Gold Coast restaurants with views: the region’s top 13 venues for your viewing pleasure
Ocean, mountains or metropolis — when it comes to scenery, the Gold Coast is spoiled for choice. We’ve found the top dining destinations for your viewing pleasure.
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Ocean, mountains or metropolis — when it comes to scenery, the Gold Coast is spoiled for choice. Amber Macpherson finds the top dining destinations for your viewing pleasure.
Edgewater Dining
Capri on Via Roma, Surfers Paradise
THE GOLD COAST’S MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS
Who says you need to be up high to take in a great view? Edgewater Dining has a sweeping vista of the Surfers Paradise skyline that’s just as impressive at sea level. “At night time it’s got the beautiful lights,” Edgewater owner Tracey Cianci says. “From tables one to 18 on the deck you have access to that view. We do get lots of bookings for those tables along the water’s edge. The best views, which I love, are around 6 o’clock at night with the lights on the deck lead down to the water.” Feel the Friday knock-off vibes with a cocktail by the shoreline, or tuck into Edgewater’s signature prawn and Moreton Bay bug risotto for a dish that matches the surroundings.
Burleigh Pavilion
3a/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
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If you’ve scored at seat at Burleigh Pavilion on the weekend, you’re one of the lucky ones. Perched on the edge of the sand at Burleigh Heads beach, tables at both the walk-in only venue The Pavilion and sophisticated dining destination The Tropic are hot property. “For the casual dining, there’s between 80 to 120 people at the door vying for prime position when we open at 12pm on the weekends,” general manager John Forrest says. The Pavilion is an open rooftop-style restaurant and bar with panoramic views of the famous Burleigh break. The Tropic is towards the left of the building with a north aspect of distant Surfers Paradise and the sand. “There’s five lounges which sit right along the balcony at The Tropic, it’s very relaxed and you can reserve them, all of our tables (at The Tropic) are bookable. Our head chef has taken inspiration from the Mediterranean which is more exemplified in The Tropic, then the casual dining at The Pavilion is your classics such as nachos and fish and chips.”
Saltwater at Currumbin
2-4 Thrower Drive, Currumbin
NEW BAR BRINGS MELBOURNE TO THE GOLD COAST
Saltwater at Currumbin owner Lauren Hogg never tires of working beside a sparkling river. “Every morning I walk into this restaurant and think I am the luckiest person alive,” she says. The relaxed restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner is located steps from Currumbin Creek, where dolphins and stand-up paddlers frequent the tranquil waterway. “I always encourage people to arrive as the sun is setting,” Lauren says. “We have this amazing Moreton Bay fig tree, when you look through the tree you see the crystal green water and the sun reflecting through it. We do fresh, simple food, but I like our tapas menu and seeing groups of people having drinks and sharing.”
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Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Club
741 Pacific Parade, Currumbin
THE GOLD COAST’S BEST STEAK AND GRILL RESTAURANTS
Right on the sand with spectacular ocean views, Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Club has weathered storms and sunshine to celebrate 100 years of operation this year. The venue is the envy of most surf clubs on the Gold Coast, with its waterfront location providing the backdrop for many leisurely lunches, laid-back beverages and picturesque functions. “We are very unique in regards to our location — there’s no other surf clubs or restaurants you can find on the water,” marketing manager Alana Welch says. “You can feel the waves splashing you.” A seafood platter, schooner and seaside views? Sounds like an ideal afternoon.
Eagle Heights Mountain Resort
1683 Tamborine Oxenford Road, Wongawallan
INSIDE COAST’S NEW ITALIAN RESTAURANT
The winter chill might be behind us but if there’s a cool day forecast for October, make sure to head to Eagle Heights Mountain Resort. The hotel sits at the top of the Tamborine Mountain summit, with panoramic views of the coastline to the east, the valley to the west, Stradbroke Island in the north and Coolangatta to the south. “The best time to come is the wintertime when it’s really cold, the air is clear and clean,” manager Lahra Crosbie says. “Depending on the side you can see the sunrise and the sunset. There’s some parts you can see to Brisbane. I think this is the best spread on the Gold Coast. It’s the whole view of it.” Sunday afternoons are the best time to visit with chef’s specials, activities for children and live music.
Quarterdeck Kitchen
76/84 Waterway Drive, Coomera
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With 60m superyachts moored in the serene waters beside Quarterdeck Kitchen, the cafe and bar is the place to entertain your wildest sailing daydreams. 180 degree views of the water fringed by luxurious liners greets guests at Quarterdeck, with lounges on the eastern side of the restaurant a great place to catch the morning sun. “That’s a really comfortable setting directly over the water, and you’ve got some mansions and trees on the other side at Hope Island,” Quarterdeck owner Kieran Hogue says. “If you’re a bigger group or want a proper seated table, all of our northern side tables get a 180 degree view of the water.” Kieran says when the weather is mild, any time of day is good to visit. “It’s really nice here at night time with the beautiful still water, it’s really romantic and nicely lit at night time when we do dinner.”
