Bug rolls, the beloved hill and local brews.
Bug rolls, the beloved hill and local brews.
Oh, Burleigh, you little beauty, what’s not to love, right? Since the dawn of time (or the dawn of the GC at least), Burleigh has been one of the most-loved suburbs amongst a slew of strong contenders.
Sure, the beach is beautiful (that Hill is iconic for a reason) and James Street boasts all the best eats and acai bowls galore, but it’s more than that. Burleigh has a soul of its own born of cruisy, barefoot, salty sea breeze vibes you simply won’t find anywhere else. Gushing aside, we’ve found the best of Burleigh so you don’t have to.
Here’s our guide to the best eats, bars, shopping spots and places to visit so you can see why the locals love it and you should too (or else). We always say, when in Burleigh, do as the locals do.
Perched three floors high, within the stunning new Mondrian Gold Coast, is Haven. What is the Haven, you ask? It’s a nothing-short-of-exceptional beach club, spanning a refined yet relaxed dining room, private cabanas, a full-service pool club and a sunset bar. Whether you’re brunching in your bikini or toasting at twilight, Haven is where it’s at. As the sun sets, the evening comes alive with a soundtrack of DJs, curated playlists and live performances.
Where: Level 3/3 First Ave, Burleigh Heads
Literally opening out onto the sand at Burleigh Beach, Rick Shores is loved not just by locals but globally for its stunning sunset views and those tiny little taste sensations, otherwise known as Bug Rolls. If you’ve never tasted one, you’ve been wasting your life (seriously). Make a booking RIGHT NOW and order like 5. Wash them down with one of Rick’s signature cocktails, and you’re a bona fide Burleigh-ite.
Where: Shop 3, Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
If you’re looking for fancy food but with the relaxed vibe that’s quintessentially Burleigh, look no further. The stunning space offers incredible Vietnamese dishes inspired by trips to Vietnam, tasting some of the very best street food in the world every single day. Sounds epic! It’s a refined style of dining paired with mouthwatering cocktails and a sleek, pared-back vibe. Jimmy Wahs is one of the Gold Coast’s most impressive eateries, and we are big fans.
Where: 1724 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
The fine dining venue has become part of the fabric of Burleigh’s bustling heart, but it’s also become one of the Gold Coast’s premier dining destinations. Tucked away on West Street, the five-star, seasonal-produce-led restaurant is an absolute must-visit. Trust us, your dining experience here won’t be easily forgotten. The produce is sustainable, and the wine list features some of the most stunning natural wines in the world. The service is impeccable too, but in a fun, not-too-formal way. We LOVE.
Where: 2A/8 West Street, Burleigh Heads
Après Surf is your friendly neighbourhood bar in Burleigh. If a crisp beer, indulgent pub-style eats, and DJ beats sound like your pint of lager, this place is for you. It’s plain ol good vibes from 5pm daily (except Tuesdays) with DJs every weekend! Head there on a Thursday for $1 dumplings and free stand-up comedy from 8pm! Doesn’t get much better than that, and Burleigh locals know it.
Where: 1/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
They started off as a taco-slinging hole-in-the-wall in Palm Beach in 2021, instantly becoming a cult favourite. Now, they’ve levelled things up with a move to Burleigh. Think bigger and better space, with the same beloved laid-back Aussie beach culture, and big Mexican flavours we all know and love. The new location invites you to settle in, sip a marg (or three) and let the good vibes take you to Mexico. Batanga, anyone?
Where: 1718 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Looking for a Burleigh locals’ guide to the best fish and chips in town? Look no further. And this place doesn’t just stop at fish and chips (even though we wouldn’t recommend going past them). They also serve fresh poke bowls and vibrant superfood bowls, plus a range of Bali-inspired dishes that reel in people from all over; they’re that good. Think flavour-packed Gado-Gado, nasi goreng and Bali satay chicken sticks. Wash it down with a premium cocktail and watch Burleigh come to life (this place is in a prime people-watching locale).
Where: 1716 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
A true family-run gelateria, Al Bacio Gelato Naturale is run by husband-and-wife duo Craig and Rebecca Heininger, alongside their daughter, Jaime. Since opening in late 2025, they’ve been serving scoops of authentic, 100% natural Italian gelato to Burleigh locals (and visitors), and we cannot be more thankful. The signature Al Bacio, meaning “as good as a kiss” in Italian, is a rich chocolate-hazelnut scoop made with homemade hazelnut paste from Piemonte, Italy. Then, for those who like to gulp down their gelato, you can order your favourite flavour in thick shake form. Can we get a hell yeah?
