Munchies Sushi brings Brazilian Japanese fusion to Broadbeach.
Munchies Sushi brings Brazilian Japanese fusion to Broadbeach.
Kon’nichiwa sushi fans! Or should we say olá? Munchies Sushi has officially landed on the Gold Coast, shaking up the Broadbeach dining scene with its famous Brazilian Japanese fusion eats.
Munchies Sushi began in 2022 when three hospo heros came together with a shared vision of offering something unique to the Aussie food scene.
Fast-forward a few years and Munchies has grown faster than your cocktail cravings on a Friday afternoon. Bondi? Tick. Dee Why? Tick. Alexandria? Tick. And now, they’ve rolled up the coast to Broadbeach.
Behind the expansion is Rodolfo Ricardo Santos de Almeida, a foodie high flyer with more than a decade in the industry and a background that stretches across retail leadership to marketing and social media.
That mix shows up in the brand’s DNA. After 15 years in Australia, Rodolfo has helped grow Munchies from a single Sydney store into a multi-venue brand that it is today.
The Broadbeach location has been two years in the making, a deliberate move into a precinct that balances locals, families and steady tourist foot traffic.
Inside, the venue is cosy and intimate, seating 56 guests including a breezy 12-seat verandah. The aesthetic sits somewhere between Tokyo hidden gem and Rio speakeasy with a Gold Coast glow thrown in for good measure. It’s ready to roll for a casual date night or a post-beach feed.
In the kitchen is Chef Anil Katuwal, who rose through the Munchies ranks at Alexandria before stepping into the head chef role in Broadbeach. His menu leadership brings consistency across locations, but also space for creativity, especially in the Brazilian and Japanese fusion Munchies is known for.
That fusion is key. Brazil has the largest Japanese community outside Japan, and Munchies leans into that cultural crossover. Let’s just say this is sushi that doesn’t play by the usual rules.
The menu is built around familiar flavours with a twist that keeps things interesting. The signatures include Sushi Tacos, Bao Buns, Loaded Rolls, Sashimi, Ramen and Poke Bowls, all with a gentle nod to a Brazilian-style.
Crowd favourites like the Salmon Lovers Combo and the Vegan Lovers Combo are both designed for easy group grazing and include Hosomakis, Uramaki, Gunkan and the popular Hot Rolls.
The Hot Rolls deserve a special mention. Four types of rolls feature on Munchies Sushi’s menu and what makes them so hot right now is the fact that they are deep fried in a tempura batter. The Salmon and Cream Cheese is the best seller, but there’s also a Prawn and Cream Cheese, Salmon and Avo as well as Vegan fried tofu.
The fusion doesn’t stop there. Dessert comes in the form of Biscoff and Nutella Spring Rolls. Drool.
Behind the bar, tap beers flow alongside a compact cocktail list, with Brazil’s national cocktail Lime Caipirinha leading the charge. Made with cachaça, lime, and sugar, it’s a cocktail you’ll be craving when Friday rolls around.
Where: 3/2707 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach 4218 (Upstairs)
When: Tuesday–Friday 5pm–10pm, Saturday–Sunday 12pm to 10pm
Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Liam McDonald
Cold weather, hot venues.
Winter has officially settled in, and let’s be real, leaving the house now requires a strong dose of motivation. Luckily, the Gold Coast’s latest wave of openings is making it a whole lot easier to throw off the doona and seize the day.
From juice bars and cookie counters to rooftop sips and smokehouses, June proves the Gold Coast dining scene is not hibernating, and neither should you.
From the team behind Fire Baby and Ember, Hicksy’s Cafe is part of the new Hicksville, a big and bold hospitality precinct on Hicks Street in Southport. By day, Hicksy’s Cafe offers up specialty Bear Bones coffee, fresh pastries and stacked sandwiches with standouts including the Fire Baby Porchetta Roll, Brisket Boss and Pesto Mushroom Melt. Cancel your meal prep, these sandwiches are next level.
