Hold onto your horses (rhinos?) Gold Coasters, new venue alert incoming. This time we find ourselves in fair Surfers Paradise, home to an increasing number of dining spots that are rapidly transforming the suburbs’ reputation from tourist trap to locally-loved foodie destination.

The most recent addition is set to spring up at Circle on Cavill in mid-October. It’s a vibrant, up-market bar and restaurant sure to increase Surfers’ good time game even further.

White Rhino will bring an open-air garden feel featuring a bar packed with next-level goodies and a restaurant featuring everything from breakfast to bar snacks and tapas to fine dining. So every single good thing there is in the world of food.

The two level venue is currently being built with a $3million plus budget so you know it’s going to be exceptional. The newbie is the latest project of Gold Coast based company Artesian Hospitality, whose portfolio also includes Surfers Paradise nightclubs Sin City, Bedroom and Havana.

With a capacity to seat around 220 folks, it will be home to an elaborate waterfall bar feature along with lots of big old trees and plenty of lush greenery.

For those wanting a more private space (read: Tinder dates), a staircase will lead you to a decadent mezzanine floor complete with dining nooks and secluded seating. Fancy.

Oh and how’s this for secret squirrel business, an “award-winning internationally regarded restaurateur” is on board to create the epic menu that means we’ll all probably be spending a lot more time in Surfers Paradise.

White Rhino is set to offer a vibe unlike anything the Gold Coast has seen before and it may just transform the Surfers Paradise dining scene.

That’s all the news we have but, of course, we’ll bring you more when White Rhino opens next month. Because apparently, it’s October next month. Crazy.

LOCATION: Circle on Cavill, Surfers Paradise
HOURS: Early morning until 1am

Hola. We’ve got Mexi-news and it is this; a brand new Mexi-joint opened up in Surfers Paradise just a few short days ago and it’s bringing all the good time vibes you don’t want to miss.

Found in the bustling little space that is Circle on Cavill, La Diosa Mexicana is the perfect addition to the eatery-filled area and if you’re a fan of high quality, flavour-filled feasts, you’re in for a treat.

The fitout is colourful and inviting with rattan-style furniture, wrought iron tables and raw concrete accents. Everybody’s new favourite indoor greenery, (cacti and succulents) are dotted throughout and ocean coloured tiles complete the pretty picture.

Big bay windows open out into the street and we highly recommend choosing one of the corner tables because there are tan leather cushions that are as soft as can be and also, bulk people watching opportunities. Not your typical Mexican eatery guys.

Food-wise, also not so much the Mexi-goodness you’ve become accustomed to.

La Diosa Mexicana co-owner Danny Azzi is a Gold Coast restaurateur and chef with over 20 years experience. He’s a lover of clean, fresh flavours and, coupled with his Lebanese heritage, has created quite a unique take on the food of Mexico.

The main player on the menu is the tacos, which we are pretty happy about. They’re made with an Al Pastor-style meat – a traditional way of cooking developed in central Mexico and based on the shawarma spit-grilled meat. It was introduced to Mexico by the Lebanese so there’s your link. What a combination.

The entire menu is a dream come true if you ask us, filled with all your favourites including Tostadas, Enchiladas, Quesadillas, Nachos and, of course, the beloved Burrito.

We recommend starting with a share plate or two, the Grilled Mexican street corn with coriander crema, paprika, queso and lime because they are the absolute goods and the Albondigas is meat balls with house beans and queso fresco. Flavour sensations.

Taco-wise go the fried cauliflower with eggplant jam, tahini, smoky paprika and pepitas or the Al Pastor pork with crispy onions, slaw, grilled pineapple and jalapenos. Try all of them though.

The Nachos are some of the prettiest we’ve ever seen and you should also fit in a burrito or two. Good luck.

Now, let’s talk booze. The specialty bar menu features all of the margaritas (obviously) along with traditional cocktails, local and imported beers, ciders, wines, tequila (also obviously) and mezcals.

Because you’re obviously dying to know, there are 11 margaritas on the menu including flavours such as Chilli Chocolate and Cucumber Fresca (we tried that one, it was really great). Oh and the Orange Tamarind is one of the great margaritas too.

Maybe stop reading now and go try it out for yourselves. It’ll knock your little sombreros off.

LOCATION: Shop 11, Circle on Cavill, 3184 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
HOURS: 11.30am until 10.30pm

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Hold onto your hats Surfers Paradise, your foodie scene is a-changin’. On Friday the 14th of July we welcome Knox Dining to Circle on Cavill and with it comes a long overdue healthy eating option in a suburb filled with fast food.

Owners (and brothers) Brad and Greg Turvey have a combined 30 years’ experience in the hospitality scene and decided to open the sophisticated Hamptons-esque space in Surfers Paradise after noticing a need for wholesome, good-for-you meal options.

Knox Dining is leading the way in the suburbs’ soon to be evolving dining scene and, fitout with natural wood, polished concrete and a neon “this must be the place” sign, is certainly gunning to change the way people see Surfers.

The food, although technically not “health food”, will appeal to those who are conscious of what they eat while still offering the comfort foods we know and love and all with a distinctive Asian twist.

The Gratin Egg in Avocado Cocotte not only looks like health personified, it is in fact full of goodness including a 64 degree sous vide egg in a dukkah spiced half avocado, with Swiss gruyere cheese on a bed of raw broccoli slaw. Phew!

Meat lovers don’t go past the Beef Loco Moco – a grass fed beef pattie on brown, black and red rice, topped with a fried egg and masala gravy.

Of course there are an array of protein packed salads, fresh juices and smoothies, all of which are available through The ‘Lil Ox, a takeaway window for those who need to eat (or drink coffee) on the run.

Inside tip: order a hot drink purely to experience the tasty side sensation that is a Matcha cookie.

Happy days Surfers Paradise, happy days.

HOURS: 7am to 4pm daily
LOCATION: Circle on Cavill, Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

Words and photos by Kirra Smith