Big things have been afoot on the southern foodie scene of late. The surge of bar-raising venues for border residents shows no signs of slowing anytime soon, as Cooly welcomes Pipi’s Restaurant – a gush-worthy new seafood venture for Brisbane’s culinary big guns, the Gambaro Group.

If you haven’t yet caught murmurs of Cooly’s panoramically-blessed gem now presiding over Point Danger, let’s just say the much-anticipated arrival has foodies giddy with glee for very good reason.

If you’re a fan of lazy, beachfront sessions studded with Caviar bumps, Chargrilled Squid and Crudo… prepare to fall, hard. After all, Cooly’s newcomer boasts some sea-rious pedigree. Counting Caxton Street mainstay Gambaro Seafood Restaurant, Black Hide Steakhouses and Italian restaurant Persone among its peers, Pipi’s officially marks the first foray this end of the M1 for esteemed eats juggernaut, the Gambaro Group.

Aside from a packin’ a whole lot of culinary cred, the Euro-inspired 100pax stunner brings a sophisticated, Mediterranean seafood destination to Cooly’s formerly rather bare Boundary Street block, courtesy of the newly constructed Awaken Complex development.

Flaunting breathtaking views inside and out, the enchanting, coastal-style fit out was a collaborative undertaking between BYculprit. x S.SHYNE.

At its heart, a sprawling open kitchen and bar connects the dining spaces – flanked by 180-degree glazed views to the surf, soft lines and swoon-worthy, millennial pink finishes for days #drool. A nod, we’re told, to the colours and textures of the pipi shell – though no doubt luring hapless, blush-pink-obsessed 80’s kids is just an added bonus.

Leveraging sweeping views of the beachfront that stretches from Snapper Rocks across to DBar, Pipi’s vacillates between laid-back and luxury. Infusing a taste of theatrics to Cooly’s dining scene, the sophisticated spot boasts some unapologetically boujee inclusions like an open flame Josper grill, private dining space and feature Oyster display, while maintaining the welcoming, relaxed vibe of its ‘hood.

The menu offers contemporary Mediterranean-inspired eats, with a distinct focus on ocean delicacies – though Pipi’s is certainly not a one trick pony. You only have to go as far as the entrées to see what we mean, where specialties like zesty, salsa verde drizzled Chargrilled Squid and King Fish Tartare, served with green apple & radish, mingle with Marinated Chicken Souvlaki and Roasted Cauliflower finished in vinaigrette and hazelnuts.

Pipi’s selection of Oysters, Sides and Snacks such as the Swordfish Skewer and Crispy Prawn Roll, served drizzled in tarragon aioli, offer a tantalising prequel to the main event – while the mains are where that Josper grill really comes into its own. With dishes such as the Chargrilled Spatchcock, made with Australian olives, preserved lemon & parsley, set to steal the show – if you can go past the Handmade Lobster Linguine, that is.

Hoo boy, Coolangatta… we might just catch ourselves some feelings here if we’re not careful.

Where: 275 Boundary St, Coolangatta
When: Wednesday – Sunday from 11:30am – 3:00pm, Wednesday – Thursday 5:30pm – 9:30pm, Friday – Saturday 5:30pm – 10:00pm, Sunday 5:30pm – 8:00pm

Words by Kellie Leader.

Gold Coasters have long known the magical properties of perching up to sink a sneaky beachside brewski or two, mesmerised both by the surf and ice-cold beers.

For parched-as southerners, the particularly painstaking wait between drinks at Kirra Beach Hotel is finally over, with the ‘ole faithful frothy spot officially open and sporting a very dapper new look.

Kirra Beach Hotel has remained a steadfast fixture along the locale’s seafront stretch since 1956, beckoning sandy-footed beachgoers from the swell beyond.

The surf-blessed suburb said a bittersweet ‘so long’ to its former iteration of the beachside icon back in 2021 – the familiar (albeit well-worn) site demolished to make way for the hotly anticipated Kirra Point Precinct project.

A spruced-up Kirra Beach Hotel is just the beginning of the ambitious beachfront transformation – with KTQ Group graciously delivering our first frolic op with the multi-stage Kirra Point project just in time for summer.

Publican Greg ‘Hodgy’ Hodge promises that in spite of the swanky new digs, the waterfront site remains loyal to its laidback watering hole roots – adding at its heart it is still a friendly, no-fuss favourite where anyone is welcome.

The halls of the expansive, sea breeze and sunshine-filled space are decked with nostalgic memorabilia nods that encompass Kirra’s surf heritage.

“We want people to be able to pop in after a surf with sandy feet and grab a bite to eat, perch up with a beer in hand, watch the waves roll in, and soak up the sun and magic of Kirra.”

Oh alright, if we must, Hodgy.

