Queensland restaurants where celebrities love to eat
Want to rub shoulders with Matt Damon over a steak? Sip coffee with Margot Robbie? From bakeries and breakfast spots to fine diners, these are the eateries attracting Hollywood’s A-listers.
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Want to rub shoulders with Matt Damon over a steak? Sip coffee with Margot Robbie? Or see what Chris Hemsworth eats out to keep his insane rig?
If celebrity spotting is a favourite pastime, we’ve found where the world’s top stars and local celebs love to dine in Queensland.
From up-market restaurants to relaxed backstreet bakeries, here’s where you can find A-listers grabbing a bite to eat.
HELLENIKA AT THE CALILE
Level 1/48 James St, Fortitude Valley
The list of celebrities who have dined at this Greek favourite inside the prestigious Calile Hotel is almost as long as the Mediterranean menu itself, with everyone from George and Amal Clooney to iconic rockers U2. Other famous patrons include movie stars Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, and Chris and Liam Hemsworth, singer Shawn Mendes and local identities such as millionaire fitness guru Kayla Itsines, who is also a fan of Hellenika’s casual sibling eatery Sunshine across the road.
SK STEAK & OYSTER
The Calile Hotel, G.12/48 James St, Fortitude Valley
The same star-studded crowd from Hellenika are also known to be fans of the venue’s sister restaurant, SK Steak & Oyster downstairs at The Calile Hotel.
The Hemsworths and pal Matt Damon regularly frequent the up-market steakhouse, while singer Delta Goodrem is known to have put on an impromptu performance at the venue’s piano.
The restaurant is also a favourite of a host of Queensland’s richest businesspeople, sporting stars such as Stephanie Rice, and countless influencers including Kayla Boyd, Michaela Wain and Isabella Gray.
RICK SHORES
3/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Within splashing distance of the ocean, it’s no surprise that celebrities love dining at this beachside Asian eatery.
Baz Luhrmann adored the venue’s Moreton Bay bug rolls so much he decided to film the Elvis biopic on the Gold Coast with actor Austin Butler, who is also obsessed with the crustacean burgers.
Matt Damon is a regular, as is Margot Robbie whenever she’s in town; while Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth are known customers, as are Divergent star Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh Sperry. Rick Shores also did private catering for Harry Styles.
Local celeb patrons include boxer Harry Garside, Below Deck star Aesha Scott, former MAFS contestant Domenica Calarco, and TV chef Anna Polyviou.
GEMELLI ITALIAN
2/2685 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach
Before Taylor Swift entered her single “era” the singer was spotted at this family run Italian restaurant on the Gold Coast with then boyfriend Tom Hiddleston.
It is believed they chowed down on the restaurant’s signature wood-fired pizza protected from prying eyes by a circle of security.
PADDOCK BAKERY
20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
This bakery in the backstreets of Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast is loved by locals and A-listers alike.
Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman declared himself a fa, while Barbie star and Gold Coast girl Margot Robbie is known to be a devotee of the venue’s signature pastries.
BAM BAM BAKEHOUSE
2519 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
You might also catch a glimpse of producer and actor Margot Robbie at this pastry-filled Gold Coast cafe, where she once sipped a purple gin and tonic using northern NSW Ink Gin that sent the distillery into meltdown with orders.
Former MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules judge Matt Preston is another of the bakehouse’s famous customers.
ELK ESPRESSO
Oasis Shopping Centre, Surf Pde, Broadbeach
There are few Queensland venues that can name royalty among their guest list, but this breezy, beachfront breakfast and brunch spot known for its cutting edge dishes sure can.
Niece of King Charles, Zara Tindall, was a fan of the spot while on the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions horse racing carnival; while Pirates of the Caribbean star Orlando Bloom ate the same breakfast salad at the cafe every day for more than a month.
He even asked the staff for the recipe so he could have his private chef recreate it.
THE STAR GOLD COAST
1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach
After hosting the TV Week Logies three times, the casino became the go-to party venue for Australia’s biggest stars of the small screen, such as Sophie Monk, Hamish Blake and Karl Stefanovic.
But its celebrity guest list goes much further, with the likes of Matt Damon, Chris Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky, Usain Bolt and Dami Im all spending time at the venue’s glamorous rooftop bar and restaurant Nineteen, which boasts views of the Gold Coast and ocean.
NAUTILUS RESTAURANT
17 Murphy St, Port Douglas
Set in a lush, tropical garden oasis, this fine dining restaurant known for its elaborate degustation dinners has attracted international superstars including Kylie Minogue, George Clooney, Bill Clinton, Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey.
Actor McConaughey is also a fan of nearby Silky Oaks Lodge in Mossman, where he booked out the resort for his friends and dined at the rainforest resort’s restaurant, The Treehouse.
BONITA BONITA
2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
This dark and moody modern Mexican eatery just off the Gold Coast highway is possibly the best spot for a celebrity to hide and perhaps that’s why it became a favourite of award-winning actor Tom Hanks.
The star was spotted enjoying 50c chicken wings and $10 cocktails at the intimate eatery while on the Gold Coast filming biopic Elvis.
The diner is also loved by former Australian cricketer turned TV star Lee Carseldine.
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