Because sometimes you just crave your own drop.
Because sometimes you just crave your own drop.
Isn’t it the best when you discover the restaurant you’ve been hanging to try a) can accommodate you on Saturday night (fist pump) and b) is B.Y.O?! Those three little letters bring so much joy to both us….and our bank account balance!
Finding a decent eats joint where you can pack your grog isn’t the easiest brief, but when you find one, hold on for dear life and tell NOBODY!! Just kidding (sort of…) coz that would be hypocritical of us to say, given it’s kind of our job to share this intel.
Here’s the 411 – from north to south – of some of the Gold Coast’s fave BYO restaurants.
Osha Kitchen and Bar
Serving up fabulous Asian fusion eats with flavour, portion size and prices on point, Osha Kitchen and Bar has a simple philosophy: provide consistent quality each and every time. The Wagu Beef Salad ticks all the right boxes, as does the mouth-watering Soft-Shell Crab. We can assure you it’s going to go down a treat with your favourite Grenache. But never fear, if you do forget your fav wine, there’s also a full beer, wine and cocktail menu available, becasue an Osha Martini always goes down a treat.
Where: 99 Broadwater Ave, Hope Island
Gino’s Trattoria
Your hosts Gino and Lina Alaimo have been making Gold Coasters feel oh-so-welcome and serving up a traditional Italian storm at their Runaway Bay location for 17 years (and further abroad on the GC for a whopping 41 years). The classic flavours of the Vitello Vino Bianco (veal sauteed in white wine) when paired with more white wine (obvs) from the BWS next door – Bellissimo!
Where: 128 Lae Dr, Runaway Bay
Yoki Thai
If you know, you know. This place is a northern GC treasure and where do we even start? Named after owner and head chef Jack’s wife, this duo is a force to be reckoned with. Originally located in Paradise Point, they’ve been cooking up Thai bangers for 27 years. Always filled with bums on seats (most with a bottle of plonk in hand), make sure you book ahead!
Where: 10/455 Oxley Dr, Runaway Bay
Milan on Main
We’ve seen many come and go along Tedder over the years, but this Italian stallion – open for breakfast, lunch and dinner – is a keeper. We’re ordering the Linguine Gamberi, sauté prawn, snapper fillet with onion, garlic, capers, tomatoes, anchovy (controversial we know) and chilli, and washing it down with a bottle of Pinot from our personal cellar (just kidding, more like our cupboard).
Where: 4/14-16 Tedder Ave, Main Beach
Roy’s by Gemelli
Tucked away in the Riviera Shopping Centre, the Gemelli Group have gifted the ‘burbs a taste of their Italo-Australian greatness. Roy’s is the perfect family mid-week dinner spot or date night destination, where you can enjoy a showstopping pizza or pasta with that bottle of wine you’ve been saving. Striking the balance between modern rustic yet homely, it’s a winner on all fronts.
Where: Cnr Campbell Street & Panitz St, Sorrento
Chiangmai Thai
Us locals all have fond memories of going to Chiangmai Thai in our younger years and LBH, there were 2 reasons for this. Firstly, every dish we ever ordered was (and still is) perfection and secondly, we could (and can) bring wine along and do we need to say anything else? It’s an ageless winner for good reason.
Where: 5-19 Palm Avenue Surfers Paradise & 2779 Gold Coast Hwy Broadbeach
George’s on Broadbeach
It’s Mediterranean steak and seafood at its finest and this family sure know how to restaurant! They’ve clocked up over 30 years’ experience in the biz, still running Valentino’s next door and Romanas at Nobbys. George is the ultimate host with the most serving your Chenin Blanc with flair to match the freshest of fresh seafood, we’re sure they caught it, like, an hour ago.
Where: 1/27 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach
Cha Cha Japanese Restaurant
Okay so let’s talk about a Japanese restaurant so good, it doesn’t even need a website. Cha Cha delights taste buds with its simplicity and truly authentic flavours and has become so overwhelming popular over the years, that it’s expanded next door. It’s perfect for lining the tum before hitting the Broady club scene, or for catching a no-fuss, affordable relaxed feed with your choice of drop from the amazing Vintage Cellars (only a hop, skip and jump away).
