From floating beach clubs to breweries and Burleigh’s favourite coffee, the Bulletin names best venue openings in 2022
From floating beach clubs to a new life for Kirra’s dearly departed Pizza Hut, 2022 has given us a lot to chew. See some of the restaurants which opened this year
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From floating beach clubs to a new life for Kirra’s dearly departed Pizza Hut, 2022 has given us a lot to chew on.
The past 12 months have seen blockbuster openings from some of the Gold Coast’s most prominent restaurateurs, but it was the plight of a hole-in-the-wall caffeine dealer that won local hearts.
In April the Gold Coast Bulletin reported that Nook Espresso’s new landlord – Burleigh Pavilion owner Ben May – had decided not to renew the Goodwin Terrace staple’s lease, intending to open its own kiosk in its place.
“Dunno whether this is me laughing or crying. However after 14 years of making coffees at Nook Espresso our new landlord has decided not to renew our lease,” co-owner Marcus Wilkins wrote on Instagram.
Buoyed by a flood of community support, Nook this month moved into semi-permanent digs in the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade.
While this happy ending is more of a to be continued, it epitomises an eventful year for the city’s thriving cuisine scene.
Siblings Kirra
15 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Opened: January
There was no dessert bar to run to for consolation when we discovered that Kirra Pizza Hut was due to close its doors after more than 40 years, but a flash new venue was waiting in the wings. Its heritage beachfront site is now home to the 220-seat Siblings, from Edgewater Dining owners Peter and Tracey Cianci. It’s a family affair, overseen by the couple’s children Jarrod, TJ and Hannah. “I used to catch the bus down here and always walk past this place thinking it would be such a great place to work,” Jarrod Kyle told the Bulletin ahead of Siblings’ January opening. “Fifteen years down the track and that’s exactly what we’re doing. We didn’t lose any of the vintage character either, we’ve added to it.”
Hound and Stag
13 Wrights Place, Arundel
Opened: December
This $3.5m barn-style brewery is home to one of the Gold Coast’s biggest taprooms, a dedicated cocktail bar and live entertainment. Owner Gemma Roberts said Hound and Stag, which has been under construction at Wrights Place for 12 months, is the biggest brewery in the north of the city. “We have created an Instagrammable destination with world-class food and drinks,” Ms Roberts said.
Rubi Red Kitchen & Bar
2235 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
Opened: March
After ill-fated incarnations as Loki and Miss Mee, the Nobby Beach birthplace of revered restaurant Hellenika was reinvented again as the 300-seat Rubi Red Kitchen & Bar. Melbourne chef Michael Lambie (ex-Stokehouse, Taxi Dining Room and Lucy Liu) debuted a share-focused pan-Asian menu, including his specialty — crispy fried half Chinese Sichuan duck.
Piatto and Cantina
2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Opened: May
Lupo’s March closure made way for two newcomers: Italian restaurant Piatto and tapas bar Cantina. Operators the Pearce family divided the tenancy into two, with parents Thea and Brad running the 16-seater, set-course restaurant and son Harry and his partner Missy Price helming the Spanish-styled space next door.
George’s Paragon
The Strand, 72-80 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Opened: July
A staple at Sanctuary Cove, this long-running restaurant – known for its “half-price dining” – resurfaced on the southern Gold Coast in 2022. George’s Paragon: Seafood Restaurant and George’s Paragon: Cocktail Bar & Cafe pairs Greek goodies with views of Coolangatta Beach. “All Gold Coast locals know you go to George’s for seafood. It’s an iconic restaurant and a Gold Coast treasure,” said The Strand at Coolangatta centre manager Kathryn Mills.
Palm Beach Ave
6 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach
Opened: July
Palm Beach Ave (PBA) marked a comeback for restaurateur, Daniel Ridgeway, who closed Bin 72, Gotham Bar and Grill and Rivea Italian Dining during the pandemic. “It’s been a really hard couple of years, we got hit incredibly hard by all this,” Mr Ridgeway said. “It’s so much fun to be able to get back to enjoying what we do now.” The relaxed beachside restaurant even welcomes polite pups with a dog menu.
T’Ang Court
38 Old Burleigh Rd, Surfers Paradise.
Opened: August
If you’ve been craving a vintage French wine to wash down delicious dry-aged duck, high-end Cantonese Restaurant T’ang Court is the place to go. T’ang Court, at The Langham Gold Coast, holds three Michelin stars at its Hong Kong venue, with its Australian operators aiming for the same quality in their first Australian foray.
Paradise Centre
2 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
Opened: September
Surfers Paradise is now home to The Paradise Centre which features eight eateries including El Camino Cantina, Gelato Messina, Nahm Talay Thai, Hero Sushi Enzo’s Cucina, La Playa, Wahlburgers and TGI Fridays.
Local Burleigh
1744 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Opened: October
Sliding in to the spot vacated by Harry’s, this attractive all-rounder cruises from breakfast classics to lunch, dinner and cocktails. It’s great for groups, who can choose from people-watching perches on the front terrace or beer-garden dining under umbrellas and twinkle-light trees.
