Get in loser, we’re going shopping (and eating, and brewery-hopping, and sight seeing, and exploring street art, and… you get the idea)

Now you might be wondering why we’re throwing around random movie quotes to kick off this list (in our defence there is a Mean Girls line for *every* occasion) – but if suburbs were Mean Girls characters, Miami would for sure be the one to utter this iconic line. Miami has it all, and it knows it. Take one glance at just some of the epic spots we’ve lined up and you’ll soon see why all the other suburbs wish they could be this cool.

Granddad Jacks

It used to be that Granddads were good for stealing our noses and sneaking us butter candy, but in Miami, Granddad Jacks is good for plying us the finest locally distilled spirits, gin making classes, distillery tours and of course and just an all-round cool haunt to sit back with a top notch bevvy and let our mullets run free. These masterful wizards didn’t amass a whopping haul of awards by getting distracted by anything other than distilling, so it’s BYO food too (and surely that means more to spend on the good stuff!). Make sure you try the 65 Miles Gin, recently crowned the Hottest Aussie Gin for a third year in a row!
Where: 45 Lemana Lane, Miami

Miami Fish Market

It would be shell-fish of us not to include Miami Fish Market, as much as we would love to keep this absolute pearl a secret. They hook the Gold Coast up with responsibly sourced, premium seafood from Australia and New Zealand (unlike heading home empty-handed from your holy grail fishing spot). Take some of their freshest and finest home to enjoy, or pull up a stool in their courtyard oyster and sashimi bar for a shuck-tastic time. Now offering a full (fancy-pants) fish and chips menu. Potato scallops and caviar, anyone?
Where: 1/54 Paradise Ave, Miami

Miami Marketta

The Coast’s OG street food night markets that put Miami on the map as a must-visit destination for foodies and live music lovers alike. The first venue of it’s kind to Miami and perhaps even the Coast, Marketta quickly grew to establish itself as a mainstay among the GC scene, bringing good vibes, live music and great food galore via the eclectic creative and cultural hotspot for over ten years now. Our beloved market brings us all our favourite tastes of the world as well as that same buzzing atmosphere that’s favoured by families especially, for rounding up their rowdy broods for an easy night out that everyone can enjoy.
Where: 23 Hillcrest Pde, Miami

Pizzey Park

We have a grand idea for ya! Why not take those freshly shucked oysters to-go and hit the picturesque Pizzey Park for a bougie picnic? It’s one of the biggest parks on the coast, a local icon, and a hub for sports, clubs, recreation, and fun times for all ages. There’s an aquatic centre, playgrounds galore, a wheely epic skate park, the Gold Coast’s first and Australia’s largest asphalt pump track and, let’s not forget, the off-leash dog area for our four-legged BFFs. In fact, paw out of five dogs agree that Pizzey is the best park for zoomies on the GC.
Where: 80 Pacific Ave, Miami

Bar Monte

One of Miami’s most recent (and appreciated) additions is Bar Monte. This Italian eatery is so good it’s saving us a trip to Rome. They’re bringing the classic trattoria to us, with a modern twist, by blending international influences with fresh, local ingredients. The result is a menu as bold as it is delizioso.

The space is stylish yet inviting, striking the perfect balance between high-end sophistication and relaxed coastal charm. Pasta lovers will swoon over the Rigatoni, Vodka Sauce, Nduja and Stracciatella, and don’t even get us started on the wine list; curated by world-renowned sommelier Andrea Martinisi.
Where: No.3 Mountain View Ave, Miami

Street Art

It’s no secret us Gold Coasters are quite partial to doing what we can to our put our best #lewks forward, and over the last few years the streets of Miami have also been undergoing somewhat of a glow up themselves (and #spoileralert – there’s no filler to be found here folks). The suburb is at the heart of a thriving GC art and cultural boom, with a bunch of incredible artists transforming the local laneways into a destination in and of themselves. There’s even the Art Roll website dedicated to mapping out the best routes for your own self-led street art tour.

