Local’s new bottomless Sunday session has landed in Burleigh.
Local’s new bottomless Sunday session has landed in Burleigh.
Sunday lunch is already one of life’s greatest inventions. Throw in free-flowing drinks, a cocktail on arrival, a table full of things to nibble and absolutely nowhere else to be for two glorious hours and, frankly, we’re looking at Nobel Prize territory.
The geniuses responsible are the team at Local, Burleigh’s much-loved neighbourhood pub and reliable source of excellent food, cold bevs and the kind of atmosphere that has turned “just one” into an entire afternoon on more occasions than we care to count.
Now, Local is adding a brand-new bottomless lunch to its Sunday repertoire, giving Gold Coasters a very compelling reason to get out of bed and rally the group.
Running every Sunday, the lunch includes two hours of flowing drinks and a selection of share-style dishes for $65 per person. Sessions are available from 12pm to 2pm and 1pm to 3pm, which means you can choose between kicking things off at noon or enjoying a leisurely morning before commencing your very important Sunday duties.
A Bloody Mary, Espresso Martini or Mimosa is a very good place to start, covering those who like their cocktails caffeinated, citrusy or capable of doubling as a vegetable serve.
From there, the drinks keep flowing for the full two-hour session, with cocktails included alongside Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Rosé and Shiraz. In other words, there’s plenty to sip your way through
Beer fans will be happy with a selection of mid-strength and full-strength options.
Of course, drinks are only half the equation. A successful bottomless lunch also needs food substantial enough to keep the party satiated, and Local has assembled a share-style spread packed with crowd-pleasers.
There are Lobster Rolls for anyone who believes Sunday lunch should always include a little luxury, along with fresh and zesty Tuna Tartare Bites. Arancini brings the crispy, cheesy goodness, while chicken tenders deliver the universally adored pub classic we would never dream of pretending to be too sophisticated for.
Cauliflower popcorn rounds out the selection, proving once again that vegetables become significantly more exciting when they’re crumbed, fried and served as a snack.
Local has long had the Sunday formula sorted. Its Burleigh home strikes that sweet spot between polished and easy-going, with plenty of spaces for settling in and staying put.
It’s this mix of good food, great drinks and genuinely relaxed energy that has made Local such a Burleigh favourite. You can arrive for a quick bite, a long lunch, live music or a casual drink and somehow always end up staying longer than planned.
The new bottomless lunch simply gives everyone another excuse.
Assemble your favourite people, clear the Sunday calendar and prepare to make a few pour decisions. Local’s bottomless lunch has landed, and our weekends may never be the same again.
Bookings are highly recommended via the online portal or by email, though walk-ins are always welcome.
Where: 1744 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
When: Every Sunday, with sessions from 12pm to 2pm and 1pm to 3pm
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
STORY SPONSORED BY LOCAL
Fletcher’s Pantry & Espresso is West Burleigh's newest neighbourhood café.
There’s something pretty special about a café that feels like it has always been there, even when it’s brand new. The kind of place where the coffee is hot, the pastries are fresh, the locals are already claiming “their” table, and you find yourself making excuses to stop in.
Say hello to Fletcher’s Pantry & Espresso, the new West Burleigh café bringing old-school charm, fresh-baked goodness and proper community café energy to Tallebudgera Creek Road.
Fletcher’s has taken over the former Woodbox site, giving the much-loved local building a fresh lease on life. And, she’s looking good. With heritage-listed floors, a gorgeous glass frontage and a dark timber bookshelf wall that’s giving cosy country pantry meets neighbourhood coffee house, this is the kind of spot that makes you want to linger a little longer.
Behind the new venture is Dani Riley, the woman responsible for the much-loved Pasture & Co in Currumbin Valley, so yes, your breakfast expectations should be sky high. Living nearby in Tallebudgera Valley, Dani and her family have long admired the character-filled space and saw an opportunity to restore some of its former glory while creating a welcoming gathering place for the community they call home.
And while the fit-out is lovely, the menu is where Fletcher’s really starts flexing.
