Moustache, Nobby Beach
Creating a venue that is equally as enjoyable during the day as it is at night is not an easy feat, but it’s one Brodie Green (Buoy, formerly Seadog) has conquered with his latest project, Moustache. At only 26-sqm, the pint-sized sip spot has certainly packed a lot in, including a coffee machine that fires up from early morning pumping out strong Italian coffee, a hidden laneway lined with tables, a punchy selection of wines and cocktails and a hibachi grill that infuses the fare with that unmistakable flame-kissed flavour. Delivering a taste of coastal Europe, the menu is curated by Rodrigo Paraboa Martins (former sous chef at Paper Daisy, Little Truffle Dining Room and The Paddock Restaurant at Beechmont Estate) and offers a selection of grazing plates such as anchovies on toast, beef tartare with yolk cream, capers and crisp artichokes, and stracciatella with compressed melon, basil and macadamia. Not to be outdone, the drinks list is equally as thoughtful, featuring a curated selection of new-age wines, including orange varietals, chilled reds and fizzy pet-nats. For the non-wine folk, there’s a clutch of classic cocktails, including a limoncello spritz, Tommy’s margarita and Negroni, alongside a house lager on tap. We don’t like to play favourites, but if we did, this one would be well up there.

Roji Cat, Miami
We’ll be honest, any venue that boasts the tag line ‘very much beer and karaoke’ has our complete and undivided attention, and Roji Cat in Miami definitely delivers on both promises. Springing to life on Lemana Lane in Miami, the laneway-style venue brings a taste of Osaka’s neon-lit Dotonbori district mixed with Tokyo’s Shinjuku golden-gai alley, serving a winning trifecta of beers, bites and bangers. At the heart of Roji Cat is Satoshi ‘Toshi’ Tamura’s (formerly of Black Hops) passion for brewing. The bar boasts a dozen house-made beers on tap, with crowd-pleasers including Toshi’s Japanese rice lager and Black lager. The signature cocktails put a Japanese spin on the classics, like the Umeshu Iced Tea, a refreshing blend of apricot-infused iced tea with delicate notes of plum umeshu, alongside the popular Tokyo Sour, where sweet melon and lychee combine to deliver a bold citrus punch. For sake enthusiasts, there’s a full bar featuring 24 carefully selected sakes, handpicked by Satoshi, offering a true taste of Japan. Peckish? The menu puts an elevated take on Japanese street food with standouts including yuzu karaage chicken, kimchi burgers and perfectly grilled robata skewers of chicken, beef, pork and teriyaki salmon. Oh, did we mention karaoke? Start practicing your go-to jam.

Eska, Nobby Beach
Let’s get one thing clear – there’s fresh seafood, and then there’s Eska. This local sashimi bar, from the powerhouse duo behind Okazu and Rafiki – Rosalind Pinto and Tobias Diamandopoulos – alongside co-owners Risa North and Gary Balaid, is on a whole new level of deliciousness. Front and centre is the sashimi cabinet, where you can hand-pick your cuts and quantities. The true showstopper is the Eska signature platter – a two-tier seafood extravaganza loaded with oysters, bay bugs, mandarine scallops, prawns, salmon sashimi and tuna tartare. Trust us, you’ll want to pull up a seat for that feast. Don’t even get us started on the grill, which churns out everything from char-grilled prawns to XO chilli mussels and the famed ‘fillet o-fish’ sando. While much of the menu is built for takeaway, there’s a couple of cosy two-seaters inside, plus outdoor bar spots and alley tables. As for drinks? The wine list is all about white, light and bright – think fizzy natural wines and champagne for those ready to indulge.

Lulu Rooftop & Bar, Surfers Paradise
Perched high above Orchid Avenue, Lulu Rooftop & Bar is the glitter strip’s newest hotspot, serving up sun-drenched vibes and good times. With a $1.59 million makeover by Australian Venue Co., Lulu is all about bubbly brunches, laid-back lunches and cocktail-filled afternoons that flow seamlessly into evening. You’ll find us lingering near the Frosé Wall, which steals the show with six boozy flavours like Long Island iced tea and frozen squashie. On the food front, chef Justin Wise offers beachside classics – think mini tuna tacos, popcorn chicken and the indulgent Lulu Bug Club. With DJs spinning everything from chill house to high-energy beats, Lulu is your new go-to for day-to-night fun, Thursday through Sunday.

The Yorkie Rippa, Nobby Beach
If there’s one thing the Brits have truly mastered, it’s the humble Sunday roast. We’re talking about perfectly roasted meat, crispy-on-the-outside-fluffy-on-the-inside potatoes, vibrant veggies, and of course, the non-negotiable Yorkshire pudding, all swimming in rich, indulgent gravy. It’s more than just a meal—it’s practically a love language. Taking the familiar favourite and flipping it on its head is The Yorkie Rippa in Nobby Beach. Here, the humble pud is no longer just a side dish – it’s the star. Owners Dennis and Leigh Duncanson, who moved from London to the Gold Coast a decade ago, have taken the iconic elements of a Sunday roast and wrapped them all up in a soft, golden Yorkshire pudding. Yes, you read that right—the pudding is the wrap. If you’re in the mood for sharing, the Butcher’s Block offers larger portions for families or groups of friends, including half or whole chickens, alongside the venue’s legendary slow-cooked brisket. No roast experience is complete without sides, and The Yorkie Rippa delivers on that front too. Oozing cauliflower cheese, crispy spud nuggets and perfectly cooked greens round out the menu. And as Dennis will tell you, “If you haven’t got a jug of gravy sitting in the middle of the table, you’re probably doing it wrong.”

Want more? Love to see it! Check out a few from August including Costa Taco in Broadbeach, Lars Bar & Grill in Nobby Beach, Pop’s Milk Bar in Southport and Piada Co in Burleigh Heads.