Alfred’s Diner
If you love wrapping your hands around one of Alfred’s Diner’s ahh-mazing chicken burritos (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?!), get excited because you will soon be able to enjoy the mighty feasts after 2:30 pm with news that the diner is extending into afternoon trade and eventually into dinner. The menu will basically be a tricked-up version of the lunchtime eats with the addition of a few beers and wines, because burritos and beer are a match made in culinary heaven.

Bstow
For once, the whispers are true! The brilliantly talented folk behind Feather and Docks in Palm Beach have revealed a brand new venue across the highway from their beloved cafe. Bstow bar and restaurant will feature hearty modern Australian share plates based on a farm-to-plate philosophy. Before you get too excited, the new nighttime venue is still a little way off with the doors expected to open sometime towards the end of September.

Bisou Bakery
Pronounced ‘bee zoo’, after the French word for kiss, Bisou Bakery is opening soon at Capri on Via Roma. The details are being kept tightly under wraps for the moment but you can expect sensational organic sourdough made using a slow fermentation process as well as other delicious baked goods.

Bistro Franc
Fans of Espana Tapas Bar in Broadbeach, we have some sad but also happy news. After five and a half years as a Spanish tapas bar, Espana will close its doors for the final time on Saturday June 25 but before you go getting too upset, in its place will spring Bistro Franc and Francs Deli + Wine. Designed as two different venues under the same ownership, Bistro Franc will be an intimate 24-seat French-style bistro that will serve dinner five nights a week while next door, francs deli + wine will specialise in organic and bio-dynamic wines, French cheeses and amazing charcuterie boards filled with miscellaneous cured delights. Both venues are anticipated to open mid-July.

Laneway Bar and Dining
Adding to Coolangatta’s culinary melting pot, Laneway Bar and Dining is set to open its doors in coming weeks. The exciting new tapas and cocktail bar on Griffith Street is the work of life-long friends ex-professional surferTrudy Todd and Mercedes Corby, and will feature a delightful assortment of Asian tastes and top-notch tipple. From what we’ve seen, the fit-out looks pretty sharp too, so watch this space …

Mano’s
Word on the street is that renowned restauranteur Mick Ellison is planing to recreate his once legendary Mano’s in Main Beach. Housed in the former Bavarian on Tedder, the venue won’t replicate its predecessor but will be reinvented for a modern audience. Those who have been on the coast long enough to remember the original can still expect the same friendly welcome and atmosphere that lured stars including Michael Caine and reportedly even Microsoft chief Bill Gates.

The Bread Social
Having won over the bread-loving populace that frequent The Farm Byron Bay, The Bread Social is venturing north to open a second space in Tweed Heads. A collaboration between ex-Bourke Street Bakery and ex-Harvest Cafe bakers, The Bread Social is all about locally sourced organic ingredients and their baked goods are nothing short of perfection. Taking over the old bakery site on Bay Street, the completely refurbished venue is expected to open by the end of August. The Tweed Heads venue will also feature an expanded offering of gourmet pies, sausage rolls, sandwiches, fresh salads and coffee.

Image credit: Justin Guadagnin.