Our ‘northerners’ on the GC are a fiercely patriotic bunch, long determined for their neck of the woods to get the cool cred normally reserved for the other end of town. Paradise Point is one particularly notable spot where there is much to see and do whether you’re after a family-friendly day out, caffeine hit, an eats spot for date night or a liquid lunch (or actual lunch, although we’re partial to the former) with your gal pals.

Here are a handful of reasons why locals love Paradise Point.

Burleigh Baker
Northern GC folk who were fans of Burleigh Baker (in Burleigh – who’d have thunk it…) were high fiving each other when the Paradise Point sister popped up. With a passion for crafting artisan sourdough bread and brewing excellent Handsome brand coffee, the cafe menu is based around the bread (obvs), with freshly made dishes sourced from the best ingredients. Carbs, come at us.
Where: Shop 7/46 The Esplanade, Paradise Point

Jonez on Ephraim
Dr Jones, Jones, calling Dr Jones…. No there is no doctor but there is a Michelin Star Chef, Gary Jones. So expect a fine-dining haven offering up the finest seasonal ingredients, fresh fish and classical French cuisine. We’re ordering Duck Liver Parfait with sourdough and marinated figs, Quail Porchetta and for dessert, Scroppino; prosecco and vodka lemon sorbet (hells yeah. Can we have seconds…and thirds…and… you get the point).
Where: Ephraim Island, Paradise Point

Paradise Point Parklands
Undeniably one of the GC’s most breathtaking park areas, it’s an absolute must-see. Overlooking the beautiful Broadwater, pack a picnic, throw a snag on the barbie and let the kids entertain themselves for hours in the large playground areas. There are open grassed spaces perfect for a game of cricket, and the walking trail will get your heart-rate up while you take in the million-dollar views… quite literally with views of some Sovereign Island homes.
Where: The Esplanade, Paradise Point

Sweet Bambino
This hole-in-the-wall is a newer player on the Paradise Point eats and coffee scene, and an instant hit from day dot. With a fit-out that screams modern chic (think polished concrete floors, rustic grey walls, foliage for a pop of greenery and moody lighting for days), her it-girl vibes are only rivaled by the coffee and delish counter food selection.
Where: 1/46 The Esplanade, Paradise Point

Mano’s Italian
It’s been a winner with locals for years for a darn good reason. The fresh, hearty Italian food at Mano’s is first class, as is the service and welcoming ambience. Menu highlights include the impressive range of pastas (I die), steak and seafood dishes, not to mention their delish daily specials. They’re fully licenced because what even is pasta without wine?
Where: 40 The Esplanade, Paradise Point

Plant-Based Eatz
Formerly Plant-Based Café, there are no surprises what sort of cuisine this little pearler dishes up. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and featuring arguably the best vegan food around town (and hey, competition is fierce in this space), expect a nosh-up of vegan versions of crowd favourites like poke bowls, burgers, nachos, tacos, wraps, epic sides, juices, smoothies, coffee and more.
Where: 1/2 Grice Ave, Paradise Point

Paradise Point Bowls Club
You get all the trimmings you’d expect from a bowls club here; live entertainment, hearty eats, wallet-friendly drinks and warm, friendly smiles. Bowls, Brews & Chews kicks off every Sunday from noon where you can get a game of bowls, platter for 4, 3L beer tower or 3L cocktail tower (say what?!) from only $85! Oh and there’s a courtesy bus. Which you’ll obvs need.
Where: 22 Thrush Ave, Paradise Point

Buoy Oh Buoy
This nautical-themed northern gem is equal parts cute and cool, founded by lovely local lass Kelly Kohler. We’re ordering a Scram-Bowl every day of the week with scrambled eggs, charred cherry tomatoes, avocado, rocket, pesto dressing and sourdough. And adding haloumi coz, haloumi! To finish, are you treating yo-self to a freshly baked pastry for the road? Oh Buoy you are!
Where: Shop 8/27 Falkinder Ave, Paradise Point

Jabiru Island Park
Everything you need is right here including stunning water views, electric barbecues, sheltered picnic tables, large shade trees, fishing platform, sheltered swimming closure, boat ramp and toilet facilities. Take the walkway under the bridge to Phil Hill Environmental Park, or stroll along the boardwalks for a look at the natural habitat from stunning viewing vantage points. Yes please!
Where: Jabiru Island Park, Oxley Dr, Paradise Point

Cross + Feather
Serving up finger lickin’ good brekkies (and dinners Thursday to Saturday), this one is a must. The chow is first class, as is the friendly and attentive service you’ll get every time. And, there’s just something universally cool about the FOOD wall art piece which sets the tone from the get-go…locals, you know what we’re talking about. Don’t even get us started on the cocktails…. #bookanuber
Where: 2/2 Grice Ave, Paradise Point

Words by Bianca Trathen.

