You'll be stoked with the new location!
You'll be stoked with the new location!
It’s a fairly sad time when you notice things you love disappear from your life. We’re not talking about that illustrious Tinder match or the awesome pair of shoes which worked with everything: we’re talking about those unforgettable hospitality haunts where you’re always guaranteed to have a great time.
One such institution which falls perfectly into this category was Mermaid Beach’s laidback, no-frills lounge room style bar, Après Surf. For those who may have frequented the venue, you’ll know all too well the ambiance was as laid back as they come (nearly horizontal, in fact). Backed by a slew of interesting and moreish cocktails, frosty beers, and a finely put-together ensemble of all the best American diner-style eats you could imagine.
Unfortunately, the building they were situated in was designated for demolition. Meaning the guys were forced to pack up their stuff and let the contagious party demeanour of Après Surf go dormant for a while — until now, that is.
Nothing much has changed for the crew behind this fun time venture, apart from their new location in the centre of Burleigh Heads, just off the highway. Prime position, no less, for you to wander in off the beach or to hide away after a tough day at the office and forget the world for a little while.
This space isn’t an entirely new version. In fact, almost all of the fittings such as chairs, tables, and wooden panels have been repurposed from the old venue. Cast your eyes around the vintage paraphernalia and quirky Australiana antiquities; for the keen-eyed amongst you, you may recognise a few touches from their Mermaid Beach bar.
Now shacked up in Burleigh, the bar is a little more extensive as they aim to satisfy a steady league of thirsty and hungry souls with their unique easy-going and be-yourself atmosphere!
To satisfy a Queensland style of thirst, the guys have an array of the frostiest beers on tap from the likes of Balter and Young Henry’s. Should you be in the mood for a cocktail of some description, then their small selection of adapted signatures such as a Negroni Blanc and Après Zombie will undoubtedly catch your eye (may we strongly suggest the Caramello Limencello, it’s an Inside Gold Coast favourite). And should you feel like something in particular, keep in the bar tenders’ good books and strike up a conversation about how your favourite cocktail of all time isn’t on their menu — they’ll have you covered!
There’s a variety of tasty eats available across a sizeable menu which find itself split into the sections of Small Bites, Mains, Burgers, and Desserts. Smaller plates like the Truffle Fries and Classic Buffalo Wings are the perfect accompaniment to an ice-cold beer, whereas the house-made Nasi Goreng, Fish Burger, Pork Katsu Sando and Après Beef & Bacon Burger are all great reasons to skip kitchen duties at home.
After having only just opened, the venue is still finding its feet a little. Specials, specific event nights etc., are still in the pipeline but shouldn’t take the gang long to figure out, so keep your eyes peeled for more info as it comes up.
Whether you’ve been for a surf or not, if you find yourself with sand between your toes and a hankering for some great drinks and sensational food, Après Surf is the calling you cannot ignore.
Hours: Open every day (except Tuesday) 5pm – late
Where: Shop 1, 1837, Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
Alright Alright Alright (with your best McConaughey impression please).
Mermaid Beach is takin’ it back to the old school with the new bar Apres Surf!
Although owners James and Richard have told us there is no theme at Apres Surf, just good food, good music and good times, we got a total 70’s vibe.
Walking past the giant David Bowie (R.I.P) mural on the front patio, I had a feeling that like Bowie, this place was going to rock!
Correct! Vintage decor, laid back staff and a ridiculously tasty fish burger to make you feel right at home.
I walked in to Apres Surf and the first thing I thought was, YES, BARSTOOLS! As I made my way over the checkered floor and past the vintage art hanging on timber panelled walls, I was happy to plop down on a barstool. Only a small handful of bar/restaurants on the coast give me that “at home” feeling where I would feel totally comfortable bellying up to the bar, alone. Apres is one of those bars. It’s cozy and gives off good vibes. Just your friendly neighbourhood bar thats always got a cold drink and a good meal.
Speaking of cold drinks and good meals, lets get to the good stuff.
I had their drink special, THE Apple Crumble Martini. Talk about a 2-for-1! This baby tasted exactly like a delicious apple crumble made with love by your mum, but had vanilla vodka in it 😉 Maybe I should call it a 3-for-1 because there is no way you would want to order a dessert instead of this. I mean, I’m sure the dessert is great, but that Martini……ooooh I’m in love!
As it was, I had “dessert” before my meal…I’m an adult I can do that 🙂 So after my martini, came Mini Cheese Kransy Dagwood dogs. Similar to a corn dog, tiny weenies were battered, fried and put on a stick.
These little dogs were divine! The outside was drizzled in smoky homemade tomato sauce, from there you bit into the soft, yet crunchy batter, then POP, the skin to the dog was crispy and the inside was juicy! Somewhere in the mix was the cheese hugging all those flavours together. Little bits of heaven on a stick! Can I have these every day?!
