In case those gloriously clear blue skies daily didn’t already give you the heads up (or, a calendar for that matter) it’s officially time to throw those cardi’s and jumpers over our old faithful summer wardrobe because winter is upon us. Well, as close as we get to ‘winter’ here on the GC, anyway.

By no means does that mean you have to hibernate though. We would actually argue this is the superior time of the year to be getting out and about without our old foe humidity ruining our hair and the all round comfort levels.

As luck would have it, our friends at The Star have been cooking up a veritable feast of options to keep our spirits high (choose to take that literally or figuratively). They’re stoking up the fire pits to keep us warm and toasty on the outside, and the seasonal winter menu will act as a cosy hug for your insides. Oh, and a few lashings of whiskey (the OG #winterwarmer) certainly never hurt either.

Winter at Garden Kitchen & Bar
Once it officially cools down enough to bust out the heaters and fire pits to keep us cosy, Garden Kitchen & Bar has got that same chilled out, camping under the stars feel with zero of the fuss or leaky tents (we’d say BYO marshmallows but we’ve taken a peek at the winter menu and can safely say that won’t be necessary).

When it comes to the winter menu specials, the phrase ‘winter warmers’ springs to mind but it feels like a huge understatement as far as we’re concerned. For $65, feast upon three expertly paired courses starting with the Parsnip and leek soup with flaked salmon (and of course toasted sourdough, obvs) Because we’ve officially filed ‘serving soup without crusty bread’ under ‘things that feel like they should be illegal but aren’t’. And the sound of the slow-cooked beef cheeks with fried garlic chats, broccolini, roasted baby carrots and red wine jus alone have us ready to hop The G mid-sentence #berightover. And to finish, it’s everyone’s fave pud Sticky date pudding, pineapple, caramel and vanilla ice cream (sorry Christmas pud, but caramel wins every time).

Now if the thought of that doesn’t already have you done like a dinner, the hearty (and boozy) seasonal specials will be hard to go past. Choose from likes of the Lamb chops with a CC whiskey gravy or perhaps Baked oysters with smoked CC whisky butter and bacon for the sea-foodies. But really, we camembert the thought of missing out on the Baked Brie with CC whiskey honey and toasted pecans with warm toast.

And because who doesn’t love kicking back and soaking up those open air alfresco vibes on a crisp winters evening, there’s also DJ’s every Friday and Saturday night on The Lawn. Drop it like it’s… a lovely 12°C GC evening (doesn’t quite have the same ring to it tho).

Gifts from The Garden
The Garden really is the gift that just keeps giving this winter. And it’s good news if you’re overdue to get the crew together (or just feeling really really hungry #jks #technically).

Receive a bottle of 750ml Whispering Angel Rosé when you order 4 or more main meals, or upgrade to the 1.5L bottle of Magnum Whispering Angel Rosé when you order 8 or more. Word to the wise? The wine may be dry, but an offer this sweet needs to be booked in advance.

What’s on
You didn’t think The Star would be leaving us marooned when it comes to winter sports, did you?

This Origin season, they’re hosting all three nail-biting QLD v NSW clashes from two of their incredible venues, choose to watch the game under the stars on The Lawn at Garden Kitchen & Bar, or get the stadium experience in the Sports Bar live, large & loud. Because we all know the electric atmosphere is as integral to the Origin experience as the ice cold beers and ribbing of our mates that insist on sporting a blue jersey #booooo.

Here’s a tip for the die-hard footy fans among us: make sure your Origin night’s a winner by pre-booking a bougie booth package at either venue to secure the best seats in the house, with some unbeatable food and bev inclusions to boot.

Kick off game night with MC’s to bring the hype, giveaways and footy themed fare. Catch the Qld Burger throughout June, with fried chicken burger, sriracha mayo, coleslaw, pineapple with XXXX. Because when it comes to pineapple on burgs – and pizza – you can either be #teampineapple, or wrong.

If it’s the biff you wanna bring back, come watch Tim Tszyu Fight live on the big screens in the Sports Bar on the 18th June.

Ahhh, it sure is a hard life as a sports fan. Anyone else suddenly thirsty?

When: Various activations happening all winter long
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Words by Kellie Leader.

STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST

The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be aged 18 years or over to enter the casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT.

Winter is officially here on the Gold Coast and baby it’s cold outside. When the temperature drops for that hot minute you bet we’re making the most of soaking up the winter vibes, and nothing says winter like cosying up by the fireplace with a glass of red and some of the best food the Gold Coast has on offer. We’ve found the best Gold Coast restaurants with roaring fireplaces so you don’t have to try and flex your fire making skills at home – you’re welcome.

