King Crab Co
Seafood lovers, it’s time to don your bibs –  Brisbane favourite King Crab Co is coming. After a successful arrival in Bulimba in August this year, the popular crustacean-orientated eatery is venturing south with its first Gold Coast location to open at Marina Mirage in December. Taking over the marina-fronting position formerly occupied by Pier (the original Saks location), King Crab Co will dish up its signature reimagined take on iconic Louisiana-style crab boils and crustaceans, specialising in Cajun ‘crab in a bag’. King Crab Co will open at Marina Mirage with a brand-new summer-inspired menu from newly appointed head chef Jason Anderson, which will also be rolled out at its Bulimba location. While Louisiana-style bagged crab will still be the king, expect to see light and fresh options introduced, like chilled crab served on ice with butters and sauces, as well as a fresh oyster bar and indulgent delights like tasty fried bug rolls. Works on King Crab Co are well underway, with the fit-out expected to make the most of its prime waterfront locale, boasting indoor and outdoor seating areas overlooking the pristine marina and broadwater. We’re told the bar will be the hero of the interior, which will be dispensing cocktails, spritzers, ice-cold beers and wines. King Crab Co is expected to open on December 1 – what a way to welcome summer.  Stayed tuned, we’ll have more details for you then.

Husk Distillery’s cellar door
Much-loved Northern New South Wales distillery and creators of Ink Gin and delicious Pure Cane and barrel-aged rums, Husk Distillers, will be opening a cellar door on its lush Tumbulgum farm in the first quarter of 2019. The Husk team is busy with general production of its popular spirits (you’re a thirsty bunch) and expects to have completed the fit-out of its dreamy new cellar door early in the new year. That’s right, you’ll soon be able to sip favourites like Ink Gin and Spiced Bam Bam rum in true paddock-to-bottle style! Keep your eyes peeled, we’ll have more details for you in the new year.

Goodness Gracias
Popular Palm Beach Mexican cantina Goodness Gracias (aka the cute yellow shop on the Gold Coast Highway) has changed hands, with the new owners taking the dispensary of nachos, tacos and burritos in a new direction – it’s now completely plant based. The space was closed for a short period for refurbishments and reopened last week with a solely vegan menu. The cantina and healthy fast-food spot is dishing up its signature grab-and-go fare like quesadillas, tacos, burritos, street-style corn and salads, subbing out animal products for plant-based versions of pulled pork, beef and chicken. It’s all lovingly doused in plant-based cheeses and creams, and you’ll also find a series of vegan-friendly sweets like banana quesadillas.