Words cannot express hummus we love Shiraz Persian Restaurant & Bar.
Words cannot express hummus we love Shiraz Persian Restaurant & Bar.
If there is one thing we love to see on the Gold Coast, it is when hospitality businesses are doing well. Happily serving scores of loyal customers and generally pushing the boundaries in taste and service every single service. Naturally, the pandemic has proven to be a challenging time for all, particularly our city’s restaurants and cafes.
So, when we heard the news that a forerunning Surfers Paradise restaurant was looking to expand their operation and move into bigger premises, we knew you’d want to hear all about it.
The multi-awarded Shiraz Persian Restaurant & Bar opened ten years ago on Surfers Paradise Boulevard and since then has steadily become known for delicious, authentic, and highly lauded Persian dishes. Owner Erfan Jalilian and business partner Mohammad Shirmehrjerdi have been on the hunt for a new location for several years — the need for a larger venue has been to cater for all their loyal customers! Happily, though, they have now finally found a new home at the former iconic ‘Pink Poodle’ site, which today sits at the base of Mantra Wings Surfers Paradise.
Fear not, though; the original location is in the process of being transformed into Shiraz Bistro Mediterranean Cuisine, offering a more casual-style dining featuring house-made souvlaki. More to come on that later…
Now that Erfan and this team have renovated the new Pink Poodle location and put their spin on it, patrons can expect to see the same signature Shiraz Persian Restaurant + Bar aesthetics they know and love just in a new space. Within this new and much larger home, there is seating for over 200 guests, utilising a sun-drenched north facing alfresco area. All splashed with clean whites and a hint of the Shiraz turquoise feature colour!
Others will notice the inclusion of a baby grand piano, a new marble front counter, backlit bar area, and the ‘well-known’ Shiraz large mirror have all been added to give the venue a true Shiraz Persian feel.
The Persian drool-worthy cuisine that Shiraz is all too well renowned for will feature the tastebud tingling addition of some new dishes. As the menu has just dropped, we can confirm it is looking delicious on all fronts.
Heart-warming entrees such as Kashk-E-Badenjan (spicy eggplant dip) with Turkish bread prepare you for a variety of succulent Kabobs (grilled skewers) or perhaps Meygoo (marinated grilled prawns) or Baghali Polo with Mahiche’, a steamy fall-off-the-bone lamb shank. All dishes are certified Halal, boasting a large variety of vegan and vegetarian and gluten-free dishes to boot.
On the drink side of things, you’ll discover a wide range of deep and charismatic wines which partner up to the vibrant and savoury flavours of the menu with ease. A sizeable collection of cocktails and tap beers round out an offering that will cater for all tastes at all times of the day.
Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, we see the new Shiraz as your next prime place for a decadent al fresco feast or perhaps the spot for a sophisticated evening for two. Either way, the flavours, setting and service will not disappoint!
When: Every day 11.30am ‑ 9.30pm
Where: 2893 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
Paradise calling… And by that, we mean Surfers Paradise of course. You might have thought it’s all just bikini and booze but there is so much more just waiting for you to rediscover. Whether you’ve been looking for something laid-back to take the whole fam to or something a little bit fancy for that date night you’ve been putting off, and of course, somewhere to have a cheeky beverage – Surfers has it all. Did we mention it’s beachside?
So we’ve done the leg work and found the 10 must-try spots for you to get the best feed in the heart of the Coast.
Citrique
It’s one of the Gold Coast’s most loved buffets, Citrique takes its reputation seriously. For real, its award-winning seafood buffet is the GOAT for a reason – think fresh prawns, oysters and lobster tails (did someone say boujee) alongside flavours of the world. If breakfast is more your vibe then you’re in luck because they’re dishing up all-you-can eat breakfast and weekend long lunches alongside their signature seafood feast. Calling the beautiful JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa home, you would expect nothing less from this five-star favourite!
Our pick: Anything seafood!
Where: JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The Langham
If feeling a bit fancy is on the menu then The Langham Gold Coast is the destination. Just as luxe as you’d expect the international hotel to be, The Langham can’t stop, won’t stop on delivering the finest food from the East and the West. Meticulously plated, T’ang Court is where precision meets passion with each dish a show of art for the ultimate Cantonese fine-dining affair. Dine beachfront while you treat yourself at Akoya or pop down to Palm Court for a spot of Afternoon Tea.