Where: 7/1840 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
As you cruise down the GC Highway, the striking red and white umbrellas and festoon lights grab your attention and give you a whiff of what awaits inside. Crispy Italian is where to head when you’ve got a hankering for wood-fired pizza done insanely well. You’ll get a fun, laid-back vibe and a menu stacked with la pasta, la pizza, woodfired gnocchi and desserts impossible to resist. Did someone say Aperol spritz? Oh yeah, that was us.
Where: 4/1840 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Local is one of those venues that just gets it. Equal parts polished and laidback, this Burleigh favourite nails the brief from morning through to late arvo and beyond, making it the kind of place you pop into “just for one” and somehow leave with a full camera roll and a new core memory. With multiple spaces to suit every vibe, from the fairy light–lit beer garden and fully stacked tinnie bar to plush indoor booths and a main bar made for game days, Local is built for long hangs, big feeds and even bigger catch-ups. The menu covers all bases (classic pub grub, elevated plates and a few fancy moments for good measure) and the atmosphere is always buzzing.
Where: 1744 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
There’s a good reason this gem is heaving at all hours: the home of the iconic muffin top (IYKYK) and some of the best coffee in town. It’s not just locals who love it – you’ll find Gold Coasters and beyond flocking here for a taste of the goods. Come for a coffee and to get around their huge menu with something for everyone – literally, it’s impossible to not love something. Plus, we’re pretty sure it’s mandatory to leave with a pastry in tow – go on, you deserve it.
Where: 1748 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Locals know the only thing loose in this (top) paddock is scrumptious, buttery baked goods. Since opening its charmingly renovated doors in 2014, Paddock has been the ultimate spot for brunch, lunch and sweet treats that keep us coming back daily. With lush gardens, a cottage, loft, rooftop and barn to hide away in, the menu is just as endless as the spots to enjoy it – perfect for indulgence, people-watching, or a little bit of both.
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
A local newbie that’s already earned its rightful place on this list (which is saying something). Start with a coffee- because there’s no other way, and theirs is superb- before diving deep into their menu full of hearty but totally healthy eats. Think Shakshuka Scramble with charred eggplant, peppers, tomato chilli salsa & charred bread. Chef’s hot tip: add brisket. Or, indulge yourself in a croque monsieur made with ham and gruyere, fried eggs, cheese sauce, green pea chef salad and parmesan that will blow your beret off. Everything here is made fresh, seasonal, and irresistible.
Where: 4 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
Serving Southern California vibes (think cactus, umbrellas, pastel greens) all day long, alongside morning margaritas (you read correctly), epic eats and epic coffee. If you didnt catch on, Palm Springs does things a little differently, and Burleigh locals love them for it. They said, ” We will give you avocado smash and serve you one better”. Better in the form of a morning marg with breakfast tacos. It may sound rogue, but don’t tell us it isn’t exactly what you’ve been waiting for. Ideal hangover feed, perfect weekend brunch. Thank us later.
Where: 1878 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
This small but mighty wine bar has one of the largest selections of boutique wines (we mean, it is in the name) with some seriously epic eats to accompany. We can’t go past the cheeseburger – seriously, don’t sleep on this – and if you don’t know where to start on what to sip, the expert team always nail the reccos. Pop a Pet Nat on your must-try for something a little bubbly, or if you’re more of a red drinker, their signature chilled reds are the ultimate for a hot summer’s day.
Where: 12 James Street, Burleigh Heads
It’s the good time, slightly fancy Australiana bar of your dreams, and it is perfectly at home in Burleigh Heads. Rosella’s is a local haunt that’s been a firm favourite since its opening. With both a drinks and a food menu made entirely of Australian produce, we are in heaven. They’ve got cocktails inspired by Fantales, Blinky Bill and Bondi Beach, all the very best Aussie beers and some of the tastiest eats to pair. It’s refined, beautifully decked out and created by a couple of absolute legends. Love.
Where: 6/1734 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
This fam-and-friends-run distillery from husband-and-wife duo Justin and Lana Bell is serving up elevated cocktails designed specifically for sipping (and swooning), paired with snacky plates that absolutely understood the assignment. The space is a moody, deep-green, tropical-tiki dream and the drinks are bespoke and downright dangerous in the best way. Oh, and they’re big on collabs too, teaming up with like-minded legends to keep things fresh and fun, so consider this your official cue to keep a very close eye out for their next one. It’s intimate, it’s stylish, it’s packed with heart (and gin), and it’s proof that when you mix great spirits with great people, magic happens.
