February’s freshest foodie finds.
February’s freshest foodie finds.
The last month of summer has gone by in a flash, but luckily a fresh batch of brand-new venues has made sure it didn’t go unnoticed! From nostalgic chicken shops to a steakhouse with serious honky-tonk vibes, here’s the latest scoop on the hottest openings last month that you’ll want to sink your teeth into.
Tedder Avenue’s newest Italian stallion is here to wow. Bar Ricci in Main Beach is serving coastal Italian glamour with limoncello buttered barramundi, blue swimmer crab pasta, and arancini that’ll steal your heart. Think Aperol Spritz like Amalfi, Michelin-worthy mains and a wine list that’s world-class. With breezy terraces, private rooms and service as stylish as the interiors, Bar Ricci is perfect for long lunches, intimate dinners or Italian family feasts.
Where: 20 Tedder Avenue, Main Beach
All you need is Lovi! Lovi is serving love on a plate with Italian-Mediterranean classics and heart-melting brunch favourites. Minimal coastal vibes and a cosy alfresco corner make lingering a must. Devour Baked Cauliflower, Mezze Maniche in vodka sauce, and cocktails that kiss you back. Whether you’re loved-up, flying solo or brunching with friends, Lovi turns every bite into a little love story. Eat, sip, swoon, repeat.
Where: 133 Laver Drive, Robina
Purrfect Catch Cafe is reeling in Gold Coast locals hook, line and whisker. This new Hope Island spot is pet-friendly, serving up seriously good brunch with clever cat-and-fish vibes from decor to dish names. Think Crabby Kitty Croissants, Sweet Catch Bao, and Tiny Purr Pancakes for little ones. Matcha boba, Tropical Purr-adise smoothies and house-baked cakes make mornings and lunches irresistible. It’s witty, whimsical and a total purrfect catch for humans, pets and taste buds alike.
Where: 26/340 Hope Island Road, Hope Island
Chasing the sunset never tasted so good. Sunset on Chevron is giving a Gold Coast fave a shiny new glow, serving brunches that roll into lunch with cocktails that sparkle when the sun dips. Enjoy fish tacos with zing, katsu burgers with crunch and espresso martinis on cue. It’s bringing fresh coastal energy to one of the Gold Coast’s most community-minded pockets. And yes, we’ll absolutely stay for one more round!
Where: 1/64 Thomas Drive, Chevron Island
Chicken tonight? Don’t mind if we do! The Salty Chook is spinning golden birds in Rainbow Bay and serving pure post-surf satisfaction. Think free-range rotisserie chook with crackly skin, Nashville hot burgers that bring the heat, and chippies dusted in extra chicken salt (obviously). It’s nostalgic with no-fuss, where sandy feet and salt-of-the-earth souls are always welcome.
Where: 13 Ward Street Coolangatta
Forks at the ready! A yummy new chapter has begun for baker Heya Yum, turning her cult cake biz into a real-life sugar haven in Mermaid Beach! Serving ready-to-go celebration cakes that make 6am feel like sweet o’clock, this little shop means you can whip up an impromptu party any day of the week. Think mini masterpieces, cupcakes and pastries with flavours from Biscoff to raspberry. It’s sweet, soulful and sprinkled with Yum’s magic.
Where: 1a/2475 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Turn over a new leaf at Leaf Cafe & Co in Broadbeach. This newbie is serving breezy easy mornings with a side of brunch. Tuck into Pistachio French Toast, Truffle Mushroom Bruschetta and pasta-before-noon energy. The house-roasted coffee hits just right, whether you’re a short black sipper or oat latte lover. Bonus points for being close to the beach, it’s the kind of spot where one sip of coffee will help you leaf your worries behind.
Where: Meriton Suites, Shop 8, 2669 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach
Rowdy Ranch Steakhouse is raising the steaks and the roof in Surfers Paradise. Think smoky brisket, a show-stopping 1kg Tomahawk Steak, and wings that deserve their own fan club. There’s a mechanical bull daring you to hold on, a d-floor for line dancing and a stage for live country music straight outta Nashville. It’s boot-scooting, bucking-bull fun for both family get-togethers and full-throttle nights out. Saddle up!
Where: 3/15 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Words by Lisette Drew
Dishing up all the tasty newcomers.
2026 is wasting no time turning up the heat on the Gold Coast food scene. Whether you’re chasing cheesecake with your car wash, cookies by the beach or all-you-can-eat feasts, these fresh openings are already making us hungry for what’s ahead. Here’s where to go first.
