Exploring Gold Coast, Australia: A Foodie's Guide

what to eat in gold coast australia

Gold Coast, Australia, is a ritzy neighbourhood with high-end shopping, beautiful old mansions, luxury boutiques, and plenty of excellent restaurants. The area offers a variety of dining options, from high-end restaurants suitable for special occasions to more casual eateries and cafes. The Gold Coast is particularly known for its steakhouses, with establishments like Gibsons, Maple & Ash, and Hugo's serving up classic Chicago-style steaks. For those looking for a more diverse range of cuisines, the Gold Coast also boasts Italian restaurants like Adalina and Roti and Buns, as well as Asian cuisine, including Sushi Suite and Pandan, which offers Southeast Asian dishes and cocktails.

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Upscale restaurants

The Gold Coast in Australia is known for its upscale dining establishments, charming local eateries, and laid-back coastal culture. The Star Gold Coast is an upscale hotel offering luxurious coastal experiences, with elegant restaurants, bars, a day spa, and a theatre.

For those looking for a classic Chicago steakhouse experience, Gibsons, Maple & Ash, and The Bellevue are excellent choices. Gibsons transports diners back to the mid-20th century, with martinis, cigars, and slabs of meat on the menu. Maple & Ash offer a $200 tasting menu, aptly named "I Don't Give a F*@k", while The Bellevue serves up a classic steakhouse menu with burgers, chops, and seafood.

If you're seeking innovative Asian cuisine, Social Eating House + Bar is a popular choice, serving modern Australian dishes. For fresh seafood, Citrique is renowned for its sumptuous seafood buffet. Fellini is another chic option, serving saffron-infused pasta alongside stunning Broadwater views.

For glitz and glamour, Adalina is a newcomer to the Gold Coast dining scene, impressing diners with crystal chandeliers, vintage mirrors, and plush velvet seats. The modern Italian menu, created by former Band of Bohemia chef Soo Ahn, features refined dishes such as cacio e pepe arancini and veal chop parm.

When it comes to cute cafes and craft breweries, the Gold Coast's northern region is a must-visit, offering a vibrant dining scene with something to satisfy every palate.

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Casual eateries

The Gold Coast in Chicago is known for its high-end restaurants, but there are also plenty of casual eateries to choose from. Here are some great options for laid-back dining in the area:

Pippin's

A Gold Coast classic, Pippin's recently reopened in a larger space and now offers a robust food menu with dishes like veal sweetbread corn dogs and fried chicken sandwiches with tater tot fries. It's the perfect spot for a casual meal and drinks with friends.

The Bellevue

Located on the original site of Tavern on Rush, The Bellevue offers a classic steakhouse menu with burgers, chops, and seafood. It's both upscale and casual, making it a great choice for tourists looking for a relaxed dining experience.

Gibsons

Step back in time at Gibsons, a mid-20th-century-style restaurant serving up oysters, soups, salads, sandwiches, and steaks. If you're looking for a more casual meal, try their surprisingly good and affordable burger.

Maple & Ash

This steakhouse has something for everyone. The first floor, Eight Bar, offers a casual atmosphere with burgers and martinis, while the upstairs features fancy steaks and a tasting menu.

Jimmy Wahs

For delicious fried oysters and large morning glory chicken, head to Jimmy Wahs. It's a great choice for casual dining and offers a unique twist on classic dishes.

Mr.PP's

Mr.PP's is known for its arancini balls and lamb pizza. With generous portions and reasonable prices, it's an excellent option for a casual meal.

Whether you're craving steak, seafood, or something more low-key, the Gold Coast has something to offer everyone. These casual eateries are perfect for a relaxed meal with friends or family.

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Seafood spots

Gold Coast, Australia, is known for its seafood spots, where you can enjoy fresh seafood straight from the ocean. Here are some of the best places to enjoy seafood in the region:

Gold Coast Fisherman's Co-op

The Gold Coast Fisherman's Co-op, established in 1970, is a unique community-focused, not-for-profit organisation supporting family-owned fishing businesses. Located at Main Beach, it is one of the best spots to find fresh seafood on the Gold Coast. You can buy your seafood directly from the local fishing boats that arrive in the early morning with their nightly catch of prawns, fish, and crabs.

Marine Village at Sanctuary Cove

Located on the Northern Gold Coast, the Marine Village at Sanctuary Cove is a local favourite for fresh seafood. Green and cooked prawns, bugs, and crabs are sold by the kilo, and you can even buy directly from the Sanctuary Cove Prawn Trawler, which docks at G Pier Marina on Saturday mornings and other days as per their Facebook page.

Shuck Restaurant

Shuck restaurant, located on the famous Tedder Avenue dining strip in Main Beach, is known for its coastal ambience and seafood offerings.

Seascape Restaurant & Bar

Seascape Restaurant & Bar in Surfers Paradise offers an elegant beachfront dining experience with bistro and fine dining seafood options, paired with stunning ocean views.

Jimmy Wah's

Jimmy Wah's is a popular spot known for its fried oysters and large morning glory chicken.

Edgewater Dining

Edgewater Dining is another seafood restaurant known for its risotto, although some reviewers mention that the portions have become smaller over time.

Other Seafood Options

The Gold Coast also offers seafood buffets, such as the Sunday Long Lunch Seafood Buffet, where you can sample a variety of fresh local seafood, including Pacific oysters, Mooloolaba tiger prawns, spanner crabs, and Moreton Bay bugs. Additionally, some restaurants like Rick Shores, Labart, Yamagen, Social Eating House, and Palette offer seafood dishes, although reviews vary.