Where: 1/9 Calabro Way, Burleigh Heads
If Burleigh had a local hall of fame, Burleigh Pavilion would be its MVP. This beachfront institution sits right above the sand at Burleigh Heads, serving up panoramic ocean views, sunset vibes and reliably good times from arvo cocktails to dinner dates and everything in between. Within its sprawling space you’ve got casual beach-bar energy, breezy terraces and The Tropic, the coastal-meets-Mediterranean restaurant where you can settle in for a sun-soaked lunch or a long, leisurely dinner with views literally stretching to the horizon. Whether you’re here for the drinks, the eats, the views, or just to feel like you’re living your best summer life year-round, Burleigh Pavilion is basically Burleigh’s living room with a better wine list.
Where: 3a/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
If there’s one thing Burleigh deserves (the big legend), it’s a brewery, and Burleigh Brewing Co. certainly delivers. since opening in 2006, Burleigh Brewing Co. has produced a lineup of delicious drops – all perfectly Burleigh. Get a sixer for Netflix and chill, or head into the brewery from Friday to Sunday afternoons to get amongst it.
Where: 2 Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads
This place is the ideal setting for a lil cocktail and antipasti moment. A wine with your significant other, cocktail hour with the gals, or dare we say, a quick shot to kick off an epic night. Alongside wines, beers, margs and cocktails, they serve ‘a quality shot’ for those who value efficiency or are known to be fashionable-late and need to catch up, as they say. That’s definitely not us…Okay, it’s totally us.
Where: 1740 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Hidden inside the opulent Mondrian hotel, Ciel Spa is the city’s first bio-wellness spa blending high-tech treatments with high-touch luxury. Forget cucumber slices and pan pipe music, here you’re getting a serious glow-up down to a cellular level. From zero-gravity dry float sessions and Himalayan salt rooms to LED facials and cosmetic doctor appointments, they have it all. It’s a bit of a treat-yo-self moment.
Where: Level 2/3 First Ave, Burleigh Heads
Well, hasn’t this simple little piece of Mother Nature become an icon? No matter the day of the week (but particularly Sunday arvos), “the hill” as it’s affectionately known, is packed with picnic rugs, ball games and groups of revellers basking in the sunshine. Looking out over the ocean and with the city in the distance, it’s the perfect spot for a late afternoon lemonade or early morning coffee date with the crew. Order some of your fav takeaway from James Street, and perch up on a picnic blanket to soak up the scenery. Better yet, sunset.
Where: The south end of The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads
If you’re feeling energetic, take a stroll around Burleigh Hill to Talle Creek for some Insta-worthy rainforest scenery. Or if you’re game, head up the vertical trail for a hill climb that’s rewarded with an epic view. Yes, some sweat may be involved, but it’s all in the good spirit of exploration. Cool down after with a swim at Burleigh Beach or Talle Creek, wherever you end up.
Where: Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
A relaxing little beachside club loved by young and old alike, Burleigh Bowls has been around since 1937 and is certainly a prime piece of real estate these days. Barefoot Bowls rolls on from 12–5pm every Sunday, and it’s a measly $10 per person, including coaching and bowls (AKA ball whipper snappers). Get down and support your local while sipping on a schooner.
Where: Connor Street, Burleigh Heads
If you’re in need of some retail therapy, then James Street is the only place you need to go. The range of shopping has everything you need, whether you’re looking for some new additions to your home from Maison & Maison or to update your wardrobe at Emte, you’re guaranteed to leave suitably more stylish. If you’re looking for the perfect piece of art to dress your walls at work or home, Art Yarramunua is our pick for their incredible collection of expertly curated indigenous art.
Where: James Street, Burleigh Heads
Everyone’s favourite Saturday morning market adventure. Get up early, grab your basket and set out in search of fruit, veggies and of course, your first coffee of the weekend. These days, the farmers market also boasts locally made clothing and homewares, flowers, meat and seafood and delicious breaky and lunch options. Happy days! Open every Saturday from 7am–12 ‘rain, hail or shine’.
Where: Burleigh Heads State School, Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
Red Hot Cod levels up with tropical dining, bars and breezy vibes.