Seoul food incoming! Pacific Fair has gone all out with Seoul Garden’s all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and hot pot experience. Think sizzling grills, endless meats, bubbling broths and neon-lit vibes made for group hangs. You and your crew can sizzle and slurp your way through premium cuts, banchan galore and comfort classics. Come hungry, leave very happy.
Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, 32 Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach Waters
Ciao down to Nico. deli & shop, Kirra’s new love letter to Italian culture. Just steps from the sand, this neighbourhood-style deli channels espresso-at-the-bar energy, stacked paninis and sweet little cannoli moments. With mid-century charm and top-notch local produce Nico. feels like a proper Italian pit stop minus the long-haul flight. Pop in for a coffee, stay for the focaccia and leave planning your next visit.
Where: Shop 17/48 Musgrave Street, Kirra
Just deli-cious! Giuseppe’s Deli is back and serving proper Italian comfort eats in Mermaid Beach. Now under new management at The Oxley, this old-school style deli is all about stacked focaccia, classic flavour combos and pasta that tastes like it came straight from nonna’s kitchen. Think sandwiches loaded with fresh fillings, triple-cheese truffle melts and comforting pastas. This is just seriously good Italian food done right.
Where: The Oxley 1823, 17 Lavarack Road, Mermaid Beach
Look at MOI now! Mad Over Italian has opened its second venue, bringing its much-loved Italian comfort food to Emerald Lakes. After winning fans in Hope Island, this family-friendly fave is serving up woodfired pizzas, classic pastas and vino-fuelled good times in a dreamy “Little Europe” setting. Satisfy midweek carb cravings with long lunches by the water and date nights that end in tiramisu. Casual, cosy and completely irresistible, this is one opening Emerald Lakes is already mad about.
Where: 3030 The Boulevard, Carrara
The coolest kid on the Coast has officially landed, with Elly’s Gelato now scooping in Currumbin. Created by a crew of beach-loving mates who refused to end a surf without something sweet, this retro-cute gelato bar is pure summer energy. Think Blood Orange Sorbet, Peppermint Choc Chip, Bubblegum and classic creamy favourites, all served just steps from the sand. Post-swim, post-walk or post-“just nabbed a car spot”, Elly’s is the cherry on top of a perfect beach day.
Where: 778 Pacific Parade, Currumbin
Fish and chips, anyone? Red Hot Cod in Burleigh Heads just levelled up with tropical alfresco dining, a breezy bar and all Bali-inspired. Tuck into their famous golden, crispy fish, snapper poke bowls and new satay sticks that pair perfectly with coconut margaritas or Red Hot Cod Lager. Run by local legends Simon, Buffie, and daughter Mila, it’s where post-surf feeds turn into long lunches and holiday mode kicks in even if you’re just on a lunch break.
Where: 1716 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Spice up your life at SABA Kitchen in Surfers Paradise! Tucked inside Hotel Jardin, this pan-Asian hotspot serves bold, flavour-packed dishes designed for sharing (or not, if the game-farm duck breast steals your heart, and it will). Think sashimi kissed with yuzu, smoky robata-grilled skewers, and Mooloolaba prawns in XO coconut sauce, all washed down with cocktails that sparkle as much as the food. Sleek, intimate and unpretentious, SABA is where long lunches turn into late-night feasts.
Where: Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre, 3240 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Butter me up, Byron! ButterBoy has landed on Jonson Street, bringing chunky NYC-style cookies, soft-serve, and the viral cookie milk straight to the Bay. From oozy centres to golden edges, these cookies are next level. Founded by James Sideris, ButterBoy’s fifth store promises the sweetest snack vibes around with a rotating menu of flavours that are irresistible like Lotus Crunch and Ripple Choc Brown Butter. Need we say more?
Where: 17–21 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
Mermaid Beach just got a wellness glow-up with House of Hälsa, where health meets good vibes and even better food. Founded by Coco Loberg and Gareth Fletcher, this Swedish-inspired spot turns nourishing bites into a playful adventure with parmesan jam toast, vibrant watermelon ceviche, and smoothies with cheeky names like Cody Simpson’s Neptune. Terracotta walls, sunken lounges, and cosy textures makes feeling good look (and taste) effortless.
Where: 1/2453 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Holy dough-ly! Coomera just claimed the Gold Coast’s sweetest crown with Australia’s biggest Krispy Kreme Hot Light™ store. Melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts roll fresh off the line while a drive-thru makes snagging your sugar fix ridiculously easy. Peek through the glass window for a front-row view of dough to drizzle magic, sip on coffee, and maybe sneak a second (or third) OG. Big, bold, and unapologetically glazed, this is a doughnut playground where one is never enough.
