The Best Gold Coast Restaurants 2017!
The Gold Coast is home to hundreds of restaurants, cafes and bars, so it can be overwhelming at times choosing where to eat your next meal. We’ve listed our favourite places to dine and composed a guide of best restaurants on the Gold Coast. We’d love to know your thoughts and let us know if you agree! From best breakfast, to best ethnic foods, to best rooftop dining, we hope we’ve listed everything you’re looking for all in the one place.
BEST CUBAN
At The Cuban bar and lounge dining is inspired by the original party island of Cuba. Best known for its cocktails & mouthwatering cuisine, we’re excited to have it arrive on the Gold Coast. We recommend feasting on their slow cooked pork belly finished with a glaze of honey and chilli paired with apple and cinnamon. How about their “Ensalad Del Mar” of mixed salad greens, prawns rubbed with garlic and spice soaked in citrus juices, walnuts and glazed apples? Before perhaps finishing with a slice of Mojito Cheesecake. Cocktails anyone?
BEST GREEK
Hellenkia is purely simple authentic home-style Greek food with a modern twist. Nothing quite nourishes my body and soul like an authentic Greek salad of juicy vine ripened tomatoes, cucumber and feta drizzled with olive oil. Hellenkia’s signature dish, is the mouth-watering slow baked shoulder of lamb, which is a showcase itself! If you have never tried Greek food, this is the best place to come because nothing else will compare.
BEST INDIAN
Randhawas Indian Cuisine kitchens are run by a team of qualified chefs with 35 years of experience. Randhawa’s guarantee to you…..every single dish plated up to serve you is cooked right from scratch. They offer you all their curries mild, medium, hot or extra hot to be cooked to your liking with the freshest herbs, spices and vegetables exactly like royal dishes that are prepared and enjoyed by Moghul Kings of India. And they offer deliveries- which is why we love this place!
BEST MEXICAN
Just moments from the beach, Miss Margaritas is the perfect place to unwind. Watch the sunset as you sip on one of their various specialty margarita cocktails, and enjoy the freshly made favourite Mexican dishes such as their tropical pulled pork and caramelised tacos, salt and chilli lime calamari, authentic Spanish chorizo quesadilla, crispy snapper and mango burrito or house made chilli con carne! Andale, andale- Miss Margarita’s has all the right vibes!
BEST ITALIAN
A tough choice choosing the best, but we ranked De Vito Waterfront overall, due to the unique dining experience of a singing chef! The mix modern Italian style gourmet dining with the Gold Coast’s finest musicians and visiting international performers, is what creates an authentic atmosphere for us. An appetizing menu features a wide selection- including a 13 hour slow cooked pork belly, crispy fried cajun spiced calamari, slow braised beef cheeks in a fragrant bouillon, and of course- mama’s meatballs and house made spaghetti. Buon Appetito!
BEST THAI
Enjoy a true Thai experience with Thai House in Sanctuary Cove. Ignite your taste buds and take in the night ocean breeze as you fine dine in style. From green, red and yellow curries, to stir fries, noodles, fried rices and the chef’s specialties, this place is highly recommended during your stay on the Gold Coast.
BEST AMERICAN
Tribeca NYC is a New York inspired dining destination serving classic American food, nestled on Chevron Island. Tribeca NYC invites guests to enjoy a “Taste of New York”, by indulging in their menu inspired by the flavours of New York City. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you’ll be sure to visit this place more than just once. We are just crazy about the buffalo mac n cheese, as well as the Brooklyn all-star pork ribs smothered in smokey barbeque sauce. Snack on a yankee dog accompanied with a root beer float. You’ll definitely leave this place feeling more than satisfied.
BEST GERMAN
With the biggest selection of pure bier and modern authentic food on offer, the Bavarian Bier cafe & restaurant is an ideal destination and open every day of the week. Degust in haus made pretzels, sausage tasting platters, a variety of schnitzels and pork crackling rolls while you enjoy one of the 40 beers available. Be prepared to leave with big smiles and happy bellies!
BEST JAPANESE
Donto Sapporo is an authentic Japanese restaurant with expert chefs from Japan, so you know that the quality here will be unrivaled. From your favourites such as sushi, sashimi and tempura, to table top cooking and expert house menu items, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported abroad in this traditional Japanese decorated establishment.
