Bao down Gold Coasters, your favourite Asian share-food eatery is about to blow your mind once again. Lucky Bao, in Mermaid Waters, have recently added several new dishes to their already incredible menu and they are taking things to a whole new level.

Since beginning as a market stall a mere three years ago, husband and wife duo Daud and Emmi Kendall have gained bulk fans for their spin on the vibrant street food culture of Singapore.

Serving an array of handmade bao along with bar snacks, share plates and dessert have made them a household name across the Gold Coast and the new menu additions are certainly set to enhance that reputation.

Starting at the top. Now they’re known as bar snacks but they’re far from your typical hot chips and gravy. Your best bet is the Sichuan Pulled Lamb Shoulder Spring Roll with roast tomato and chilli sambal followed closely by the Tempura Betel Leaf with raw tuna, rice kimchi and gochujang (red chilli paste).

Moving onto share plates and there are three newbies you absolutely must try. First Seared Scallops with black pepper, shaoxing rice wine, coriander and fried bahoon. Next Sashimi of Yellowfin Tuna with pickled persimmon, ponzu gel and crispy rice and finally, Korean Rice Cake with sweet Korean chilli sauce, smoked sesame miso and shallot. Taste sensations, every single one of them.

If you have room for dessert, and you do, the latest additions are Vietnamese Coffee Mousse with chocolate crumb and sesame meringue and Sticky Date Pudding with miso butterscotch and white chocolate ice cream.

Wash all that deliciousness down with a couple of the new cocktails on offer. Bring Back the Heat is a savoury twist on the classic margarita and Mi-So Lucky is Lucky Bao’s signature cocktail including both miso and white chocolate. You guessed it, both extremely tasty.

Less reading, more eating, go!

Location: 90 Markeri Street, Mermaid Waters

HOURS: 11am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 11am to 10pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Words and photos by Kirra Smith.

Radiating good vibes and a tropical, Caribbean theme perfectly suited to its balmy just-off-the-beach location, Poké Poké is bringing brightly coloured bowls of goodness to Mermaid Beach.

Poke bowls have taken the world by storm of late but in case you haven’t heard, the healthy bowls originated in Hawaii and are made up of crunchy salad, tender chunks of fish or meat, mouth watering sauces, nuts, seeds, noodles…any number of things and Poké Poké is leading the charge.

From the street, the first thing you notice is a custom carved front wall boldly enticing you to join the party. Inside the space pops with colour – an emerald green bench seat lines one wall while a neon pink sign beams in the corner declaring “okey dokey time for poké” and bunches of green bananas hang in a wide, sun-lit window.

It’s reminiscent of a tropical island takeaway joint with plenty of space to perch inside and watch the magic unfold or outside on the grass if you’d prefer.

Owner Morgan Walsh, one half of Mermaid Beach favourites Bonita Bonita and BonBon fell in love with the bowls on a recent trip and, as a lover of all things colourful, knew there’d be a market for them here.

At Poké Poké bowl options are abundant. Fresh Off The Boat is made up of the freshest salmon with edamame, zoodles, seaweed and radish on brown rice with wasabi mayo. If you’re in the mood for something warm, the Caribbean inspired roti bowls are for you. Go with the Chicken Curry bowl made up of taro and potato on coconut rice with roti.

Smoothie bowls are a thing too – try the Avocado and Kale with spinach, almond milk and banana.

Of course there are fresh and cold press juices, wine and beer and a soon-to-be-launched cocktail menu. You need never leave.

Don your most colourful Hawaiian get up and your favourite pluggas and get down there, there’s way too much fun to be had.

LOCATION: Cnr Alfred Street and Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
HOURS: 8am to 8pm daily

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Life inevitably takes its toll – you don’t have to tell us twice. Whether you’re juggling work, children, or a questionable affection for rosé (guilty), your body and mind are going to feel the effects. Enter: the ultimate fix, the humble soak session. Okay, it may not solve ALLLLL of your problems, but we promise it’s a good start.

In order to achieve an upgraded level of vitality and mindfulness, you needn’t go it alone. You’ll require some assistance, and this is where soak and float centres come in. These are the kind of spaces where tranquil surroundings and expert insight go hand in hand to pull you from that long road to ruin: a five-minute break with a strong cup of tea just isn’t going to cut it these days.

We took it upon ourselves to do some research, and lucky for us, the Gold Coast has a sizeable selection of such places where you can unwind, soak and nourish yourself back to previous glory. Here are our top 8 picks to recuperate and rejuvenate when rosé life has gotten the better of you.

