Our in-fin-ite love for Miami Fish Market just got batter!
Our in-fin-ite love for Miami Fish Market just got batter!
Miami Fish Market has already made waves as the go-to spot for premium seafood on the GC and now they’re reeling us in with their latest catch: a brand-new fish and chips menu. Last week this Codfather of seafood sorcery launched their exciting foray into cooked menu items and trust us, it’s off the scales. BTW if you can think of a better pun, be sure to drop us a line (ba dum tss).
Known for their commitment to sourcing the best seasonal seafood, Miami Fish Market’s fish and chips menu is already making an almighty splash. While you can still take home fresh and live seafood or enjoy a seat in their courtyard courtesy of the fin-tastic oyster and sashimi bar, this new addition brings a whole new kettle of fish to their already ex-squid-sit offering.
The menu features family-friendly classics like Line-Caught Local Snapper and New Zealand Hoki, along with the all-time cult classic Fish Burger. But what sets Miami Fish Market apart is their adventurous range, including Whole Flash-Fried Whitebait, School Prawns, Five Spice Kingfish Wings, and Kombu Butter-Glazed Patagonian Toothfish. Feeling roe-mantic? Add some Caviar to your Potato Scallop for an indulgent twist #fancy!
Not content with just a fixed menu, Miami Fish Market also offers customers the option to select their own fillet of fish from their extensive retail display, cooked to perfection. Depending on the season, you could be enjoying hyper-local daily catches, King George Whiting from Victoria, Coral Trout from Far North Queensland, or Swordfish and Mahi Mahi from Mooloolaba.
And let’s not forget about the sides! A fresh salad bar, featuring the Gloftis Family Greek Salad, will be on daily rotation, and the perfect complement to your fish and chips feast.
Paul and Fallon Gloftis, the dynamic duo behind Miami Fish Market, have poured their hearts and souls into creating this menu, drawing inspo from their fave dishes abroad. From the special recipe batter to the house-made sauces, every detail has been carefully considered to ensure a truly un-fin-gettable dining experience.
Paul shared his excitement about the new menu, saying, “We are so excited and proud to be able to offer our valued customers real fish and chips. Not frozen, mislabelled, mystery produce – which unfortunately is all too common across the industry.”
He continued, “We have spent a good two-and a-bit years building up our select network of premium Australian seafood producers for our retail store – and now customers will have access to this same beautiful fish, cooked up their favourite way, all in a super casual setting. It’s pretty special and a completely different offering to anything else you will find on the Gold Coast.”
While phone orders aren’t a thing yet, online orders will be launching soon providing added convenience for patrons frothing to get their hands on Miami Fish Market’s delish-fish-ness.
So, if you’re looking to reel in some seriously good fish and chips, head on down to Miami Fish Market and have a go of their exciting new menu. With their reel dedication to quality and a passion for seafood, it’s sure to be a dining experience you won’t fish-get! We’re fin-ished.
Where: 1/54 Paradise Avenue, Miami
When: 11am – 7pm Monday to Sunday
Website: www.miamifishmarket.com.au
Instagram: @miamifishmarketau
Words by Bianca Trathen.
Hooked on a feeling (and a side of chips).
Whether it’s a long weekend, a beach day or just one of those “can’t be bothered cooking” kind of nights, there’s never a bad time for fish and chips on the Gold Coast.
Sure, Good Friday gives us a solid excuse to go all-in on seafood, but let’s be honest… we don’t need one.
We’re spoiled with ocean-fresh catches, perfectly golden batter and chips that somehow taste better eaten straight from the paper by the water.
Here are 12 top-tier spots from north to south to get your fix.
North Gold Coasters, consider yourselves blessed, Millies is the crispy, golden gift that keeps on giving. This gourmet chippery is all about fresh-as seafood, crumbed and battered to order (because soggy just isn’t in their vocab). With loads of gluten and dairy-free options, it’s health-conscious without losing any of that deep-fried magic. Pro tip: grab the famous ‘Fisherman’s Catch’ basket and take it across the road to the Esplanade. Sunset views, crunchy chips and zero regrets!
Where: 3/38 The Esplanade, Paradise Point
The folks at Charis Seafoods are the biggest seafood retailer in Queensland, so they have everything you could possibly need for a seafood feast. The family-owned business are serving up fresh and cooked fish, prawns, lobster, oysters, mussels, scallops, octopus and crab and everything is of the highest possible quality. YUM.