BEST BRAZILIAN
Have you ever tasted an authentic Brazilian BBQ? Na Brasa have all the flavor and passion of the authentic Brazilian food and invite you to visit their all-you-can-eat restaurant in Broadbeach. You can expect chorizo, spicy chicken wings, eye fillet, beef ribs, leg of lamb, pork belly… the list goes on! You definitely won’t leave here unless you are full to the brim with great food.
BEST TAPAS
Social Eating House is just as the name describes, a place to bring clients, family, friends or someone special to enjoy shared plates from oysters to bar snacks, small plates and large plates. Sample the beautiful cured meats from Italy, Spain and Australia, share the free-range organic chargrilled barossa valley chook, marinating in lemon, garlic, fresh herbs & roasting juices, or snack on the sobrasada & potato bombas. Explore beautifully crafted dishes, best shared with laughter and good times.
BEST EUROPEAN
Like the highly prized truffle of Europe, Little Truffle Dining Room & Bar is a little gem dedicated to exceeding your dining experience. The ‘classical room’ features a mirror wall, 13 light crystal French chandelier and hand made vintage crystal glassware are some of the elegant and luxurious touches that make this dining experience wonderful. If the braised beef cheek with potato gnocchi, truffle cream sauce, sautéed mushrooms & alsace bacon, with grana parmesan, doesn’t get your juices flowing, we simply adore the raspberry soufflé with white chocolate sauce. Scrumptious is an understatement.
BEST ENGLISH PUB
Fox & Hounds is the Gold Coast’s only authentic English Pub, and the only pub in Australia to have actually been transported from England! At Fox & Hounds you will immediately feel like you are in England visiting an English Pub. Sample British Ales (as well as local beers), and sample traditional fare such as Toad in the Hole, Yorkshire Pudding and Guinness Pie. Quaint charms of the fireplace, English memorabilia, and friendly bar wenches make this a terrific dining experience.
BEST ASIAN
Mamasan Kitchen + Bar offers the perfect blend of tradition and modern cuisine from South East Asia, with authentic flavours combined together with precision synergy. Enter through the concrete and cherry blossom peppered doorway and experience a menu of Asian infusions from a selection of steamed dumplings & buns, to Korean fried chicken tossed in sweet & spicy sauce, Japanese miso brushed cod, and mouth water peking duck. Simply the best of Asia under one roof!
BEST SEAFOOD
Tough choice- there’s so many wonderful places to go but we love the ambient music, waterfront marina views and the experience at Glass Dining & Lounge Bar. An array of oysters, sizzling garlic prawns, char grilled slipper lobsters, and pancetta-wrapped barramundi await you, and don’t worry- there’s a selection of steaks for those who aren’t lovers of the sea to win any compromise.
BEST STEAK
Moo Moo The Wine Bar + Grill is a multi award winning, undoubtedly the Gold Coast’s Best Steak Restaurant and one of Queensland’s premier restaurant venues, so it’s no surprise that it’s also made it onto our list as “best steak”. While seafood and poultry are also on the menu, beef is the star of the show – with menus informing you of the breed, age, size and diet of the cut you’re consuming. Cooked over coal & wood, the flavor simply melts in your mouth. Now to pair it with the perfect wine!
BEST BURGERS
Longboards Laidback Eatery & Bar is the Gold Coasts best gourmet burger & craft beer bar, home to the famous PHAT bastard burger challenge and positioned in the heart of Surfers Paradise under the iconic Q1 building. The PHAT bastard burger consists of 600 grams of grilled wagyu goodness topped with layers of streaky bacon, melted cheddar cheese, slow roasted BBQ pulled pork, crispy fried beer battered onion rings, lettuce, tomato, coleslaw and covered in our house made PHAT ass sauce then stuffed into a Super sized brioche roll & served with a pile of fries. If you decline this challenge- don’t worry- there’s 16 other delicious burgers on the menu o choose from!
BEST BBQ GRILL
At Woodchoppers Inn, it’s all about “Low and Slow”. They take the techniques & skills which makes North American BBQ world famous, and infuse classic Australian flavours to create a distinctly local BBQ experience. From seafood to poultry, vegetables to game and meats a plenty, the art of BBQ opens up a world of dishes just waiting to hit the table. 16 beers on tap ranging from the old favourites to some new and adventurous Craft Beers are up on offer as well. Dig into those ribs and wings and fulfill your bbq cravings.
