Gold Coast’s most shocking restaurant closures of 2018

While there were some amazing restaurants opening on the Gold Coast in 2018, we also said goodbye to some of our local favourites. Here’s our list of the most shocking restaurant closures of 2018.

Manhattan on Hope restaurant was one of the many venues that closed in 2018.

While there were some amazing restaurants opening on the Gold Coast in 2018, we also said goodbye to some of our local favourites. Here’s our list of the most shocking restaurant closures of 2018.

1. Fiddler’s Green

The closure of this beloved Irish pub in Surfers Paradise hurt locals so badly someone even left a commemorative bunch of flowers on the door the next day. The reasons were never made abundantly clear as to why Fiddler’s closed after more than a decade, however high rent was believed to be the reason.

Fiddlers Green Bar and Restaurant closed at Cavill Ave in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. Picture: Jessica Elder

2. 8th Ave Terrace

This stunning southern spot seemed to have everything going for it: experienced owners (also the owners of Espresso Moto), mouth-watering food and beverage, gorgeous fit-out and views and all in the booming suburb of Palm Beach. That’s why it was such a shock when they suddenly closed their doors in July.

3. Sparrow

Sparrow at Nobby Beach fit the same bill as 8th Ave Terrace. It came from Elk Espresso owner Andrew Whiting, situated in bustling Nobbys, incredible food and drink and seemed to have a cult following. But it, too, suddenly closed in July. It came as a shock as Gold Coasters realised the closures were affecting quality restaurants, not only venues failing to keep up with the times.

4. Forty Two 20

Located on Goodwin Terrace, this Burleigh Heads cafe was positioned in one of the most enviable spots on the Coast, catching all the foot traffic from the heart over Burleigh over to the hill. Closing only months ago the owners offered no specific reason to its closure, but the spot still lies empty today.

Lauren Hyland is the owner of Gold Coast institution Onyx which never fully recovered from Surf Parade being closed for roadworks for months. Picture Glenn Hampson

5. Onyx

Onyx on Surf Parade officially closed its doors after more than a decade in June after a tough couple of years as the street was upgraded and then a quiet Commonwealth Games. Owner Lauren Hyland was suitably devastated, as were hordes of shocked locals who believed staples like Onyx would be around forever. The bar became the face of a scary barrage of closures in the Broadbeach area, with more than 20 closures in the area this year alone.

6. Old Tom

This venue was proof that money doesn’t always equal success. What used to be Hank in the Elizabeth Street Mall was taken over by Gavin McDougal and managed by Tim Glasson. It closed back in July after only opening in November the previous year. McDougal poached the head chef from Versace, the head bartender from Kiyomi and spared no expense on fitting the venue out — but still was not able to stay open.

7. Mandala & Co

Back in 2012 Mandala Organic Arts cafe opened, helping to provide the foundations for the vegetarian/vegan movement on the Coast. They earned a name for their “I can’t believe it’s not dairy” dishes and won over carnivores with their vegan pizzas. New ownership last year saw the cafe become Mandala & Co. and soon after, there was a “For Lease” sign in the window.

Mandala Organic Arts cafe at Mermaid Beach. Photo: Kit Wise

8. Manhattan on Hope

Three Hope Island eateries owned by Randall McFie, fell over at once in April — Manhattan on Hope, New York New York and Tiffany’s cafe. They closed their doors one day with no notice leaving diners and 40 staff in the lurch. The closures rocked the tight-knit Paradise Point community.

9. Ribs and Rumps

Not even well-known franchises were safe from closures this year. Ribs and Rumps at Marina Mirage closed in August after 11 years of serving up its namesake. The Main Beach location was the sixth to close in two years, so whether it was the Gold Coast’s fault or a sign of the times is unsure.

‘THE SKY IS NOT FALLING’: EXPERT’S RESPONSE TO 50 CLOSED VENUES

8th Ave Terrace at Palm Beach closed down earlier this year.

10. Jimmy Grant’s

George Calombaris might be a big hit on MasterChef (and for one guy, at a footy game), but his famous Greek souvlaki chain didn’t last long at The Kitchens.