Fletcher’s is leaning into fresh, handmade, comforting café classics with a little extra zhuzh. Think Smashed Avo on toasted sourdough with macadamia nut butter, Meredith goat’s cheese, lemon wedge and micro herbs or Garlic Mushrooms, featuring pan-fried mushrooms and kale on buttered sourdough with pecorino.
On the sweeter side, the Croissant Waffle is doing the absolute most, with crispy maple bacon, vanilla ice cream, caramel bourbon sauce and biscuit nut crumbs. Breakfast? Dessert? Emotional support meal? We’ll allow all three.
For lunch, things are equally tasty. The Thai Pumpkin Soup comes with coconut cream, red Thai curry paste and house-made focaccia fingers, while the Jalapeño Beef Burger brings a seasoned beef patty, crispy bacon, peppered cheddar, jalapeños, house-made secret mayo and rocket. There’s also a Roasted Vegetable Pie with basil pesto, feta and walnuts, and a rich House Lasagna layered with tomato and red wine, beef, pasta and béchamel sauce.
Sandwich people, this is your moment. Choose from stacked numbers like the Chicken Sandwich with poached chicken, basil pesto, avocado, spinach and fetta on lightly toasted charcoal bread, the Prosciutto and Mozzarella sandwich with tomato and spinach on toasted focaccia, or the Turkey Sandwich with cranberry sauce, brie and spinach on toasted sourdough.
Fletcher’s Pantry & Espresso is serving the kind of food that makes a quick coffee stop accidentally turn into breakfast, lunch and “maybe I’ll grab something for later”.
Located between the coast and hinterland, West Burleigh has always had that easygoing, community-first feel, and Fletcher’s fits right in. It’s a place to slow down, catch up, settle in, grab something freshly baked and sip your way through a seriously good Social Espresso coffee.
Whether you’re a loyal Pasture & Co fan, a local looking for your new morning ritual, or simply someone who believes a good sandwich can fix most things, Fletcher’s Pantry & Espresso is ready to become your next go-to.
Where: 33 Tallebudgera Creek Rd, Burleigh
When: Daily from 7am to 3pm
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
Images by Liam McDonald
SHŌTŌ brings late night Japanese sips and snacks to Burleigh.
Nights are getting cooler, and honestly, something has to be pretty special to lure us out after dark. SHŌTŌ is making a strong case for it, giving full shujin-kō energy (that’s Japanese for main character) in Burleigh.
Dark and moody with just the right amount of fun, the new Japanese bar comes from hospitality heavyweight Nathan Horwood, the man behind Mermaid Beach institution Etsu Izakaya.
After turning Etsu into one of the Coast’s most-loved dining spots, Nathan was ready for something new. Enter SHŌTŌ.
Taking over the former Kin space in Burleigh, the venue leans into a darker aesthetic than its Mermaid Beach sibling. Think reclaimed timber panelling, low lighting, leather booths and a long bar stretching almost the full length of the room. There’s a buzz the second you walk in, equal parts Tokyo backstreet bar and classic Gold Coast people-watching spot.
You can tuck yourself away in the rear dining room, but the real move is grabbing a seat at the bar and watching the bartender in action. Front-row seats to the cocktails? Arigatou very much.
Leading the kitchen is Executive Chef Leo Militao, who also heads up Etsu, with a menu inspired by recent travels through Japan. It’s centred around yakitori, handrolls and robata cooking with snacky, share-style dishes designed to keep the table busy.
The Edamame Guacamole with shichimi and lotus chips as well as the Hamachi Carpaccio with pickled jalapeños and yuzu ponzu will disappear faster than a parking spot on James Street.
Then come the handrolls. The Aburi Salmon, layered with spicy mayo and teriyaki, is smoky, creamy and dangerously easy to demolish.
Robata skewers bring the firepower. Chicken oysters arrive juicy with just enough char and the Wagyu Striploin 9+ with caramelised onion and jus is rich, buttery and worth loosening a belt buckle for.
Thankfully, a few cult Etsu favourites make the menu too, including the fried chicken with yuzu mayo, hot sauce and coriander.
