Gold Coasters voted on the best venues across the city for dining, drinking, partying and activities in 2015 and now we’ve compiled the best of the best.

We have plenty covered — from great food with the best places to get a chicken parmi, hot chips or many excellent ethnic eateries through to the best smoothies, milkshakes and places to try the ever-increasing range of quality craft beer out there.

For those more partial to a cocktail, you’ll want to pop into the very cool Cambus and Wallace bar at Nobby Beach where co-owner Dave Ferry mixes up plenty of tasty concoctions.

Then there are the Gold Coast must-dos such as swimming spots, theme park attractions, themed dining — you’ve probably heard of the Gold Coast institution that is Dracula’s Cabaret Restaurant at Broadbeach — and much, much more.

There is plenty out there to explore. Have fun.

You might even come across a gem of a place yourself. If you do discover something impressive, drop us a note about it.

SMOOTHIES

Winner: Monsoon

Find it: Grice Avenue, Paradise Point

Craig and Sarah Weston, the owners of Paradise Point venue Monsoon, toasted the one-year anniversary of their purchase of Monsoon the same week their smoothie line-up was judged the best on the Gold Coast. Craig, who as well as being co-owner is the head chef of the cafe and tapas dining venue, says of two big favourites with customers tends to be their Green Smoothie, a refreshing, zesty combination of pear, cucumber, spinach, lime, mint, pineapple and chia seeds. The other big hit is their Banana Espresso Smoothie. How do you like the sound of bananas, almonds, some mint and a shot of espresso all mixed together with ice cream? Well, there’s only one way to find out — head down and see the Westons who’ll whistle you up half a litre of it for $7.50. “When we took the place over we added a couple of our own smoothie recipes to the menu,” Craig says. Craig adds they bought it when it was just a cafe and added a night-time tapas dining element which has taken off. Craig is a born-and-bred Gold Coaster, and Sarah hails from Melbourne originally. “We really like to look after our local clientele — we try to ensure we know everyone by not just name, but by order too,” Craig says. “A lot of our customers walk through the door and we know what they are going to have before they even open their mouth.” Monsoon, with a capacity for 50 to 60 people, is open seven days from 6am to 4pm or until 10pm from Wednesday through to Saturday. It has a full breakfast, lunch and tapas dinner menu with desserts.

2. Raw and Healthy, Southport; 3. Grocer and Grind, Broadbeach; 4. The Shack Superfood Cafe, Broadbeach; 5. Cafe 7, Paradise Point; 6. Green Grocer, Burleigh Heads; 7. Tracey’s Smoothie Bar, Coolangatta; 8. Flannery’s, Miami; 9. Quench, Southport; 10. Magic Apple, Burleigh Heads

MILKSHAKES

Winner: Brooklyn Depot

Find it: 10 Beach Road, Surfers Paradise

These guys aren’t thick.

The boys behind Brooklyn Depot serve up the best shakes on the Coast according to our poll.

As if serving up hundreds of diet-busting beverages every day isn’t enough, co-owner Jeremy Davidson says they have some secret ingredients set to cream the competition.

“We’ve been playing with peanut butter, actually,” Jeremy says.

“Not only does it stay true to the American theme but it goes so perfectly with chocolate and carries on that super-indulgent flavour.

“We’re constantly experimenting with new flavours, so watch this space.”

Jeremy says while the flavour list continues to grow, there are already some firm favourites: “Our old-school chocolate option My Man is always on top,” he says.

“We use really good-quality ice cream … and lots of it.

“We add Hershey’s chocolate sauce and Oreo cookies, we’re not really doing waistlines any

favours. The other favourite is the Gringo, which uses salted caramel sauce and home-baked

brownies in as well.”

Other milkshakes on the menu include the Honky, with vanilla bean ice cream, vanilla extract and coconut flakes; and Yo Mama with ice cream, strawberry puree, strawberry sauce and Kit Kat shards.

For those who really want to take indulgence to the next level, Brooklyn Depot can add a dash of alcohol.

“All of our milkshakes have alcoholic options … and they’re a big hit as well,” Jeremy says.

“We match the liqueur to the milkshake flavour — so we can add a shot of Mozart black liqueur to the My Man, Galliano vanilla liqueur to the Honky, Creme De Fraise strawberry liqueur to Yo Mama and Vortik Fusion caramel vodka to the Gringo.

2. Elk Espresso, Broadbeach; 3. Blackboard Coffee, Varsity Lakes; 4. Heritage Hideaway Cafe, Tallebudgera; 5. Max Brenner, various Gold Coast locations; 6. Seaway Kiosk, Main Beach; 7. Caffene Break, Runaway Bay; 8. Longboards, Surfers Paradise; 9. Burleigh Social, Burleigh; 10. Luv-a-Coffee, Nerang

BEST CRAFT BEER BAR

WINNER: House of Brews

Find it: Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Beers aren’t just for the boys.

With more boozy beverages than your average bottle shop, House of Brews is determined to woo the women back to the bar … this is no House of Bros.

Which is ironic given the three owners are in fact brothers.

