If there’s anything better than sipping a frosty, perfectly salted margarita in the sunshine, overlooking the sparkling ocean, we can’t (and won’t) think of it. Throw in a few spicy tacos and some of those Gold Coast good vibes we know and love and, well, it’s pretty much the perfect time.

Which is why, we are beside ourselves with the news that Frida Sol opened in Palm Beach just a short while ago bringing all of the above to the very-in-need-of-an-epic-Mexican-eatery, beachside suburb. And what an epic Mexican eatery it is.

Taking up space where 8^th Ave once graced us with its presence, Frida Sol is perfectly at home perched above the Gold Coast Highway and overlooking one of the most beautiful stretches of sand around (biased). Having been transformed by the one and only Morgan Walsh (owner of Poke Poke and FuFu Chinese Diner), the space is quirky and eclectic with bright pops of colour and we, quite frankly, are in love.

You’ll enter through the dining room, passing the Chefs hard at work preparing tasty eats and a backlit bar punctuated with flowing greenery and, of course, all your favourite tipples.

Outside, high tables with shaggy dry grass umbrellas are the seating spot of choice so you can gaze lovingly at the black and white portrait of Frida Kahlo herself (an incredible early 1900s Mexican artist for whom the place is named) or, at your back, said beautiful stretch of sand. Along one side, a low textured wall is complete with really quite spiky cactuses and along the other, copper biblical statues shine out above you.

As you know, no Gold Coast restaurant is complete without a neon slogan sign and Frida’s does not disappoint. We’ll let you seek it out. Throughout the venue, little artworks and artefacts have been artfully placed on walls and surfaces, all nods to Frida Kahlo and her colourful, much-loved work.

The whole space comes together perfectly (of course) and it’s exactly the venue Palm Beach needed to lift the nighttime vibe to a whole new level. We could not be more excited.

The menu, love you Mexican eats, is a mix of all the things you know and need in your life, boasting punchy, can’t-get-enough flavours to be washed down with a signature cocktail or three.

To start, there are snacks along the lines of Chile Con Queso (LOVE) with smoked chilli salt, Pork Taquitos and Chipotle Salt and Pepper Calamari to name a few delicious options. From there it’s share plates for the win with a few gourmet tacos thrown in for good measure.

We HIGHLY recommend the Chorizo Croquettes with shaved Manchego, smoked sour cream and Habanero jam, obviously, plus the Charred Cauliflower Ensalada, a chargrilled corn and cauliflower salad with quinoa and toasted pepitas – pretty and delicious. Maybe eat one of everything on that menu though, just to be safe.

There are burrito bowls and an impressive array of tacos to sample. We’d go the Pescado – crispy fish with tomato pico, mango crema and queso fresco and the Cerdo Tirado – pulled pork with tomatillo salsa, pickled cabbage, pineapple chilli jam and cilantro crema.

If you can’t decide a. nobody would blame you and b. there’s a banquet for that. It’s just $40 per person and made up of MANY dishes that’ll be your absolute favourite, one after the other.

On Thursday’s it’s a taco takeover with $5 taco and drink specials and Friday’s get down for ‘Muchos Nachos’ with $10 nachos and drink specials. Sunday’s sees $29 banquets so that’s your weekend sorted.

Was it all down with the very best Coconut Margarita you’ve ever sampled and it’s happy day friends.

That’s a lot of reasons to get down to Palmy and indulge in an absolute tequila-sipping, taco-tasting time. You’re gonna love it.

LOCATION: Level 1, 1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
HOURS: Open nightly from 5pm

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

It’s party time in a very literal sense people, The Collective has recently launched a catering service to bring five of the most loved restaurants on the Gold Coast to the people.

Complete with one of the best looking food trucks around (very important because Insta snaps), The Collective Catering offers menus from Luckies Diner, The Italian Job, The Kitchen, Calavera and Umami which means your next event is likely to be one of the most delicious there has ever been.

Whether you’re organising a cocktail party, social soiree, engagement party, wedding or even a corporate do, these guys have got you absolutely covered.

As you’d know, having frequented The Collective in Palm Beach on more than one occasion (obviously) there are about 9,000 delicious dishes to choose from in the way of Asian, Italian, Mexican, American and modern Australian and you are more than welcome to mix and match. Which we highly recommend obviously.

No doubt you’d also know that the team at The Collective are ALL about creating dining experiences to remember their catering service is absolutely no different. Imagine dining under the night sky with a beautifully appointed table and some of the tastiest food you can imagine, all prepared for you so you don’t have to lift a finger.

Just imagine – everything is lovingly prepared and served fresh and hot onsite to your guests. They’ll even provide all the glassware, crockery, cutlery and a killer service team so you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the good times! Sounds like a dream right come true.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a party without a fully stocked bar and one of the best bartenders around – so yep, you get that too. The Collective Catering team will keep the drinks topped up and the party flowing all night long.

Menus start from $65 per person and two-hour drinks packages start from $35 per person, based on a minimum of 100 people. They can however, cater from 50 people and up.

Get on it gang, there are many good times on the way and guess what, summer is coming right up!

Bring. It. On.

Let’s begin by acknowledging Mr Buttergoods as being an absolutely cracking name for a bakery slash café if ever we’ve heard one. Because the (ridiculously good looking/tasting) goods are made from butter, geddit!? Yep, right, moving on.

So Palm Beach is where you can find Mr Buttergoods as of last week and we suggest you pick up your phone, open your entertaining, meme-filled group chat and summon the gang right this minute. We’ll wait.

Now here’s the lowdown.

Taking up space where the Palm Beach bike shop lived for a very long time (RIP) is the new bakery slash café of your dreams. It’s a corner space so it’s quite roomy with both outdoor terrace seating from where you can glimpse the big blue and regular indoor seating (obviously) PLUS bench seats where you can peer intensely at the pastry chefs while they create food that is also art.

Because here’s the thang, every single sugary treat is made right there on the premises and what a treat they are.

There are things on offer like Turkish Delight Choux Bombs, Curly Wurly Eclairs, Salted Caramel donuts and a variety of giant slice-type goodies.

BUT NOT ONLY THAT, there are Lester and Earls’ (oh because they’re the owners soz) famous pulled pork sausage rolls, crusty loaves of bread for purchasing and what may just be the most golden, heavenly smelling selection of pies we’ve ever encountered. Love you pies.

Of a weekend you can nab yourself a fresh baguette or salad from the cabinet and then you can march your merry self down to the beach and devour it while thinking about the pastry you will probably purchase on the way back past. Do it.

As of now, you can also eat breakfast in the sleek, industrial-style space and that comes in the form of Eggs Bennie Croissants, loaded Bacon and Egg Rolls and Avo on Toast with fresh cherry tomato salsa.

Followed by pastries, obviously.

We love pastries.

How good is Palmy*.

Bye now. Go forth and treat yo’self to a sugar coma.

LOCATION: 1097 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
HOURS: 6am to 3pm daily

Words and photos by Kirra Smith (*lives in Palmy)