We Gold Coasters like to keep those ‘best kept secrets’ very close to our chest, lest word get out about our fave lesser-known spots.

Which is why the existence of a hidden rooftop haunt flying under the radar right in the heart of Coolangatta may very well be news to many.

A sky-high destination for Mediterranean eats and sips boasting sweeping views of the Cooly skyline.

If you’re not already acquainted with Cooly Breeze Rooftop and Bar, it’s time to be.

Sitting pretty on the 13th floor, it is the Coast’s only fine dining rooftop restaurant with unique views to the southern coastline and the Tweed River surrounds.

With a gastronomy-trained chef at the helm, the views certainly are not the only thing worth heading up for.

For chef-owner powerhouse Marcondes Almeida Neto, Cooly Breeze Rooftop and Bar is the culmination of 16 years refining his craft abroad, after notable stints in the UK and most recently, Italy.

The latter leading to Marcondes uncovering his love of seafood and the stunning Mediterranean coast, and fair enough too, how could you not?

The welcoming space also features those same hints of Amalfi coast influence, with cosy lighting, rustic timber features, chic white tablecloths and flickering candlelight adorning the tables.

Lending a charm that feels akin to being welcomed into an authentic Italian eatery.

Of course, that is if you can tear your eyes away from that stunning ocean vantage for long enough to take it all in.

For starters, we’ll certainly be all about the alla sea – natural oysters with finger lime & ginger, though the thought of digging into the signature Bug on focaccia with avocado, finger lime, jalapeno and watermelon radish sounds like the perfect summer dish.

The Seared Scallops da Costa with walnut butter sauce and cauliflower puree are definitely calling our name. 

The extensive mains offering showcases authentic Mediterranean flavours at their finest.

Seafood features prominently, with the likes of Octopus Tentacles, sautéed potatoes, capers dressing, fresh herbs and the WA Half Lobster & Scallops Linguini, made with caviar, confit tomato and light lemon butter sauce set to steal the show.

There’s a host of equally enticing dishes from the land and earth, with a Vegan Paella, made with zucchini, red capsicum, olives, sun dried tomato, garlic, saffron that’s sure to satisfy absolutely everyone.

To complement the whole experience, there’s a stacked dessert menu (House Nutella Brownie, Spanish Churros, House Tiramisu, Chocolate Lava Cake) or for those who prefer their indulgence to take liquid form for their sipping pleasure, a stellar selection of cocktails (and in case you’re wondering, we’re firmly #teamboth.)

There is absolutely no reason why we would go home without getting our hands on the signature Rainbow Martini – vodka, lychee liqueur, lychee juice, lavender syrup.

Or two for good measure.

The kicker?

This time of year your 5 star dinner might even come with a spontaneous show, with the vantage providing the added bonus of the whaley cool chance to see the whales doing their thing during the migration season.

What more could you need?

Maybe just one more Rainbow Martini.

Where: Level 13 of Beachcomber International Resort, 122 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
When: Mon 5pm – 9pm, Thurs to Sun 12pm – 9pm

Words by Kellie Leader.

STORY SPONSORED BY COOLY BREEZE ROOFTOP AND BAR

How good are sequels from our favourite haunts? Before we’ve even set foot in the door, we know our tastebuds are in for a treat. Couple that gastronomic good standing with a ripper of a spot, and you’ve got D-bar’s dinki-di new caffeination destination, Black Dingo Cafe.

Brought to us by a man with a talent for several things – including sniffing out a pearler of a spot – Black Dingo Cafe is the brand new chapter for Cooly Breeze chef-restauranteur, Marcondes Almeida Neto.

Tucked beneath the iconic lighthouse, find Coolangatta’s latest lurking mere meters from where sand meets sea, overlooking Point Danger’s sweeping outlook. Off the back of a couple’a superb new contributions courtesy of Brisbane’s Gambaro Group, Pipi’s Restaurant and Awaken Café, foodie prospects in Rainbow Bay’s little slice of paradise have certainly been on the rise in recent times.

A little farther up the road on Griffith Street, you’ll also find Marcondes’s original fine dining destination, Cooly Breeze Rooftop Restaurant & Bar – consistently delivering epic eats and stellar views to southern folk since 2021. With sweeping views to the southern coastline and Tweed River surrounds, the panoramically-blessed duo’s 13th floor big sis boasts a pretty swell vantage of its own. Hailing from the UK and spending some 16 years bouncing around Europe honing his craft; it was a stint in Italy cheffing along the stunning Mediterranean coast that led Marcondes to fall for all things coast and sea.

Infusing those now-trademark Mediterranean influences into Black Dingo’s menu, beach goers can now refuel with next-level cafe fare like Lamb Shoulder Baguette, made with 12h slow cooked lamb, swiss cheese, wild rocket and tzatziki sauce, or prosciutto, confit tomato and buffalo mozzarella stuffed La Bella Focaccia’s.