Where: 6/2705 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach
Romanas Italian Restaurant
Yep, you picked it – this is one of the other local BYO high achievers from the extended Covino family, also responsible for the likes of George’s on Broadbeach (see above). The chef’s specials are off the charts and if you’re counting carbs, you’ll forget about it here because it’s just so worth it when you devour one of their pastas or other classic Italian dishes. Grab your favourite bottle of vino to accompany from Nobby’s fav somelier Joe of Somm Wine Store.
Where: 2233 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach
Zablsan Thai
It doesn’t matter what you order at Zablsan Thai, you know they’ll hit a homerun. There is no such thing as a bad…or average…or even just good meal here – every dish delivers flavour and quality in spades. The portions are generous (just how we like them) and the service is consistently top-notch. Bring your bottle of vino and settle in for a fab feed that won’t break the bank. May we suggest picking up a top notch bottle of wine from newbie’s wine specialty store Flor Grocer & Wine.
Where: 1742 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Toro’s Pizza
If it’s intimate Italian eats you’re after with an air of finesse and convenience, you’ll be tickled pink at Toro’s. With super cool Morocco meets the Mediterranean style and a pinky peaches and cream colour scheme, the only thing better than the fit-out is the pizza. Oh and the BYO factor! Try the Pumpkin Pizza with a tomato base, mozzarella, zucchini, rocket and feta. Heaven!
Where: 7/2 Eighth Ave, Palm Beach
Zipang
Currumbin locals will tell you Zipang serves up one of the most authentic Japanese feeds you’ll ever find, and its endless rave reviews confirm this. Perfect for a casual lunch or dinner, the modern rustic vibe is on point and the service is impeccable. With a menu offering a range of share-style plates along with rice and meal bowls, everything is a ten outta ten….maybe eleven thanks to being BYO!
Where: 10/27-31 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters
Words by Bianca Trathen.
Wine is a beautiful thing: loved the world over and the perfect accompaniment to the next best thing in the world — cheese. Happily, the Gold Coast Hinterland is home to several world-class wineries, all of which are around an hour or less drive away. Pack your picnic blanket and make space in your boot for a case or two; here are the best cellar doors to take a sip at.
Witches Falls Winery
A self-proclaimed small but bold winery, Witches Falls are passionate about big tastes. Not only do owners Jon and Kim love the end product, but they’re also pretty keen on the growing, making and matching aspects of the fruity liquid. They offer personalised wine tastings that permit access to their entire range. And be sure to try their fantastic cheese board when you go!
Where: 79 Main Western Road, North Tamborine
Cedar Creek Estate
With a tree-lined entryway and lush green surroundings, Cedar Creek Estate is all your charming winery dreams come true. The vineyard consists of two varieties including Chambourcin and Verdelho, and even though the vines are relatively young, their Chambourcin in particular, is producing a fabulous Rose. Cedar Creek Estate also boasts the Arthur Hamblin Art Gallery, if sipping wine overlooking vineyards doesn’t fill your cultural cup entirely.
Where: 104-144 Hartley Road, North Tamborine
Sirromet Wines
Passionate about sustainable wine production, Sirromet Wines state-of-the-art, family-run facilities can be found in picturesque Mt Cotton. From the award-winning 2014 Signature Collection Shiraz Viognier and 2012 Saint Jude’s Merlot to a fresh Vineyard Selection Rose, you’ll be spoilt for choice at the Sirromet cellar door. Tastings run every day and you can also choose to do a behind-the-scenes tour of the vineyard. Plus, there’s a nine-hole golf course too — before or after wine, it’s up to you.
Where: 850 Mount Cotton Road, Mount Cotton
O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards
A picture-perfect location, O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard is a boutique vineyard and historic Queenslander homestead dedicated to fine food and fine wine. Enjoy a wine tasting, stay for lunch or purchase a gourmet picnic basket and stretch out by Canungra Creek with a bottle of bubbles. Take the kids who can also run around and take the resident alpacas for a walk.