First and foremost: our sin-sear-est apologies in advance to our plant-based brethren, with this roundup including exactly zero cauli steaks, might we instead suggest our 10 Vegan Gold Coast Restaurants list.

For the meat eaters among us, if it’s sear-riously good steak you seek, you are definitely in the right place. There are not many dishes that compare to the satisfaction of a succulent steak cooked to perfection, though there is often a lot more to the art of this dish than meats the eye.

When the urge for a next level steak won’t quit, sometimes you just have to leave it in the hands of the pros. Sit back and grillax, we’ve got those carnivorous cravings covered. Here are 10 of the GC’s most lit steak restaurants worth getting fired up over.

Glenelg Public House
We’re starting strong with Mermaid’s moody gastro-pub, which has garnered itself a solid rep indeed for punching out sear-riously good steaks over the years. These guys take their meat even more seriously than that one mate bordering on a situationship with their smoker, with a full breakdown of cut / weight / breed / producer / paddock / region / feed to agonise over. There are no less than nine top-quality cuts on offer from all over Aus (and that’s not including the stacked selection of share-style dishes) – making this a must-try destination for even the most discerning steak critics (*cough* looking at you, aforementioned mate with smoker).
Where: 9/2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

kōst Bar & Grill
Oh yes, Broadbeach’s very notable newcomer is so much more than a (breathtakingly) pretty face, already pulling a #Bradbury to just as elegantly glide on in and secure their rightful place on this list. This euro-chic vibing contemporary bar & grill boasts one of the city’s only charcoal wood-fire grills, meaning anything not already nailed down is treated to that signature flame kissed treatment. There’s an assortment of steak cuts to acquaint yourself with, including a 1kg Dry Age Steak – O’Connor Beef T-Bone if you’re feeling a little lot extra.
Where: 3 Oracle Blvd, Broadbeach

Cavill’s Steakhouse
For born and bred locals, the former Labrador icon (affectionately known simply as Cav’s in our youths) summons a whole lot of nostalgia, and thankfully it still stands up to the hype and fond mems all these years on.

In fact, this is one GC institution that has aged like fine wine (they’ve got those too), with a rooftop vibing re-location and grown up new look to match that signature Cav’s experience we’ve known for ~40 years now. They’ve got this steak business down to a fine art, with a sister butchery, an extensive selection of cuts and that traditional steak experience with all the classic trimmings – bc sometimes you just need a decadent, garlic prawn laden steak in your life.
Where: 6 Bayview Street, Runaway Bay

Moo Moo
Another GC mainstay, Moo Moo’s has been serving up all the mouth-watering meat action (and resulting meat sweats) to Broadbeach and beyond going on 20 years now, and they’ve got the receipts – aka slew of awards to prove it.

Specialty steaks are kind of their thing (as are fine wines), with ten mouth-watering options to choose from – though if you and a willing participant have brought your appetite, take on the infamous Spice Rubbed 1kg Wagyu Rump Cap Roast. Carved at the table served with Wagyu Fat Fried New Season Potatoes (and some green stuff for good measure).
Where: 2685 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach

Outback Steakhouse
If it’s more of a laid back, steakhouse vibe you’re going for, it would be a crying flame to overlook Outback Steakhouse, a family friendly all-rounder also serving up some formidable options when it comes to flame kissed fare. The menu offers up something for everyone, with those in the mood for something meaty treated to eight steak cuts served with your choice of sides. Gather the crew and take on the 1.25kg Angus Tomahawk, or a slightly more surmountable Ribeye, with a little more space to spare for pud.
Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach

Nineteen at The Star
A spot well known for dishing up the finer things, with a little help from some epic views of the GC skyline, The Darling’s crowning jewel Nineteen at The Star is the kinda place that has it it all. Naturally, there’s an equally impressive selection of swanky steaks, which are almost exclusively sourced locally on the Darling Downs (with exception to the Cape Grim Grass Fed Rib Eye, which, we can definitely manage to let slide, quite frankly).

If it’s truly time to treat yourself, these guys boast one of the largest selections of sumptuous 9+ MBS (aka ‘excellent’ grade) steaks on the Coast – the only thing higher is that stunner of an outlook, tbh.
Where: 1, Level 19, The Darling at The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach

Red Steakhouse
Tucking in to a Dry Aged, New York Strip on the bone surrounded by a cool couple of milli worth of yachts and marina views for days? #thatslivin. A fine dining style steakhouse, though the more upscale take will come as a surprise to absolutely no one given it’s situated within the swanky Sanctuary Cove dining precinct #ohshefancyhuh.