But co-owner Sacha Kanaghines says while there are plenty of cocktail concoctions and winning wines to order, he’s part of a three-man-mission to help ladies love the lager.

“Craft beer is the perfect introduction to beer,” Sacha says.

“If all you’ve tried is (mass-produced beer), it’s little wonder you never learned to love the goodness of beer.

“We’ve got beer that tastes like chocolate, ginger beer, mango beer, lots of sweet and gentle fruit beers that anyone can wrap their lips around.

“We’ve made a determined effort to make House of Brews somewhere that women feel welcome.”

So far, Sacha’s plan is working, with his demographic a perfect 50-50 mix of the sexes.

Sacha says the rites of initiation are best accomplished via their tasting platter for $18.95 — featuring six small-sized beer samples. Simply find your favourite and it comes to you in a schooner as part of the deal.

2. The Institution Ale and Dining House, Surfers Paradise; 3. Sandbar, Surfers Paradise; 4. Lester and Earl, Palm Beach; 5. Bine Bar & Dining, Nobby Beach; 6. Not Tonight, Southport; 7. Burleigh Brewing Company, Burleigh Heads; 8. Ze Pickle, Burleigh Heads; 9. Bavarian Bier Cafe, Broadbeach; 10. Pigs and Pints, Burleigh Heads

COCKTAILS

Winner: Cambus and Wallace

Find it: Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach

It’s named after the ill-fated Scottish barque that ran aground off Stradbroke Island in 1894, spilling a cargo of scotch, beer and explosives destined for Queensland’s gold mines. Push through the heavy doors to arrive in a long, warmly lit narrow space reminiscent of a ship’s galley dominated by the polished wood and decorated with vintage maps, charts and old photographs. The cocktail list includes the Black Barrell Old Fashioned, featuring two measures of Mount Gay black barrel rum stirred down on ice, house-made syrup and finished with a flamed orange zest.

2. 1two3 Dining Lounge, Broadbeach; 3. Not Tonight, Southport;4. Fix Bar, Surfers Paradise; 5.Tonic on Chirn, Chirn Park; 6. Finders Keepers, Burleigh Heads; 7. Stingray Lounge; 8. Social Eating House, Broadbeach; 9. Central Lounge Bar and Dining, Surfers Paradise; 10. Cabana Bar and Lounge, Southport

FOOD

BEST HOT CHIPS

Winner: Fat Chicken

Find it: Tallebudgera Creek Road, Burleigh

Fat Chicken owners and Sammy and Paul Margaritis take great pride in their ‘simple but perfect’ chip recipe.

In five years of running their takeaway restaurant — while raising two young daughters — Sammy says they have created a booming business, and the fries are a major factor.

“It’s all about quality,” she says.

“We start with really good chips. Top-of-the-range potatoes. We make our own chicken salt, which is always a big hit.

“The third trick is we constantly change our oil. It’s always fresh. There’s no cost-cutting with our chips and you can taste that.

“Every single day we have at least a couple of customers come in and tell us these are the best chips they’ve ever had.

“Paul’s dad actually runs Fat Chicken in Adelaide so we’ve both spent time in the shop, learning how it works and what makes it taste so good,” she says.

“I could just see that there was a great niche for quality takeaway food on the Gold Coast.”

2. Kiwi Fish’n’Chips, Helensvale; 3. Brooklyn Depot, Surfers Paradise; 4. Furbilicious Kebabs, Southport; 5. Ze Pickle, Burleigh Heads; 6th equalGrill’d, Robina, and euro Grill, Burleigh Waters; 7. Burger Bro, Biggera Waters; 8. Providore, Marina Mirage; 9th equal Scales, Tweed Heads South; Drunken Chicken, Robina; The Fish Hut, Burleigh Heads; 10. Fishbone, Crestwood.

BEST EGGS BENEDICT

Winner: Espresso Moto

Find it: Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Espresso Moto’s eggs benedict breakfast is sure to get your motor running.

The Palm Beach eatery is perfect for a pre or post-ride coffee and meal.

Co-owner Shannon Baier-Dry says Espresso Moto’s take on eggs benedict is a traditional read, giving diners the option of adding streaky bacon, salmon or house roast mushrooms.

“Competition is so high among the cafes — and for all the right reasons. Our cafe culture is pretty highbrow these days.

“Customers do their research and average is nowhere near good enough. It’s actually a great scene to be a part of. I think it’s really changing the culture of the Gold Coast in a good way.”

2. Le Vintage Boutique Cafe, Highland Park; 3. Terrarium, Maudsland; 4. Le Jardin Cafe, Main Beach; 5.42 fifteen, Southport; 6. bskt, Mermaid Beach; 7. Caffeine Kings, Miami; 8. Caffeine Break, Runaway Bay; 9. Social Brew, Burleigh; 10. Caffe Republic, Bundall.

PARMIGIANA

Winner: Aniketos Greek Mediterranean Restaurant

Find it: Mermaid Waters Shopping Centre

Aniketos chicken parmigiana is a classic take on the humble menu favourite. A freshly-crumbed chicken breast comes served with homemade napoli sauce, leg ham, melted cheese, chips and salad.