Where: 852 Lamington National Park Road, Canungra
Sarabah Estate Vineyard
Further along the Canungra Valley, before you begin to make your steep ascent up to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, is this enchanted and sun-soaked vineyard and cellar door. The folks here wear many hats as viticulturists, alpacas herders, cheesemakers and gardeners: meaning there is plenty to see, do, eat, and drink! Weekends see their Chalet Bistro open for delicious lunches and the Smoke & Vine Bar is perfect for a stone-baked pizza — and of course a glass of wine (our pick being their 2018 organic shiraz).
Where: 46 Rymera Road, Sarabah
Mount Nathan Winery
Mount Nathan Winery is a progression of the Gibson family’s involvement in the wine industry over generations. After developing a unique range of honey-based products in Cessnock, the winery was born. Award-winning wines include the Bubbly Brut – a not too dry and not too sweet sparkling – and the Autumn White – made up of late-picked grapes with explosions of fruit. If you’re visiting, wine tastings are direct from the barrel. Doesn’t get more authentic!
Where: 220 Clagiraba Road, Mount Nathan
The Overflow Estate 1895
Situated a little past Beaudesert, this ten-year-old vineyard is a spectacular feast for the eyes. Jutting out on a small arm into Lake Wyaralong, you may be forgiven for thinking you’ve come across a place of fairy tales, but alas, you haven’t; this is a place of delicious food and fine wine! Expect some delectable menu choices from their weekend seasonal menu from The Two French Chefs, and their gourmet cafe with antipasto and grazing boards aplenty runs Wednesdays to Fridays. Hardy Spanish and Italian varietals flourish here, so be sure to try the wine for a taste of Europe without the jetlag.
Where: 1660 Beaudesert – Boonah Road, Beaudesert
Carafe Wine
GC, say “Chardon-heyyyy” to our newest winery experience. Located in Southport, you don’t even need to leave the GC for this environmentally conscious tipple. Carafe Wine has been an established premium wine on tap supplier for several years, before opening their bricks and mortar space in March 2023. Sample wines direct from the barrel, enjoy crafted winery blends and share a charcuterie board. Sounds like our kind of afternoon outing.
Where: 49 Johnston Street, Southport
Pineapple Tours
Want to visit some wineries without the hassle of finding a designated driver? Pineapple Tours offer half day, all day or fully customisable tours, with door-to-door service to/from your abode or hotel #VIP. They cover all areas of South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Grab your bestie, your partner or your posse and check out all the best wineries, distilleries, eateries and super fun GC experiences in one of their luxury vehicles. Yes please!
Where: 3200 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Words by Alex Mitcheson & Belinda Symons.
When it comes to wine growing and producing, whether you know it or not, Australia is up there in the world with some of the best. And although we might not have the legacy and history of our European cousins, we still knock out some fantastic drops!
Whether you’re a fan of Euro classics or enjoying wines from our very own Terra Australis, we think a well-rounded wine list, and therefore drinking experience, should be celebrated. So next time you feel like the wine selection should be just as good as the food, we’ve gone to great lengths to find the Gold Coast venues with great wine lists and cellars where you can sip to your heart’s content.
La Bella Cellar
If you haven’t come across this humble ode to all things Italian and delicious, then we suggest you go about booking yourself a table pronto. One sentiment many people share through gastronomy is to match a country’s food with their wine. Here at La Bella Cellar, you have countless opportunities to do so with a carefully curated list displaying hard-to-find Italian regions and varietals. But if you feel like Australian wine is just as good — and it is — they have a clever section where you can experience the same grapes and styles but from good ol’ Straya.
