The new Gold Coast restaurants of 2020.
The new Gold Coast restaurants of 2020.
It has been said many (many) times that 2020 was quite a year and that it was, but today we’re here to focus on the good parts of the last 12 months and of course, that means new Gold Coast restaurants.
We were gifted quite a few goodies and in case you missed any, we’ve compiled them all here so you can make a list of any you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting yet and get onto it before 2021 delivers a fresh batch.
Bon Appetit.
Orzo
The good people who gifted us Social Eating House + Bar opened a decadent newbie in early January and we are very much in love. Orzo is fine Italian fare with a focus on fresh, very high quality seafood and with an excellent wine and cocktail list to match. It’s absolutely stunning.
Where: Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
The Rusty Barrel
Varsity Lakes was gifted something quite special in the form of The Rusty Barrel, a whisky bar and eatery unlike anything they’ve seen in those parts before. There are both share-style and keep-to-yourself-style dishes and a cocktail menu filled with very delicious sips.
Where: 11/228 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes
Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers
Fresh out of Brisbane came Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, serving up some of the tastiest gnocchi around in lots of epic flavours. The team are creating fresh, handmade gnocchi using the finest fresh local produce, to create delicious light and fluffy potato gnocchi.
Where: Smith Collective, Nexus Way, Southport
Boudoir Lounge
A beautiful new bar opened up Southport way by the name of Boudoir Lounge and it’s the perfect spot for a sophisticated little soiree with the gals. Not only that good time though, there’s also a beauty bar within the venue where you can get your hair and makeup done whilst sipping plus lots of tasty dishes to indulge in too.
Where: 410/1 Como Crescent, Southport
The Hidden Cherub
A little laneway bar snuck into Miami by the name of The Hidden Cherub. It’s tucked away on Lemana Lane and it’s a polished concrete, plenty of greenery vibe with many tasty cocktails on the list along with a plant-based dining menu boasting all your faves; burgers, tapas and the like. Good times.
Where: 2/29 Lemana Lane, Miami
TaLA
The team at Palmy’s The Collective opened a revamped Mexi-venue called TaLA featuring LA-style eats including 16 flavours of tacos, Popcorn Halloumi that will change your life and a seafood Paella that’s to die for. But don’t, because there are also many tasty cocktails to consume while you’re at it.
Where: The Collective Palm Beach, 1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
The Local
A Surfers Paradise icon got quite the revamp in early March and the result was The Local, a sleek pub found in the Chevron Renaissance complex where beloved Irish venue Landsdowne Road lived for many a year. Expect pub favourites (but a little bit fancier) plus of course, ice cold beers, cocktails and wines and plenty of big screens to catch the games.
Where: Chevron Renaissance, 3240 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
Black Angus
Northern favourite Black Angus migrated down south to open in Surfers Paradise (where Hooters once was) serving up their famous Hot Rock Steaks and a myriad of other meaty goodness to the people. You’ll find the finest cuts of meat, stunning seafood dishes and an excellent array of wines to accompany.
Where: 2893 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
El Camino Cantina
Frozen margaritas, all of the colour and tasty Mexi eats, what more could you want? Nothing, same. You can get all that and more at Robina’s new El Camino Cantina. The menu is packed with delights like wings served with blue-cheese mayo (three levels of heat available), nachos covered in melted cheese, fresh chargrilled fajitas and eight types of tacos, so all the best things. Pop in for a good time.
Where: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina
The Barn
Owned by the people who gave us Fellini Italian Restaurant, The Barn is a paddock to plate dining venue offering exceptional Italian slash Japanese menu set within a lovely little farm-style place complete with a chicken pen, baby goats and a very friendly dog. All the best things.
Where: 5 Boomerang Road, Mudgeeraba
Maggie Choo
The Gennari Group nailed it again with their newest venue Maggie Choo which opened in Broadbeach. It’s a fresh take on modern Asian eats and there’s a few cocktails that will knock your socks off. Think dishes like Tom Kha Curry made up of Moreton Bay Bugs, Prawns, Coconut and Kaffir Lime. Oh and there’s a cheeseburger roti situation you have to get involved in too.
Where: 89 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Mazi
The Coast’s favourite multi-venue space, The Collective Palm Beach gained an exciting newbie in the form of Greek eatery Mazi. It’s traditional food with a modern twist including dishes like Saganaki with honey soaked raisins and Sage and Garlic Charcoal Baked Half Shell Scallops. There are also large share plates with all the amazing meats. Prepare to bust your pants.