Where: 11 Hicks Street, Southport
Burleigh favourite The Fruit Shop has opened a second location, bringing its famous fresh juices, real acai and colourful smoothie bowls to Tugun. Owned by Ashlee Rana-Smith and Bailey Haigh, the family-run business continues a legacy dating back to the 1970s with its brilliant beachside snacks made with real fruit and no additives. Consider it your new go-to for a post-surf juice or acai fix.
Where: 4/467 Golden Four Drive, Tugun
Surfers Paradise has a new locale for long lunches. Taking over the former Hyde Paradiso site, Valentina Restaurant + Bar pairs Mediterranean-inspired feasts with sweeping ocean views and cocktails created alongside the team behind Maybe Sammy. Expect share plates, fresh seafood, handmade pasta and standout spritzes, all served in a breezy coastal setting inspired by Barcelona and the Amalfi Coast. It might just make you cancel your Euro summer plans.
Where: Level 2, Peppers Soul, 8 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
After a four-month Mediterranean-inspired makeover, Cooly Breeze Rooftop Restaurant & Bar has reopened bringing elevated coastal style and a refined new menu, crafted by owner and Executive Chef Marcondes Almeida Neto – the culinary mastermind behind fellow Cooly kingpins Black Dingo and La Stradina. Whether you’re chasing sunset spritzes, long lunches or just sweeping ocean views, this refreshed favourite is officially back and better than ever.
Where: Beachcomber International Resort, Level 13/122 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
Part of the new hospitality precinct on Hicks Street, Hicksville’s Smokehouse & Backyard Bar is bringing serious smokehouse energy to Southport, serving 16-hour brisket, sticky ribs, smoked chorizo and stacked BBQ buns. Expect low-and-slow meats, share plates like the Pitmaster’s Plate, and a strong drinks list heavy on bourbon, whiskey and local brews. Perfect for post-work knock-offs or weekend feasts.
Where: 11 Hicks Street, Southport
From the team behind Pasture & Co, Fletcher’s Pantry & Espresso is Tallebudgera’s newest neighbourhood cafe, bringing specialty coffee, artisan breads and freshly baked goods to the former Woodbox site on Tallebudgera Creek Road. Designed with a nod to the building’s old-school charm, it’s set to become the local go-to for slow mornings and community catch-ups.
Where: 33 Tallebudgera Creek Rd, Burleigh
Broadbeach has officially entered the cookie chat with Brooki Bakehouse landing on Surf Parade as the brand’s first full-scale Gold Coast store. The Brisbane-born cult bakery, famous for its viral New York-style cookies, brings thick, gooey, over-the-top treats like Milk Choc-Chip, Biscoff, Red Velvet and Oreo Cheesecake, plus rich brownies, cupcakes and show-stopping cakes. Open 10am–10pm, it’s your new excuse to make every day a cheat day.
Where: 88 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Southport’s cafe scene just levelled up with No Name Lane 4215 opening at RDX Lumina, bringing the cult Broadbeach brand’s signature style to a futuristic new space. Chef Liam Dove is serving up Aussie brunch brilliance like Chilli Scramble and Raspberry Lemon Pancakes, while coffee is as top-notch as ever. The headline act though is the split cup, offering two different sips in one cup, so you no longer have to choose between coffee or matcha, you can have both!
Where: T0.3, 23 Nexus Way, Southport
Words by Lisette Drew
Warm up this winter next to an open fire.
Winter is officially here on the Gold Coast, and baby it’s cold outside. When the temperature drops for that hot minute you bet we’re making the most of soaking up the winter vibes, and nothing says winter like cosying up by the fireplace with a glass of red and some of the best food the Gold Coast has on offer. We’ve found the best Gold Coast restaurants with roaring fireplaces so you don’t have to try and flex your fire-making skills at home – you’re welcome.
