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.

While it’s true that we believe all pasta dishes are worth eating carbs for, and don’t particularly care about eating carbs at all, some people do.

So, for those people, we’ve chosen the best of the best past dishes across the Gold Coast to make it worthwhile when the time comes to indulge in said carbs.

Here we go with the top 10 pasta dishes worth eating carbs for.

Fellini Ristorante – Linguette ai frutti di mare
Found overlooking the Broadwater at Marina Mirage, Fellini is adored for their exceptional service, luxurious ambience, and above all else – impeccable pasta. We say go for the Linguette ai frutti di mare which is pasta cooked with fresh mixed seafood in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, chilli, fresh tomato and white wine parsley. The perfect pasta treat.
Where: Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach

Alfresco Italian Restaurant – Lasagne
This authentic Italian family run restaurant has been around since 1992 and we sure do know why. With a foundation built on family, the Alfresco Italian restaurant team consistently dish up amazing Italian cuisine. One of the signature dishes is the classic homemade style lasagne, simple but done absolutely perfectly.
Where: 3018 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

Salt Meats Cheese – Flaming Cheese Wheel Pasta
This ‘too good to be true’ pasta dish will have you go up in flames. Watch as your pasta is prepared at your table in a flaming wheel of Parmesan cheese. This theatrical spectacle happens every Wednesday night from 6pm. Make sure you book ahead so you don’t miss out any longer.
Where: 10 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise

Cicchetti – Taglioni Al Granchio
Cicchetti Pizza & Pasta Bar treats you to all the cultural delights of Italy, including pasta, of course. The highlight on their pasta menu has to be Taglioni al Granchio – Spanner crab coated in a chilli, garlic, pepper, cherry tomato and white wine sauce tossed through house made taglioni. It’s an absolute treat for your tastebuds.
Where: 2G01/15 Via Roma, Isle of Capri

Gemelli – Spaghetti al Gamberi
The Gemelli twins James and Alec are known for creating an authentic Italian and all their dishes, including the mouthwatering pasta, are made fresh in house daily with all of the insane flavours. Definitely give the Spagetthi al Gamberi a try; think prawn cutlets, zucchini, chilli, garlic and olive oil, simple and extremely delicious.
Where: 2/2685 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach

Cucina Vivo – Fettucine Carbonara
Located on the first floor of The Star Gold Coast is Cucina Vivo, a rustic and traditional Italian restaurant overlooking the pretty pool situation and resembling a dleightful weekend away by the Italian seaside. The housemade Fettucine Carbonara is served in a rich, creamy sauce with pancetta, egg, cracked pepper and pecorino cheese and it’s the goods.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Lobby Level, Broadbeach Island

Goccia Italian Pizzeria
Serving up all the very best things in pretty little Mermaid Beach is Gocccia Italian Pizzeria, a relative newbie on the scene with their very own imported pizza oven and traditional recipes passed down for generations. There’s no going past the Beetroot and Potato Gnocchi served with pumpkin purée and roasted pine nuts for obvious reasons.
Where: Shop 1A-2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Justin Lane – Pappardelle, Wagyu Bolognaise
The team at Justin Lane take pasta very serious with their very own pasta bar to ensure everything is made fresh to order. All in honour of their catchcry, ‘Eat, drink and be messy’. You should probably go and try them all but if you have to choose go with the Pappardelle Wagyu Bolognaise, so very tasty.
Where: 1708-1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

Pepe Italia – Spaghetti alla Positano Calzone
Burleigh’s moody Italian eatery, Pepe Italia, is owned and operated by three friends (one a chef) all of whom moved to Australia three years ago from northern Italy. Using traditional recipes handed down from Nonna, the menu is filled with all the Italian dishes you know and love. Try the calzone pizza cooked in the oven, filled with spaghetti in Napoli sauce, tomatoes, seafood and parsley.
Where: 11 Connor St, Burleigh Heads

Balboa Italian – Roasted Lamb Cannelloni
Balboa Italian’s phenomenal fitout complete with the sparkliest of chandelier and a bright red Vespa are not all that’s noteworthy at this incredible Italian eatery. Their pizza is outstanding but most importantly, their pasta is to die for. Do yourself a favour, try the Roasted Lamb Cannelloni and report back with glowing reviews.
Where: 1069 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Words by Louisa von Ingelheim