Charcoal Charcoal Yakitori is sssmokin’.
Charcoal Charcoal Yakitori is sssmokin’.
There are few scents so instantaneously mesmerising that they can stop you dead in your tracks – but the aroma of charcoal-cooked fare sizzling away on the open coals is absolutely up there with the best of them.
If sudden hunger pangs have struck as the distinct hint of char fills the air around Robina of late, chances are you’ve caught the aroma of their new resident skewer-slinger, Charcoal Charcoal Yakitori.
The brainchild of husband and wife duo, owner Harper Sun says Charcoal Charcoal Yakitori is their answer to the locale’s somewhat lacking late night offering, noting that tasty fare can be hard to track down in Robina after 8pm.
Marrying authentic Japanese methods with Western influences – the new Asian fusion haunt brings glistening bowls of Ramen, Sashimi, and the requisite assortment of juicy skewers – threaded with tantalising combos like M8–M9 Wagyu and lychee before being given the Binchotan charcoal grill treatment.
Traditional Binchotan, a Japanese white charcoal coveted for its smokeless and long-burning properties, is widely accepted as the secret to what makes the flavours of live-fire Yakitori methods just so special. So basically, if you’re craving juicy morsels charred and caramelised to perfection (and when are we not) Binchotan’s the best, chuck out the rest.
Of course, hankerings of the grill variety are not the only ones Charcoal Charcoal Yakitori is now handling. The cosy 50 pax venue, which joins the smattering of fast-food style eateries fronting Robina Town Centre Drive, also boasts a curated array of Japanese-style sips alongside the specialty eats.
To wash it all down, bespoke beverage list includes a some of the finest brews from across the Pacific on tap, yuzu and peach infused Sake and a curated Japanese Whisky selection.
The good vibes are also flowing plentifully at Charcoal Charcoal Yakitori, whose inviting interior proudly showcases furniture and hand-crafted wine racks, repurposed from recycled timber. With the focus on natural materials carried throughout, this friendly neighbourhood nosher really is embracing its wabi-sabi era. Adding to its warmth, wood surfaces are complemented by floaty fabric canopies suspended from the ceiling, while the softly-lit paper lantern pendants infuse the space with ambience a’plenty.
An exciting addition to Robina’s eats scene, the charming and top notch Yakitori spot is impressive, but not surprising when you consider the duo’s credentials. Together with the biz-smarts of her other half, who formerly owned several venues abroad, Harper, a Commercial Cookery graduate, is currently also furthering her studies in hospitality. So, these guys are certainly no stranger to slinging tasty eats – and it shows.
On the menu, smoky and succulent grill-kissed skewers of Pork belly & prawn and Garlic soy sauce spiked Scallops mingle with mouthwatering cuts of marbled Waygu. For those feeling daring, there are also some often overlooked culinary deep cuts to be discovered, such as the Chicken diaphragm, tail, and tender oysters, plus classics like wings and thighs.
To complement the seared selection, comforting helpings of 10-hour slow-simmered Ramen, served with rich slices of Pork char siu will certainly be high on rotation with the return of the cooler months.
Whatever you opt for, pair it with a pint of frosty Asahi and you’re golden! Kanpai!
Where: 126/128 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina
When: 5:30–9 pm, daily
Website: opentable.com.au
Instagram: @charcoal_charcoal_yakitori
Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.
Appetites at the ready, grill gang! Hwaro92 enters the chat.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a username belonging to some rando causing a ruckus in the comment section? No, it’s Hwaro92 – a brand new, Korean BBQ flavour sensation – the latest to join Robina Town Centre’s ranks amid its elevated The Kitchens precinct.
Serving authentic flavours designed to transport you to the streets of Seoul, Hwaro92 delivers the traditional, Korean style of barbecue. A hands-on – and addictive – experience, where, with your choice of high-quality cuts at the ready, you converge with your crew around a glowing grill to char your mouth-watering selections to perfection (and attempt to keep the salivation levels in check).
Also known as “Gogi-gui”, the classic Korean method of cooking is complemented by a selection of specialty dishes from the kitchen such as tender and sweet beef Bulgogi Bibimbap, Kimchi Fried Rice and Spicy Soft Tofu Soup. So, yep, there’s plenty worth getting fired up over, here folks.
