There's something for everybunny at The Star!
There's something for everybunny at The Star!
Our favourite annual four-day weekend is approaching! We’ll give you a hint: It has two legs, two long ears, a furry coat, and a basket full of inarguably the best things in the entire world – chocolate! It’s Easter if you couldn’t crack that code. AKA, the one day where chocolate for breakfast is considered totally acceptable – hence it being our favourite holiday.
But there’s more to this beloved long weekend than just dairy milk. Easter is a time of pure joy, best lapped up with family and friends and good food (yes, savoury food still exists). Where can you find these three things in one place? The Star Gold Coast!
The Lawn
Get ready for a line-up of Easter shenanigans that would make even the bunny jealous. It all kicks off from 1pm on The Lawn, so here’s what we suggest. Take yourselves over to the Garden Kitchen & Bar first for a delicious lunch; we all know Easter hunts require some serious stamina so fuel is needed! Then, it’s go time!
Live music, crafts and face painting will be pumping from 1pm. As the clock strikes 2pm, there will be a VERY special visit from the Easter Bunny himself, followed by an Easter egg hunt from 2:30pm-3pm (register now). Did we mention it’s all free?
Easter Weekend Desserts
It wouldn’t be Easter without Hot Cross Buns! But don’t expect just any Hot Cross Buns at The Star, expect extraordinary! Each restaurant is doing its own take on the classic, which only means one thing- we’re gonna have to try them all!
Garden Kitchen & Bar
Hot cross bun, spiced cloud cake, Earl Grey tea sultana, caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream (18 – 21 April)
Uncle Su
Traditional Chinese take on the Hot Cross Buns (18 – 21 April)
Cucina Vivo
Tiramisu Hot Cross Bun dish (18 – 21 April)
M&G Café
Your choice of milkshake in a chocolate Easter Bunny! (18 – 21 April)
Kiyomi
It’s not exactly a hot cross-bun take, but it’s a dessert we’re certainly not mad about. Enjoy dessert and a cocktail for only $35! You’ll get a Shiro Miso Caramel Martini with vodka, espresso, white miso and caramel paired perfectly with Kiyomi’s Popcorn Chocolate, chocolate sponge cake with orange caramel popcorn and ice cream. We’ll be going back for seconds, that’s for sure!! (18 – 21 April).
Chocolate Month at Harvest Buffet
The only thing better than a buffet is a chocolate-themed buffet! Harvest Buffet will be spoiling guests with indulgent chocolate desserts all month long, in addition to all their savoury and sweet crowd-pleasers! Obviously, it’s the perfect option for the Easter long weekend! (1 – 30 April).
For more information or to book, click here.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: Various activations from Friday 18th – Monday 21st April
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST
The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be 18 years or over to enter the Casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT. Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858.
Choosing where to eat at The Star Gold Coast is like picking a favourite child, impossible, but someone’s gotta do it. Whether you’re a lover of luxe Japanese bites, classic Cantonese feasts, modern Aussie dining or Euro-inspired elegance, there’s a premium dining spot with your name on it. But which one? Take our totally scientific (read: not scientific at all) quiz to find out where you should be booking a table next.
It’s Friday night – what’s your ideal dinner vibe?
A) A table full of share plates, lazy Susan spinning, chopsticks at the ready.
B) Sleek and moody with sushi, sashimi, and sake flowing.
C) A little bit fancy, a little bit fun – classic dishes, but elevated.
D) Twinkling lights, good wine, and a long, luxurious Italian feast.
Your dream dish includes…
A) Live seafood prepared just how you like it – garlic butter, XO sauce, or steamed to perfection.
B) Wagyu beef, miso-glazed fish, and citrusy, umami-packed flavours.
C) A premium Aussie steak with all the trimmings (and maybe a side of crispy prawns).
D) Fresh, handmade pasta with rich, slow-cooked sauces.
You’re picking a drink – what’s it going to be?
A) A pot of Chinese tea or an ice-cold Tsingtao.
B) A Japanese whisky or a perfectly chilled sake.
C) A bold Aussie Shiraz or a classic cocktail.
D) A glass of Tuscan Chianti, obviously.
