Rooftop eats under the sun and stars planned for popular Gold Coast restaurant Hellenika

A RETRACTABLE roof and private function room will feature in plans that will see popular Nobby Beach restaurant Hellenika double in size.

Hellenika owner Simon Gloftis Photo: David Clark

A RETRACTABLE roof and private function room will feature in plans for popular Nobby Beach restaurant Hellenika to double in size.

Owner Simon Gloftis, who sold his other cult eatery Fish House earlier this year, said he had hoped for seven years to extend the Greek eatery but had been unable to win council approval until last week.

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The upstairs extension will incorporate a 40-person private function room as well as a casual dining and bar area, with a retractable roof, for 80 people.

The Lamb Ribs at Hellenika Restaurant, Nobbys Beach. Pics Adam Head

The roofless dining area will open for lunch and Hellenika is also expanding its wine cellar — and list — from 120 to 500 varieties.

“I knock back about 15 functions every week because I’m not willing to close the restaurant to my regulars,” he said.

Inside Hellenika at Nobby Beach.

Mr Gloftis, a member of the Gold Coast Light Rail Business Advisory Group, said two previous attempts to obtain council approval had failed due to transport and parking concerns.

He said the new council had recognised that many Hellenika customers used Uber and taxis and the third stage of the light rail was likely to stop there as well.

The restaurant will close for a few weeks in late January for minor refurbishments and will reopen for business while the new section is built above it.

Inside Hellenika.

The expansion will kick off a busy year for the restaurateur who is rumoured to be planning a major collaboration with entertainment guru Billy Cross for late 2017.

“As soon as there is something to announce, we will announce it,” he said.

Hellenika’s popular chargrilled octopus.