Where: 9/3 Deodar Drive, Burleigh Heads
Nineteen at The Star
A five-star venue overlooking the ocean and 19 floors up is the perfect place to enjoy an exceptional wine, and Nineteen at The Star is precisely that. Not to mention they have a walk-in, glass window wine room filled with hundreds of bottles of the very finest wines from across the world. Of course, the team at Nineteen are absolute stars when it comes to wine knowledge, not to mention pairing said wines with their dishes. Treat yourself to a delicious time at Nineteen; it’s pure magic.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach
Palette
Combining art and food in a brand-new opulent setting, HOTA’s Palette restaurant hinges its menu closely on what is featured within the current exhibition in the adjacent gallery, meaning you’ll be eating with your eyes as well as your mouth. Executive Chef Dayan Hartill-Law believes strongly in freshness and seasonality, mirrored by their Australian/New Zealand dominant wine list, showcasing some fantastic producers in our own backyard. If you feel the need to keep things as close to home as possible, you’ll just adore their ‘local list’ with wines exclusively from nearby Granite Belt and Mount Tamborine regions.
Where: Ground Floor, HOTA Gallery, HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
Social Eating House + Bar
A casual, fine dining venue in the heart of Broadbeach, Social Eating House + Bar is the perfect place for an-award winning feast plus a glass of wine or two to match. The wine menu is broken down into easy-to-choose sections, including light and aromatic whites, light to medium body reds and bigger shiraz, to name a few. The team are highly knowledgeable and can certainly help you find something to suit your tastes.
Where: Shop 137-138, 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
The Glenelg Public House
Long loved by Gold Coasters as the place for sophisticated home-style cooking and consistently excellent service. And it isn’t just the wine list you should be excited about; start things off with one of their superbly made house cocktails, and you’ll peruse the sizeable collection of select wines a little easier. If you’re a fan of red wine and matching it up to a melt-in-your-mouth steak, this is the place where all your dreams can — and will — come true.
Where: 2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
The Wine Barrel
As you might expect, a restaurant called The Wine Barrel has quite a selection of wine for your tasting pleasure. The Mudgeeraba gem boasts one of the very best wine lists around, and the gurus behind the bar will ensure, yours is an experience to remember. From Margaret River to Tuscany and sparkling to sherry, there’s sure to be a tipple that’ll tickle your tastebuds (and the food is the goods too). We love this place!
Where: 8/59 Railway Street, Mudgeeraba
Glass Dining & Lounge Bar
The shimmering waters and reflective hulls of nearby superyachts hopefully won’t dazzle your eyes too much when you open the drinks menu at Main Beach’s Glass Dining & Lounge Bar. Take in the extensive collection of worldly drops, and you’ll realise there is great emphasis on stellar Champagne and Australian Shiraz. So, how does starting with freshly shucked oysters and finishing off with free-range grass-fed steak sound to you — because from where we’re sitting, it sounds marvellous.
Where: Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Orzo
Firmly settled as a prime lunching spot, Orzo can be found at The Oracle Boulevard Broadbeach, serving up exquisite modern seafood dishes and, of course, a wine list to match. As you might expect, the wines are of the Italian variability from various regions, and each is stunning. Whites, reds, rosés and sparklings, anything you could want to sip, and each paired perfectly with the impressive menu. Ask the team for their recommendation and prepare to be dazzled by the goodness.
Where: 1N-02, The Oracle, 12 Charles Avenue, Broadbeach
Jafa
Up Southport way is the stunning little space Jafa – a wine and pizza bar boasting quite the unique array of vinos that pair perfectly with the menu. Have you ever tried an orange wine? There’s some on the menu here; trust us, it’s amazing. Not to mention an impressive array of reds from Syrah to Nebbiolo and some we’ve never encountered.
Where: 7/253 Ferry Road, Southport
Destino
Suppose your heart misses the Mediterranean Sea, as ours does. Might we suggest you take a visit to Sanctuary Cove and drop anchor at this perfect, white-washed afternoon grazing spot? Enjoy the dappled light and spoil yourself with cocktails, select dips, and imported cheeses — but make sure you have selected a suitable glass of wine to go alongside these morsels. Choose something delectable and European like French Provencal Rosé or Spanish Tempranillo, and imagine you’re on the Amalfi, even just for a short while!
