Matt Preston dubs Gold Coast as ‘hipster capital of Australia’ as he gives dining industry nod of approval

Famed Australian chef Matt Preston has given the Gold Coast’s restaurant and dining industry the nod of approval saying we are more than just our “spectacular” beaches. Here are his favourite haunts.

RESPECTED food critic Matt Preston has given the Gold Coast’s restaurant and dining industry the nod of approval saying we are more than just our “spectacular” beaches.

The MasterChef host is a fan of some of the Gold Coast’s top eateries, even putting Melbourne’s Brunswick aside and dubbing the city as the “hipster capital of Australia”.

Asked by the Bulletin for his favourite haunts, Mr Preston said Mermaid’s Bam Bam Bakehouse, Rick Shores and The Fish House rated highly on his list.

Food critic and MasterChef host Matt Preston. Picture: SUPPLIED

“I’m a wee bit of a fan of Nobby Beach,” he said.

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“The Gold Coast is the hipster capital of Australia. You can find some good vegan and vegetarian places. That’s one thing the Goldie has really started to explore.

“The Gold Coast has always done Japanese really well too.”

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MasterChef hosts Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston. Picture: Supplied/Ten

RESTAURANTS MASTERCHEF JUDGES HAVE DINER AT DURING THEIR GOLD COAST VISIT

Mr Preston and his MasterChef co-hosts, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan, stopped by Burleigh’s swanky beachfront restaurant Rick Shores in late February to film an episode of the reality TV show.

“You can’t come to Queensland without celebrating the great and golden Gold Coast,” Mr Preston said.

“The whole idea was to shine a light on Queensland and show that it is more than just a place for spectacular beaches, pineapples and bananas.

The cast of MasterChef filming at Burleigh Heads beach in February. Photo: Glenn Hampson

“There is an array of amazing ingredients.

“Southeast Queensland is a great food and wine destination for whether you are coming from across Australia or travelling from around the world.”

MasterChef airs Thursday at 7.30pm on Channel 10.