Often find yourself dreaming about oysters? Whether you’re team au naturale or sweet and smoky, Kilpatrick style – there’s no shortage of delectable ways to wrap your lips around these salty little delicacies… should you be so inclined (and hey, more for us if you’re not).

So whether you consider yourself a full blown oyster connoisseur or you’ve just got a craving that won’t quit, it’s high tide we introduce you to Al Natural Oysters, the GC’s very own gourmet oyster slingers.

Like many of the GC’s better kept sea-crets, the temptation to keep this gem to ourselves is real, but that’d be kinda shellfish of us. Based in Burleigh Heads, don’t be surprised if this gem has slipped under your radar until now, initially focusing on conquering the wholesale game since its launch in 2020.

Chances are you’ve come across these shucking legends at a Gold Coast event. Now, with a stronghold on the highest quality oysters around, the Al Natural Oysters (ANO) crew is entering their retail era – which officially means oodles of unadulterated, freshly shucked and live oysters for all… #ShellYeah.

Founded by Hamish Penner-Wilson and Lisa Hearn, director Hamish is a chef with over a decade of experience, spending stints in esteemed kitchens across the coast from The Fish House to Rick Shores.

With aspirations of eventually bringing a high-end oyster bar to Burleigh, the duo was later joined by now co-owner Antonie Stephens in 2022, who committed his large scale business smarts to fast tracking the project’s lofty ambitions.

Together, the trio has gradually transitioned the Burleigh facility from a factory to a chic, olive-kissed shopfront to meet the insatiable seafoodie cravings of locals – which means Gold Coasters can swing by for ‘shucking’ good oysters and a meticulously curated selection of oyster accompaniments.

From caviar to ANO made gourmet condiments and chic accessories, they’ve got it all. And here’s the cherry on top: Bloody Mary Premix. Shuck yeah!

The Al Natural Oysters difference, is one we suggest you try for yourself (like, a dozen times in a row, for good measure). As you’d expect with his high-end kitchen background, Hamish is a total stickler when it comes to seafood.

In his cheffing days, the logistical challenges of consistently sourcing quality oysters quickly became a sticking point… and if there’s one thing chefs are known for, it’s being passionate about their top-notch produce.

“Oysters from a farm are live, they require the correct handling and temperatures to ensure quality and longevity for the customer… Seasonality, nature disasters, farmer experience and growing techniques and many more variables make a very complex matrix to buying and selling quality oysters” says Hamish.

Armed with an innate understanding of the complexities and shortcomings of the seafood wholesaling process, Hamish and the ANO team have been able to develop their own sustainable system to ensure every live and shucked oyster is at its peak for the restaurant and seafood retail trade… and our palates are eternally grateful.

Oyster fanatics across the Coast will be shell-ebrating to hear, the trio certainly aren’t showing signs of slowing down anytime soon. Hamish adds “We keep getting asked for a beer and if we have more seafood.

Maybe it will be a doz oysters, the best seafood sandwiches and a glass of chablis to go with soon?”… umm, we sure hope so, Hamish. This o-fish-ally gets a big ‘ole resounding ‘yes seas’ from us – is there a petition somewhere we can sign?

Where: 5/80 Dover Drive, Burleigh Heads
When: Retail shop open Thursday–Saturday 8am- 3pm

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.

Well, well, well, looks like The Oxley 1823 just got a dash of sunshine with the arrival of Sunkist Eatery – your new haven for breakfast and lunch that’s all about good vibes and tasty bites.

The food gods have clearly heard our prayers because they’ve blessed Nobby’s once again with a hot new café on the block.

Just when we thought The Oxley couldn’t get any better (or tastier) they bring us a brand new café concept to keep our appetite in check until the crew from Rick Shores open their Latin American-inspired restaurant this year.

The menu is giving café classics with a hint of great pub food, summer staples like the ol’ acai bowl and of course seafood, because it would be a crime not to when the ocean is literally right there.

Start your day the Sunkist way with brekky classics that pack a punch. From Chilli Scrambled Eggs to Avo on Toast. They’ve got the morning munchies covered. Feeling a bit extra, or slightly dusty?

Dive into the Butcher’s Big Breakfast – the heavyweight champ of morning meals with sausages, bacon, lamb loin chops, eggs, and more. It’s the breakfast of (protein) champions we say.

