Our brains scream exercise, but our hearts whisper cheeseburger.
Our brains scream exercise, but our hearts whisper cheeseburger.
We’ve never met a burger we didn’t like. Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but we’ve never met a burger from this list that we didn’t love. The humble burger has reached new heights thanks to these Gold Coast hospo legends putting new twists of the classic favourite. And what’s not to love? They’re reliable, damn tasty and the ultimate all-rounder.
Think you’re not a burger lover? Well, we challenge you not to be after eating your way through this epicness. Already converted? Thank us later because your tastebuds will never be the same after these bad boys. To us, every day is burger day – so we’ve pulled together a list of the 13 best burger joints for you to eat your way through. So cheers to the GOAT dish and one of our favourite menu items and prepare to loosen those belts people!
Paloma Wine Bar
It’s one of Burleigh’s favourite local haunts for their huge wine range, next-level cocktails and steak frites, but have you tried the Paloma Cheeseburger? The burger itself is pretty large and in charge for a humble cheeseburger, plus it’s paired with their signature fries – name a more iconic duo. They’re available exclusively on Wednesdays to help you wine-down on hump day and for $14, you’d be losing money not treating yourself #girlmath.
Where: 1/12 James St, Burleigh Heads
Two Yolks
Burgers and Burleigh apparently go hand in hand! Two Yolks are home to potentially one of the broadest burger ranges, you can literally treat yourself to a toasty bun for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The Triple B is a solid (literally) starter to your day with Bangalow free range bacon, pork sausage plus a heap more with… wait for it… tater tots as a sneaky side. Feeling like something a little more classic? Well the options are (almost) endless with spicy fried chicken all the way through to a Mexican moment.
Where: 13 Connor St, Burleigh Heads
Betty’s Burgers
We don’t make this claim lightly, but there is quite literally a burger for everyone here. Vegan? No problem. Don’t make friends with gluten? Say less. These guys clearly take their burgers seriously because Betty’s have a huge 15 different burgers to choose from, your biggest problem will be narrowing it down to just one. The best problem to have if we do say so ourselves. Need some inspo? We can’t go past the Betty’s Deluxe or Shroom Burger. Perfect for refuelling post retail therapy.
Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Robina Town Centre and Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre
Burgster
With a name like Burgster, it’s only natural they deliver the goods in the burger department. It’s absolutely one of the best burger joints on the Gold Coast so it’s well worth returning to eat your way through each and every options. Now, while you might’ve come for the burgers you seriously need to stay for the tempura oyster, brie bites and margs. A match made in burger heaven.
Where: Shop 2 & 3, 4-10 Philippine Parade, Palm Beach
Wahlburgers
Our favourite movie star Mark Wahlburg and his brothers certainly know what’s up when it comes down to a burger of great proportions. Wahlburgers first Queensland store located at the beach end of the newly renovated Paradise Centre always deliver on big burgers with big flavour. Rock up with the crew after some time on the beach and tuck into a BBQ Bacon Burger (which is brother Donnie’s choice) with a beef patty, tasty cheese, bacon, fresh jalapenos, BBQ sauce and avo spread – the perfect combo with all of your favourites on one delicious burger. Pro tip: level it up with the famous Fried Pickles to start with and thank us later.
Where: Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Easy Street Diner
Blink and you might miss this beauty along the Gold Coast Hwy, so keep your eye peeled! What these guys knock out of their kitchen will have you coming back time after time. Menu items such as Jalapeño Bites, Pickle Poppers and their infamous Pork Belly Nuggets are absolute crowd-pleasers. But who are we to take the shine off their fantastic lineup of burgers, Give us the Royale with Cheese all the way!
Where: 12/2563 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Ze Pickle
This Burleigh Heads corner spot is the very essence of lazy, street-side eating. Swing in when you clock off on Friday, grab one of their 12 craft beers on tap — and relax. Next, seize a menu and struggle to decide which of the next-level burgers you’re set on. The imagination that goes into their selection of burgers is top-notch, with examples like the Baja Fish Taco Burger and Southern Hick Chicken Burger; you’ll not just be wowed with flavour but the menu names also!
