If there is one thing we Gold Coasters can get ourselves around, it’s a lively and welcoming open-air venue that offers you abundant opportunities to drink, eat, and socialise in — let’s be honest with ourselves here — some of our country’s finest weather. Our southern neighbours may have some stellar al-fresco establishments — however, they can’t match our climate. Should you consider yourself a fully-fledged aficionado of rooftop action, then we suggest you read on, as Nobby Beach welcomes the exciting new arrival of Tropic Vice.

For those with a keen eye and good memory, you’ll notice the venue has taken over the space of much-lauded Split and Fat Pig. Some things just aren’t meant to last forever. And with summer only just around the corner, Tropic Vice has sidestepped perfectly into the fold as the place to sip and graze your way through long summer afternoons without a care in the world.

In prime position over the Nobby Beach dining hub, the venue boasts unparalleled views towards the hinterland whilst catching refreshing sea breezes from the ocean only two blocks away — all up, the positioning is one of a kind. The styling and décor are a clever admixture of East and West Coast America — Florida Keys meets California’s Coachella Valley — with gushes of eye-catching fluorescents and clean white accents throughout.

The space finds itself divided into three different sections with a central grassed area for mingling, high side tables ideal for grabbing some shade and taking in some food, whilst a raised deck area backed by neon lights presents the chance to relax and take in all the action. Tying it all together are palm fronds, plants, and calming notes of greenery: a subtle reminder of the lush sub-tropical setting we get to call home!

Whilst the ambience and aesthetic may have distinct roots in North America, the food menu hinges itself entirely on the big fresh and zesty flavours of South America with a peppering of Caribbean influences thrown in there too. Start things off with Fresh White Fish Ceviche, be it Snapper, Kingfish or Swordfish, before tucking into hearty Tacos with fillings such as Achiote Pulled Pork or Marinated Jackfruit. If you’re tackling a big hunger, then dishes from the grill like Chilli Garlic Prawns with fresh mango salsa and seared Flank Steak with Argentina’s famous Chimichurri sauce should have you covered.

The cocktail offering is no doubt a place most people will skip to — and you can’t be blamed. The list is divvied into the subheadings of Signatures, Slushies, and a dedicated Tropic Margaritas section. Amongst the house designed libations, you’ll come across the Tropic Martini: lashings of vodka meets passionfruit, mint, and pomegranate. All expertly shook into a frosty glass for your sipping pleasure.

As good as the liquid refreshments already sound, it doesn’t stop there. By partnering up with Mumm and Perrier-Jouët Champagnes, Tropic Vice will be offering two exciting ways to sip champagne without seriously hurting your pocket. The first is an in-the-works Bottomless Brunch which will feature several dishes and unlimited Mumm Champagne. Designated for Sundays, you’ll need to keep an eye out for when they get this one underway.

The second will be available at any time, consisting of a bottle of Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque and a dozen of the freshest shucked oysters served natural or with a tantalising diced watermelon and Jamaican vinegar dressing. At a modest $120, this little deal will go down a treat between a few friends or a couple enjoying themselves on a lazy afternoon!

The venue will be open from Friday 1st October and will be providing live DJs Friday – Sundays each week with sets playing from 4pm till late. The hot season isn’t quite here yet, but with a high chance of glorious weather coupled with the always buzzing vibes of Nobby Beach as a backdrop, it looks like Tropic Vice is making a strong case for summer coming early this year.

Where: Upstairs 2215 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach
Hours: Opening Friday 1st October 2021
Wednesday/Thursday 4pm – 10pm, Friday-Sunday 12pm – 10pm.

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

Fess up – you’re a sucker for an Italian (aka carb-fuelled) feed, no? Especially one boasting THE coolest fit-out in pumping Palm Beach, where Mediterranean and Moroccan vibes collide with just the right amount of panache. In case you haven’t picked up what we’re putting down, we’re referring to the southern GC’s new numero uno destination for intimate Italian eats – Toro’s Pizza.

A shared passion for quality food, and a mutual love for creating a relaxed dining experience for family and friends inspired Toro’s owners Alex Ghazarian & Nathan Favro to hatch a plan. And hatch a plan they did! With an on-trend pinky peaches-and-cream colour palette, offset by classic blue Moroccan tiled tabletops, draping greenery, and THAT mirrored arch over the bar, Toro’s chic styling gets a big tick from us.

Oh and speaking of big ticks, it’s BYO. So if we didn’t already, now we have your undivided attention.

