The Gold Coast has experienced the biggest invasion of new eateries, cafes and bars to date, which ones made our list...
The Gold Coast has experienced the biggest invasion of new eateries, cafes and bars to date, which ones made our list...
2016 has been an eventful year to say the least. With a lot of negative news from David Bowie, Prince, George Michael and Carrie Fisher passing away to Donald Trump as the new President of the United States.
Buuuut on a positive note, the Gold Coast has experienced the biggest invasion of new eateries, cafes and bars yet. Which ones made our list of the best openings of 2016?
Swannie’s
Swannie’s is the perfect spot for business meet-ups, casual lunch or Friday arvo knock-off drinks.
Read our blog here!
34 Nerang Street, Southport
Latitude 28
Dangling light fixtures made of rope, light wood tables, a killer teal-blue bar and plenty of architectural detail makes Latitude 28 an impressive date night spot.
Read our blog here!
Paradise Centre, Cavill Avenue Mall Surfers Paradise
TAPS
The first pour your own beer bar (PYO) on the Gold Coast.
Read our blog here!
Tenancy 2, The Mark Building 3- 3/15 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
The Island Rooftop
The largest rooftop bar on the Gold Coast opened! The Island Rooftop takes full advantage of Gold Coast’s blue skies, green palms and pastel high rises.
Read our blog here!
3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
California Cantina
California Taco’s sister restaurant in the heart of the Gold Coast.
Read our blog here!
Capri on Via Roma, 15 Via Roma, Isle of Capri
Fu Manchu
Fu Manchu mixes seductive décor with succulent European and Asian flavours for a night diner’s won’t forget.
Read our blog here!
44 Thomas Dr, Chevron Island
Ravens Lounge Bar
A diverse space, somewhere everyone is welcome, where the girls can let their hair down and the boys can play jenga.
Read our blog here!
49 Thomas Dr, Surfers Paradise
Garden Kitchen and Bar
One of the Gold Coats’s new favourite hangouts at Jupiters Casino. High ceilings, grand floral displays, soft soothing colours and live music make it the perfect spot to Sunday sesh.
Read our blog here!
Jupiters Casino, Broadbeach Island, Broadbeach
Hatch & Co
With its great location (the corner of the Oasis building and across from the Broadbeach park) it’s the perfect spot to pop in for a drink while you are out and around Broadbeach.
Read our blog here!
75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Bin 89
It’s perfect for date night, a catch-up with friends, or even a drink alone at the bar. (Get A Kracken Good Time!!!) You’re going to love it.
Read our blog here!
Shop 105, 89-91 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Pacific Fair
The new Pacific Fair is nothing short of mind blowing! With so many new food outlets your spoilt for choice. Some you have to try are Lello Lello, Cowch and Rivea.
Pacific Fair, Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach
The Loose Moose
The Loose Moose is centrally located under the Oasis, next to Hatch & Co. and offers a seriously sophisticated setting.
Read our blog here!
75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Society of Florida
Society of Florida is fully licensed (hello Sunday brunch) and has a pretty impressive selection of native beer, wine and spirits.
Read our blog here!
1 Naranga Avenue, Florida Gardens
NXT Door
Situated directly next door to Grocer and Grind, diners get to sit back at the bar, on the lounge or amongst the communal tables in a sensual, industrial-luxe environment and enjoy everything super food.
Read our blog here!
1/1 Sunshine Blvd, Broadbeach
Apres Surf
Vintage decor, laid back staff and ridiculously good food plus great deals and specials on all week!
Read our blog here!
2376 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Lush Coffee Lounge
Lush Coffee Lounge, adjacent to Lush Hair and Beauty has good coffee, tasty treats, and an optical illusion view that will take you a million miles away.
Read our blog here!
2570 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Little Mermaid
Out with the old and in with the new! With no trace of the old K-bar and Meze in sight, the newly renovated space, Little Mermaid brings a bright and beachy eatery to Mermaid Beach.
Read our blog here!
1a/2557 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Ballboy Meatballs
This funky little joint is eye catching and an Instagrammers dream come true! The philosophy behind Ball Boy is do one thing and do it well. This one thing is meatballs, and yes, they are done well, (beef, pork, chicken and vegetarian all done well).
Read our blog here!
1/2475 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Finger and Bones
A passion for food, teachings from renowned chef Jamie Oliver and a love for sunshine, the Gold Coast was lucky enough to become the new home for Leigh and Dennis Duncanson’s cafe. Diners can choose from a fresh and homely menu that is changed every month.
Read our blog here!
2364 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Fire Cue Bar & Grill
A tapas bar which offers Latin American, Mexican, Spanish and Argentinean inspired food, zesty cocktails, tap beers from Gold Coast locals and smooth tunes.
Read our blog here!
2243 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Gemellini
Unlike its airy Broadbeach brother Gemelli, Gemellini is a small intimate space serving up Italian favourites. Some may say they make the best pizza on the Coast.
Read our blog here!
2/2247 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
The Kitchens
Robina Town Centre’s foody playground ‘The Kitchens’ is home to over 28 restaurants for you to discover – wanna know who? Read our blog here!
Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
Double Barrel Kitchen
This once Greek restaurant was transformed into a smoking new hotspot. Utilizing dark recycled timber, large custom windows, handpicked pendant lights and fresh flowers. An intimate space any creature of comfort would be happy to cosy up in.
Read our blog here!