Where: 37 Connor Street, Burleigh Heads
Palm Springs
You’ve seen it all over your ‘gram, so if you haven’t been to Palm Springs then where have you been? It’s one of our fav spots to sit back and soak up the Gold Coast vibes, pat all of the pups and of course, tuck into a delish burger. They’ve got four mouth-watering options all served on a classic milk bun, from your classic Bacon & Egg or Fried Hot Chicken Burger choices or if you’re a bit fancy, the Truffle Burger is an all-round favourite.
Where: 1878 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
TGI Fridays
Looking for a place where it’s always Friday and if this isn’t a rhetorical question…?! Add all American juicy handcrafted burgers, plenty of beer on tap and drinks that are always a’flowin and you’ve just described TGI FRIDAYS!
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina and Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Apres Surf
It’s become an institution for a reason. They’ve got sweet deals on the menu pretty much every day, but there’s pretty much no better way to finish your Monday with a cheesy b – am I right? The crew at Apres Surf are serving up their iconic cheeseburgers each and every Monday for just $6.50, so you can afford to treat yourself to more than one or a cheeky beer if you’re in the mood. The definition of cheap AND cheerful.
Where: Shop 1/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Eddie’s Grub House
This rock and roll infused dive bar delivers teenage kicks and appealing burger action unapologetically to Coolangatta. As far south as you can go before stepping over the street and into New South Wales, the venue is a ‘pull up a stool and sink a few bevvies’ kind of hangout. Ideal if you find yourself needing a refreshment between happenings at Cooly Rocks On. In the realm of burgers, these guys bring out revolving weekly specials with all the best music genre names you can think of. Delicious and always a good time. We strongly suggest you swing by Eddie’s and let your hair down!
Where: 171 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
Luckie’s Diner – The Collective
It’s always cheat day at Luckie’s Diner, one of The Collective’s fave eats offerings! Their American-style menu with an edge never disappoints and their Royale with Cheese Burger featuring beef, cheese, special sauce, lettuce, tomato and pickles served with fries and ketchup will have you coming back for more. We love that there’s an Aussie Aussie Aussie Burger with grilled pineapple, beetroot and egg, because we don’t see this on menus enough these days. Also an honourable mention to the Pork Belly Nuggets served with maple dipping sauce too, a real winner at this local’s haunt.
Where: The Collective, 1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Longboards Laidback Eatery and Bar
If you happen to bring your very best hunger game with you to Longboards, you won’t be disappointed. Seventeen handcrafted burgers on offer, including Beach Cheeseburger, the Vegetarian G-Banger, and the Mona Lisa, which arrives towering with wagyu beef patty, crispy bacon, melted brie cheese, garlic-butter mushrooms, caramelised onion, lettuce, tomato, and truffle aioli. Over the top? Maybe just a bit – but we aren’t judging! One of the best burger joints on the Gold Coast? Absolutely!
Where: Q1 Resort & Spa, Corner of Hamilton Avenue &, Northcliffe Terrace, Surfers Paradise
uxtaposed against the sparkling Coolangatta sea is the dark and grungy good-time den that is Eddie’s Grub House.
It’s a New Orleans-style dive bar and rock n roll personified with a dartboard in the corner and chalkboard pillars sporting cheeky messages and tiny works of art. Framed photos of Elvis and the like adorn the back wall while another is stacked high with a collection of spirits the King himself would be proud of.
Put simply Eddie’s Grub House is all the good things you won’t find anywhere else on the Gold Coast and if that’s not enough to persuade you, their new menu definitely will.
Eddie’s war cry reads “Whiskey, beer and fried chicken. All Marinated in Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll” and while this is true, burgers and hot dogs are the stars of the latest show.
The Menage Abbatoir consists of an all beef patty, two southern fried chicken tenders, bacon, cheese, an onion ring filled with red cheddar, Coopers Ale BBQ sauce and special sauce – it’s a doozey, good luck. Not quite that brave? The Philly Cheeseburger also packs an all beef patty simply plus cheese, sautéed mushrooms, onions and peppers. The Sloppy Joe Cocker is a beef party, chilli con carne, sour cream and shallots. Prepare to get saucy.
