Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a username belonging to some rando causing a ruckus in the comment section? No, it’s Hwaro92 – a brand new, Korean BBQ flavour sensation – the latest to join Robina Town Centre’s ranks amid its elevated The Kitchens precinct.

Serving authentic flavours designed to transport you to the streets of Seoul, Hwaro92 delivers the traditional, Korean style of barbecue. A hands-on – and addictive – experience, where, with your choice of high-quality cuts at the ready, you converge with your crew around a glowing grill to char your mouth-watering selections to perfection (and attempt to keep the salivation levels in check).

Also known as “Gogi-gui”, the classic Korean method of cooking is complemented by a selection of specialty dishes from the kitchen such as tender and sweet beef Bulgogi Bibimbap, Kimchi Fried Rice and Spicy Soft Tofu Soup. So, yep, there’s plenty worth getting fired up over, here folks.

And if there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to take food to a whole new level of delectable, it’s some smoky, barbecue goodness. Sear-iously – we challenge you to come up with even one ingredient that doesn’t benefit from being slapped across smoking hot grill.

So, whether you’re an old hand at the art of self-seared, melt-in-your-mouth meats, or totally new to the tantalising wonders of Korean fare, Hwaro92 should have the ‘ole tastebud alarms well and truly sounding.

Owner Allan Park can certainly stand the heat in this kitchen – his experience doling out East Asian eats already extends to two venues, including Chermside’s Bulgogi Bros. A grill-focused venture has been a long-term goal driven by Allan’s enthusiasm for carnivorous eats, ‘I love to handle and eat meats’ – and hey, who doesn’t – adding, ‘I’m always buying big cuts of meat… trimming and boning it to get a better cut and different texture’.

Of course, at a venue like Hwaro92 it’s the kitchen crew doing all the heavy lifting – so we can swan in and take all the grill glory, Steven Bradbury style. Enlisting the expert skills of Sangbong Seo, a gun, Korean culinary graduate head chef with whom Allan shares a lengthy hospo history. Diners are in excellent hands here.

With a fit-out flanked by the ubiquitous sight of grill-adorned tables throughout, the roomy 80 seater is more than equipped to handle the onslaught of flame-licked fare fans. Bedecked in classic black marble and oak finishes, the space – delivered by Yura Choi and Yoon Kang – also includes a 12 pax private area for those looking to gather a group for a delicious, grill-studded celebration.

So whatddya say, Gold Coast? Time to get in on some mouth-wateringly good GIY (grill it yourself) action? We thought so.

Whether you’re not yet familiar with the flame-kissed wonders of Korean BBQ or a keen connoisseur of the trademark, melt-in-your-mouth marinated meats – it’s high time we all met Hwaro92.

Where: T5037/19 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina
When: Daily, 11am-3pm, 5pm-9pm
Instagram: @hwaro92_robina

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.

If you’re a regular visitor to the abundant farmers markets we have around the Coast, you’ll know all about the great produce the leagues of green-fingered souls bring before us to enjoy. Plump fruit and vibrantly coloured vegetables galore. And if you’re the type of person to purposely go to these markets on an empty stomach in the hopes of grabbing a tasty bite, you may well have acquainted yourself with Cheese Me Baby.

Deliciously decadent cheese toasties on a whole other level. If you know, you know — and if you don’t, you should change that pronto. Now, you can taste their fare outside of the weekend markets as they’ve opened a fabulous street-side eatery within the bustling Mermaid Beach Village complex.

The small size venue comes across as the love child of a Basque country pintxos bar with an edgy inner-city bar you might find in Melbourne. Repurposed wood is used throughout with dark, dramatic feature walls and carefully selected European antiques, adding to the feel you’ve taken a step inside somewhere quite removed from Mermaid Beach. There’s a scattering of stools inside, but the ample-sized sitting space with added hanging plants outside is the perfect spot to enjoy what’s on offer.

The entire ethos behind the venue is to give customers surprising but straightforward food that is entirely local with beaming warmth behind every dish — that simple. Cheese is the mainstay with an array of toasties featuring delicious produce such as mixed mushrooms, slow-roasted pork belly whilst pairing up their signature 3 cheese blend toasty with a house-made tomato soup. Pixel Bakehouse is supplying the breads and cheeses are coming from as close by as Nimbin Valley and as far afield as Spain. Be assured if you’re a strong advocate of cheese; this may very well be your idea of heaven.

Tartines, or deconstructed sandwiches, will feature other exemplary flavours like scorched figs or fresh strawberries and toasted hazelnuts. Attention to detail is poured into every humble dish here at Cheese Me Baby. After all, their motto is we butter right to the edges. — Now ya talkin’.

