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7 American-style eateries on the Gold Coast

Get those red cups ready, Uncle Sam is in town.

Easy Street Diner (image supplied)
Easy Street Diner (image supplied)

Seeing as we’re staring down the barrel of the 4th of July, AND we all have a soft spot (very soft in fact – also known as our love handles) for super-sized greasy American food, it only seemed right to share our American eatery intel.  Devouring burgers, wings, hot dogs, ribs, Ruebens and pretty much anything fried within an inch of its life is a common guilty pleasure, particularly after a night on the sauce, or at the end of a juice diet when you declare “never again”.

Here is a round-up of the Gold Coast’s top spots to get your hands on some American eats and yes, you’ll have fries with that…

Easy Street Diner (image supplied)
Easy Street Diner (image supplied)

Easy Street Diner
Serving up some of the tastiest, juiciest, most authentic American-style nosh you’ll find this side of Texas, Easy Street Diner is a no-brainer for epic USA-inspired cuisine. Winning a tonne of awards over the years, you can devour your dinner in a traditional diner-style booth (did someone say “Happy Days”?) and sample their mighty fine cocktails. How ya’ll like that?!
Our pick: Southern Fried Chicken Burger with fried chicken tenders resting on a bed of house-made coleslaw, smothered in Cajun mayo and served on a toasted milk bun
Where: 2563 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Eddies Grub House
It’s the place to go for a finger-lickin’ good all-American nosh up on the far southern Goldie – with a hearty side of blues and rock n’ roll! Eddies Grub House is known for its bigger than Memphis portions, and food just tastes better when there’s live music involved, no?! Side note: the impressive American whiskey collection is all-time and well worth a sip.
Our pick: The Grizzler with two Southern fried chicken tenders, bacon, cheddar, Eddie’s chicken gravy and shallots
Where: 171 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

The Loose Moose (image supplied)
The Loose Moose (image supplied)

The Loose Moose
Now this is a tad controversial because The Loose Moose is a proudly Canadian-themed joint, but like we embrace our mates over the ditch, we figured it was okay to include this Prohibition Tap & Grill House. They specialise in ‘dirty food made clean’, offer 25 varieties of craft beers on tap and stock 160 whiskeys from all over the globe. Sign us up!
Our pick: Buffalo Wings with Sweet Jesus Sauce (maple and smoky BBQ)
Where: Oasis Shopping Centre, Broadbeach

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 you can’t go wrong with the ambience at this Traveller’s Choice award-winning collection of five restaurants under one roof. Oh and PS – the cocktail list is equally swoony. Bonus!
Our pick: Truffled Royal with Cheese Burger, featuring beef, cheese, black truffle mayo, special sauce, lettuce, tomato and pickles
Where: The Collective 1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

House of Brews (image supplied)
House of Brews (image supplied)

House of Brews
With a name like this, you know you’re going to get a whole lotta beer with your burger – 32 craft varieties on tap in fact. But it’s not all about the amber ales, because the live music and innovative food offerings, including plenty of American-inspired foodery action, are a #vibe. The perfect place to start a night out on the glitter strip.
Our pick: Tasting Board ‘A La Lazy Susan. One for sharing, it includes nachos, halloumi fries, salt and pepper squid, pulled beef sliders, and Buffalo wings served with chipotle mayo and aioli.
Where: 17 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise

TGI FRIDAYS
Looking for a place where it’s always Friday and if this isn’t a rhetorical question…?! Add your favorite American dishes right off the grill, plenty of beer on tap and drinks that are always a’flowin and you’ve just described TGI FRIDAYS! With over 931 restaurants in 60+ countries, you know it’s a guaranteed an All-American home run, seven days (and nights…) a week!
Our pick: FRIDAYS Signature Glaze Chicken featuring a chicken breast char-grilled and basted with FRIDAYS Signature Glaze made with Jack Daniel’s®, served with thick-cut fries, garden salad and a side of their signature glaze.
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina

TGI FRIDAYS Robina (image supplied)
TGI FRIDAYS Robina (image supplied)

Ze Pickle
Opening in 2012 and decorated with cool American number plates, this rustic-chic restaurant and bar quickly became famous for its quirky menu loaded with interesting takes on dishes hailing primarily from the US of A. Respect! With an army of devoted followers (us included), it’s a must when you’re craving a burger, wings, chips, shrimp…and a mighty fine craft beer or cocktail.
Our pick: Baja Fish Taco Burger with beer-battered whiting, pineapple coriander salsa, Baja sauce slaw and crunchy tortilla chip
Where: 37 Connor Street, Burleigh Heads

Words by Bianca Trathen.