This nominee for the GC’s most spectacular slab of beef has got your steak needs covered from A-Z, (or technically W) with a hefty offering including everything from Angus through to Waygu. Got a ravenous crowd of beef buffs on your hands? Tackle one of the mammoth 1-2kg Oakey Reserve Black Angus Tomahawks for your feasting pleasure.
Where: Sanctuary Cove, 46E/4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island

Mr Hizola’s
A very worthy contender for the GC’s best steak hall of flame is Mr Hizola’s and the srsly lit (literally) signature dish – Sizzling Wagyu Steak. Serving up contemporary Cantonese eats, this Burleigh hotspot is adored among the hungry Southern hordes, also dishing up a show-stopper of a steak that no doubt has played a solid part in cementing that status. The dazzling dish is set alight at the table for an unbel-beef-able experience that tastes every bit as good as it looks.
Where: 1730 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

Hurricane’s Grill & Bar
If it’s stellar steak you’re after, this cosy Surfers Paradise spot is certainly serving it up (along with some mighty fine beach views). Hurricane’s definitely lives up to the ‘Grill and Bar’ title, with a grilliant array of meaty morsels to choose from. On offer is everything from petite Sirloin cuts through to some very boujee beef options indeed – with the pièce de résistance, a MS7+ Tajima Wagyu Beef Sirloin sure to impress even the staunchest of steak snobs.
Where: 1/4-14 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

Woodchopper’s Inn
Woodchopper’s has been treating the southern GC to their specialty low & slow method ever since they took their passion for flame-licked fare to full blown obsession, following the installation of the site’s first BBQ back in 2015. Though the legacy of this Mudgeeraba mainstay goes much further back, the addition has gone on to become the GC’s longest standing real woodfired BBQ. Throw in an artisan distillery, and suddenly this little spot is sporting some rather obvious tactical advantages indeed.

The signature steak dish, BBQ Tri Tip Sirloin stars the fave cut of the Woodchopper crew, and who are we to disagree with the experts.
Where: 64 Railway St, Mudgeeraba

Words by Kellie Leader.

Greek nosh is something basically all of us love, but there actually aren’t that many places in the melting pot of cuisine that is the GC giving us our authentic (keyword here) souvlaki hit. So, you can imagine our delight when we caught wind of a new Euro neighbour spreading its glorious Greeky goodness around Mermaid Beach. Cue plate smashing (not really…please don’t do that) and prepare to feast your eyes – and mouths – on the aptly named SOUVGC.

Owners of the iconic Café on Hedges, Stavros Likiardopoulos and Bill Sibonis decided it was high time to branch out and bring some of the mouth-watering traditional bites they grew up with in Melbourne, to our sunny shores. Teaming up with Head Chef Jan Cadagdagon, they use only the best fresh and natural ingredients, sourcing their meat and veg locally (hoorah!) every day, and adding REAL Greek flavour with their house-made drool-worthy Mediterranean seasoning.

Here’s what a feed at SOUVGC might look like; Start with an appetiser of Saganaki (grilled haloumi’s delicious cousin) and some Pita Bread with Hummus, Eggplant Dip and Tirokafteri (spicy fetta) dip.

Don’t fill up too much though as The Souvlaki Bar awaits because when in Rome…or Greece…well it would be rude not to order this Greek staple. We’re calling it early – The Stevie Special is set to become the hero dish here with lamb, taramasalata (that stuff is goooood), lettuce, tomato, onion and chips, because no Souvlaki is complete without chips!

If an open plate main is more your thing, the Falafel Plate or Kalamaki Plate (skewers) will transport your tastebuds to their happy place, and why not order a Greek Salad on the side (don’t we all feel healthier with a bit of green stuff to even out the playing field?!).

The venue offers indoor/outdoor dining for up to 70 peeps and is fully licenced (happy dance). Speaking of drinks, a trip to SouvGC isn’t a trip to SouvGC without popping the top off a few of their imported beers straight from the motherland. Start with a Mythos, move into a Fix Hellas Lager and finish it off with an Alfa Lager. Oh and of course there are non-beer-drinker-friendly refreshments on offer too, with wines and… do we really care what else because, well, wine.

There is an impressive takeaway menu in addition to their dine-in offerings and good news if you have a soiree coming up, because they can cater for any occasion large or small. You’ll score some serious party planner brownie points, with everyone thinking you’ve got Ya-ya slaving away in your kitchen!

Describing their restaurant as “A collective of amazing people striving to build delightful Greek cuisine” SouvGC is precisely that. It’s a Big Fat Greek…winner!

Where: Shop 2/32 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach
When: Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 9pm. Closed Mondays.

Words by Bianca Trathen.