And the event that started the movement, Surface Festival returns at the end of June, set to transform the local footpaths, fence lines, laneways and walls with some art-mazing fresh new works to admire and we’re here. for. it.
Where: Check the Art Roll website for locations

Miami Hill

Okay, now it just feels like Miami is showing off and 501 (no kidding) Google reviews can’t be wrong. At first glance those deceptively colourful trademark stairs might look all sunshine and rainbows, but one thing’s for sure – conquer that climb and you will be rewarded with one of the best vantages on the coast. With stunning views of the coastline from Surfers right down to Burleigh, there’s only one thing left to say: How’s. the. serenity. (and maybe a hearty dose of *heavy breathing* depending on how many times you decide to take on those stairs #cardi-no thanks)
Where: At the south end of Miami (you can’t miss it) 

Broken Hearts Burger Club

If you love a good smash burger (and let’s be real, who doesn’t?), Broken Hearts Burger Club in Miami is calling your name. Born from one guy’s lockdown obsession with nailing the perfect LA-style burger, this cult-favourite joint keeps things simple – and seriously delicious. Choose between a classic or fancy burger, stack it up with one, two, or three patties, and let the molten cheese and house-made pickles do the talking. Throw in some loaded fries, a thick shake, and that retro diner aesthetic, and you’ve got yourself a one-way ticket to burger heaven. #sorrynotsorry
Where: 1934 Gold Coast Highway, Miami

The Shores Miami

Move over, high-rise hotels – motels of the Gold Coast are getting a makeover, and boy, are they impressing. Exhibit A- The Shores Miami. Nestled just 200 metres from Miami Beach, this 1970s Gold Coast gem has recently undergone a multi-million dollar transformation, blending retro vibes with modern comfort to create its perfect nostalgic charm.

Inside, find bright, modern rooms, orange sun lounges with overhead striped cabanas, a gorgeous pool, lush greenery, and soothing pastel colours. Outside; endless adventure, starting with this list! Staycation, anyone?
Where: 2016 Gold Coast Highway, Miami

Whyld Coffee Roasters

There will always be room on the Gold Coast and in our hearts for another coffee roastery (get rid of the servos; we just need coffee). However, by no means is Whyld ‘just another’ coffee bar, channelling the strength of a triple espresso since 2021. That’s what we’re talking about! They promise ‘genuine connection fuelled by bloody good coffee’ and serve it up in a warehouse space/micro-roastery cuter than your grandma’s knitted blankets. Take your organic specialty coffee to go, or take a seat on one of their vintage couches and soak up the good vibes (the recommended take).
Where: 8/43 Hillcrest Parade, Miami

Well Bread & Pastry

You can’t beat having a neighbourhood bakery (a carb-load close to home), particularly a European-inspired one. An ideal day on a plate for us would look like a warm, buttery fruit Danish for breakfast (washed down with a mighty good coffee), a ham, cheese and pickle baguette sandwich for lunch, followed by a basket full of buttery, flaky pastries for dessert. No veggie in sight! He he.
Where: Shop 5/1934 Gold Coast Highway, Miami

Roji Cat

Japanese beer + Japanese street eats = heaven. Therefore, heaven can be found in Miami at the suburbs’ very own Japanese beer bar, Roji Cat. Here, you’ll be transported (at Shinkansen speed) to the neon-lit districts of Tokyo and Osaka, with an interior decorated to resemble their authentic alleyways, down to the signage and lanterns.