Onto to the hot dogs. They’re all made with Eddie’s signature jalapeno, course ground dogs rammed into a milk bun and served with fries of course. The O.G is literally that – a timeless hot dog classic filled with ketchup, mustard and red cheddar cheese. The Philly Cheese Dog boasts matching ingredients to the burger of the same name but dog-style.
If all that’s not enough to render you useless for the rest of the day add on some Texas Chilli Cheese Fries – they’re coated with Eddie’s fire dust, bacon and scallions and smothered in hot cheese sauce.
Forgive us for we have sinned.
HOURS: Tuesday to Thursday 12pm to 10.30pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm to 12am and Sunday 12pm to 10pm.
LOCATION: 171 Griffith Street, Coolangatta.
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
With all of the excellent and plentiful eateries on offer on the Gold Coast these days, it can sometimes be hard to take your pick. Options. Options. Options. And for the most part, we must all agree; it’s a brilliant thing. But when you want to slow things down a nudge and enjoy just the simple things — executed with utter finesse — there’s a new kid on the block we just know you’re going to love. Burleigh’s newly opened Paloma Wine Bar is your new sophisticated hangout spot — and you’re going to be smitten.
But who is behind the venue? For those who are no stranger to the much-lauded and hatted Restaurant Labart, you’ll be aware that husband and wife team Alex and Karla Munoz Labart are some serious hospitality veterans from Sydney who made the sea change to West Street Burleigh Heads in 2018. And for that, the Gold Coast will always be thankful. However, their focus has now turned on creating a James Street wine bar that is fun, vibrant, and at its core, just a simple place for people to enjoy fantastic wine and equally brilliant small plates.
The space takes over from former venue Burleigh Bar & Bites and, through the pair’s love of decor, has been transformed into a haven of clean coastal chic with oceanic blue leather banquettes, dune sand white walls, and soft khaki green tiling. Hand-blown light fixtures from Currumbin’s Soktas punctuate the entire setting with classy low-level lighting, perfect for staring lovingly into your glass of wine in hand.
When it comes to a wine list of breadth and approachability, you’ll be hard pushed to find anything else similar on the Coast. A no bars approach has been taken with the offering, affording the customer a vast range of styles, producers, and countries to choose from to spoil their tastebuds with. Maybe a zesty and crisp Savignin (Sauvignon Blanc’s cousin) from the hilly Jura region of France will quench that Friday knock-off thirst, or perhaps a sultry and smooth Pinot Noir from Victoria’s Gippsland will take the edge off a hectic weekend of festive shopping.
Take your time here to explore the list and you’ll be rewarded with some absolute treasures, including a robust collection of natural style (skin contact) wines and pet nats (naturally sparkling), which if you haven’t tried, you should at least give a go. For those giving the wine a miss, you’ll still be catered for with a solid selection of signature cocktails (the bar is named after the refreshing tequila/grapefruit cocktail afterall), a well-stocked back bar, with a spattering of local craft beers.
Small dishes will complement the drinks forward focus here, but certainly not lacking any creativity or flavour. Think European-inspired and Mediterranean splashed dishes such as Burrata, white anchovies and peppers on toast, and Beef tartare with tarragon and anchovy vinaigrette. Oh and we’ve even heard a whisper that their beloved lockdown, La Burger, is set to make its comeback to Paloma. Be sure you have those stretchy pants within reach, folks!
Chef and co-owner Alex Munoz Labart tells us this, ‘Paloma is a neighbourhood wine bar. Pop in for a pre or post-dinner drink or come early and settle in for the night. We want you to treat it as your own, get to know our team and make it your home away from home”.
With such a stellar line-up of drinks and fabulous flavour laden dishes on offer, we doubt you’ll need any further encouragement.
When: Wednesday – Friday 3pm – late & Weekends 1pm – late
Where: 12 James Street, Burleigh Heads
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
