Kirra beach Bread and Butter announces they are closing after 15 years on the Gold Coast

Southern Gold Coast residents are saying goodbye to their favourite homemade gnocchi and cheesy pizzas as a popular tapas bar prepares to close after 15 years.

Bread and Butter owners announce they are closing on May 12

Southern Gold Coast residents are saying goodbye to their favourite homemade gnocchi and cheesy pizzas as a popular tapas bar prepares to close after 15 years.

Kirra’s Bread and Butter restaurant co-owners Jorge Mauleon and Sara Grao will be serving their final feast on May 12.

Ms Grao said it was a bittersweet feeling and “emotions are mixed” about the closure, but it was time to focus their energy on their catering business, The Italian Job.

“It’s been a very long journey and hospitality is becoming a bit harder since Covid and all the overheads,” she said.

“It’s not the same as it used to be and, as Jorge gets older, he now wants to be with his family and continue the catering business.”

Kirra Beach's tapas and pizza restaurant Bread and Butter have announced they are closing on May 12 after 15 years of trading. Jorge Mauleon is looking to greener pastures. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Ms Grao said they had “no idea” what the future looked like for their second venue at The Collective – which features The Italian Job pizzas – amid a looming 25-storey development which could see the beloved eatery demolished.

Almost 2000 residents objected to the tower and about 15 locals used their own money for campaign costs to fight against the project.

“We are happy the community stopped the big hotel project or at least postponed it for a while,” Ms Grao said.

“We aren’t scared of that happening as we could move our shop elsewhere, however we are a bit concerned about the rapid development occurring on the Gold Coast.

“At the same time we understand it is a beautiful location and beautiful locations grow.”

Bread and Butter at Kirra.

Ms Grao said Mr Mauleon made the decision to sell the Kirra business about a year ago and a local family with other restaurants in the area would be taking over the shop.

“We are excited to see what they will be doing, as sad as it is to see Bread and Butter go,” she said.

Ms Grao said their 15 years on the southern Gold Coast were testament to the local support.

“We leave a lot of memories behind,” she said.

The duo have moved their catering headquarters to Burleigh and Ms Grao said they were focused on growing that business.

“We will relax a little and enjoy some free time. However I am sure we will be reopening some other venues in the future.”

Gold Coast team The Italian Job Catering has three food trucks that do more than 100 catering events a year

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