For those who feel like coming down on the weekend and slowly grazing through the morning or afternoon, you’ll be smitten with their breakfast and cheese boards. Should the call of the beach be too strong to resist, then grabbing their picnic box with a plethora of mouth-watering small goods is also an option.

With regard to drinks, Social Espresso is poured from 6am most mornings right through until the early afternoon. For those deserving of something stronger, you’ll come across a tightly put together (from our new Nobby’s friends at Somm Wine) — but extremely pleasing — wine offering. With moniker styles like Prosecco, Provence rosé, and Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir — put simply, you’re spoilt for choice.

Having opened to a stampede of hungry and muchly satisfied customers last weekend, the venue has already settled into their Mermaid Beach Village spot quite comfortably. People are encouraged to come to chill on the grass out the front, or even park up your pushbike, while you and your friends mingle over toasties, cheese and wine!

Insider tip: do yourself a favour and watch out for further Sunday sessions and upcoming evening services.

On Saturday the 28th of August, the guys are throwing their official opening night with the talented Gold Coast tattooist/artist Daniel Pap, as he displays his latest and unseen collection. This homegrown creative will be hosted by This Is Art as they launch their exciting new Art Series. After studying fine art in Brisbane, Daniel has spent his time absorbed in his craft, which has given him his unique and removed style.

Local duo Buff Girls will be providing the soundtrack for the evening in the form of vinyl, and a fully licensed bar and limited menu will be available for the night. So do yourself a favour and clear your social calendar.

Where: The Pod, Mermaid Beach Village, 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Hours: 6am – 3pm, Tuesday — Sunday

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

Living on the GC can be verrry thirsty work, we’re blaming both the unrelenting humidity and the allure of the very fine array of establishments we’re spoilt with (and definitely not our distinct lack of willpower). And for Northern GC locals, they’ll be frothing having a cool new spot to catch up for a cold one, with Walk-ins Welcome bar officially opening its doors in Chirn Park.

For the last few years, whenever it was fresh new ink we were craving, Sean Henry and his tattoo studio Darkhorse Initiative has had us covered. Like many, a certain pandemic circa ’19 brought the tattoo industry to a grinding halt, with the forced hiatus ink-spiring Sean to branch out and channel his creative energy into new endeavours.

For Sean, a somewhat unexpected side quest into the hospitality scene was spurred by identifying a big ol’ bar shaped hole in an area with a lot of potential. And following the blow that was losing our beloved Tonic on Chirn in the same strip earlier this year, no doubt Southport and surrounds will welcome the arrival of a cool new watering hole with open arms.

As you’d imagine with an adjoining tattoo studio next door, the Walk-ins Welcome atmosphere is primed for plenty of bants and all round good times. Pouring his heart and soul into the fit-out, it was all hands on deck for Sean and his crew to bring the new site to life.

Unsurprisingly, the bar has been heavily inspired by Sean’s love of ink, borrowing from various tattoo styles to result in a space that’s a funky, creative melting pot with plenty of nostalgic nods. The corridor linking the two spaces is lined with retro flash art, while the inclusion of a classic Space Invaders arcade machine, pop culture collectibles and decorations ensure the vibe is fun and welcoming.

Equally as welcoming is the drinks offering, with some enticing signature cocktails looking (and tasting every) bit the part. With a focus on sourcing locally made liquor, the bar boasts a selection of tapped beer is from small craft breweries right here on the Gold Coast, complimented by a canned selection from QLD, Victoria and NSW.

The spirits are also mostly sourced from local distilleries on the Gold Coast, so y’know, we’ll just be over here doing our bit to support the local economy one drink at a time. Which won’t be difficult, since the cocktail menu is the kind that makes us want to work our way through, top to bottom.

Since we well and truly learned that lesson in our 20s, there will, unfortunately, be some difficult decisions to be made here. With our thirst for spicy cocktails showing no signs of being quenched anytime soon, starting with the Chilli Cherry Pow, made with Wildflower Gin, Luxardo Cherry Liqueur, Lemon Juice, Rose Lemonade is a non-negotiable.

And while we could happily sip the day away on any of the bevy’s gracing the Walk-ins Welcome cocktail list, the White Oat Lady, made with White Oat Mango Gin, Triple Sec, Lemon Juice, Egg white would abso-fruit-ly be the perfect finish to our day/night/anytime.

Where: 3a/37 Musgrave Avenue, Southport
When: Wednesday to Saturday 3pm-10pm, Sunday 3pm-9pm

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.