Where: 38C Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove
Gemellini
An institution adored by a league of perpetually hungry fans out there on our coastline. Gemellini (and the OG Gemelli) has been bringing classy Italian mealtimes to Nobby Beach for a little over five years now and shows no sign of slowing up. For wine lovers out there, you’re in for a treat. If you go by the glass, you can match great examples of European classics with their drool-worthy handmade pasta dishes. If you feel like delving into their hefty bottle selection, you can sip away and sample the best pizzas this side of Naples: sure to take you straight to Italian cuisine nirvana!
Where: 2247 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Jimmy Wah’s
The Burleigh Heads gem has a carefully crafted wine list of some of the most iconic producers around, along with small and innovative winemakers making their own unique type of magic. Most of the list is available by the glass, so you’re invited to sample something unique from around the world. Each tipple is a perfect match to the exceptional modern Vietnamese food menu. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of spending time at Jimmy Wah’s, they simply must be next on your list.
Where: 1724 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Moo Moos
Often touted as the best steak restaurant on the Gold Coast, if you’re in need to satisfy the carnivore within you, then look no further. Indulge your thirst for something more refined and work your way through their vast vintage and non-vintage Champagne collection and start a lunch/dinner you won’t forget in a hurry. And if you need a follow up, their list is extensive and informs the reader on styles and grapes with a handy little introduction to each section.
Where: 2685 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
The world of wine and the talks around it can sometimes come off as a little showy and confusing for the everyday Australian. Yet our admiration for this fermented grape juice remains unaffected; enjoying a slurp of Shiraz over the BBQ or a slosh of Chardonnay by the beach are, by far, still some of our favourite pastimes. And this is where the real opportunity lies —bridging the gap from incredible wine and the people who make it to our thirsty glasses whilst sidestepping any swanky behaviour along the way.
Taking this ideal and running with it full steam ahead is the Gold Coast’s newly opened SOMM Wine Store in Nobby Beach.
Husband and wife duo Joe and Natalie are the masterminds behind SOMM, and both extend from families with long Italian Heritage. Joe, in particular, has worked in wine distribution for just shy of two decades, and although he has extensively travelled throughout Europe tasting all of the delectable wines — as you do when one is in Europe — he still knows and appreciates the good producers and emerging styles we have right here in our very own backyard.
Stepping inside the sustainably built shop space, you’ll discover sophisticated and minimalistic styling punctuated by rows of perfectly lined and colourful wine labels presenting boundless opportunities to escort your tastebuds far, far away. Browse a while, and you’ll find your favourite grape varieties — but with the likelihood of seeing some winemakers and regions you aren’t familiar with. And this is where it gets fun.
SOMM offers you the chance to discuss your tastes with their in-store experts; somebody will always be on hand to give you the low down. Expect conversations including “this producer’s winemaking style is like…”, or “this region makes fantastic wine because of their prevailing weather.” Really, these are some of the best conversations if you ask us!
The team want you to leave the store with a bottle — or two — of something you are going to love, and whether it’s something you’re familiar with or never even heard of before, it doesn’t matter one inch. The emphasis is to proudly showcase family-owned Australian winemakers with distinct styles, wines that you will genuinely enjoy drinking.
You will, however, find an array of European classics weaved throughout, alongside new-age orange wines and Pétillant Naturel (AKA Pét-Nat’s). If you’ve longed to give one of these a go, a little something left of centre, then this is your very chance to do so. Albeit with some friendly advice and guidance thrown in for good measure.
Dynamic and welcoming, whether you’re popping in on a weeknight for a little something to accompany dinner or looking for some stellar wines to go alongside a large family lunch: SOMM will cater for all tastes.
And for those with a curious outlook, you’ll be pleased to learn from 4pm on Saturdays the guys will be holding weekly tastings, where they’ll discuss and give you the chance to taste a selection of wines. Possibly the best ‘try before you buy’ we’ve ever heard of!
Where: 2245 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach
When: Sunday – Tuesday, 10am — 7pm
Wednesday – Saturday, 10am — 9pm
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
