Our sweet, sweet So-Po. There’s something we just love about Southport, maybe it’s the fact that they’ve got bulk bars and restaurants so hunger never has to enter our vocabulary again. Or maybe it’s how you can get a coffee hit and hit of golf done in half a day and then soak up those Broadwater views for the rest of it – shall we go on?

All we know is that there are so many goodies in this CBD gem we couldn’t list them all or you’d be here all day and we know you’re all about less reading and more eating (same). Here’s our round-up of local approved must-do’s!

The all-in-ones
The retailers in Southport get that you’re busy – it is the CBD after all – so time is of the essence and efficiency is the word over here. Brickworks Ferry Rd has everything from the Standard Market Co to get those dinner essentials or to make the perfect charcuterie board, ‘grammable acai bowls at Cardamom Pod and bites like Bird Royale because we’ve always got time for some cheeky chicken.

Upping the ante with a little bit of everything, Queen Street Village is just off the Smith St Motorway so you can pop in for the essentials from gourmet grocer Jones & Co IGA. No time to meal prep? Grab some Asian eats at Wu Kong with peckish plates to keep you going, or a classic pub feed from Queen’s Arms for your parmy fix. When all that eating has got you zonked, get your caffeine hit at Sens Coffee and pop into DENDY to catch the latest flicks and a moment of peace and quiet.

Now did we hear you say retail therapy? Enter: Australia Fair. With the big names in fashion all in one spot along with our biggest vice Kmart on the store list, say goodbye to your savings but hello to a fresh new look. Once you’ve shopped til you dropped it’s time to start your Tour-de-Food at Australia Fair Metro, think pho, dumplings and desserts by the dozen.

For bakery treats
With a name like Sacre Coeur Patisserie it’s no wonder these guys have mastered the art of French pastries so prepare to stock up on croissants in allll the flavours from pistachio to raspberry and everything in between.

No man is left behind at Made With Love who deliver on 100% vegan cakes, pies and pastries because you know what, a donut a day keeps the doctor away or something like that and why should our vegans not be part of the action.

Keeping with the Euro-bakery theme is FARINA & Co, pastries are made onsite daily with all the classics like lemon meringue tarts and buttery croissants but wait, it gets even better – they double as a pasta bar. Grazie!

Pumping out sensational Asian-inspired pastries, desserts and drinks, Delothor Patisserie is our kinda kryptonite!

For a coffee
Coffee addicts, Southport’s got you covered with experiences like SupermarCat Cat Café, which – you guessed it – comes with a side of kitty cuddles with your caffeine fix, it’s so good we won’t judge if you start purring along with your furry friends.

For the more traditional café vibe Humble Café might be humble by name but they’re big on variety from classic cold drips to matcha espresso.

Built on the tried-and-true premise that simple is best, everything about Herringbone Cafe is understated (in the best way) letting the true hero of the space – the food and coffee – take centre stage.

Eight Fifty Espresso boosts productivity and happiness, doling out weekday caffeine fixes from its sidewalk dwelling, sapphire green digs.

For a drink
You already know we’re partial to a cold beverage to round out the day but if you’re after a side of live music with that then Vinnies Dive is the only place to get your fix and an ice cold brew all in one. If you’re after pub vibes you can’t go past SOPO (previously known as RSL CLUB Southport).

Just across the tram line nothing says Southport more than a cocktail (or 5) on Mr PP’s rooftop, perched above Nerang Street so you can people watch til your hearts content. Keeping the rooftop vibes going strong, Aviary Rooftop at Southport Sharks have an epic cocktail menu that talks a big game and luckily for us, it doesn’t just live up to expectations – it’s even better.

Carafe Wine is an eco-conscious space offering top-notch wine from all the most renowned vino regions and zero-waste practices plus a unique menu of sharing boards.

For good eats
Hello foodies, thoughts we forgot about you? We could never! Getting the good times rolling is none other than Good Times Deli who have quickly become known as the home of sandwiches like no other – think Philly Cheesesteak and banger Bahn Mi.