And because Nobby Beach is the ultimate summer destination, Acai Bowls will be pumping until 5pm – because we say yes way to Acai all day.

If lunch is more your vibe then we’ve got good news for you because there’s a ripper lunch menu with something to suit everyone – yes, even the fussiest eaters. Think pub and carvery favourites but better like classic Chicken Gravy Rolls, Chicken Parmi (a staple) and Steak Sandwiches.

Feeling a bit fancy? The Grilled Bugs & Prawns are giving *boujee* and thankfully, they taste just as good as they sound. In the mood for Mex? Then let’s taco ‘bout the new Fish Taco’s that are serving fresh flavours you can share with your mates – or keep them all to yourself, no judgement here.

Where: The Oxley, 17-19 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach
When: Daily from 6.30pm

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.
Image By Ablo.

Anyone else spotted the super cool old school airstream trailer parked along Scottsdale Drive out the front of Global Pacific Seafoods? Yeah us too and whilst we momentarily considered the possibility that maybe this was somebody’s holiday spot (people are really enthusiastic about seafood after all), LBH – yeah nah. Then, we spotted a sign saying ‘Small Fry’ and whackadoo, a service window plopped open revealing a schmick commercial kitchen. That’s when the penny dropped – this vintage vibing big silver bullet on wheels is actually a seafood slinging food truck, proving anyFIN is possible!

Small Fry is a family affair, and sorta kinda an extension of the Ceccato clan’s popular Global Pacific Seafoods business. Launching last month, it’s a genius way to showcase their fresh and sumptuous seafood cooked to absolute perfection. Founded by qualified chef Braden Ceccato and Robert Ceccato, they bring over 40 years combined experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry to the table, or trailer rather.

The 1930s airstream was decked out by Georgina and Andrea Ceccato and really, is there anything this family can’t do?! Geared mostly towards takeaways, there is limited seating for those who can’t wait to get their food back to their office / abode / wherever else and really, who could blame them.

Cutting the fish every morning as soon as it arrives, this singlehandedly redefines the fresh food concept. With not a frozen morsel in site, the idea was inspired by the ocean-to-stall selection at the Sydney Fish Markets. Braden then does what he does best and srlsy, he’s a dead-set weapon in the kitchen. Training in Italy and Japan, plus working in international hotels, surf clubs, and many local restaurants around the GC, he sure knows his way around a fish, crustation and mollusc. Supported by the fam bam and working alongside sister Georgina, together they’re churning out exciting Modern Australian seafood cooked to order.

They pride themselves on using line caught fish off the reef up in north QLD, along with Mooloolaba king prawns and many other locally sourced seafood for their seasonal menu. The signature dish is Bug Bao and honestly, we can’t imagine a world where these don’t exist. The lightly battered bug meat is served in a freshly steamed bao bun with homemade coleslaw, fresh chilli, shallots and sriracha mayo. A staff and customer favourite for a reason, it’s pure ecstasy in edible form.

Another hit with the young, old, and everyone in between, the Grilled King Prawns are guaranteed to coca your cola and speaking of, grab a trusty coke or bottle of H20 with your order. There’s also Chargrilled Baby Octopus, Fish of the Day, and Salt & Pepper Squid. Oh and don’t forget to add some Crispy Coated Chips, because seafood and fried chats go together like fish and chips. Literally.

Or, if you’re looking for takeaway inspo, it doesn’t come any bigger, fresher or more salivation-worthy than the almighty Treasure Box. And trust us, the contents is just that – treasure, and we’d take this over a mountain of gold coins any day. It has 2 x Grilled King Prawn Skewers, 2 x pieces of Grilled Fish of the Day, 2 x Bug Baos, a serving of Grilled BBQ Octopus, and a serving of Crispy Fries with homemade tartare and lemon. Heaven!

Next time you’re at Robina TC, on your lunch or dinner break, or even if you’re nowhere near the place, get your dose of Vitamin Sea at Small Fry.

Where: 273 Scottsdale Drive, Robina
When: 11.30am – 2.30pm & 4.30pm – 7.30pm Thursday to Sunday. Closed Monday to Wednesday.

Words by Bianca Trathen.
Images by Belinda Symons.