Local's Guide to Palm Beach

Local's Guide to Palm Beach

16 Jan 2025

Situated on the southern Gold Coast, Palm Beach is loved for its laidback coastal character that blends natural beauty with urban cool. Bordered by Tallebudgera Creek to the north, Currumbin Creek to the south, with canals flowing throughout the suburb, life here is intrinsically connected to the water. It’s stunning stretch of sand has been crowned Queensland’s cleanest beach three times and surfing, boating, fishing, beach walks and paddleboarding are preferred past times in this neck of the woods. 

Palm Beach has also become a well-known dining destination, and you'll find foodies trawling the local farmers markets on a Saturday morning and enjoying long lunches or lively dinners at the numerous cafes, bars and restaurants scattered throughout the suburb. Discover what to do and where to go in this popular part of the Gold Coast.

Palm Beach Restaurants 

The Collective

The Collective, Palm Beach

The Collective has stood the test of culinary time in Palm Beach, slinging open its doors back in 2016, delivering global eats in a relaxed, spacious setting.Billed as a casual street food dining experience, there are an array of worldly flavours to choose from. With four different kitchens you under one roof can choose dishes from multiple menus including Mexican, Asian, American and Italian cuisines.The rooftop bar affords ocean glimpses and is the perfect place to host a party or an intimate catch up with friends. Cosy corners capture the ocean breezes, set amongst lush greenery and swaying palms.

Location: 1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Balboa

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Balboa Italian is a firm crowd favourite, offering authentic Mediterranean fare, with great service and some of the best woodfire pizza and toppings around (the pizzas are also available to take away). The double storey venue is styled with warm hues, leather furnishings and exposed brick, with an array of slick spaces to suit. From the alfresco decks to the dining hall and chesterfield bar lounge, to the private dining room upstairs. Balboa is popular with locals and visitors alike, and has put Palm Beach on the food map across the country. The Italian eatery offers a choice of a la carte or set menus.

Location: 1069 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Frida Sol

Say hola to Frida Sol! Styled with an array of eclectic Frida Kahlo trinkets and imagery and cacti, this modern Mexican Taqueria & Tequila Bar, embodies coastal chic with soul and sass. The menu is all about tasty tapas with an extensive cocktail list featuring a range margaritas. Think small plates, tacos, quesadillas and burrito bowls with vibrant fresh flavours. Ideally located upstairs to catch the ocean breezes, the venue oozes Mexican charm and is the place to fiesta, as the sun sets and on into the night. 

Location: 1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Palm Beach Surf Club

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A golden oldie and a goodie, Palm Beach Surf Club has one of the most iconic views in town with a deck that boasts absolute beach front. Undergoing a raft of changes throughout the decades, the club has community at heart, connecting people to their place. A popular spot with both locals and visitors, the family friendly venue offers an array of food, beverage and entertainment options. Serving up classics like the ‘Palmy Palmi’  along with daily specials, a full bar menu and raffles to be won. Palm Beach Surf Club is relaxed dining by the sea, with good hospitality and dreamy views across the ocean.

Location: 117 Jefferson Lane, Palm Beach

Costa Taco

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As the Palm Beach dining scene evolves, so do the Latin offerings from cult favourite Costa Taco, who have also opened a second venue in Broadbeach. The flavours of Mexico burst onto every plate, from tacos to tostadas and nachos loaded with all the good stuff. The vibrant venue is a hive of activity from day to night, serving up a menu from across the regions of Mexico and a delicious margarita to quench the thirst. Located on Gold Coast Highway, central to town, Costa Taco is a welcome addition for the coast’s subtropical climate.

Location: 1136 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Madame V

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The newest culinary kid on the block, Madame V has added a welcome modern Asian addition to the burgeoning Palm Beach foodie scene. The ultra slick venue is Asian inspired with exquisite dark hues to match, and a mystical entrance that entices you in from the street. The beachside restaurant offers an immersive food experience, peppered with the flavours of Asia, from a la carte dining to a decadent lounge bar to an authentic Yum Cha Sunday. (Image: Jade Quinlivan)

Location: 6 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach

Burgster

Burgster is one of the originals that kickstarted the town’s foodie scene way back when. Burgster is a local gem located in the back streets of Palm Beach, it’s the place to pull up a pew and stay awhile.Touted as a local burger joint with a bar twist, the Burgster crew are as welcoming as they are knowledgeable of all things local. Be tempted by an array of tasty burgers, like the Baja Fish Burger paired with a bar loaded with local producers. Pop in for Wing Wednesday, Cheeseburger Thursday or Friday and Saturday oyster happy hours from 3 - 5pm.

