All of the Gold Coast venues that opened in 2024
From a string of big-name restaurants at Nobby Beach to a Michelin-starred chef moving into Labrador, keep the festive feasting going at 39 of the Gold Coast’s best dining debuts.
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The cost-of-living crisis couldn’t keep Gold Coast hospitality operators down, with a host of new openings in 2024.
From a string of big-name restaurants at Nobby Beach — including a new offering from the team behind Rick Shores — to a Michelin-starred chef taking up residency in Labrador, these were the best dining debuts:
NORTE AND SUEÑO
2217 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Opened: December
Among the most highly anticipated openings on the Gold Coast for 2024 was this two-storey restaurant headed by the crew behind Rick Shores. Restaurateur Nick Woodward and chef James Brady expanded their empire to Nobby Beach’s trendy The Oxley. They unveiled restaurant Norte and rooftop Sueño in late December, meaning you can now book in for Moreton Bay bug tacos with one of the best teams in the business.
LARS BAR AND GRILL
1/2217 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Opened: August 8
The son of a Gold Coast hospitality legend followed in his father’s footsteps and opened his first venue in August. Lars Kollrepp – whose dad Marty Kollrepp presided over Oskars in Burleigh Heads for 34 years before the space was taken over by Burleigh Pavilion – opened Lars Bar and Grill in Nobby Beach’s The Oxley. The menu heroes polished classics like steak and line-caught fish.
AMORE RISTORANTE
59 Meron St Southport
Opened: November
An Italian restaurant featuring authentic wood-fired pizzas kick-started the opening of a new $3.8 billion development on the Gold Coast. Amore Ristorante opened inside the new TRYP by Wyndham Southport and the executive chef Robert McWhinnie said it was a “dream come true”. The pasta and pizza fuelled menu features wagyu beef bolognese, fresh crab with Ballina pipis, chocolate cannoli and tiramisu.
THE BEACH HOTEL BROADBEACH and CORA
50 Surf Pde, Broadbeach
Opened: December 1
In the wake of two popular Broadbeach restaurants closing came the return of an “authentic local pub” and launch of a fresh modern Australian dining venue. Moreton Hospitality took over Miss Moneypennys and Fat Freddy’s and “refurbished the precinct”. The two new venues — Cora and Beach Hotel Broadbeach — combine elevated dining with flavours from the Mediterranean and classic pub feeds.
MERCADO
1/88 Markeri Street, Mermaid Waters
Opened: November 22
The owners of a string of popular Gold Coast Mexican eateries expanded their empire with a new cafe concept featuring breakfast burritos. The brothers behind Costa Taco, Nick and Matt Stanley, opened a California-inspired cafe and pop-up space called Mercado in Mermaid Waters. The cafe features breakfast burritos, fruit and green bowls, Mexican-style ‘torta’ sandwiches, chilaqules and more.
HARAHETTA RAMEN
52/58 Marine Pde, Coolangatta
Opened: October 21
A new ramen restaurant, inspired by small alley bars in Tokyo, proved a hit on the southern Gold Coast. Husband-and-wife duo Hiroshi and Sarah Takeyama said they were bowled over by the support from locals after opening Harahetta Ramen in Coolangatta. The restaurant specialises in tonkotsu ramen and Ms Takeyama said the black garlic tonkotsu was a must try.
HANKS
76 Musgrave St, Coolangatta
Opened: October 24
The owners of Kirra’s luxe Siblings restaurant expanded their southern Gold Coast empire with a new “moody, elegant and funky” venue. Peter Cianci, Tracey Cianci, TJ Cianci and Jarrod Kyle opened European-inspired restaurant Hanks in Kirra. The menu showcases burrata with caramelised honey; stuffed shells with napoli sauce; and cannolis with whipped ricotta filling and toasted pistachios.
MADAME V
6-8 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach
Opened: October 17
Palm Beach became home to the city’s newest Asian-inspired restaurant several months ago. Owner and acclaimed chef Daniel Ridgeway opened Madame V on October 17. The menu features “delectable” dishes such as tuna tataki, sushi rolls, wagyu beef dumplings, barbecue pork buns and Japanese cheesecake soft serve.