Where: 371 Marine Parade, Labrador
A Gold Coast institution and an absolute must-visit, Peter’s Fish Market can be found right on the Broadwater with fresh seafood coming in off the trawler daily. There’s often a lineup out the door for both fresh and cooked seafood and everything is absolutely delicious, every time. Get in early, they’re very busy this time of year.
Where: Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Okay, so technically… no chips. But we’d be committing a seafood sin not to include this Gold Coast icon. Serving the freshest catch since 1970, this Spit staple lets you buy straight from the boats that were out trawling overnight while you were dreaming about your next feed.
We’re talking prawns, crabs, fish and more, hauled in just hours earlier and sold dockside by the legends who caught it. It doesn’t get fresher unless you’re out there wrestling a prawn yourself (and honestly, we’ll leave that to the pros).
Where: 168 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach
If your usual fish and chips leave you feeling a little battered, Fin’s Choice is here to save the day. These legends are flipping the script on the classic chippie, serving up a healthier, fresher take that doesn’t skimp on flavour. Think high-quality ingredients, cooked to order, and loads of options for all kinds of diets (because even pescatarians need love). It’s the ultimate guilt-free feed.
Where: Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre, Corner Ashmore Rd & Benowa Rd, Benowa
Boasting 3 generations of fish & chip knowledge and love Two Wise Fish opened in Mermaid Waters to rave reviews. For good reason. Their menu is an impressive one with plenty of fresh fish and seafood to choose from plus tasty treats like a Golden Crumbed Fish & Salad Sandwich which is the absolute goods. Pop in and taste all of that for yourself.
Where: Shop 1/64 Karbunya St, Mermaid Waters
We’ve always loved Miami Fish Market, but now that they’re now serving fish and chips we’re officially hooked. The cooked menu features classics like Line-Caught Snapper and NZ Hoki, plus elevated bites like Flash-Fried Whitebait, Five Spice Kingfish Wings and Kombu Butter-Glazed Patagonian Toothfish. You can even pick your fillet from the display and have it cooked fresh. Throw in house-made sauces, a rotating salad bar, and yes, caviar on your scallops if you’re feeling fancy. It’s fish and chips, but make it luxe.
Where: 1/54 Paradise Avenue, Miami
The Jolly Roger opened in Miami in 2020 to bring us fish and chips with a bit of a twist. Which comes in the way of Keto options. Yes, meaning there are healthy fish and chips and they taste mighty fine. Of course, you can get the regular version here too plus things like prawn skewers and salads and there’s beer on offer too. Perfect.
Where: 3/110 Mountain View Ave, Miami
Small Fry serves super fresh and delicious seafood from an airstream out the front of Global Pacific Seafoods. The signature dish is Bug Bao and honestly, we can’t imagine a world where these don’t exist. The lightly battered bug meat is served in a freshly steamed bao bun with homemade coleslaw, fresh chilli, shallots and sriracha mayo. A staff and customer favourite for a reason, it’s pure ecstasy in edible form.
Where: 273 Scottsdale Drive, Robina
If you’ve ever set foot in Burleigh, you will have seen James Street’s beloved fish and chip joint, Fish Mongers. It’s generally packed with diners and or takeawayers and that’s because they’re serving up the absolute goods when it comes to seafood. Choose from the freshest of fish to take home and cook yourself or opt for their famous cooked-for-you options should you wish to do absolutely nothing except eat. Same. Definitely try this one team.
Where: James Street, Burleigh Heads
Consistently voted Burleigh’s #1 Fish and Chips Shop and regularly voted Top 10 on the Gold Coast, it wouldn’t be an accurate fish and chips list without Red Hot Cod. These guys are doing fish and chips old school-style with a twist. While all the usual fish and chips suspects are available, we highly recommend the Burleigh Beach Box with one Crumbed Whiting, one Battered Fish, three Pieces Calamari, two Prawn Cutlets, one Seafood Stick, Chips, Salad and Sauces. Tell us if you’re still hungry after all of that!
Where: 1716 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Don’t let the name fool you, Selfish is all about sharing the fishy love, serving up freshly cooked, crispy goodness to the lucky folks of Tweed from their breezy Wharf Street perch. Voted the best fish and chips on the Tweed (humble brag), this spot comes with salty air, sea views, and prime picnic potential under the trees.