And if there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to take food to a whole new level of delectable, it’s some smoky, barbecue goodness. Sear-iously – we challenge you to come up with even one ingredient that doesn’t benefit from being slapped across smoking hot grill.
So, whether you’re an old hand at the art of self-seared, melt-in-your-mouth meats, or totally new to the tantalising wonders of Korean fare, Hwaro92 should have the ‘ole tastebud alarms well and truly sounding.
Owner Allan Park can certainly stand the heat in this kitchen – his experience doling out East Asian eats already extends to two venues, including Chermside’s Bulgogi Bros. A grill-focused venture has been a long-term goal driven by Allan’s enthusiasm for carnivorous eats, ‘I love to handle and eat meats’ – and hey, who doesn’t – adding, ‘I’m always buying big cuts of meat… trimming and boning it to get a better cut and different texture’.
Of course, at a venue like Hwaro92 it’s the kitchen crew doing all the heavy lifting – so we can swan in and take all the grill glory, Steven Bradbury style. Enlisting the expert skills of Sangbong Seo, a gun, Korean culinary graduate head chef with whom Allan shares a lengthy hospo history. Diners are in excellent hands here.
With a fit-out flanked by the ubiquitous sight of grill-adorned tables throughout, the roomy 80 seater is more than equipped to handle the onslaught of flame-licked fare fans. Bedecked in classic black marble and oak finishes, the space – delivered by Yura Choi and Yoon Kang – also includes a 12 pax private area for those looking to gather a group for a delicious, grill-studded celebration.
So whatddya say, Gold Coast? Time to get in on some mouth-wateringly good GIY (grill it yourself) action? We thought so.
Whether you’re not yet familiar with the flame-kissed wonders of Korean BBQ or a keen connoisseur of the trademark, melt-in-your-mouth marinated meats – it’s high time we all met Hwaro92.
Where: T5037/19 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina
When: Daily, 11am-3pm, 5pm-9pm
Instagram: @hwaro92_robina
Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.
Get your Seoul food fix at ATTO Korean Cuisine.
From sizzling, hibachi-style bulgogi beef (served straight from the grill #drool), to sticky and Crispy Fried Chicken as-if teleported straight from the streets of Seoul – lately it seems Gold Coasters can’t get enough of the lip-smacking flavours of Korea. Which is why you’ll be extra delighted to join us in giving a very (spicy kimchi-sized) warm welcome to ATTO Korean Cuisine, the new elevated East Asian eats darling for Chirn Park.
Lucky duck northern residents can officially tuck into banchan specialties of House kimchi, served alongside sensational mains such as Kohlrabi-infused kingfish sashimi and Char-grilled baby snapper served with ginger and fermented chilli… before finishing the delectable experience with Mango Bingsu, a traditional dessert served with lashings of Dulce de Leche.
Offering a modern showcase of Korean cuisine, ATTO’s elegant approach to the cuisine is one our foodie scene has been crying out for. Hot on the heels of Pac Fair’s NeNe Chicken and the arrival of Robina’s new KBBQ haunt, Hwaro92 – ATTO’s addition to our roster rounds out a rather delectable trifecta of Korean-style noshers we’ve scored of late. There’s absolutely no denying the cuisine is currently having its moment in the sun – and who among us isn’t here for the GC officially entering its Korean eats era?
While Chirn Park’s latest addition is a particular triumph for owner Yongsul Lee, the road to seeing his long-held dream realised hasn’t always been a ‘wok’ in the park. But with dishes like the katsu prawn stuffed Atto prawn burger to wrap the laughing gear around, we can all agree it is one worth celebrating (several times over).
Showcasing exceptional eats from his homeland Monday–Saturday, ATTO Korean Cuisine aims to marry traditional, cornerstone dishes of Yongsul’s childhood, with contemporary takes ‘that everyone can enjoy easily and deliciously’.
Yongsul, a civil engineer in a past life, has certainly never been one to shy away from a challenge – making the mammoth move across the Pacific to Sydney some 20 years ago. Rather serendipitously for Yongsul (and now our tums) it was this sea change of epic proportions that uncovered his love of food, after getting his start down south as a kitchen hand.
