Fire Baby turns up the heat in Southport.
Fire Baby turns up the heat in Southport.
Southport, get ready for a new hot spot! Fire Baby is firing up on all cylinders, and trust us, it’s a slice of something special. Doors are officially open, bringing a new dose of deliciousness to the heart of Southport.
The vision for Fire Baby comes from Dr Michael Read and Donna Read, proud locals with a passion for Southport. Michael, a doctor and accomplished businessman, has spent over 35 years building medical, childcare and community-focused ventures in the area. Now, with Donna by his side, he’s bringing his lifelong love of food into the Southport community.
Step inside and you’ll feel like you’ve been tossed straight into the flames in the best way possible. Phillip Buchanan of Burleigh Design wrapped the interior in exposed red brick, so dining here feels like stepping inside a giant pizza oven. Add in the handiwork of Theo Meredith and the TDM Constructions team, and you’ve got a space that’s warm, welcoming and ideal for sharing those cheese-pull moments with friends.
But of course, decor is just the dough base. The real magic happens in the kitchen. Executive Chef Bradley Davids, originally from South Africa, brings the heat with a background steeped in the tradition of cooking over open flames. Growing up with the braai – South Africa’s much-loved barbecue custom – Brad learned early on how to coax incredible flavour out of fire. From New Zealand bakeries to high-end Sydney pubs, and from gastro adventures across the USA, Canada and Europe, he’s carried this flame around the globe. Now, at Fire Baby, he’s stoking it into something truly spectacular.
And then there’s the man behind the oven: Vincenzo Quaranta. Born and raised in Italy, Vincenzo practically grew up with flour on his hands. After perfecting the craft at family-run pizzerias in Italy and later Frankie’s Pizza in Sydney, he’s brought his infectious love of pizza to the Gold Coast. His wood-fired creations are the kind that stop conversation mid-sentence – crispy, chewy and topped with authentic Italian soul.
But first, antipasti. Dive into charcuterie boards piled high with wagyu bresaola, prosciutto, truffle squid ink salami, pancetta, guindilla, piccalilli, olives, buckwheat crisp and puff bread.
The real showstopper is, of course, the pizza. From the simplicity of a classic Margherita with San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil and parmesan to the hearty comfort of Patate e salsiccia with mozzarella, provolone, roast potato, salsiccia and rosemary, Fire Baby’s wood-fired creations are shaping up to be the kind of slice that would make even your nonna smile.
Activate your dessert stomach with an ice-cream platter featuring pistachio, 66% Valrhona, and lemon cheesecake, or sip your sweets instead with a Mediterranean Bloom, a refreshing mix of St-Germain, limoncello, Aperol, gin and grapefruit. To top it all off, the wine list is swoon-worthy, brimming with delicious drops from both Australia and Europe.
Opening in two stages, it’ll first serve up classic, wood-fired comfort at Fire Baby Pizzeria before levelling up with Ember by Fire Baby – an elevated dining experience showcasing fire in all its refined, charcoal-grilled glory. One venue, two dining experiences, endless reasons to come back for seconds.
Where: 8-10 Welch Street, Southport
When: Wed – Sun 12pm – Late, take away: 12pm – 8.30pm
Words by Lisette Drew
Carbohydrates are friends not foe. Repeat that, please.
Pasta is the very foundation of Italian cuisine and perhaps this is why our Italian friends have so much fire in their bellies. Italians are some of the most animated and passionate people you can meet. For this, we love them. For giving the world pasta, we adore them!
As we sit in the midst of winter, we think it’s the perfect time to enjoy hearty and soul-satisfying dishes, and nothing quite ticks those boxes like handmade pasta goodness, with ALL of the cheese, naturally.
But where does one find the perfect pasta dish? The Gold Coast has many fine Italian eateries, so we painstakingly undid a notch on our belts and compiled a list of the very best. We’re nice like that. We dare you to finish reading the list and not be tempted to attempt a GC pasta crawl for the ages (0/0 cardiologists recommend).