TOMMY’S TACO BAR
140 Duringan St, Currumbin
Opened: November
Currumbin’s popular Italian hotspot rebranded to give locals a taste of authentic Mexican. Tommy’s Italian owners Tom Torchut and Ronnie Tarabay opened Tommy’s Taco Bar at Currumbin in November. The menu now features jalapeño sourdough focaccia, $5 Tuesday tacos, nachos and margaritas.
LULU ROOFTOP & BAR
Level 2, 4 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
Opened: September 9
Surfers Paradise became home to a new rooftop bar inspired by Miami, Florida and the “beachside charm” of the Glitter Strip. Venue manager Steve Csutoros opened Lulu Rooftop Bar on the upper level of The Yankee’s Restaurant and Bar on Orchid Ave in September. The venue features a frose (frozen rose wine) wall, Sunday brunches, live entertainment and DJs.
CADILLAC SUPPER CLUB
27/1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
Opened: October
Palm Beach was treated to a new vintage-themed venue with European-inspired dishes. Mark Catsburg and Nick Stanton transformed the space once occupied by The Scottish Prince and opened Cadillac Supper Club along the Gold Coast Highway. Sample the 180g beef brisket Cadillac burger and a vast selection of wine, martinis and margaritas.
PIADA CO
21a/50 James St, Burleigh Heads
Opened: August
The owners of two popular southern Gold Coast eateries came together to open a new Italian restaurant in Burleigh Heads. Andrea and Alexa Fabrizio from Palm Beach’s The Deli by Pepe, and Bree Edwards and Simon Bird from Burleigh Gelato Co opened Piada Co in an arcade off James St in August. Highlights include piadinas, burrata bowls, suppli (“like arancini but better”), fried calamari, cannolis and frappés.
COSTA TACO
36 Armrick Ave, Broadbeach
Opened: August
The duo behind a popular Mexican eatery transformed a derelict yellow building on the Gold Coast Highway and claimed another venue for their expanding empire. Costa Taco co-founders Nick and Matt Stanley opened their second shop in Broadbeach serving up street corn, classic margaritas, ceviche tostadas and more.
BLACK DINGO
1 Tweed Terrace, Coolangatta
Opened: May
Seven months after opening at one of the most picturesque locations on the Gold Coast, this cafe has secured itself as the local favourite. Cooly Breeze chef and restaurateur Marcondes Almeida Neto opened Black Dingo Cafe at Point Danger — and there’s no better ocean view on the Gold Coast. Take visitors here when you want to show off or just treat yourself to cafe classics including a lamb shoulder baguette, gelato, acai bowls and Moreton bay bug bagels.
CAFÉ JUNIE
45 City Link Dr, Carrara
Opened: May
The team behind Currumbin’s popular Refinery Cafe expanded and opened their second venue on the central Gold Coast. Gabrielle Hows and Brendan Hill partnered with managers Ryo Miyamoto and Nana Shimbo on Cafe Junie in Carrara. Locals love their “five key dishes” which include chilli scrambled eggs, and a bacon and egg roll with yuzu hollandaise sauce.
THE SPORTING GLOBE
Cnr Cavill Ave &, Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
Opened: June
One of the largest sports bars of its type in Australia opened in Surfers Paradise, taking over the former home of the Hard Rock Cafe. Sporting Globe founder and CEO James Sinclair said the landmark building underwent a $6.5m transformation. The hi-tech sports bar and microbrewery serves classic pub eats such as parmis, nachos and brisket sliders.
ESKA
17 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach
Opened: August 23
The owners of the Gold Coast’s newest sashimi and oyster bar say the business has been a “huge success” since opening. Tobais Diamandopoulos and Rosalind Pinto unveiled Eska at Nobby Beach food precinct The Oxley in August. Chilli mussels, seafood chowder and fish sandos are the most popular dishes.
FRANC JRS PIZZERIA
Shop 2 32 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach
Opened: January
A southern Gold Coast pizza shop proved so popular its owners say they had no choice but to open a second restaurant to cater to demand. Anthony Pattinson, Claudia Pattinson, James Young and Carlos Lara debuted Franc Jrs Pizzeria at Nobby Beach in January. Mr Pattinson said their Detroit-style pizza would “change your life”.
