The wait is finally over Gold Coasters, famed Sunshine Coast venue Miss Moneypenny’s has opened her doors in Broadbeach this week and it’s the very good news we need right now.

The stunning, fine-dining (without the fuss) restaurant can be found underneath Avani on Surf Pde and right next door to the also-very-new Fat Freddy’s Beach Bar and Diner and it’s one you’re going to want to experience at the earliest possible opportunity.

Upon entering you’ll be met with a pared back aesthetic, both sophisticated and cosy and perfectly curated for dining experiences from breakfast through to late night snacking.

The interior is made up of low leather chairs set against plush, cushiony booths you could nap in for days. A wooden wave-style ceiling and a stone-backed bar, beautifully lit and stocked with premium tipples are the most eye-catching features and the entire space comes together as what can best be described as sleek, beachside chic. We’re in love.

There’s an outdoor area in the front and The Rimini Room (an equally stunning private dining room) can be found tucked away at the back.

The menu, by acclaimed Aussie Chef Braden White who once headed up hatted Brisbane restaurant Stokehouse Q and was the Executive Chef at Noosa’s multi-award winning Ricky’s River Bar & Restaurant, is as exceptional as you’d expect.

Filled with all the very best options from bar bites to pizzas, entrees, mains, sides and desserts, you’ll want to go back time and time again to taste it all.

If you’re in a snacking mood (us, always) you absolutely must order the Mushroom Fritters, Chargrilled Ora King Salmon Stick, Green Pea Croquette and the Doughnut of Smoked Crème Fraiche (life changing) because they are quite simply, taste sensations.

For entrée, the Oakey Beef Tartare with torched gochujang, garlic custard and chilli threads. It’s the best we’ve ever sampled.

Because we love the concept of share-style dishes (and want to eat everything) we recommend the Social Share Dining section and in particular the Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder with spicy chermoula, burnt lemon, chilli oil and watercress. It is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

If sharing isn’t your thing (fair), don’t go past the Coral Coast Barramundi. It not only looks mind-blowing, it tastes mind-blowing with clam and potato puree, warrigal greens and wood sorrel.

The breakfast menu is equally impressive with tasty dishes the likes of which you’ve never had the pleasure of coming across before now.

Of course, everything Chef White and the Miss Moneypenny’s team touches turns to gold so there isn’t a dish on the menu we couldn’t eat every single day forever.

Cocktail-wise, prepare for something really special. There are MANY to choose from including a selction of Miss Moneypenny’s favourites, sparkling cocktails, an array of gin and tonics, The 80’s Cruise Ship set and a House Crafted section and they’re all exceptional.

In case you’re wondering, we’d choose the Kombucha Spritz with Aperol, kombucha, lemon, passionfruit, prosecco and thyme because fresh and oh so delicious.

All in all, Miss Moneypenny’s is one of the most exciting restaurants that’s opened on the Coast probably ever and we have no doubt you’re going to love it as much as we do.

Go for breakfast, stay until bedtime is our plan.

LOCATION: 50 Surf Pde, Broadbeach
HOURS: 9am until 12am daily

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

If Queensland weather doesn’t shout rooftop bars at you in a high-pitched squeal, we don’t know what will. Our climate, coupled with the amazing hospitality scene here in our city, means these open-air meccas of good times and delicious libations are the prime place to find yourself — any time of the year! It’s all about drinks in the sunshine and snapping selfies with picturesque backgrounds for Insta-bragging purposes. 