“We try to stick to what we know here and serve up food we’d eat at home,’’ owner Chris Theodoulou says.

Size, he says, does matter and the parmi done by Aniketos is massive.

“You’ll faint when you see it,’’ he laughs.

“You’ll never leave us hungry. From my perspective, when I go to a restaurant, I want

to pay my money and get my food. I want it to taste good. I want to be filled up. That’s what

we try to do here.’’

Aniketos was born from the ashes of Flames, in Tallebudgera, which closed during tough times. The menu features Greek, Italian and other southern European favourites. Chris works at the stove alongside dad Peter. Mum Jan plates up. Sister Dorothy promotes the restaurant and pops in to work the odd wait shift, working alongside family friends.

The menu features dips, dolmades, chargrilled octopus, stuffed capsicums, quail and platters of antipasto, seafood and meats.

2. Waxy’s Irish Pub, Surfers Paradise; 3. Mermaid Beach Surf Club, Mermaid Beach; 4. The Avenue, Surfers Paradise; 5. Tallai Country Golf Club, Tallai; 6. Emerald Lakes Gold Club, Carrara; 7. Kokonut Willies, Labrador; 8. Vinnies Italian Restaurant, Southport; 9. Woodchoppers Inn, Mudgeeraba; 10. Bavarian Bier Cafe, Broadbeach

PIES

Winner: Yatala Pies

Find it: Pacific Highway

It’s the cafe that’s given the little town of Yatala a giant piece of the tourism pie. For more than 150 years Yatala Pies has been feeding visitors and locals alike while serving up a slice of local history.

“The legend is that Yatala Pies got started when a young couple were on their way up from New South Wales and their buggy wheel broke,” manager Susan Porter says.

“There was a blacksmith at Yatala who fixed the wheel and to repay him, the couple baked

him a pie and word spread.

“They never left and Yatala Pies has been here ever since.”

Susan says Yatala Pies has long been a fixture for families from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with a roadside stop a ritual for many travellers.

Susan says despite Yatala Pies’ tradition in baking, the public’s taste has changed in recent years.

She says while the plain steak pie used to make up more than 50 per cent of pie sales, more exotic ingredients were now the flavour.

“We don’t have a wild range of flavours but it’s definitely not just the plain pie that people order now,’’ she says.

“Our most popular flavour these days is the beef, bacon and cheese, followed by steak and mushroom and then any pie with peas.’’

2. Foster’s Bakery, Nobby Beach; 3. Goldsteins, various locations; 4. Quinney’s pies, Burleigh Heads; 5. Horner’s Bakery, Sorrento plus The Coolangatta Pie Shop, Coolangatta; 6. Big Dad’s Pies, Helensvale; 7. Main Beach Bakery, Main Beach; 8. Gumnuts Café/Bakery, Mudgeeraba; 9. The Kai Kitchen, Coomera; 10. The Bakehouse Café, Runaway Bay plus La De Da Bakery, Tweed Heads

JAPANESE

Winner: Etsu Izakawa

Find it: Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach (look for the red lantern against the white door)

There are plenty of reasons to tempt you through the doors of Mermaid Beach’s Japanese restaurant. Platters of fresh hunks of sashimi. A range of Japanese sake, whiskey and beers. Lightly seared and very popular succulent strips of beef tataki. Yes, all your favourites. But one of the specialities of this bustling and super-social spot which opened in August, last year, is the skewers of chicken, seafood and vegetarian goodness all cooked by Robata Grill out the front, a Japanese-style barbecue which infuses your dish with a unique tinge. At Etsu they use binochotan charcoal which owner Mitch McCluskey says adds a sweet, smoky flavour to the dish. “That’s our feature out the front, the Robata grill, it’s something a bit different to your typical teppanyaki place.”

Don’t try to find the sign for Etsu if you’re driving up and down Gold Coast Highway looking for the place — you won’t see it. It doesn’t have one. But it is also not hard to spot. It’s the place with the big white barn-type doors and red lanterns out the front. “This is no signage — we haven’t even advertised. But once you open the doors it’s a crazy loud Japanese izakaya. It suits our personality,” Mitch says.

Along with the Robata grill skewers, they offer wagyu sirloin steak, cooked whole and cut up, tempura prawn and vegetable options, chicken karaage and much more.