What’s your go-to dining aesthetic?
A) Rich reds, golds, and a buzzing atmosphere.
B) Sleek, modern, and a little moody.
C) A light and airy space filled with lush greenery.
D) Dusty pinks, seafoam blues, and a giant wood-fired pizza oven.
Mostly A’s – You’re Uncle Su
You love a big, flavour-packed meal with dishes that are perfect for sharing (or not – no judgement). Uncle Su is all about traditional Cantonese flavours with a luxe twist, from succulent roast meats to premium seafood straight from the tank. Whether you’re diving into a whole live lobster baked with XO sauce or loading up on dumplings, this is where you come for an unforgettable Chinese feast.
Our Pick: The King Crab Kowloon Style – perfectly seasoned with garlic, chilli, and crisp golden crumbs.
Mostly B’s – You’re Kiyomi
You’ve got a taste for the finer things – clean, delicate flavours, perfectly plated dishes, and a little bit of theatre in your dining experience. Kiyomi brings all of that in spades, with a Japanese-inspired menu that heroes premium seafood, rich umami flavours, and next-level presentation. Think melt-in-your-mouth sashimi, miso-glazed toothfish, and tempura lobster with sambal aioli.
Our Pick: The Dengakuman – a miso-glazed toothfish so buttery and rich, it might just ruin all other fish for you.
Mostly C’s – You’re Garden Kitchen & Bar
You appreciate high-quality ingredients and fresh, modern dishes, but you’re not about over-the-top, fussy dining. You just want a beautifully cooked steak, a perfectly grilled piece of fish, or a hearty risotto made with the best Aussie produce – and that’s exactly what Garden Kitchen & Bar delivers.
Our Pick: The Grand Chester Eye Fillet, served with brown butter potato purée, roasted portobello mushroom and a rich red wine jus.
Mostly D’s – You’re Cucina Vivo
La dolce vita is your thing – good food, great wine, and even better company. Cucina Vivo is where you’ll find handmade pasta, fresh seafood, and generous, soul-warming dishes. Whether you’re twirling forkfuls of housemade spaghetti or tucking into a creamy veal scallopine, this is pure Italian bliss.
Our Pick: The Risoni – a lightly toasted pasta dish with grilled bay bug, rich bisque and a perfect hit of lemon.
Alright, you’ve cracked the code and found your foodie soulmate – now it’s time to lock it in. Book that table, throw on your best ‘I’m-about-to-eat-like-a-queen’ outfit, and prepare for a feast that’ll have you planning your next visit before dessert even hits the table. Or, if commitment isn’t your thing, why not make it a personal mission to try all four? Consider it a culinary tour of The Star Gold Coast – one delicious bite at a time.
Words by Belinda Symons
STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST
The Star Gold Coast’s signature Japanese dining experience Kiyomi has undergone one of the most impressive glow-ups the Gold Coast has ever seen showcasing a stunning multi-sensory experience you’ll need to see to believe. The renewal has been dubbed “a creative collision of ritual and art” and includes an elevated menu and brand new private dining space.
If you’ve not yet had the pleasure of the Kiyomi experience, now is the perfect time to treat yourself to something special; think time-honoured Tokyo craftsmanship meets the adventurousness of Australian cooking.
The brand-new magic is evident as soon as you step through the entryway, which is adorned with a blend of raw, transformative textures. The 112-seat main dining space offers a warm, welcoming vibe with Japanese calligraphy as a beautiful, decorative feature.
The recent addition of a 16-seat private dining space further elevates Kiyomi with bold graphic artwork and an intimate moody feel. The perfect option if you’re in need of a fine dining experience surrounded by quiet luxury (and a select few of your favourite people).
The private space is open for lunch with a selection of set menus and both a sushi and sashimi grazing table. Dinner choices include a 10-course Omakase menu or the Premium Omakase menu, including a Chef demonstration the likes of which you’ve never seen before.
Head Chef Winson Law, who has been led Kiyomi for the past seven years has created a menu leaning into soy and miso flavours along with the delicacy of dashi (a combination of sweet, salty, bitter and sour) which he says is quickly becoming one of the most requested tastes on the Coast.