Where: 1 Prosper Avenue, Coomera
Find your people at Our Tribe cafe, a pastel paradise just steps from Kirra beach. This is a full family affair with husband-and-wife Jamie-Leigh and Chris Wilkinson running the show with their four kids. From rosti Bennys to potato waffles and Seven Mile Coffee that hits just right, it’s a place to feel at home. Grab a seat and settle in, you’ve officially found your tribe.
Where: Shop 1/1 Douglas St, Coolangatta
Washing your car just became a whole lot more fun with Yellow & Butter, a brand new cafe tucked inside Cloud 9 Car Wash in Southport. While your car gets squeaky clean, you can demolish rich Basque cheesecakes (all gluten free), buttery brioche buns and cute cloud-inspired drinks. Owned by chef Hayley Namgung, it turns a boring chore into a full-blown treat.
Where: 92 Ferry Road, Southport
Words by Lisette Drew
End the year on a high note (and a full stomach).
While most industries wind down for the holidays, hospitality kicks into high gear, keeping locals and visitors well fed and ready for the year ahead.
From cosy coffee gems to a $10 million dining precinct, we round out 2025 with a deliciously diverse mix of new openings.
Coffee and chill is the brief at Relaxed Espresso in Mermaid Beach. This laid-back local flips the morning rush into a slow sip, serving quality brews and banging toasties with good vibes only. With a minimalist fit-out, curated tunes and coffee made by Josh Key who’s been in the game long enough to know how much coffee means to us all, it’s the kind of spot that makes you pause before the day kicks off.
Where: 3/2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
The Straddie Hotel is officially back on deck, serving seaside nostalgia with a fresh summer glow. Think cold beers, live music and pub classics enjoyed with million-dollar ocean views. Reimagined but still gloriously laid-back, this is where locals, legends and holidaymakers come together for sunrise sessions to sunset singalongs. Jump on the ferry over, kick off your thongs and settle in.
Where: 158 E Coast Rd, Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island
Kuroki Teppanyaki has landed in Sanctuary Cove, bringing refined flame-licked feasts to the waterfront. This is teppanyaki with premium produce, moody interiors and chefs who let flavour do the flexing. Expect sizzling wagyu, seafood and just enough theatre to keep things fun without stealing the show.
Where: Shop 3A Masthead Way, Hope Island
Burleigh’s Hibiscus Haven has a new crush, and it’s serving Mohr than you’d expect! Mohr Cafe and Deli delivers all-day plates, Mediterranean-inspired lunches and a deli stacked with grab-and-go goodness. Run by hospo power couple Rob and Eden Mohr, it’s food worth telling the group chat about. Bonus points for pairing perfectly with a Black Hops beer next door.
Where: 4 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
Forget the dancefloor, the hottest line in town is for grin-inducing goodness. Goo-E Dessert Bar is Broadbeach’s newest sweet obsession, turning frozen yoghurt and ice cream into a full-blown dessert playground. With self-serve machines and over 50 toppings, you can stack, drizzle and swirl to your heart’s content. Messy is encouraged, excess is celebrated and every cup is a work of art.
Where: 6 Charles Avenue, Broadbeach
Shannon Bennett has turned Byron Bay into a choose-your-own-dining adventure with The Belongil, a $10 million coastal precinct where food, art and community come together. Spanning four distinct venues, it’s a bistro, a fine dining restaurant, a kiosk and secret bar all rolled into one. Grounded in local produce and big creative energy, this is not just a place to eat, it’s a place to belong.
Where: 33–35 Childe Street, Byron Bay, NSW
Kaktus Bar is turning up the heat at Southport Sharks with an agave-fuelled Mexican fiesta. Think colourful cantina vibes, build-your-own margaritas and street eats made for sharing. It’s part bar, part playground, part tequila education where good times are guaranteed. Arrive thirsty, leave smiling (and maybe slightly spicy).
Where: Cnr Musgrave and Olsen Aves, Southport
Oro you ready for a taste of Italy? Much loved Sogno Italiano cousins have done it again with their third venue landing in Broadbeach, serving Italian classics with coastal swagger. Made for long lunches that flirt with dinner, Oro turns hand-made pasta, flame-kissed seafood and show-stopping steaks into pure Euro delight.
Where: 95 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Good Day Coffee gets a fresh pour with Willy’s Beans, as founder Jayson Mathiou brings his Colombian-inspired specialty brews to the much-loved Tugun local. A long-time regular turned owner, Jayson has refreshed the space while keeping its soul intact, from the iconic avo toast to the same feel-good energy that’s made Good Day a community favourite for years.
Where: 3/476 Gold Coast Hwy, Tugun
Mr Spiros Handmade Yiros has landed at The Oxley, bringing proper Greek feasts to Nobby Beach. Think hand-made pita, triple-cooked chips and meat cooked low and slow. No shortcuts, just Greek hospitality with a Gold Coast tan. Grab it wrapped or plated, crack a beer and let the yiros do the talking.
