If there’s one thing we love on the GC, it’s some good ol’ fashioned rooftop revelling. While we all love a good day spent soaking up the sunshine, sea breeze and million-dollar panoramic views… sometimes the weather has other plans.

Fortuitously (for those of us who fancy a spot of rooftop noshin’), Coast Beach Bar & Kitchen has sweetened the deal on one of Surfers’ most stunning vantages – unveiling a slick new all-weather look for its formerly open air Beach Bar Terrace.

Meaning we can now get amongst beachfront bottomless brunches and sip studded seafood and Steak Frites seshes – rain, hail or shine… Can we get a ‘hail yeah’?!

In the few short years since owners Justin and Elizabeth Allie threw open Coast’s doors, the beachfront beauty has earned itself quite the rep for delivering knockout nosh, sips and downright impressive views, inside and out. The only catch is the latter left the otherwise impeccable experience at the mercy of the elements.

After a few practical tweaks for the more casual of Coast’s two spaces, the Beach Bar Terrace now comes complete with all the mod-cons – namely, a state-of-the-art retractable roof and enhanced wind protection, because lbh, fielding windswept manes whilst dining is not a vibe.

In addition to the all-weather upgrade, the refurb also delivers a fresh, dedicated Terrace menu and a brand new kitchen for the oceanfront space – with a private dining room to capitalise on every square inch of that stunning shoreline to be revealed soon… we can hardly wait.

And with no chance of the weather raining on our parade, we can allow ourselves to commence drooling over the reimagined menu, which is tactically divided into ‘Beach Eats’, ‘Bar Bites’ and ‘Burgers’… plus ‘Fresh Seafood’, which we will begrudgingly include (because #yum) even though it kind of ruins the whole ‘b’ theme we had going there.

The plentiful pickings include everything from corn and jalapeño topped Fish Tacos, Fried Halloumi, and Crispy Buffalo & Blue Cheese Wings to set the tastebuds on fire. If you’re feeling a little more peckish, bacon stuffed Steak Sando’s, butter-laden Steak Frites served with skinny fries (oh the irony) and Bourbon BBQ Ribs are all up to the task.

If we haven’t already got your attention (and lbh, we have) the new and improved offering also includes live tunes every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with some irresistible mid-week eats specials to really seal the deal.

The reinvigorated Beach Bar is gearing up to host $7 Taco Night and $1 Wings on Wednesdays, and $25 Steak Frites on the Terrace on Thursdays – a sear-ious steal, if you ask us.

Seafood fans can get their fix sans splurge from 3–5pm every day, with half price oysters to slurp down alongside daily drink specials. Oh, and lovers of a boozy brunch aren’t forgotten, where every weekend $89 buys you two fanciful hours of food and bottomless beverages.

Yep, we’d say things are looking pretty darn watertight at the jazzed-up Coast Beach Bar Terrace. We suggest you throw caution to the wind and get on down as soon as practicable.

Where: Lvl 1 Meriton Hotel, 86 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
When: Tuesday & Wednesday 3pm–10pm, Thursday–Sunday 12pm–10pm

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.

We Gold Coasters like to keep those ‘best kept secrets’ very close to our chest, lest word get out about our fave lesser-known spots.

Which is why the existence of a hidden rooftop haunt flying under the radar right in the heart of Coolangatta may very well be news to many.

A sky-high destination for Mediterranean eats and sips boasting sweeping views of the Cooly skyline.

If you’re not already acquainted with Cooly Breeze Rooftop and Bar, it’s time to be.

Sitting pretty on the 13th floor, it is the Coast’s only fine dining rooftop restaurant with unique views to the southern coastline and the Tweed River surrounds.

With a gastronomy-trained chef at the helm, the views certainly are not the only thing worth heading up for.

For chef-owner powerhouse Marcondes Almeida Neto, Cooly Breeze Rooftop and Bar is the culmination of 16 years refining his craft abroad, after notable stints in the UK and most recently, Italy.

The latter leading to Marcondes uncovering his love of seafood and the stunning Mediterranean coast, and fair enough too, how could you not?

The welcoming space also features those same hints of Amalfi coast influence, with cosy lighting, rustic timber features, chic white tablecloths and flickering candlelight adorning the tables.

Lending a charm that feels akin to being welcomed into an authentic Italian eatery.

Of course, that is if you can tear your eyes away from that stunning ocean vantage for long enough to take it all in.

For starters, we’ll certainly be all about the alla sea – natural oysters with finger lime & ginger, though the thought of digging into the signature Bug on focaccia with avocado, finger lime, jalapeno and watermelon radish sounds like the perfect summer dish.

