If your special interests include putting away unsavoury amounts of great chow and getting behind a good theme – there’s a brand new, banquet-worthy dining concept in our midst you’re bound to find very a-peel-ing. Serving up next-level Chinese cuisine, Wu Kong Kitchen and Bar Southport is the new Monkey King-themed nosher giving GC foodies plenty to go bananas for.

With the type of ambience that will leave you wonton more, the Wu Kong concept is one steeped in ancient mythology and culinary traditions. Adding Authentic Chinese feasts served with a side of folklore (no, not that kind, sorry Swifties) to Queen Street Village’s ever-growing mix, Southport’s peckish punters can now get their Lo Mein and Plum Duck fix immersed in surrounds inspired by the legendary, centuries-old tale of Wu Kong, king of monkeys.

Inspired by the famous Chinese novel, “Journey to the West”, which was immortalised by the iconic Japanese TV show Monkey Magic. Where are my 80’s children at? Brisbane’s Wu Kong crew have fully committed to the bit for their enchanting second venture. Where the OG city location dazzles with a whimsical Water Curtain Cave theme, the latest instalment in this tantalising saga is inspired by the fable’s second act. With Wu Kong’s legendary quest to extinguish the mountain inferno reflected in the next-level decor, enveloping diners with licking flames and walls as if carved from rock.

The Wu Kong crew certainly moved a few mountains of their own to make the epic fit-out happen. Shipping in the same specialty concrete used by Disneyland, with technicians from overseas required to mould the material into the fiery mountain feature. We told you they were committed to the bit!

While the captivating interior may have taken a year to pull off – the menu is also pretty darn magical in its own right. Think contemporary takes on traditional faves, offering a feast-worthy array of sautéed and crispy chef’s specialties, succulent seafood, and wok-tossed noodles served with sides of saucy vegetables and dim sum.

If you’re overwhelmed by a menu where every option sounds as good as the next, direct your attention to the Chef Signature menu where you’ll find house specialties like roasted Plum Duck, served slathered in tangy plum sauce, or Shanghai-style Dong Po Pork, made with pork belly slow braised in soy, rice wine and brown sugar. From there, your only quandary need be the obligatory dim sum order – add in a couple of plates of Har Gao or Squid Ink Mala Pork Xiao Long Bao, and you’ve got yourself one epic feast!

These guys are also not monkeying around when it comes to the drinks menu, so prepare to also pucker those lips for some pan-Asian style sips, cocktail fans! Including Pandan Colada’s or a boozy bubble tea cocktail made with vodka, black tea, creamer, sugar syrup, brown sugar pearl. Though we would certainly consider climbing a mountain to get a taste of the Mount Huaguo, made with white rum, jasmine green tea, passionfruit, pineapple, kumquat lemon and osmanthus honey. B-A-N-A-N-A-S level good, right?

Incredible Chinese eats, crafted cocktails and a very cool theme – what’s not to love? Enchanting on every level, Wu Kong Kitchen and Bar Southport might not be your everyday dining experience, but we could happily spend every day eating here.

Where: T10/129 Queen Street Village, Southport
When: Monday to Sunday 11:30-21:30

Words by Kellie Leader
Images by Mathilde Bouby

Shiro Gelato & Snack is Southport’s new HQ of sweet and savoury Japanese small bites (and licks) you Japaneed to be acquainted with, like now, arigatou gozaimasu.

Perched just a hop skip and a yum from the G’s Southport tram stop, the conveniently positioned new venue is a #snaccident waiting to happen for lucky passersby. For owner Kei Okamoto, a well-placed location was the main priority when selecting the new spot for Shiro Gelato & Snack. His former experience dishing up street food style Japanese eats at markets, combined with head chef Shodai Kawakami’s ten-year culinary expertise is the ultimate matcha made in heaven.

The two-legged fuzzy ball mascot featured throughout the shop’s signage is your subliminal sign to leg it on in to discover the array of treats that await. The interior fit out was handled by the Shiro crew (what can’t they do), with a simply-appointed and welcoming space framed by classic crisp-white subway tiles – while the seductive glow of those house-made gelatos glisten from the cabinet beyond. The intimate, corridor style space offers limited casual seating to lick, sip and savour until the #hanger safely subsides.

For those not familiar with Japanese fare, you might be wondering just want you can expect from the Shiro Gelato & Snack menu. Think authentic light Japanese bites worthy of quashing the most serious of snack attacks (though,  with a couple of Onirigi’s under the belt, you may still feel a lot like rolling on out of there).

The aforementioned savoury specialty Onigiri, is a popular Japanese rice ball lunch and snack dish, as tasty as it is convenient to nom on-the-go. The Shiro offering includes six signature flavours such as a classic salmon and takana, made with Japanese leafy green mustard pickles and spices promising a slightly spicy and tangy flavour. Though we also like the sound of the Negi Miso – Shallots, miso, citrus chilli paste a shal–lot.

