There is nothing like a beautiful vista to elevate a dining or café experience. From the glimmering ocean to a glittering cityscape, shimmering marina, and breathtaking mountain top panorama, these GC restaurants are a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds.
Written by Alison Bone
Burleigh Pavilion
With an iconic beachfront location of the kind usually reserved for surf clubs, Burleigh Pavilion’s two vibrant top floor eateries share north facing views across the sparkling ocean to the Gold Coast cityscape. Coastal nostalgia makes a stylish design theme with crisp coastal whites meeting muted pastels, and splashes of tropical foliage. Sip sundowners on the terrace or enjoy à la carte Mediterranean-inspired dining at The Tropic with an all-day menu inspired by the ocean. Executive Chef, Guillaume Zika, comes to Burleigh via Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris and the Cote d’Azur, and applies his culinary philosophy of ‘fresh, simple and memorable’ to dishes like Goldband Snapper with fresh herbs, lemon and olive oil, and an indulgent Cold Seafood Platter brimming with blue swimmer crab, tiger prawns, kingfish tartare and freshly shucked oysters. There’s tasty share plates too, such as Burrata and Pistachio, Tuna and Avocado and Jamon Iberico, as well as imaginative cocktails, and an exciting wine list that gets bonus points for the great selection of premium wines served by the glass. For a more casual meal or drink but equally spectacular outlook, adjacent Pavilion serves up pub classics, woodfired pizzas, fish and chips and delicious salads. burleighpavilion.com
Tarte Beach House
If you are a fan of Tarte Bakery in Burleigh (and who isn’t?) you are going to love its sister venue, Tarte Beach House, set on the sandy shores of picturesque Currumbin Creek. A two-in-one set up, the upper level is a restaurant – think Paris meets the Hamptons, while the lower level is an open-air café with picnic tables shaded by striped umbrellas and a sprawling Moreton Bay Fig tree. Both have enticing menus of the, ‘I want to try everything’ kind, along with perfect coffee, and the divine pastries that Tarte has built its reputation on, including cruellers, strawberry tartes and dainty friands. Upstairs, you can also indulge in a Lobster Roll, Soft Shell Crab Burger, and Citrus Cured Salmon with whipped creme fraiche, fresh orange & grapefruit, and citrus dressing, along with refreshing cocktails like the Spring Aperol Gin. More casual offerings downstairs include a Maple Bacon Bagel with herbed cream cheese, Miso Scramble, House Smoked Hummus, and an elevated Açaí bowl with house granola, macadamia praline and house meringue. tarte.com.au
Eagle Heights Mountain Resort
For birds eye views of the entire Gold Coast, Eagle Heights Mountain Resort is the place to be. Set high on Tamborine Mountain, the expansive beer garden has a sweeping panorama and live music on the weekends, making it the liveliest spot on the mountain. Food wise, it’s best known for The Eagle Burger decked out with all the trimmings. There’s also Baked Tassie Scallops with homemade pesto garlic butter, Hickory Pork Ribs served with potato wedges, coleslaw, sweet corn and homemade BBQ bourbon sauce. Vegetarians can tuck into a hearty burger and Quinoa Pumpkin Salad. A relaxed, family-friendly venue this is a great spot to bring the kids, with a jumping castle and plenty of space to play in the manicured gardens. Want to enjoy the views for longer than the time it takes to have a meal and a couple of drinks? There’s motel suites too. eagleheightshotel.com.au
Nineteen at The Star
Impressive by day, stunning by night, it’s all about luxury at Nineteen at The Star, with its sun-drenched rooftop lounge, plush dining room and glass walls revealing a spectacular vista over the Gold Coast skyline. Start your day with a Breakfast Martini and a classy Crab Omelette featuring Qld spanner crab, tarragon, hash brown and fermented chilli. Or treat yourself to a lunch or dinner splurge – think Beluga Caviar, Wagyu and Angus Steak, wood fired Rock Lobster and Wollemi Duck Breast with parsnip, apple, blackberry, olive almond crumb. You can also opt for the Chef Showcase Signature Menu paired with wines from the impressive two-story wine cellar. More in the mood for evening cocktails and VIP bottle service? Take a private booth on the sophisticated terrace, looking out over the sparkling city and enjoy live DJ sets after dark. star.com.au
Also Try
Las Palmas Bar & Restaurant
Oh so pretty with its soft pastels and beachy vibe, this Palm Beach eatery has lovely coastal views and lively Latin American flavours. Dine on Charcoal Fish Tacos, Papa Rellena, and a naughty but nice Churro Ice Cream Sandwich. laspalmas.com.au
Cooly Breeze Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
Soak up the Coolangatta and Tweed Coast scenery, while savouring Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Executive Chef Marcondes Almeida Neto has a penchant for bold exotic flavours and a love of seafood. Try Moreton Bay Bugs with sauteed asparagus, fresh chilli, light lemon butter sauce and green salad, or Grilled Fillet Fish of the Day with leek risotto and macadamia brown butter sauce. coolybreezerooftop.com
Glass Dining & Lounge Bar
Enjoy the waterside ambience and elegant yet relaxed vibe at this Marina Mirage eatery, with dishes like Tempura Zucchini Flowers with ricotta, dill, fennel, citrus glaze and Seafood Linguine with lobster, clams, juicy prawns, and a flavourful blend of chilli, garlic, evoo, and fresh herbs. glassrestaurant.com.au
Siblings Kirra
Dine on innovative modern Australian cuisine while gazing straight out to sea from the promenade in Kirra. Feeling decadent? There’s the Siblings Surf & Turf, where Black Angus chateaubriand meets Moreton Bay bugs and king prawns. Or how about Sticky Pork Belly with hoisin glaze, pickled pawpaw, chilli, and mint? The drinks list - or as Siblings calls it, ‘Liquid Journey’ - reads like a book, and includes over 50 signature cocktails and mocktails to toast the view with. siblingskirra.com.au
Tommy’s Italian
Authentic Italian food is always a good idea. Throw in a fab location on the seafront in Currumbin, tasty cocktails and Italian vino and you’ve got yourself a slice of la dolce vita. A generous selection of antipasti is perfect for sharing with friends, and we love the Cavolo Nero Pizza with yellow tomato, fior di latte, cavolo nero, Stracciatella and macadamia nuts. tommysitalian.com.au
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