Where: 4 Wharf St, Tweed Heads
Words by Bianca Trathen & Belinda Symons
Your new favourite haunt in Nobby’s is officially here.
There’s a new kid on the block in Nobby’s and it’s quite literally all we’ve been hearing about. The doors to one of the most talked about new precincts – The Oxley 1823 – are open.
Nobby’s has long been a hive of activity for the Coast, whether you’re looking for somewhere to get your morning caffeine fix (aren’t we all) or a margarita (actually, make that 10) it’s one of the best beachside spots around.
Now Nobby’s is bringing back that charm you know and love but with all the good stuff you’ve been missing, like you know a grocer and butcher.
The Calile-esque look is a welcome addition to Nobby’s, it’s giving a resort vibe and we’re absolutely all about feeling like we’re on vacay while doing our weekly grocery shop.
Not only have the team at The Oxley brought us a gorg new hangout spot, they’re also bringing us the legends behind Rick Shores who have announced a whole new concept coming to the precinct mid 2024.
A side-step from the Asian-style menu at the iconic Rick Shores, the new restaurant concept is set to bring a Latin American flavour by their Executive Chef James Brady, who’s been wining and dining at some of the world’s top Mexican and Latin American restaurants all in the name of market research – sounds like a job for us!
The space will spread across two levels with the Latin American restaurant on level one, an open-air rooftop ceviche bar and private dining rooms so there’s literally everything you need for the ultimate long lunch all in one spot.
In stage one of the precinct’s opening, you’ll see some familiar faces, with the brains behind Burleigh institution Seadog bringing a new café to the block. Buoy (pronounced boo-ee) is promising to deliver a pared back menu that is less on frills and big on flavour, think a super considered menu with the classics you know and love as well as fresh feeds with hero quality produce.
But what about the coffee we hear you ask? Think boutique harvested coffee from Colombia poured by expert baristas with unique flavours of milo and caramel – yes, you read that right – because life’s too short for boring coffee.
Also coming back to Nobby’s, is the legendary Gourmet Meats under the guise of the Oxley Village Butcher so you can say hello to premium meats to level up your BBQ game with fresh cuts from the best farms around.
The Oxley Village Grocer is bringing all the fresh produce and groceries you need as well as market flowers for whether you’re looking for ‘just because’ blooms or something that says ‘sorry I didn’t mean to forget your birthday’ – eek.
Last but not least, all that shopping and socialising is thirsty work so the Oxley 1823 Sub Station is your stop for hydration station with juices and milkshakes that will def bring the boys to the yard, or a cheeky scoop of gelato because we’re in for a long hot summer.
We’ve been eagerly awaiting this pretty little newcomer and I think it’s safe to say it’s been worth the wait, so you know where to catch us kicking back for a bite and a beverage this summer.
Where: The Oxley, 2217 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
When: Opening Saturday 2nd December
Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.
There’s a lob to love about the beloved bug roll.
Hands up if you grew up with the Moreton Bay bug making its once-a-year cameo on the Chrissy Day spread (one we were actually excited about, unlike the trifle…). Fast forward to now, and bug rolls are no longer an annual event, popping up on menus all over the Coast. And we are here for it.
Being able to wrap our mitts around these pint-sized parcels of seafood-stuffed deliciousness any day of the week is something we’ll never take for granted. Our willpower, however, is consistently #MIA in their presence.
If you needed proof this roll of the moment isn’t going anywhere, we’ve rounded up a list of GC spots serving up boujee bug (and lobster and prawn) rolls with zero effort required. Not a seafood fan? You may want to sit this one out and check our alternate list instead: 10 ways to be sad #justsquidding #moreforus.
Here are 9 places to get your bug (and lobster) roll fix on the GC.
The OG home of bug rolls- we will forever be indebted to the culinary masterminds at Rick Shores for our introduction, and resulting obsession with the now ubiquitous shellfish slider.
The famous Rick Shores Bug Roll has remained a staunch cult favourite that the entire GC (and beyond) has been going cray-sea for ever since.
Their signature combo of golden Beer-battered Moreton Bay bug with sriracha and Bug mayonnaise – yes, their boujee secret weapon whereby chopped bug is incorporated into the mayo for extra sweetness and deliciousness – all sandwiched in a brioche bun…undoubtedly the one to beat.
