Your cheat sheet to classic bistro bliss.
Your cheat sheet to classic bistro bliss.
If there’s one dish that screams treat yourself (with a side of fries), it’s steak frites. We’re talking juicy, perfectly cooked steak, a pile of golden, crispy chips and zero intention of sharing. It’s rich, it’s comforting, it’s a little bit fancy but still gives big “elastic waistbands welcome” energy. Whether you’re planning a cheeky midweek splurge, a flirty Friday date night or a catch-up that revolves entirely around something dangerously delicious, the Gold Coast delivers the goods (obviously). Here’s where to chase down the coast’s most crave-worthy steak frites.
Coast Dining has created a new midweek ritual that’s near impossible to resist. No arm twist required here, folks. Every Thursday, they serve up a perfectly cooked steak frites for $25, made with crispy fries that make every bite of steak 10x better. Add in their tempting drink specials and a chilled atmosphere, and you’ve got the ultimate Thursday night mini-scape.
Where: Ocean by Meriton, Level 1/86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Another spot turning Thursday into our favourite night of the week is Bar Leo. From 4pm, tuck into their $26 steak frites, cooked to absolute perfection, while happy hour runs from 4–6pm with $10 wines, $8 beers, and $15 margaritas. Walk-ins are welcome, but with a dish this good coming from an AGFG Chef Hat Award-winning kitchen, booking ahead might just be your safest bet!
Where: 4 Panitz St, Bundall
At The Tropic, steak frites comes with a side of salty sea air and seriously chic surrounds. Their 320-day dry aged 700g rib fillet is a showstopper – rich, intensely flavoured and cooked to juicy perfection – served with a generous pile of golden fries that are made for mopping up every last bite. It’s bold, indulgent and designed to be shared… but we wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t.
Where: Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads
At Lars Bar & Grill, steak frites reaches new heights. Their Stockyard NY Strip Steak is pan-fried on hot pans, seasoned perfectly with salt and pepper, and served with crispy fries and a decadent green peppercorn sauce. This carefully crafted dish is perfect for steak lovers who appreciate technique and flavour. Needless to say, it’s worth dressing up for. Ideal for both a casual dinner and a celebratory meal out.
Where: 1/2217 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Apres Surf has taken the classic steak frites and given us one better- a flank steak baguette with house-made herb butter, served alongside crispy fries, all tucked into a freshly baked baguette. Y’all know we can’t resist a double-carb. Priced at $25, this Friday night special is the perfect option for a casual date night or a relaxed dinner with friends. The combination of hearty steak, herby butter sauce, and crisp fries makes it a mouthwatering choice for anyone seeking something a little different from the usual steak-fries option.
Where: 1/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Paloma Wine Bar does steak frites very well – the kind of you come back for again and again. Available from 4pm Wednesday through Sunday, their classic steak frites is a dish you can count on to impress every time. A tender, perfectly cooked steak sits alongside golden fries and a sauce you’ll be daydreaming about. It’s sophisticated yet totally satisfying, making it ideal for pairing with one of their carefully curated wines. Whether you’re after a date night option or simply want to treat yourself midweek, Paloma’s take on this French favourite never disappoints.
Where: 12 James St, Burleigh Heads
Picture your next Wednesday night: smack bang on the beach with a sea breeze cooling you down. You’ve got a tender steak with bottomless fries from 5pm. Does it get any better? No, obviously. Pair it with a French wine– because when in Kirra- and watch that gorgeous sun go down. It’s time to make Wednesdays great again- starting here.
Where: 4 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
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
Top honours for your faves.
Look we’re all partial to a good hat but if you’re a chef, a hat is all that and a bag of chips. Each year, the Australian Good Food Guide awards hats to the crème de la crème in the restaurant world. And while some of our neighbouring cities may have once side‑eyed the Gold Coast’s dining scene, it’s official: the tables have turned, and the GC is strutting its stuff.
This year, a whopping 25 of our favourite local eateries snagged at least one hat, and we’re practically bursting with pride! The AGFG rates each restaurant out of 20, and although nobody’s hit that elusive perfect score just yet, there’s plenty of brilliance on display.
In a twist everyone saw coming, Broadbeach cleaned up with seven venues receiving hats. The newly revamped Mamasan charmed its way to a score of 13, while Social Eating House and Bar (13) matched it with its masterful blend of modern Australian favourites.
The Oracle Boulevard scene was further flaunted by BLOWFISH Ocean Grill + Bar (12) and kōst (13), each offering their own distinct flavour explosions for diners.
