Where to Eat on the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast's dining scene has exploded over the past decade. Once known mainly for surf clubs and pub meals, the Coast now rivals any Australian city for quality eating. Here's our guide to the best dining precincts.
Broadbeach — The Dining Hub
Broadbeach has become the Gold Coast's premier dining destination. The Oracle complex, Victoria Avenue, and surrounding streets are packed with exceptional restaurants.
- Moo Moo (The Wine Bar & Grill): Top-tier steakhouse with an extensive wine list.
- Kiyomi: Japanese izakaya-style dining with a theatrical teppanyaki room.
- Social Eating House + Bar: Modern Australian tapas-style sharing plates.
- Stokehouse Q: Beachfront dining (part of the Melbourne Stokehouse family). Great for seafood and sunset views.
- Omera Bros: Modern Indian sharing menu in a stylish setting.
- Mikado Teppanyaki: Entertaining teppanyaki at The Star.
Burleigh Heads — The Cool Spot
James Street (and surrounds) is the heart of Burleigh's dining scene. Laid-back, creative, and community-focused.
- The Paddock Bakery: Iconic bakery in an old Queenslander house. Famous for doughnuts and breakfast.
- Burleigh Pavilion: Beachfront dining, cocktails, and people-watching. The fish and chips are legendary.
- No Name Lane: Hidden laneway with excellent Italian (Custodi) and wine bar (Wine Beat).
- Jimmy Wah's: Modern Vietnamese sharing dishes. Always busy.
- Burleigh Brewing Co: The OG Gold Coast craft brewery. Great beers, food trucks, and a relaxed courtyard.
- Broken Hearts Yoga Club: Creative brunch spot in an industrial-meets-bohemian setting.
Surfers Paradise
The glitz and glamour end of Gold Coast dining. High-rise views, celebrity chefs, and tourist-friendly options.
- Rick Shores: Stunning Asian-fusion restaurant at the southern end of Surfers. The crab Roll is nationally famous.
- Glass Dining & Lounge Bar: Waterfront fine dining at Marina Mirage.
- Garden Kitchen & Bar (QT Hotel): Beautiful poolside dining that's accessible to non-guests.
- House of Brews: Massive gastropub with gaming, pool, and all-day dining.
Mermaid Beach / Nobby Beach
A rapidly emerging dining strip along Hedges Avenue and Lemon Avenue.
- Helm Bar & Dining: Sophisticated seafood and cocktails at Nobby Beach.
- Baecke: Korean-fusion bowls, burgers, and fried chicken. Casual and delicious.
- Gemelli Italian: Authentic Italian trattoria at Broadbeach Waters.
- Miss Moneypenny's (Main Beach): Ultra-exclusive 1920s-style cocktail bar on Tedder Avenue.
Coolangatta
- Little Mali: Chic Balinese-inspired cafe and bar near the airport.
- Bunny Chow: South African and Indian fusion in a fun, colourful setting.
- Justine's at Kirra: Classic beachside dining at Kirra Beach.
- Balboa Italian: Modern Italian on the Coolangatta strip.
Craft Beer & Breweries
- Burleigh Brewing Co (Burleigh): The landmark local brewery with excellent pale ales.
- Black Hops Brewing (Burleigh, Biggera Waters): Multiple locations with award-winning beers.
- Balter Brewing (Currumbin): Founded by pro surfers. Top-notch XPA and strong taproom culture.
- Lost Palms Brewing (Miami): Tropical-themed brewery with great outdoor area.
Dining in 2026: What's Changed
The Gold Coast's food scene has matured fast, and 2026 is the year it stopped being a 'holiday town' on the culinary map. The mechanism behind the shift is demographic: 700,000-plus permanent residents — not tourists — now support the restaurants, so venues have graduated from feeding day-trippers to running serious kitchens with local produce. Burleigh Heads and Mermaid Beach lead the charge with chef-owned casual places (book ahead on weekends), Broadbeach remains the polished dining hub with the casino and the big hotel restaurants, and Coolangatta has become the surf-town darling with a run of excellent small plates and natural-wine bars. Fine dining is priced like Sydney's — set menus at $95–$150 per person at the top end — but the mid-range is genuinely strong and $50–$70 per head buys a memorable meal.
Two local mechanisms save real money. First, the lunch special: most of the top venues run $20–$35 lunch menus that are 40% cheaper than the same dishes at dinner. Second, the markets: the night markets at Surfers Paradise (Wednesday–Sunday) and the farmers markets at Carrara and Burleigh deliver street-food quality at half restaurant prices. And because the Coast is subtropical, every serious venue has an outdoor terrace — the view is free, but the booking is not: popular spots take reservations 1–2 weeks out in school holidays.