2. Kiyomi, Jupiters Hotel & Casino, Broadbeach; 3. Donto Sapporo, Broadbeach; 4. Zipang, Currumbin Waters; 5. Benihana Japanese Steak House, Surfers Paradise; 6. Ten Japanese, Broadbeach; 7. Haichi, Nobby Beach; 8. Itoshin, Mermaid Beach; 9. Tetsuaki, Paradise Point; 10. JFX, Southport

THAI

Winner: Chiangmai Thai

Find it: Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach

This institution of ethnic dining on the Gold Coast has just about won more awards than there are flavours of Thai dishes. This family-owned restaurant was started 22 years ago by Thai couple Michael and Nopporn Theravanish who co-own it alongside daughter Christina. Since then they have racked up the gongs, including the Best Thai Restaurant award in Queensland in 2011, 2012 and 2013 as judged by Australian Restaurant Catering. Veteran Chiangmai Thai manager Santi ‘Sonny’ Pancharoen has been with the place for 15 years. “I’m part of the furniture. It really does have an authentic feeling about it, the decor, everything from when you walk in the restaurant, it feels like you are walking into Thailand, into another timezone — it has great ambience, great scenery. It’s especially so at night time when it is all dark — you are walking into a different world.” The place is fitted out with classic Thai style, including large wooden elephants which proudly patrol the front door and other large teak carvings. “That ambience is what we built the reputation of the place on and trying to keep the authenticity of the food, the environment.” All of the chefs have Thai backgrounds as do more than 80 per cent of the rest of the wait staff. The restaurant is only open nights for dinner, seven days from 5.30pm and takeaways are also available.

2. Terrace Thai, Runaway Bay; 3. Pop Pad Thai, Robina; 4. Siam Orchid, Helensvale; 5.Bangkok Thai, Chevron Island; 6. Thai Mudgee, Mudgeeraba; 7. Thai Lanna, Labrador; 8. Thai Magik, Chirn Park; 9. House of Siam Thai, Hope Island Shopping Centre; 10. Bangkok Thai, Mermaid Beach

SUSHI

Winner: Sushi Mania

Find it: 122 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina

First came TexMex, now East meets West with surf-shi … the Gold Coast’s distinctive and delicious take on traditional Japanese dishes.

With the city one of the first to embrace the sushi trend in the 1990s, the cuisine has

evolved to embrace elements of the Gold Coast’s favourite old-school foods.

Riding the wave of surf-shi success is one of the city’s original independent Asian eateries, Sushi Mania at Robina.

Owner Sean Suzuki says his father opened the restaurant 15 years ago, but it started with a very eastern-flavoured menu.

“Our first few years were really slow and we started to realise that the Gold Coast just wasn’t quite ready for the full raw fish,” he says.

“Dad spoke a lot with customers and realised we needed to adapt our menu to local tastes.

“Once we started down that path it’s just got better and better. We love coming up with new sushi styles — some might call them weird but customers love it.

“One of the favourites right now is the chicken party sushi roll. It’s chicken sushi with tomato sauce and melted cheese. It’s Eastern textures with Western flavours.”

Sean says Sushi Mania has plenty of classic options as well as rice paper rolls and finger foods — and adds that despite their low-key location opposite Robina Town Centre, they’ve built up a core of loyal customers.

“Everything is made fresh on-site, all of our sauces are made here, the rice is fresh, everything we do we really want to do well.”

2. Eddie’s Crazy Fish Sushi; 3. Sushi Train, Southport; 4. Sushi Train, Benowa; 5. Sushi Train, Biggera Waters; 6. Mr Sushi, Ashmore plus O Sushi, Broadbeach; 7. Sushi Train, Oxenford; 8. Tokyo Kitchen, Mermaid Waters plus Kiyomi, Jupiters Hotel & Casino; 9. Etsu Izakaya, Mermaid Beach; 10. Itoshin, Mermaid Beach

SALADS

Winner: Govindas

Find it: 3120 Surfers Paradse Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

Forget the supporting roles of starters or sides. It is salad which is the star at Govindas.

The Surfers Paradise vegan venue is constantly cooking up new leafy concoctions.

From a warm tofu and broccoli brotherhood in a bowl to a peppery fresh pesto salad,

Govindas chef and manager Caitanya Candra says his mixes are far from a garden-variety

garden salad.

“Every day we have 12 different hot dishes and about half a dozen salads,” Caitanya says.

“But these are far from your simple iceberg lettuce and tomato mixed salad.

“We really think about all the ingredients, what flavours each item brings and how it all mixes together, how it looks on the plate.

“Presentation is a really big thing; our salads don’t just taste beautiful — they look it as well.” Caitanya says some of the most popular dishes are the Asian tofu, mixed bean and tofu and broccoli salads.

He says with many of the options being cooked salads, they easily step in as a full meal.

2. The Cardamom Pod, Broadbeach; 3. Giri Kana Café, Southport; 4. Fat Chicken, West Burleigh; 5.Bootleg, Broadbeach; 6. Commune, Burleigh Heads; 7. BSKT Café, Mermaid Beach; 8. Blendlove, Southport; 9. Greenhouse Factory, Kirra; 10th equal Kokonut Willy’s, Labrador, and Mandala Organic Arts Café, Mermaid Beach

INDIAN

Winner: Mumbai Affair

Find it: 4/20 Scarborough Street, Southport

Mumbai Affair chef Heena Serai’s husband Neresh opened the restaurant to help her settle into her new Gold Coast home.

“My wife arrived from India last year so I wanted to give her something she could really sink her teeth into,” Neresh says. “She’s a trained chef and her family has run restaurants in India for decades so it’s in her blood. This is a different setting for her but she knows exactly what she’s doing.

