Dalas Kitchen proves you can be friends with salad.
Dalas Kitchen proves you can be friends with salad.
If you’re anything like us, taking an active interest in what you eat — and making sure only the best produce makes its way onto your plate — is a way of life. It’s also a way to mitigate all of the glorious (but naughty) food and cocktails you may have overindulged in over the weekend. Yet finding your way into a sumptuous and nutritious bowl of freshly made salad can be a difficult feat sometimes — until now.
Dalas Kitchen is a salad bar with a difference and just opened its doors in Nobby Beach, and by the looks of things, the adage ‘you don’t win friends with salad’ is well and truly out the window.
Front of house and behind the scenes, bubbly husband and wife team Jess and Michael are the owners behind Dalas, and were so inspired to pull out the stops and create the business after considering the lack of fresh and affordable salad bites out there. After all, getting your hands on fabulous healthy salads shouldn’t be so hard when you consider all of the fantastic produce we get from the hard-working farmers from our hinterland.
The shop is a salad bar on the simplest terms, with a selection of seven signature salads for you to choose from and three different sizes for you to buy them in. And for those who see themselves having friends over or want to double down on a serious sized order of salads, Dalas also offers a 24-hour pre-ordering service. Have as many folks over as you please and let some pre-arranged and lovingly made salads complete any gathering/meal with ease.
The main focus is on providing vegan salads, but there will also be a spattering of rotating vegetarian salads with the inclusions of cheese. No meats will feature throughout the range now or in the future.
For those who like carrots, try your way through their Za Carrots salad with Za’atar roasted carrots, garlic sautéed kale, and toasted buckwheat, or if you prefer keeping things a little more classic, then you can’t look past the Klassic Kale with olive oil and lemon massaged kale leaves, white beans, parsley garlic croutons and tahini dressing. Yum!
All of the salads on offer have gone through a rigorous 12-month tasting and testing period before the business even opened — so you can rest assured, these nutrient-dense bowls of goodness taste the goods.
Salads are not all you will find here though. There’s also a small selection of sweet raw treats courtesy of local Nic Dimond and a small assortment of baked-in-house baguettes. To keep you amply hydrated between mouthfuls of delicious greenery, you’ll discover a variety of house-made sodas on offer with flavours like Gingery Orange and Cherry Bomb. And should you feel like a bit of kick to your day, they also pour up iced coffees with cold press coffee from Two Amigos Cold Brew.
Apart from delicious food and thirst-quenching drinks, Dalas is also doing some good by having all their natural waste being collected daily by the Miami Compost Hub and also using only compostable containers and takeaway vessels. Every little bit helps, right?
If you’re looking for a guilt-free and tasty lunch or a little something to spruce up dinner time at home, look no further than Dalas Kitchen in Nobby Beach. And if you have big plans for Christmas Day lunch, why not save yourselves the hassle of preparing salads? Because after all, spending more time with family and friends is all that matters. So pre-order your festive salads through these guys pronto!
Hours: Weekdays 8am — 6pm & Weekends 9am — 4pm
Where: 2247 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
We’ve lost count of all of the best beachside spots on the Coast where you can eat, drink and shop your little heart away, but one of the ol’ favourites has had a comeback and we’re all here for it.
Nobby’s is well and truly in its slay era and to be honest, we can’t get enough. Locals have loved the beachside suburb forever and to be fair, so have we, but there’s been a surge of seriously epic new venues that have made us fall in love all over again.
We’ve taken the task of trying out the 16 reasons why locals can’t get enough of Nobby’s – you’re welcome – so you can see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
The Oxley 1823
You’ve no doubt seen it pretty much everywhere (guilty), but have you actually visited The Oxley yet? It’s been one of Nobby’s most anticipated new arrivals for as long as we can remember, and we think it’s safe to say now it’s well and truly living up to expectations. They’ve got brekky and lunch covered with the crew at Sunkist, coffee on tap at Buoy and everything you need from groceries, fresh meats and seafood, flowers and made to order juices covered at The Oxley Village Grocer, Butcher and Sub Station. A little birdy also told us there are even more goodies opening a little later this year, so watch this space.
Where: 17 Lavarack Road, Mermaid Beach
Holliday Coffee
Good vibes, great coffee and a seriously strong jaffle game(!!) – what’s not to love about Holliday? No seriously, our caffeine addiction is being single handedly fuelled by these guys. It’s pretty much always buzzing – what is always a good sign if you ask us. Follow the smell of the freshly ground coffee beans, grab a seat outside (our personal favourite spot) and spoilt yourself with a little treaty. Go on, you’ve earned it.
Where: 2251 Gold Coast Highway (corner of Wave St), Nobby Beach
Franc Jrs
Okay big call but this may just be one of the best pizza joints on the Gold Coast and Franc-ly, it’s about time they spread the love to other parts of the city because why should Coolangatta have all the fun? The menu has all the signatures from the Cooly store and you can choose to eat in and soak up the vibes or grab and go – the perfect addition to a picnic on the beach if you ask us. Our favourite part of ordering to-go? Sipping on a cheeky frozen marg while you wait.
