8 of the best restaurants to eat at on the Gold Coast

You may have a stunning modern kitchen in your new Mater Prize Home to entice you to stay in most of the time, but the Gold Coast’s bustling food scene will have you craving a meal or two away from home every week, too. 

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From restaurants right on the beach to those boasting some of the best views on the Gold Coast, plus, restaurants worth splurging on when the occasion arises, here are some of the Gold Coast’s best dining options to add to your foodie bucket list.

Breakfast: Paddock Bakery

This popular cafe and bakery is everything you’ll learn to love about lazy breakfasts on the Gold Coast. The cute cottage oozes charm and hits you with its sweet smell of baked-before-your-very-eyes goodies like nutella doughnuts, flaky cruffins, and buttery Portugese tarts the minute you walk in. Find yourself a table in the garden and enjoy the glorious weather and chilled (dog-friendly) atmosphere as you dig into your creme fraiche scrambled eggs or purple toast (roasted beetroot and za’atar puree) with poached egg and goats milk feta on house wood-fired seven-grain sourdough toast.

Splurge option: Elk Espresso

When you feel like spoiling yourself in the AM—just because—Elk Espresso is the place to go. Not only because its seasonal menu is as much a treat for your taste buds as it is for your eyes, but because they offer a daily bottomless brunch with unlimited mimosas for $49 per person. Their coffee is also top notch, featuring Elk’s own blend of beans that are roasted by fellow Gold Coast locals, Parallel Roasters.

Beachfront: Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club

The good news about dining on the Gold Coast is there’s no shortage of beautiful beachfront establishments to try. For the best value for money and right-on-the-beach locations, try your local surf club. With plenty to choose from, like Northcliffe Surf Club in Surfers Paradise and Kurrawa SLSC, why not work your way through them all to find a favourite. A good place to start your surf club crawl is with Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club. The views are million-dollar worthy, right on the white sand beach of Currumbin with the Gold Coast skyline in the distance, while the menu is casual and comforting with pub favourites like chicken parmigiana, slow braised lamb shanks, surf and turf, and seafood share plates—all at reasonable prices.

Splurge option: Rick Shores

So close to the ocean you’ll actually feel the spray of saltwater as the waves crash outside the wall-to-wall window, Rick Shores takes the cake for location and an award-winning menu you’ll want to sample whenever you have a special occasion to celebrate. Famous for its Pan-Asian flavours and iconic dishes like Moreton Bay bug rolls, duck red curry with lychee, and wagyu pot stickers, time your dinner booking around sunset for the most stunning views with your memorable meal.  

Rooftop: The Collective Palm Beach

The Gold Coast has plenty of chic rooftop venues for those seeking good food and great views. For a family-friendly option where everyone is sure to find something scrumptious to eat, try The Collective Palm Beach. With five different restaurants in the one rooftop location, it’s the sort of place you can easily come for lunch and still be hanging around come dinnertime. The cocktails here are fantastic and go down a treat on a balmy Gold Coast afternoon.

Splurge option: Nineteen at The Star

Set high above the skyline in Broadbeach atop luxury Gold Coast hotel The Darling, there’s no holding back on the spoil factor here. Start your indulgent experience by booking one of the floating VIP booths beside the rooftop infinity pool and enjoy a cool dip and a few cocktails as you drink in those panoramic views in the sunshine. As the day starts to wind down, transition to the rooftop restaurant for freshly-shucked oysters, caviar tasting, and wood-fired seafood like rock lobster mornay and maple cedar roasted ocean trout. Want to really go all out? Add Truffle Hill’s black winter shaved truffle to any dish for a next-level taste sensation!

Country setting: Canungra Valley Vineyards

Enjoy a laidback lunch in the stunning countryside on the wrap-around balcony of a 165-year-old historic homestead. Situated on the banks of the Canungra Creek and surrounded by the Gold Coast Hinterland, sample O’Reilly’s artisan wine while enjoying a burger or pizza. Better yet, grab yourself a Homestead Picnic Basket and indulge on a gourmet spread of Southern fried chicken, cured meats, antipasto, dips, and freshly baked bread on your own little patch of grass as you listen to live music and take in the scenery and serenity. 

Splurge option: Paddock Restaurant at Beechmont Estate

For a true paddock-to-plate experience, you can’t go past Beechmont Estate. Set on a 26-hectare wagyu beef farm, the chef hatted menu focuses on hyper-local and sustainable produce with a commitment to using produce from root to stem and nose to tail. Opting to ‘Let the chefs decide’ takes the guesswork out of ordering and ensures an unforgettable meal of delectable dishes like beef fat crumpets with chilli beef and coal mayo, fish kiev with roasted bone sauce and winter salad, and blackened finger lime, baked cream and kiku’s ginger for dessert. 

Ready to become a Gold Coast local and eat your way through this list of must-try restuarants? Buy your tickets today to win this Mater Prize Home lottery and enjoy the Gold Coast’s food scene for yourself. Plus, for every ticket you purchase you’re helping support the life-changing medical research and patient care at Mater.

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