The Seared Scallops da Costa with walnut butter sauce and cauliflower puree are definitely calling our name. 

The extensive mains offering showcases authentic Mediterranean flavours at their finest.

Seafood features prominently, with the likes of Octopus Tentacles, sautéed potatoes, capers dressing, fresh herbs and the WA Half Lobster & Scallops Linguini, made with caviar, confit tomato and light lemon butter sauce set to steal the show.

There’s a host of equally enticing dishes from the land and earth, with a Vegan Paella, made with zucchini, red capsicum, olives, sun dried tomato, garlic, saffron that’s sure to satisfy absolutely everyone.

To complement the whole experience, there’s a stacked dessert menu (House Nutella Brownie, Spanish Churros, House Tiramisu, Chocolate Lava Cake) or for those who prefer their indulgence to take liquid form for their sipping pleasure, a stellar selection of cocktails (and in case you’re wondering, we’re firmly #teamboth.)

There is absolutely no reason why we would go home without getting our hands on the signature Rainbow Martini – vodka, lychee liqueur, lychee juice, lavender syrup.

Or two for good measure.

The kicker?

This time of year your 5 star dinner might even come with a spontaneous show, with the vantage providing the added bonus of the whaley cool chance to see the whales doing their thing during the migration season.

What more could you need?

Maybe just one more Rainbow Martini.

Where: Level 13 of Beachcomber International Resort, 122 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
When: Mon 5pm – 9pm, Thurs to Sun 12pm – 9pm

Words by Kellie Leader.

STORY SPONSORED BY COOLY BREEZE ROOFTOP AND BAR

Look we’re all partial to a good hat but if you’re a chef, a hat is all that and a bag of chips. Each year, the Australian Good Food Guide awards hats to the crème de la crème in the restaurant world. Although many of our neighbouring states and cities may have once turned their noses up at the GC dining landscape, sir, times are a’changin!

This year, a whopping 21 of our fave local eats destinations scored at least one hat, and we are proud as punch! The AGFG rates each restaurant out of 20. No restaurant has yet achieved the holy grail of a perfect score.

In a twist everyone saw coming, Broadbeach cleaned up with seven venues receiving hats, including Social Eating House and Bar, which scored 14 and once again earned a special mention for its award-winning share plates.

Newcomer kōst Bar + Grill burst onto the dining scene with fanfare in August with its sleek and sexy venue and equally enticing menu, so it’s no surprise they have earned a mention (12).

Of course, a couple of The Star Gold Coast’s restaurants collected gongs, including Japanese sensation Kiyomi (15) and Modern Australian go-to for a fancy night out Nineteen at the Star (14). Miss Moneypenny’s marvellous Mediterranean menu (say that a few times) earned 12, as did longstanding steak restaurant, Moo Moo The Wine Bar and Grill

Rounding up Broady’s winners are grinners list with a score of 13 is The Oracle’s melting pot of Asian goodness Mamasan Kitchen and Bar.

Moving slightly south now to Mermaid Beach and the recently reopened Little Truffle has scored 15, while boutique dining superstar The North Room scored 14 and esteemed Japanese restaurant Etsu Izakaya earned a 13.

Nobby Beach also served up a winner in the form of Ally Chow (12) in all her amazing Asian glory.

Robina’s Eddy + Wolff represented with a well-earned 13. It just goes to show that the ‘burbs can cook up a winner too, not just the Insta-set-favoured pockets. Speaking of, Mudgeeraba’s intimate Japanese (and under-the-radar superstar) Anekawa, earned itself a 14.

Now let’s talk Burleigh and again, there are a few to unpack here. Rick Shores scored 13 for its delectable contemporary pan-Asian cuisine, along with Vietnamese pin-up boy Jimmy Wah’s.

Burleigh’s hidden gem, La Bella Cella also got a nod (12).

Palm Beach’s ever-popular Balboa Italian was shown some love with 12.

Let’s journey back to the central neck of the woods, starting with Surfers Paradise’s Modern Australian superstar Palette located at HOTA, Home of the Arts, who proudly scored 15.

The QT’s Japanese phenomenon Yamagen scored 12, while the JW Marriott Gold Coast’s seafood superstar Citrique earned a 13.

Neighbouring Main Beach’s modern Australian relative newcomer La Luna scored a 12.

Anyone who still says we’re lacking in the quality eats department here on the Goldie, now is the time to concede defeat because this list of local victories confirms what we already knew – our foodie scene has officially become a force to be reckoned with and there’s plenty more to come…

Words by Belinda Symons.