Where: The Oxley 1823, 17 Lavarack Road, Mermaid Beach
Words by Lisette Drew
The freshest spots are here, and the Gold Coast is just warming up.
The year’s winding down, but if November openings are anything to go by, the Gold Coast is still full throttle.
From sampling sizzling meats and frosty fruity treats to soaking up the vibes in beer gardens and on mountain picnics, we’ve rounded up all the November openings so you can start planning your ultimate end-of-year adventures.
Peddly Picnics is rolling into Tamborine Mountain with the smoothest way to explore the Scenic Rim… on two wheels! Grab an e-bike, load up your picnic basket and cruise between wineries, distilleries, cafes and lookout spots at your own breezy pace. With lush rainforest trails, secret foodie stops and even room for a pup in the basket, it’s the ultimate sip-and-snack summer adventure. Trust us, this is one wheelie good day out.
Where: 43 Main St, Tamborine Mountain
The Chilly Bin is officially Tugun’s coolest new hangout, bringing a taste of true Kiwi summer with its real fruit ice cream served straight from a converted horse float. Blending frozen fruit with silky handmade ice cream on the spot, it’s part soft serve, part smoothie, and all delicious. Think mango, mixed berry, rotating specials and even dairy-free bases made with coconut milk and olive oil. With sunny seating, games and major chill vibes, this spot has summer written all over it.
Where:478 Golden Four Drive, Tugun
Costa Taco has taken over Burleigh in the best possible way, opening its biggest and boldest venue yet. What started as a tiny Palm Beach hole-in-the-wall with epic queues has grown into a full-blown coastal fiesta, and this new flagship is the ultimate taco playground. With 110 seats, colourful vibes, icy margaritas and all your Costa favourites, Burleigh is officially the new home of tortilla-fuelled good times.
Where: 1718 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh
Southport is heating up, and it’s all thanks to Ember by Fire Baby, the fiery new sibling turning up the sizzle on Welch Street. Upstairs, Fire Baby brings cheesy comfort by the slice, but downstairs Ember is where things get sear-iously smoky. Think flame-kissed steaks, charcoal-grilled seafood and bold dishes crafted by a powerhouse culinary team. With moody vibes, inventive flavours and that irresistible open-fire aroma, Ember is serving up the kind of heat you’ll happily lean into.
Where: 10 Welch Street, Southport
Pappa Flock has swooped into Surfers Paradise, landing on Cavill Ave with a whole lot of cluckin’ good energy. The bright, beach-inspired venue features bold orange decor and a mural by local artist Kiel Tillman, instantly claiming landmark status. Known for a loyal fan base, Pappa Flock hand-breads every tender and squeezes thousands of lemons daily for unbeatable lemonade. From the Mighty Box to Loaded Fries and signature Crispy Chicken sandwiches, this new hotspot is set to be Surfers’ go-to for a flockin’ good feed.
Where: Paradise Centre, Shop 24, 2 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
Hotel Jardin has officially brought a new era of chic to Chevron Renaissance, unveiling a multi-level playground of bars, dining and late-night glamour. Its first stage features the moody Lobby Bar, a sultry Piano Bar and SABA Kitchen, where Executive Chef Minh Le dishes up spice-driven pan-Asian flavours. With velvet booths, live music, refined cocktails and a rooftop arriving in 2026, Hotel Jardin is set to become Surfers Paradise’s newest go-to for elevated evenings, golden-hour moments and seriously stylish fun.
Where: Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre, 3240 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Cheek Café has arrived in Southport with big flavours, bold personality and peachy-good vibes. This sunny corner spot blends playful design with seriously good coffee, wholesome ingredients and a menu inspired by Greek, Italian and Aussie roots. Owner Natalie Yiannakopoulos has poured her heart into every detail, backed by Head Chef Anjelika Arnaiz, whose global experience brings a refined twist to brunch favourites. From the Cheeked Up Benny to Peachy Pannacotta, this cafe is guaranteed to brighten your day.
Where: 412/1 Como Crescent, Southport
Crack a cold one because Padre Brewing Co has officially landed in Miami. Built on two decades of friendship, the crew behind Padre believes good beer is best shared, and their new 160-seat brewery is the best place for it. Expect 14 beers brewed onsite, a menu stacked with elevated pub classics and a space designed for good times. Whether you’re sinking a lager, sampling an IPA or grabbing a takeaway, Padre is your new best mate.
Where: 9 Ozone Parade, Miami
Words by Lisette Drew