For my main I was served the Asahi Beer Battered Cod Burger. Big ole bun slathered with citrus mayo, coleslaw and tomato topped with a cod fillet that was so large it spilled over the sides of the bun. The cod was hot and crunchy on the outside and flaky on the inside, the coleslaw was cool and chunky, and the citrus mayo bun perfectly wrapped it all together. This monster two-hander burger is one that you cant pass up! It was accompanied by chips flavoured with “secret seasoning” I tried to guess what was on them, but couldn’t get it. You’ll just have to try these for yourself to understand.
At Apres Surf it’s impossible to pick a favourite dish, quality and deliciousness run through everything! Good vibes and good eats are plenty! Head over ASAP and give it a try, I cant recommend it enough!
Imagine a life without caffeine. Horrible, right? How would one get through the day? Unthinkable. Let’s all take a moment to be grateful for caffeine.
Luckily, we locals need never think about a lack of caffeine ever in our lives because the Gold Coast has abundant options for exceptional brews.
One such neighbourhood forever capturing the imagination of coffee drinkers and lunch-goers is Burleigh. Be it a quick coffee catch-up or a grazing-style brunch with special people: you’re covered. Here’s a list of the twelve best spots to get your caffeine fix when you find yourself in one of the city’s favourite suburbs.
Bunlee Bun & Brew
Between munching down some epic rice paper rolls or a stacked-looking banh mi, we suggest you take a try of their cold drip coffee on tap here at BunLee. If you’ve ever had iced Vietnamese coffee — or cà phê đá, as it’s known — you’ll know how tasty it can be. It’s up to you what milk to splash into it, or if you prefer, just take it black: perfect for when you need to put that pep into your step.
Where: 2/26 James Street, Burleigh Heads
Dover’s Drop
Take an award-winning local barista, throw in some fantastic coffee from carbon-neutral roasters Locale Espresso, and place it conveniently just off Reedy Creek Road and you’re looking at the exact blueprint of Dover’s Drop, a prime industrial district coffee location in Burleigh. The perfect place to pull a pit stop when you’re going about your day, but be careful: their loungey outdoor space with beanbags may keep you longer than planned, not to mention their Sourdough Crumpets!
Where: 9 Dover Drive, Burleigh Heads
Magnolia Lane
A newbie to the bustling beachside locale of Burleigh, Magnolia Lane is sandwiched between the beach and the GC Highway, meaning whether you’re zipping about town or lounging beachside, these guys have you well and truly covered for your caffeine needs. The unwavering attention taken to dialling in their machine and weighing each and every shot of coffee shows right through from your first to last sip.
Where: 6/1863 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Crew
Aptly positioned in the heart of Burleigh Heads, this is the early morning post-workout/dip in the ocean hangout spot of the ages. Crew showcases Sunshine Coast Tim Adams specialty coffee with exceptional barista skills and a cheat meal-inducing menu you cannot say no to. Hinge all of this on one hell of a people-watching location, and you have a mighty fine place to slurp your morning cup of motivation.
Where: 3 Connor Street, Burleigh Heads
Sparrow Coffee Co.
Laidback and easy-going Sparrow offers you a prime opportunity to get yourself a quality coffee on the go with little fuss. With another three locations across the country and their roastery of choice being Allpress, you’re guaranteed a quality cuppa every time. It’s also the perfect spot to fuel up before a workout if you go to nearby Elevation Fitness or Jetts!
Where: 2/151 West Burleigh Road, Burleigh Heads
Tarte
Where do you even begin with a place that literally falls over itself with excellent house-made food, great-tasting coffee, and a great location to watch life go by. Chloe Watt‘s creation Tarte is one of the finest cafes on our coastline: period. Give yourself some slack and indulge in any one of their off-the-charts pastries/baked goods with a perfectly poured cup of coffee as dappled light from overhead trees sprays across the pavement of Burleigh Heads — our idea of bliss.
Where: 2 West Street, Burleigh Heads
Next Door Espresso
Touted as not your average coffee shop, this aesthetically pleasing venue is awash with white and is nearly always an afternoon suntrap that, to us, screams brunch with close friends. Northern Rivers’ Moonshine Roastery are the foundation of an always great-tasting coffee served in the cutest looking handmade clay cups. Be sure to bring your credit card, as adjacent homewares store St Barts is always worth a look in also!
Where: 24 Junction Road, Burleigh Heads
Commune Espresso
A kickstarter in the Burleigh coffee scene, Commune Espresso has been around for as long as we can remember, and in this chasm of lost time, they’ve been serving up some of the tastiest brews around. The space itself is epic, complete with lots of outdoor relaxing areas and a ping pong table to use up that caffeine-induced energy. They also make their own almond milk; that’s how dedicated they are to delicious coffee.
Where: 1844 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Canteen Coffee & Kitchen
A firm favourite in the coffee game, Canteen has been lauded as one of Australia’s premier espresso bars. They brew their own blends, sourcing in-season beans and roasting fresh daily on demand. They offer a Signature Espresso Blend with notes of chocolate, berries, toffee and spice and Single Origins, which change weekly. They certainly know their stuff, highly recommended.