Our pick: The Langham’s iconic chef’s menu at T’ang Court
Where: 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise
Palette
Palette stormed onto the dining scene just a few short years ago and it’s been a fan favourite ever since. Located within the HOTA Gallery, this dining spot brings art to life with Executive Chef Dayan Hartill-Law using the Gallery’s exhibitions to inspire the decadent degustation menu. The award-winning restaurant has also modestly received Two Chef Hats from AGFG, which is reason enough for us to book a table already. Art you can eat? Yes please.
Our pick: Go all in on the Tasting Menu you absolutely won’t regret it
Where: HOTA, Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
Shiraz Persian Restaurant & Bar
Shiraz have been calling their Surfers Paradise corner home for a couple of years now, so I suppose you could say they’ve settled in well. The perfect spot whether you’re looking for a cute date night or somewhere to take the entire family, Shiraz’s incredibly chic interior is big enough (like, 200 seats big) for you to get your authentic Persian fix. Best enjoyed with their namesake’s Shiraz. Ps. If you don’t feel like cooking on a Monday (honestly, who does) then pop in for their BYO day – it would be rude not to.
Our pick: We can’t pick favourites, so go hard on the banquet, we say
Where: Mantra Wings, 2893 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
The Island Gold Coast
This Island has long been a landmark of the Gold Coast and we think the reason locals and visitors on the Goldie love this place is in part thanks to an aptly named spot called, Goldies. With a huge lineup of foodie favourites from steak and seafood through to pizzas and parmy’s there’s something to satisfy everyone’s cravings. If you’re after a tipple then the Rooftop is the place to perch up with a Pina Colada in hand while you soak in the iconic Gold Coast skyline, we just love a dining destination that’s as vibrant as the city itself.
Our pick: Mare e Monti Pizza
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Yamagen Japanese Izakaya
Tucked away in the QT, this is new generation Japanese for the discerning diner. It’s modern fine dining in a way that ignites all of your senses while celebrating the best of authentic Japanese cuisine. Market fresh sashimi dishes are the hero of the menu, bringing the freshest fare and flavours together to be expertly paired with vast whisky list.
Our pick: Sashimi Moriawase for a taste of it all
Where: QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The Avenue
Everyone has a story from The Avenue, right? And for good reason. Where else can you go and literally spend all night long there. Pop in for a bite at the restaurant and stay for the vibes at the nightclub or one of the iconic drag shows. Live music venues are becoming harder and harder to find, but luckily for us The Avenue aka the home of live music is doing the heavy lifting so you can sip back and listen to sweet tunes every week.
Our pick: Crispy Pork Belly
Where: 3-15 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Coast Beach Bar & Kitchen
There’s something about sipping back on a cocktail while you look at the ocean that just makes it taste that much sweeter. Fortunately for you, that view and those cocktails are accompanied by one of the best new additions to the restaurant scene. Coast Beach Bar & Kitchen brings the perfect balance of fancy food with a relaxed vibe, so you can soak up your surrounds while indulging on your choice of steak or seafood, or head out to the Terrace Bar for more relaxed bites.
Our pick: Kingfish Ceviche
Where: Ocean by Meriton – Level 1, 86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Central Lounge
Something you might not know about us is that we love a lounge bar, so you bet we were fans of Central Lounge the moment those glorious doors opened. Massive cocktail list? Check. Epic easts? Check. R&B Sunday sessions? Check. We’ll go ahead and call that a trifecta. If you’ve been hunting for a stylish spot to sip cocktails and people watch, then this the place for you.
Our pick: Crab Linguine
Where: 8/27 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Driftwood Social
Driftwood Social, tucked just off Ferny Ave brings blissed-out, Miami pool club vibes to the banks of the Nerang River – and if it’s been a while between drinks, this secluded social spot is every bit as lush as you remember. A stacked menu is another real drawcard, and don’t be tempted to assume we’re talking basic bar bites here.
Our pick: Linguine Alla Vodka And Prawns
Where: 42 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.