Japanese eatery, KatsuCo, churns out iterations of its namesake dish – traditionally coated in crunchy panko crumb and slathered in curry sauce.

For those on-the-go looking for the ultimate grab-and-go, Shiro Gelato & Snack knows what’s up with a selection of Japanese market eats like housemade Onigiri to get your fueled up and ready to tackle the day and gelato to finish because there’s always room for a sweetie treatie.

If you’ve been having Euro summer FOMO you can find a taste of the Mediterranean at Como Kitchen & Bar or if there’s a little Italian in your stomach screaming for some arancini balls (or is it just us?) you can get a mozza at Mozza Mozza as well pasta served tableside from a cheese wheel.

Since we’re on a food journey around the world you’ll be happy to know that Southport is pretty much THE place to get your Korean BBQ fix – yep, we found and 6 smokin’ hot Korean BBQ spots on the GC and would you believe 5 of them call our humble CBD home. Yep, Southport officially has a license to grill.

Local attractions
So you’ve got your coffee and you’re looking to get at one with nature? Obviously, your next stop has to be Broadwater Parklands. It doesn’t matter if you’re just there for a hot girl walk or trying to find a way to keep your tribe occupied, the shared pathway makes it the ultimate for everyone whether you’re in your running era or just keen to take in the Broadwater views while you bike and play.

Fancy a bit more adventure we hear you say? We got you. Tee off for a full day of fun at Southport Golf Club so you can let your inner Tiger Woods run wild on the green. If land has got you feeling like a fish out of water then pop on over to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre for a mermaid moment with things like group fitness classes – hello aqua aerobics – as well as Olympic length swimming pools for the pros and splash pads for the little tackers.

If a hands on approach to fun is more your vibe then entering a new dimension at Zero Latency is a must-do, the international juggernaut has given VR new life with games on games so you can immerse yourself in the madness. Sing your little lungs out without fear of judgment and enjoy yourself a lyric fuelled good time at Black8 Pool Hall. Test your relationships and put that brain to work with a prison break escape room at Escape Hunt or pick up a pistol at Southport’s very own – and the Coast’s safest – shooting range, The Shooting Centre.

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski

Pasta is the very foundation of Italian cuisine and perhaps this is why our Italian friends have so much fire in their bellies. Italians are some of the most animated and passionate people you can meet. For this, we love them. For giving the world pasta, we adore them!

As we sit in the midst of winter, we think it’s the perfect time to enjoy hearty and soul-satisfying dishes, and nothing quite ticks those boxes like handmade pasta goodness—with ALL of the cheese, naturally.

But where does one find the perfect pasta dish? The Gold Coast has many fine Italian eateries, so we painstakingly undid a notch on our belts and compiled a list of the very best. We’re nice like that. We dare you to finish reading the list and not be tempted to attempt a GC pasta crawl for the ages (0/0 cardiologists recommend).

Ioesco – Prawn & Bug Risotto
Here we are pushing the boundaries right away. We know risotto is not pasta. But what good are we if we don’t broaden your ho-rice-ons in the name of delicious food? Particularly when Ioesco’s prawn and bug risotto is on the line, made with juicy prawns, a kick of chilli, zesty lemon, and fresh herbs. It’s a treat for your tastebuds that’s made even better with views of the marina at Sanctuary Cove. Now that’s a seafood lover’s dream!
Where: 3a Masthead Way, Hope Island

Mozza Mozza – Cacio e Pepe
Here’s a philosophical question for you: Is cheese wheel pasta, or Cacio e Pepe as it’s traditionally known, just Mac and Cheese for adults? Hopefully we’ve offended no purists with this potentially blasphemous #showerthought. Either way, roll on down to Mozza Mozza and get your cheese and carb fix all in one #yescheese.
Where: Cnr. Olsen & Musgrave Ave, Southport

