoes and sourdough toast with house made boston baked beans and house made tomato relish, Plantation House Cafe, Burleigh (image supplied)
Big Breakfast, bacon, eggs your way, hash browns, sausages, steak, mushrooms, spinach, cherry tomatoes and sourdough toast with house made boston baked beans and house made tomato relish, Plantation House Cafe, Burleigh (image supplied)

Plantation House Cafe
This pretty little spot is all about great breakfast and gorgeous interiors, with fresh clean interiors, a lush green wall and of course, a hot pink neon it’s giving Instagrammable and we love it. The team at Plantation are big fans of a sweet breakfast moment and you will be too with Pancakes served with poached pear, salted caramel, crumble and ice cream – we’re drooling just thinking about it. If savoury is more of your flavour then try the Fritter Stack, we promise it won’t disappoint.
Where: 1/43 Tallebudgera Creek Road, Burleigh Heads

Parlour Coffee
It might not be in the centre of the Burleigh hustle and bustle but does that mean we love Parlour Coffee any less? Absolutely not. In fact, that’s one of the things we love about it most. Seasonal menu. Tick. Epic coffee. Tick. Space to soak up the sunshine (with SPF obviously). Tick. Dog friendly. Tick. It’s got everything we look for in a brekky spot and more. Treat yo’self with the Benny Croissant and if that’s not enough indulgence, try a twist on your usual coffee with their Tiramisu Latte.
Where: 34 Tallebudgera Creek Road, Burleigh Heads

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski

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