Restaurants
Matteo's brings Italian bites, pizza and vino to Clear Island Waters
Food & Drink

Matteo’s brings Italian bites, pizza and vino to Clear Island Waters

21 Jan 2021

By definition, a trattoria is an Italian-style eating establishment that is much less formal than a ristorante, but more formal than an osteria, and that's precisely what you'll find in Matteo's – the new pizza and wine bar in Clear Island Waters. The quaint pizzeria quietly opened its doors before Christmas, serving up woodfired delights with a splash of homestyle charm from an unassuming daytime precinct on Santa Cruz Boulevard. The response from locals has been so good, the 70-seat venue is booked to capacity almost nightly. Go ahead and ready your stretchy pants, because here's everything you need to know about this pretty (and popular) newcomer ... more

Restaurants
Mr Kojima on Chevron Island delivers a modern take on traditional Japanese fare
Food & Drink

Mr Kojima on Chevron Island delivers a modern take on traditional Japanese fare

21 Jan 2021

The once bustling strip of Chevron Island has been a bit quiet in this crazy post-Covid landscape, but a spicy new tenant has arrived to breathe some much-needed life into the suburb's dining scene. Mr Kojima opened quietly before Christmas and has won over the locals with its delightfully modern take on traditional Japanese fare. Here's everything you need to know about this tasty newcomer ... more

Restaurants
Punk-rock nonnas, pillowy pasta and sensational sips – say ciao to Cross Eyed Mary
Food & Drink

Punk-rock nonnas, pillowy pasta and sensational sips – say ciao to Cross Eyed Mary

15 Jan 2021

Named after the Jethro Tull song of the same name (What. A. Vibe.), Cross Eyed Mary has transformed the hole-in-the-wall space formerly occupied by Tasca on Coolangatta's Griffith Street into a charming pasta-and-wine bar that is modernising tradition with good, honest fare, craft cocktails and some seriously impressive sips of vino. The dark and moody interior has been given a fresh lick of paint to feature a white weatherboard exterior and welcoming terracotta-and-white interior that imbues a real 'summer in Tuscany' vibe. Whilst she may be small in stature, Cross Eyed Mary is here to leave a big impression ... more

Restaurants
The year in review: 2020’s biggest openings
Food & Drink

The year in review: 2020’s biggest openings

23 Dec 2020

Wowee. What a year. We all went through it, there's no need to remind you. What we care to focus on are the positives. Despite 2020 being the most difficult year ever for our hospitality friends, our fine city was still blessed with some phenomenal new cafe, restaurant and bar openings – a feat that should be celebrated. So while many of us are trying to forget most of the year that was, we're excited to look back on the hospitality heroes that made this year one to remember ... at least for our tastebuds. more

Restaurants
Sip spritzes and hot-pink margs at Nobbys' new Mediterranean-inspired rooftop bar
Food & Drink

Sip spritzes and hot-pink margs at Nobbys’ new Mediterranean-inspired rooftop bar

19 Dec 2020

Ever since Little Beans days of old, the Nobby's strip has been a popular place for daytime sips, sundowners and, dare we say, a little revelry come nightfall. Friends and fellow merrymakers, there's a brand new rooftop bar in the hood and it's here to kick the party up a notch (or ten) just in time for the holidays. It's called Split and here's what you need to know ... more

Restaurants
Munch on a mighty mac’n’cheese burger and crispy fried chicken at the all-new Pattysmiths Miami
Food & Drink

Munch on a mighty mac’n’cheese burger and crispy fried chicken at the all-new Pattysmiths Miami

17 Dec 2020

Sorry in advance to everyone who has visions of getting a head-start on those recurring 'clean eating' New Year's resolutions because Melbourne-born burger bar Pattysmiths is continuing to expand its footprint, this time firing up the grills at its fourth Gold Coast location in the beachside suburb of Miami. The new eatery is officially open and here are all the juicy details ...  more

Restaurants
Roll in to Little Cooly for pizza, pasta and a pinot overlooking the ocean
Food & Drink

Roll in to Little Cooly for pizza, pasta and a pinot overlooking the ocean

16 Dec 2020

Just as we were about to write 2020 off completely, a new pizza and pasta bar has opened at The Strand in Coolangatta and it's here to lure you into a blissful state of carb-induced happiness with perfectly crisp pizzas, pillowy pasta and signature sips overlooking the ocean. Little Cooly, perched on level one, is an ode to all things local with dishes named after recognisable icons and suburbs and locally sourced produce. Here's what we know about this cruisy new local. more

The Locals Next week:

Restaurants
La Bella Cellar brings a bounty of cheese, wine and crafted cocktails to Burleigh Heads
Food & Drink

La Bella Cellar brings a bounty of cheese, wine and crafted cocktails to Burleigh Heads

12 Dec 2020

With no obvious signage to speak of except for two tiny initials hovering overhead and one lonely cactus, whispers about the strikingly beautiful white-washed facade on Deodar Drive in Burleigh Heads have been circling for weeks. Well, friends, wonder no more – we can finally reveal the pretty new restaurant and bar is called La Bella Cellar and it officially opens today (Saturday December 12). Here's everything you need to know about this dreamy newcomer ... more

Restaurants
Rally the crew – Miami has a new brewpub and restaurant by the name of Precinct Brewing Co.
Food & Drink

Rally the crew – Miami has a new brewpub and restaurant by the name of Precinct Brewing Co.