Where: 3/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
We’re yet to meet anyone who hasn’t been absolutely smitten with this hot spot (hence – hot spot). This sprawling stunner of a super-venue has been setting hearts ablaze ever since they sauntered onto Broady’s eat scene, along with literally anything they can throw on their signature charcoal wood-fire grill.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that the most boujee sando of the moment can also be found here: Australian Bay Lobster meets Mooloolaba King Prawns, topped with soft herb mayo and native lime. Take it up a notch by adding 5g of Kaviari Caviar – strongly advised.
Where: 135S/3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
With the level of luxe La Luna is dishing up daily, it’s absolutely no surprise there’s also a cameo from our beloved bug roll gracing its menu. The swanky, euro-chic vibes are immaculate, as is the Crispy Tempura Moreton Bay Bug in a milk bun with Bug mayo and sweet + sour sauce.
Whether you’re luxuriating poolside in one of the sun-drenched La Luna cabanas, or sidling up for the full winning and dining experience at Mare Restaurant, one thing’s for sure, when you’re surrounded by yachts, superb sips and noshing on bug rolls, life is good.
Where: La Luna Beach Club Pool Pontoon, 74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach
Sitting right on the NSW/QLD border lookout at Point Danger, this breezy beachside fave has become a go-to for post-swim feeds and coffee with a view that seriously shows off. It’s all about easy, coastal eats you can grab and wander with, while pretending you’re on a permanent seaside holiday.
The Bug Bagel is the star catch: Moreton Bay bugs layered into a toasted bagel with crisp baby cos and a punchy hit of sriracha mayo. It’s fresh, a little spicy, and basically tastes like summer in sandwich form.
Where: 1 Tweed Terrace, Coolangatta
Blowfish has never been one to shy away from a seafood-focused delicacy, and their Moreton Bay Bug Roll is no exception. This luxe little number features sweet bug meat layered with iceberg lettuce, savoury remoulade and pops of flying fish roe, all tucked into a soft bun.
The Signature Spring Rolls deserve an honourable mention too – a playful, Blowfish-style remix on the classic bug roll that proves they’re not afraid to bend the rules in the name of #delish. Add prime people-watching and Broadbeach buzz, and you’ve got yourself a very convincing reason to stay for dessert.
Where: 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
If by now you’re wondering whether the limit of seafood-laden sliders exists (it doesn’t), the professional sanga slingers at Joe’s Deli are here to throw their unique blend of American diner-style and Italian-inspired eats into the mix for your culinary consideration.
Joe’s crew are renowned for their ability to put together a next-level sandwich, and the Lobbie Roll delivers on that promise (and then some), made with lobster, crab, kewpie mayo, shredded iceberg lettuce, chives, black caviar and lemon. So much yes.
Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, 2 Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach Waters
Never one to do anything by halves (unless it’s literally to cut one of those stacked signature NY Bagels in two), when our beloved Tarte takes on the lobster roll, of course, it was never going to be anything other than next level.
The Tarte Beach House offering includes real-deal Southern rock lobster, loaded in hot butter, celery, chives, and lettuce, all wrapped up in the most perfect of packages – a toasted house-made brioche. If you need us, we’ll be scoffing these buttery bug boi’s creek side allll summer long.
Where: Shop 1 2/4 Thrower Dr, Currumbin
Perched right on the Cooly waterfront, this polished coastal favourite is the kind of place you come for a “quick lunch” that somehow morphs into sunset drinks (zero regrets).
While technically a prawn roll rather than a bug, we’re letting it slide because it’s that good. Think crispy prawns, pillowy bread and a luscious tarragon aioli doing the heavy lifting, all best enjoyed with sparkly water views and a glass of something cold in hand. Honestly, the vibes alone deserve a seat at this table.
Where: 275 Boundary Street, Coolangatta
Nestled in Mermaid Waters’ Q Super Centre, The Blue Lobster isn’t your average fish-and-chips pitstop, it’s a full-on seafood celebration. Their lobster roll stars cooked Western Rock Lobster tossed in herbed Kewpie mayo, topped with green oak lettuce and a sprinkle of Tobiko caviar, all nestled in a lightly toasted brioche roll.
Not in a lobster mood? Their prawn slider hits just as hard: a crispy Patagonian prawn cutlet on brioche with Kewpie mayo, green oak lettuce, and a hint of paprika. Fresh, decadent, and just the right kind of fancy for a casual lunch.
Where: Q Super Centre, Shop 7C/14 Allandale Entrance, Mermaid Waters
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