What else will you find? Twelve Japanese brews on tap and twenty-four types of sake, for starters! Then there’s the nosh, a curation of elevated Japanese street food that’ll have you sighing ‘oishii’, with every bite. Think Robata Skewers, sweet and spicy Roji Cat Karaage, Gyoza, Sashimi, Miso Corn (love you) and burgers including a Bug Burger with a tempura Moreton Bay Bug, spicy Japanese coleslaw and Kewpie mayo. We’ll take all of that, thank you so much.
Where: 47 Lemana Lane, Miami

UGG Since 1974

It’s almost time to pack away the budgie smugglers and slip into something a little more cosy as we edge closer to the cooler months. Enter UGG Since 1974 – churning out wearable warm hugs for your feet since, well, 1974. Don’t be feeling sheepish if you didn’t know they’ve expanded their range to include a huge selection of colours, styles and options to customise including monogramming (cute!), as well as paw-dorable pet accessories (even cuter!) With factory tours running right out of Miami, the only thing better than supporting locals is treating your tootsies to a cloud-nine experience in the process.
Where: 23 Christine Ave, Miami

Precinct Brewing Co

Have you worked up a thirst reading this list? Thankfully, we’ve saved everyone’s favourite brewery (yep, we called it) for last- Precinct Brewing Co. Step through their doors and you’ll be welcomed into one sleek space; all white with high ceilings, wooden beams, a couple more murals and some massive brew kettles in the background of it all. You can see why people say it’s the place to beer! Don’t forget to grab one of the tasty pizzas coming from the onsite kitchen, too…
Where: 17 Christine Ave, Miami

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

Imagine a modern, lush, insta-worthy upmarket pub. Now add in a blend of classic and refined lunch and dinner options, late night drinks, and a breakfast menu (say what? A pub that serves the most important meal of the day? Well I never…).

And while you’re at it, throw in a killer beer garden because it’s the GC, and who even are you if you don’t have one of these?!

Well friends, we just described your new favourite eats and watering hole, Local, sitting pretty in our capital of cool, Burleigh Heads.

Founders Wesley Heincke, Steve Heincke and Sasha Mielczarek have transformed the ex-Harry’s Steak & Bistro site into a showstopping chameleon.

Nailing a coastal industrial chic aesthetic, mark our words; Local is here to stay.

With an inside/outside area spanning 350sqm, there’s plenty of real estate to cop a feed from early AM to evening and we love that for us.

When you first step inside, you’re greeted by lush greenery overhead, and equally lush green velvet booths seating up to 10 people, large-group-friendly bar tables, and a long bar set against the wall. Stacked with no less than 10 beer taps, it’s pitcher perfect.

Venture outside and you’ll find the secret sauce – Burleigh’s only beer garden! With contemporary timber panel detailing, more lush greenery, and a mix of industrial pendants and festoon lighting, we’ll be spending countless sun-drenched hours here enjoying (too) many summer bevvies.

Seating up to 70 people, there’s four large picnic tables and three booths, making it a great spot for larger groups. The only thing that could make this place better is a tinnie bar and colour us happy, there’s one of those too! Stocked with not only a huge range of craft beer but seltzers and the like too, our Local fangirling just levelled up a notch.

Head Chefs Jack Horder and Jimin Lee certainly know their way around a modern pub grub menu, with both casual and more fancy fare.

Let’s start with breakfast because this seems logical, and we’re zeroing in on the Cured Salmon with beetroot cured salmon, pickled cucumber, eschalots, wasabi mayo, and dill on sourdough.

Never one to say no to a morning cocktail, the Berocc Obama not only pleases our punny side, but also our palette with Smirnoff vodka, Berocca, kombucha, and lemonade.

Now let’s talk PM, and the lunch and dinner menu is everything we’d hoped for.

For those traditional pub food lovers, you can’t go past the Chicken Schnitzel, featuring a house-made schnitzel served with a leaf salad, shoestring fries, and your choice of diane, mushroom, or pepper sauce.

Feeling a bit highbrow? Then it’s gotta be the Duck, with pan fried duck breast, roast pumpkin purée, confit grapes, toasted hazelnuts, wild rocket, watercress, and a light jus.

And for dessert, tuck into a Chocolate Fudge Brownie with vanilla bean ice cream.

To accompany your delicious pub grub, you need a Local Anaesthetic and no, we are not carting you off to Pindara but referring to Local’s signature cocktail. It’s a take on an old fave, the Long Island Ice Tea, with vodka, gin, rum, triple sec, Chambord, lemon, lime and lemonade. Pair it with a little something to share and as if we can ever knock back a Lobster Roll. With tempura battered lobster, lobster mayo, apple, lettuce, togarashi, watercress and chipotle aioli served in a soft bun, you’d be cray-zy to say no.