Where: The Collective, 1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Maman Kitchen & Bar
An absolutely beautiful newbie appeared in Burleigh Heads and it’s one you’re going to want to visit at the earliest available opportunity. It’s called Maman Kitchen & Bar and it’s a Mediterranean-style venue with one of the best fitouts we’ve seen, many exceptional dishes to choose from and of course, a range of epic cocktails too.
Where: 49 James Street, Burleigh Heads
The Lucky Squire
The latest in the James Squire family is our very own version, found in Broadbeach at Oracle and boasting two whole storeys of beer-soaked good times. The north-facing beer garden is the best spot for an arvo of drinks in the sunshine and you can taste the entire range while also devouring exceptional pub-style eats. Bring on summer at The Lucky Squire.
Where: 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
Whisky Lounge Mudgeeraba
If there was one thing the Gold Coast needed, it was a dedicated whisky lounge and now we have one. Whisky Lounge can be found within the leafy surrounds of yep, Mudgeeraba and it’s a lovely little spot to sample over 100 varieties of whisky (maybe not in the one night) from across the world. It’s cosy and the crew are a very knowledgeable bunch. Big fans.
Where: Shop 2A, 58 Railway Street, Mudgeeraba
The Cavill Hotel
Beloved Melba’s closed her doors a little while ago, taking with her all our secrets and plenty of epic memories. Sad but with a very shiny silver lining in the form of The Cavill Hotel. The new look venue opened and it’s a very good time. There’s a gastro pub-style menu, lots of drinks on offer and a state-of-the-art gaming lounge too.
Where: 46 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Bo’teku
A new boho-inspired beach bar opened down Coolangatta way and it’s everything we need for a summer of fun on the Gold Coast. Bo’teku can be found on Marine Parade with ocean views, an absolutely packed-with-goodness cocktail menu and share plates with plenty of seafood to satiate your cravings.
Where: Shop 6, 110 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Runway Restaurant
The Coast’s first airport hotel (Rydges Gold Coast Airport) opened in November and with it came a poolside restaurant by the name of Runway. At lunch and dinnertime, you’ll have choices like slow-roasted pizzas, a variety of fresh salads, Saltwater Barramundi, Wok Tossed Mussels, a Flame Grilled Beef Burger and a range of high-quality steaks. All of which can be washed down with a very extensive drinks menu.
Where: Rydges Gold Coast Airport, Bilinga
Lost Kingdom
Welcome to Surfers Paradise’ new jungle experience in the form of a nightclub (not a restaurant but hey) called Lost Kingdom. Featuring lush greenery and bamboo throughout, you’ll be taken on a sprawling journey through the jungle before finding the final destination, which is of course, the bar and dancefloor. There’s lots of jungle-themed drinks to sip on too, like the Island Boat with 10 singular shots on board, along with a Treasure Chest cocktail. Good times.
Where: 15 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Mr Potato
If there is a food we love above all others, it is the potato. So versatile, so delicious. Which is why it was with great pleasure that we visited Palm Beach newbie Mr Potato who offer DIY baked potatoes that are not only topped with healthy goodness but delicious too. We were big fans of The ‘Aussie’ Tator with beef ragu, bacon, kale-slaw or coleslaw, beetroot, carrot and pineapple but they’re all amazing guys.
Where: Shop 2, 1136 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
The Oyster Shed
The lucky folks of Tweed Heads gained an excellent newbie in the form of The Oyster Shed in late December and it is one you’re going to want to brave that border crossing for. By the people who own Catch a Crab, the newbie is indeed a shed-style situation right on the water, serving up the freshest of seafood (oysters any way, prawns, all the goods) plus a tapas menu with delicious fish tacos and chicken skewers to name a few. There’s also frosty cold beers, cocktails and wine and we HIGHLY recommend a trip down there.
Where: Birds Bay Drive, Tweed Heads
Split and Mali
While this good time pair technically opened in November, we visited in December so here we are. The eclectic pair – Split and Mali – are a rooftop bar and a downstairs café situation and they boast an epic menu filled with delights like Prawn & Squid Ink Arrancini, Squeaky Cheese with honey and thyme and Mama Filipovic’s Dusted Calamari to name a few. Epic cocktails too.
Where: 2215 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach
Ohanas
A fruity, Hawaiian-inspired bar and eatery was exactly what Surfers Paradise needed and exactly what Surfers Paradise got in the form of Ohanas. Serving up a tasty, tapas-style menu plus sweet, unique cocktails like the Get Lei’d, made up of Gold Coast Gin and liqueurs from Tamborine Mountain Distillery, there are plenty of goodies to sample.