Ok, this one is in the name. Still, the fine-looking InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort is home to a restaurant rightly named The Fireplace, and yes, you guessed it: it does indeed have an impressive fireplace within the dining room that is also used for cooking. But don’t just go for the roaring embers; the menu features locally sourced cuisine, a 300-strong wine library and a delightful wine-matched degustation. This is serious date night material, maybe even staying overnight wouldn’t be the worst idea you’ve ever had! There’s even a second fireplace located in the foyer at the Verandah Restaurant and Bar that you can cosy on up to with one of their 50 whiskies.
Where: Manor Circle, Sanctuary Cove
This Broadbeach beauty brings the heat with its coastal vibes, bistro menu, and a roaring fire that’ll make you want to cancel your next appointment and settle in till spring. Order some Charred King Prawns, sip on a Golden Hour Sour cocktail, and let the flames (and the ambience) do the rest. Fire, food and feel-good vibes? Cora’s got it glowing on.
Where: 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, D’Arcy Arms Irish Pub has been serving hearty Irish meals for over 30 years, a testament to their popularity amongst tourists and locals alike. While our winters are just a tad warmer than Ireland’s – ok, a lot warmer – we are still thankful they decided to bestow upon us a crackling, open fireplace to gather around over a Guinness or three. Take full advantage of their fireplace and book your Christmas in July for the full Euro-winter effect. We promise a fireside meal at D’Arcy Arms will soften the blow of missing out on that Euro trip.
Where: 2923 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
It’s a Gold Coast institution for good reason, nestled in Mudgeeraba is the colourful ‘roadhouse’ style Mexican joint Hotel Panchos. It’s been lovingly restored to its former glory, holding onto the iconic 80’s character but dishing up a 2026-approved Mexican feast. We’ve pretty much never met a margarita we didn’t like, but something about them tastes even better when there’s a roaring fireplace and live music to keep you snug and beat the Hinterland chill.
Where: 581 Springbrook Road, Mudgeeraba
It must be said, nothing else makes you feel as warm and fuzzy inside as a glass of wine next to an open fire, meaning The Wine Barrel in Mudgeeraba has seriously got its priorities in order. This tapas and wine bar is a family-owned and run hidden treasure, featuring some of the best tapas and share platters the Gold Coast has seen. So, grab a couple of mates and proceed to devour serious eats, next to the fireplace naturally…
Where: 8/59 Railway Street, Mudgeeraba
If you haven’t been to Pasture & Co have you really been to Currumbin Valley? Local, organic and sustainably sourced ingredients are the heroes on Pasture & Co’s menu, and it quite literally caters to everyone (and we mean EVERYONE’s) dietary preferences and cravings. Wholefoods are a hero but if you know a thing or two about coffee, the organic fair-trade brew will blow even the biggest coffee snob away.
Where: 6 Village Way, Currumbin Valley
If crackling fireplaces, cold mountain air and country pub charm are your thing, St Bernard’s Hotel is calling your name (probably from a vintage rotary phone). Perched on Tamborine Mountain, this cosy gem dishes up casual pub fare with a side of sweeping valley views, and yes, a toasty fireplace that’s perfect for warming your mitts between sips of mulled wine or a hearty red. Bonus: there’s a giant St Bernard dog on site. Need we say more?
Where: 101 Alpine Terrace, Tamborine Mountain
Dreaming of a winter dining spot that’s all about ambiance? Tweed River House has you covered. Nestled in a century-old riverside manor, this venue offers chandeliers, pressed metal ceilings and stunning dining room, complete with an impressive open fireplace to set the perfect scene. Savour plates that showcase the finest produce of the Tweed region. During the cooler months, enjoy lunch on the heated river verandah, but come dinner time, it’s all about cozying up by the fire. This is the perfect spot for a long lunch or an intimate dinner, making it a must-visit destination this winter!
Where: 131 River Street, South Murwillumbah NSW
The Paddock at Beechmont Estate is giving major cosy country manor energy, and the fireplace? Chef’s kiss. This chef-hatted gem serves up paddock-to-plate perfection, with seasonal dishes that spotlight the best of the Scenic Rim. Settle in by the fire with a glass of local red and let the mountain air, crackling logs and five-star flavours do the heavy lifting. It’s like a warm hug from the hinterland.