The spread is quintessentially Italian, but with a healthy dose of tasty modern accents to keep us interested. Very interested. We’re fangirling something fierce over their signature Arancini Balls with truffle-infused mushroom, garlic aioli and parmesan.

As for go-to dishes, the rustic Pizza selection is positively drool-worthy. They deliver the goods….and then some. There are of course your go-to sure-fire winners, like the humble Margarita Classic, but if you’re after something with a little more spunk, you’re spoilt for choice. The Zucchini Prawn Pizza with a tomato base, mozzarella, prawns, zucchini, feta, garlic lemon and parsley is difficult to pass up, as is the white based Pulled Pork Pizza with mozzarella, chorizo, shallots, slaw, coriander & lime. 

Never fear pasta lovers, you’re also catered for with a handful of carefully curated dishes which pair perfectly with their classic salads. The little people are taken care of too, with all their favourite (fail safe!) meals making an appearance on the menu.

For dessert, tuck into the Nutella Pizza but be warned; your co-diners will do their darndest to swipe a sneaky slice. And as for a signature cocktail to wash this all done with… we’re told something very exciting is coming soon (eeee!) So watch this space!

If you’re after quality Italian with an air of both finesse and convenience, call off the search. Toro’s is your new local.

When:  Tue – Sun, 5pm – late (closed Mon)
Where: Shop 2/7 Eighth Ave, Palm Beach

Words by Bianca Trathen.

We’ve lost count of all of the best beachside spots on the Coast where you can eat, drink and shop your little heart away, but one of the ol’ favourites has had a comeback and we’re all here for it.

Nobby’s is well and truly in its slay era and to be honest, we can’t get enough. Locals have loved the beachside suburb forever and to be fair, so have we, but there’s been a surge of seriously epic new venues that have made us fall in love all over again.

We’ve taken the task of trying out the 16 reasons why locals can’t get enough of Nobby’s – you’re welcome – so you can see for yourself what all the fuss is about.

The Oxley 1823
You’ve no doubt seen it pretty much everywhere (guilty), but have you actually visited The Oxley yet? It’s been one of Nobby’s most anticipated new arrivals for as long as we can remember, and we think it’s safe to say now it’s well and truly living up to expectations. They’ve got brekky and lunch covered with the crew at Sunkist, coffee on tap at Buoy and everything you need from groceries, fresh meats and seafood, flowers and made to order juices covered at The Oxley Village Grocer, Butcher and Sub Station. A little birdy also told us there are even more goodies opening a little later this year, so watch this space.
Where: 17 Lavarack Road, Mermaid Beach

Holliday Coffee
Good vibes, great coffee and a seriously strong jaffle game(!!) – what’s not to love about Holliday? No seriously, our caffeine addiction is being single handedly fuelled by these guys. It’s pretty much always buzzing – what is always a good sign if you ask us. Follow the smell of the freshly ground coffee beans, grab a seat outside (our personal favourite spot) and spoilt yourself with a little treaty. Go on, you’ve earned it.
Where: 2251 Gold Coast Highway (corner of Wave St), Nobby Beach

Franc Jrs
Okay big call but this may just be one of the best pizza joints on the Gold Coast and Franc-ly, it’s about time they spread the love to other parts of the city because why should Coolangatta have all the fun? The menu has all the signatures from the Cooly store and you can choose to eat in and soak up the vibes or grab and go – the perfect addition to a picnic on the beach if you ask us. Our favourite part of ordering to-go? Sipping on a cheeky frozen marg while you wait.
Where: Shop 2/32 Lavarack Road, Nobby Beach

Alfred’s Apartment
Mermaid’s loss is Nobby’s gain because you best believe we’ve been living at Alfred’s since the OG started calling its new address home. Still the same vibe you love from the original Alfred’s, the space now has a schmick industrial fit out, ripper coffee and, of course, all the merch that we know you can’t get enough of. If you’re off the coffee train you’ll want to get around their viral strawberry matcha.
Where: 2225 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Fosters Bakery
No one does pies or baked goods quite like Foster’s Bakery, they’re famous for a reason and known for delivering that classic bakery feel of yesteryear. The ultimate spot for a pie (you know you love them) or a jam donut loaded with sugary goodness, we’re nostalgic just thinking about it.
Where: Shop 1/2227 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Tropic Vice
This place is a VIBE. The sun-lit rooftop is the perfect setting to sip on signature cocktails & graze on a unique “Florribean” inspired menu, combining flavours of the Caribbean and South America. The space was stylishly updated last year, still paying homage to the iconic Palm Springs and Miami influence, it’s one of those spots you just want to sip and stay all day.
Where: Upstairs 2215 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach

