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The recap: five of the best new Gold Coast restaurants, bars and cafes that opened in October
Food & Drink

The recap: five of the best new Gold Coast restaurants, bars and cafes that opened in October

Is it just us, or did October sneak in like a cheeky side dish? We blinked and suddenly we're in the thick of spring, which means our calendars (and bellies) are packed with new places to explore. October’s fresh crop of nosh spots and watering holes has us feeling both spoiled and slightly overwhelmed – in the best way possible. From sleek and sophisticated Asian eateries to a neighbourhood taqueria, these latest arrivals are seriously set to impress. Grab a fork, and maybe an espresso martini, because you’re going to need both to keep up! more

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The owners of Currumbin's former Beach Shack are back with bantR, a convivial neighbourhood cafe
Food & Drink

The owners of Currumbin’s former Beach Shack are back with bantR, a convivial neighbourhood cafe

When Espresso Moto abruptly closed its doors, the Palm Beach locals lost more than just a caffeine fix – they lost a gathering spot. At long last, the Gold Coast Highway fronting site has turned the page on an exciting new chapter, with seasoned hospitality veterans Dean and Susan Olarenshaw at the helm. The new offering is aptly named bantR, leaving little doubt as to the kind of vibe the new caffeine slinger offers. Here's everything you need to know about the neighbourhood newcomer ... more

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Welcome Home – a new cafe in Currumbin serving up comfort food and community spirit
Food & Drink

Welcome Home – a new cafe in Currumbin serving up comfort food and community spirit

Currumbin, like much of the Gold Coast, has undergone quite the transformation over the past decade or two. Sure, the beach has always been the star attraction, but back in the day, if you were hungry, your best bet was the fish and chip shop. Fast forward to today, and there’s standout eateries on every corner. One of the latest to emerge is a place that feels extra special because its owners are all Currumbin locals, born and bred. Step inside, and it’s not just a cafe, it’s like coming home. more

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Le Bon Choix brings a taste of Paris to Robina Town Centre with flaky pastries and single-serve desserts
Food & Drink

Le Bon Choix brings a taste of Paris to Robina Town Centre with flaky pastries and single-serve desserts

If there's one thing the French have down to an art, it's pastries. Rooted in centuries-old techniques that emphasise precision, craftsmanship and quality ingredients, these pastries are not just desserts but culinary masterpieces. In news that is guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth, renowned boulangerie and patisserie Le Bon Choix has opened its doors at Robina Town Centre, offering a slice of European elegance. more

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Pop's Milk Bar brings a touch of nostalgia to Southport with jaffles, burgers and shakes
Food & Drink

Pop’s Milk Bar brings a touch of nostalgia to Southport with jaffles, burgers and shakes

Is it just us, or were things generally cooler in the 1950s and 60s? The cars, the clothes, the music. Oh boy, the music! If you possess a soft spot for the eras defined by rock 'n' roll, milk bars, cultural revolutions and James Dean, consider this your official invitation to step back in time at Southport's newest nostalgic noshery – Pop's Milk Bar. Opening this week, the venue is the latest from Jacinto Group, which has previously brought us Burleigh burger institution Two Yolks and Finn Poke. more


The Locals Next week:

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Get the scoop – Yo-Chi is opening its fourth Gold Coast location at Robina Town Centre
Food & Drink

Get the scoop – Yo-Chi is opening its fourth Gold Coast location at Robina Town Centre

Ever since we got our first taste of the cult dessert dispensary Yo-Chi Frozen Yoghurt back in 2022, we've been hooked. And we're not the only ones, with a line regularly reaching the roadside at both its Broadbeach and not one but two newly opened Surfers Paradise outposts. In excellent news for shoppers with a penchant for chilled confections, Robina Town Centre has welcomed the Gold Coast's fourth Yo-Chi to The Promenade precinct. more

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Native Harvest at Sanctuary Cove celebrates local produce and Australian native flavours
Food & Drink

Native Harvest at Sanctuary Cove celebrates local produce and Australian native flavours

Pepperberry, lemon myrtle, wattleseed and Davidson plum are just a few of the unexpected ingredients you'll find peppered across the menu at Native Harvest. Assuming prime position overlooking the marina at Sanctuary Cove, the venue utilises home-grown flavours and spices to elevate familiar breakfast and lunch classics into a flavour experience that is slightly unexpected-yet-delicious. more

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Not your typical takeaway – Good Times Deli is bringing gourmet burgers, banh mi and iced Milo to Southport
Food & Drink

Not your typical takeaway – Good Times Deli is bringing gourmet burgers, banh mi and iced Milo to Southport

What do you get when two chefs walk in to a tradie tuckshop? While it may sound like the beginning of a dad joke, it's actually the beginning of the Good Times Deli story, which is here to bring stacked sandwiches, burgers and deli delights to the northern end. Southport's new noshery is the handiwork of chefs Russell Maich and Chris Watson, who between them have five decades of cooking experience across a broad range of cuisines, from five-star hotels to market stalls. Here's everything you need to know ... more