Where: 64 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Little Cooly
Pizza and pasta are right up there with potatoes in terms of our favourite things and conveniently Coolangatta newbie Little Cooly is providing both, along with lovely ocean views no less. Dishes shine a light on local produce, The Snapper Rocks pizza features Tweed River prawns, mango, cashews and avocado or The Greenmount features Bangalow bacon, spicy chorizo, a fried egg and mozzarella and it’s the goods.
Where: Level 1, Shop 120/72-80 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
La Bella Cellar
Burleigh Heads latest comes compete with an entryway stacked with incredible bottles of wine to enjoy with a dinner that’ll knock your socks off. La Bella Cellar is an intimate, beautifully fitout space and a menu filled with Italian-inspired eats (including epic pizzas) and a cocktail list you’ll want to revisit time and time again.
Where: 9/3 Deodar Drive, Burleigh Heads
Ms Margot’s
A sleek new cocktail bar opened in Surfers Paradise and it’s perfect for after work drinks with the gang, or somewhere to grab a tasty bite to eat. Found within Hilton Surfers Paradise, the newbie overlooks the street and you can indulge in Haloumi Fries with chipotle mayo and pomegranate glaze and some of the many tasty cocktails.
Where: Hilton Surfers Paradise, 6 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The Don
From the people who brought us Margarita Cartel comes another excellent eatery, this time in the form of delicious Italian food. It’s called The Don and it can be found just two doors down from the OG on the Lower Gold Coast Highway and serving up authentic eats with a modern Aussie twist. For example, there’s an Eggplant Parmigiana that is crumbed and deep fried and a party in your mouth. So great.
Where: Shop 4, 1840 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Las Palmas
The Palmy newbie was one of the most talked about openings of the year and it did not disappoint. Overlooking the ocean and with a sweeping wrap around balcony, sweet pastel hues and a stunning bar, Las Palmas is serving up Latin American eats and a range of creative cocktails you’re going to absolutely love.
Where: Level 1, 1097 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Exciting news fresh out of Broadbeach today involving beloved Italian eats by people whose culinary talents have wowed us for quite some time already.
Yes friends, it’s a new Italian eatery adding to The Oracle Boulevard’s already thriving dining scene. Orzo, which translates to ‘barley’ in Italian, is the epitome of exceptional work by Social Eating House and Bar’s owner and executive chef, Matthew Jefferson, along with his wife Dayna who have gifted us with sophisticated coastal Italian cuisine.
And it absolutely delivers on all fronts.
Having only just opened in the last couple of weeks, Orzo exudes an elegant, relaxed vibe that’s also reflected in a menu that focuses on sustainable, local produce that will span lunch and dinner. Italian food all day long, what a treat.
The space itself is perfectly reminiscent of coastal chic with muted pastel tones, a curved wall and an open kitchen so you can watch the chefs work their magic. A wall filled wines, low lighting, gold and marble accents and light wooden light fixtures bring it all together and we are absolutely in love. You may choose to perch inside amongst all that beauty or outside in the fresh air to watch the world go by.
They said it would be the epitome of a coastal hug and that it absolutey is.
The menu features housemade pastas paying homage to southern Italy with mouthwatering dishes, all of which we would love to eat every day forever please.
To start, choose the House Made Foccacia with whipped ricotta and rosemary oil (to die for), the Fried Zucchini Blossoms with stracciatella, tomato and miso and vincotta (one of the most beautiful dishes we’ve ever sampled) and the Veal Carpaccio with tuna mayo, pickled onion, crouton and caper leaf (another life changer). Yes, all of them. Absolutely divine.
Pasta-wise, the Gnocchi with cherry tomato, basil and bush tomato was the fluffiest, most perfect dish of it’s kind we’ve ever sampled. The addition of a crunchy bush tomato concoction meant we wished it would go on forever. On the side add Heirloom Tomatoes with stracciatella, basil and olive oil and you will be one happy Gold Coaster.
There are mains along the lines of Pancetta Wrapped Spatchcock with chicory and grape and Pan Roasted Fish Fillet with sauce vierge with green olives and walnuts and of course, those are absolutely magical too.
There are also delights like house-cured meats and a variety of cheeses (AKA the love of our lives) so you might want to sample those too.
To drink, there are a beautiful array of Italian wines and beers and a list of cocktails that rivals any other.
The Negroni Orzo is perfection with strawberry gum, meletti and pandan and the Little Italy is obviously a delight with Aperol, vodka, lemon, mango and marjoram – the perfect summer sip. The entire list should be on your to do list of course.
So there you have it. If you’ve had the pleasure of experiencing the next-level goodness that is Social Eating House and Bar, you’ll know everything about it is unparalleled.