Where: 422 Binna Burra Rd, Beechmont
Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski
Milk & Marble Rolled Ice Cream Co is anything but vanilla.
If Broadbeach wasn’t already sweet enough, it’s about to get an extra scoop of something very cool. Enter Milk & Marble Rolled Ice Cream Co., officially opening Friday 8th May and bringing with it a dessert experience that’s less ‘grab and go’ and more ‘grab, stare in awe, film, then go’. Because this isn’t your average cone situation – this is ice cream with a flair for the dramatic and trust us, it’s legen-dairy.
For the uninitiated, rolled ice cream (also known as stir-fried ice cream, because why not make it more of a teppanyaki show?) is made by pouring a liquid dairy base onto a sub-zero metal pan that’s got some serious brrr cred – think around -20°C to -30°C. From there, it’s chopped, mixed, spread thin, frozen and then expertly scraped into those oh-so-satisfying spirals. It’s part science experiment, part performance art, and entirely delicious.
Behind the sorcery is owner Melissa Nyveld, who took a family trip to Bali late last year and returned with more than just a tan and a phone bogged up with photos. Alongside her three daughters, she fell head over heels for a local rolled ice cream shop – not just for the taste, but for the theatre. The transformation from liquid cream to marble-like masterpiece had Melissa and her girls whipped and when Queensland came up short on similar sweet showstoppers, she did what any dessert-loving visionary would do – she created her own.
Milk & Marble is the result – a place designed to bring a little bit of that Bali buzz to bustling Broadbeach. And honestly, the location couldn’t be more spot on. With its relaxed, social vibe and steady stream of evening wanderers, Broady is primed for a dessert destination that doubles as entertainment. Dinner and a show? Love. Dessert and a show? We’re fully churned on.
Melissa’s background adds a solid scoop of substance behind the style. After a year working hands-on in the Gold Coast hospitality scene juggling busy cafés, catering gigs and the general chaos of high-volume service, she’s no stranger to the fast-paced food world. Before that, real estate sharpened her skills in communication and business smarts. The result? A venue that’s not just fun to visit but runs like a well-oiled (and well-frozen) machine.
Step inside and the space itself is quite the treat. Tasmanian Oak panelling lines the shop – a nod to Melissa’s roots and a warm, timber-toned hug that balances out the icy action happening on the pans. There’s a crisp white marble bench, natural floorboards and a clean, minimal palette that lets the ice cream do the talking – and trust us, it has plenty to say. There’s also a feature wall ready and waiting for your next “just one more pic” moment, because if it’s not on camera, did it even dessert?
Of course, no ice cream story is complete without a hero flavour, and Milk & Marble is coming in ice-cold with The Biscoff Caramel Crunch. Rich, creamy rolled ice cream topped with Biscoff crumb, caramel drizzle and a signature biscuit crunch. It’s the holy trinity of indulgence – sweet, sticky, and crunchy, and a full-on flavour flex from start to finish.
But beyond the swirls and sprinkles, there’s a deeper story here too. Melissa is a single mum to three basketball-loving daughters, and this venture is as much about setting an example as it is about serving dessert. It’s proof that taking a chance on an idea can actually pay off – in scoops. It’s also created an opportunity to offer flexible work for young people, particularly athletes like her girls juggling training and life, which adds an extra layer of feel-good to every order.
In a suburb that already knows how to serve a good time, Milk & Marble is bringing the chill – literally. One visit, and suddenly regular ice cream just doesn’t hit the same. File this one under things that are absolutely worth the brain freeze, and the obliterated daily sugar intake (RIP).
Where: 15 Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach
When: 4pm-9pm Tue to Fri, 12pm-9pm Sat & Sun. Closed Mondays.
Words by Bianca Trathen
Images by Liam McDonald
