TaLA is now open.
TaLA is now open.
Today we find ourselves in Mexico, which is absolutely a place we’re happy to be (if only metaphorically), because in Mexico, there are tacos and there are margaritas. You know where else there are tacos and margaritas? The Collective in Palm Beach.
More specifically, the recently launched TaLA, a fresh new LA-inspired taco bar that is an absolute delight for the tastebuds.
TaLA opened on Tuesday 8th September (unsure how it’s September but here we are) and it’s perfectly at home amongst Luckie’s American Diner, Mazi’s Greek Kitchen, Umami’s Asian Fusion and The Italian Job’s pizzeria.
It’s a revamp of the previous Mexican venue at The Collective, with a whole new vibe and menu inspired by the Southern Californian-style of Mexi-eats.
LA taco bars have a history of ensuring the use of quality ingredients, brought to life with authentic Mexican recipes and experimental modern twists.
Delightful.
For example TaLA is serving up 16 (!) impressive taco creations, all of which are completely gluten-free.
With flavours like Dukka Lamb Rib with hummus, pomegranate and rocket and Pork Belly with pineapple curry and toasted coconut, you’re absolutely going to find something you love.
Veggie lovers are also well taken care of with options like Southern Fried Shimeji Mushroom with wasabi ranch and radish and Vegan Harissa Eggplant with parsley pesto and rocket.
How good do all of those sounds friends.
In keeping with The Collective’s share-plate vibe, there are of course, many incredible dishes to share too.
Popcorn Halloumi for one. It’s tempura battered haloumi with a red pepper sauce, Street Paella with chilli lime marinated squid, chorizo, sweetcorn, pickled onion petals, spiced mexi rice and grilled lime.
Umm, both of those please.
Of course there are many margaritas to order from the bar and if you ask us, that’ pretty much the best time you can have.
See you there every day of the week forever.
LOCATION: The Collective Palm Beach, 1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
HOURS: Monday from 5pm until late, Tuesday to Sunday 12pm until late
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Hummus where the heart is.
New things are happening on the Gold Coast friends and that means our beloved dining scene is coming back to life. Which brings us (and no doubt you) much happiness.
One such new thing is the addition of a Greek eatery to Palmy’s favourite multi-cuisine venue The Collective, which is great for many reasons – first and foremost that we love Greek food and also that we can eat it there, on the rooftop overlooking Palmy and accompanied by bulk cocktails.
Not to mention that we obviously cannot travel for the foreseeable future so a little sojourn of sorts to the majestic Meditteranean is exactly what we need. And exactly what we’re going to get when Mazi opens on Friday June 12th.
Meaning ‘together’, Mazi is the perfect fit for The Collective’s group of eateries, all of which come together to create a space that has community at its’ heart.
Start your night with something delectable from the Meze menu like the Saganaki with honey soaked raisin, Olive oil grilled octopus skewers or Sage & garlic charcoal baked half shell scallops. Drool-worthy, we know.
Executive chef Jake Furst has created traditional Greek food with a fun, modern twist and with the introduction of a new charcoal grill, the signature meats will be hard to pass up.
The large shared plates offer you Slow Cooked Lamb Gyros, Half Marinated Chicken or a Chargrilled 1.4kg Cape Grim Tomahawk (designed to be shared between four friends) and they’re all of the highest quality and accompanied by seasonal ingredients to produce the finest meze around.
For dessert, there’s sweet traditional Greek donuts (Loukoumades) made fresh daily in flavours like Honey Pistachio, Lemon Curd or Nutella. Obviously, you’ll need to try them all.
The new space is decked out in the prettiest of peaches and is the first new venue to be introduced to The Collective in three years.
Cause for celebration if you ask us!
Head down to Palm Beach to check it out, as well as a few of those rooftop cocktails we mentioned.
Happy days Gold Coasters.
LOCATION: The Collective Palm Beach, 1128 Gold Coast Hwy
HOURS: Monday to Friday 5pm to 8.30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11.30am until 8.30pm
On your marg, get set, GO!
It’s one of life’s greatest pleasures; eating Mexican and drinking margis – sounds a bit corny but we stand by it. So it’s pretty darn lucky the Gold Coast is spoilt for choice when it comes to Mexican meals, mmm there’s a little Mariachi band playing in our head just thinking about it.
And if you don’t like Mexican then this is guac-ward, because we’ve done the heavy lifting – aka eating – so you can pick your taco joint of choice and put your taco where your mouth is. Come on, don’t be salty – unless you’re a margarita of course.
So here’s our round up of the Coast’s best spots to get your Mexican fix, but before you go don’t forget the rules – first we fiesta, then we siesta. We’ll be there faster than you can say “extra guac, please”.
Street Taco Bar & Taqueria brings bold, flavour-packed Mexican eats to Paradise Point, and locals are absolutely here for it. Blending authentic flavours with a laidback coastal vibe, this colourful spot serves up all the classics with serious heart. On the menu, think punchy tacos, loaded nachos, slow-cooked meats and churros worth saving room for, all made fresh and gluten-free without missing a beat. The margaritas are flowing, the energy is warm and welcoming, and it’s the kind of place you’ll find yourself coming back to on repeat.
