We the good time-loving people of the Gold Coast are all about a tummy-filling feast complete with friends, frosty cold beverages and a relaxed vibe where stretchy pants are a perfectly fine sartorial choice. We like other things too but for the purposes of this tale, that scenario is the go.

Enter TGI FRIDAYS, a bar and grill-style venue that originated in Manhattan, NYC in the 1960s, spearheading a cultural revolution with the introduction of the city’s first female-friendly singles bar (wow).

The space brought in huge crowds due to their quality cocktails, eclectic décor and (most importantly) the opportunity to mingle with like-minded locals un-chaperoned. Can you even imagine what would have gone on? How good.

TGI FRIDAYS was also said to have initiated ‘happy hour’ for which we can all be thankful and, over the next few years expanded across the States at a rapid rate.

Lucky for us, the brand has now become a worldwide phenomenon and the very first Queensland version opened just this week right here on the Gold Coast.

Now known as a family-friendly venue, the newbie can be found on The Promenade at Robina Town Centre and the fitout is all industrial-style with timber accents and sweet light installations – which we’re obviously all about.

There’s be both indoor and outdoor seating options, a central bar where sports lovers can catch pretty much any game going on and an open kitchen if you’re into watching tasty eats being prepped for your consuming pleasure.

The menu has been refined over the years to focus on high quality produce and with sharing in mind.

For starters there are delightful things like Mozarella Sticks and Mac ‘N’ Cheese bites and for mains, dishes along the lines of sliders, loaded fries, stacked, handcrafted burgers, salads and of course steaks and ribs will grace the menu, so that’s where your stretchy pants come in friends.

TGI Friday’s signature ribs are glazed with a Jack Daniels situation that is extremely delicious and there are flame-grilled steaks on offer too.

For dessert a giant Sundae should finish you right off in the best possible way.

Signature cocktails are the best of the drinks menu with sips like Pink Punk Martinis, Blackberry Iced Tea and Lychee Mojitos on offer.

There’ll be a DJ every Friday and Saturday night and on the other nights, a crowd DJ app so you can log in and choose your own musical adventure.

Oh and if it’s your birthday, you have to stand up on a chair and have the entire restaurant song to you.

It’s an exciting little community hub where good vibes and exceptional eats are the name of the game.

Summer here we come.

P.s TGI stands for Thank God It’s in case you’re somehow unaware.

LOCATION: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina

Unless you’ve been living under a rock of late, you’ve heard the epic new Paradise Centre reboot is almost complete.

A place us 80s and 90s kids will forever hold close to our hearts, it’s embarked on an exciting new journey with an eye-catching $40 million redevelopment.

This show-stopping makeover includes a stunning beachfront dining precinct so impressive, it deserves a sand-ing ovation!

To be ‘pacific’, here are 6 eats spots officially open for business, serving up a melting pot of delicious cuisine with a side of cray-sea good views.

Enzo’s Cucina
You cannoli imagine how excited we were to hear that authentic, affordable and friendly Italian cuisine noshery Enzo’s Cucina has opened its doors! The Paradise Centre’s installment of Enzo’s is as pasta-tively delicious as its New South Wales based cuzzies, and a hit with whole fam bam. Its trademark relaxed and inviting ambience makes it perfect for celebrations and everyday dining, or takeaway to enjoy at home. Bellissima.
Our pick: Gnocchi Beef Cheek

Hero Sushi
Sushi is eternally our hero dish, and no-one does it justice like Hero Sushi. Whether you’re headed to the counter to grab a quick takeaway feed or have time to pull up a pew at the infamous train, the sushi is made fresh daily and tastes shrimply amazing. ‘Roll’ing out the A to Z of sushi and Japanese bites, you can even build-your-own rolls, nigiri, inari and more with classic flavours and Aussie fusion faves.
Our pick: Grilled Salmon Nigiri

El Camino Cantina
Offering $2 Taco Tuesday and 10c Wing Wednesday and more, holy guacamole, imagine how many of their famous margis we can sink with our leftover change! This neon-lit dazzler combines Tex-Mex flair and urban edge with the likes of recycled brick walls, breeze blocks, and Mexican tiles, and is the only El Camino in Oz to do breakfast – mex-cellent! No juan can resist its sombrero-filled party vibes, guaranteed to guac your world.
Our pick: The Signature Rita’s (Margaritas), served frozen or on the rocks

La Playa
Open for dining All.Day.Long, La Playa serves up summer vacay vibes with its cool coastal breezes, fresh Modern Australian / Mediterranean menu, and levelled-up post-sunset party atmosphere. Brought to us by the same crew behind the Brickworks’ people pleaser Pearl & Ash, you know you’re in for a treat with Melbourne-esk barista-made coffee, quality food, and the obligatory beachside beverages of choice; cocktails!
Our pick: Freshly Shucked Oysters