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Enjoy brews, views and a spot of whale watching at Coolangatta's Black Dingo Cafe
Food & Drink

Enjoy brews, views and a spot of whale watching at Coolangatta’s Black Dingo Cafe

Occupying what could arguably be the most impressive ocean-fronting site on the Gold Coast, Black Dingo Cafe has sprung to life beneath Point Danger Light (also known as the Captain Cook Memorial Light), overlooking Duranbah beach in Coolangatta. The venue is the latest from chef Marcondes Almeida Neto, who also owns the nearby Cooly Breeze rooftop Mediterranean restaurant. Here's what you can expect from the sun-drenched newcomer ... more

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Blooms and bites – experience fusion fare and floristry at J's Brunchette in Mermaid Beach
Food & Drink

Blooms and bites – experience fusion fare and floristry at J’s Brunchette in Mermaid Beach

When it comes to brunch, there tends to be two kinds of folks – those who love it, and those who are wrong. While it's true that we're partial to the odd mid-morning munch, Mermaid Beach's new eatery J's Brunchette isn't just for brunchers. In actual fact, the new floral-adorned cafe nook caters for early-morning caffeine seekers right through to loaded lunches. Here's everything you need to know ... more

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Side Piece Coffee drops a new menu featuring nostalgic bites and tasty toasties
Food & Drink

Side Piece Coffee drops a new menu featuring nostalgic bites and tasty toasties

When long-time hospitality pals – Miles Gaebel, Dylan Jamsa and Lee King – opened Side Piece Coffee in Varsity Lakes, their collective vision was to create the kind of venue they wanted to hang out in. As it turns out, the kind of venue they wanted to hang out in was the exact kind of venue that Varsity Lakes locals also wanted to hang out in, and it has became a much-loved fixture on the podium of Capital Court. Almost a year on, the trio has dropped a brand-new menu that farewells some crowd faves, but welcomes some exciting new seasonal additions. more

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Coffee with conscience – Murwillumbah welcomes Old Quarter Coffee Merchants
Food & Drink

Coffee with conscience – Murwillumbah welcomes Old Quarter Coffee Merchants

Murwillumbah is a town on the rise. Surrounded by incredible natural beauty including World Heritage National Parks and rolling green hills, it's not at all surprising that more and more people are gazing upon the area with a newfound appreciation. Punctuated by hobby farms and banana plantations, Murwillumbah is attracting a new demographic that has spurred some exciting new hospitality ventures in recent years including Bistro LIVI, Tweed River House and Keith, to name just a few. Joining the line up is Ballina-born Old Quarter Coffee Merchants, which recently opened a quaint sip spot on the corner of Murwillumbah Street. Part social enterprise, part specialty roaster, this is not your average bean slinger.  more

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Tweed's Worst Burgers gets a new lease on life as Riverland Kitchen
Food & Drink

Tweed’s Worst Burgers gets a new lease on life as Riverland Kitchen

Here at The Weekend Edition, we aren't in the business of negative press, so let it be known that it's not us appointing the title of Tweed Heads' 'Worst Burgers' – it was the name of the venue that formerly resided in the corner spot along Kennedy Drive. The creek-fronting eatery has been given a new lease on life (and a new name) with a fresh ownership team, including a hatted chef, as well as a people-pleasing menu that champions local produce. Take a peek ... more

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George's Deli brings towering toasties, purple doughnuts and Filipino flavours to Kingscliff's Marine Parade
Food & Drink

George’s Deli brings towering toasties, purple doughnuts and Filipino flavours to Kingscliff’s Marine Parade

We love a good fusion. Chilli and margaritas? Genius. Mexican-flavoured pizza? Yes please. The beachside suburb of Kingscliff has welcomed a new kind of fusion that weaves together Filipino flavours with American-style toasties and doughnuts. It's called George's Deli and it's sprung to life along Marine Parade. Here's everything you need to know about the bright-orange newcomer ... more

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Doughed brings New York-style cookies, doughnuts and focaccia sandwiches to Hope Island
Food & Drink

Doughed brings New York-style cookies, doughnuts and focaccia sandwiches to Hope Island

When it's not uncommon to be greeted by a line out the door, it's pretty clear you are doing something very right. Doughed at Hope Island has arrived on the northern foodie scene with a bang, dropping some seriously drool-inducing doughnuts, craving-curing cookies and some damn tasty focaccia sandwiches. The concept is about bringing together a holy trinity of food-related hankerings into one convenient outpost with the added bonus of coffee and matcha. Here's everything you need to know ... more

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The owners of Etsu Izakaya and the founders of Burleigh favourite Commune have taken over Canvas Palm Beach
Food & Drink

The owners of Etsu Izakaya and the founders of Burleigh favourite Commune have taken over Canvas Palm Beach

Almost three years to the day since Mitch and Nerissa McCluskey handed over the keys to their beloved Burleigh Heads institution Commune, the pair has stepped back into the daytime dining scene, taking the reins of Canvas Palm Beach. Nestled beneath Magnoli Apartments, the pair took over the spot just prior to Easter and wasted no time putting their own spin on the venue and menu. Here's everything you need to know ... more