Make sure you get down there to experience it for yourself, Orzo is one of a kind and we are moving to Broadbeach now, good bye.
LOCATION: Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
HOURS: Daily from 12pm until late
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
If there is one thing we can get behind, it is a pizza, pasta and wine bar overlooking the ocean in our southernmost suburb.
Which is convenient because that’s exactly what we were just gifted with the opening of Little Cooly.
Perched on Level One at The Strand, Coolangatta, you’ll be spoilt by stunning views of Coolangatta Beach and a laid-back vibe perfect for whiling those steamy summer hours away.
Bring a date, meet your mate or feast with family while you take in the coastal views at the beachfront pizza pasta bar that’s sure to become your new fave go-to.
The newbie also showcases local Gold Coast talent, illustrator Barry Patenaude who has created bespoke murals that are splashed across the walls, inside and out.
In an ode to the local area, dishes have been named after Gold Coast icons and suburbs and shine a light on local produce, for instance The Snapper Rocks features Tweed River prawns, mango, cashews and avocado or The Greenmount features Bangalow bacon, spicy chorizo, a fried egg and mozzarella.
From handmade pasta to hand-stretched pizza, the affordable all day dining menu shines a light on local produce and brings together texture and taste in a true ‘Cooly’ way.
Accompanying the bevy of bites is a seriously savvy and affordable wine selection, with more than 100 bottles ranging from local drops to Italian varietals, stored in a temperature-controlled wine fridge.
Or choose from the creative cocktail menu stacked with signature sips, spritzes and Cooly classics…Cooly Colada anyone?
Of course, no day at the beach is complete without cracking a coldie and settling in for the ultimate seaside session with a bunch of brews, including their own Little Cooly Dry and Little Cooly Ginger Cider.
These fun guys have all the ingredients to keep you well hydrated on those balmy Gold Coast days.
Even little nippers are taken care of following a fun filled day of getting their toes sandy with a kids’ menu and sweet sundaes piled high with icy gelato and a kaleidoscope of crazy concoctions including caramel popcorn, lime jelly, Kit Kats and fruit tingles – brain freeze alert!
No matter which way you slice it, Little Cooly is sure to make a splash in the pretty little seaside suburb.
LOCATION: Level 1, Shop 120/72-80 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
HOURS: 11.30am until late daily
It’s been a minute since we’ve had the pleasure of venturing out Varsity Lakes way but here we are with news from the crew there.
A new venue has arrived and it’s bringing all your whisky sipping, tasty snack eating dreams to life. It’s called The Rusty Barrel and it’s the work of local lad Billy Crean who sought to breathe some newness into Varsity’s bustling little business precinct.
And that he has with a new bar and eatery that’s serving up something quite different to the norm.
You can find The Rusty Barrel just behind Hotel CBD, it’s a 70-seat space with both indoor and outdoor seating areas and a sweet little garden area soon to be overgrown with greenery.
Unsurprisingly, the space is decked out with rum barrels, sourced from Beenleigh Distillery, a mural taking up the length of one wall and a delightful neon sign shining out from another stating “we’re all mad here” and same, to be honest.
Let’s chat drinks first and the cocktail list has been created by local legend Jesse Chan, who knows all of the things about tasty tipples and there are many on it you should sample.
Starting with a Kaffir Lime and Agave-infused Old Fashioned which smells as good as it tastes and (as with many of the cocktails on the list) is infused with a housemade syrup and is so very delicious.
Not only that one though, The Chilli Jam is made with House made chilli tequila, agave, grapefruit and lime and is a little party in your mouth. We also loved the PBJs which is made with Vizor Peanut Butter Schnapps, J Cartron Coconut Liqueur, strawberries, lemon and peanut crumble.
All the good sips guys.
To eat, there are both share-style and keep-to-yourself-style options so you can choose your own adventure in that regard.
Small plate-wise there are dishes like Port Lincoln Kingfish Ceviche with pickled jalapeno, coriander, kaffir lime, avo mousse and beetroot Wagyu, King Prawn and Barramundi Sugarcane Skewers and Koji-marinated Tuna Tartare with Buckwheat Bark. Tasty.
You may also indulge in big old burgers like the Barrel’s Brisket Ragu Burger, the Zucchini and Corn Cheese Burgers and the BBQ Peri Peri Chicken Burger. There’s a tasting trio of sliders if you fancy a little bit of everything.
Not only all of that though, there’ll also be live music on Saturday nights. How fun.
Get into Varsity and give them some love.
LOCATION: 11/228 Varsity Pde, Varsity Lakes
HOURS: Wednesday until Sunday 11.30am until late
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
