Thank God it’s Monday! … said no one, ever. Let’s face it, the day gets about as much love as peak hour commutes and the Orange Creams (don’t @ us) left lurking in the office bickie jar.

The day gets a bad wrap, but one thing Monday does have going for it is sweet dining deals. So if the prospect of a tasty treat to look forward to is all it takes to summon a modicum of enthusiasm for the day (and week) ahead, ‘tis but a small price to pay, if you ask us (literally, these deals are cheap as chips y’all).

NORTH GC

• Pimpama Pavilion: Two-for-one meals and drinks from 5pm-8:30pm? That’s not a special, that’s a strategy. Grab a mate (or don’t) and make the most of a deal that’s double the fun without doubling the spend. 5 Dixon Drive, Pimpama
• Boathouse Tavern: Steak night done right for $23. The Boathouse delivers a solid, no-nonsense feed that pairs perfectly with a waterfront breeze and a long exhale after big Monday. 101 Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera

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• Paradise Point Bowls Club: Don’t let Mondays be a drag: grab a drink at the Paradise Point Bowls Club bar and unlock a stacked meal deal – $17 for members and $19 for non-members- with everything from schnitzels and burgers to curries, pastas and prawns on offer. Big variety, even better value, and available from 5:30pm–8pm every Monday (and Tuesday if you’re backing it up). Cnr Sunbird & Thrush Ave, Paradise Point
• Crafty’s: If your Monday calls for a succulent steak and zero restraint, Crafty’s has you sorted. Steak night comes in hot from $25, stacked with bottomless fries to keep things dangerously indulgent. Carb loading? Absolutely! It’s called living your best life. 147/189 Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters

MID GC

• Cavill Hotel: Slide into the week with a cheeky little power move at The Cavill. From 5pm–7pm, food is half price. We hear you thinking, nah, chicks, you’ve got it wrong, that can’t be right. And to that, we say- go find out for yourself. We promise we won’t say we told you so… 46 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
• The Island:There’s nothing like a long list of $18 daily lunch specials (yes, Monday included) to lure you out of the office break room to the sublime rooftop at The Island. With everything from chicken parmis and steak frites to burgers, fish and wood-fired sangas on the lineup, it’s too good to turn down. Available 11:30am–3pm. 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

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• Waxy’s Irish Pub: An $8 chicken schnitzel almost feels illegal in this economy. Thankfully, we’re rule breakers. Waxy’s keeps it old-school, no frills and very easy on the wallet. 3206 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
• Sporting Globe: Game on. Half-price wings and ribs headline the night, with plenty to keep the whole crew happy. It’s all fun and built for a proper Monday session. Robina Town Centre, 19 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina and Cnr Cavill Avenue & Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
• Gold Coast Tavern: Monday Mayhem lives up to the name with $20 dinners ($22 for non-members) that don’t mess around. They’ve got it all, from salt and pepper squid and a crispy skin salmon bowl to prawn linguine and chicken tikka curry. It’s hearty, it’s satisfying, and it’s every Monday from 5:30pm. 150 Bundall Rd, Bundall

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• Beach Hotel Broadbeach: Keep it classic at Beach Hotel with a 250g rump steak, chips, house garden salad, and a choice of sauce, for $27. It’s hearty, reliable and hits the spot when cooking feels like a personal attack. 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
• Mermaid Beach SLSC: Seafood lovers, this one’s for you. Barramundi Monday clocks in at $19, and if you’ve got little mouths to feed, kids eat free with any main. Dinner sorted, no drama required. 172 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach
• Bine Beer Bar: Simple pleasures done right. Bine is slinging $12 cheeseburgers with fries, making it dangerously easy to say yes. Craft beer is optional, but an obvious choice. 1/28 Chairlift Ave, Mermaid Beach

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• Precinct Brewing: Margy Monday is calling. Lock in a Margherita pizza and two margaritas for $40, then keep the good times rolling with $14 refills if you’re not quite ready to call it a night. It’s casual, it’s dangerously easy to settle into, and exactly how Mondays should be done. 17 Christine Ave, Miami
• Apres Surf: Cheap, cheerful and exactly what you want post-beach or post-work. $6.50 cheeseburgers make this a no-brainer Monday pit stop that feels almost too good to be real. 1/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
• Burleigh Pavilion: Turn Monday into a full Italian affair with Burleigh Pav’s Mamma Mia Night. Think arancini, cheesy gnocchi, prawn pasta and a proper lasagna moment, plus a sweet pistachio ganache and Nutella pizza to finish if you’re doing it right. We know you never choose wrong. 3a/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

SOUTH GC

• Tugun Tavern: Steak night for $16.95? That’s a 200g rump steak with chips, salad and your choice of sauce, mind you. Tugun Tavern is quietly winning Mondays with a deal that punches well above its weight. No fake news, just a seriously good price. From 5pm.Corner of Toolona Street &, Golden Four Dr, Tugun

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

Fridays are for treating yourself – without your bank account crying in the corner. Whether you’ve blown the budget on oat lattes or just love a bargain, we’ve rounded up the best cheap eats on the Gold Coast to kickstart your weekend without financial regret.