Working his way up the ranks in the decades that followed, Yongsul worked in respected kitchens across the country from Spice Temple (Sydney) to local darlings like Etsu, where he was Head Chef and Rick Shores, where he was Sous Chef.
For his restaurant debut, Yongsul opted to set up shop in Chirn Park’s up-and-coming eats scene – charmed by the locale’s chic yet cosy atmosphere. Joining the community’s small but mighty culinary cohort – Atto shares a ‘hood with two of 2023’s stellar additions, Walk-ins Welcome and our new fave cheesecake purveyor, Basque.
Yongsul’s long held dream to deliver a modern Korean establishment has come to life in the funky, 40-pax warehouse-vibing venue, tucked off the suburb’s Brooke Ave stretch. Surrounded in moody greys, the space packs in a surprising amount of warmth – from the eclectic furnishings to homely touches like the traditional Korean folk paintings adorning the walls.
The proof of course, is in the pudding, with a menu where mouth-watering signatures like the LA Galbi – a Hibachi grilled Black Angus beef short rib, served with spring onion salad and spicy ssamjang sauce, mingle with mains like the Bossam, a sticky-soy Braised Pork Belly.
So really, the only question here should be, not if (or even when) – but how soon you can swing by and say “annyeong” (or hello, works too) to ATTO. Our recommendation would be to go ahead and skip the socks though, because they’re bound to be knocked off anyway.
Where: Shop1/55 Brooke Ave, Southport
When: Monday-Wednesday 5pm-9pm, Thursday-Saturday 11:30am-2:30pm and 5pm-9:30pm.
Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.
This ‘burb has all the bells and whistles.
Pop quiz! Where’s one place on the Gold Coast, where you can shop till you drop, eat your body weight in quality nosh, wander amongst stunning natural parklands and more? It’s Robina! There’s also a hospital and train station, but unfortunately, they’re not exciting enough to make our list.
Here are 18 things that are exciting enough to make our list.
Say ciao to Robina’s (perhaps, Gold Coast’s) most authentic and downright delicious pasta joint! The artisan pasta boutique store is brought to us by a European mother and daughter duo – how could it not be? Made with high-quality durum wheat semolina (rich in fibre, protein, vitamin B, and also digestion-friendly), their fresh-as pasta can be paired with a selection of their no-nasties, slow-cooked sauces. The best!
Where: Easy T Centre, 514 Christine Avenue, Robina
The Euro food tour continues at My French Pastries- a slice of Paris right in Robina. They deliver made-from-scratch croissants, tarts, and decadent desserts, with each pastry crafted with high-quality ingredients that keep locals coming back for more (and more and more). Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.
Where: Shop 5, 4226/361 Robina Pkwy, Robina
Home of our beloved Titans, CBUS Super Stadium is one of the best regional stadiums in Australia and it’s ours, all ours (insert wicked snigger). Not only do Gold Coasters spend their weekends cheering on the boys here, but we’ve also been lucky enough to watch A-league and international football games, the Nitro Circus, and the Rugby 7s as part of the Commonwealth Games. High five to CBUS for being our homegrown hub of sporting joy.
Where: Centreline Place, Robina
An intimate 24-seat Asian bar and restaurant offering a modern take on Southeast Asian cuisine. The menu showcases creative dishes from Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, inspired by vibrant street food flavours and regional classics. With its cosy setting, flavour-packed plates and a Chef Hat from the Australian Good Food Guide for 2025, it’s a top pick for both date nights and group dining.
Where: 44 Commerce Dr, Robina
She’s smart, she’s stunning- she’s Bond University. Yes, Robina is home to the prestigious and world-class institution that helps current and future generations reach their biggest goals! Bond combines innovative teaching, a supportive campus community, and beautiful surroundings to create an inspiring study environment.
Where: 14 University Drive, Robina
The spacious, sports-themed bar and restaurant made a big splash on Robina Town Centre when it first moved in and continues to do so in 2023. Within The Sporting Globe there are no less than 50 high definition screens including two 5m2 screens and a nine-screen video wall, so yeah nah, you’re not missing a single second of the action. They’re also serving up perfect sport-watching food, frosty bronsons galore, and an all-round cracking good atmosphere. It’s a sure thing.