Rick Shores
3/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
A water’s edge location, floor-to-ceiling windows and a considered floor plan means everyone gets to share in the magic at Rick Shores. The Burleigh Heads restaurant sits on edge of the ocean above the iconic basalt rocks and beneath the Burleigh Pavilion. “We designed the restaurant so every table has a view and no one misses out,” co-owner Nick Woodward says. “An early dinner is great to admire the sunset or a late dinner over summer to see all the light. (You can see) the waves, the surfers, the ever-expanding Gold Coast skyline and the Pacific Ocean.” Such a superb outlook calls for first-class food, and Rick Shores’ head chef James Brady delivers. The menu serves up a selection of pan-Asian dishes including Kingfish sashimi, red duck curry and its famous Ricks fried bug roll.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK DURING THE GC600
Videre
RACV Royal Pines, Ross Street, Benowa
RACV Royal Pines Videre restaurant is taking high tea to new heights. The restaurant 21 floors up affords views of the attached golf course below before spilling out to the suburbs and Surfers Paradise cityscape in the east, a decadent setting for a brew and stacks of treats. Videre now serves high tea exclusively on weekends, with uniquely Australian fare of camel milk feta quiches, Granny Smith apple bombs and Queensland blue pumpkin scones pairing beautifully with Tea Drop tea. With a sprawling landscape below, it’s easy to be reminded of the vastness of flavours harvested across our country.
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Hyde Paradiso
Level 2/8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
SURPRISING TREAT THAT HAS COAST DINERS OBSESSED
Surfers Paradise never looked so good as it does from Hyde Paradiso. The second level restaurant in the Peppers Soul tower is directly across the road from the famous shoreline, a perfect spot for gazing at the ocean and people watching holiday-makers. “The best table in the house in our eyes is any one of our five oceanfront booths, located at the front of the venue looking directly out to sea,” marketing manager Rachel Bromley says. “You can request any area and any booth depending on your needs and the availability.” The lavish Mediterranean decor is complemented by European-inspired food, with the tapas menu designed for sharing. “Some top picks off the menu are the sumac, salt and pepper squid with lemon aioli; pumpkin, feta and thyme arancini; spanakopita, spinach, feta and lemon; the fish of the day; and the porcini and truffle risotto,” Rachel says. “There is a Taste of Paradiso option available if the diners can’t decide and are feeling adventurous.”
Cafe Dbar
275 Boundary Street, Coolangatta
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There’s still a chance you could glimpse some playful whales splashing about in the bay from the second level of Cafe Dbar if you head along ASAP. “Upstairs they (diners) see the beautiful uninterrupted sights of the pristine coastline with whales at every window from June to October,” owner Donna Archdeacon says. The casual cafe is an old Queenslander nestled on Point Danger in the beachside suburb of Rainbow Bay in Coolangatta. Donna recommends sourcing a seat on the deck for peace and quiet. “It overlooks Snapper Rocks, it’s a takeaway only section where you can often enjoy alone,” she says. “Best menu picks would have to be the crab omelette for brunch and the Dbar burger for lunch — old school goodness.”
Ristorante Fellini
74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
FIVE OF THE BEST SUNDAY SESSIONS ON THE GOLD COAST
You can always rely on Ristorante Fellini for a romantic night. The Marina Mirage Italian restaurant provides a stunning location for any special occasion — the glistening water below and sweeping views of the Broadwater is paired with candlelit tables and food made with love. While it could rely on its location alone to draw the masses, that’s not the Fellini way. The award-winning restaurant recently launched a new spring menu featuring seven delightful dishes blending traditional ingredients with current innovations. Fellini co-owner Richard Burt said smoked pasta is a new trend in Italy that is now being offered at his distinguished dining destination.
Black Angus Bar and Grill
46 The Promenade, Hope Island
Tucking into a great steak on a deck? It doesn’t get much more Australian than that. Black Angus Bar and Grill is found in the Sanctuary Cove marina, serving a specialty steak and modern Australian menu right on the water’s edge. There’s views to be seen from every corner with two walls of glass windows, but the outdoor dining on the timber deck floating above the water is the place to take in the serenity. Order an eye fillet, half a dozen oysters or even a cocktail and watch the beautiful people cruise by in their pristine watercraft.
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De Vito Waterfront
2 Barney Street, Southport
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY KIYOMI’S DEGUSTATION DINNER
You won’t know where to look when dining at De Vito Waterfront restaurant — the waters of the Nerang River? Or the singing chef on stage, belting out Italian ballads? Owned by husband and wife team David and Tarscha De Vito, the restaurant sits on the water’s edge in Southport and has an impressive outdoor dining area. Lit by strings of neon lights and tall flame torches, the large veranda spills out over the water with views of the Surfers Paradise skyline and the Sundale Bridge. Book a table for dusk and watch the river reflect the pink sky, eventually giving way to dappling lights of skyscrapers. That is, of course, you’re not distracted by Southport’s answer to Luciano Pavarotti.
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