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Beachside Bites: The Best New Restaurants on the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast dining scene has grown up, and we’re here to try it all. These are the best new restaurants on the Gold Coast to explore.
The Gold Coast dining scene is glowing up. No matter what type of cuisine you’re craving, there’s a fun new venue serving fresh flavours that hit the spot every. dang. time. Once upon a time, the dining scene here could be relied upon for cheerful, casual, tourist-friendly cafes.
Nowadays, you’ll find a sharper focus placed on local produce, immersive dining, and elevated venue design — all the hallmarks of unforgettable foodie experiences.
If you’re ready to give your regulars a rest and try something a little different, you’re in the right place. Scroll on to discover the best new restaurants on the Gold Coast to try.
The Best New Gold Coast Restaurants: Coming Soon
Kuroki Teppanyaki
The latest venture from the team behind Kamikaze in Coomera, Kuroki is a fun new teppanyaki restaurant that takes your dining experience to new levels (of fun).
With a vision to create an upscale teppanyaki experience, Kuroki presents a new take on Japanese fire-crafted cuisine in Sanctuary Cove. Named for the Japanese phrase for “black wood”, this new Gold Coast restaurant embodies the aesthetic and energy that its name quietly evokes.
Dine at the teppan for the authentic live experience, or opt for an intimate table to dine à la carte or from a bento box.
Opens early November
Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove
The Best New Gold Coast Restaurants: November
River House
Sitting pretty on the banks of Nerang River, this gorgeous new addition to the Gold Coast’s culinary scene is a celebration of simplicity and seasonality. Executive Chef Grant Madgwick is behind the menu which combines Asian and European ingredients and techniques with the flavours of coastal Australia. Guests can look forward to the likes of extra large BBQ Moreton Bay bugs, Cape Grim eye fillet, duck confit xo and decadent seafood platters.
Letting the waterfront location shine, the interiors of River House fuses ambient lighting with a serene palette and natural textures.
2 Barney Street, Southport
The Best New Gold Coast Restaurants: July
Meltemi
Bringing the flavours of the Mediterranean to Broadbeach is Meltemi – named after the warm winds that blow across the Aegean ocean. This 120-seat restaurant is the latest venture from restaurateurs Dino and Kate Georgakopoulos (of the popular Xenia Grill at Main Beach and Coolangatta).
It’s safe to say that the Georgakopoulos’ know what the GC dining scene favours, and they’re here to deliver. Meltemi’s kitchen will be helmed by hatted chef Tapos Singha, and his menu melds the best of the Med’s cuisine to create the ultimate banquet of share plates.
Dive into sizzling saganaki cheese, nibble at pickled vegetables, let filo cigars melt in your mouth and scoop up morsels of tajine as you send your taste buds on a European summer escape.
17 Albert Avenue, Broadbeach, Gold Coast
The Best New Gold Coast Restaurants: June
LiTO
For a little slice of Euro summer in Queensland… LiTO nails the brief. Whether it’s your morning espresso bathed in sunshine, or a long, languid lunch reminiscent of an Italian aperitivo hour, you can’t go past this chic Gold Coast restaurant.
There are three dreamy ways to dine at this seaside spot – indoors (with interiors by Alexander &CO that blend Mediterranean detail with Australian charm), alfresco with the fresh breeze, or at the semi-private chef’s table beside the open, wood-fired kitchen.
The wine list celebrates both Australian and Italian producers, while the menu (by Chef Andrea Morigi) focuses on Italian classics, reimagined with local produce, served with relaxed generosity.
It’s the kind of energy the Gold Coast is known and loved for, taken to the next level by the Mondrian team.
Mondrian Hotel, Ground Floor, 3 First Avenue, Burleigh Head
Haven
The stunning new Mondrian Hotel isn’t just bringing luxury escapism to Burleigh, it’s also harbouring a tasty little dining destination… a Haven, if you will.
Blending homegrown favourites with nostalgic flavours, Haven is set to become quintessential Burleigh dining. This restaurant is designed to shift with you throughout the day, stretching over a third-floor dining room, pool club, private cabanas and a sunset bar. Expect fresh seafood from the Northern Rivers and Eastern seaboard, and a raw bar with chilled bites perfect for those warm summer days.
“I want people to feel the season and the source with every bite, because when ingredients are respected, simplicity speaks loudest. We’re not trying to overwork anything — the quality of the produce does the talking. It’s all about creating food that feels grounded but still sparks a sense of occasion in this beautiful part of the world.” – Chef Aaron Teece
Indulge in some beachside lounging in Haven’s luxurious surrounds, and enjoy the flavours of paddock-to-plate dishes and curated sips.
The Mondrian, Level 3, 3 First Avenue, Burleigh Heads
Devoured Our Guide to the Best New Restaurants on the Gold Coast & Hungry For More? Read These Next:
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Norte
This moody new Latin American restaurant is brought to you by the team behind Rick Shores, so you already know it’s worth a look in! Rome wasn’t built in a day, and that’s certainly the case with Norte and its upstairs rooftop bar Sueno – over half a decade of research and planning has gone into the creation of these stunning new venues.
The menu here revolves around the custom-built hearth and can be split into raw dishes, bar snacks, masa (corn-based plates), mains, sides and of course, dessert. There’s an extensive wine list to choose from, with 150 bottles in the collection, or you can head upstairs to sip on rare tequila and mezcal.
2217 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Bar Monte
The newest addition to the Gold Coast dining scene is from the team behind Light Years. Bar Monte is a gorgeous new bar and restaurant, dishing up hearty Italian eats and pouring exceptional wine from a list curated by top sommelier, Andrea Martinsi.
The menu spans modern takes alongside Italian classics, with dishes like cacio e pepe, linguine di Mare and a bolognese Wagyu ragù stealing the show. Make sure you arrive with plenty of appetite, stretchy pants and pals to share plates with – because the starters and entrées here are an event of their own. Think anchovy toast with smoked tomato butter, gnoccho fritto and kingfish crudo.
3 Mountain View Avenue, Miami
If your dinner plans are sorted now, thanks to our edit of the best new restaurants on the Gold Coast, lock in date night drinks next! Here are the newest bar openings on the GC. Making plans for the morning? These are the best beaches to hit when the sun rises.