Prawn & Lobster Risotto
Here we are pushing the boundaries right away. We know risotto is not pasta. But what good are we if we don’t broaden your ho-rice-ons in the name of delicious food? Particularly when MĀRE by La Luna Beach Club’s Prawn & Lobster Risotto is on the line, made with creamy stracciatella, pink pepper and fresh thyme. It’s a treat for your tastebuds that’s made even better with views of the marina. Now that’s a seafood lover’s dream!
Where: Pool Pontoon, Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach
Pacchero Genovese
Move over spaghetti, there’s a new carb crush in town, Pacchero Genovese from La Calabrese. Think fresh ribbons of pasta cuddled up with melt-in-your-mouth slow-cooked pork shoulder and beef brisket, all swimming in a silky onion sauce that brings just the right hint of sweetness. To make things even saucier, it’s topped with a luscious parmesan fondue and a drizzle of basil oil. Comfort food? More like chef’s kiss levels of perfection.
Where: Level 1, Meriton Surfers Paradise, 86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Gnocchi Pesto
The latest gem from the Gemelli Group is dishing up all the rustic trattoria vibes, handmade pizzas, hearty pastas, BYO vino and even a scoop (or three) of Gelato Gemelli to seal the deal. And while pasta purists may protest, we simply can’t help ourselves when it comes to these fluffy little hand-crafted pillows of joy. Papa Rolly’s homemade potato gnocchi with traditional basil pesto, cherry tomatoes and parmesan is pure comfort in a bowl, one big, cheesy, herby party for your taste buds.
Where: 124 Pappas Way, Carrara
Spaghetti Marinara
Serving up all the rustic Italian vibes in the sleek surrounds of The Star Gold Coast, Cucina Vino knows how to do seafood right. Their Spaghetti Marinara is the kind of dish that could make Poseidon himself jealous—think plump king prawns, market-fresh fish, tender calamari and juicy black mussels tangled through al dente spaghetti. Choose your adventure: a rich red sauce or a delicate white, either way your taste buds are about to go full Vespa ride along the Amalfi Coast.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Lobby Level, Broadbeach
Spaghetti al Gamberi
The Gemelli twins are known for creating an authentic Italian experience and, all their dishes, including mouth-watering pasta, are made fresh in-house daily and way too good to sample just the one. Give the Spaghetti al Gamberi a try because these guys combine prawns, zucchini, chilli, garlic and olive oil in the best possible way.
Where: 2/2685 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach
Cacio e Pepe
Is there anything more indulgent than pasta twirled theatrically through a 40kg wheel of parmesan? At Sofia’s, their signature Cacio e Pepe is an elegant ode to simplicity, spaghetti coated in cream, cracked pepper and, of course, a generous snowstorm of parmesan, all served straight from the wheel at your table. It’s rich, it’s romantic, and it’s proof that sometimes the simplest things in life are the most luxurious.
Where: The Oasis Shopping Centre, Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach
4 Formaggi Gnocchi (Wednesdays only)
Stop what you’re doing. The Gold Coast’s crispy-licious pizza bar has grown a second, spaghetti-shaped arm! Yes, you assumed correctly; they now serve pasta! However, we want to hold the fettuccine for a second (our hearts couldn’t endure any longer), to present you with their 4 Formaggi Gnocchi. It’s homemade, gnocchi, swimming in a godly amount of cheese; mozzarella, gorgonzola cream, parmesan and pecorino, served in a pizza pasta bowl and wood-fired to perfection... Can we get an amen?!
Where: 4/1840 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Spaghetti alle vongole
A coastal classic gets the LiTO glow-up with their Spaghetti alle Vongole, perfectly al dente strands tangled with sweet clams, kissed with white wine, garlic, chilli and a squeeze of lemon. It’s the kind of dish that feels effortlessly elegant yet utterly comforting, like the ocean pulled up a chair to join you for dinner. Simple, refined and unforgettable, the very essence of Italian seaside dining, right in the heart of Burleigh.
