Delicious. 100: Rick Shores at Burleigh Heads tops list of best restaurants

A seaside restaurant has knocked off some of the state’s biggest venues to be crowned No. 1 in the inaugural delicious. 100 list of best restaurants. But how many have you eaten at?

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GOLD Coast restaurant Rick Shores has knocked off some of the state’s biggest restaurants to be crowned No. 1 in the inaugural delicious. 100 in today’s Stellar magazine.

Unlike other best restaurant lists, the delicious. 100 is not about stiff, white table cloths, flashy silver service and tome-like drinks lists. As its name suggests, it’s about deliciousness.

It saw a team of Sunday Mail food writers eat their way across Queensland, searching for truly memorable meals where flavour was front and centre, backed up by adept service, an enticing atmosphere and drinks you’d be happy to quaff. With the only rule that venues be open for dinner, it was about finding the tastiest food in a place you’d want to tell your friends about.

Rick Shores co-owner Nick Woodward at Rick Shores. Picture: Adam Head

And Rick Shores delivered that and more.

The pan-Asian restaurant, which sits on the beach at Burleigh Heads, offers truly breathtaking views along the coastline, as well as dishes worth rushing back for, a solid drinks list spanning cracking cocktails to interesting wines, and service that echoes the laid-back sophistication of the venue, while being intuitive, attentive, thoughtful and seamless.

Jaz Wood at the number 1 Rick Shores. Picture: Nigel Hallett

David Flynn, who owns the venue along with partners Nick Woodward, Frank Li and Andrew Hohns, said he was thrilled to make the list and attributed the restaurant’s success to its staff and commitment to offering a well-rounded package for diners.

“You’ve got to acknowledge that we’re very, very lucky to have such an amazing location and amazing view ... but, for me, I think what our strength is we don’t try to rest on that,” Mr Flynn said.

“The menu’s all about offering something that is both familiar but something so people can experience something new, and hopefully with good staff who know the menu well, we can educate people and show you something a little bit different.”

Rick Shores at Burleigh Heads took top spot in the inaugural delicious. 100 list of Queensland's most delicious restaurants. Georgia Harris serves up bug rolls. Picture: Adam Head

For the delicious. 100 reviewers, where Rick Shores shined over its fine-dining Brisbane counterparts was its accessibility to all.

Its relaxed, unpretentious nature makes it a venue suitable for everyone including young families who want a beautiful lunch out, millenials celebrating birthdays, Baby Boomers wanting a dinner catch-up with friends, and older Australians after a simple bite to eat with a great drink.

“We have diners who may come straight in off the beach and we’re definitely OK with that,” Mr Flynn said.

“There’s a level of sophistication but then we’re on the coast, we’re right on the beach. It’s meant to be a little bit fun and a little bit relaxed. We want the diners to feel relaxed.”

To see where your favourite restaurant ranked, check out Stellar.

*To vote for your favourite restaurant, head to the People’s Choice Award online at couriermail.com.au from Monday, with the winners published December 17.