BEST ALL DAY MENU
Pancakes on the Rocks may as well be an Australia icon now, open 7am-10:30pm everyday, it’s the perfect place for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon bite, dinner or late night snack! Don’t be fooled by the name – though their specialty is pancakes- pizzas, salads, crepes, all day breakfast, as well as beef and pork ribs are also available. We love the “Black Forest Cherry” which consists of 2 chocolate pancakes with cherries in cherry brandy sauce, finished with cream, chocolate ice cream and a sprinkling of chocolate chips and drizzled with chocolate sauce!
BEST VEGETARIAN
Shiraz specializes in authentic Persian cuisine, and while it is not a vegetarian-only restaurant, it does carry a great selection of vegetarian items on their menu. Dishes are infused with Persian ingredients such as saffron, pomegranate and spinach, and the collaboration of fresh produce with old world spices are a devine marriage of flavours. We give this place two thumbs up, and it’s conveniently located in the heart of Surfers Paradise.
BEST OUTDOOR DINING
Escape to Garden Kitchen + Bar with it’s cascading greenery, sun drenched deck, lush green lawn and stylish light filled spaces. Garden Bar’s fresh seasonal menu features a wide variety of dishes for lunch, dinner and snacks. Go crazy for their ricotta & watercress salad, free range crispy chicken burger, citrus & chilli oysters, sticky plum pulled pork belly, Tasmanian salmon, dry aged nolan ribeye, honeycomb cheesecake…ok, ok- we love it all- which is why it made it’s way onto our list!
BEST ROOFTOP
Dine in paradise at Four Winds 360°, Queensland’s only revolving restaurant. Soar above the Gold Coast with breathtaking views from the spectacular rooftop location at Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise. There’s a sumptuous buffet menu of fresh seafood, hot dishes and decadent desserts, can be enjoyed whilst you overlook the magnificent coastline and hinterland. Enjoy picturesque vistas as far as the eye can see. Savour iconic views, from the golden sand and surf of the coastline. At night, be mesmerized by the stars above and the buzz of the city lights below.
BEST DINNER & SHOW
Dish names like “Bram Stoker’s Beef”, “Furnace of Fish” and “Count Vlad’s Chicken,” you’ll feel immersed in every aspect of this spine-tingling vaudeville experience. Experience an unforgettable evening that will leave you breathless at Dracula’s Cabaret Restaurant. Enter via a ghost train ride where weird waiters and talented performers sink their teeth into a night of comedy, rock, puppetry and amazing horror FX. The fast paced show will thrill and entertain you whilst you dine into a three course dinner served with flair and madness. Dare to enter and you will leave exhilarated.
BEST WINE
Artfully designed by an esteemed architect, this magnificent 130-seat restaurant is home to an award winning Venetian culinary style menu and was awarded two wine glasses in both 2014 and 2015 from The Gourmet Traveller Wine List of the Year Awards, to over 150 hand-selected wines perfectly matched to the Cicchetti food menu. Cicchetti boasts an 18-page wine menu, from aperitifs & sherrys, through to new world & old world wine varietals from all corners of the globe. Raise you glasses everybody, I’ll drink to that!
BEST COCKTAIL BAR
The elegant chandelier bar at Tiffany’s offers all your favourite champagnes and cocktails and an extensive selection of premium wines perfect for late afternoons and early evenings drinks. Come to relax and socialize with water views, or enjoy a late luncheon.
BEST PUB
‘Public House’ was the original term for what we now all refer to as ‘The Pub’. A public house was just that; a house made public, offering food, drink and respite to the local community. Glenelg Public House welcomes you to like you to join them for this experience. Constantly changing according to the availability of seasonal produce, their menus make a point to be gluten-free friendly. Specializing in beef with a variety of dishes akin to a gastro pub, this is a great place to chill with friends or grab a cold beer.
BEST BREAKFAST
While there are so many great places for breakfast on the Gold Coast, we have chosen the newly opened Loose Moose bar + grill in Broadbeach. Eggs benedict sliders, brekkie burgers and hangover dawgs, to nutella waffles, pitaya bowls and red velvet pancakes, this place has won a place in our hearts and on our list!
Have a favourite that hasn’t made our list? Then comment below and tell us what we are missing!
