An exceptional new, modern-Asian eatery for Robina.
An exceptional new, modern-Asian eatery for Robina.
They say good things come to those who wait and that certainly seems to be the case for the good people of Robina who have (probably) been waiting quite some time for an eatery of newbie Eddy +Wolff’s calibre.
The not-quite-open space has been the talk of the town for the last couple of months with owners Thao and Vien Nguyen (of Can Tho Kitchen fame) keeping tight-lipped on the location and style of venue. But it’s a secret no more with the intimate eatery set to open on Wednesday March 27th and here’s the low down for your learning pleasure.
You’ll find Eddy + Wolff in the midst of bustling Robina, just slightly out of the way and bringing all your Asian food dreams to life. The space, a former Laundromat, has been absolutely transformed into a chic, 22-seat venue with a curved, polished concrete ceiling, a neon sign reading ‘I love drinking beer’ (written in Chinese Mandarin, which is amazing) and a pink velvet corner bench seat we would give up everything we own for.
You can perch up at the bar, with iron shelves holding many a bottle of delightful spirits hanging overhead or, at said pink velvet couch underneath the front window. It’s all very edgy and understated and, to be honest, one of the most beautiful fitouts we’ve come across in our local travels.
Having taken over and transformed Can Tho Kitchen (from Thao’s Mum) in 2014, the pair were keen to create something quite different for the Coast. Eddy + Wolff is a combination of their travels throughout Asia and, a trip to sample many a Melbourne eatery, and it is indeed unlike anything else around these parts.
The menu is made up of BBQ-style dishes, snacks, bigger plates and sides, all of which are designed to share and hail from Thao and Vien’s home country of Vietnam, China, Japan and Korea to name a few.
Don’t go past the Vietnamese-style Pork Collar, Korean BBQ Quail (with a bit of a spicy kick) and the Isaan Tofu Salad with Kaffir lime and sweet and sour caramel. All absolute taste sensations.
The wine list is tight, curated to match the menu perfectly and featuring a select few Canberra beauties because Canberra, friends, is the city where the couple met and Eddy and Wolff are the streets they lived on at that time.
There are just four cocktails on offer and we highly recommend Peace to the East with Jinzu gin, maraschino liqueur, Yuzu lime juice and cucumber. Fresh and zesty.
All your favourite Asian beers, and a few local ones, are on offer too and a very tasty Lychee cider that can’t be found anywhere else locally. YUM.
As always, you may choose your own adventure in the dish department or go with The Lucky Eight set menu ($40 for lunch and $45 for dinner), which is made up of two dishes from each section of the menu – BBQ, snacks, a bit bigger and side dishes. Such good value.
Oh and, quite the fans of meaningful little touches everywhere, the team have created a sweet menu that features both an illustrated cityscape of the spots they’ve travelled and also little speech bubbles with words like ‘love’, ‘tradition’, BBQ, and ‘spicy’ in many languages, dotted throughout.
So you see, good things really do come to those who wait. We’ll be in Robina if you need us.
LOCATION: 12-217/219 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina
HOURS: Wednesday 5pm until 10pm, Thursday to Saturday 12pm until 2pm and 5pm until 10pm and Sunday 12pm until 2pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
This ‘burb has all the bells and whistles.
Pop quiz! Where’s one place on the Gold Coast, where you can shop till you drop, eat your body weight in quality nosh, wander amongst stunning natural parklands and more? It’s Robina! There’s also a hospital and train station, but unfortunately, they’re not exciting enough to make our list.
Here are 18 things that are exciting enough to make our list.
Say ciao to Robina’s (perhaps, Gold Coast’s) most authentic and downright delicious pasta joint! The artisan pasta boutique store is brought to us by a European mother and daughter duo – how could it not be? Made with high-quality durum wheat semolina (rich in fibre, protein, vitamin B, and also digestion-friendly), their fresh-as pasta can be paired with a selection of their no-nasties, slow-cooked sauces. The best!
Where: Easy T Centre, 514 Christine Avenue, Robina
The Euro food tour continues at My French Pastries- a slice of Paris right in Robina. They deliver made-from-scratch croissants, tarts, and decadent desserts, with each pastry crafted with high-quality ingredients that keep locals coming back for more (and more and more). Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.
Where: Shop 5, 4226/361 Robina Pkwy, Robina
Home of our beloved Titans, CBUS Super Stadium is one of the best regional stadiums in Australia and it’s ours, all ours (insert wicked snigger). Not only do Gold Coasters spend their weekends cheering on the boys here, but we’ve also been lucky enough to watch A-league and international football games, the Nitro Circus, and the Rugby 7s as part of the Commonwealth Games. High five to CBUS for being our homegrown hub of sporting joy.