Miss Moneypenny’s
The swankiest fireplace to be found in and around the central Gold Coast belongs to this Broadbeach fine dining favourite. The beautiful decor by renowned designer Paul Kelly Design is an Instagrammer’s dream, but while there is plenty for your eyes to feast upon, the grand-looking fireplace is the real treat here. Treat yourself to any one of their lavish cocktails, or for an authentic winter’s evening experience, grab a whiskey and submerge yourself in a velvet chair stat.
Where: 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

The Polish Place
The beloved Polish Place at Mount Tamborine not too long ago got completely rebuilt from the ground up following a devastating tragedy. And we couldn’t be more glad that owners Phil & Ania were unequivocally committed to bringing back the best Polish food and hospitality around. The beautifully restored fireplace sits pride of place in their dining room, essentially there to warm your soul while you devour the eats and take in the spectacular view.
Where: 333 Main Western Road, Mount Tamborine

Woodchoppers Inn
We love a good old pub with a bit of charm, and with some of the best wood-fired BBQ meats around, this one is always on our repeat hit list. But why keep the wood fire in the kitchen? This modest family business has since 1995 been serving up all the wood-fired meats, craft beers and wine, right next to a big open fireplace, of course. That is if you can claim a seat beside it!
Where: 64 Railway Street, Mudgeeraba

D’Arcy Arms
Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, D’Arcy Arms Irish Pub has been serving hearty Irish meals for over 30 years — a testament to their popularity amongst tourists and locals alike. While our winters are just a tad warmer than Ireland’s — ok, a lot warmer — we are still thankful they decided to bestow upon us a crackling, open fireplace to gather around over a Guinness or three. Take full advantage of their fireplace and book your Christmas in July for the full Euro-winter effect. We promise a fireside meal at D’Arcy Arms will soften the blow of missing out on that Euro trip.
Where: 2923 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise

The Wine Barrel
It must be said, nothing else makes you feel as warm and fuzzy inside as a glass of wine next to an open fire, meaning The Wine Barrel in Mudgeeraba has seriously got its priorities in order. This tapas and wine bar is a family-owned and run hidden treasure, featuring some of the best tapas and share platters the Gold Coast has seen. So, grab a couple of mates and proceed to devour serious eats, next to the fireplace naturally…
Where: 8/59 Railway Street, Mudgeeraba

The Fireplace
Ok, this one is in the name. Still, the fine-looking InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort is home to a restaurant rightly named The Fireplace, and yes, you guessed it: it does indeed have an impressive fireplace within the dining room that is also used for cooking. But don’t just go for the roaring embers; the menu features locally sourced cuisine, a 300-strong wine library and a delightful wine-matched degustation. This is serious date night material, maybe even staying overnight wouldn’t be the worst idea you’ve ever had! There’s even a second fireplace located in the foyer at the Verandah Restaurant and Bar that you can cosy on up to with one of their 50 whiskies.
Where: Manor Circle, Sanctuary Cove

Wolf Restaurant
Just in case you needed another reason to make your way up to Mount Tamborine, the newest kid on the block Wolf is bringing big flavour to bite size. Fine dining meets the relaxed mountain vibe you know and love, Wolf’s menu of seriously aesthetic dishes are begging to be ‘grammed. The cosy meets contemporary space fills with natural light, highlighting the showstopping stone-clad fireplace that takes up residence in the heart of the restaurant. There’s a reason locals are a big fan of this place, so don’t mind us while we plan a day trip up the Mountain pronto.
Where: 13 Main St, Tamborine Mountain

Panchos
It’s a Gold Coast institution for good reason, nestled in Mudgeeraba is the colourful ‘roadhouse’ style Mexican joint Panchos. It’s been lovingly restored to its former glory by local couple Lachlan and Maddie (the geniuses who brought us Suzy BBQ and TOKOH), holding onto the iconic 80’s character but dishing up a 2023-approved Mexican feast. We’ve pretty much never met a margarita we didn’t like, but something about them tastes even better when there’s a roaring fireplace and live music to keep you snug and beat the Hinterland chill.
Where: 581 Springbrook Road, Mudgeeraba

Pasture & Co
If you haven’t been to Pasture & Co have you really been to Currumbin Valley? Local, organic and sustainably sourced ingredients are the heroes on Pasture & Co’s menu, and it quite literally caters to everyone (and we mean EVERYONE’s) dietary preferences and cravings. Wholefoods are a hero but if you know a thing or two about coffee, the organic fair-trade brew will blow even the biggest coffee snob away.
Where: 6 Village Way, Currumbin Valley

Shiraz Persian Restaurant
It might be in the heart of Surfers Paradise, but that doesn’t mean they’ve compromised on comfort and cosiness. Enjoy your dinner or date night out in the lantern lit courtyard or sneak a spot inside by the fireplace, either way the home of refined Persian food might just be one of our favourite Middle Eastern restaurants on the Gold Coast (big call, we know),

Nothing says winter warmer like authentic Persian food, and Shiraz celebrates its roots with authentic and flavour rich entrees and mains. The menu has a little something for everyone from traditional skewers to the richest slow cooked stews, as well as a generous range of vegetarian options. We’re all about warming up from the inside out.
Where: Mantra Wings Surfers Paradise, 2893 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.