Burleigh locals don’t need an introduction to Red Hot Cod. For nearly a decade, it’s fuelled post-surf feeds, lazy beach days and late-afternoon cravings, quietly cementing itself as a true neighbourhood hero. Since opening in 2016, the much-loved fish and chippery has been woven into the fabric of Burleigh, and now, after a fresh makeover and expansion, it’s stepped into its next era. Bigger, breezier and infused with a laid-back, Bali-inspired glow, the new look finally matches the bold, crave-worthy flavours locals have been obsessed with for years.
Still serving up the same golden, crispy (and award-winning) fish that made it what it is today, a bona fide local legend with a fan club that stretches far beyond Burleigh, from interstate road-trippers to big-name international visitors, Red Hot Cod has simply expanded the experience. The breezy, straight-off-the-footpath favourite now includes a tropical alfresco dining area, bar and beer garden that’ll snap you into holiday mode faster than a Piña Colada on a sun lounger.
Think Bali in Burleigh. There’s lush greenery, warm timber tones and that laidback, island-style atmosphere where sandy feet, post-swim hair and sun-kissed noses are not only welcome, they’re encouraged. It’s effortlessly cool, yet still the kind of place where everyone feels welcome, whether you’re rolling in straight from the beach, meeting friends for a relaxed dinner, or settling in for cocktails and people-watching.
At the helm are long-time Burleigh locals Simon and Buffie Scott, whose hospitality experience spans decades (and continents). It’s also very much a family affair, with daughter Mila playing a major role across both the kitchen and front of house and being hands-on throughout the recent extension. The reno brief was simple: keep what locals love, elevate the rest. And they’ve nailed it. This is still your go-to for proper fish and chips, only now it’s served in a tropical paradise…well, it feels that way.
The menu is a choose-your-own-adventure layout. You can keep it classic with cod, snapper (highly recommended), flake or Tassie salmon – battered, grilled or crumbed – served with a scoop of chips (or salad) and tartare. Or you can branch out with a fresh poke bowl, or a vibrant superfood bowl, topped with tofu, chicken, grilled salmon, snapper, coconut beef, or salt-and-pepper prawns.
Longing for your next trip to Bali? Their flavour-packed Gado-Gado, nasi goreng and Bali satay chicken sticks are the next best thing. While Red Hot Cod has been quietly nailing its Bali-inspired fare for years they’ve finally got a backdrop to match what’s coming out of the kitchen.
Burgers? Of course. From fish fillet and snapper to curried lentil and chickpea, there’s something for everyone. Proof that Red Hot Cod isn’t just for seafood lovers, but for groups with wildly different cravings. Add a coconut margarita or Red Hot Cod Lager on tap, and you’ve got yourself one hell of an afternoon by the beach.
What really sets the place apart, though, is its spirit. The team runs like a well-oiled machine, all smiles, all welcome, creating the kind of atmosphere where strangers become table neighbours and “quick lunch” effortlessly turns into afternoon beers. It’s also not uncommon to find yourself rubbing shoulders with Bali industry legends or top athletes passing through the Gold Coast, all drawn in by the food, the atmosphere and the undeniable pull of this local icon.
If you haven’t yet experienced this award-winning spot in the heart of Burleigh, consider this your perfect excuse to head there ASAP. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed. And if you’re a regular – see you there!
Where: 1716 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
When: 11am – 8pm Sunday – Thursday, 11am – 8.30pm Friday – Saturday
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
Images by Liam McDonald
Burleigh’s Mohr Cafe and Deli is dishing up the goods.
Just when we thought Hibiscus Haven couldn’t squeeze in another standout spot, Burleigh’s block of cool makes room and gives us Mohr.
Say hello to Mohr Cafe and Deli, the fresh face on Hibiscus Haven serving food so good you’ll want to text your group chat about it right now.
Run by husband-and-wife team Rob and Eden Mohr, this cafe has been a dream of these hospo wizards for some time. With more than two decades refining their craft on land and super yachts, the Mohrs know what makes a plate sing. They’re not cutting corners on anything, not the produce, not the prep, and definitely not venue, which they helped build with their own hands.
White and bright outside, inside, you’ll find that effortless coastal aesthetic Burleigh does best with exposed textured walls and warm timbers that create a calm spot to sip, snack and secretly people-watch.
Now let’s talk food because Mohr’s all-day menu is an all-star lineup.
Dip into Turkish Eggs perfectly poached and served with coconut labne, smoked tomato, cucumber, carrot pickle & charred bread.