From drool-worthy steaks to fish & chips that won’t cost your firstborn, here’s where to eat well for less this (and every other) Friday.

NORTH GC

• Paradise Point Bowls Club: Lunch deals aren’t just for pensioners! $13 Lunch Super Saver ($16 for visitors). Choose from a delicious lineup of meals available every day from 11:30am – 2pm. Cnr Sunbird & Thrush Ave, Paradise Point
• The Club at Parkwood Village: Get 1 free kid’s meal (ages 3-12) with every adult main purchase every Friday from 5:30 pm at The Club! Want to sweeten the deal? Upgrade for $6.50 to add a small drink and ice cream. 76 – 122 Napper Road, Parkwood

MID GC

• Coast: It’s not often fancy meets frugal, so enjoy this rare catch! Get a 3-course shared lunch banquet for just $49pp between 12-2:30 pm Friday to Sunday. Level 1, Ocean by Meriton, 86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
• Waxy’s: Nothing beats fish n’ chips, except cheap fish n’ chips on a Friday! Get beer battered flathead with crispy golden chips and a side salad for only $15! 3206 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
• The Sporting Globe: Kick off the weekend right with Footy Fridays! Enjoy an All-Star Platter for just $29.90 or a Parma & Pint for the same price between 5-7pm. Cnr Cavill Ave & Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

• The Island: Succulent minute steak frites with bearnaise sauce for just $16, or throw in a Roma tomato and basil salad with aged balsamic for $19 from 11:30am – 3pm Monday to Friday. But wait, there’s more! From 11:30am – 3pm on Fridays enjoy wood-fired sangas for just $16, baby! 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
• Sports Bar: You’ll be praying your next live sports event falls on a Friday with 50% off 1KG of wings at Sports Bar! No matter the score, you’re winging from 11am – 10pm every Friday! The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
• Apres Surf: Friday nights at Après Surf just got an upgrade with their new Steak Frites Baguette – flank steak, house-made herb butter sauce, and crispy fries, all tucked into a freshly baked Burleigh Baker baguette. All that goodness for just $25. Name a better way to end the week… we’ll wait. Shop 1/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

SOUTH GC

• Frida Sol: Friday arvos just got a glow-up—think $25 Corona Buckets, $12 Margs, $6 House Tap Beer & Wine, and a $15 trio of Mexicana dips from 2–5pm. Absolute. Vibe. Activated. Level 1, 1176 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
• Las Palmas: Feelin’ fancy? Head to Las Palmas for $2 Oysters and drink specials from 9-10pm. Upstairs, 1097 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
• Burgster: Fridays are all about chicken at Burgster. Grab a $10 Chicken, lettuce, mayo burger or throw in some fries for an additional $5. 4/10 Philippine Parade, Palm Beach
• Lucia Tapas: Tugun’s happiest hours? More like tastiest hours. From Wednesday to Friday, 4–6pm, snack on a $10 Chef’s Selection Tapas Menu while sipping $15 Margs, $7 Lagers & Wines and $30 Sangria Jugs. Big flavours, small prices. 1/445 Golden Four Drive, Tugun
• Tugun Tavern: Friday nights = Smokey BBQ Rib heaven. Get 350g for $20 or go big with 700g for $30, served with crispy chips and creamy slaw. Available from 5pm. Corner of Toolona St & Golden Four Dr, Tugun

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

Tuesday sits in a funny spot. The grind of Monday has worn off, but the weekend still feels a lifetime away. Motivation is… questionable. Energy levels? Also questionable. Appetite? Present, but not for the meals we just spent Sunday prepping…

The good news is that Tuesday is pulling its weight with a lineup of cheap eats across the Gold Coast that make getting through the week a whole lot more enjoyable. We’re talking tacos, parmis, pizzas, schnitties and everything in between, all at prices that feel like a small win in today’s world.

NORTH GC

• Pimpama Pavilion: A parmi and a pint for $30 keeps things simple in the best way. It’s a classic combo that does exactly what it needs to do – push us through to Wednesday.
  Where: 5 Dixon Dr, Pimpama
• Boathouse Tavern: If your word is reliable, then Tuesdays at Boathouse Tavern is where you should be. Pizzas for $15 – a simple crowd pleaser saving wallets and family arguments since… well, forever.
  Where: 101 Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera
• Reds Kitchen & Bar: This is no ordinary Tuesday special; it’s a 50% off your food bill special! Yep, you read that correctly. All you have to do is book a table of 2 or more (up to 14) and choose 3 courses from the Super Tuesday Menu, and you will score 50% off your bill! And this is no average nosh – they’re offering pan-fried barramundi, 250g Angus Rib Eye of the Fillet MB5+, oysters, Matcha Panna Cotta and more! Surely you don’t need convincing.
  Where: Sanctuary Cove Village, 46E/4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
• Paradise Point Bowls Club: Grab a drink at the Paradise Point Bowls Club bar and unlock a stacked meal deal – $17 for members and $19 for non-members – with everything from schnitzels and burgers to curries, pastas and prawns on offer. It’s got variety, it’s got value and it’s available from 5:30pm–8pm every Tuesday (and Monday, just FYI).
  Where: Cnr Sunbird & Thrush Ave, Paradise Point
• Crafty’s: Parmageddon is in full swing at Crafty’s on a Tuesday with $25 classic parmi and house beer or wine from 5pm. It’s flavoursome, filling and ticks all the boxes for a solid midweek feed.
  Where: 147/189 Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters
• The Club at Parkwood: Two-for-one pizza and pasta is the kind of deal that makes Tuesday instantly more appealing. Mix and match your favourites and bring someone along to share, because this one is better enjoyed together. Available for both lunch (11:30am-2:30pm) and dinner (5:30pm-8:30pm). Bonus! Where: Parkwood Village, 76/76-122 Napper Rd, Parkwood