Where: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina
Calling all dog lovers! This expansive dog park is the perfect place for your furry friend to run, play, and socialise safely. With plenty of open space and shaded areas, it’s ideal for a weekend outing with your four-legged family members.
Where: Lot 21 Robina Pkwy, Clear Island Waters
A vibrant café serving wholesome, flavour-packed meals crafted from fresh, local ingredients. Harvest Foodhouse is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a relaxed lunch, with mouthwatering options like lamb shoulder tacos, cauliflower steak with a white bean hummus, loaded savoury croissants and triple-choc waffles. You’re gonna need to make a few trips.
Where: 361 Robina Parkway, Robina
The playground to end all playgrounds! Greenheart Robina Parklands is a 22.5-hectare wonderland with towering slides, net bridges, trampolines, swings, water play, and a toddler zone, all fully fenced with an onsite café (hallelujah). Kids can pedal off to the bike track with humps, bumps, and traffic signs, while parents chill under shady umbrellas. Add in walking paths, a boardwalk, half basketball court and a dog park, and you’ve got the ultimate family day out.
Where: Stadium Dr, Robina
A tried and tested (regularly. Very regularly….) favourite, Robina Pav features a sleek look’n’feel, dreamy deck overlooking the water, a specialised kids area, and plenty of good vibes. Boasting a menu packed with epic eats from woodfired pizzas to stacked burgers, it would be rude not to get involved with the impressive cocktail menu #IfWeMust. It’s the perfect spot for sun-soaked afternoon sessions with you posse.
Where: 229 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina
A modern Australian rooftop bar and restaurant, Green Fields serves up flavour-packed dishes with a focus on quality produce and sustainability. The stylish rooftop setting makes it ideal for enjoying a meal while taking in the Robina skyline.
Where: 94 Laver Dr, Robina
A yakitori-focused Japanese-Korean grill in Robina, known for its smoky binchotan charcoal skewers. The menu features wagyu beef, free-range chicken, veggie options, and fresh seafood, paired with Japanese whisky, beer, and wine. Perfect for casual dinners or a night out.
Where: 126/128 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina
If open spaces and oodles of greenery, in the middle of a city no less, is your thing (yes please), Cheltenham Park is the business. There are plenty of areas for the kids – human and fury – to run themselves ragged (#yeahmums!) bushwalking tracks, and big leafy trees to stretch out beneath with a picnic and your favourite people. Perfect for escaping the rat race without chewing through the petrol in search of a tree change.
Where: Cheltenham Drive, Robina
Cocoflufferia by Goji is the all-new dessert wonderland, where dairy-free decadence meets a candy-land of toppings! Grab a bowl of their light and fluffy vegan soft serve, then go crazy with a line-up of delicious toppings like pistachio kanufa, Bueno, pistachio and Nutella sauce, Biscoff crumbs, mini mochi, M&Ms and fresh fruits!
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina
Step into a world of optical illusions and interactive 3D art. Artvo is not only visually stunning but also a playground for your imagination, offering endless photo opportunities and fun for all ages.
Where: Ground Floor, Near the Kitchens, next to Lush, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
Riva is the home of sleek and stylish premium workspaces that make the 9-to-5 grind feel…well, less grindy. They’re designed to foster productivity and creativity by combining comfort, style, and convenience, with both private and co-working options.
Where: 2/14 Edgewater Court, Robina
Small Fry offers a modern twist on classic Australian seafood. One of their signature dishes is the Bug Bao– lightly battered bug meat in a steamed bun with coleslaw, chilli, shallots, lime, and sriracha mayo. Don’t walk, run! Pair that with a serve of their Family Parmesan and Truffle Fries, and damnnnnn!
Where: 273 Scottsdale Drive, Robina
Your most Instagrammable matcha moments await at Matcha Therapy- where everything is made with ceremonial grade matcha powder from Uji, Japan. Sit, sip and shop your way through matcha heaven.
Where: 129 Laver Drive, Robina
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
