BEST OF THE GOLD COAST: The city’s top 10 themed restaurants as voted by you

BEST OF THE GC: Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out the Gold Coast’s top 10 themed restaurants as voted by you:

Dracula's Cabaret Show opens its latest show 'Spiderlash'. Nicole James, Richard Macionis, Daniele Cassons, David Kume, Christine Ibrahim and Rudi Testa with Stevie Mac fronting the show. Photo: Kit Wise

The Gold Coast is famous for fun, and even meals take place with a bang. Here are the city’s top 10 themed restaurants as voted by you:

1 DRACULA’S CABARET RESTAURANT, BROADBEACH

There are some truly strange creatures emerging after dark on the Gold Coast, but the cast at Dracula’s take the cake ... or, in this case, the Belgian chocolate coffin.

As well as their famous Death by Chocolate dessert, Dracula’s are know for their incredible attention to detail in everything from the waitstaff, who never break character, to the creepy presentation of their cocktails.

Project manager Luke Newman, grandson of famed showman John Newman who founded the now iconic venue 36 years ago, says Dracula’s is a favourite haunt of locals.

“We get people who come in because someone has brought them in for their 18th and then they come back on a first date and even on a wedding anniversary,” Luke says.

“It’s great to see people, especially locals, coming back to us over the years.”

VIP ticket holders at the adults only dining experience are greeted with a platter of canapés and a glass of Australian sparkling wine on arrival.

They will then devour three courses of scarify good food during the stage show.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, you can also pre-order a cake to share with options including a ball and chain, gluten free spiderweb cake or a chocolate mud skull decorated with white praline icing.

Dracula’s current production ‘Spiderlash’ will continue terrifying guests with its eight-legged horrors until July when the new performance, Bloodbath will commence.

“We’re always adapting and keeping everything fresh and new that goes through everything from onstage to cocktails and the food as well,” Luke says.

“The current show is called Spiderlash so there's a loose spider theme throughout the show and there’s some great aerial and circus acrobatics and hilarious comedy skits — it’s a great variety show.

“For me, working behind the scenes, my favourite part is at end of the night talking to the customers and just seeing how everyone has had such a great time.”

2 CAV’S STEAKHOUSE, LABRADOR

With its three life-size cow statues out the front, complete with their own hay bales, it’s best not to go near Cav’s if you have a beef with a big hunk of steak on your plate.

The Cavill family, whom the mall in Surfers Paradise is named after, opened the restaurant in 1984 and tourists and families have been bellowing for more ever since.

Choose from among the signature premium aged steaks on the menu such as the Steak Diane ($34.90) or the Steak Caribbean topped with Aussie prawns in garlic sauce ($36.90).

If you’re inspired to recreate the beefy goodness at home, you can by purchasing a cut or two from the butcher shop adjoining the restaurant.

Cow statues in front of Cav's Steakhouse at Labrador. Photo by Richard Gosling

3 PANCHO’S MEXICAN, MUDGEERABA

You’ll receive a burrito with a side dish of Gold Coast nostalgia at Pancho’s.

While the walls are liberally sprinkled with genuine Mexican artefacts, they are also adorned with historic photographs and memorabilia.

Even the building itself is steeped in history with many recycled materials, including 140 year old windows from the old Brisbane Law Courts, used during construction.

Favourites include the Pancho’s Delight which is a corn tortilla served with rice and beef or chicken before being smothered in beans and special Mexican sauce, cheese, salad and sour cream.

4 HOOTERS, SURFERS PARADISE

Keep your shirt on, Hooters is all about the wings, apparently.

The owl logo isn’t the only wide eyes you’ll see, however, once you catch a glimpse of the figure hugging hot pants and low cut tops worn by the buxom waitresses.

We’re certain all the drooling that goes on is strictly related to the buffalo chicken wings tossed in Hooters Wing Sauce.

There’s also sandwiches, steaks and lots more jugs, of beer that is.

5 BURLEIGH SURF CLUB, BURLEIGH HEADS

If surf culture had a home, you could bet it would be at the Burleigh SLSC.

The restaurant’s dining balcony has uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean and some of the gnarliest breaks on the Coast.

Head into the sports bar to see memorabilia from the golden years of surfing or simply enjoy a glass or two to the soundtrack of crashing waves.

6 MONTEZUMA’S, BURLEIGH HEADS

Australia’s original Montezuma’s opened at Burleigh Heads in 1978 before being franchised across the country.

A number of the floor staff at the Burleigh restaurant have notched up more than 30 years experience making them the most knowledgeable nacho experts this side of the border.

The bold and brightly decorated restaurant is complemented by a menu filled with Mexican favourites from the enchiladas and burritos to tamale pie.

7 HARD ROCK CAFE, SURFERS PARADISE

Starting with the faux Hollywood Walk of Fame out the front, you know you’ve entered superstar territory when you rock in to this establishment.

memorabilia on display at Surfers Paradise includes a shirt worn by The Who’s Keith Moon, embellished karate pants belonging to Elvis Presley, a seven string Ibanez guitar played by Steve Vai, Willie Nelson’s hemp guitar and the shirt worn by Sum 41’s Deryck Whibly in the Pieces music video.

Hard Rock Cafe guitar in Surfers Paradise.

8 CHIANG MAI THAI, BROADBEACH

Many a double take has been made while cruising along the Gold Coast Highway at Broadbeach only to be confronted by a wood carved haven.

If you’ve never ridden an elephant now’s your chance with each of the chairs carved into the likeness of the trunked animals.

If you can your eyes away from the decor long enough o order, the classic green curry is recommended.

9 HURRICANE’S GRILL AND BAR, SURFERS PARADISE

With a wall of wine and a whopping plate of flame grilled ribs, there’s not really much else you could possibly ask for at Hurricane’s.

The Titans players have been known to rip through a mound of protein at the restaurant when preparing for a big game.

While the signature ribs are the obvious favourite, there’s also burgers, steaks and seafood to choose from.

10 RIBS AND RUMPS, MAIN BEACH

It’s practically considered rude if you don’t leave Ribs and Rumps with sauce all over your face.

Unlike at some of the other restaurants at swanky Marina Mirage, no one is going to judge you if you’re caught gnawing on a bone at this establishment.

If you’re feeling particularly brave, take on the Meat Your Match challenge and try to wrap your chops around a 1kg rump steak and fries and a full rack of ribs ($85).

Rib & rump combo from Ribs and Rumps at Marina Mirage.

YOUR SAY ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Love love love Draculas :)

Emma

Awesome restaurant Cav’s

Janice Ferguson of Biggera Waters

Love Cav’s staff and the steak is amazing, but the cow in the restaurant tops it off! Especially given it’s Australia Day weekend! Cav epitomises the great Aussie traditional meal of enjoying a steak!

Kelly of Victoria

Dracula’s Cabaret Restaurant Gold Coast :)

Kirra June Hone

Draculas = expensive but great nite out

Gold Coast Cartage

Draculas !!

Kristie Marie Miller

Burleigh surf club

Craig Perl

Panchos Mudgeeraba..

Sharon Mitchell

Compadres Broadbeach

Norman Dunstan

Pleased to vote chevron noodle

Barb MacArthur

WATCH OUT FOR NEXT WEEK’S TOP 10 BEST OF LIST WHERE WE WILL REVEAL THE CITY’S TOP 10 GYMS.