Cocktails, burgers and beers – venture south to Mullum’s new bar and eatery Diner 55
When it comes to food and drink, it’s easy for us Gold Coast folk to stay in our comfort zone. Some of us prefer to frequent our faves and others have a firm 10-kilometre radius that they generally won’t venture out of. Look, it’s easily done when there are so many pockets of foodie goodness on the coast. If you’re willing to burst out of your bubble in search of food and don’t mind a cheeky road trip, then why not venture down to Mullumbimby? A rad new watering hole and eatery called Diner 55 has recently opened on the main drag and there’s a bar stool there with your name on it.
The details
Originally a protege of Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen program in London, Diner 55’s owner and head chef Adam James has Michelin-starred establishments on his resume, but it was in the humble northern New South Wales township of Mullumbimby (Mullum) that he decided to settle, re-sharpen his knives and create some simple and delicious magic. For the past four years, Adam and partner Lara Bauer owned and operated Mullum’s Punch & Daisy cafe, before they sold it and purchased the nearby longstanding Poinciana Cafe in late 2017. The Pionciana Cafe venue, located on Station Street, was given a facelift to transform into Diner 55 – a bar and casual diner-style restaurant where locals and foodies from afar (like us) can sip handcrafted cocktails and snack on indulgent American-style eats and bar snacks.
The food and drink
Diner 55’s all-day menu kicks off at 11:00 am (yes to burgers before midday) offering a mouthwatering spread of smaller plates, larger plates and moreish sides. Take some time to peruse the well-curated cocktail offering (a negroni is a good place to start) before choosing from snacks like a charred corn cob, blackened broccolini, slow-cooked lamb ribs and truffled mac n’ cheese. Can’t go past a burger? There’s a good spread on offer here, from the simple beef and cheddar, to the cajun-crusted fish burger with jalapenos, and a carnivore-fooling barbecue mushroom burger with apple slaw. Share (or don’t share) larger plates like the beef-brisket slab with soft onions or the crispy half chicken with chimichurri, and throw on a few sides like hand-cut fries, sauerkraut and pickles, or a crunchy green salad. You’ll also find a stellar selection of rotating craft beers, a tight list of boutique wines and, of course, milkshakes – it is a diner after all.
The space
Despite the facelift and transition from a cafe to 50-seat bar and eatery, the venue has retained its charm and personality. Set amongst the trees, the casual seating area leads into a diner-style bar complete with retro stools, white subway tiles and, of course, plenty of strategically placed ketchup and mustard bottles. There’s an open-air deck if you’re up for a milkshake and a burger in the sunshine, or perhaps a cocktail (or three) under the festoon lights by night.
Ready for a road trip? You’ll find all the important stuff like opening hours, location and contact details in our Stumble Guide.
Image credit: Alix McKenzie
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Gold Coast dining guide with more than 870 places to eat, drink, shop and play.
