The Gold Coast’s best new restaurants that opened in 2019

From celebrity chefs to Super Car drivers, everyone wanted a slice of the Gold Coast dining scene in 2019. We reveal the most exciting restaurant openings of this year

FROM celebrity chefs to Supercar drivers, everyone wanted a slice of the Gold Coast dining scene in 2019. Amber Macpherson reveals the most exciting restaurant openings of this year.

Rosella’s

Enjoy an unusual cocktail with a difference at Rosella's.

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Swinging the doors open just in time for Australia Day, Burleigh Heads’ Rosella’s is an ode to the Lucky Country the way locals remember it – less cork hats and corrugated iron, more Play School and Vegemite on toast. The restaurant opened in January with a drinks menu featuring Australian-made spirits and wines, and bar snacks of jaffles, oysters served in a mini Esky and cabanossi and cheese fondue crackers.

Eddy and Wolff

The team behind popular Vietnamese dining spot Can Tho Kitchen are opening a new venue in Robina called Eddy + Wolff. Pictured is owner Thao Nguyen. Picture: Jerad Williams

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EDDY AND WOLFF

Fans of Can Tho Kitchen were thrilled to learn the couple behind the successful Runaway Bay Vietnamese eatery were heading south to open a second venue. Eddy and Wolff opened in March this year with a sophisticated menu inspired by different corners of Asia, and its sleek, moody fit-out made the perfect backdrop for food pics.

Miss Moneypenny’s

Miss Moneypenny's opening in Broadbeach, the second venue for Ben Walsh in the area. Pictured is Mr Walsh with a selection of the restaurants offerings. Picture: Glenn Hampson

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MISS MONEYPENNY’S

Miss Moneypenny’s and sister venue Fat Freddy’s would have been the most hyped-up openings of 2019, with murmurings of the new ventures starting back in 2017. Miss Moneypenny’s is a Mediterranean-inspired cocktail bar while Fat Freddy’s offers an American ambience with decadent burgers and milkshakes. Both venues are owned by SuperUte driver Ben Walsh and are located on the ground floor of the Avani tower.

Light Years

Light Years Asian Bar and Diner opened at Burleigh.

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LIGHT YEARS

It launched in Byron, coasted into Noosa and landed in Burleigh Heads last month. Playful Asian eatery Light Years features a colourful fit out and simple yet delicious takes on classic Oriental fare, with a healthy selection of dumplings, baos, seafood and grilled chicken.

Hyde Paradiso

Hyde Paradiso at Surfers Paradise.

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HYDE PARADISO

Surfers Paradise welcomed a new beachfront bar and restaurant in April this year, described as a Mediterranean playground for adults. Taking over the space occupied by Peppers’ Seaduction restaurant, Hyde Paradiso offers a menu of lively cocktails and a share menu inspired by Greek, Lebanese and Turkish cooking.

La Diosa

A meal from the new Mexican restaurant in Surfers Paradise, La Diosa. Picture: Glenn Hampson

LA DIOSA

La Diosa Mexicana opened in February this year, serving Mexican food but not as you know it. The restaurant blends the cuisines of a variety of cultures for a diverse flavour fiesta, with chef and owner Danny Azzi inspired by his background in Arabic and Mediterranean cooking.

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Oi Izakaya

Edamame cheese chips from Oi Izakaya.

OI IZAKAYA

Oi Izakaya, tucked away in a James Street Arcade foodie hub, opened in June and is the brainchild of two mates Troy O’Shea and Steven Thompson. The restaurant pays homage to izakayas in Japan with a focus on okonomiyaki, a Japanese savoury pancake.

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Cross and Feather

Cross and Feather at Paradise Point — the Cross and Feather burger. Picture: Jerad Williams

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CROSS AND FEATHER

Cross and Feather raised spirits in more ways than one when it opened in March. The Paradise Point cafe’s specialty is boozy brunches, with a menu of grown-up dishes complemented by delicious cocktails and spritzers.

Moana

New Isle of Capri restaurant Moana took over the premises of former Cicchetti restaurant and is owned by NZ celeb chef Alex Kaihea. Picture: Jerad Williams

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MOANA

Moana could be awarded the quickest restaurant turnaround of the year, taking over the space of collapsed restaurant Cichetti only a few days after it closed. Moana is headed by Kiwi chef Alex Kaihea and serves quality seafood dishes at reasonable prices.

Double Barrel Kitchen

A meal at Double Barrel Kitchen at Mermaid Waters. Picture: Glenn Hampson

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DOUBLE BARREL KITCHEN

Mermaid Waters’ Double Barrel Kitchen expanded with a second venue in September, opening in the new Marina Village residential development in Benowa. The cafe has a stronger focus on lunch meals and is open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.

Jamie Oliver’s Pizzeria

Jamie Oliver's Pizzeria at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

JAMIE OLIVER’S PIZZERIA

The first Australian venue in the naked chef’s pizza chain launched on the Gold Coast in November with a festa. The Pacific Fair restaurant is described as “simple, honest and tasty food” inspired by the celebrated chef and media personality’s many trips to Italy. However, since opening the eatery has received mixed reviews.

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Orzo

First look at Orzo, the new restaurant from the owners of Social Eating House. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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ORZO

Restaurateurs Matt and Dayna, the couple behind Broadbeach’s Social Eating House, prepared to debut their second Broadbeach restaurant this week(SUBS DEC 27). The contemporary Italian eatery called Orzo opened exactly seven years after the couple’s acclaimed first restaurant.

Pink Monkey

@thepinkmonkeyburleigh. Image from Instagram.

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PINK MONKEY

Burleigh locals were scratching their head all year as a two-storey, pink-and-black venue took shape next door to Justin Lane. In October it was revealed to be Pink Monkey, a pizza and grill bar and restaurant with a modern fit-out including a polished rooftop area.

Aux Fines Bouches

One of the desserts from Aux Fines Bouches.

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AUX FINES BOUCHES

Aux Fines Bouches is an award-winning French dessert business from Adelaide. Husband and wife team Sophie and Richard Le Deunff moved the patisserie to Burleigh Heads, seeking a more challenging business environment and a milder climate to raise their children. They specialise in bombes, tarts and cakes, and also have a variety of savoury French meals.

Loki

Loki opened in the space formerly occupied by Hellenika.

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LOKI

There was no time to mourn the loss of Hellenika when the esteemed Greek restaurant closed its doors — new owners of the site had big plans and were ready to set them in motion. In less than two weeks the team behind Justin Lane opened Loki in the two-storey Nobby Beach venue, serving an all-new Mediterranean menu and a fresh focus on drinking, dining and dancing.