“She has done an amazing job setting up the menu and creating the recipes. This win is completely down to her and I’m so proud.”

Neresh says Mumbai Affair’s point of difference — providing tapas-style dishes — was its strength.

He says share dishes have always been popular in India but it hasn’t translated to the Gold Coast until now.

“We took the traditional Indian dishes and flavours and took them up a level into the modern tapas style that’s so popular now,” he says.

“It’s funny that no one else has really done this with Indian cuisine before because in India share dishes are quite common.

“My wife did a great job in using all the spices and authentic flavours but working them into a modern presentation.”

2. Agnee Indian, Robina; 3. Indian Empire, Runaway Bay; 4.Tandoori Place, Surfers Paradise; 5. Masala Shanti, Tamborine Mountain; 6. Saffron, Broadbeach; 7. Indian Hut, Burleigh Waters; 8.Krish Indian Cuisine, Robina; 9. Randhawa’s Indian Cuisine, Emerald Lakes; 10. Indian Whisper, Runaway Bay

MEXICAN

Winner: California Tacos

Find it: 1718 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

California Tacos co-owner Ty Yturralde is married to a Gold Coast local and says he was inspired to bring the flavour of his old home to his new one when he realised how familiar locals were with his cuisine.

Ty says he and co-owner Andres ‘Andy’ Margain even took six months off to work unpaid in Mexican kitchens to learn secret recipes.

“I first came to the Gold Coast in 2008 and so many of the people that I met had been to Mexico surfing and travelling and they kept telling me how much they loved the food,” Ty says.

“I thought it would be something unique to actually have Mexicans running a Mexican restaurant on the Coast — there aren’t many of us here.

“Andy and I spent six months training at the oldest fish taco restaurant there. We worked for free in exchange for their recipe.”

The pair’s travels also taught them to make indulgent salsas from fresh fruits and vegetables, roll out handmade corn and flour tortillas and season mouth-watering meats. Tortillas are handmade daily on-site and diners will feel much better for the gluten-and preservative free formula.

2. Bonita Bonita, Mermaid Beach; 3. Pickled Cactus Mexican Restaurant, Biggera Waters; 4. Guzman y Gomez, Broadbeach; 5. Pancho’s, Mudgeeraba; 6. Montezumas, Burleigh Heads; 7.Mexicali, Nobbys Beach; 8. Durangoz, Merrimac; 9. The Aztec, Broadbeach; 10th equal Holy Guacamole, Southport, and The Jungle Mexican, Coolangatta

ITALIAN

Winner: Gemelli

Find it: 2685 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach

Paul Carney and his twin brothers James and Alec Carney have the crown in the hotly contested best Italian restaurant category.

“We’re from Griffith in New South Wales but we always used to come here to see our grandparents. My brothers just thought it seemed like a great place to open an authentic Italian restaurant,” Paul says.

Paul, whose background in marketing has seen him take the role of the restaurant’s business development manager, adds: “Gemelli opened 18 months ago and we are amazed at how well we’ve done.

“Somehow word got out, I guess the food speaks for itself and now we’re really a part of the restaurant culture on the Gold Coast.

Their Gold Coast grandparents are regular visitors — and critics — and they also draw on the agricultural influence of growing up in Griffith.

“My Nonna taught the boys a lot about food, as did our mother, and we still turn to them for advice and even recipes,” Paul says.

Paul says the brothers’ dedication to homemade, simple recipes is the key to their popularity.

2. Cavalier Bar & Italian (now Justin Lane Establisment), Burleigh Heads; 3. Ristorante Fellini, Main Beach; 4. Ioesco, Sanctuary Cove; 5. Costa D’Oro, Surfers Paradise; 6. Cucina Vivo, Broadbeach; 7. Charlie’s Pizzeria, Labrador; 8.Mario’s, Broadbeach; 9. Lambar Pizza, Chirn Park; 10. Alfresco on Elston, Surfers Paradise

TAPAS

Winner: Pablo Pablo Latin Eatery and Wine Bar

Find it: Fifth Avenue, Palm Beach

Pablo Pablo head chef Callum Thomas Weir says the secret to the eatery’s success is their family dining room feel and “everyone’s welcome’’ approach.

“We’re essentially a dining room, we take in all aspects of Latin foods and take influence from South America and Portugal too,” he says. “We really try to create that shared dining aspect of tapas, today it’s more about meeting people over a glass of wine and sharing each other’s food than being waited on with a silver service. Nobody has a plate in front of them, it’s all about having one in the middle and everyone sharing.”

Callum has been head chef at Pablo Pablo’s for two years, and has ensured originality is instrumental throughout the menu of more than 55 share plates.

“All the dishes are originally mine, but I try to keep the Latino flavours in mind seeing as they are always designed to share,” he says.