For sweet tooths, curb your cravings by sinking your teeth into the beloved jelly-like, traditional Japanese sweet treat that is Warabi Mochi.

Though we’ll never miss an opportunity to gush about gelato (umm hello, we live for this), and the Shiro Gelato & Snack selection of Japanese flavours does not disappoint. Japanese eats enthusiasts will be soy into the Kinako – a roasted soybean flour flavour most commonly compared to peanut butter. Joined by yet more mouth watering contenders such as Black sesame, Matcha white chocolate, miso caramel, and the vegan friendly Yuzu and lemon flavour.

Can’t decide which sweet treat you’re in the mood for? Same. Might we suggest a thinly Mochi-wrapped (and/or topped!) gelato scoop for the ultimate best of both worlds action.

There’s no doubt lucky northern locals will bento-ver backwards to get their Shiro Gelato & Snack fix, while for everyone else this little Southport side quest is a tasty snackrifice well worth taking.

Where: 50 Nerang St, Southport
When: 11:30am–10pm daily

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.

If you’re craving a hot new Thai spot, satay no more because Limlay Thai is here (well they will be come Friday 21st June). Since it’s a tad inconvenient to pop over to Thailand for a quick feed they figured they’d bring true Thai, Gold Coast style to Burleigh.

The brains behind Nahm Talay in Surfers and Valyn Thai in Isle of Capri have brought our favourite flavours down south so the rest of us can get in on the action. It’s about darn Thai-m!

Nestled among Burleigh’s best and busiest restaurants you’ll find Limlay Thai on the Gold Coast Highway taking pride of place where Suzy BBQ once called home. You’ll find loads of variety on the menu as you would expect if you’re familiar with their sister restaurants. Think Thai refined street food – blending traditional flavours with a contemporary flair.

Limlay means by the sea, a perfect fit for this locale. It’s beachside dining at its best. The clean, modern interiors shine with pops of print and colour, so you can get comfy while you wait for the good time to start rolling. And by good times, we mean cocktails, of which there are loads.

Think colourful concoctions with a side of theatre, like the Lychee Martini hidden among a haze of smoke as it’s served. Gin lovers, you’ll want to get your hands on the Crystal Pink – the ultimate combo of gin, white rum, ruby Tuesday press juice, lime, strawberry and passionfruit with a pink sugar stick on top. It manages to taste even better than it looks.

Now let’s talk starters. Did you really go to a Thai restaurant if you didn’t get Chicken Satay Sticks? Not in our books tbh, but we’ll forgive you because if chicken isn’t your vibe you’ll want to give the BBQ Pork or Beef Skewers a try. Think succulent marinated meats perfectly seasoned Thai style.

For seafood lovers, the Prawns with Chilli Lime Dressing pack a punch with their mix of prawns, cabbage, chilli, garlic, lime, coriander, and mint. It’s just as flavourful as it is colourful #winwin. Or go large with the Whole Barramundi with Thai ‘Three Flavour’ Sauce and thank us later.

Now winter is here which means we’re craving classic curries and delish soups, because nothing warms the stomach and the soul like a big bowl of Tom Yum or a Hot Pot.

It’s a bold claim but we believe Limlay has some of the best-tasting curries in all of the Gold Coast (there – we said it) on the menu. It’s time to get better acquainted with traditional Thai and crowd favourites like the BBQ Chicken Yellow Curry which combines red onion, watermelon and coriander for a seriously fresh flavour combo that we bet you’ve not tasted before.

Whether you’re all about venturing out of your comfort zone or sticking to the classics like a Red Duck Curry or hearty Lamb Shank Massaman the menu is packed with rich and rare flavours we can’t get enough of.

Freshen up your palate with a side of Limlay’s signature salads like the Thai Som Tum with green pawpaw, chilli, garlic, snake beans, tomatoes and peanuts doing all the talking. The ultimate combo to break up the rich Thai flavours, so you can keep going back for seconds… or thirds… or fourths. No judgement here.

No meal is complete without a cheeky side of dessert and what better excuse than to get a taste of Thailand with Mango Sticky Rice or their signature Toast with Creamy Pandan Coconut? Sounds simple but trust us, the flavours are anything but.

In a curry? We mean, hurry… Limlay Thai’s grab-and-go menu has you covered with quick bites like Pork Skewers and crunchy Calamari to keep the hunger at bay while you go about your day.

Where: 1/1730 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
When: Open daily for lunch and dinner
Monday – Thursday from 11:30am – 3pm and 5pm – 9:30pm
Friday from 11:30am – 3pm and 5pm – 11:30pm
Saturday from 11am – 4pm and 5pm – 11:30pm
Sunday from 11am – 4pm and 5pm – 9pm

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski
Venue Images by Mathilde Bouby