Baja Fish Taco Burger, Zepickle (image supplied)
Baja Fish Taco Burger, Zepickle (image supplied)

13 epic Gold Coast burger spots

TGI Fridays, Surfers Paradise (image supplied)
TGI Fridays, Surfers Paradise (image supplied)

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

Cheeseburger, Paloma Wine Bar, Burleigh Heads (image supplied)
Cheeseburger, Paloma Wine Bar, Burleigh Heads (image supplied)

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

Betty's Burgers (image supplied)
Betty's Burgers (image supplied)

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

Burgster, Palm Beach (image supplied)
Burgster, Palm Beach (image supplied)

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 (image supplied)
Easy Street Diner (image supplied)

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 BitesPickle 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

Zepickle (image supplied)
Zepickle (image supplied)

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

Palm Springs, Burleigh Heads (image supplied)
Palm Springs, Burleigh Heads (image supplied)

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

Après Surf bar (Image: © 2021 Inside Gold Coast)
Après Surf bar (Image: © 2021 Inside Gold Coast)

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 

Eddie's Grub House (Image: © 2017 Inside Gold Coast)
Eddie's Grub House (Image: © 2017 Inside Gold Coast)

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

Longboards Laidback Eatery and Bar (image supplied)
Longboards Laidback Eatery and Bar (image supplied)

Eddie’s Grub House

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.

15 irresistible Gold Coast chocolate desserts

Ze Pickle's dessert selection including the Twix Tacos (image supplied)
Ze Pickle's dessert selection including the Twix Tacos (image supplied)

There is one word that sends 99.9% of us to our happy place and for once, we’re not talking about wine or cocktails. We’re referring to that other guilty pleasure that unites us all….chocolate! It may be enemy #1 to our waistline but whatevs, it’s so good that most of us are happy to have a little more junk in our trunk if it means we can indulge, like, daily.

Because we want it for brekky, lunch and dinner, we’ve put together a list of the most drool-worthy choco dishes on the GC. There are 15 so that means you have 2 weeks and 1 days’ worth of your choccy hit sorted. If you cap yourself to one indulgence per day – but honestly that’s conservative. No judgement here!

Custard Canteen
A few sandy footsteps from Tally Creek, Custard Canteen – little sis of Bam Bam Bakehouse and Cubby Bakehouse – whips up pastry goodies like a boss. Their cookie cakes are legend-ary and let’s talk about the Quad Choc Cookie because mind=blown. When you pull apart this bad boy you’ll have heavenly choccy goodness oozing here there and everywhere – just the way it should be.
Where: Tallebudgera Recreation Centre, Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Quad Choc Cookie, Custard Canteen (image supplied)
Quad Choc Cookie, Custard Canteen (image supplied)

San Churro
Ahh Churros, a little slice of heaven…or Spain, but kinda the same thing. Sun Churro offer nine dip-cup sauces to keep you coming back again and again (which we do), but we’re going all-out and ordering a Choc Strawberry Churro Sundae with chocolate ice cream, chocolate fudge and strawberries drizzled in chocolate, topped with churros, choc whipped cream and choc curls.
Where: Biggera Waters or Surfers Paradise

Cowch
Cowch is conveniently located in Broadbeach’s The Oracle Boulevard so that we swing in and eat our feelings. Get stuck into a Fudge Nut Sundae Bowl with chocolate, caramelised condensed milk (ohmygawd), and cookies & cream gelato, served on fudge sauce-soaked brownie pieces, topped with peanuts, whipped cream and dark chocolate sauce. We’re speechless.
Where: 1 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach

Fudge Nut Sundae Bowl, Cowch Dessert & Cocktail Bar (image supplied)
Fudge Nut Sundae Bowl, Cowch Dessert & Cocktail Bar (image supplied)

Poppy’s Chocolate Robina
When you’re wandering around The Kitchens at Robina, don’t tell us you haven’t picked up a little somethin-somethin from Poppy’s coz we know better. With chocolates and truffles galore, chocolate bark, rocky road (our pick – it’s all-time) and even humble chocolate buttons (we’re getting all nostalgic), the lovely Lynda has you covered. Fun fact: Lynda was even nominated for a Mumpreneur Award last year. Another local done good!
Where: The Kitchens, Ground Level, Shop 4252, Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina

Little Cocoa
Chocolatier extraordinaire Alicia knows her chocolate, and GC chocco superfans can’t get enough. If you’re after a gift or some seriously crowd-pleasing wedding favours, there are options galore guaranteed to please even the finest connoisseur. Her signature product is the Chocolate Pralines, fine shells of chocolate encasing soft and textured fillings like caramels and ganaches. It’s death by chocolate for us.
Where: 7/10 Bailey Cres, Southport

Little Cocoa (image supplied)
Little Cocoa (image supplied)