Where: Shop 5, 46 The Esplanade, Paradise Point
With shops across the country, we’re lucky to have ourselves one of these spicy little dens of Mexican magic here on the Goldy. Slip in and slip on a sombrero and let the endless fantastic food and de-lish cocktails flow. Overlooking one of the Gold Coast’s best known beaches – Surfers Paradise – it’s big on size, vibes and margs… No really, the margs are giant and nothing gets us going like a cocktail as big as our sombrero.
Where: Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Kicking around since 1995, The Aztec Broadbeach…along with The Aztec Coolangatta…is a hit with the whole fam, boasting a fun-loving mixture of cosy booths, ultra-modern furnishings, neon lights and an epic fluoro bar. A colourful and upbeat venue, you’re spoilt for choice with all the Mexican goodies you’d hope to find and half price lunches Friday through Sunday in case you needed any more convincing.
Where: The Aria Building, Shop 11/17 Albert Avenue, Broadbeach & 152 Griffith Street (Twin Towns end), Coolangatta
We briefly considered gatekeeping Costa Taco to keep those highly coveted tables to ourselves, but a list of epic Mexican eats without it just wouldn’t sit right. Especially now they’ve expanded with a Broadbeach outpost and their biggest venue yet in Burleigh. Serving up seriously authentic Mexican fare, the menu is short, sharp and all about doing a few things exceptionally well, with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients. Now, stop reading and order the fish tacos.
Where: Cnr Armrick Ave and Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach and 1136 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Grab your (fully clothed) amigos and head on down to Cancun – okay fine, Broadbeach – because Nude Amigos might be cheeky in name, but its flavours are seriously bold. The space is light, breezy and effortlessly chic, basically calling your name for a long, leisurely sip of one of the exotic (read: very fancy) tequilas lining the bar.
And the good times don’t stop there – Nude Amigos has spread the fiesta across three locations, with venues in Broadbeach, Coolangatta and Kingscliff, so you’re never too far from a margarita moment.
Where: Lot 1, 70 Surf Parade, Broadbeach, The Strand Shopping Centre, Coolangatta and 60 Marine Parade, Kingscliff
Eats institution Bonita Bonita, along with little sister Bon Bon (pouring mezcals and tequilas for your pre or post-dinner festivities), is a long-standing fave for good reason. The dimly lit, moody and ornate interiors set the scene for an intimate dining experience, while the menu delivers every single time. Once a dinner-only darling, the Mexican gods have answered our prayers, with lunch now firmly in the mix alongside their iconic evening service. Settle in for seriously mouth-watering eats, the grilled corn is a must, and the cocktails? Just as iconic.
Where: 2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Always buzzing, Mexicali brings those laidback Cali meets Mexico vibes we just can’t quit. If you’re rolling deep, do yourself a favour and lock in a banquet so you can spend less time deciding and more time focused on the margaritas. Sunset sips on the balcony are a non-negotiable, and don’t even think about leaving without a cheeky snap under the ever-changing lightbox message on the stairs.
Where: Level 1, 2223 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach
Who said the beachside burbs should be having all the fun? Not us, so if you’ve been having a siesta on our humble Hinterland’s worst kept secret and Gold Coast institution, Hotel Panchos, then this is the sign you need to get on out to Mudgeeraba so they can guac your world. With splashes of colour from wall to wall plus enchiladas, margs and tinnies at the ready you’re set for a spec-taco-lar feed.
Where: 581 Springbrook Road, Mudgeeraba
If you haven’t been to Hail Mary, have you even done Burleigh? Tucked down a James Street laneway, this pink-hued gem is easy to miss – but trust, it’s worth finding. She’s not just a pretty face either, dishing up some of the freshest, most flavour-packed Mexican going around. Swing by for lunch or dinner and you’ll quickly see why it’s a local fave.
Where: 6/26 James Street, Burleigh Heads
Frida Sol is one of those institutions that locals quietly rave about. Looking out over the Gold Coast Highway, it opens into a vibey little taqueria serving up fresh, modern Mexican. Order the prawn tacos, they’re a crowd fave for a reason, or dive into the loaded nachos piled high with all the good stuff. It’s also a winner for families thanks to a top-notch kids menu.
When: 1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
This vibrant spot has well and truly settled into its Mexican era, serving up a punchy, flavour-packed menu alongside a laidback, come-as-you-are vibe. Expect all the good stuff done right, think crispy fish tacos, slow-cooked pork numbers and quesabirria that’ll have you planning your next visit mid-bite. The bar is stacked with tequila and mezcal, the margaritas go hard, and Taco Tuesday is your weekly excuse sorted.
Where: 140 Duringan Street, Currumbin
Fresh, flavour-packed dishes with a cheeky hit of oriental flair (go on, try saying that after a margarita or two) are the name of the game at Agave Rosa. It’s vibrant, a little bit funky and seriously welcoming, with a menu that fuses two absolute fave cuisines in all the right ways. And because no Mexican spot worth its salt skimps on the good stuff, the cocktails and margaritas here absolutely go off.
Where: Shop 2/74 Musgrave Street, Coolangatta
Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski and Belinda Symons