So the message here is clear. Whether you’re young or old, feeling a chill breakfast, hearty feed, or late night bev, your new local is Local.

Where: 1744 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
When: 6.30am – late, Monday – Sunday

Words by Bianca Trathen.

Who doesn’t love a corner coffee joint and especially one that is literally called Corner Coffee. Ticking all the boxes it (obvs) serves coffee, but cracking coffee at that and if this doesn’t get your attention #WeResign. It has an intimate, inviting, and simple yet trendy fit-out which makes you want to sit down even though you’re like totally running late for werk, and yeah, so are we. Plus, unlike many convenient pitstops for your (non-petroleum) fuel up, brekkie, or lunch on the run, this one offers healthy nosh, gluten-free eats, vegetarian options, and legit, where have you been all our processed-food-infused lives?

Introducing the southern GC’s newest grab-and-go must-try, meet Coffee Corner in our beloved Burleigh. Its modern clean lines are as easy on the eye as the food and bev are on the tastebuds, and don’t even get us started on the tradie friendly hours coz spoiler alert; it has tradie friendly hours. The timeless design features a monochrome base, lots of timber, and a dash of olive-green goodness. A crisp white vertical veejay panelled counter, black and white menu boards overhead, and a hearty dose of obligatory foliage create a minimalistic yet welcoming vibe.

You can sip and eat or eat and sip inside or outside, but we’re quite partial to parking under an umbrella by the street so we can enjoy a side of people/commuter watching with our long black. While we’re talking brews, you’ll experience the local love that is coffee roasted by GC born and bred Kuki coffee, and IYKYK (and if you don’t know, now you do and #URWelcome).

This is a common theme for the Corner Coffee Crew who pride themselves on supporting local and we can never get enough of businesses with this philosophy. Stocking the likes of Burleigh Chilli, Currumbin Cookies, Tugun Bakery, Raw Clean Sweets and Treats, Oat Cup and Rainbow Living Probiotics, their stellar menu also incorporates eats made with Bread Social breads. Plus you’ll spy tastefully displayed décor from Grit Ceramics, and someone give Corner Coffee a gold star already for getting behind local biz buddies.

So let’s get down to the nitty gritty; the nosh and drinks. Starting with food, take your pick from grab and go (or sit in and nom) toasties, bagels, brekkie rolls, salads, croissants, wraps and smashed avo. There’s also a wide selection of pies and if you don’t like these pastry-covered parcels of pure perfection then quite frankly #ThankYouNext. The signature dish is the Pesto Chicken Toastie and srsly, of course it is. The pairing of chook and this basil-y brilliance has long been our soft spot but when done Corner Coffee style, #WeCan’t…ButWeSoCan.

Let’s not forget the irresistible spread of sweet (but healthy) treats on display which make us feel satisfied yet not gluttonous and just #yay. Most menu items also come in gluten free varieties and our guts are overcome with gratitude right now, as this means we can rock those annoyingly on-trend cut out frocks sans the bloat.

Moving on to drinks and seeing as we’ve already discussed the epic coffee, the chilled sips are well worth a try. Think juices, smoothies, milkshakes, and how about a Choc Banana Smoothie coz refer to earlier point re. pesto and chicken #BetterTogether. The Inner Glow Juice in particular speaks to us, as we want our insides precisely how we would like our outside; glowy, glowier and glowiest.

With lots of exciting ventures in the mix for the coming months, we love a good tease as much as the next person. So friends, make a date with Corner Coffee and get a gold star for taste, wellness, and support-local-ness #WordOfTheDay.

Where: 134 West Burleigh Road, Burleigh Heads
When: 6am (5am from Monday 21 November) – 1.30pm Monday – Saturday & 7am – 12pm Sunday. 

Words by Bianca Trathen.
Imagrs by Brittany Kreskas.