Dessert doesn’t phone it in either. The Banoffee Handroll with miso dulce de leche and tempura banana is playful without being over-the-top, while the miso crème caramel delivers that perfect salty-sweet finish.
Can’t choose? No stress. There’s a set menu available, which honestly is an elite move.
But the main drawcard is the drinks. Cocktails pull inspiration from across Japan, with smoky and punchy flavours built for long nights out. Even if you’re on a bad date, these drinks will make you want to stay.
The Osaka mixes tequila, mezcal, ancho reyes and yuzu kosho agave for something spicy and fire-lit, while the Tokyo leans into dessert territory with vodka, coffee liquor, cold brew, miso caramel foam and dark chocolate. The Miso Fashionable with Japanese whisky, den miso and coconut, might quietly become our next signature order.
And for those feeling a little extra? The SHŌTŌ Bump pairs Oscietra caviar with Belvedere because, well, why not?
Burleigh’s dining scene isn’t short on newcomers, but SHŌTŌ feels like it knows exactly what it’s doing. Hai-y recommend.
Where: 5/1730 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
When: Thurs–Mon 5pm to late
Words by Lisette Drew
Choubidou Cafe bring French brunch classics to Burleigh.
Bon appétit, Burleigh! The brunch scene just became très chic with the arrival of Choubidou Cafe, a new French-inspired spot within the Hibiscus Haven block. Pronounced shoo-bee-doo, the playful name translates to cutie pie in French and honestly, there’s no better way to describe this charming newcomer.
Behind the new spot are Ammish Adu and Javier Moreno, the duo also at the helm of Le Jardin in Main Beach. Ammish and Javier first worked together at Le Jardin before becoming close friends, eventually deciding to open a second venue together when the opportunity arose.
“We are two very fun loving, energetic people and love working together. We both enjoy the challenge of creating something beautiful, not just for us, but for our staff and our community.”
For Javier, who also leads the kitchen as head chef, Choubidou offered the chance to expand on the French-inspired flavours locals already fell in love with at Le Jardin. For Ammish, it was about finding the right fit for the next chapter. And Burleigh, with its thriving cafe culture and loyal locals, ticked every box.
Opening its doors in the former Common Ground space, Choubidou Cafe feels like a little pocket of Paris tucked into the Gold Coast. Lush greenery softens every corner, while sunlight spills across both the indoor and outdoor dining spaces. Seating around 70 people, outside is where the charm really shines, with locals basking in the morning sun over coffee and crepes. Equal parts garden cafe, Parisian bistro and Burleigh brunch spot.
On the menu, French-inspired comfort food takes centre stage.
Just like Le Jardin, the go-to favourites are the crepes. Sweet options include the Raspberry Cheesecake crepe layered with raspberry compote, cheesecake filling and crushed Biscoff. Savoury fans can order Le Parisian, packed with sautéed mushroom and tomato, Parisian ham, French herbs, shredded cheddar and a fried egg.
Next, the Mediterranean omelette loads up on sous vide chicken, double smoked bacon, Spanish onion, wilted spinach, olives and aioli, while Le Poulailler levels up an Eggs Benedict with buttermilk fried chicken, local avocado, wilted spinach and house hollandaise.
The pièce de résistance is the signature Steak Frites, bringing classic French bistro vibes with a scotch fillet, truffle fries and a secret five-herb sauce. Diners can even swap the plate for a warm baguette version because there’s nothing more iconic than a crusty loaf of French bread.
Drinks lean equally indulgent with specialty coffee, teas and juices as well as Canned Cold Foams with flavours like Ferrero Rocher, salted caramel and vanilla.
Then there’s the Choubidou Parisienne hot chocolate, a thick drinking chocolate topped with whipped cream and strawberries that taste less like a beverage and more like dessert.
Whether you’re a foodie, a Francophile or just someone craving the perfect crepe, grab your boo and head to Choubidou Cafe.
Where: 2 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
When: Daily, 6am to 3pm
Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Liam McDonald