Where: Centreline Place, Robina
An intimate 24-seat Asian bar and restaurant offering a modern take on Southeast Asian cuisine. The menu showcases creative dishes from Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, inspired by vibrant street food flavours and regional classics. With its cosy setting, flavour-packed plates and a Chef Hat from the Australian Good Food Guide for 2025, it’s a top pick for both date nights and group dining.
Where: 44 Commerce Dr, Robina
She’s smart, she’s stunning- she’s Bond University. Yes, Robina is home to the prestigious and world-class institution that helps current and future generations reach their biggest goals! Bond combines innovative teaching, a supportive campus community, and beautiful surroundings to create an inspiring study environment.
Where: 14 University Drive, Robina
The spacious, sports-themed bar and restaurant made a big splash on Robina Town Centre when it first moved in and continues to do so in 2023. Within The Sporting Globe there are no less than 50 high definition screens including two 5m2 screens and a nine-screen video wall, so yeah nah, you’re not missing a single second of the action. They’re also serving up perfect sport-watching food, frosty bronsons galore, and an all-round cracking good atmosphere. It’s a sure thing.
Where: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina
Calling all dog lovers! This expansive dog park is the perfect place for your furry friend to run, play, and socialise safely. With plenty of open space and shaded areas, it’s ideal for a weekend outing with your four-legged family members.
Where: Lot 21 Robina Pkwy, Clear Island Waters
A vibrant café serving wholesome, flavour-packed meals crafted from fresh, local ingredients. Harvest Foodhouse is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a relaxed lunch, with mouthwatering options like lamb shoulder tacos, cauliflower steak with a white bean hummus, loaded savoury croissants and triple-choc waffles. You’re gonna need to make a few trips.
Where: 361 Robina Parkway, Robina
The playground to end all playgrounds! Greenheart Robina Parklands is a 22.5-hectare wonderland with towering slides, net bridges, trampolines, swings, water play, and a toddler zone, all fully fenced with an onsite café (hallelujah). Kids can pedal off to the bike track with humps, bumps, and traffic signs, while parents chill under shady umbrellas. Add in walking paths, a boardwalk, half basketball court and a dog park, and you’ve got the ultimate family day out.
Where: Stadium Dr, Robina
A tried and tested (regularly. Very regularly….) favourite, Robina Pav features a sleek look’n’feel, dreamy deck overlooking the water, a specialised kids area, and plenty of good vibes. Boasting a menu packed with epic eats from woodfired pizzas to stacked burgers, it would be rude not to get involved with the impressive cocktail menu #IfWeMust. It’s the perfect spot for sun-soaked afternoon sessions with you posse.
Where: 229 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina
A modern Australian rooftop bar and restaurant, Green Fields serves up flavour-packed dishes with a focus on quality produce and sustainability. The stylish rooftop setting makes it ideal for enjoying a meal while taking in the Robina skyline.
Where: 94 Laver Dr, Robina
A yakitori-focused Japanese-Korean grill in Robina, known for its smoky binchotan charcoal skewers. The menu features wagyu beef, free-range chicken, veggie options, and fresh seafood, paired with Japanese whisky, beer, and wine. Perfect for casual dinners or a night out.
Where: 126/128 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina
If open spaces and oodles of greenery, in the middle of a city no less, is your thing (yes please), Cheltenham Park is the business. There are plenty of areas for the kids – human and fury – to run themselves ragged (#yeahmums!) bushwalking tracks, and big leafy trees to stretch out beneath with a picnic and your favourite people. Perfect for escaping the rat race without chewing through the petrol in search of a tree change.
Where: Cheltenham Drive, Robina
Cocoflufferia by Goji is the all-new dessert wonderland, where dairy-free decadence meets a candy-land of toppings! Grab a bowl of their light and fluffy vegan soft serve, then go crazy with a line-up of delicious toppings like pistachio kanufa, Bueno, pistachio and Nutella sauce, Biscoff crumbs, mini mochi, M&Ms and fresh fruits!
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina
Step into a world of optical illusions and interactive 3D art. Artvo is not only visually stunning but also a playground for your imagination, offering endless photo opportunities and fun for all ages.
Where: Ground Floor, Near the Kitchens, next to Lush, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
Riva is the home of sleek and stylish premium workspaces that make the 9-to-5 grind feel…well, less grindy. They’re designed to foster productivity and creativity by combining comfort, style, and convenience, with both private and co-working options.
