Best of the Gold Coast 2019: the region’s 13 best fine dining and special occasion restaurants
Everyone deserves to indulge now and then. Best of the Gold Coast has found 13 of the best fine dining and special occasion restaurants to splash that hard-earned cash.
Best of Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Best of Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Everyone deserves to indulge now and then. Amber Macpherson has found 13 of the best fine dining and special occasion restaurants to splash that hard-earned cash.
Glass Dining and Lounge Bar
Marina Mirage, 74 SeaWorld Drive, Main Beach
TAKE A TRIP TO TOKYO AT NEW COAST RESTAURANT
Main Beach restaurant Glass Dining and Lounge Bar takes full advantage of its waterfront location. “The view is the key word here,” restaurant manager Riine Ringi says. “We have the beautiful waterfront views, you can completely zone out. There’s no traffic, it’s only boat traffic.” The fine dining bistro describes its food as “modern Australian” with a variety of dishes showcasing the talents of the chefs. The Australian black angus chateaubriand steak is a lavish dish for two, with truffle mash, green vegetables, bearnaise and foie gras sauce. “It’s so it’s good to share, its been on the menu six or seven years,” Riine says. “It’s beautiful. We never get any complaints about it.”
The Fish House
50 Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads
SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS
The Fish House at Burleigh Heads knows fine dining is more than a magnificent meal. General manager Hawada Zackout says the staff take their jobs very seriously, serving up an all-encompassing dining experience. “Our service, our waiters — it’s a profession for them,” Hawada says. “They have all worked in fine dining restaurants all over the world.” Everything at The Fish House is prepared from scratch, with deliveries of Australian and New Zealand seafood coming in fresh daily. The restaurant specialises in cooking whole fish simply so the flavours of the flesh shine through. There’s also a wagyu steak and vegetarian options, as well as 250 Australian and international wines to choose from.
Hellenika
2235 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
THE GOLD COAST’S FIVE BEST WINTER WARMER DISHES
Births, deaths and marriages are all marked at Greek feasting restaurant Hellenika. “Hellenika is one of those restaurants people use for their milestones,” owner Simon Gloftis says. “It’s also one of those commiseratory restaurants — I’ve had people come there when they get the news of an illness or death in the family, or a positive business deal, or wedding proposal.” Simon says you can’t go past any of the seafood dishes if you’re after a meal to remember, but the grilled South Australian octopus is a meal worth celebrating. “I would always advise people to do the seafood. The octopus is always a massive favourite, and any fish that we grill.”
Nineteen at The Star
The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach
The standards are sky high at this rooftop restaurant. The Star Gold Coast food and beverage manager Richard Gush says Nineteen affords a vista of the sparkling Pacific Ocean and has an exciting menu to match. “If you are looking to impress visitors to the Gold Coast, you can’t go past the spectacular lunch time views from Nineteen at The Star,” he says. While the chefs like to keep the options ever-evolving depending on what’s in season, a handful of mainstay dishes are always guaranteed to stimulate the tastebuds. The lobster bolognese is a standout, while the 400g Kiwami wagyu sirloin steak offers a taste of extravagance with a $240 price tag. For dessert, smoked white chocolate and Oscietra caviar makes for a surprisingly delightful dessert.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS
Kiyomi
The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach
This Japanese restaurant puts the takeaway sushi bar to shame. The extensive menu is full of decadent sashimi, foie gras, fresh seafood, oysters and Wagyu beef — essentially a Japanophile’s dream. The Star Gold Coast food and beverage general manager Richard Gush says the offerings are made for indulging year round, and seasonal ingredients keep the chefs on their toes. “At Kiyomi, the menu is designed to offer accessible fine dining to be enjoyed with family and friends at any time of the year, not just for special occasions,” he says. “Our menus change frequently and seasonally, so it means guests can enjoy different menu items each time they visit, along with their favourites.” Sake can be paired with most dishes, so opt for an izakaya meal or expertly prepared sushi roll for an enticing experience.
NINE OF THE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN BROADBEACH
Social Eating House
137/3 Oracle Blvd, Broadbeach
SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS
The moment you walk through the door, Social Eating House promises to take you on a culinary journey with personal service to match any special occasion. “We believe in practising fine dining techniques because attention to detail is very important,” owner Dayna Jefferson says. “The reason you go out to a restaurant is not only for the food but to be looked after and here at Social we take service seriously.” There’s no reason to be intimidated at this Broadbeach restaurant — the atmosphere is approachable and warm, with an open view kitchen and dining area that flows from seamlessly from indoor to out. As name suggests, the menu is designed for sharing with a mix of small and large plates. Top picks include the twice cooked spork belly with chilli jam glaze, papaya, Thai herbs and crushed peanut, and the boneless lamb shoulder roasted yoghurt with jus and cabbage slaw.
