Five of the best GC600 trackside dining spots
IF you’re looking for some trackside sustenance during the GC600, we’ve found the best places to refuel. These are the five best dining spots in the racing precinct this weekend.
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IF you’re looking for some trackside sustenance during the GC600, we’ve found the best places to refuel. These are the five best dining spots in the racing precinct this weekend.
Mano’s
2/19-21 Tedder Avenue, Main Beach
Mano's owner Mick Ellison with former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins back in the days when she was an Indy girl.
The party starts early at Mano’s, the spiritual home of motor racing revelry since the early Indy days.
“We like to get the locals all geared up, give them a bit of ownership of the event,” owner Mick Ellison says.
Tonight will be Supercars Comedy Club Tuesday and tomorrow around 1:30pm, Mick encourages the locals to drop by and watch the transporters come through, a procession of 26-metre long trucks delivering the Supercars and other vital race equipment.
Thursday brings the much-loved celebrity barman night. Mick promises a motorsport-style celebrity but it could well be other sporting identities serving the drinks.
Friday and Saturday will feature live music for high octane racegoers while Sunday night, Mano’s is the place to go for post-race idling with resident DJ Gaz.
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“We have a lot of people who come to the Supercars every year and they always come and see us,” Mick says. “We love to have them back and look after them.”
“We try to create a bit of atmosphere here — something a bit special — because it’s a great weekend for us. We love our locals to come and get in the spirit too.”
The bar will be ready, the kitchen will be firing and Mick promises there’ll be a bit of something for everyone.
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa,
158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
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Just as on the track, it will be all systems go at the Surfers Paradise Marriott during the GC600 with a full house and its eateries bustling with drivers, celebrities and revved-up race fans.
Quite apart from its views of Pit Lane, it will be well worth a visit just to see the themed lobby with its star attraction centrepieces.
The Marriott will display both the Winners’ Trophies and the Pirtek Enduro Cup until they’re whisked trackside on Sunday.
No matter what time you drop by, the Chapter and Verse bar and lounge will be open for early breakfast right through to late night cocktails while the signature Citrique Restaurant will be serving its fine international and seafood buffet with the roar of engines in the air.
Rhapsody Beachside Cafe
3440 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
As one of the few venues inside the track precinct, this family cafe is gearing up for a fast and furious few days.
“Last year I went to the GC600 as a spectator on the 41st floor — it was so exciting,” co-owner Jennifer Orr says. “This year, I’ll probably be in the kitchen.”
The prime position cafe, on the hairpin bend at the southern end of the track, will be open 6am to 10pm on race days, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a range of grab-and-go goodies for those keen to get back to the action.
“We’ll have bacon and egg rolls, hot dogs, croissants, toasted sandwiches, pizza and takeaway drinks,” she says. “And we’ll offer a modified sit-down menu as well.”
Racegoers are invited to download an app to place and pay for their orders ahead. Anyone flagging through the day can be assured of finding the usual fine organic, single origin coffee on site.
“We’re just trying to make things as easy as we can for our customers,” Jennifer says.
After the racing is over, dinner is served. Pasture fed eye fillet, crispy skin salmon and smoked brisket burgers are on the menu. The premises is also licensed for those looking to add a post-racing tipple.
QT Gold Coast
7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
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The QT will be buzzing with GC600 activities this weekend, kicking off with a lunch hosted by Porsche on Friday at Bazaar, QT’s interactive marketplace-style eatery.
Everyone is invited to the event where Porsche drivers will share their racing insights after their prep session on the Supercars track.
That evening, the action shifts to QT’s edgy Stingray lounge and bar with the Miss Supercars final kicking off at 5:30pm with a meet and greet session with the event’s ambassadors.
The pool will be magically transformed into a stage, complete with a light and sound spectacle, for the Miss Supercars’ eveningwear and swimwear judging.
Entry is free and the official after-party will continue ‘til late. Stingray will be open as normal on race day Sunday from midday.
Shuck
1-4/20 Tedder Avenue, Main Beach
Shuck has been the scene of many a memorable Indy party over the years and is still welcoming the hungry and thirsty with the transition to the GC600.
“It’s a different crowd,” Manager Sean Lehmann says. “We had a lot of Americans when it was the Indy and they gave it a certain vibe.
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“Don’t get me wrong, we’re still very busy and we’re expecting another big weekend.”
It will be business as usual at Shuck with the bar fully stocked and its signature fresh seafood menu for drivers, officials and racegoers alike who want to sample some Gold Coast hospitality.
“It’s usually a bit quieter at lunch because everyone’s at the track but around 5:30-6pm is when we get the crowds,” Sean says.
“It’s busy times but we always look forward to it.”
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