Tallebudgera
The quiet end of the coast. A handful of local restaurants, easy beachfront dining, and the kind of dinner that ends with a slow walk back along the water.
Dining by Mood
Whatever You're After
Eight ways to eat on the coast, from barefoot at the beach to a table dressed in candlelight. Tell us the mood, and we'll point you to the right corner of the Gold Coast.
Casual • Waterfront
Beachfront Casual
Barefoot on the sand, fresh fish & chips in one hand, ice cream in the other. Beachfront bars, sunset drinks, and the easy, un-rushed pace of the water's edge.
Featured Spots
Rick Shores
South-east Asian kitchen and bar on Burleigh's esplanade with a beachfront terrace.
Edgewater
Beachfront dining and bar at the foot of the Q1 tower with skyline views.
Cafe Catalina
Long-running beachfront cafe in Southport, a local favourite for brunch and coffee.
The Winey Cow
Relaxed café and wine bar in Main Beach, with a famous beachfront terrace.
Broadbeach Tavern
Relaxed beachfront pub near the Broadbeach beach and tram stop.
Fresh • Local Catch
Seafood & Oysters
Fresh local catch, oyster bars, and a proper seafood grill. The reef and the river feed some of the best seafood on the east coast — come hungry.
Featured Spots
Haven Burleigh Heads
Elegant beachfront seafood restaurant in the Mondrian, known for its oyster and crudo bar.
Galaxy Seafood Restaurant
Long-established seafood restaurant in the heart of Southport.
Burleigh Pavilion
Iconic beachfront pavilion precinct housing multiple restaurants, bars and events venues.
Citrique
Citrus-themed dining room in the JW Marriott with live seafood selection.
Soak Bathhouse
Tropical wellness bathhouse with pools, saunas, plunge pools and a bar — the coast's iconic unwind spot.
Slow Mornings
Coffee & Brunch
Specialty coffee, all-day brunch, and a good bakery to round it off. For slow weekends, late breakfasts, and the kind of morning that runs long.
Featured Spots
Tarte Bakery & Cafe
Award-winning bakery and cafe in Burleigh Heads, known for sourdough and pastry.
Paddock Bakery
Beloved wood-fired bakery and café in Burleigh Heads.
Next Door Espresso
Popular independent coffee shop and café in Burleigh Heads.
Elk Espresso
Well-known specialty coffee and light-meal café in Broadbeach.
Stairwell Coffee
Popular specialty coffee bar in Surfers Paradise.
Best in QLD
Asian Dining
Sushi, ramen, Thai, Vietnamese — the Gold Coast has some of the best Asian food in Queensland, full stop. From street-style stalls to proper sit-down places, this is the one to book first.
Featured Spots
Jimmy Wah's
Modern Vietnamese share-style dining in Burleigh Heads, famous for its wood-fire cooking.
Chiang Mai Thai
Well-known Thai restaurant on the Surfers Paradise strip.
Yamagen
Japanese teppanyaki and bar inside QT hotel in Surfers Paradise.
Rick Shores
South-east Asian kitchen and bar on Burleigh's esplanade with a beachfront terrace.
Baritalia
Italian restaurant and bar on the Surfers Paradise strip — included for the pasta you'll want to stay for.
Tasting Menus
Fine Dining
Multi-course tasting menus, wine pairings, and intimate settings. When you want to mark the occasion properly — anniversary, big birthday, or just because — these are your nights out.
Featured Spots
Restaurant Labart
Award-winning fine dining on Tallebudgera Creek, long-time “Best Restaurant in Queensland”.
Citrique
Citrus-themed dining room in the JW Marriott with live seafood selection.
Haven Burleigh Heads
Elegant beachfront seafood restaurant in the Mondrian, known for its oyster and crudo bar.
Justin Lane
Popular sourdough pizza and pasta house with a rooftop bar in the Burleigh Pavilion precinct.
The Tropic
Beachfront dining and bar in the Burleigh Pavilion, known for tropical-inspired menus.
Outdoor • Local Produce
BBQ & Grill
Outdoor dining, local produce, and a steak done right. Grills, gardens, and long afternoons that turn into the best kind of dinner.
Featured Spots
Hurricane's Grill & Bar
Long-established high-rise grill with panoramic Gold Coast skyline views.
Fire Baby
Southport's flagship pizzeria and fire kitchen (Pizzeria + Ember) on the Esplanade.
Gold Coast Tavern
Lively all-weather pub with big outdoor beergarden, popular with locals.
BMD Northcliffe Surf Club
Beachfront surf club with pool, bars and beach bars; a Surfers Paradise landmark.
Sunset • Spirits
Cocktails & Bars
Proper cocktails, signature drinks, and rooms worth lingering in. When the meal is done and the ice is still melting, these are where the night goes.
Featured Spots
White Rhino Bar and Eats
Tiki-themed cocktail bar and eatery in QT hotel, one of the coast's best-known bars.
Rossella's
Design-focused cocktail bar in Burleigh Heads, a Gold Coast institution for spirits.
The Exhibitionist Bar
Art-inspired cocktail bar inside HOTA with rotating exhibition spaces.
Finn McCool's Irish Bar
Popular Irish-style bar and restaurant in Surfers Paradise.
The Cambus Wallace
Beachfront bar and grill in Mermaid Beach, popular with the Mermaid Beach crowd.
Save Room
Dessert & Sweet
Ice cream, patisserie, chocolate, and everything else that earns its place at the end of the meal. Save room — this part is the best part.
Featured Spots
Tarte Bakery & Cafe
Award-winning bakery and cafe in Burleigh Heads, known for sourdough and pastry.
Paddock Bakery
Beloved wood-fired bakery and café in Burleigh Heads.
Bam Bam Bakehouse
Beachside bakery and café in Mermaid Beach.
Bumbles Cafe
Popular all-day brunch and coffee cafe in the JW Marriott beachfront.