08 Dec 2020

The Gold Coast's craft-beer scene is hotter than the surface of the sun right now with new watering holes popping up all over this fine city and beyond. If you've made it your personal summer mission to try them all (perhaps not all in one day), there's a brand-spanking-new brewpub that is set to skyrocket to the top of your must-try list. It's called Precinct Brewing Co. and it's hidden in plain sight on Christine Avenue in Miami. The eagerly anticipated beer dispensary rolled up its doors on the weekend to welcome the very first wave of froth fiends. Here’s what you need to know … more

Restaurants
The Gold Coast is set to welcome Australia's largest luxe poolside entertainment precinct
Food & Drink

The Gold Coast is set to welcome Australia’s largest luxe poolside entertainment precinct

03 Dec 2020

If you've ever spent time partying poolside in Las Vegas or sipping cocktails at any number of the day clubs scattered around the Greek Islands and Ibiza, it's highly likely you've lamented the lack of something similar at home. Well, friends, we have some very exciting news. The Gold Coast is set to welcome Australia's largest (and most luxurious) day and nighttime entertainment precinct early next year. The impressive new venue will be called Cali Beach Club and here's what we know so far ... more

Restaurants
Sink your teeth into some Greek goodness at The Yiros Shop in Burleigh Heads
Food & Drink

Sink your teeth into some Greek goodness at The Yiros Shop in Burleigh Heads

25 Nov 2020

Regardless of whether you know them as gyros or yiros, one thing that isn’t up for debate is how deeply satisfying it is sinking your teeth into the pillowy pita and the salivation-worthy slow-cooked meat and fat chips stuffed inside. Well, Greek-loving Gold Coasters, we have some exciting news – Brisbane's The Yiros Shop has made its way down the M1 to open its first flagship location in Burleigh Heads. Here's what's on offer ... more

Restaurants
Ready your stretchy pants – Bazaar Restaurant reopens after a six-month hiatus
Food & Drink

Ready your stretchy pants – Bazaar Restaurant reopens after a six-month hiatus

19 Nov 2020

One of the best (and most enjoyable) things about travelling to far away places is immersing yourself in new cultures and experiencing a variety of different cuisines. If you've been missing overseas adventures, do yourself a favour and book a table at the new-look Bazaar Restaurant at QT Gold Coast. After a (long) six-month hiatus, the global marketplace is back with a COVID-safe new twist so go ahead and prepare your tastebuds for a tasty treat.  more

Restaurants
Hola! HolyJala brings tacos, tapas and tequila to Coolangatta
Food & Drink

Hola! HolyJala brings tacos, tapas and tequila to Coolangatta

11 Nov 2020

A wise man (okay, it was Leonardo DiCaprio) once said, "be thankful for the hard times, for they have made you". Before COVID-19, Andrea Muhlemann had a great job in hospitality and was about to secure a space of her own in Burleigh Heads. In the blink of an eye, everything changed and Andrea began driving for Uber to make ends meet. It was at this point that Andrea decided that she had two choices – she could grieve the things she had lost, or she could pick herself up and create something good from the chaos. Thankfully for the coast’s taco-loving populace, she opted for the latter and began to conceptualise her dream restaurant – a Mexican-style taqueria with Mediterranean influences and plenty of tequila. Coolangatta, say hola to HolyJala. more

Restaurants
Sip sundowners and eat empanadas at Palm Beach's pretty Latin American eatery Las Palmas
Food & Drink

Sip sundowners and eat empanadas at Palm Beach’s pretty Latin American eatery Las Palmas

05 Nov 2020

Palm Beach's foodie scene is on fire right now with new restaurants and cafes popping up all over the beachside suburb like mushrooms after a summer storm. Whilst we love all new openings, one in particular has set tongues wagging thanks to its dreamy coastal vibes, crafted cocktails and Latin American bites. Yes, folks, we're talking about Las Palmas and if you're yet to get acquainted with this stunning newcomer, allow us to introduce you. more

Restaurants
From nightclub to gastropub – feast your eyes on The Cavill Hotel
Food & Drink

From nightclub to gastropub – feast your eyes on The Cavill Hotel

29 Oct 2020

If walls could talk, the ones surrounding the old Melbas on the Park would have one heck of a tale to tell – one of make-ups, break-ups and countless late-night love stories. It was a sad day for many long-time locals when the iconic watering hole announced its closure, but as the old adage goes – when one door closes another opens. The Cavill Hotel is that new door and it's here to fuel a love story of a different kind with a brand-new sports bar and gaming lounge, menu of fine food and selection of crafted cocktails. Take a peek inside the coast's newest gastropub. more

Restaurants
Fall in love with Burleigh Waters' new pizza place T’amerò
Food & Drink

Fall in love with Burleigh Waters’ new pizza place T’amerò

28 Oct 2020

When you live in the same suburb for a while, you begin to develop a deep understanding of its intricacies – from which roads to avoid at certain times of the day, to where to find the best coffee. It was this kind of precise local knowledge that prompted Marc Kinvig (Blackboard Varsity) and Shayne Green (Home Plate Kitchen) to look upon a former dentist surgery on the corner of Treeview Drive with eager eyes. Marc had the bright idea to create a venue where families and locals can wander down for a bite and a beer – no fuss, no pretence, no bookings. Burleigh Waters and Varsity Lakes locals, get ready to fall in love with T’amerò. more

Restaurants
The round-up: pizza to pappardelle – we’ve uncovered some of the Gold Coast’s best Italian restaurants
Food & Drink

The round-up: pizza to pappardelle – we’ve uncovered some of the Gold Coast’s best Italian restaurants

20 Oct 2020

There's something deeply satisfying about plunging a fork into a bowl of freshly made pasta topped with just the right amount of sauce, that first eagerly anticipated sip of a slightly chilled red or wrapping your mitts around a sizeable slice of pizza straight from the oven – it's the culinary equivalent of a big, warm hug, which sounds pretty darn great right now. To point you in the right direction, we’ve put together a handy list of some of the Gold Coast’s best Italian restaurants, all for your eating pleasure. more