Little Truffle
2444 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
WHY THIS GOLD COAST BAR IS SERVING COCKTAILS WITHOUT ALCOHOL
Little Truffle is used to marking milestones with its diners but last week it celebrated its own. Owner Daniel Ridgeway says thanks to the help of loyal customers, the restaurant has been in business for nine years. “It’s out ninth birthday,” Daniel says. “Little Truffle has got that intimate feel, people know their table. There’s one table — table 7 — it’s tucked away, and there’s a couple that come three times a week and have that table.” Daniel says the restaurant offers decent sized meals which “appeals to men” and a standout share dessert plate. “For a special occasion our selection of desserts include the raspberry souffle, vanilla bean panna cotta and chocolate fondant. It just looks stunning. It’s lovely to share dishes.”
Gotham Grill
6 Bayview Street, Runaway Bay
A special occasion calls for a trip to New York, but if you’re pressed for time and money, Gotham Grill is the next best thing. The Runaway Bay restaurant is split between two levels and is inspired by the bright lights and flavours of the Big Apple. Owner Daniel Ridgeway says he modelled the downstairs area on his already successful fine dinery Little Truffle. “What I’ve created is a Little Truffle that focuses heavily around great cuts of steaks,” he says. “It’s a much smaller restaurant which only seats 50 people. It’s in the north so you don’t have to spend 40 minutes driving down the highway. It’s a real nice intimate space, we do have to turn people away on the weekends but there’s plenty of room on the weekdays.”
SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS
Mamasan Kitchen + Bar
3 Oracle Blvd, Broadbeach
So you’re trying to impress a date but you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the menu? Let Mama make the call. “We have a ‘let Mama choose’ option, where you leave all the selection up to the chef,” Mamasan manager Lauren Mitchell says. “It’s an eight course menu that really does showcase all of our favourite items. It’s great if you’ve never been here before.” The sleek Broadbeach restaurant is known for its sophisticated modern Asian dishes, with the spanner crab ravioli and the miso cod some of the more distinguished options. Mamasan is also taking part in Good Food Month this month where diners can try a special selection of food paired with sake.
THE NINE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN SURFERS PARADISE
Fellini
Marina Mirage, 74 SeaWorld Drive, Main Beach
HOW COAST RESTAURANT PAYS ‘RIDICULOUSLY’ LOW RENT
Don’t wait for a special occasion to learn something new — book a degustation at Fellini and you’ll take away a bit of Italian culture and history. “Our degustation menus of seven or eight courses are dictated by the seasons and complement our sommelier-recommended wines,” Fellini co-owner Carlo Percuoco says. “We are often told that diners come away with a greater understanding and appreciation of Italian cuisine.” Fellini is known for its fantastic views over the Broadwater and out to Gold Coast hinterland, which provides an idyllic backdrop for a fine dining experience. Head chef Richard Burt serves up contemporary Italian recipes passed down through his family, while Raffaele Di Benedetto hand makes each strand of pasta on site.
The Tropic
43 Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads
SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS
It doesn’t get much more special than the ocean at your doorstep while you mark a milestone or indulge in champagne tastes. The Tropic at Burleigh Pavilion is located on the edge of the sand and has a Michelin Star chef at the helm creating dishes that compete with the view. “The inspiration for the food is Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian and French with Moroccan spices,” The Tropic general manager John Forest says. “We have a cultured wine list with noninterventionist wine, that’s less manipulation by the wine maker. It’s a very open space with lots of exposed wood and white and palm trees, it’s definitely about bringing the outside in. Sundays are very much family orientated and Thursday to Friday is your more romantic evenings.”
Rick Shores
3/43 Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads
INSIDE THE CITY’S NEWEST CAFE AND WINE BAR
Another exclusive restaurant perched on the edge of the ocean, Rick Shores is known for its contemporary Asian dishes featuring other worldly flavours. While a hotdog would never usually be considered fine dining, Rick Shores co-owner Nick Woodward says adventurous palates should give his restaurant’s version a chance. “If you’re looking for an out of the ordinary entree, our Isaan Hot Dog is the perfect go to,” he says. “Inspired from a trip to a Bunnings sausage sizzle, we make our own northeastern Thailand style pork sausages and buns and serve with some pickled ginger, cabbage and a tamarind mustard.” Nick regards the exceptional staff as an integral part of Rick Shore’s fine dining experience. “Our staff constantly go above and beyond to ensure the guests leave with their expectations exceeded,” Nick says.
Restaurant Labart
8 West Street, Burleigh Heads
SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS
Recently celebrating its first birthday, Restaurant Labart has only gone from strength to strength since opening in Burleigh. The intimate European bistro is run by former Sydneysider Alex Munoz Labart and his wife Karla, and their venture north has paid dividends: Restaurant Labart was recently crowned Regional Restaurant of the Year by the Courier Mail food awards. The sample menu boasts a selection of modern Australian dishes with Gold Coast suppliers and producers playing a major role in the crafting of dishes. With truffle season in full swing you can expect a handful of dishes boasting the fungal delicacy, while locally caught snapper, black angus beef and king prawns are carefully dressed in aromatic herbs and spices.
Top five burgers on the Gold Coast named
This northern Gold Coast burger joint has been named the best in the region for the second year in a row. Find out who won.
Top five spray tanners on the Gold Coast
A mobile spray tanning business has been named the best in the region, securing 34 per cent of Bulletin reader-voted poll. Find out more.