Staying on top of the new Gold Coast restaurant openings is a full-time job – and one we take very, very seriously. We’ve hunted down, sipped and sampled the newest offerings and served them up right here, for you. Happy dining!
The House of Bamboo, Coolangatta
Blending tropical Asian eats with disco beats is no mean feat, but The House of Bamboo delivers in spades. They’ve transformed a basement space into a vibey izakaya unlike anything Cooly (or the Gold Coast, for that matter) has seen before. Our top picks? The char-grilled pineapple Tommy’s marg (need we say more?) and the Filipina-Colada – if you ask nicely, they’ll even show you how they make it. And for food, start with the miso corn and work your way up to the BYO (build your own) bao plate. The eggplant is unreal, too.
Fire Baby, Southport
Get set for the ultimate ‘twofer’ – two dining concepts, one roof. Fire Baby set tongues wagging when it opened its doors early this month, slinging authentic woodfired Italian pizza (and more) for hungry Southport locals. But there’s more to come – Embar is the highly-anticipated second course, promising a charcoal-fired dining experience like no other.
Italia Moto Pizza, Helensvale
It’s one thing to serve up authentic, delicious pizza and gelato – doing it with Italian edge, and clear care factor, is what sets Italia Moto apart. Already a fast favourite amongst Helensvale locals, they offer more than great food – a visit to Italia Moto is an all-encompassing experience, complete with custom beverages, cool merch and even their own comic book series.
AKA Asiatique Dining & Bar, Paradise Point
Another win for the northern Gold Coast, AKA Asiatique delivers a bold take on modern Asian – think Ballina king prawns, steak tartare and watermelon sashimi. Opening in late July, they’ve had some time to find their footing and are more than ready to welcome the crowds this spring (and beyond).
Both Espresso & Wine, Runaway Bay
Finally, an answer to the question, “Espresso or wine?”… Both! Whether you’re looking for somewhere to spend your Saturday night or Sunday morning, this cosy café-cum-wine-bar does it all – and it does it well. Since opening their doors in early August, they’re showing Runaway Bay locals that they can have it all.
REOPENING: Mamasan, Broadbeach
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, this Broadbeach favourite will reopen its doors in mid-September with a fresh new design. Expect dark, moody interiors an intimate private dining room and a menu that introduces new East Asian elements (and the cult classics). Co-founder Lauren Duitsch says this new chapter offers an exciting opportunity for Mamasan to offer the kind of dining experience Gold Coasters, and visitors alike, are hungry for.
“When we first opened, the Gold Coast was really just finding its feet beyond casual dining,” says co-founder Lauren Duitsch. “There’s so much more diversity on menus now, thoughtful wine programs have become the norm rather than the exception, and venues are thinking about the entire experience, not just what’s on the plate.
“People want the whole story now, not just good food. They want to understand where produce comes from, the inspiration behind a dish, and why certain ingredients work together. We’re getting noticed beyond the coast now, which gives us confidence to push boundaries with flavours and concepts that might have felt too bold in the early days.”