How’s that for beach bites – you can’t take the fine dining out of the man, huh! #IsItLunchTimeYet? Frosty treats like Gelato, Smoothies and Açai Bowls will be a hot commodity on those scorcher salty sessions. Along with pooch-friendly Hugo’s Ice Creamery option for our furry friends, and freshly brewed Coffee going down a treat any day ending in ‘y’.

Drawn to the new location for… obvious reasons… Marcondes wanted his second venture to capture that same ‘invigorating energy of the beach’. With a killer spot procured, Marcondes set about creating a carefully-crafted menu inspired by the coastal lifestyle and using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with a special focus on creating a welcoming, pet-friendly destination for the whole community can enjoy.

The Black Dingo moniker, meanwhile, was chosen to honour the heritage of Duranbah Beach. Named after the SS Duranbah that ran aground there in 1919, Marcondes shares that the cafe’s name is a nod to the area’s traditional name – known to the Gudjinburra-Minyangbal people of the Bundjalong nation as Moy Ngagamb, or ‘Black Dingo Beach’.

Creating a venue that ‘celebrates the beauty of the ocean and the joy of sharing it with loved ones’, there’s certainly more to Black Dingo than meets the tastebuds – though the allure of an especially tantalising all-day eats selection sure won’t hurt the cause in the slightest! Enticing D-bar perambulators daily with portable morsels like B&E Rolls, Bug or Smoked Salmon stuffed Bagels and Pork Belly Baguettes, there’s plenty here to keep locals coming back for more.

We’re onto something pretty darned spesh with this one, Gold Coasters!

Where: 1 Tweed Terrace, Coolangatta (Point Danger lighthouse)
When: Monday to Sunday from 6am to 4pm
Instagram: @blackdingocafe

Words by Kellie Leader
Images by Mathilde Bouby

Coolangatta is our southernmost suburb and it’s almost like stepping back in time for a taste of the good old Gold Coast, a little slower and sleepier (the way we like it) but with a sprinkle of some seriously epic eats for good measure – dreamy.

If you’re a fan of chill coastal vibes and pumping surf, where you can soak up the sunshine all-day long and hop from beach to bar as your heart desires then Cooly’s got your name written all over it. The laidback lifestyle is just one of the reasons why locals love this little beachside suburb, but we’ve found another 16 for when you want to go exploring.

Franc Jr’s
I’ts called the famous pizzeria for a reason, Franc Jr’s have gotten a rep for dishing up the best pizzas on the Gold Coast – maybe even Queensland. Big call, I know but IYKYK. Home of their signature Sicilian square pizza, pop down for takeaway or dine in with a bottle of pinot to wash down your pizza. Our pick is the red strip with a pickled grape salad on the side (sounds weird but trust the process) and a frozen marg if you fancy a tipple.
Where: 2/102 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Pipi’s Restaurant
Cooly brought in the big guns with Brisbane hospitality mavens, the Gambaro Group bringing Pipi’s to life and it’s something Southern Gold Coasters have been waiting for. Pipi’s is the newest seaside sensation to call Cooly home and you best believe our tastebuds can’t get enough of it. Nothing to be crabby about with a Mediterranean-inspired menu – Chargrilled Mooloolaba King Prawns and Freemantle Octopus Carpaccio just a couple of the stars of the show. If you’re feeling boujee then treat yourself to a Kaviari Caviar Bump – served with a shot of Belvedere or glass of Tattinger.

Special mention to the cafe-style sequel to this suave new seafood nosher, Awaken Cafe. Situated underneath Pipi’s Awaken thos caffeine-slinging counterpart is giving girl-next-door (but, y’know, downstairs) in the very best way.
Where: Level 1/275 Boundary Street, Coolangatta

