A new Greek eatery opens at Marina Mirage.
A new Greek eatery opens at Marina Mirage.
If like us, every single person you know is currently enjoying a beachside European holiday and you are not, we’ve come to brighten your day.
A brand new Greek taverna will open its’ doors at Marina Mirage next week and with it, comes traditional eats in a casual, make-you-think-you’re-abroad setting.
Elia Greek Island Tavera is all bright blues and Santorini coastal vibes with a bright, seascape mural splashed across one wall and sparkly water views delighting your senses from floor to ceiling windows on another.
It’s the stunning Greek Island vibes you’d love to be soaking up but right here in our very own backyard. Just lovely.
The menu is absolutely packed with the yummiest of dishes and we’ve just decided there simply isn’t enough Greek food in our lives so Elia comes at the perfect time.
Now we all know how much the Greek value family and community and as such, the eats have been designed to share with recipes passed down through generations.
You’ll need to start with dips and pita bread, which are always our downfall because they are so good and we cannot stop eating them. The Taramasolata is a firm favourite, as is the Scordalia (because it’s made of potatoes friends) and there’s a trio situation to sample a few so that’s probably your best bet.
Next up, all the best Greek eats are there for your sampling pleasure including grilled haloumi, marinated olives and Dolmathes (love) plus marinated sardines and homemade pickled octopus for something a little bit different.
Larger plates are delights along the lines of Loukaniko, Greek and orange wine sausage chargrilled and with a lemon dressing, Calamari Tiganito and Prawn Saganaki, cooked in garlic and herbs and topped with feta.
From the grill, you can choose from an array of mouthwatering souvlakis, Arni Sti Souvla – spit roasted lamb served with roasted Mediterranean vegetables and a grilled swordfish and scallops dish that’ll transport you right to the shores of a sparkly Greek Island.
If you’re hard pressed to decide, opt for a hot, cold or meat-filled share platter for a minimum of two people.
Vegans need to not worry about being left out, there’s a sizeable section dedicated to you including dishes like Cypriot Grain Salad, Vegan Moussaka and a baked capsicum and tomato delight stuffed with rice and served with lemon potatoes. We non-vegans will definitely be indulging in that one too.
Sounds like the perfect Sunday afternoon feasting slash water view situation to us.
Honestly you may as well be in the Greek Islands.
LOCATION: Marina Mirage, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
HOURS: TBC
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Over the last few years, a lot of attention has been cast around our city by way of new up-and-coming eating precincts and suburbs with hospo prowess to rival our southern neighbours. One such stretch of the Gold Coast which has always been a hotspot for good dining experiences is Main Beach. Sure, it may have been a little in the shadow of other areas in recent times, but we certainly believe there is still a serious collection of great restaurants deserving of your hard-earned eating-out budget! Plan ahead, people: start blocking out next weekend and booking tables, as we run through our picks of the suburb.
Omeros Bros Seafood
If you’re in the market for fresh, first-class seafood, Main Beach is where it’s at: and more specifically, it’s at Omeros Bros Seafood at Marina Mirage. A multi-award-winning venue with the most fabulous to-die-for seafood platter around. It’s called Omeros Indulgence, and it’s a mix of hot and cold seafood and possibly the most decadent dish you’re likely to find in the city. Do you know what else goes well with quality seafood? Quality beverages. You’ll find a superb drink offering here to match the food also.
Where: Shop 55/74 Marina Mirage, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Main Beach Fish Grotto
New to Tedder Avenue dining scene is this luxe adaptation of a humble fish and chip shop worthy of anyone’s attention. This nautical-themed and whitewashed eatery serves only the best seafood alongside crispy chips and a wisely sized selection of wines and beers. There’s ample reason to stay and dine in with comfort, but if you do decide to takeaway, a drink or two can’t hurt whilst you wait.
Where: 20-22 Tedder Avenue, Main Beach
Terraces – Sheraton Grand Mirage
Should a 5-star experience be on the cards for your break from the kitchen, then strip off your apron and make a beeline for this Main Beach culinary gold mine. You’ll be spoilt with a luxurious setting overlooking the renowned Sheraton Grand Mirage swimming pool and grounds before you even take your first glance at the food. A deluxe buffet-style arrangement means you’ll have a sophisticated ocean to plate favourites hand-delivered to your table, so you can focus on all the coastal tranquillity this fantastic property has to offer.