Where: 2/14 Edgewater Court, Robina
Small Fry offers a modern twist on classic Australian seafood. One of their signature dishes is the Bug Bao– lightly battered bug meat in a steamed bun with coleslaw, chilli, shallots, lime, and sriracha mayo. Don’t walk, run! Pair that with a serve of their Family Parmesan and Truffle Fries, and damnnnnn!
Where: 273 Scottsdale Drive, Robina
Your most Instagrammable matcha moments await at Matcha Therapy- where everything is made with ceremonial grade matcha powder from Uji, Japan. Sit, sip and shop your way through matcha heaven.
Where: 129 Laver Drive, Robina
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
Authentic Vietnamese food for Mermaid Beach.
In happy news for the good people of Mermaid Beach (and the rest of us quite frankly) L’Viet Palais quietly swung open its doors a few short weeks ago, bringing authentic Vietnamese food that is sure to tickle your tastebuds.
Found on the highway next door to Mermaid institution bike central, the spacious venue is beautifully decked out with deep burgundy walls, giant, golden laughing Buddha’s and intricate chandeliers. On one wall, an artistic piece made of thick rope and artfully placed wine bottles steals the show.
The menu is perfectly authentic, filled with dishes you’d find in restaurants across the entirety of Vietnam.
While the whole thing represents all the rich flavours and mouth-watering combinations we love about Asian food, allow us to highlight a few that will ensure this place becomes your new fave quick smart.
To start, the Chim Cut Nuong XA OT is grilled quails in herbs and spices served with fresh lemon and white pepper dipping sauce and it is heavenly and then some.
Obviously get yourself several mains and make sure one of them is Thit Kho Trung – simmered chunky pork in young coconut juice, chilli, eggs and with steamed veggies.
If tasty salads are your thing, go the Goi Tom Ngo Sen which is lotus roots, king prawns, red onion, celery, carrot, mint, chilli, roasted peanuts, fried shallots and coriander.
ALSO. There’s a fun time in the way of wrapping your own rice paper rolls. Choose from two filling options and let your fingers do the talking. Or something.
An extensive wine list, including many a French option (of course) is the perfect addition to a menu filled with many dishes we’re willing to bet you’ve never heard of, let alone sampled.
As if that’s not enough, there is also the option of fried ice cream to fill your dessert stomach and don’t even start with your “but how can ice cream be fried”. It just is and it’s also just delicious okay.
Owners Josh and Tina, who clearly know their stuff having relocated to our shores from Vietnam recently, are a delightful pair and their restaurant is a mighty fine addition to the Mermaid Beach foodie scene so get in there and show them a little lovin’.
As they say at L’Viet Palais, good food is good mood.
LOCATION: 2557 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
HOURS: Open Wednesday to Monday 11am to 3pm and 5pm until late
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
Craving a warm, nourishing bowl of Pho but don't know where to go? Check out our top Gold Coast Pho spots.
Pho is, without a doubt, one of the tastiest of all the soupy dishes and since it’s getting colder, we are craving us some steamy, warming-from-the-inside-out goodness.
Luckily, on the Gold Coast, there are a few spots you can grab yourself some of the very best Pho there is.
From north to south, here they are.
Can Tho Kitchen
This Runaway Bay eatery can go toe-to-toe with some of the more luxurious asian restaurants when it comes to flavour, but as far as cost, its nearly half the price. It’s a pretty cool spot and fills up, so you may wanna make a reservation to get yo Pho on.
Where: 5/465 Oxley Drive, Runaway Bay
New Saigon Restaurant
A local’s favourite, their loyal customers have been raving about the Pho at New Saigon for years. It’s a no frills little space next to the fire station but their food is unforgettable and you should absolutely get there ASAP.
Where: 2798 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
Eddy + Wolff
The little Robina sister of Can Tho Kitchen is Eddy + Wolff, tucked away in suburbia offering some of the very best Asian eats around. Of course, their Pho is next-level, the baby dish of Can Tho’s famous one and it’ll warm you all the way to your bones.
Where: 12/217 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina
Aprés Surf
Known for their ‘deal of the day’ promotions, on Wednesday’s the guys at Aprés Surf whip up a batch of PHO that’s so good, if you didn’t know any better you would swear they had an old Vietnamese lady in the kitchen. At only $10 a bowl these soup slingers are treating our tummies and our wallets.
Where: 2376 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
My Saigon Tuckshop
One of Burleigh’s many hidden gems, this dynamite traditional Vietnamese Pho spot off of Taree St. serves up a mean bowl of Pho. Every dish is made to order, which makes it well worth the drive to industrial Burleigh. There are a few tables, but it’s better suited for grab and go. Eat it at home where pants are optional.
Where: 1/45 Taree Street Burleigh Heads
Words by Kirra Smith