He says, “We are fortunate in Australia to have some of the best ingredients and freshest seafood, which complements our Japanese-inspired dishes. One of our most popular dishes is because of the quality of Australian Wagyu beef. Its exquisite marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture really brings a meal to life.”
New additions to the menu include the likes of Red Snapper, sashimi and Kombujime Amaebi with pickled daikon and ginger lime dressing, Mooloolaba Prawn toast with Karashi miso, Spanner Crab and cabbage, plus aged Pork Tomahawk with apple wasabi, pork jus with Okinawa black sugar.
As always, an unrivalled drinks menu is on offer to accompany the five-star dining experience. Choose from an impressive selection of sake and Japanese whiskey, an exceptional wine list and of course perfectly crafted cocktails to reflect the magic that is Kiyomi.
So quite obviously, the next time you’re in need of a Japanese dining experience that is modern, traditional and as good as you’ll find anywhere in the world, look no further than Kiyomi, right in the heart of Broadbeach at The Star Gold Coast.
Where: Lobby Level The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: 5.30pm – 9pm, Monday – Sunday
Words by Kirra Smith
STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST
The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be 18 years or over to enter the Casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT. Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858.
A lush garden oasis where delectable dining meets lively entertainment, you ask? Hold that request- your order has already been filled. It’s time to reacquaint yourself with Garden Kitchen & Bar!
If you haven’t found your way to The Star Gold Coast in a little while, we have the perfect excuse for you to change that right away. Garden Kitchen & Bar has proven time and time again to be the oracle for our dining and entertaining desires, which explains why it’s one of the Coast’s best loved hangout spots no matter the weather.
Built to bolster the Gold Coast’s enviable climate and luxuriously laid-back lifestyle, the open-concept venue blurs the lines between the indoors and out to reveal a quintessential Queensland design. The lavish bar and dining area is bathed in natural light and filled with lush green foliage. Find a spot on the emerald green velvet lounges and enjoy the garden oasis that surrounds you.
If you’re not long-lunching here, you really shouldn’t be long-lunching at all. Picture this, the sound of a champagne bottle pop and the clink of glasses. A charcuterie board arrives with locally sourced cured meats, pickled vegetables, house-made crisps & Australian cheddar. Kilpatrick oysters are being slurped back like you’re running someone else’s card, along with Airlie Beach tiger prawns because Garden Kitchen & Bar is killing the seafood game.
We all know Garden Kitchen & Bar is perfect for casual drinks and eats, as well as more intimate celebrations (hello dedicated semi-private dining room). The lunch and dinner menus are a feast of mouth-watering seasonal dishes, utilising only the freshest produce and a selection of garnishes and herbs hand-picked from an onsite herb garden.
For starters, we must recommend the baked bread and macadamia dip– it’s to dough for. For category crowd pleasers, indulge in a stockyard 200-day grain-fed tomahawk or their succulent rosemary-marinated Milly Hill lamb cutlets- both dished with a Chefs’ selection of fresh Australian produce and chips. The Garden Nourish Bowl with cauliflower and fried chickpeas is a stand-out vego option.
Now we don’t like to pick favourites, but we’re going to make a special exception for their deluxe Australian Seafood Experience; a selection of Australia’s best seafood from the tropical waters of Northern Queensland and the ice-cold southern oceans of Tasmania. How could we not?
Once lunchtime inevitably rolls into the afternoon, step outside onto The Lawn. There’s no time for putting around on this green. Well-versed in providing an unrivalled afternoon/evening place to assemble there’s stellar live entertainment on tap every weekend! Imagine you and your posse enjoying a toasty crackling fire, live entertainment, cheeseboards, mouth-watering bites from the Container Kitchen and delectable beverages. Yes please!
The only thing left to do is pencil Garden Kitchen & Bar into your social calendar stat!
Where: Casino Level, The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: Monday & Thursday: 17:30 – late, Friday 4:00 – late, Saturday – Sunday 12:00 – late. Live Entertainment Thurs – Sun
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST
The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be 18 years or over to enter the Casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT. Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858.