The Shakshuka Scramble is (dare we say) moreish… with charred eggplant, peppers, tomato chilli salsa & charred bread. Chef’s hot tip is to add brisket.
A croque monsieur is a classic fave with ham and gruyere, fried eggs, cheese sauce, green pea chef salad and parmesan.
Lunch plates take things up a notch. Think mezze spreads with grilled vege and beef skewers, charcuterie, pizza bread topped with Mediterranean meatballs and provolone cheese, smash burgers, lobster tacos and all the good things you want to eat when you’re in a suburb that doesn’t do average.
If you’re in a hurry or you simply a grab-and-go girlie, Mohr’s deli bar is stocked with ready-made meals that aren’t your usual sad desk lunch. Everything is made fresh, seasonal and designed to taste just as good eaten in your car as it does at a table. Pre-order, or just walk in and point at whatever looks irresistible.
The menu changes regularly, because Rob and Eden love exploring flavours, so you know you can come back and find something new to tuck into.
And now here’s the real secret: Mohr food pairs perfectly with beer. Black Hops to be exact. And anything you order can be enjoyed next door at Black Hops Brewery! It’s a match made in Hibiscus Haven heaven.
Mohr is also pouring That’s Whyld Coffee Roasters from Miami, so you’re in safe and well caffeinated hands there, with a cold brew speciality foam that ticks all the boxes.
Bonus for this time of year is that Mohr does catering! Office lunches, private dinners, family feasts, they’ve got the goods.
And for those who can’t be bothered cooking tonight? There’s Mohr for Later, a delicious, ready-to-heat dinner range that lets you have a chef-made meal on the couch in your trackies.
Need we say Mohr?
Where: 4 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
When: Daily, 6:30am–3pm
Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Liam McDonald
Costa Taco opens their biggest venue yet.
The Costa Taco titans have done it again and this time, they’ve levelled up in a big way.
If you’ve ever spent time in Palm Beach, there’s a good chance you’ve queued for Costa Taco at least once, probably more. The taco-slinging hole-in-the-wall became an instant cult favourite when it opened in 2021, with lines snaking down the street.
Locals caught on. Visitors caught on. It was only a matter of time before brothers and founders Matt and Nick Stanley turned this popularity into a full blown fiesta up and down the coast.
Fast-forward a few years and Costa Taco has grown faster than your margarita cravings on a Friday afternoon. Byron Bay? Tick. Broadbeach? Tick. And now, they’ve shut their OG Palmy spot to make room for the third stop on the B tour, their biggest and boldest venue yet: Burleigh, baby!
Between this new flagship and their all-day cafe Mercado in Mermaid Waters, Costa Taco is officially running the coast one tortilla at a time. But Burleigh isn’t just another branch.
Nick Stanley sums it up best: “Costa Taco has always been about more than food. For us, it’s about sharing Mexican culture with honesty and heart, and creating a space where everyone feels welcome.”
It’s a mission you can feel the moment you step inside the Burleigh venue.
In prime posse on the GC Highway, the new venue blends laid-back Aussie beach culture with the vibrant flavours of Mexico. Gone are the days of inhaling your meal in Palmy so the line could keep moving, this big Burleigh spot invites you to settle in, sip a marg (or three) and let the good vibes take you to Mexico.
Exposed walls keep things cool and stripped-back, while pops of colourful artwork are splashed across the space. With 110 seats, two 10-seat booths and 15 stools at the bar, there’s plenty of room for the whole familia.
Now, to the food! All your Costa classics are here, and they’re ready to party.
Start fresh with lime-cured Ceviche Tostadas or chomp into the Elote Street Corn, grilled and slathered in chipotle crema, queso fresco, coriander and tajin salt.
Now let’s taco ’bout the tacos.
The Beer-Battered Local Snapper Taco is sunshine in a bite, fresh local fish drenched in crispy Mexican beer batter with a dreamy cashew salsa. The Guerrero Chicken Taco packs citrus, chilli and a secret sauce where the Confit Pork Carnitas will dance on your tastebuds with coriander, pickled onion and piña-guajillo salsa.
And then there are the heavy hitters. Chilaquiles (AKA wet nacho heaven) are bursting with tangy green salsa and ricotta-style cheese. Plus the holy grail: Quesabirria with crispy, cheesy, slow-cooked beef tacos with a rich dipping broth.
Wash it all down with a classic, coconut or chilli margarita and you’re living your best Mexican life.
Where: 1718 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh
When: Daily, 12pm–9pm
Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Kirra Smith
