“Food is not just fuel. Food is about family, food is about community, food is about identity. And we nourish all those things when we eat well.” – Michael Pollan There are few new cafes possessing assets as comprehensive as Gathering Co: a ready clientele, an ambient relaxing venue, both ‘green and blue space’ on a peninsula with views through trees to water, obliging committed staff and a creative team in the kitchen. With astounding potential, Gathering.co opened with little fanfare in March 2024, a bright new talent on our culinary scene. Hidden away behind a forest of paperbark trees in ..read more

Despite rising costs of living, labour shortages and turbulent weather, 2023 proved to be a year of growth for the Gold Coast hospitality industry. Consumers may have adjusted their discretionary spending, but they still made room for dining. Tourism was strong in 2023, with approximately 12 million tourists contributing $1.7 billion into the local economy. https://billychow.com.au/First and foremost, there was confidence in the industry, particularly in the top end, with well-known restaurateurs rejuvenating venues and consolidating their holdings. Openings such as Kirra Beach House and kōst ..read more

After twenty years in the making, the Gold Coast has a seafood restaurant to boast about: Blowfish Ocean Grill + Bar. In a whirlwind turnaround, owners Steven and Autumn Adams took over the former Bavarian Restaurant site on Oracle Boulevard and, with the assistance of Space Cubed Design Studio and Zero 9, their dream was brought to life in a mere three months. It’s a long way from the couple’s hometown, Southampton, UK, where they first met, their heritage referenced by a single dish on the Blowfish menu: posh fish and chips, old school style with mushy peas and ham hock. The dish may be sim ..read more

Gold Coast born and raised; Chloe Watts is a sweet spot in the Coast’s culinary scene. The former owner of the renowned Paddock Bakery, before opening Tarte in Burleigh and more recently Tarte Beach House, Currumbin Creek, Chloe could justifiably earn the title of the Gold Coast’s ‘Queen of Tartes’. Every venue that she has owned has received unrivalled attention from fans, love from both press and social media, as each one progressed from strength to strength. Yet, none of this success has happened by chance. From a family of food lovers, Chloe says she was blessed by positive, forward-think ..read more

“You are what you eat, so don’t be fast, cheap, easy, or fake.” – Unknown If you’re looking for a great reason to travel to Coolangatta, we have just found one: Kefi Café. Kefi is the Greek word for ‘a joyful way of life’, the café embracing a lifestyle of optimism and joyfulness. Situated on the corner of Griffith and McDonald Street, Kefi’s bright tangerine accent colour stands out against a white backdrop, transforming the once dreary corner into a fresh, inviting space. It’s a place to unwind, a tranquil laid-back cafe within sight of the beach, cool ocean breezes lapping along its edge ..read more

With sparkling waterways, crystal white beaches and fringing mountains, the Gold Coast boasts magnificent views. Until recently, however, most ‘dining with a view’ took place at surf clubs overlooking our surf beaches decked out in red and yellow flags and lifesavers on patrol. Historically, several locations have shown off the splendour of the Gold Coast, notably Burleigh Pavilion (including Rick Shores), Surfers Pavilion, Southport Pavilion and Siblings. More recently, restaurants dotted along the Surfers Paradise beachfront (such as Coast and Seascape) and Main Beach have given us full fron ..read more

So beautifully captured by Alison Lester’s picture book ‘Are we there yet?’, the road trip brings back happy memories for many Australian ‘Baby Boomers’. Families would pile into the car stopping along the way at motels or caravan parks, an elite resort out of the question. It’s worth looking back to those times and the reasons we hold them so dear. Holidays were as much about the journey as they were about the destination. We played games in the car, slept, and even read. A holiday was all about relaxing, enjoying time together as a family, perhaps with a visit to relatives slotted into the ..read more

If the thought of downing a margarita of two with the girls appeals, then listen right up. The site that once housed Cardamom Pod has been reborn as Mexican restaurant, Nude Amigos. From the folk at Kin, Burleigh, comes a clean, bright venue bathed in light but discreet enough to house a lunchtime tipple with a few mates. “I saw an opening in the market in Broadbeach for an authentic Mexican restaurant,” co-owner Sara Hawkins tells us. “When this site became available in November 2022, I fell in love with its cool location and park outlook and started negotiations,” she says. Even when thing ..read more

When the slick new kōst Bar and Grill opened in Broadbeach in August 2023, it was a dream realised for industry veteran Dave Galvin. Well known to the coast through his SITE hospitality consultancy business and his own venues including Crafty’s Sports Bar Harbourtown, Mozza Mozza at Sharks and Bird Royale in Ferry Road Markets, Dave had dreamed and planned for this unique dining concept for over three years. “We have created a coastal inspired concept to deliver a sensory immersion through food, wine, cocktails and live fuel cooking methods; a design-led venue which connects guests to four ke ..read more

Farm came to Coast when the Hentley Farm Wine Dinner was held recently at Coast Beach Bar and Kitchen. Coast Beach Bar and Kitchen enjoys an elevated position overlooking the beach on the first floor of the Meriton Surfers Paradise. With prime position and a fine casual setting, Coast is acclaimed for its excellent modern Australian cuisine and stunning wine list. The five-course dinner saw the bounties of the land and the allure of the coast unite in a harmony of farm and sea-based produce expertly paired with wines from the Barossa’s Hentley Farm vineyard. Alice Cleghorn, Trade Brand Manage ..read more