Best of the Gold Coast 2017: The 13 best fine dining restaurants

WHETHER you have champagne tastes or are celebrating a special occasion, you’ll be spoiled at these restaurants. Here’s 13 of our favourite fine dining spots on the Gold Coast.

WHETHER you have champagne tastes or are celebrating a special occasion, you’ll be spoiled at these restaurants.

Last year, The Fish House at Burleigh took out the win in our Best of the Gold Coast series.

Here’s 13 of our favourite fine dining spots on the Gold Coast.

VIDERE

LOCATION: RACV Royal Pines Resort, Ross St, Benowa

Perched on the 21st floor of RACV Royal Pines Resort, Videre delivers on high expectations, starting with panoramic views of the coast and hinterland.

“It is one of the only restaurants around where you can have a drink in the lounge and watch the sunset over the mountains and then go through to the restaurant for a stunning meal and great views,” chef de cuisine Grant Parry says.

“Not many places do that anymore and it makes it feel like more of an experience as you can take your time and really enjoy your evening.”

Head Chef Grant Parry with a chocolate fondant. Picture Glenn Hampson

Videre is also one of the few local venues preserving the traditions of fine dining, including gueridon service when you order the crepes suzette.

“We are lucky enough to have Alex Scotney who is a legend of the front of house and a veteran of the Gold Coast fine-dining scene,” Grant says.

“He gives an attentive service, but it’s not intrusive as most guests are coming in for a special occasion.

Videre Restaurant at RACV Royal Pines. Picture Glenn Hampson

“As soon as the gueridon trolley rolls up to a table the phones come out (often from the tables around) and for five minutes you’re getting a piece of French food culture that many people have not experienced before — the aromas and the flames are simply dazzling.”

The sophisticated presentation of the a la carte menu rivals that showmanship, but pork belly with chargrilled apple puree is more than just a pretty plate.

“It’s such a confident dish, sitting there loud and proud with a simple black puree and crackling crumble, but the flavours are just wow,” Grant says.

While there’s something for every budget on the wine list, restaurant manager Yann Bicais would spend his hard-earned on the 2008 Penfolds Bin 620. It may be $1900 a pop, but the sought-after vintage is truly sublime with a great steak.

LITTLE TRUFFLE

LOCATION: 2444 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

From the two plush private dining rooms to the sparkling chandeliers and heavy white linen, this Mermaid Beach restaurant sets the scene for fine dining.

Take your pick from the rich wine list to match the modern European menu and enjoy first-class service while you nibble on Moreton Bay bug and prawn tortellini.

Owner Daniel Ridgeway’s decadent desserts are the pièce de résistance — don’t leave without treating your tastebuds to the signature flower-strewn glass of vanilla-bean pannacotta or an airy soufflé drizzled in white chocolate sauce.

The set menus are surprisingly good value.

The signature pannacotta at Little Truffle, Mermaid Beach

SEADUCTION RESTAURANT + BAR

LOCATION: Peppers Soul, Level 2, 8 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

Oyster fork in one hand, French fizz in the other — Seaduction has to be the most civilised way to experience Surfers Paradise beach.

Overlooking the iconic stretch of sand, you can watch the waves roll in while lapping up the five-star treatment. The view on the plate is equally enticing. Chef James Fiske makes art of Modern Australian fare. Try the baked Fraser Island spanner crab with dill mayonnaise, Provençal vegetables and olive lavosh. Request front-row seats and time your dinner booking to catch the sunset.

Seaduction at Surfers Paradise. Picture: Paul Williams Photography

RISTORANTE FELLINI

LOCATION: Level 1 Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

Picture piles of handmade pasta, tossed in extra virgin olive oil with straight-off-the-trawler seafood.

There’ll be a crisp white wine to wash it down — perhaps an Italian soave.

Imagine heavy white tablecloths and the sun setting on an iconic Broadwater view.

Fellini’s signature dish.

It’s the food fantasy that’s kept Gold Coasters coming back to Fellini for more than 21 years. “Since opening our doors we have gone to great lengths to set a standard of excellence that focuses on service, cuisine and tradition — sourcing our ingredients from specialist suppliers, training our wait staff in fine-dining service, and even importing specialist pasta machines from Italy so we can make pasta fresh on site daily,” co-owner Carlo Percuoco says.

Timballo di Granchi served at Ristorante Fellini. Picture: Regi Varghese

HELLENIKA

LOCATION: 2235 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach

Fine dining can be a tad intimidating. If you want the quality without the fuss (and all the forks), head to Hellenika.

The smart-casual setting may be as comfortable as your family dining room, but don’t let that fool you — diners at the recently renovated restaurant enjoy the Gold Coast’s finest food and service.

Octopus on the menu at the new Hellenika at Nobbys Beach. Picture Glenn Hampson

Keep the food flowing by ordering the $65 per person banquet.

It’s full of favourites, including saganaki with a lick of lemon, southern calamari, veal dolmades and slow-baked lamb shoulder. Wine buffs will be in their element with 500 labels to lust after.

KIYOMI

LOCATION: The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach Island, Broadbeach

Pamper your palate at this sleek, modern tribute to Tokyo.

The dark and handsome interior includes a sexy sushi bar, but you’ll definitely do better than your standard California roll.