MOUSTACHE
3/2217 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Opened: August
He got his break running the tiniest coffee shop on the Gold Coast, but 2024 was the year Brodie Green opened a third venue to accompany his booming cafe in Nobby Beach. The former Seadog star revealed his elegant sidwalk-style eatery Moustache in The Oxley in August. The menu, which features free focaccia every Thursday from 4pm, also includes oysters and kentucky fried quail.
HOLY SHIP RESTAURANT
C7-C8/74 SeaWorld Drive, Main Beach
Opened: March
In one of the most unique venue openings on the Gold Coast, a couple transformed two 1970s boats into a bar and restaurant. Kame and Yvette McCarthy and Jake Ruthy stripped the two boats back to raw timber and hulls before the makeover. The vessels – which now sport a full commercial kitchen – have a 10-tap keg room and serve oysters, trawler bugs, prawns, saucy pork ribs and more.
ROJI CAT
47 Lemana Ln, Miami
Opened: September 6
A new Gold Coast brewery was billed as “a slice of Tokyo’s magic” on the Gold Coast. Roji Cat opened in the backstreets of Miami on September 6. Wash down karaage chicken, pork gyozas, burgers and Moreton Bay bug sliders with one of the house-made beers. There’s even a karaoke room.
EL PORTON
Shop 32/203 Ashmore Rd, Benowa
Opened: November 12
The owners of a new Spanish restaurant featuring seafood paella and croquettes expanded their restaurant empire from Sydney to the Gold Coast. Husband-and-wife team Pachi Rodriquez and Maria Barona opened El Porton in Benowa on November 12. The restaurant – which was inspired by scenery from the Canary Islands – features Iberico ham croquettes; Piquillo peppers stuffed with almogrote; kingfish crudo with ajo blanco; pipis in garlic and sherry; garlic prawns; and seafood paella.
THE FISH TANK
28A Dixon Drive, Pimpama
Opened: January 16
A fish and chip shop which opened on the northern Gold Coast had locals proclaiming it as the “best fish” they’ve tasted. The Fish Tank owners Thi Nguyen and Thy Tran debuted their second store in Pimpama on January 16. “The secret to a good fish and chips is keeping it simple but perfecting each element no matter how big or small.”
JUJU
2235 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Opened: October
A European-inspired bar and restaurant was unveiled in the former Hellenika building. Luna Group director Trent Redman opened Juju at Nobby Beach in October. The new two-storey venue was geared towards “those who have grown tired of nightclubs, but still crave the thrill of dancing their way into the night”.
WELL BREAD AND PASTRY
1934 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami
Opened: January
A local favourite bakery in Palm Beach opened a new store in Miami, less than a month after another long-running bakery was forced to close its doors. Well Bread and Pastry co-owners Michelle and Stefan Van Der Hoven opened their second outlet at Miami One in January. Ms Van Der Hoven said almond croissants, pies, sausage rolls and sourdough bread were some of their most popular items.
THE YORKIE RIPPA
8/28 Chairlift Ave, Mermaid Beach
Opened: August 20
A familiar face on the Gold Coast food scene promised to take “the humble Yorkshire pudding to the next level”. Former Burleigh Social owner Dennis Duncanson debuted The Yorkie Rippa in Nobby Beach on August 20. Mr Duncanson said his yorkies were filled with crispy rosemary potatoes, glazed carrots, baby spinach and cauliflower bake with the choice of roast lemon and garlic chicken or braised beef brisket.
GUZMAN Y GOMEZ
Pavilions/6 Fifth Ave, Palm Beach
Opened: November
A fast-food giant continued its Gold Coast takeover with an outlet at Palm Beach. Guzman y Gomez (GYG) debuted its new restaurant along the Gold Coast highway after more than three months of renovations. The Mexican eatery, known for its nacho fries and Cali burritos, took over the vacant space left by Fish on Fourth.
539 Southport Nerang Rd, Molendinar
Opened: March
Eight months before the Palm Beach opening, Guzman y Gomez (GYG) opened one of their biggest drive-through restaurants in the city’s north on Southport Nerang Rd in Molendinar.