Where: Ground Level, 3 First Ave, Burleigh Heads
Pappardelle Bolognese
It’s no secret that Justin Lanes’ pizza game is strong! But did you know their pasta game is just as mighty? You should probably go and try them all. But, if you do decide to choose just one, let it be the house staple: Rich pappardelle, pork + veal, bolognese with grana padano. Bellissimo!
Where: 1708-1710 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Pumpkin & Ricotta Ravioli
Oh, Balboa you aesthetically pleasing thing you. Their fit-out, with a glamorous chandelier and bright red Vespa, is reason enough to visit. The pizza is outstanding, but most importantly, their pasta is to die for. Did we mention it’s all handmade on-site? Including (but not limited to) their Pumpkin & Ricotta Ravioli. You will smell this dish coming before you see it; the delectable, rich, nutty aroma of brown butter, sage, hazelnuts, mixed exotic mushrooms and parmesan. You could say it’s ravi-oling in flavour.
Where: 1069 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Paccheri Arrabbiata
Casual dining meets impeccably tasting food, underpinned by breathtaking vistas and some of the most attentive service around. Who wouldn’t be satisfied after a hearty bowl of god-tier cylinders that are too good to be tube-doused in a whole lot of red sauce, stracciatella and basil? If this paccheri is wrong, we don’t want to be right.
Where: 818 Pacific Parade, Currumbin
Tagliatelle Tartufo E Porcini
This is the last stop on our virtual pub pasta crawl (but avert the eyes of cardiologists because, well, firstly, are you lost, but does anyone else have the sudden urge to try this IRL). Radici is an Italian family-run restaurant who decided to make sunny Coolangatta home 6 years ago. This dish epitomises why Italian cuisine is so damn good. Take black truffle pesto, marry it with imported pork and fennel sausage and then smother it over handmade tagliatelle. That folks, is one of the finest dishes of pasta you will have south of Sicily.
Where: 99 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
Take your tastebuds on a trip around the world at Australia Fair.
We dream of globe-trotting to taste the world’s best bites on the daily. Devouring dim sum in Hong Kong or scooping up spicy curry in Kuala Lumpur. Drool. But between back-to-back meetings and the eternal laundry pile, overseas food trips often stay stuck on the vision board.
Luckily for us Gold Coasters, Australia Fair is dishing up a world of flavour, right here in the heart of Southport. With over 40 international foodie options to explore, this long-time local favourite has transformed into the GC’s ultimate culinary destination.
First stop: grab a barista-made brew from Tap & Grind Cafe to fuel your appetite (and your shopping spree). Then it’s time to go global.
Your foodie journey kicks off in the buzzing laneway of Broadwater Lane – a melting pot of cultural eats including Itaewon K-Street Food, Delicious Dumplings Dynasty and Sea Emperor. Craving comfort with a side of spice? Slide into a booth at PappaRich for Malaysian roti and rich curries. Feeling peckish for some Korean crunch? NeNe Chicken has the fingerlickin’ fried goods. While around the corner at Jiraiya, steaming bowls of udon and seasonal onigiri will satisfy your soul. Of course, OG legends like Sushi Hub and Breadtop still bring their A-game, and newcomers like Bun Bun Bao and CocoArt are the cherry on top of this ever-growing food scene.
If you like your dinner DIY-style, Mini Hot Pot lets you simmer your own spicy, soupy masterpiece.
No trip is complete without dessert, and trust us, your sweet tooth is in for a whirlwind tour. Bite into cheesy, gooey joy at Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart, sink your teeth into creamy choux from Kurimu, or pretend you’re in Paris at Pierre’s Pastry, where every bite is a buttery escape.