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International cuisine

I found information relating to the Gold Coast in Chicago, and the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

The Gold Coast in Chicago has a variety of international cuisine on offer, from classic steakhouses to Italian and French restaurants. Here are some notable places to eat in the area:

  • Gibsons is a classic Chicago steakhouse that will transport you back to the mid-20th century with its indulgent menu of steaks, oysters, soups, salads, sandwiches, and giant slices of cake.
  • Maple & Ash is another steakhouse with a casual atmosphere on the first floor, serving burgers and martinis, while the upstairs is more upscale with fancy steaks and a tasting menu.
  • Hugo's, located in the Gold Coast, is a seafood spot with old-school service. It's a great place to celebrate, have a business dinner, or enjoy a solo meal at the bar with a slice of cake and oysters.
  • Les Nomades offers one of Chicago's finest dining experiences, with a distinctive character that balances elegance and friendliness. The menu features culinary creations such as Sautéed Foie Gras, Lobster Ravioli, and Roasted Breast and Confit Leg of Duck.
  • Le Colonial is a Vietnamese restaurant that celebrates the seductive spirit and vivid flavours of 1920s Saigon. It offers a luxurious and romantic atmosphere, making it a great choice for special occasions.
  • Pippin's serves dishes like veal sweetbread corn dogs, beef heart meatballs, and a fried chicken sandwich with tater tot fries.
  • The Bellevue is an American restaurant that offers a casual yet upscale dining experience. It serves a classic steakhouse menu with burgers, chops, and seafood.
  • Adalina is an upscale Italian restaurant with a lively atmosphere. The menu features dishes like gnocco fritto, housemade pastas, and bone-in veal parmigiana.
  • Shanghai Terrace specialises in contemporary Chinese cuisine, offering a unique take on Shanghainese, Cantonese, and Sichuanese classics. The restaurant features a private dining room and a main dining room with a 1930s Shanghai-inspired atmosphere.

The Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, also has a diverse range of international cuisine. Here are some notable restaurants and dishes to try:

  • Jimmy Wahs is known for its fried oysters and large morning glory chicken.
  • Edgewater Dining serves risotto, but portions have reportedly become smaller, and prices higher.
  • Mr.PP's is recommended for their arancini balls and lamb pizza.
  • Roti and Buns offer handmade roti and large portions of chicken curry at a reasonable price.
  • Flavours on Charcoal serves a large plate of steak and beans.

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Cheap eats

The Gold Coast is known for its culinary choices, offering everything from street tacos to dahls and other vegetarian dishes. Here are some of the best cheap eats in the region:

Frida Sol

A Mexican restaurant located in The Strand at Coolangatta, Frida Sol offers small dishes like chorizo croquettes and beef empanadas, as well as a variety of tacos with fish, chicken, beef, pork, calamari, and cauliflower as fillings. Tacos are AUD $5 each on Thursdays, and you can wash them down with $20 sangria jugs.

Tropic Vice

Located in Mermaid Beach, this central rooftop bar offers $5 tacos on Thursdays, half-price pizzas on Fridays, and $3 oysters on Sundays.

Hail Mary

This trendy Mexican restaurant in Burleigh offers $14 margaritas and cocktails on Mondays, as well as daily and weekend lunch specials of two tacos and a drink for $19.

Burgster

Head to Burgster in Palm Beach on Thursdays for Cheeseburger Thursdays, with singles at $18, doubles at $21, and triples at $28. On Saturdays, enjoy $2.50 oysters during happy hour from 3 pm to 5 pm.

Lucky Bao

Lucky Bao serves up Asian fusion cuisine, with dishes like Sichuan lamb, spicy miso, and sweet Korean chilli. While their bao buns are famous, they also offer noodles, dumplings, and bar snacks.

MUSO Ramen

For ramen lovers, MUSO Ramen in Mermaid Beach serves some of the best ramen in the country. Their selective yet generous menu includes spicy miso, traditional Yokohama, and dashi ramen.

Charis Seafood

Fish and chips on the beach is an Australian tradition, and Charis Seafood keeps this tradition alive.

Social Eating House and Bar

Located in the Oracle precinct in Broadbeach, this restaurant offers a casual fine dining style and innovative use of local ingredients. Expect tapas-style entrées like local prawns, scallops, oysters, charcuterie, freshly baked baguettes, and house-made butters.

Etsu Izakaya

This Japanese pub-style restaurant in Mermaid Beach features a unique menu with local ingredients such as Moreton Bay bug tempura and kingfish sashimi.

Rick Shores

Located in Burleigh Heads, Rick Shores offers panoramic views of the ocean and a menu featuring pan-Asian treats, including one of Queensland's most iconic snacks: the fried bug roll made with local Morton Bay bugs.

Jimmy Wah's

Jimmy Wah's in Burleigh Heads offers modern Vietnamese cuisine designed for sharing, with plenty of options for those with dietary restrictions. Their seven-course "Feed Me" menu is a bargain.

Frequently asked questions

Some popular restaurants in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, include Rick Shores, Labart, Yamagen, Social Eating House, Palette, and Madam Fu.

Gold Coast, Australia, is known for its fried oysters and large morning glory chicken. Other dishes to try include risotto, arancini balls, and lamb pizza.

Roti and Buns is a popular cheap eat in Gold Coast, Australia, offering roti and chicken curry for only $17.90.

For a more luxurious dining experience, consider visiting Les Nomades, which offers a range of culinary creations such as Sautéed Foie Gras, Lobster Ravioli, and Roasted Breast and Confit Leg of Duck.

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