Soak Bathhouse
Conveniently located in Mermaid Beach, Soak Bathhouse is the comprehensive answer to looking after yourself with a holistic approach. By their own ethos — it’s time to start feeling great again — they invite you to experience opulent mineral spa baths and steam rooms. If you’re feeling brave, take a dip in the cold plunge that sits at a very fresh 10 degrees to get the blood pumping. But it’s so much more than just a spot for a soak, if you’re after the full wellness experience why not add on an infared sauna, LED facial or massage? Because health is wealth. If soaking up the vibes with a beverage in hand is more your vibe then the Soak and Sip is a must-do, we’re partial to their Wine Not Wine Pouches because rosé all day! And if you feel the need to hit the emails between sauna and plunge pool circuits, they have a gorgeous co-working space to nut out some work.
Where: 2532 – 2540 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Greenhouse The Bathhouse
The Bathhouse team were behind one of the original venues to open allowing you to soak your weary body and relax in a serene setting. Now nestled in Tallebudgera Valley – the ultimate destination for relaxation if you ask us – Greenhouse The Bathhouse has everything you need to switch off and kick back for a few hours. Soak up a 90-minute session in their magnesium spas and then soak up some rays (using protection of course) on the sun terrace and garden lounges. An ode to traditional bathhouses and sweat lodges, they offer intuitive massages on demand and have even got a beautiful restaurant and botanical bar onsite so you can refresh and rehydrate.
Where: 286 Tallebudgera Creek Road, Tallebudgera Valley

City Cave Float & Wellness Centre
Seeking the ultimate relaxation with added health benefits? Yep us too. City Cave Float and Wellness Centres have six convenient locations across the Gold Coast and specialise in float therapy, remedial, sports, pregnancy and relaxation massages while also offering Infrared Sauna facilities. It’s about time you look after your mind, body and gut at City Cave with their holistic services.
Where: Markeri St, Mermaid Waters, 76-84 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina, 3/201 Ferry Road, Southport, Helensvale Plaza Shopping Centre, 12 Sir John Overall Dr, Helensvale, 340 Hope Island Rd, Hope Island or Shop 2, Coomera Square, Coomera

The Bathhouse at Ground
As if you needed another reason to take a sojourn out into peaceful Currumbin Valley, you can certainly add this new decadent bathhouse to the list. Set within the tranquil grounds of the Currumbin Eco Village, book yourself an hour here and simply let life’s stresses fade away. Spend your 60 minutes of luxury jumping from giant hydrotherapy spa pools to a genuine Finnish sauna before sinking into a refreshing pool packed with salty goodness all under the canopy of their gorgeous fig tree If this isn’t enough for you, be sure to book a massage or other heavenly treatment which take place in their adjoining fairy-tale-looking century-old Queenslander.
Where: 2 Village Way, Currumbin Valley

Native State
Another goodie for the southern Gold Coasters, Native State is where luxury, wellbeing and peak performance coexist in perfect harmony – sounds pretty inviting if you ask us. The marriage of gym, movement classes like yin and vinyasa yoga if you want to get it om, and of course the bathhouse is pretty much everything you need in one spot. Native State offers both casual sessions as well as full studio memberships if you can’t enough of the holistic health haven.
Where: 3/2 Creek Street, Coolangatta

Floating Away
Float therapy sounds exactly like our kind of therapy, Floating Away is the ultimate spot to do just that in your own float tank and leave the weight of the day behind. It’s that time of year when we’re pretty much crawling to the finish line, so a session of sensory deprivation to escape the outside and immerse yourself in a deep state of relaxation sounds like just what the doctor ordered. Or why not sweat it out before you soak it up in their infrared sauna? Guaranteed to leave you feeling rejuvenated. Because we’re all about that journey to self discovery we were totally intrigued by their Yoni Steaming offering. An ancient practice of vaginal steaming and yes, you read that right – a steamer for your nether region – the Kardashian-approved treatment helps to promote circulation and hormonal balance. It’s basically a facial for down there. Because every part of you deserves self-care.
Where: The Oasis Shopping Centre, Level 1/75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Organic Aum
Possibly one of the Gold Coast’s best-kept secrets, Organic Aum, a Japanese fusion day spa, is a hinterland haven nestled in Lower Beechmont. With natural rainwater used to fill the spas before being topped with magnesium, the open-air wooden hot spas are the ultimate place to beat muscle fatigue or wind down for some stress relief. Now when you visit our beautiful hinterland it makes sense to make a day of it. If you’re going solo our pick is one of their indulgent facials or if you’re planning on making a date of it their massage rooms are perfect for two. If you’ve been trying to find a way to relax and recentre we’re big fans of a sound healing session (if you haven’t tried it, you need to) and Organic Aum introduces the Singing Ring – a new instrument invented in Japan – that uses crystal-infused metal to cleanse, recharge and refresh your energy. Sign us up.
Where: 113 North Road, Lower Beechmont

The Banya
Ok, so it’s not technically on the Gold Coast, but like Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman, we’re happy to claim it! Set in the heart of the ‘biggest little town in Australia’, The Banya is a total #mood. Indulge in allll the offerings, from lap pools to hot mineral pools, a wood-fired sauna, steam room, and a refreshing cold plunge hugged by lush foliage and cobblestone pathing. With 5 massage treatment rooms and a rooftop sundeck, relaxation awaits. Post-soak, savour a leisurely lunch or drinks at the on point on-site bar and dining. Explore small share plates, nutritious options, and a selection of wine, cocktails, and health elixirs – perfect complements to elevate your relaxation experience. Namaste!
Where: 35-37 Burringbar Street, Mullumbimby

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.