Coast Beach Kitchen and Bar
86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Opened: July
Touted as a glamorous “food lover’s paradise”, Coast Beach Bar & Kitchen is on the first floor of the new Ocean by Meriton apartment building. It is a 110-seat restaurant and has a 160-seat bar, wine cellar and Spanish-style oven.
KAMI
5/1863 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Opened: March
KAMI is the go-to if you’re in the mood for a modern Asian eatery. Sip a cocktail and indulge in chicken karaage, fresh oysters and bao buns.
FINEPRINTCO Art Bar
107 Ferry Rd, Southport
Opened: December
This bar-gallery hybrid is ideal for sophisticated, intimate events or as a unique date night venue for couples. Mixologist Rumtin Nouzat has created a menu of European-inspired cocktails for guests to enjoy while surrounded by the work of renowned American photographer Slim Aarons.
Queen Street Village
102 Nerang Street, Southport
Opened: September
Southport’s newest complex has plastered a smile on locals’ faces. The precinct is a hive of activity with new retail, dining, entertainment, residential, childcare and health facilities. But most importantly, there are many new food outlets to indulge in. Pattysmiths, Southern Seoul Beer and Chicken, Krish Indian, Oporto and Guzman y Gomez are some of the options.
Kin Burleigh
1730 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Opened: November
Burleigh’s newest Pan-Asian restaurant is home to some of the city’s best bao buns and delicate sashimi with a choice of salmon, tuna or kingfish. Try Kin’s signature sip, Gold Child, which is infused with Umeshu, Midori, sake, lemon juice, green tea, liquid nitrogen and apple.
La Luna Beach Club and La Luna Dining
74 SeaWorld Dr, Main Beach
Opened: (La Luna Dining) January, (La Luna Beach Club) April
Gold Coast’s hospitality king Pet Gennari brought a multimillion-dollar floating beach club to Main Beach and locals lapped it up. It has six luxury cabanas and a “beachfront” restaurant which serves up oysters shucked to order, sashimi platters and grilled lobster. Expect the same beautiful Broadwater views at sister restaurant La Luna Dining.
Mozza Mozza
Cnr Olsen Ave and Musgrave Ave, Southport
Opened: November
This Southport venue serves up house-made focaccia, 48-hour fermented pizza, cheese wheels and puff pizza bread. Mozza Mozza’s owner Dave Galvin said he created Mozza Mozza to share classic, family-style dishes.
Nook Espresso
Old Burleigh Theatre, Burleigh Heads
Opened: December
In August, Nook Espresso was forced to move from its hole-in-the-wall takeaway coffee shop at The Burleigh Pavilion to a small coffee cart at the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade. After a turbulent year of not knowing if they would have to shut down, co-owner Marcus Wilkins said they have finally found their “home”. On December 9, Nook Espresso moved into its new shop in the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade. Mr Wilkins said they had coffee and cabinet food on offer, but smoothies and more delicious food was on its way thanks to their new kitchen.
Little Tommy’s Italian
140 Duringan St, Currumbin
Opened: October
Tommy’s Italian co-owner Ronnie Tarabay said because business was “pumping” they had to extend their trading to another venue close by to keep up with takeaway demand. The new restaurant is called Little Tommy’s Italian. “It’s more casual dining and predominantly created for takeaway,” Mr Tarabay said. Little Tommy’s is perfect to fill your pizza cravings, pasta dreams and cocktail fantasies.
The Beverly Surfers Paradise
Level 1/46 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
Opened: September
The chic lounge bar, which oozes a “glitzy L.A. cool” vibe, promised to revitalise the Glitter Strip. The Beverly Surfers Paradise is “something a little bit different in uncharted territory and not just another watering hole”, co-owner Miles Rozman said.
Burleigh Barrels Brewery
3-4/105 West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Waters
Opened: May
Burleigh Barrels Brewery is a beer lover’s dream, but cocktail fans are catered to as well. Pat McCarthy and Peter Trimble opened the watering hole in May after finding inspiration from European breweries. Some of their signature meals include beef brisket, a truffle burger, bug rolls, and a Nutella and banana pizza.
White Oat Distillery
13-14, 211 Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters
Opened: May
Andrew Langton – the former CFO of Mick Fanning’s Balter Brewing – David Beaton and Ryan Goding set up this shrine to “easy drinking gin” in an industrial area a stone’s throw from Harbour Town.
Malibu Racquet Club
1640 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Opened: December
The owners of Burleigh’s most anticipated new restaurant saved the best for last, revealing their cocktail and raw bar right before Christmas. The transformed tattoo parlour features cream Venetian rendered archways and a pink quartz bar to entrench customers in a “mid-century southern California vibe”. “We’ve sourced the best tequilas and champagnes to drink by the bottle, but our cocktail menu is phenomenal,” head waiter Tori Fox said.
Isoletto Pool Club
Level 6, Dorsett Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach
Opened: April
Isoletto Pool Club was the cherry on top at The Star’s newest building, The Dorsett. It offers epicureans an escape high in the sky where they can sip on cocktails and savour oysters, cheeseburger dumplings, zucchini fries and sushi.
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