Gold Coast dining: the top eight places to eat in Mermaid Beach

What do you do when you learn there’s no mermaids in Mermaid Beach? Eat your feelings, of course. We’ve found eight of the best restaurants and cafes in Mermaid to try.

What do you do when your childhood dreams are crushed and you don’t spot the little mermaid bathing on a rock in Mermaid Beach? Eat your feelings, of course.

In this seaside suburb you can dine on fake chicken that arguably tastes better than the real thing or load up on so much bao you’ll be sent into a food coma.

You could try and delight your tourist friend with secret restaurants you’ve discovered during your years on the Coast, but we all know what they want — iconic and delicious Bam Bam Bakehouse. Just take them to Bam Bam.

Etsu Izakaya

2440 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Beef tataki at Etsu Mermaid Beach.

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Opening the white barn door illuminated by a red lantern into Etsu Izakaya transports you to a different world. The aromas of sizzling smoke spark thoughts of old school street vendors in Japan, but the mood-lit, well stocked wall of spirits, neon signs and lively rock music definitely plays into this decade’s obsession with gastronomy with a side of pop culture. For a feed that captures the essence of Etsu, start with a nibble of seven piece sashimi from the raw bar, followed by the robata grill’s kushiyaki skewers of teriyaki salmon and tsukune (chicken meat ball with egg yolk), finished off buta no kakuni — Bangalow pork belly, apple ginger salsa and spicy miso.

Easy House Vegetarian

8/90 Markeri St, Mermaid Waters

Easy House dish for Best of the Gold Coast vegetarian category in Coast Weekend

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What’s better than dozens of dumplings? Dozens of cruelty-free dumplings. Easy House Vegetarian is a yum cha restaurant for lunch and Chinese diner for dinner, serving a wide variety of Asian dishes with mock meats and plenty of crisp vegetables. A locals’ favourite in Mermaid, Easy House has been open for more than 10 years and prides itself on its fresh, made-to-order options, plus it’s BYO.

Bam Bam Bakehouse

2519-2521 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

The Bam Bam Benny. Picture: Jerad Williams

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You got friends or family visiting from out of town? You take them to Bam Bam Bakehouse. The Mermaid Beach cafe patisserie is an icon on the Gold Coast, attracting crowds from all walks of life with its infamous three-day-to-perfect croissants, quality brunch options and top notch coffee. Bam Bam general manager Dan Cresswell says the egg nasi dish is a popular winter warmer with sticky fried rice, a fried egg and decadent satay sauce.

Lucky Bao

6/90 Markeri St, Mermaid Waters

Lucky Bao.

These guys were one of the original operators to jump on the bao bandwagon. Starting out as a food stall, the bricks and mortar Lucky Bao opened in 2016 and offers a contemporary twist on the pillowy Taiwanese street food snack. Daud Kendall, who owns the business with partner Emmi, says the baos are given a present day influence with innovative recipes. “If you eat a bao in Taiwan, it’s different to what we do,” Daud says. “We have a modern approach. Pork is a popular filling in baos, but we confit the pork belly which gives it some crackling, add some quick cucumber pickle, hoisin sauce. The sashimi that we do has a little bit more of a modern bent, too. We do a kombu jelly with sashimi, muck around with some water melon radish and add some nice sauce.”

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Mexicali Bar Y Taqueria

2223 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Mexicali Bar Y Taqueria in Nobby Beach.

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Is there anything better than a domingo por la tarde (aka Sunday afternoon) spent atop a rooftop deck with a glass full of sangria and a plate full of tacos? Mexicali Bar Y Taqueria’s Sunday sessions are legendary, slinging spicy eats and beats for the perfect weekend wind down. That’s not to say you shouldn’t head along on another day — Mexicali offers fiesta vibes and filling food Tuesday to Sunday. “Everything from our menu — sauces, marinades and cooked meats — is made in-house from scratch each day,” co-owner Luke Johnson says.

Tian Ran Vegetarian Restaurant

8/2462 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Tian Ran vegetarian. Picture: John Gass

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Vegetarian fans of sweet and sour pork or cashew chicken, rejoice — Tian Ran has your Chinese comfort meals covered, entirely sans meat. On this Mermaid Beach restaurant’s menu you’ll find all of your favourite oriental indulgences: stir fries, curries, hot pot and much more, made with substitute meats of soy, wheat, yam, seaweed and mushroom. Health-conscious vegans and vegetarians can rest easy knowing all dishes are free from MSG as well as alcohol, onion and garlic. Tian Ran was one of the first vegan restaurants to open on the Gold Coast 13 years ago, so the owners must be doing something right.

Bonita Bonita

2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Bonita Bonita is a modern Mexican taqueria and bar.

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Bonita Bonita is moody Mexican that makes no apologies. Dark and enticing, the dimly lit restaurant and its neighbouring tequila bar Bon Bon serves up South American fare with a modern twist. “(Our) food style is modern Latin American, featuring traditional dishes with a fresh and modern approach to the flavour combinations,” manager Dani Knight says. “We also try to showcase fresh seasonal produce within our menus sourced from local Gold Coast growers and suppliers.” Dani says the tacos and nachos are always a popular choice, however those looking to step out of their comfort zone are well catered for. “If you’re feeling a little adventurous we find the achiote rib eye, market fish skewers and chorizo croquettes are really popular by both staff and customers,” Dani says.

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Nude Sisters Wholefood Kitchen

3/90 Markeri St, Mermaid Waters

Nude Sisters pancakes for Best of the Gold Coast: vegetarian restaurants.

After two years the customers are still loving the cruelty-free vibes at Nude Sisters Wholefood Kitchen. “It’s two years since we opened our doors,” manager Loren Telfer says. The milestone was celebrated a new winter menu launch, however fans of the Nutella honeycomb pancakes will be relieved to know they aren’t going anywhere. “A new option will be a new vegan burger, and we’re also bringing in the option to have a vegan big breakfast,” Loren says. “We’re also bringing in a new style of porridge.”