La Calabrese – Gnocchi Sorrentina
Sorry pasta purists, we simply cannot help ourselves whenever these fluffy little hand-crafted pillows of deliciousness are concerned. Not technically pasta but we can all agree, if it’s a big ol’ bowl of comfort food you’re in the mood for, no one can gnocc the magical properties of Wood-fired homemade potato gnocchi, tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, parmesan cheese & basil coming together for one big party in your mouth. Even though cake gnocchi by the ocean doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, this still might be even better yet.
Where: Level 1, Meriton Surfers Paradise, 86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

Cucina Vivo – Spaghetti Vongole
Cleverly denoting rustic and traditional Italian restaurant vibes while being located in the very modern The Star Gold Coast, Cucina Vino is certainly reminiscent of any local restaurant you’ll find in Rome. But truthfully, their garlicky, buttery Spaghetti Vongole, zested with lemon, parsley and chilli, will transport your taste buds—Alfa Romeo style.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Lobby Level, Broadbeach

Gemelli – Spaghetti al Gamberi
The Gemelli twins are known for creating an authentic Italian experience and, all their dishes, including mouth-watering pasta, are made fresh in-house daily and way too good to sample just the one. Give the Spaghetti al Gamberi a try because these guys combine prawns, zucchini, chilli, garlic and olive oil in the best possible way.
Where: 2/2685 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach

Sofia’s – Duck Pappardelle
As the ancient proverb goes: Knees weak, Mom’s spaghetti (okay so meme, technically). And we know the only spaghetti worth ditching Mum’s for, is the Duck Pappardelle at Sofia’s. Even she’d agree that you can’t compete with succulent braised duck ragu, bathed in red wine (thank you) and tomato and perfectly finished with cinnamon, rosemary, thyme and parmesan. Not even a mother could argue with that pappardelle perfection!
Where: The Oasis Shopping Centre, Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach

Glenelg Public House – Truffle Gnocchi
Ok ok, so gnocchi isn’t technically pasta. But folks, hear us out. The kitchen at The Glenelg Public House is home to some of the Coast’s finest culinary steak wizards so when we say you have to swing by Mermaid Beach to savour their Truffle Creamed Gnocchi with Wild Mushrooms and air-dried Pecorino Cheese, don’t even question it!
Where: 9/2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Crispy Italian – 4 Formaggi Gnocchi (Wednesdays only)
Stop what you’re doing. The Gold Coast’s crispy-licious pizza bar has grown a second, spaghetti-shaped arm! Yes, you assumed correctly; they now serve pasta! However, we want to hold the fettuccine for a second (our hearts couldn’t endure any longer), to present you with their 4 Formaggi Gnocchi. It’s homemade, gnocchi, swimming in a godly amount of cheese; mozzarella, gorgonzola cream, parmesan and pecorino, served in a pizza pasta bowl and wood-fired to perfection.. Can we get an amen?!
Where: 4/1840 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

Justin Lane – Justin’s Carbonara
It’s no secret that Justin Lanes’ pizza game is strong! But did you know their pasta game is just as mighty? You should probably go and try them all. But, if you do decide to choose just one, let it be the house staple: Justin’s Carbonara with crispy pork belly, peas, and parsley topped generously with grana padano. It’s simply eggs-traordinary!
Where: 1708-1710 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Balboa – Pumpkin & Ricotta Ravioli
Oh, Balboa you aesthetically pleasing thing you. Their fit-out, with a glamorous chandelier and bright red Vespa, is reason enough to visit. The pizza is outstanding, but most importantly, their pasta is to die for. Did we mention it’s all handmade on-site? Including (but not limited to) their Pumpkin & Ricotta Ravioli. You will smell this dish coming before you see it; the delectable, rich, nutty aroma of brown butter, sage, hazelnuts, mixed exotic mushrooms and parmesan. You could say it’s ravi-oling in flavour.
Where: 1069 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Tommy’s Italian – Paccheri Arrabbiata
Casual dining meets impeccably tasting food, underpinned by breathtaking vistas and some of the most attentive service around. Who wouldn’t be satisfied after a hearty bowl of god-tier cylinders that are too good to be tube-doused in a whole lot of red sauce, stracciatella and basil? If this paccheri is wrong, we don’t want to be right.
Where: 818 Pacific Parade, Currumbin