2. Finders Keepers Bar and Dining Lounge, Burleigh Heads; 3.Espanas Tapas Bar, Broadbeach; 4.Bread and Butter, Coolangattal 5. Tonic on Chirn, Southport; 6. Social Eating House, Broadbeach; 7.The Wine Barrel, Mudgeeraba; 8. Nobbys Arc, Broadbeach; 9. Aura, Broadbeach; 10. Monsoon, Paradise Point

BAKERY

Winner: The Paddock Bakery

Find it: Hibiscus Haven, Miami

The proud owner of The Paddock Bakery, Ursula Watts, says the rustic charm and

passion for food is what makes the place such a hit.

“It’s really homely and lovely, it’s an 80-year-old home and I think that’s why people like it so

much,” she says.

“Paddock has been mine and my husband’s project and from the day we started it’s just been about our passion and love for food — not complicated food, just simple home ingredients.

“People really appreciate the simple things in life.”

Everything at The Paddock Bakery is made with love on site, with no sign of pre-made goods or cakes made at 7am that morning making an appearance later that afternoon.

“We’ve got really dedicated staff who see that if we’re running low on muffins they’ll bake a fresh batch straight away, even if it’s after lunchtime because there’s nothing like eating a fresh one,” she says.

“Our most popular item seems to be our doughnuts, again, there’s nothing really unique about a doughnut but we’re just all about keeping it real.”

But there’s no lacking in flavours with things like salted caramel, Nutella, white chocolate, pumpkin and cheesecakes.

2. Ladeda Bakery, Tweed Heads; 3.Foster’s Bakery, Nobby's Beach; 4. Bakehouse Bakery, Runaway Bay; 5. Mudgeeraba Bakery, Mudgeeraba; 6. Horners of Sorrento, Bundall Road; 7. Flour Bakery, Southport; 8. Sticky Buns, Tugun; 9. Coomera River Bakery, Coomera; 10. Labrador Clock Tower, Labrador

PIZZA

Winner: Gemelli

Find it: 2685 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach

Gemelli is the first venture of twins Alec and James Carney, assisted by their older brother and business development manager, Paul. The most popular pizzas are the Daniele (for di latte cheese, mushrooms, San Daniele prosciutto and basil, $23), Italia (buffalo mozzarella cheese, San Daniele prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, rocket and Sicilian olive oil, $24) and Galerda (for di latte cheese, mushrooms, salsicce, gorgonzola and truffle oil, $23). Paul Carney, who returned from London to help his brothers launch the business, says the restaurant has three traditional styles of pizzas: rose (red-sauc based), bianchi (no sauce, oil/cheese based) and canzoni (folded pizza).

He believes the family’s background in Italian food is their “point of difference”.

“We try to keep everything as authentic as possible,” he says. “Our oven was imported from Naples and many of our products, like double zero flour, tomatoes, semolina and oils, also come from Italy.

2. Merlins Pizza, Palm Beach; 3.Justin Lane Pizzeria and Bar, Burleigh Heads; 4. Lambar Pizza, Labrador; 5.Mario’s Italian Restaurant and Pizza, Broadbeach; 6. Pizza Bar Miami, Miami; 7. Bread and Butter; Kirra; 8. Pomodoro Pizzeria, Isle of Capri; 9. Double Zero, Broadbeach; 10.Three Kings Pizza, Parkwood

THEMED RESTAURANTS

Winner: Dracula’s Cabaret

Find it: 1 Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach

There are some truly strange creatures emerging after dark on the Gold Coast, but the cast

at Dracula’s take the cake ... or, in this case, the Belgian chocolate coffin. As well as their famous Death by Chocolate dessert, Dracula’s is known for attention to detail in everything from the waitstaff, who never break character, to the creepy presentation of their cocktails.

Project manager Luke Newman, grandson of famed showman John Newman who founded the now iconic venue 36 years ago, says Dracula’s is a favourite haunt of locals.

“We get people who come in because someone has brought them in for their 18th and then they come back on a first date and even on a wedding anniversary,” Luke says.

VIP ticket holders at the adults only dining experience are greeted with a platter of canapés and a glass of Australian sparkling wine. They will then devour three courses of scarify good food during the stage show.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, you can also preorder a cake to share with options including a ball and chain, gluten-free spiderweb cake or a chocolate mud skull decorated with white praline icing.

Dracula’s current production Spiderlash will continue terrifying guests with its eight-legged horrors until July when the new performance, Bloodbath will launch.

“We’re always adapting and keeping everything fresh and new that goes through everything from onstage to cocktails and the food as well,” Luke says.

“The current show is called Spiderlash so there’s a loose spider theme throughout the show and there’s some great aerial and circus acrobatics and hilarious comedy skits — it’s a great variety show.

“For me, working behind the scenes, my favourite part is at end of the night talking to the customers and just seeing how everyone has had such a great time.”

2. Cav’s Steakhouse, Labrador; 3. Pancho’s Mexican, Mudgeeraba; 4. Hooters, Surfers Paradise; 5. Burleigh Surf Club, Burleigh Heads; 6. Montezuma’s, Burleigh; 7. Hard Rock Cafe, Surfers Paradise; 8. Chiangmai Thai, Broadbeach; 9. Hurricane’s Grill and Bar, Surfers Paradise; 10. Ribs and Rumps, Main Beach

ATTRACTIONS

Winner: Movie World

Find it: Pacific Motorway, Oxenford

Taking out the top spot in our list of the best attractions on offer these summer holidays is none other than Warner Brothers’ Movie World.