Where: 71 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Shuck
This Main Beach institution has been around since 2001, and affection for the cleverly named venue has only grown in that time. The team pride themselves on sourcing the outright freshest seafood; so much so their Crab Lasagne is absolute proof, and out of this world! Take in the tranquil tree-lined street of Main Beach while you enjoy your dishes and wash it all down with an icy glass of Chardonnay — or two.
Where: 20 Tedder Avenue, Main Beach
Glass Dining & Lounge Bar
Another Main Beach restaurant, another mind-blowing view. Glass Dining & Lounge Bar is found at Marina Mirage overlooking the water and serving up fine dining treats and some pretty sweet cocktails too. The menu uses only the best quality produce, meats and fresh local seafood, and it’s long been a local favourite. We highly recommend the Tempura Battered Bugs marinated in garlic and chilli served with mayo and grilled lemon. Just wow.
Where: Level 2, Marina Mirage, 74 SeaWorld Drive, Main Beach
Fisherman’s Wharf Tavern
Picture the scene: the sun is dipping behind the hinterland, the last light is caressing the still water over the Broadwater, and you’re sat soaking it all in with some fantastic food. Sounds too good to be true, but, at Fisherman’s Wharf, it’s yours for the taking. Right on the water, the casual setting is unflawed when it comes to relaxing over eats whilst enjoying drinks and taking in some wonderful regular live music.
Where: Shop 40, 60-70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Southport Yacht Club
Overlooking the sparkling Broadwater, Southport Yacht Club is the ultimate in epic views and affordable eats for not just you but the entire family. It’s a casual eatery open for breakfast (weekends only), lunch and dinner! Or why not just head in for a drink to overlook one of the most beautiful stretches of water (and yachts of course) you’re going to find in Australia.
Where: 1 MacArthur Parade, Main Beach
Vanitas
An utterly remarkable European dining experience is found behind the golden doors of Palazzo Versace by way of Vanitas. A five-star dining setting with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients that make up some of the most stunning dishes you’ve ever sampled. If you needed any more convincing, Vanitas has won a multitude of awards over the years and can boast of A-list celebrities, from far and wide, enjoying the deluxe dining experience regularly.
Where: Palazzo Versace, 94 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Domanis Café Restaurant & Bar
For nearly a staggering 30 years, the team at Domanis have been serving up good times and even better food — and it shows in the hordes of people constantly streaming in and out. Their pizzas are award-winning and putting it simply: epic. Perched on the corner of Tedder Ave, it’s the perfect spot for a frosty cold ale and relaxing lunch or dinner. Try it for yourself, and you’ll see what all the fuss is about.
Where: 1/19-21 Tedder Avenue, Main Beach
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
Winter is (almost) here. So naturally, as Gold Coasters, we’d like to skip that part of the year and get straight to spring.
Particularly because this year, we’re getting a festival dedicated to the prettiest of spring things, flowers. Our fave.
Taking place on Saturday September 7th and Sunday September 8th, The Main Beach Spring Flower Festival is set to become a regular on the Gold Coast social calendar and isn’t that a lovely change from our regular programming.
The goal for the festival is to share in the stunning floral delights Main Beach has to offer plus, of course, the delightful array of bars and eateries that can be found in the northern suburb.
Margot de Groot, owner of Flowers on Tedder, recently returned from the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show and was inspired to create an event of our own. Having also attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year in London, she wanted to share her passion by celebrating flowers with the people of the GC.
The Spring Flower Festival has also brought on renowned floral designer Julia Rose whose work combines art, fashion and performance, to curate the event.
Julia is quite the addition to the September festival, she’s about to represent Australia at the World Flower Summit in Bali and has recently been named as a feature artist in the couture edition of the influential American Florists’ Review. So she’s amazing.
The festival will be made up of lots of pretty aspects including stunning floral displays, ticketed workshops, a flower tour and ticked events including Queensland Sotheby’s Festival Launch and Auction, an Ink Gin Cocktail Soiree and a signature high tea with Julia Rose.
All of which sound particularly lovely.
Flowers and festivals, two of our favourite things coming together to delight our senses.
Bring on September.
LOCATION: Various, Main Beach
WHEN: September 7th and 8th, 2019
Words by Kirra Smith