MID GC

• Waxy’s Irish Pub: $15 Irish meals mean hearty plates without the hefty price tag. Think comfort food with a side of good value lunch and dinner every Tuesday.
  Where: 3206 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
• The Cavill Hotel: $19 gets you pasta and garlic bread from 5pm at Cavill Hotel, which feels like stealing. We love carbs, and on Tuesdays, apparently, carbs love us too. Where: 46 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
• House of Brews: $15 nachos that are built for sharing, or not, depending on how the day’s gone. Either way, it’s a win. Think: crispy corn chips with melted mozzarella cheese, tomato-onion salsa, jalapenos, beans, sour cream, and guacamole. Make it better with pulled pork, chicken, pulled beef or BBQ jackfruit. Where: 17 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
• The Sporting Globe: Half-price rump steaks take centre stage (served with beer-battered steak fries and a selection of sauces), with kids eating free alongside every full-priced main. A solid option, whether it’s a family dinner or a catch-up with friends. Where: Cnr Cavill Ave & Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise and Robina Town Centre, 19 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina
• The Island: Parmi and schnitty night?! Try passing that one up without a fight. A $20 schnitzel or a $22 parmigiana keeps things firmly in comfort-food territory. Which one’s better?! No one can ever decide. Both come with a Parmesan and herb crumb, slaw and fries. Every Tuesday, 5-9pm. Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

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• Gold Coast Tavern: $18 pizzas keep things affordable and easy to share ($20 for non-members). It’s a no-fuss option that delivers exactly how it needs to. From 5:30pm every Tuesday.
  Where: 150 Bundall Rd, Bundall
• Lucky Squire: $3 tenders keep things light on the wallet and easy to keep ordering. You need to order a minimum of four, which we have absolutely no issue with. We’ll be just getting started.
  Where: 3 Oracle Blvd, Broadbeach
• Beach Hotel Broadbeach: $20 schnitzels keep it classic. No overcomplication, just a well-priced meal that does the job every time. Served with chips and a house garden salad, available all day! Add a Classic Parmi topper for only $2. Option to swap to a plant-based schnitzel too! Where: 50 Surf Pde, Broadbeach
• Mermaid Beach SLSC: Steak night at $19 is a strong contender for best value of the week. It’s a 200g Steak served with chips, salad, and a choice of gravy. Where: 172 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach
• Mermaid Beach Tavern: Another $20 schnitzel situation, and honestly, we’re here for it. For an Aussie, there will never be enough pub snitty specials. Ever. Where: 2500 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

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• Bonita Bonita: $6 tacos and $20 jugs of sangria are a combination that shouldn’t be ignored. Perfect for rounding up a group, because who doesn’t love tacos and sangria?!   Where: 2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
• MexiCali: For those in Nobby’s, Mexicali has an amazing $6 taco special going on. It’s an easy midweek go-to. Get in before they sell out! Where: Level 1/2223 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
• Bine Beer Bar: You’re not just bringing your appetite for this special, but your brains as well. Bine’s Taco Trivia Tuesdays offers $6 tacos (five options to choose from). Weekly from 7pm, bookings essential. Where: 1/28 Chairlift Ave, Nobby Beach
• Hail Mary: From 5pm, find $6 tacos in many a flavour; choose from fish, chicken, beef, haloumi, cauliflower, pork or just plain ol’ beans. You can’t go wrong with tacos baby. Where: 26 James St, Burleigh Heads

SOUTH GC

• Frida Sol: Classic tacos for $6, washed down with a jug of sangria for just $20. ​The only answer is yes. Bookings are essential. 12pm until late. Dine in only.
  Where: Level 1, 1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
• Currumbin RSL: A lil’ members-only special here: $15 tacos from 5pm. Get 2 x tacos (beef, chicken, fish or cauliflower) plus $16 margaritas (classic, coconut or spicy) and/or $10 Coronas. It might be time to get a membership if you don’t already have one. Where: 165 Duringan St, Currumbin
• Tommy’s Taco: $8 tacos that hit the mark when you’re after something quick and satisfying. And Tommy’s tacos never disappoint.Where: 140 Duringan St, Currumbin
• Tugun Tavern: Get 50% off seafood mains with any drink purchase from 5pm. Choose from dishes like Atlantic salmon, Chilli Prawn Linguine, whiting and chips and more! Perfect for those chasing something different from your usual specials.Where: Corner of Toolona St & Golden Four Dr, Tugun

Words by Chelsea Ipsen