Of course, several of The Star Gold Coast’s restaurants collected gongs. Japanese sensation Kiyomi scored a sophisticated 14, while the sleek Modern Australian fine‑dining gem Nineteen at the Star earned 13.
Rounding out Broady’s winners, long‑standing steak haven Moo Moo The Wine Bar and Grill received a solid 13, keeping carnivores grinning from ear to ear.
Travel south to Mermaid Beach and you’ll find boutique dining superstar The North Room boasting an impressive 15, a testament to its thoughtful, modern dishes executed with technical precision. Beloved Little Truffle Dining Room & Bar earned 14, and esteemed Japanese haunt Etsu Izakaya scored 13, continuing its legacy of refined flavours.
Slick Latin American newcomer Norté, with its vibrant, fiesta‑inspired energy and bold Mexican flavours, made its debut with a 12. Euro-inspired Juju (13) and The Oxley’s stalwart fave Lars(12), rounded out Nobby’s award recipients.
Robina’s Eddy + Wolff represented with a well-earned 12. It just goes to show that the ‘burbs can cook up a winner too, not just the Insta-set-favoured pockets.
Speaking of, Mudgeeraba’s intimate Japanese (and under-the-radar superstar) Anekawa, earned itself a 13, while Bundall’s Mediterranean‑meets‑local gem Bar Leo Food & Wine debuted with a solid 12.
Burleigh wasn’t left behind either. Rick Shores scored 13 for its delectable contemporary pan-Asian offerings. The Gold Coast highway strip represented with Vietnamese pin-up boy Jimmy Wah’s(13).
Daniel Ridgeway’s Palm Beach offering Madame V was shown some love with 13, while Kirra’s beachfront Billy Chow (12) made its debut, earning recognition for its playful pan‑Asian menu.
Let’s journey back to the central neck of the woods, starting with Surfers Paradise’s Modern Australian superstar Palette located at HOTA, Home of the Arts, topping the list with a stellar 16. This Modern Australian standout blends bold flavours with innovative techniques, earning its spot among Queensland’s finest.
The JW Marriott Gold Coast’s seafood superstar Citrique earned a 14, while the QT’s Japanese phenomenon Yamagen scored 13 and The Langham’s Cantonese gem T’ang Court scored 12.
Over in Main Beach, La Luna Dining scored 12 with its modern Australian waterfront charm.
Anyone who still says we’re lacking in the quality eats department here on the Goldie, now is the time to concede defeat because this list of local victories confirms what we already knew – our foodie scene has officially become a force to be reckoned with and there’s plenty more to come…
Words by Belinda Symons
The GC’s steak-tacular hall of flame.
First and foremost: our sin-sear-est apologies in advance to our plant-based brethren, with this roundup including exactly zero cauli steaks.
For the meat eaters among us, if it’s sear-riously good steak you seek, you are definitely in the right place. There are not many dishes that compare to the satisfaction of a succulent steak cooked to perfection, though there is often a lot more to the art of this dish than meats the eye.
When the urge for a next level steak won’t quit, sometimes you just have to leave it in the hands of the pros. Sit back and grillax, we’ve got those carnivorous cravings covered. Here are 10 of the GC’s most lit steak restaurants worth getting fired up over.
Lars Bar & Grill burst onto the Nobby Beach scene last year, firing up the grill and bringing a perfect blend of woodfired magic and laid-back luxury to The Oxley 1823. Led by Lars Kollrepp – son of local legend Marty Kollrepp – this hotspot serves up a fine dining feast with a coastal twist. And when it comes to steak, they are a cut above. With over ten cuts on the menu (yep, you read that right!), from melt-in-your-mouth eye fillet to a beastly T-bone, they’re seriously raising the steaks. Whether you’re soaking up the vibes indoors, kicking back alfresco, or feeling extra fancy in the private dining room, Lars has everything you need for a sizzling night out.
Where: 2217 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Craving a homemade feast but don’t feel like firing up the stove? Mike’s Kitchen has you covered. Housed in a charming Tudor-style building, this spot is serving up old-school steakhouse vibes with a fresh twist. The legendary ribs – slow-cooked to perfection, then flame-kissed for that smoky, finger-licking goodness – have a fan club of their own. Now let’s talk about the steak. These premium aged cuts are matured for peak flavour and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, setting the bar high for serious carnivores. Got little foodies in tow? No worries – there’s a dedicated kids’ menu to keep the whole family happy. So loosen that belt, grab a seat, and get ready to dig in!