About a Girl
One of our favourite little gems in Nobby’s is of course, About a Girl boutique. They’ve got the perfect mix of wardrobe staples and current trending pieces, they’ve got gorgeous linen sets, minis, maxis and so much more for every occasion, as well as a curated selection of hand-picked homewares you didn’t know you absolutely need.
Where: 2/2211 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Tayta Nikkei
This Nobby newcomer brought a taste of Nikkei cuisine to the Gold Coast. With its intimate setting boasting 60 seats, Tayta Nikkei exudes a dark and moody ambiance, complemented by traditional Peruvian colors and patterns. The menu showcases a delightful array of seafood and ceviche-style specialties, inviting guests on a culinary journey like no other.
Where: 2/2243 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Mexicali
You had us at Mexican. We challenge you to find someone who doesn’t love a good Mexican feed… Go on, we’ll wait. Calling Nobby’s home for probably longer than most of us have, Mexicali never fails to bring the vibes (and the bevs) all year long. Once you make your way upstairs it’s seriously like entering the ultimate secret spot, if you close your eyes for a second it’s almost like you’re actually in Tulum. Once you’ve knocked back a few tacos and cocktails, don’t forget to snap the iconic stair shot as you exit – you know what we’re talking about, don’t lie.
Where: Level 1, 2223 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach

Bine Bar & Dining
Let’s talk Bine. Specialising in craft beer and perfectly matched food, and…need we say more? With 8 rotating taps, a bunch of different bottled beers, a selection of wines and mouth-watering cocktail options matched with a modest yet decadent menu, there are plenty of reasons to love it….and come back again and again.
Where: 1/28 Chairlift Ave, Nobby Beach

Okazu
Now there’s a decent dose of Japanese going around our hood, but we can never get enough. Have any of these sushi bars or poke bowl dreamboats failed us? The answer is a hard no. Okazu is no exception, this convenient grab and go spot featuring Donburi, Okonomiyaki and Sushi Rolls is as fresh as it is delicious and it has us coming back every day.
Where: 2223 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach

BSKT Cafe
Ahh BSKT, you are simply the gift that keeps on giving. The menu just keeps delivering year on year and honestly, if you haven’t been here yet are you even a true Gold Coaster? Consistently voted one of the best tables in town, there is not a single dish that doesn’t hit a home run.
Where: 4 Lavarack Rd, Nobby Beach

Nobbys Shack
If health food is your (sugar-free) jam, one would hope you’ve cottoned on to The Shack Superfood Café and if not, it’s about time you convert. With tasty eco-friendly meals like smoothies, acai bowls and wraps in a breezy, non-pretentious environment, the brand spanking new version of the previous fave The Shack Superfood Café, lives up to its predecessor’s high standards…and then some.
Where: 2241 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach

Cambus Wallace
A nautical-themed rum and whisky bar delivering old school service and quality, it’s a long-standing crowd-pleaser for good reason. The space is low-lit, close-knit and always pumping. Swing in for some delish share plates, a drink or two and soak up the intimate ambience. Live music with a side of gin and fresh squeezed apple juice? Name a more iconic duo, we’ll wait…
Where: 4/2237 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach

SOMM Wine Store
Yeah we’ve talked a lot about foody joints (how unlike us – said no-one ever) but there is absolutely no denying that SOMM Wine store is a firm local favourite of the vino variety. SOMM (aka us) might even say it’s the only place you should be exploring to find your favourite drop.  Owned by husband and wife duo Joe and Natalie, their backstory is reflected in the carefully curated wines begging to occupy real estate at your next dinner party. Specialising in boutique wineries, their wine experts will help you find a winner every time.
Where: 2245 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach

That mural
Speaking of Mexicali and epic art (and no, we’re not talking about the food this time), a much-loved part of the Nobbys highway strip is the eye-catching mural adorning one side of the restaurant in all its bright-hued glory. Designed and painted by local legend Luke Day, the colourful creation and all its pinky bluey goodness is THE spot to snap the most aesthetic insta shot you could wish for. Say cheese…or churros!
Where: The north side of Mexicali (you won’t miss it)

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.