Shop 4 Waterway Shopping Village, Cnr Karbunya Street & Sunshine Blvd, Mermaid Waters
Jimmy Wahs
Choose between bar seating, a table or opt for a street view at the large, open picture window. The decor is clean and simplistic leaving a giant portrait of Jimmy Wah to steal the spotlight.
Read our blog here!
1724 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Salvador Deli
Lower Gold Coast Highway has welcomed its newest edition, Salvador Deli, a one stop Mediterranean deli shop and restaurant and best of all – byo!
Read our blog here!
1848 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
8th Ave Terrace
Palm Beach rooftop dining at its best. 8th Ave have kept it simple with menu choices and gone above and beyond when it comes to quality.
Read our blog here!
1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
Wildernis
Astro turf, red, terracotta bricks, hanging pot plants and timber floors… if it was outside, the team at Wildernis have brought it in.
Read our blog here!
1166 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
Balboa Italian Restaurant
If it’s not the mouth-watering Italian cuisine and the delicious cocktails, it’s at the very least the phenomenal fit-out, the glamorous chandelier or the bright red Vespa that will leave you speechless.
Read our blog here!
1069 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
The Collective
Five kitchens, a breathtaking rooftop bar and more greenery than Mount Tamborine. No taste bud will be left unsatisfied, The Collective Palm Beach has opened its doors on Boxing Day 2016 and with a sold out New Year’s Eve party, the good times will keep on rolling well into the New Year.
Read our blog here!
1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
Backbone Bar
What do you get when you put together two guys with a love of beer and Asian cuisine? You get something with a bit of Backbone, an Asian tapas bar fit for friends, family and good times.
Read our blog here!
12/489 Gold Coast Hwy, Tugun
Eddie’s Grub House
Cooly’s go-to place for finger lickin’ fried chicken, burgers and whiskey.
Read our blog here!
171 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
Poboy Cajun and Creole
Josh and Brock Clapin have taken their knowledge of Southern Cajun and Creole cooking and applied it to their modest southern kitchen down in Cooly. If you’ve never pinched a tail and sucked a head, get your mind out of the gutter and get down to Poboy’s.
Read our blog here!
12/110 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Kirrabelle Kitchen & Alley Bar
An old classic has been revitalised, The Coolangatta Sands Hotel has said goodbye to its darker days and welcomed a fresh coat of crisp white paint, a fully renovated restaurant and a completely restyled menu.
Read our blog here!
Cnr Griffith & McLean Sts, Coolangatta
By Louisa von Ingelheim
Smack bang in the middle of the recently redecorated Broadbeach restaurant strip is BiN 89.
The latest venue in the empire, BiN 89 makes it’s presence known with a striking timber and stone fit out and a brightly lit, impressively stocked bar that draws you in from down the street.
Here are three reasons you need to sample it for yourself.
1. First and foremost, BiN 89 just released their impressive new cocktail menu featuring ten brand new, totally unique beverages. Here’s a small snippet of what you can look forward too – Jalapeno Business is made with Tequila Blanco and Cointreau and has the perfect balance of sweetness and tang. Berried Alive is a lot less menacing than it sounds made with Gin, Chambord and sparkling wine and last but not least The Fresh Prince lives up to its name with Cucumber Gin, lime juice and basil leaves.
2. The menu is to die for. If you’ve visited a BiN restaurant previously you’ll understand the caliber of food that’s dished up across the board and of course, BiN 89’s dishes are nothing short of spectacular. You must try the Homemade Gnocchi with sautéed spinach, beef cheek and white wine cream sauce.
3. Dessert of course. The dish of the day (every day) is Chocolate and Hazelnut Mousse with berry puree and hokey pokey; it’s pure creamy deliciousness. It’s far and away the best mousse you’ve ever wrapped your mouth around.
Arrive hungry, you’ll need all the space you can get.
LOCATION: 89-91 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
HOURS: 11.30am to 11pm Sunday to Thursday and 11.30am to 12am Friday and Saturday.
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Wildernis Café and Bar will soon add rooftop hotspot to their name with the opening of their latest venture, you guessed it, a rooftop-style space overlooking the ocean and bringing a whole new level of cool to Palm Beach.
A Mediterranean-inspired space with wide windows opening out to reveal the beach below, tons of natural light flooding in from every direction (including the retractable roof) and a secret laneway, Wildernis Bar and Café is the Coast’s new go-to for communal dining and cocktails.
Owners Josh and Andy have completely transformed the once dark, cramped space, installing skylights, Spanish tiled floors and a custom built bar perfect for watching the sun set and soaking up the sea breeze.
Serving up large share plates and signature cocktails, Wildernis Bar & Restaurant is the epitome of the laidback Palm Beach vibe you know and love, with a touch of style thrown in for good measure.
Four signature cocktails will be made fresh daily – think Watermelon Margaritas and Blueberry Amaretto Sours – along with more varieties of Espresso Martinis than you could ever imagine.
To eat, don’t go past the European-style Cured Meat Board, Fresh Oysters Three Ways and Szechuan Peppered Squid. Everything on the menu is made from locally sourced goods, further enhancing the community vibe of the venue.
There’s no doubt Wildernis Bar and Restaurant is set to bring a fresh new feel to the already thriving Palm Beach foodie scene.
See you there for a sunset cocktail.
HOURS: Opening Weekend – Saturday 3pm – 12am (Both restaurant downstairs and rooftop) Sunday 12pm – 12am (Both restaurant downstairs and rooftop)
Ongoing – Friday, Saturday & Sunday 12pm – 12am
LOCATION: Upstairs on the corner of the Gold Coast Highway and Eight Ave (above the BWS).
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