Crispy rice and spicy tuna from Kiyomi

Executive chef Chase Kojima has created a highrolling menu awash with luxury seafood. Signatures include spicy tuna tartare on a crunchy deep-fried rice base and the Goma Street dessert — tempered dark chocolate, caramelised white chocolate mousse and black sesame ice cream.

The goma street dessert at Kiyomi

VANITAS

LOCATION: 94 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

Did we hear a rumour that the winds of change are soon to visit Vanitas?

All you need to know now is that this decadent designer dining destination remains the elegant oasis it’s always been.

With long-stemmed white candles, priceless plates and service as polished as the silverwear, this is a meal that’s worth dressing up for.

Corn-fed chicken part of the Vanitas experience

Ornate mosaic marble floors flow to floor-to-ceiling windows framing a brilliantly blue lagoon pool.

The dishes are works of art and the cellar is full of temptation.

Fortunately there’s a sommelier to help you narrow down the treasure trove of international labels … and hotel rooms upstairs for those that get carried away.

A black truffle dish from Vanitas

THE FISH HOUSE, BURLEIGH

LOCATION: 50 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

Across the road from Burleigh beach, The Fish House combines the atmosphere of a day at the beach with slick service and first-class fare.

It’s the piscine produce that makes the biggest splash — the specialty is whole fish.

The catch of the day is as changeable as the tides; you could be sampling coral trout from Cairns steamed with ginger and shallots or John Dory from New South Wales in a caramelised onion and white wine braise.

The Fish House at Burleigh Heads.

THE FIREPLACE

LOCATION: InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Manor Circle, Sanctuary Cove

Swap coastal vistas for the grandeur of a country manor.

There’s a sense of occasion to meals at The Fireplace, with chefs tending the open wood-fire oven at the heart of the restaurant.

The provincial-style menu presents homegrown produce from the resort’s herb and native gardens in a sophisticated new light.

A fresh beetroot dish at The Fireplace restaurant.

Sample heirloom beetroots, with brioche crouton, goat’s fetta and vanilla vinaigrette, or High Country pork cutlet still sizzling from the unique grill.

We’d also like to propose a toast to the luxury labels scattered across their sizeable wine list.

ROOM81

LOCATION: Sofitel Gold Coast, 81 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Sofitel Gold Coast’s general manager Amery Burleigh says room81’s signature 12-course degustation is the ultimate culinary journey.

“Each dish is meticulously plated, making it intriguing for the eyes as much as the palate. At room81 we’ve recently introduced a new creative tasting menu, which offers our guests the rare opportunity of designing their own degustation.”

Amery recommends the Memories of Mum’s French onion soup.

Tasting plates at Sofitel Gold Coast's room81

“Chef de cuisine Sam Moore crafted this dish inspired by his mother’s cooking adventures. The dish incorporates the classic French onion soup flavours infused with intense depth of flavour and richness created by the added process of charring the raw onions.”

Get the palate party started with a glass of Dom Ruinart Champagne, Vintage 1996.

“It’s an outstanding aperitif and beautifully matches with most foods … a rare and truly outstanding expression of Champagne,” Amery says.

RICK SHORES, BURLEIGH

LOCATION: 3/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

Whether you’re gazing at moonlight on the ocean or surfers slicing through waves, settings don’t get more special than the Burleigh beachfront.

Snag an oceanfront table at Rick Shores and you’ll be so close to the action you risk getting splashed.

'Smoke on the water' is part of a list of cocktails available at Rick Shores. Picture: John Gass

It’s a cool sanctuary steps from the sizzling sand where you can sip cocktails and savour freshly shucked oysters.

Rick’s fried bug roll with gem lettuce and sriracha is mandatory munching and the lip-tingling curries are great for groups. For extra sparkle, order the All That Glitters cocktail — Absolut, Aperol, Absinthe, lime and vanilla finished with edible glitter.

GLASS DINING & LOUNGE BAR

LOCATION: Marina Mirage, 27/74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

It’s easy to lose track of time at Glass, where lingering lunches melt into marina sunsets, cocktails and tapas.

Sup on whole NZ sole with baby clams, parsley, fried capers, garlic and lemon butter sauce, or sweet corn and crab croquettes with truffle mayo, washed down with French fizz.

There’s ample choice by the glass, including White Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial and Veuve Clicquot Rich.

Grilled whole New Zealand fish with vongole with parsley and lemon sauce at Glass Restaurant, Marina Mirage.

The Marina Mirage restaurant has a luxe fitout to match its opulent outlook — you can book everything from a candlelit table for two to a private dining room, or get closer to the view on the alfresco deck.

ALLURE ON CURRUMBIN

LOCATION: 136 Duringan St, Currumbin

Pork belly and scallops at Allure on Currumbin.

It’s classed as “elegant casual dining” and you can count on Allure for fancy French flavour. From the classic duck a l ’orange or cherry to the truffled mash, there are rich rewards in store for diners at this suburban star. Up the ante with a wine-matched degustation, including a mixed oyster plate; camembert pané, cranberry puree and candied walnut; confit pork belly with spiced caramel and crackling; and chargrilled eye fillet. The finale is equally enticing: freshly made profiteroles filled with Baileys cream, followed by a cheese plate.

Allure on Currumbin.