Location: 4/10 Philippine Parade, Palm Beach

Palm Beach Play

Palm Beach Farmers Market

The popular Gold Coast Farmers Markets in the grounds of Palm Beach Currumbin High and is the place to shop local, eat and play, every Saturday from 6 - 11.30am. Etched into the coast’s history, the market is like a mini festival with live music and street food, complementing the array of fresh produce. A meeting place for community and visitors alike, with a plethora of local stalls, banging coffee and baked goods, farm fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and seafood. 

Location: Palm Beach Currumbin State High School, Thrower Drive, Palm Beach QLD 4223

Palm Beach Parklands

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Visit the Palm Beach Parklands and pop up a picnic or grab a coffee and breakfast at Dune Café, whilst the kids play in the interactive Pirate Playground. There’s something for everyone including your furry friends, with a friendly dog beach located next to the park. The public park connects community and is immersed in nature, from the vast ocean to the sandy dunes and open green spaces.A place to gather with family and friends or take some solo time out and walk the many coastal tracks and board walks that weave in and around the parklands.

Location: 945 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Palm Beach Stays

The Cheshire Cat

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Everything old is new again, including the retro Cheshire Cat Motel, recently refurbished to its former glory with a contemporary edge. Offering an array of accommodation from a queen suite to a bungalow room that sleeps four, kitted out with velvet furnishings and retro chic interiors. Located beachside on the Gold Coast Highway, the motel is walking distance to local restaurants, bars and nearby beach, or there’s a super cute motel pool to bask the day away. (Image: Andy Macpherson)

Location: 1005 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach 

Mysa Motel

The Mysa Motel

Following on with the Gold Coast’s retro motel theme, the popular Mysa Motel has been reimagined with a modern twist, and a swag of cute touches. Inspired by Palm Springs, with a pink facade, blonde brick walls and retro shape pool, all complementing the bones of the original design. Located, town side of the highway, with a cute, kitsch neon sign, the motel is retro chic in design, with an array of aptly named rooms to suit - such as Lilac Affair and Sky Blue.

Location: 1100 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park

Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park creekside

Taking prime position on the idyllic Tallebudgera Creek at he northern end of Palm Beach, Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park is a family friendly holiday park with direct access to one of Gold Coast's most scenic and sparkling waterways. Book one of the cabins, perfect for large groups or intimate couple stays, pitch your tent or park your caravan. Soak up the scenery and enjoy the array of outdoor amenities to suit, from a swimming pool to a camp kitchen, tennis court and accessible boat ramp. Walking distance to local cafes and Burleigh across the headland, the Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park is the place to  coast’s sunny lifestyle all year round.

Location: 1544 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Crystal Pacific

These original 1970s Palm Beach apartments have been beautifully styled and renovated to create some Insta-worthy accommodation; a serene and chic oasis of coastal chill in an unbeatable location. It’s a short walk from Crystal Pacific to Tallebudgera Creek, the patrolled surf beach, cafes and the surf club. Light-filled one and two bedroom apartments come complete with elegant interiors, comfortable beds and large private decks with hanging daybeds - the ultimate spot for a nap or sundowner (spend all day there, we won’t judge!). An amazing magnesium pool is available exclusively for guests too.

Location: 1544 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Spend some time in Palm Beach and it's easy to see why it's such a popular spot with visitors and loved by locals. Keen to explore more of the Gold Coast? Check out our Local's Guide to Canungra and Tamborine Mountain.

 

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Kylie Mitchell-Smith
Kylie Mitchell-Smith

After more than two-decades in the media game, Kylie Mitchell-Smith (@travellingsenorita) digs deeper and goes underground to find the story. Frequenting far and wide to unique destinations all over the world, Kylie recounts her travels in her weekly Travelling Senorita blog and podcast adventures which are always laden with plenty of local food and wine bars.

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.