The Oxenford theme park is known for bringing a touch of Hollywood to the Gold Coast with their famous street parades, characters and roller-coasters.

General manager Jeff Hughes says coming first in the Coast Weekend’s Best of the Gold Coast shows how Movie World really does have something for everyone.

“Warner Bros. Movie World is extremely excited and proud to be voted as the Gold Coast’s best attraction.

“It is a fantastic achievement to be recognised by the people of the Gold Coast,” he says.

“With Hollywood stars, DC superheroes, captivating shows, and a great collection of rides and attractions, like the all-new Junior Driving School there is something on offer for the whole family at Warner Bros. Movie World.”

Not only does the park play host to this array of attractions, it’s also celebrating its annual

White Christmas again this year.

Between now and the big day, White Christmas will almost help you forget the fact our Christmas occurs in the heat of summer and Movie World is hosting everything from realistic snow to Christmas parades.

For locals who are on their holidays, there’s perhaps never been a better time to use those

VIP passes.

“With great deals on VIP Magic Passes provided to locals, there has never been a better

time to visit.”

If you’re a pass holder, entry into White Christmas is just $20. For more information visit

movieworld.com.au

2. Dreamworld, Coomera; 3. Wet ‘n’ Wild, Oxenford; 4. Sea World, Main Beach; 5.Skypoint Walk, Q1 tower, Surfers Paradise; 6. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Currumbin; 7. Australian Outback Spectacular, Oxenford; 8. Springbrook National Park, Springbrook Road; 9. Adrenalin Park, Surfers Paradise; 10. WhiteWater World, Coomera

SWIMMING SPOT

Winner: Tallebudgera Creek

Find it: Just off the Gold Coast Highway, Tallebudgera

Coasters have decided that Tallebudgera Creek is the best place in the city to take a dip, and it’s easy to see why.

With a stunning estuary glistening with greenery in the reflection, the creek is a huge hit with tourists — and first and foremost with the locals who have been visiting Tallebudgera for as long as they can remember.

Local Ashleigh Hobbs can’t get enough of the area.

“Tally is honestly one of the most beautiful places on the Gold Coast,” she says.

“I work in Burleigh and spend a lot of my time in this area, so my favourite thing of all time is to go for a walk through the Burleigh National Park to Tally Creek and go swimming in the beautiful water.

“It’s one of our few places left that has still been retained in its natural state and hopefully it will remain this way.”

Seeing as it’s such a beautiful place, Ashleigh would love to see the area properly taken care of so that people can continue to enjoy the creek for many years to come.

“Unfortunately you get the occasional people doing the wrong thing in the area and I purely think this is because people are oblivious to the damage it can cause to the environment,” she says.

“If the people using the area were a little more cautious in how they treat the creek and were more careful of things such as litter and the general rules and regulations it would be a lot more beneficial to the environment.

“It’s not too hard to get more educated about how to treat our planet.”

Perhaps the best part about Tallebudgera is that it’s totally free to enjoy, certainly a rarity in today’s climate.

2. The Spit, Main Beach; 3.Currumbin Rock Pools; 4.Currubmin Beach; 5. Main Beach; 6. Burleigh Beach; 7. Surfers Paradise; 8.Wavebreak Island; 9.Greenmount Beach; 10. Mermaid Beach

NIGHTCLUB

Winner: Sin City

Find it: Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise

We’re the one place in Australia that’s renowned for its night-life scene, so it was a close call between all of the favourite hot spots to go clubbing — but it’s no surprise that Sin City down Orchid Ave in tourist hub Surfers is our winner when it’s previously been the nightclub of choice for the likes of Justin Bieber, T Painm, Chris Brown and tennis star Bernard Tomic.

Sin City spokesman Timmy Martin says their eagerness to cater for everyone’s needs keeps them at the top of their game.

“We cater for a lot of different people from backpackers, tourists and, of course, locals and try to make it the best night possible,” he says.

2. Club Liv, Surfers Paradise; 3. Vanity, Surfers Paradise; 4. Platinum, Broadbeach; 5. Love Nightlife, Broadbeach; 6. Alive, Surfers Paradise; 7. Melbas on the Park; Surfers Paradise; 8. East, Broadbeach; 9.Cocktails, Surfers Paradise; 10. Elsewhere, Surfers Paradise

HOLE-IN-THE-WALL

Winner: Nook Espresso

Find it: Burleigh beach

Almost eight years ago mum Paola Pearse found a tiny opportunity and, with co-owner Marcus Wilkins, turned it into a big business.

Right on the sand at Burleigh beach, Nook Espresso may not have a square centimetre to spare, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in quality.

“I used to take my daughter to swimming classes next door,” says Paola, whose minicafe occupies the end corner of the Goodwin Tce building.