So, in honour of bars in high places, here are 11 next-level rooftop bars you should make it a priority to visit this weekend — and next weekend, and the weekend after…

The Exhibitionist Bar
When HOTA opened its brand new state of the art gallery building last year (the biggest outside a capital city, by the way), we all knew the art scene was about to go up a level or two. What we didn’t realise was that a sublimely positioned rooftop bar was a part of the deal also. The highly talented Tom Angel heads up a bar and creative cocktail list, which is a seriously good spot for a sundowner — and the ideal place to take out of towners!
Where: Level 5/135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise

Tropic Vice
Glitzy, glamorous, and generally a wonderful time all around, Tropic Vice was the rooftop bar Nobby Beach was yearning for, and it came to fruition in 2021. The ideal spot for a weekend catch up, a mid-week cheeky cocktail, or an epic bottomless brunch every Sunday. Do yourself a favour: find yourself here sipping a cocktail whilst drinking in the gorgeous hinterland view.
Where: 2215 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

The Island Rooftop
Find the Gold Coast’s largest open air and much-loved rooftop bar perched on top of the The Island in Surfers Paradise. The Island Rooftop is part nightclub, part bar, part live music venue, and all the parts are a fun time no matter the day of the week. Head there for the epic weekend Grazy Days lunch or just to feel like you’re on Island time.
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

Nineteen at The Star
The fanciest of the bunch is undoubtedly Nineteen at The Star, complete with velvet booth-style seating, an infinity pool and ocean views for days. Found atop the The Star Gold Coast’s The Darling, Nineteen is the perfect place for people-watching, dressing up and sipping on fancy tipples while dancing the night away. Oh and be sure to take a snap on the runway that stretches out in the pool!
Where: The Darling, Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach 

Frida Sol
The Palm Beach Mexi restaurant doubles as a rooftop bar with views out to the ocean and lots of salty ocean breezes. The eats are fresh and flavoursome, and there’s many a margarita on the list to soothe that sweltering summer humidity we’re currently experiencing. Get into Frida Sol.
Where: 1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Mr PP’s Deli & Rooftop Bar
A game-changer in Southport’s food and beverage scene was Mr PP’s, a deli and rooftop bar boasting city views and plenty of good vibes in the century-old postal building. There is a generous menu full of pizzas, tapas and charcuterie boards and this, folks, is the reason we love rooftop bars. Plus cocktails and local tipples, of which there are many at Mr PP’s. Live music on Sundays too.
Where: 43 Nerang St, Southport

The Collective
Everyone’s favourite multi-restaurant establishment, The Collective also boasts a sweet rooftop bar with some epic cocktails for your sipping pleasure. You can also order eats from one of the five menus on offer and watch the sunset over the ocean while you’re at it. We HIGHLY recommend.
Where: 1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Justin Lane
A much-loved favourite and the Gold Coast’s first official rooftop bar, Justin Lane is still one of the most popular rooftop’s since it’s opening in 2011. The space is intimate with booth-style seating overlooking Burleigh and plenty of cocktails to tickle your fancy. Downstairs is all the delicious pizza you could possibly need, so fill up on that, then head upstairs to mingle with the gang.
Where: 1708-1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

Last Night on Earth
Pretty sure that if it were, in fact, your last night on Earth, you would want to spend it at a sweet rooftop bar with bulk cocktails at the ready. Which maybe isn’t the point of Southport’s Last Night on Earth but a good intro nonetheless. Last Night on Earth is the work of local legend Arran Wollams and his crew; it’s a somewhat underworld themed rooftop bar in the heart of Southport offering good times aplenty. It’s a dive bar, but not as you know it. Check it out.
Where: 50b Nerang St, Southport 

Moxy’s Rooftop Bar
This rooftop bar located down in southerly Coolangatta has beautiful glimpses of the ocean, lots of live music and an impressive cocktail menu that’ll keep you coming back for more. Whilst they may not do eats, you can order from the Mexican joint downstairs, and we’re fairly sure there’s nothing that pairs better than bulk cocktails and tacos. Always lively and worth the trip down the Coast.
Where: 2/152 Griffith St, Coolangatta

Aviary Rooftop Bar
Perched atop Mantra on Sharks, Aviary Rooftop Bar’s views are as stunning as their extensive drinks list. With 180 degree views over the Surfers Paradise skyline and the ocean, it’s the perfect place for an after work beverage or Sunday arvo session with the crew. Ohh and don’t even get us started on their authentic Italian pizza’s, and tapas… if you know, you know.
Where: Mantra at Sharks, Melia Ct, Southport (next to Southport Sharks)

Words by Alex Mitcheson.