Nahm Talay Thai
Open from 7am until midnight, Nahm Talay Thai is already wooing the masses with its flavour-packed Thai and Asian dishes, loaded with high-end WOW-worthy details #GetItOnTheGram! We’re even talking liquid nitrogen in some dishes, as well as bubble smoke on cocktails! With a beachfront balcony (Christmas party alert), plus booth and couch seating inside, the luxurious accents and modern beach aesthetic perfectly complement the multi-million-dollar views.
Our pick: Lamb Shank Massaman Curry  

Gelato Messina
With 40 flavours to choose from, we can already feel our waistline expanding but #WorthIt! This joint has a cult following and thank you Paradise Centre for bringing it to our ‘hood! All made with fresh cow’s milk from the Messina Farm in Victoria, they even press their own mint leaves and make their own candied lemons #skillz. Also on the menu are gelato cakes, milk shakes and thick shakes, and they’re all ‘dairy’ delish.
Our pick: Salted Caramel with White Chocolate Chips

Watch this space for more amazing bites venues opening soon, namely international supernovas Wahlburgers and TGIF Fridays. Pair them with the recently launched retail stores and entertainment options and it’s official; the Paradise Centre is our new (old) favourite.

Where: 2 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
When: Now open. Each outlet’s hours of operation can be found here.

Words by Bianca Trathen.

STORY SPONSORED BY PARADISE CENTRE

Is it just us (it’s not) or is there A.LOT going on in our beloved Surfers Paradise right now? It goes without saying that it’s always been a non-negotiable for visitors, because a trip to the GC just isn’t a trip to the GC without a stint in our tourism capital. And let’s be real, it’s certainly housed a fair share of good times for us ‘natives’. From beach days to big nights (the latter of which live on in our somewhat blurred memories – and faded prints from our disposable cameras), it’s always held a special place in our hearts. Well, our iconic glitter strip’s shimmer will shine brighter than ever come Friday 9^th September, when Paradise Centre unveils its hotly anticipated $40 million redevelopment.  *cue jaw drop.

Set to redefine the Gold Coast’s beachfront dining and shopping scene, Paradise Centre will reveal a stunning new exterior with eight brand new dining experiences, complete with unparalleled ocean views. We can also expect the addition of some very welcome retail hard hitters, and oh how we love this for us. Let’s talk food first because the only thing we live for more than shopping is eating, and we are already stressed about where to go first.

Providing locals and tourists alike with an eclectic mix of culinary offerings, there’s revamped classics and some BIG new players. We don’t like to name drop (we do), but the Wahlberg family’s first Queensland instalment of their infamous Wahlburgers is opening, and we are fangirling out of control. Serving up gourmet burger goodness, suddenly all we can think about is a young Mark Wahlberg in his Calvin Kleins circa 1992 and honestly, that changed us.

Back to the task at hand, the stunning revitalisation also includes legendary tex-mex restaurant El Camino Cantina. It’s launching its very first ever breaky in Oz and the only thing better than going out for Mexican or for breakfast, is going out for a Mexican breakfast! Also on the star-studded roll-call is American institution TGI Fridays, and our day has legit just been made.

It’s not all about American and Mexi themed nosh though, with other popular additions in the melting pot of new multicultural nomming options. We’re talking flavoursome Italiano cooking as good as Nonna’s at Enzo’s Cucina, and Thai food so authentic that even ‘Thai-hard’ food critics will agree that all you need is ‘larb’ – and Nahm Talay Thai!

Everyone’s quick, fresh and healthy food-on-the-go hero, Hero Sushi, made the cut, as did Gelato Messina and its 40 redonkulously good varieties of gelato #IDie. Another note-worthy addition is the premium barista-made coffee and modern Aussie cuisine at La Playa, coz one can never have too much quality caffeine in their life.

Also injecting new blood into the Surfers region is the refurbished Eastern Mall. Who can resist Ava Beauty, Stateside Sports, Rip Curl and Baku Swimwear, and may we suggest you try on the latest bikinis before you hit the restaurants…for obvious reasons #BurgerBloat #TheStruggleIsReal. Joining the recently launched Surf Dive N’ Ski and Vans, the Paradise Centre’s line-up of shopping haunts will delight any shopper.

This exciting redevelopment adds to Paradise Centre’s 90+ specialty shops, alfresco dining and humdinger entertainment precinct with the world’s largest Timezone, Zone Bowling, MANIAX Axe Throwing, and more to come. In our humble opinion, this couldn’t have come at a better time with new hotels opening and action a-plenty unfolding around the heart of the GC.

Now more than ever, our beloved Surfers Paradise is doing justice to the second part of its idyllic name, thanks to the likes of our favourite seaside shopping and dining hub, the levelled-up Paradise Centre. For more information, visit here.

Where: 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
When: New dining precinct opening Friday 9 September. Wahlburgers and TGI Fridays exact opening date TBA.

STORY SPONSORED BY PARADISE CENTRE

Words by Bianca Trathen.