“Afterwards there was really nowhere you could just grab a coffee in your swimmers and relax with your pram and child.

“I wanted to create somewhere that mums wouldn’t feel diseased if they showed up a bit grubby.

“That’s why this location is perfect. Burleigh Hill is a natural destination for families and they don’t really want to sit inside, they want to get their coffee and go explore, or sit at the playground or just generally chase the kids.

“Our space is tiny but it’s all we need to make great coffee.”

Paola says while there’s no seating, that hasn’t stopped Nook from forming its own social scene.

She says its popularity means lines are a regular occurrence but patrons don’t mind.

“Sometimes we’ll get a quiet moment and people will be amazed they don’t have to wait, but most of the time we’re run off our feet,” she says.

“But nobody seems to care.”

Paola says Nook has even played matchmaker for some customers.

“We had a couple who met in line, started dating, got married and now have kids,” she says.

“We also had a woman who came here all the time pass away recently and instead of a wake, she asked all her friends to come to Nook and have a coffee.”

2. Black Sheep Espresso Baa; 3.Box Espresso, Broadbeach; 4. Percy’s Corner, Southport; 5. Le Petite Pantry, Palm Beach; 6. ESPL Coffee Brewers, Surfers Paradise; 7. Raw Espresso, Southport; 8. The Pastry Emporium, Sorrento; 9. Stairwell Coffee, Asian Alley, Surfers Paradise; 10. Niche Espresso, Miami, and Spanish Donuts, Surfers Paradise

RAW FOOD BAR

WINNER: Bootleg Juice Bar

Find it: 90-110 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Bootleg Juice Bar owners Mark Illguth and Anthony Jenner knew focusing on the raw food trend would appeal to a niche market, but they had no idea just how big that niche would be.

“We have a book with about 25 names in it of people who have contacted us wanting to franchise our shop,” says Anthony.

“We have people from Dubai, people from England … they all want to run with the idea.

“Raw food and clean eating is really popular but I didn’t realise how much this idea would resonate. We have some great sweet treats here without any additives or nasty stuff, people feel like they can indulge without hurting their body.”

Bootleg nails its cold-pressed juices, raw snacks and dairy-free smoothies.

The mainstay of Bootleg’s raw menu is, of course, juice.

Made on-site daily using top quality produce, the venue’s custom-built six-foot-tall juicer presses with 12-tonnes of pressure so there is less than one per cent wastage.

Not only is it packed full of nutrients and good enzymes but the extraction process uses zero heating and actually enhances the flavour so each of the ingredients are amplified.

Alongside cold-pressed juice, Bootleg offers an array of salads as well as raw desserts including brownies, cheesecake, protein balls, peppermint and caramel slices that are complemented with coconut ice cream.

Then there are the acai bowls.

The almost all-hours venue has developed a cultish following for their berry treat.

“We actually have specific customers who come in every night around midnight for their acai hit,” says co-owner Mark.

2. Blendlove, Southport; 3. Flannery’s Refuel Depot, Robina; 4.The Magic Apple, Burleigh Heads; 5.Caffe Republic, Bundall; 6. Brio Emporium, Broadbeach; 7. Mandala Organic Arts Cafe, Mermaid Beach; 8.The Cardomom Pod, Broadbeach; 9. Greenhouse Factory Restaurant and Bar, Kirra; 10. BSKT, Mermaid Beach

BYO

Winner: That’s Amore

Find it: 1/110 Mountain View Ave, Miami

As a single mother running her own restaurant, Karlyn Hampton knows the value of value.

It’s why she opted to make her Miami eatery BYO alcohol — and now she’s reaping the rewards.

“As a parent it’s not that often you get to go out and when you do you need it to be affordable,” Karlyn says. “That’s why I wanted to make That’s Amore BYO, you can come here and have a great meal with fresh, quality ingredients and not spend a fortune.”

But Karlyn says it’s not just families who are fans of the suburban Italian restaurant, with younger crowds flocking for live music on a Friday night.

She says the BYO factor is an added incentive for hip customers.

“When we started it was mainly locals who came here,” Karlyn says.

“But now we’re getting people from all over the Gold Coast, it’s amazing.

“Our Friday live music nights have become really popular with the younger crowd too. The fact that they can bring their own alcohol really sells it.

“Being able to choose exactly what you want to drink really makes a meal. There’s nothing worse than selecting an overpriced wine that tastes like vinegar.”

Karlyn says the cuisine at That’s Amore is traditional Italian, with emphasis on handmade and hearty meals.

2. Miami Rice, Miami; 3. Mike’s Kitchen, Worongary; 4. Kampung Malay, various locations; 5.Cha-cha Japanese, Broadbeach; 6. Ioesco, Sanctuary Cove; 7th equal Restorante Pinnochio, Mermaid Beach, and Butter Rhythm, Labrador; 8.The Indian Hut, Burleigh, and Gino’s Trattoria Italian restaurant, Runaway Bay; 9. Black Sheep Bistro, Oxenford; 10. Zab Isan Thai Cuisine, Burleigh Heads