Where: 2 Gooding Drive, Merrimac
For a steak night with a side of glamour, make your way to Coast Beach Bar & Kitchen, perched on the first floor of the jaw-dropping 76-storey Ocean by Meriton in Surfers Paradise. This coastal hotspot serves up a high-steaks dining experience that’s worth every bite. Spread across multiple dining areas, it’s got room for you, your crew and all the indulgence your heart desires. Every cut is kissed by fire in a Josper charcoal oven, infused with the rich, smoky magic of native red gum wood. Sharing is encouraged (but no judgment if you’re steaking your claim on the last bite). For pure carnivorous bliss, sink your teeth into the Tajima wagyu rump or WX wagyu rump cap – so tender and juicy, you’ll be back before your cravings have time to cool.
Where: Level 1, Ocean by Meriton, 86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Mermaid’s moody gastro-pub has garnered itself a solid rep indeed for punching out sear-riously good steaks over the years. These guys take their meat even more seriously than that one mate bordering on a situationship with their smoker, with a full breakdown of cut / weight / breed / producer / paddock / region / feed to agonise over. There are no less than nine top-quality cuts on offer from all over Aus (and that’s not including the stacked selection of share-style dishes) – making this a must-try destination for even the most discerning steak critics (*cough* looking at you, aforementioned mate with smoker).
Where: 9/2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Oh yes, Broadbeach’s standout gem is so much more than a (breathtakingly) pretty face, elegantly gliding on in last year and securing a rightful place on this list. This euro-chic vibing contemporary bar & grill boasts one of the city’s only charcoal wood-fire grills, meaning anything not already nailed down is treated to that signature flame kissed treatment. There’s an assortment of steak cuts to acquaint yourself with, including a signature Dry Age Steak if you’re feeling a little lot extra.
Where: 3 Oracle Blvd, Broadbeach
For born and bred locals, the former Labrador icon (affectionately known simply as Cav’s in our youths) summons a whole lot of nostalgia, and thankfully it still stands up to the hype and fond mems all these years on. In fact, this is one GC institution that has aged like fine wine (they’ve got those too), with a rooftop vibing re-location and grown up new look to match that signature Cav’s experience we’ve known for ~40 years now. They’ve got this steak business down to a fine art, with a sister butchery, an extensive selection of cuts and that traditional steak experience with all the classic trimmings – bc sometimes you just need a decadent, garlic prawn laden steak in your life.
Where: 6 Bayview Street, Runaway Bay
Another GC mainstay, Moo Moo’s has been serving up all the mouth-watering meat action (and resulting meat sweats) to Broadbeach and beyond going on 20 years now, and they’ve got the receipts – aka slew of awards to prove it. Specialty steaks are kind of their thing (as are fine wines), with ten mouth-watering options to choose from – though if you and a willing participant have brought your appetite, take on the infamous Spice Rubbed 1kg Wagyu Rump Cap Roast. Carved at the table served with Wagyu Fat Fried New Season Potatoes (and some green stuff for good measure).
Where: 2685 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach
A spot well known for dishing up the finer things, with a little help from some epic views of the GC skyline, The Darling’s crowning jewel Nineteen at The Star is the kinda place that has it all. Naturally, there’s an equally impressive selection of swanky steaks, which are almost exclusively sourced locally on the Darling Downs (with exception to the Cape Grim Grass Fed Rib Eye, which, we can definitely manage to let slide, quite frankly). If it’s truly time to treat yourself, these guys boast one of the largest selections of sumptuous 9+ MBS (aka ‘excellent’ grade) steaks on the Coast – the only thing higher is that stunner of an outlook, tbh.
Where: 1, Level 19, The Darling at The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach
Tucking into a Rib Eye of the Fillet surrounded by a cool couple of milli worth of yachts and marina views for days? #thatslivin. A fine dining style steakhouse, though the more upscale take will come as a surprise to absolutely no one given it’s situated within the swanky Sanctuary Cove dining precinct #ohshefancyhuh. This carnivore oasis has got your steak needs covered from A-Z, (or technically W) with a hefty offering including everything from Angus through to Waygu. Got a ravenous crowd of beef buffs on your hands? Tackle one of the mammoth 1-2kg Black Angus T-Bone steaks for your feasting pleasure.
Where: Sanctuary Cove, 46E/4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
If it’s stellar steak you’re after, this cosy Surfers Paradise spot is certainly serving it up (along with some mighty fine beach views). Hurricane’s definitely lives up to the ‘Grill and Bar’ title, with a grilliant array of meaty morsels to choose from. On offer is everything from petite Sirloin cuts through to some very boujee beef options indeed – with the pièce de résistance, a MS7+ Tajima Wagyu Beef Sirloin sure to impress even the staunchest of steak snobs.
Where: 1/4-14 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Words by Lisette Drew