Where: 23 Park Avenue, Burleigh Heads
Nook Espresso
So good they’ve got two locations in Burleigh; Nook offers little spaces with a big passion for coffee. They’ve been slinging tasty brews since 2008, and for this, the local community loves them! Nook offers a smooth cuppa that’s consistently delicious, and the crew are stoked and always smiling to be involved in your morning coffee routine. Plus, if you head to their beachside location, you can sip away whilst overlooking world-famous surf.
Where: Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads and Stocklands Burleigh Heads
Quest Coffee Roasters
The smell wafting out of Quest alone should draw you in and, once you’re in, you may never want to leave. The space is half micro-roastery, half sitting-down-to-enjoy-your-coffee space, and it’s an absolute must-visit if you’re a lover of excellent brews. They roast premium Arabica beans on James Street, and if you’re in the market, you can purchase their green and roasted beans or a blend. Make sure you have a chat with the team; they love to discuss all things coffee.
Where: 20 James Street, Burleigh Heads
Seadog
The original Seadog emerged on the local coffee scene with a bang and is an actual hole in the wall, which was once an ATM. Stop by and let affable owner Brodie Green and his gang serve you up their very own roasts; one going by the name Sunrise Blend – with tasting notes of Milo! When they’re not actively supporting charities with free coffee giveaways, you’ll find them at their second venue beside Burleigh Bowls Club, eternally bathed in sunshine and salt air. Two great locations for coffee in Burleigh!
Where: 50 James St, Burleigh Heads or Burleigh Bowls Club — entrance via Memorial Park
Words by Alex Mitchenson.
They say Australia is the lucky country and in particular those of us who call the Gold Coast home (made that bit up, but look around friends). Well, in the last week the lucky country got even luckier and (again) in particular a little place on the south east coast of Queensland, we like to call Burleigh Heads.
The latest little pot of gold comes to us in the form of a brand new bar but not just any brand new bar friends, it’s the kind that dreams are made of.
Rosella’s Bar flew into town just last week ahead of the Australia Day long weekend and it is the refined Aussie-inspired bar you never knew you needed in your life. But need it you do and, as usual, we’re here to tell you why.
It’s the work of local lads Jon Debeere (next-level wine connoisseur) and Jack Connor (ex-Aloha cocktail creator extraordinaire) who are both passionate about all-Aussie adventures and wanted to showcase the work of local wine and craft beer makers, plus do a little making of their own.
It’s an intimate space found on the highway in Burleigh, where a little hairdressing salon once lived, and streuth is it a beauty. Louvered windows open out into the street so you can perch yourself up there and watch the (unfairly good looking) world go by while a couple of booths and high tables line one wall and, of course, you can perch at the bar and have a chat with the boys (or talk their ears off if you’re us).
Brightly coloured, Aussie-inspired artwork is hung throughout, vintage, stained glass light shades hang overhead and Ken Done cloths line the bar. It’s beautifully put together, refined with a side of tongue in cheek and we are absolutely here for it.
Let’s chat drinks though because they are, of course the star of the show. The cocktail menu is unlike anything you’ve seen before with over 10 signature cocktails plus all your old faves. Each one is made with Australian spirits and each one is way more epic than the last.
The Ironman, for example, is made with Beenleigh white rum, Bundaberg small batch rum, lime, banana and a Nutri Grain Orgeat (a housemade syrup type situation) and topped with, you guessed it, our beloved Nutri Grain. It’s a gamechanger and our new go-to tipple.
The Rosella is made with White Light Vodka, rosella jam, Australian bitter, lemon and lilly pilly and served in a rosella shaped glass, all delightful and refreshing. Honestly, they’re all some of the best we’ve ever sampled so do yourself a favour and get there ASAP.
The wine list is equally as impressive, filled with natural, Australian-produced wine made with minimal intervention, many of which you won’t find anywhere else on the Gold Coast (or Queensland for that matter).
Rosella’s are all about showcasing Pet Nat wines (Pétillant-naturel) which refers to sparkling wines produced in the ancient way where the wine is bottled before primary fermentation and finished without the addition of secondary yeasts or sugars.
Sounds fancy, is amazing. We taste-tested quite a few and, let it be known, they are some of the most flavour-filled, clean tasting wines we’ve ever come across. And we’ve come across a lot.
Oh and there’s also Fosters. In a can. Not to mention MANY other Aussie beers you’ve probably never seen before. We’re in love.
Now to the food.
The menu has been designed with a nostalgic nod to the Aussie eats you know and love but minus the throw-it-on-the-barbie-and-hope-for-the-best attitude your Dad was all about.
Think Vegemite Beef Jerky, Bug Sambos, Raw Aussie Beef Burgers and Prawn Cocktails but all made with a refined, sophistication to match the exceptional drinks menus.
Last but not least, there are jaffles. The very best jaffles at that. How does Vegemite, Cheddar and Wattleseed butter sound? Yep. There’s also Onepot Lamb with soft herb cheese and spiced chutney.
Okay we’re done. Seriously just go. Right now. We’ll seeya there.
Love you ‘Straya.
LOCATION: 6/1730 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
HOURS: 4pm until late weekdays and 12pm until late weekends
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
