Another year on the Gold Coast means another slew of game-changing new bars and eateries and while 2020 was a lot of things, it certainly was not an exception to that rule.
From the very best of bakeries to beautiful new bars, distilleries and restaurants nestled in bushland, there’s a little bit of everything and it’s all quite impressive.
Without further ado, let’s get into a list of 12 newbies you should sample at the earliest available opportunity.
MAMAN BAR & KITCHEN, BURLEIGH HEADS
One of the newest kids on the block is Maman Bar & Kitchen (pronounced ma-mo), and can be found on James Street in Burleigh with a sneaky back alley entrance and a stunning fitout, perfectly at home in our beachside suburb. The interior is all white, has artwork by artist Jai Vasicek and it’s an absolute delight. To eat, Mediterranean share-style plates and an impressive range of signature cocktails are on offer to wash it all down with. A feasting pleasure, perfect for summer soirees if ever there was one.
Where: 49 James Street, Burleigh Heads
MAGGIE CHOO, BROADBEACH
If bright and bold is your thing (and they absolutely should be in this instance), Maggie Choo is your new best friend. She’s a Broadbeach-born gal you definitely won’t miss; decked with neon lights and dark corners, live music and guaranteed good vibes. The food is of the modern Asian variety with a Cheeseburger Roti dish you have to try. There’s an entire menu filled with smashing cocktails unlike anything you’ve ever sipped before and all in all, it’s a very good time.
Where: Shop 105/89 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
PALM SPRINGS, BURLEIGH HEADS
Just opened in Burleigh Heads, sip morning margaritas at the Californian-inspired, Palm Springs Burleigh. Found just off the Gold Coast Highway heading northbound toward Miami, this new cafe will have you feeling all of those white, breezy Californian vibes. A stone’s throw from the beach, devour Cali Breakfast Burritos, bowls and bacon and egg burgers. For the interior, expect pastel green throughout the venue, plush seating, and round pendant lighting. With travel to the U.S off the cards, we can confirm this is the next best thing!
Where: 1878 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
MS. MARGOT’S BAR & EATS, SURFERS PARADISE
Tucked inside Hilton Surfers Paradise is a sleek little bar named Ms. Margot’s Bar & Eats, and she’s certainly one you’re going to want to get to know. An intimate space overlooking Orchid Avenue in Surfers Paradise, offerings include breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes, mostly share-style. There’s an impressive array of cocktails to sip on with a slogan that reads, ‘anytime is a good time’. You know what to do.
Where: Hilton Surfers Paradise, 6 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
LAS PALMAS, PALM BEACH
Overlooking the ocean and with a perfectly-at-home coastal vibe, Las Palmas moved into Palm Beach recently and made quite the splash. You’ll enter through a set of bright pink stairs and onto a wraparound deck, where you’ll find the best seats in the house. Inside is a pastel palette and a perfectly stocked bar, ready for you to choose from. You’ll nibble on Latin American eats with plenty of fresh seafood dishes on offer and of course, a delightfully matched drinks list that’ll make you (extra) happy to be in this stunning seaside city.
Where: Shop 6/1097 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
WILDFLOWER GIN DISTILLERY, VARSITY LAKES
We of the Gold Coast are many things (all of them good obviously) and most recently, the thing we are is home to a few exceptional distilleries, one of which is Wildflower Gin Distillery. Created by a few Burleigh locals, Wildflower’s inaugural sip is made up of botanicals found right here in our own backyard and it’s an absolute taste sensation. You can pop into the distillery to pick some up for yourself or order online. There are cans mixed with tonic on offer too. The team runs make-your-own gin classes, or you can simply pop in for a drink and a yarn.
Where: 2/486 Scottsdale Road, Varsity Lakes
STANLEY’S BARN RESTAURANT & BAR, UPPER COOMERA
Tucked away in the prettiest of local bushland, Stanley’s Barn Restaurant & Bar can be found onsite at Gold Coast Motor Museum and it’s a place you need to visit for more reasons than one. First of all, the Motor Museum is filled with vintage cars, many one-offs you won’t see anywhere else. All immaculate and very impressive. Second is, of course, the restaurant and bar which is serving up an exceptional, high-quality menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’ll find an exquisite, mostly Australian wine menu with plenty of local beers to match – it’s a win-win all ’round.
Where: 107 Kriedeman Road, Upper Coomera
TARTE BAKERY & CAFE, BURLEIGH HEADS
There are some people in the world who are unfairly good at things but lucky for us, lots of those people live on the Gold Coast. A couple of them are EXTREMELY good at baked goods and in very happy news, they opened Tarte Bakery & Café not long ago. It can be found on a leafy corner block in Burleigh Heads and offers some of the most magical baked treats you’ll ever eat, plus excellent coffee and a savoury brunch menu also filled with taste sensations. Do yourself a favour and try everything.
Where: 1748 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
BO’TEKU, COOLANGATTA
Down Cooly way and found directly across the road from the beach, Bo’teku opened recently and very quickly became a firm favourite. You’ll be sitting streetside with uninterrupted ocean views and a balmy sea breeze choosing from a menu filled with the freshest of seafood dishes and an even more exciting cocktail menu, perfect for afternoon drinks with your crew in the sunshine. There’s a cruisy DJ on Sunday afternoons and it’s pretty much summer personified (barsonified?). Yes.
Where: Shop 6/110 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
COMMON GROUND, BURLEIGH HEADS
If brunch of the beautiful, backyard garden variety is something you fancy (same), the very best place to be is Common Ground. Found on Hibiscus Haven in Burleigh, you’ll take a seat in the shade surrounded by a garden filled with flowers, all while filling your belly with a fresh, perfectly curated menu packed with mind-blowing flavours. There’s five-star coffee, fresh juices and a selection of take-home goodies like dried flowers, jams and spreads and beans by local legends Social Espresso. All the best things can be found there.
Where: 2/2 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
THE SALTY FOX (RYDGES GOLD COAST AIRPORT), BILINGA
The newest rooftop bar on the Coast is a very exciting one. Found on top of the Gold Coast’s first airport hotel, Rydges Gold Coast, and brand new to boot, The Salty Fox boasts 180-degree views of the ocean and a balmy ocean breeze. Not to mention, a menu with both quick bites or longer grazing style with nothing over $20, there’s occasional live music and drinks that’ll knock your knee-high long haul socks off.
Where: Rydges Gold Coast Airport, Terminal Drive, Bilinga
BUSHWALKER’S BAR AT GROOM’S COTTAGE, BINNA BURRA
Found within the magical Gold Coast hinterland, Binna Burra is a Gold Coast treasure of the highest order. It’s a heritage-listed property offering an authentic Australian nature experience and one you absolutely need to get involved in. The Groom’s Cottage Bushwalker’s Bar is set within Binna Burra Lodge, and it’s a delightful little spot for a Meze Plate and a glass of O’Reilly’s or Witches Falls wine or two. The perfect escape from the city for a sec.
Where: 1069 Binna Burra Road, Binna Burra
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.