Ze Pickle
So imagine if Twix Tacos existed with 2 deep fried Twix bars in a red velvet pancake taco with icecream, brownie salsa and shaved milky bar. Umm they do, and you can wrap your laughing gear around them at Ze Pickle. Famous for its bangin burgers, founding trio Nathan, Aaron and JD do the sweet end of the scale just as masterfully – and originally – as the savoury stuff.
Where: 1/37 Connor St, Burleigh Heads

Paddock Bakery
I mean, who doesn’t heart this place right? With seating in their cottage, garden, rooftop, loft and barn, Paddock is a GC institution. From the milkbar, order a frozen hot chocolate, made with five different types of choc, blended with ice and topped with Nutella, vanilla bean cream and Paddock brownie pieces. Why not pair it with a Raw Snickers Slice and guarantee a chocolate hangover (worth it).
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads

Paddock Bakery Milk bar (image supplied)
Paddock Bakery Milk bar (image supplied)

Kylie’s Cupcakery
Kylie’s amazing themed cakes (girlfriend got some skills) and cupcakes are seriously all-time! Her signature black chocolate cupcakes will knock your socks off and with the option to request any theme within reason, you know where to go next when you’re catering for a party. Her pull-apart cakes are something special and your kiddos will go bonkers for anything from this place. Just yes!
Where: 56 Nerang St, Nerang

Rosé Gelateria
This place is as delicious to look at as its sweet goodies are to devour. From the beautifully self-branded bottled Nuttellattes to their to-die-for baked treats, coffee and locally made artisan goods, we give it a big thumbs up. With gram-worthy charm from pillar to post, choose from a mouth-watering array of 24 gelato flavours and we’re going with the choc hazelnut. Mmmm.
Where: Sanctuary Cove Marine Village, Shop/39A Masthead Way, Hope Island

The Caramilk Doughnut, D Point 10, Varsity Lakes (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
The Caramilk Doughnut, D Point 10, Varsity Lakes (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

D Point Ten
Doughnuts….oh how we love thee! These circles of fried yumminess never fail to a put a smile on our dials and D Point Ten has upped the game. There’s something here for everyone (good luck choosing….) but for the chocoholics among us (hi), let’s go a Reese’s Donut. Or wait, maybe a Gaytime Donut (what a pairing!). Or perhaps a Caramilk?! Oh bugger it, we’re ordering them all.
Where: Southport, Broadbeach, Varsity LakesHope Island

Waffle & Bean Dessert Bar and Patisserie
It’s a new local fave and we can see (and taste) precisely why! Chocolate lovers, you can get your fix and then some, starting with their new Donut Cakes stuffed with Nutella. For those who prefer a gluten free, flour free treat, you’re in luck coz their Chocolate Mud Cake with Caramilk Frosting and Cadbury Flake is so spesh, it makes us gluten-embracing-folk consider jumping the fence.
Where: Shop 11/118 Griffith St, Coolangatta

My French Pastries (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
My French Pastries (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

My French Pastries
An award-winning French bakery that even delivers? Hells yeah! With sweet delicacies for days, Pasty Chef Antonio Marchesi keeps pastries real, authentic and made according to French tradition. That means only the finest French flour, quality butter and it’s all made from scratch. Do yourself a favour and try the Nutella-filled beignets, or their chocolate eclairs but be sure to order a couple because one is never enough.
Where: Shop 5, 4226/361 Robina Pkwy, Robina

Tarte Bakery & Café
In addition to a stellar all day brekky menu (note to self: order the Babka French Toast, a brioche filled with Nutella and chocolate chips, balsamic strawberries and whipped cream), the Tarte crew give good tarte. It’s hard to go past their brownie and sea salt cookies with a gooey, soft centre and cookie-like outside. A staple since the start which has stood the test of time.
Where: 1748 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

Oh My, Waffle (image supplied)
Oh My, Waffle (image supplied)

Oh My, Waffle
Get your waffle on at this shut-up-good dessert bar. A must try is the Wafflenator and with a name like that, you know you’re in a for a bad ass sweet sensation. A golden waffle topped with crushed Tim Tams, Whittaker’s Creamy Milk Chocolate, ice cream and drizzled with salted caramel sauce…and need we really say anymore? For the next level addicts, add brownie pieces. Oooooooh yeahhhhh!
Where: Shop 6, 1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

Aux Fines Bouches
You might have guessed this place is French and LBH, the French do desserts like no-one else. Their cakes are absolute works of art (seriously, we can’t stop marvelling at their beauty), and taste equally next level. We’re giving special shout-outs to their ah-mazing croquembouches and chocolate macaroons which we could eat all day long. And maybe we did….
Where: Unit 2/43 Taree St, Burleigh Heads

Words by Bianca Trathen

Aux Fines Bouches (Image: © 2019 Inside Gold Coast)
Aux Fines Bouches (Image: © 2019 Inside Gold Coast)
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