The feast continues across the road at Australia Fair Metro, where food is served all day and well into the night. Don a bib and dig in – Kickin’ Inn is making waves with their Cajun-style seafood boil (hands encouraged, forks optional).
Take a trip to China via a steaming bowl from 1919 Lanzhou Beef Noodle – we’re talking hand-pulled noodles, tender beef and broth so rich it could buy its own beachfront property.
If you love a Yum Cha go no further than Yuyin Chinese Cuisine, the best on the Gold Coast.
Hungry for noodles and dumplings done right? Fen Ku and EHA Dumplings serve up big bowls and big comfort.
Australia Fair isn’t just Southport’s shopping staple anymore – it’s a full-blown flavour fiesta. So grab your crew, bring your appetite and get ready to eat your way around the world!
Where: Australia Fair, 42 Marine Parade, Southport and Australia Fair Metro, 58 Scarborough St, Southport
Website: www.australiafair.com.au
Instagram: @australiafair
Words by Lisette Drew
STORY SPONSORED BY AUSTRALIA FAIR
Rossa Pizzeria's got the goods.
If you’ve been searching for a sign to carb-load with reckless abandon, this is it. Southport’s Rossa Pizzeria & Bar is the latest slice of Italy to land on the Gold Coast, officially opening its doors on Wednesday 21 May – talk about a hump day that delivers.
Located in the lobby of the swanky new TRYP by Wyndham hotel, Rossa is the second eatery to open in the building, joining fine-dining sister venue Amore Ristorante at TRYP. But while Amore might whisper sweet nothings with wine pairings, Rossa is here to shout mangia! with casual, cheese-laden charm.
Now let’s talk dough. Not the kind that’s in your wallet, but the fluffy, golden kind that’s hand-tossed, freshly made, and lovingly crisped in an authentic pizza oven imported straight from the land of la dolce vita. Every pizza is made to order, and every bite is proof that Rossa isn’t here to mess around when it comes to quality ingredients and bold flavours. Their motto? Great pizza, great company – because no memorable night ever began with a salad (though ironically, their fresh seasonal salad is a stunner).
To celebrate opening night, Rossa is throwing a party that’ll have your taste buds doing the tarantella. Be there at 5:30pm sharp and you could score one of the first 50 pizzas absolutely free – no strings, just sauce (dine in only). If you miss out, don’t be too down at the mouth because they’re also slinging bottomless pizzas for $30 per person (dine in only) which fun fact, will happen on the reg every Monday and Tuesday evening.
More than just a pizzeria, Rossa is a stage for great nights out – literally. With live music lighting up the hotel’s shiny new stage every Thursday through Sunday, there’s more fun ambience than you can poke a pizza paddle at. And if you’re in the market to throw your own private pizza party, these are very a much a thing at Rossa.
As for the menu, it’s enough to make an indecisive diner spiral. We recommend kicking things off with a plate of Polpettini – Italian for meatballs and fun to say after a spritz or two. Whether you go beef, pork or eggplant, they’re served with tomato sugo, mozzarella, pesto, focaccia and salad. Perfect for sharing or, you know, not.
For the main event, the Seafood Pizza is a total catch, loaded with prawns, calamari, scallops and a zingy herb oil finish. The Norma Pizza is a vegetarian’s dream with tomato, fried eggplant, basil and creamy ricotta. And don’t overlook the Calzone – it’s like a pizza giving you a warm doughy hug, stuffed with mushroom, salami, mozzarella and onion. Bellissimo!
If pizza’s not your jam (are you okay?), the Lasagne is a solid plan B, oozing with mozzarella and basil. And when you’re done carb-loading like a true Roman, you can sweeten the deal with a classic Tiramisu or some creamy Gelato.
So whether you’re in it for the crust, the company or the catchy live tunes, this new local gem is sure to rise to the occasion!
Where: 59 Meron Street, Southport
When: 12pm – 9pm, Monday to Sunday
Words by Bianca Trathen