Where: Shop 2/32 Lavarack Road, Nobby Beach
Alfred’s Apartment
Mermaid’s loss is Nobby’s gain because you best believe we’ve been living at Alfred’s since the OG started calling its new address home. Still the same vibe you love from the original Alfred’s, the space now has a schmick industrial fit out, ripper coffee and, of course, all the merch that we know you can’t get enough of. If you’re off the coffee train you’ll want to get around their viral strawberry matcha.
Where: 2225 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Fosters Bakery
No one does pies or baked goods quite like Foster’s Bakery, they’re famous for a reason and known for delivering that classic bakery feel of yesteryear. The ultimate spot for a pie (you know you love them) or a jam donut loaded with sugary goodness, we’re nostalgic just thinking about it.
Where: Shop 1/2227 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Tropic Vice
This place is a VIBE. The sun-lit rooftop is the perfect setting to sip on signature cocktails & graze on a unique “Florribean” inspired menu, combining flavours of the Caribbean and South America. The space was stylishly updated last year, still paying homage to the iconic Palm Springs and Miami influence, it’s one of those spots you just want to sip and stay all day.
Where: Upstairs 2215 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
About a Girl
One of our favourite little gems in Nobby’s is of course, About a Girl boutique. They’ve got the perfect mix of wardrobe staples and current trending pieces, they’ve got gorgeous linen sets, minis, maxis and so much more for every occasion, as well as a curated selection of hand-picked homewares you didn’t know you absolutely need.
Where: 2/2211 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Tayta Nikkei
This Nobby newcomer brought a taste of Nikkei cuisine to the Gold Coast. With its intimate setting boasting 60 seats, Tayta Nikkei exudes a dark and moody ambiance, complemented by traditional Peruvian colors and patterns. The menu showcases a delightful array of seafood and ceviche-style specialties, inviting guests on a culinary journey like no other.
Where: 2/2243 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Mexicali
You had us at Mexican. We challenge you to find someone who doesn’t love a good Mexican feed… Go on, we’ll wait. Calling Nobby’s home for probably longer than most of us have, Mexicali never fails to bring the vibes (and the bevs) all year long. Once you make your way upstairs it’s seriously like entering the ultimate secret spot, if you close your eyes for a second it’s almost like you’re actually in Tulum. Once you’ve knocked back a few tacos and cocktails, don’t forget to snap the iconic stair shot as you exit – you know what we’re talking about, don’t lie.
Where: Level 1, 2223 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
Bine Bar & Dining
Let’s talk Bine. Specialising in craft beer and perfectly matched food, and…need we say more? With 8 rotating taps, a bunch of different bottled beers, a selection of wines and mouth-watering cocktail options matched with a modest yet decadent menu, there are plenty of reasons to love it….and come back again and again.
Where: 1/28 Chairlift Ave, Nobby Beach
Okazu
Now there’s a decent dose of Japanese going around our hood, but we can never get enough. Have any of these sushi bars or poke bowl dreamboats failed us? The answer is a hard no. Okazu is no exception, this convenient grab and go spot featuring Donburi, Okonomiyaki and Sushi Rolls is as fresh as it is delicious and it has us coming back every day.
Where: 2223 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
BSKT Cafe
Ahh BSKT, you are simply the gift that keeps on giving. The menu just keeps delivering year on year and honestly, if you haven’t been here yet are you even a true Gold Coaster? Consistently voted one of the best tables in town, there is not a single dish that doesn’t hit a home run.
Where: 4 Lavarack Rd, Nobby Beach
Nobbys Shack
If health food is your (sugar-free) jam, one would hope you’ve cottoned on to The Shack Superfood Café and if not, it’s about time you convert. With tasty eco-friendly meals like smoothies, acai bowls and wraps in a breezy, non-pretentious environment, the brand spanking new version of the previous fave The Shack Superfood Café, lives up to its predecessor’s high standards…and then some.
Where: 2241 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
Cambus Wallace
A nautical-themed rum and whisky bar delivering old school service and quality, it’s a long-standing crowd-pleaser for good reason. The space is low-lit, close-knit and always pumping. Swing in for some delish share plates, a drink or two and soak up the intimate ambience. Live music with a side of gin and fresh squeezed apple juice? Name a more iconic duo, we’ll wait…
Where: 4/2237 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
SOMM Wine Store
Yeah we’ve talked a lot about foody joints (how unlike us – said no-one ever) but there is absolutely no denying that SOMM Wine store is a firm local favourite of the vino variety. SOMM (aka us) might even say it’s the only place you should be exploring to find your favourite drop. Owned by husband and wife duo Joe and Natalie, their backstory is reflected in the carefully curated wines begging to occupy real estate at your next dinner party. Specialising in boutique wineries, their wine experts will help you find a winner every time.
Where: 2245 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
That mural
Speaking of Mexicali and epic art (and no, we’re not talking about the food this time), a much-loved part of the Nobbys highway strip is the eye-catching mural adorning one side of the restaurant in all its bright-hued glory. Designed and painted by local legend Luke Day, the colourful creation and all its pinky bluey goodness is THE spot to snap the most aesthetic insta shot you could wish for. Say cheese…or churros!
Where: The north side of Mexicali (you won’t miss it)
Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.