Radici Pasta House – Tagliatelle Tartufo E Porcini
This is the last stop on our virtual pub pasta crawl (but avert the eyes of cardiologists because, well, firstly, are you lost—but does anyone else have the sudden urge to try this IRL). Radici is an Italian family-run restaurant who decided to make sunny Coolangatta home 6 years ago. This dish epitomises why Italian cuisine is so damn good. Take black truffle pesto, marry it with imported pork and fennel sausage and then smother it over handmade tagliatelle. That folks, is one of the finest dishes of pasta you will have south of Sicily.
Where: 99 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

No Gold Coasters, your eyes ‘dough’ not deceive you – at long last, the local legends behind famed pizza joints Franc Jrs and Francie’s are slinging their signature slice from a brand new location in Nobby Beach.

The newest eat-in iteration for the Franc fam – an old school vibing pizzeria – is packed with plenty of soul, promising that same trademark, ‘good, honest Italian food’ fans have long been smitten with.

Fromage fiends can settle in for their Franc fix – with laidback vibes alongside cult fave Classic pizzas, crisp, Detroit style deep-dish pies, and frozen Margi’s.

With a lineage that can be traced back to 1996, the Francie’s origin story is fascinating, rich – and similar to the effects of a few too many frozen Marg’s – a little fuzzy around the edges.

An operation now run by Anthony Pattinson, Claudia Pattinson, James Young and Carlos Lara – the charming, 60pax Coolangatta neighbourhood pizza joint known as Francie’s was born way back in an era when, along with pizza, Anthony counted Baywatch and RnB among his great loves.

The humble spot with a shoebox-vibing kitchen was soon overwhelmed by its own success – by year two they were averaging 150 peckish patrons a night – a number that blew out to 250-300 punters in the years that followed, a frenetic pace that they couldn’t maintain.

Ultimately opting to close the door on Francie’s (cue first crush levels of heartbreak), another opened in the form of Franc Jrs, the compact and casual takeaway style little bro.

When it came to delivering a new and improved restaurant offering, the challenge was retaining the charm, while scaling up and refining the offering to meet demand.

The new venue is a 60 seater with indoor and outdoor tables, opting for counter service to streamline the experience.

Complete with mob movie vibing mood lighting, red leather and wood finishes aplenty, the interior fit out is a throwback to the classic, 1940’s Italian American style restaurant.

The result is a nostalgic feeling Anthony likens to the 90’s rite of passage – hitting up the local salad bar, “like Pizza Hut’s all you can eat, only really, really good”, he adds.

Anthony’s life-long passion for slinging ‘pies’ – is immediately apparent in the drool-worthy menu.

The offering is split into three types – Traditional 13-inch ‘Francies classics’, 16-inch cheese pies and square, Sicilian ‘Detroit style’ pizzas, as well as a full vegan selection to boot.

Now pizza, along with a sneaky pun or three, is certainly something we’re no stranger to – with catchy monikers such as Francie’s Classic, ‘Sage Against the Machine’ made with fresh fior di latte, roasted mushrooms, pancetta, sage & pecorino, only further fuelling our obsession.

Fans of the Franc Jrs Signature – the loaded and crispy edged, Sicilian style slice – can get amongst Tomato, made with roasted cherry tomatoes, confit garlic, whipped lemon ricotta & chilli sauce or the cheese-packed White Stripe, topped with hot honey.

And with the calibre of slice selection the Franc Jrs crew is slinging, we certainly wouldn’t blame anyone struggling to choose.

But if the fan following for these pizza purveyors is anything to go by – satisfaction is a sure thing (and a carb coma).

Where: Shop 2/32 Lavarack Road, Nobby Beach
When: 4pm-10pm Wednesday – Saturday  

Words by Kellie Leader.