Kefi
Kefi popped up on the café scene in late 2023 and their suitably summer vibe has been gracing our social channels here, there and everywhere. With coffee and food as delicious as the interiors are gorg it’s the kind of spot we could just spend all morning long at. With a Mediterranean twist on your classic brekky favourites, fuel up with a feed or pop in for the viral strawberry matcha and take a stroll on the beach because, wholesome.
Where: Corner of Griffith & McDonald Street, 2/110 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Cooly Breeze
There’s something about being beach side and on a rooftop that just hits different, throw some fine dining into the mix and that’s our kind of trifecta. Executive chef Marcondes Almeida Neto has combined gastronomy with the flavours of the Medierranean Coast for bold flavours you’ve never tasted before. A feast for your eyes and your tum, the dishes are almost too pretty to eat… almost.
Where: Level 13 of Beachcomber International Resort, 122 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Coolangatta Pie Shop
This iconic Gold Coast pie shop has been around for more than 50 years, so it’s no wonder they’re serving up some of the tastiest pies around. We’re partial to a baked good and fortunately, the Coolangatta Pie Shop have them aplenty – perfect for that post surf carb load.
Where: 50 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Maverick Hair & Art Studio
If you’ve been looking for a place to tame that mane then say less, because Maverick Hair & Art Studio’s got your back. Or hair, I guess. The award-winning salon and of course, their stylists, know their way around the locks and can we just say – they do one of the best blondes we’ve seen on the GC, and that’s no easy feat. The refined industrial feel is a pretty little paradise to sit back and relax while you’re pampered, which is exactly what you want when you’re investing hours in those tresses – t’s the crown you never take off, after all. No bad hair days here
Where: First Floor, 1/17 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Bar Evelyn
This place has been a hotspot for locals and visitors ever since it popped up on Marine Parade a couple of years ago. Cooly’s home of antipasto and pasta, you best believe we want a pizza that. Our picks? If you’re a seafood lover like us then the bug bucatini and pickled mussels with bottarga mayo, cucumber and dill are a must try. Sweeten the deal with their house-made tiramisu – do as the Italians do, we say – and one of their season sours.
Where: Shop 20/58 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Clay Cantina
One thing about us is that we are always down for a Mexican moment. Now let’s taco-bout the margs, specifically the Laneway Marg – just trust us when we say their signature agave inspired bev is everything you’ve been looking for in a marg and more. Taste the flavours of all your fave Mexican fare, or if you’d rather a hands on approach to your dining experience, get the crew together for their signature cooking classes where you’ll get up close and personal with their most-loved recipes. Gracias!
Where: 2/16 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Greenmount Beach Surf Club
With unsurpassed views in a northerly direction, you can take in everything overlooking the spectacular Greenmount Beach right up to the skyline of Surfers Paradise and, on some days, beyond. If the surf’s up, watched the surfers below shred waves or wipe out with an ice cold schooner in hand.
Where: Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Cinebar
Forget that there was a ripper cinema in Cooly? How could you! It’s time you get acquainted with Cinebar, a restaurant-style movie experience where you can get the full dinner, drinks and show vibe without having to lift a finger – or leg for that matter. Because we’re all about efficiency, kick back and catch up on the freshest flicks while you’re wined and dined for the ultimate date night with your special someone or your gal pals.
Where: The Strand at Coolangatta

4 Pines
On the brew-tiful beach front you’ll find one of the vibiest beachside breweries we know, the ultimate for whether you’re escaping the surf or just looking for a spot to kick back with live tunes and a beer in hand. You’ll find all your 4 Pines favourites, like the classic Pacific Ale for a fresh and fruity finish or the Pale Ale for a more crisp and citrusy taste, on tap and calling your name. Well, what are you waiting for – hop to it!
Where: The Strand, 28/72 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Ottimo
If you want the inside scoop then here it is – if you want to be served up gelato the Italian way, Ottimo know that sticking to tradition is anything but boring. Having studied at the Gelato University of Carpigiani (yes, that’s a thing), owner Davide let’s his Italian heritage swirl through each delicious morsel whether it’s Ferrero Rocher or passionfruit flavoured. We give it an High Distinction!
Where: 18/52 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Timezone
Nothing like a bit of healthy competition to get the heart rate up, blitz your bestie with more than 200 classic arcae games to choose from. With full-sized bowling lanes, dodgem cars and laser skirmish there’s something for all ages – including the big kids at heart.
Where: Level 1, 72-80 Marine Parade, The Strand, Coolangatta

The Pink Hotel
Not a Cooly local? No problem, because one of our most aesthetic hotels just happens to call Coolangatta home! It’s impossible to miss the iconic pink glow of the Palm Springs inspired Pink Hotel, if it weren’t for the fact that you can spot the GC’s glorious skyline from it, we’d forgive you for thinking you were in the California desert. Originally a motel, the legends behind The Pink Hotel lovingly restored it to its current glory so now we gorg destination for the ultimate staycation – love that for us.
Where: 171 Griffith St, Coolangatta

Eddie’s Grub House
Rock ‘n roll meets fried chicken, burgers and whiskey: does it get any better than that? Get a mouthful of naughty but nice American classics in this soul food dive bar. They regularly have live music and karaoke nights if you’re feeling brave, it’s long been a Cooly institution for good grub and good vibes – for good reason!
Where: 171 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Cooly Rocks On
It’s got to be one of the most colourful creations that Cooly has brought us, each and every year we love seeing Cooly transform into the home of motors and music with a dedicated festival to celebrate the lifestyle of yesteryear. Think Hot Rods, Elvis Tribute Artists, Swing Dancing, Pin Up Pageants and so much more,
Where: Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.