For the final KO to our flagging willpower levels – the crowning jewel of the new venue is the expansive beer garden, strategically positioned for sun-drenched sips leveraging those knockout surf views.

Hodgy lays out one last (literal) thirst trap for the lot of us, saying the new alfresco addition is “unlike anything else that exists on the Coast.”

Just quietly, the breezy parking situation also ranks pretty highly – with the new location boasting a plentiful 130 space underground carpark – along with all the classic pub creature comforts: kids area, big-screen bedecked sports bar and a boutique bottle shop stocked with all the local faves.

Long-standing fans of the watering hole will welcome the return of old favourites such as schnitzels and fish and chips on the food menu, alongside new additions that like fresh bug rolls with tempura battered bug tails in a toasted brioche roll with crisp lettuce, lemon aioli and fresh chives, and a KBH seafood platter with 1kg of fresh prawns, half a kilo of fresh bugs, flash fried calamari, crumbed barramundi and hot chips.

Hot on the heels of the new look pub – will be another addition to the mammoth Kirra Point project set to be unveiled soon, Kirra Beach House. A brand new concept for the suburb, and one we surmise will be akin to a glam big sis upstairs.

It’s safe to say folks, Kirra has officially entered its chic era.

Where: 2 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
When: Daily, 10am till late

Words by Kellie Leader.

Kirra is undeniably having *a moment* – no doubt something the swanky Kirra Point Project can take a hefty chunk of credit for. With every new stage, the multi-million dollar, KTQ Group development delivers a whole new layer for us to gleefully devour – with about as much gusto as a pass-the-parcel being shredded at a kid’s party.

First, it gifted us a fresh-faced Kirra Beach Hotel, then the slick Kirra Beach House hot on its heels, and now – a brand new location from local caffeine + crew cut outfit, Made Barber & Barista.

Time has flown since owners Josh Blair & Britt Westcott first brought the genius concept, a specialty espresso bar and barber combo, to the seaside village of Tugun some 3.5 years ago.

The ‘hair-brained’ endeavour, which has been keeping southern folk kempt and caffeinated since, has now expanded to Kirra’s shores – in excellent news for… well, anyone with a head on their shoulders.

For the Made founders – ex chippie turned barista Josh and barber Britt, getting in on the action of Kirra’s transformative new precinct was an opportunity too good to refuse.

Noting it was a great fit down to the shape of the space itself which ‘suited our concept perfectly’. For their second destination, the duo stuck with the tried and true, compact footprint of their first venture, which has since become a familiar fixture amongst Tugun’s Golden Four Drive… and hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it right?

Locals can now swing by either caffeination destinations to get their fresh fade or daily pick-me-up, courtesy of Byron’s Moonshine Roasters – a tasty blend the duo reckons their stans can’t get enough of. Though if you’re not in the mood for coffee (gasp) it’s definitely worth checking out the the Iced Matcha Lattes, a drink they share has also been on heavy rotation this summer.

Fronting the corner of Musgrave & Miles St, the cosy new 25-pax venue offers a mix of indoor and kerbside seating for Kirra’s peckish perambulators. Frequents whom the cafe gods are looking favourably down upon can either nab a table, or perch up at the bar and watch the world go by in front of the breezy bifold windows which span one wall.

Capitalising on the lofty ceilings of the corner tenancy Made in Kirra now calls home, the team has leaned in to a more industrial feel this time around, opting for steel and chrome accents throughout. With Josh donning the tool belt as the project’s builder, their vision was a ‘sleek, minimalist, and androgynous’ space, weaving in some timber finishes to soften the look, and yep, they’ve pulled that off and then some.

Though they’re flexing a sleek new look, there are still some familiar faces behind the bar – with Daisy, the Made team’s ‘beautiful OG barista’ keeping the espresso machine humming at Kirra, with cameos from Josh as he floats between the two locations.

Aside from tight trims, the new site will also be churning out the familiar coffee and cafe-style snack fix, with a selection of savoury and sweet options for Kirra’s sandy-footed folk to get around.

To compliment the (obligatory) batch or barista made brew, choose from freshly baked pastries beckoning from within the cabinet, or gourmet Toast and Toasties options – prepared on Burleigh Baker Sourdough, thankyouverymuch!

We don’t know about you guys – but chasing your salty sessions with an Iced latte and a piping hot Salami, pesto mayo, sun-dried tomato, rocket and cheese stuffed Sand St Toastie sounds like our idea of bliss. Which reminds us… hey babe, don’t you reckon your hair could really use a trim…

Yep, MADE brings to Kirra the slick kind of space that would make us extremely envious of all you short haired folk – if it weren’t for that espresso bar providing all the reason we need to darken their doorstep daily.

Where: Corner of Musgrave & Miles St, Kirra
When: Daily, 5.30am–1pm

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Belinda Symons.