LE BON CHOIX PATISSERIE
Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach
Opened: October
A patisserie known for its almond croissants opened in one of the Gold Coast’s biggest shopping centres. Le Bon Choix owner Savico Basset-Rouge debuted his 10th store at Robina Town Centre in October. “Our pastries are exceptional because we use the finest ingredients and they are crafted by highly skilled pastry chefs with extensive experience,” he said.
AWAKEN CAFE
1/275 Boundary St, Coolangatta
Opened: March
A new cafe rose from the demolition site of Cafe DBar, opening on the southern Gold Coast’s most high-profile point position. The Gambaro Group owner John Gambaro, along with his brothers Frankie and Donny, opened Awaken Cafe at Point Danger in March. Mr Gambaro said Awaken Cafe, housed on the bottom floor of the $42m tower, would serve blueberry pancakes, green bowls, eggs on toast, breakfast rolls, baked pastries and barista-made coffee.
LOBBY
60 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters
Opened: November 5
A cafe which opened less than two months ago has already secured itself as the new neighbourhood coffee nook for southern Gold Coast locals. Lobby Currumbin owner DJ Swam said the community had welcomed the business with open arms since its launch. Eggplant jaffles and caramel and white chocolate cookies are among the favourites.
BUTT HUTT
1 Tibbing St, Nerang
Opened: July
A Gold Coast couple overcame a month from hell to open their dream restaurant after their nine-day-old son contacted sepsis. Marcus and Amy Nicholson opened their new Tex Mex BBQ restaurant called Butt Hut in July. Order the smokehouse box to try smoked pork, smoked wings, mac ‘n’ cheese, coleslaw and corn ribs.
NAHEDA’S DIP HOUSE
17 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach
Opened: November 30
A Melbourne dip house which became a viral sensation for its “unforgettable flavours” landed on the Gold Coast in November. Owner Naheda Hassan opened Naheda’s Choice dip house in Nobby Beach precinct The Oxley. “It’s like a two-layered party in your mouth,” Mr Hassan said. “Every dip is created from an event or story that’s happened in our lives.”
PIPI’S
Level 1/275 Boundary St, Coolangatta
Opened: February
A Queensland hospitality legend created a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in a new development at Point Danger. The Gambaro Group owner John Gambaro unveiled the hotly anticipated Pipi’s by Gambaro on February 28. The restaurant, which features a panoramic water view, boasts creamy lobster pasta, steaks, fresh grilled fish and a famous seafood platter.
YO MY GOODNESS
15 Connor St, Burleigh Heads
Opened: December
A popular Queensland frozen yoghurt shop ignited a froyo turf war in Burleigh Heads. Yo My Goodness (YOMG) unveiled its third Queensland location in December, just a stone’s throw from the popular Yo-Chi. YOMG’s grand opening was just in time to kick start summer on the southern Gold Coast. Their shakes are next level (try the Nutella cheesecake).
BEACH SHACK BAR AND GRILL
Eastern Ave, Bilinga
Opened: June
A new restaurant opened at Gold Coast Aiport, marking a major milestone in the terminal’s $17 million refurbishment. Beach Shack Bar and Grill is in the domestic departure lounge and serves tacos, beach buckets, haloumi fries, falafels, crispy potato gems, frozen margaritas and locally distilled spirits.
THE HOMESTEAD
28 Tomewin St, Currumbin
Opened: May
Guests at the new Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary say they have crossed paths with many Australian animals upon arrival, including Curly the emu. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary opened its fine-dining restaurant The Homestead in May. Tuck into a patio platter with wattle seed damper, local cured meats and bush tomato relish.
ONE EIGHTY
1 Frank St, Labrador
Opened: December 6
A new venue with a Michelin Star chef brought culinary class to an unexpected location. Japanese restaurant One Eighty opened in Labrador on December 4 after two-and-a-half years of planning. One Eighty co-owner Daiji Takashima said he flew Michelin awarded chef Akihiro Kitade from Japan to help Gold Coasters “enjoy real yakitori”.
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