Hope Island’s new Far East Asian restaurant debuts

If you’re craving a culinary adventure that’ll take your tastebuds on a round-the-clock trip through the Far East without needing to renew your passport, TARA Far East Dining & Bar at Sanctuary Cove is calling your name.

This luxe yet laidback venue flung open its effortlessly elegant doors in January 2025 and has been serving up a menu that doesn’t just flirt with flavour, it goes all the way. With every dish rooted in authentic Far East traditions, expect bold, beautiful plates, priceless panoramic views, and enough ambience to warrant a dedicated folder in your camera roll.

Perched a hop, skip and a jump from the harbour, TARA is where elegance meets easy-going. With a name that nods to the rivers that connect the countries of the Far East, TARA brings a flood of flavour with its authentic Asian fusion cuisine. And unlike some fine-dining haunts that are all white tablecloths and sniggers when you mispronounce “sommelier”, TARA has made it their mission to serve easy-access luxury, welcoming everyone to enjoy world-class food and drinks – sans the snooty side-eye.

Let’s start with the interiors because this place is seriously making waves. Designed by the genius folk at Open Projects, TARA channels coastal opulence with an oceanic twist. Blue hues ripple across the space, offset by pops of gold, luxe beachy textures and chic coral features; the ultimate tribute to the great blue without going full 80s fish tank.

By day, it’s a bright, breezy beauty with views to match. By night, the mood dims down to a golden glow, ideal for sipping and schmoozing. And speaking of sipping, prepare to have your spirits lifted (quite literally) at the arch-styled statement bar stacked with over 300 premium spirits.

Whether you opt for a cosy indoor corner or take in the fresh air alfresco-style, TARA has a seat with your name on it. The venue’s layout is as flexible as a yoga instructor, with everything from casual date-night nooks to a rotating private dining room (yes, it spins!) offering 360-degree views of the city skyline and sparkling coastline.

Behind all the glam is a trio of hospitality heavyweights: Snantachat Tansacha, Pop Direk (also the mastermind Head Chef), and Emma Davis. Together, these long-time friends bring decades of combined experience and a whole lot of flavour to the table. One grew up in a family of chefs and has been wowing Aussie diners for 20 years, while the others have a solid track record launching crowd-fave restaurants around the Gold Coast. It’s safe to say, they know their way around a kitchen and a cocktail menu.

Now let’s get down the business end – the food. To kick off, you can’t go past their Lobster Roll Bun Mee with Tasmanian lobster, lime, mayo, salmon caviar, carrot, and pickled cucumber served inside a brioche bun.

Moving on to mains, let’s unpack their sumptuous signature dish; The Phuket Toothfish Curry. With marinated miso toothfish, yellow curry, betel leaf, and crispy coconut, it’s rich, aromatic, and will have you googling flights to Thailand before dessert.

And speaking of, those fanging for a dessert will go loco for their Hot Taro Pineapple Sweet Corn Puff with vanilla ice cream and plum sauce.

Thirsty? You will be when you spy the cocktail menu inspired by cities across the Far East, inviting you to sip your way from Bangkok to Busan. For a smooth, sultry concoction that tastes like the city’s neon skyline in a glass, opt for the signature sip; Tokyo Moonlight with sake, vermouth, lychee and Chambord.

With world-class food, knockout views, and an atmosphere that oozes coastal chic, it’s love at first bite. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want an excuse to dress up and chow down, TARA is the ultimate destination for Far East feasting without leaving the Cove.

Where: Sanctuary Cove, 40B Masthead Way, Hope Island
When: 11am – 3pm & 5pm – 9pm, Monday to Sunday

Words by Bianca Trathen