Where to eat and drink on the Gold Coast right now – eight new spots to try
Summer on the Gold Coast always has a certain sparkle, but this year the city has outdone itself. A wave of new cafes, restaurants and bars has swept across the coastline, each bringing something fresh to the table – from refined hotel dining rooms to beachside breweries, moody brunch lounges, flame-driven feasts and cult-worthy sandwich shops. Whether you’re cruising down the M1 for a weekend escape or planning your next long lunch, these are the spots that defined 2025 – and the ones you’ll want on your summer hit list.
Padre Brewing Co, Miami
Three delicious years in the making, Padre Brewing Co has finally flung open the doors to its custom-built Miami brewery – and locals have already claimed it as their own. Equal parts brewery, eatery and relaxed community hub, Padre marries polished coastal styling with retro touches, a breezy beer garden and communal tables built for gatherings that last longer than planned. Fourteen taps pour an evolving lineup of house brews – crisp cervezas, hazy IPAs, clean lagers and seasonal experiments – each crafted with care by founders whose friendship first gave life to the idea. The food hits exactly where it should: beer-friendly but elevated, from wings and pizza to burgers and pretzels. Warm, welcoming and already buzzing, Padre feels less like a newcomer and more like a neighbourhood staple that’s been here for years.
Haven, Burleigh Heads
The arrival of the Mondrian Gold Coast was one of the year’s most anticipated moments – and its signature restaurant Haven quickly proved why. Set above the beachfront, the dining room is elegant without losing its coastal ease, all soft light, clean lines and views that stretch across Burleigh. Executive chef Aaron Teece channels hyper-local produce with quiet confidence though menu highlights like crisp waffles topped with sweet spanner crab, dry-aged yellowfin tuna brightened with garum vinaigrette and a now-iconic wood-fired scallop pie that’s already developed a devoted following. Haven glides effortlessly from long, languid lunches to refined twilight dinners, with a strong focus on sustainability and thoughtful sourcing. Downstairs, LiTO brings the sunshine with a Mediterranean-leaning menu, spritz-ready flavours and alfresco charm – the perfect counterbalance to Haven’s serene sophistication.
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Burly, Currumbin
Burly made its debut early in the year and wasted no time becoming one of Currumbin’s most talked-about sipping spots. Created by the team behind Burly Gin, the venue spans two stylish storeys, bringing modern gin-making to life through a sleek mustard-hued resin bar, copper stills and terracotta accents. The cocktail list is where things really shine – bright, inventive and built around Burly’s line of cucumber, berry and citrus-led gins. Think strawberry-kissed negronis, herbaceous garden smashes and clean, expressive signatures. A refined menu of share plates – kingfish ceviche, silky tartare, warm house focaccia – rounds out the experience. Equal parts polished and playful, Burly is the kind of place you drop into for one drink and end up staying far longer than you intended.
Velvet Cafe & Lounge, Miami
Velvet Cafe & Lounge redefined Gold Coast cafe culture this year with a moodier, more opulent take on the morning ritual. Step inside and you’re greeted by plush maroon velvet, soft golden lighting and a gentle hum that feels more European wine bar than breakfast spot. Owners Stefany Rincon and John Potter have crafted a space where brunch becomes an occasion. French-toast fondue, Spanish tortillas and specialty Blackboard brews feel right at home in the luxe surrounds. By afternoon, Velvet transforms into an intimate lounge perfect for leisurely catch-ups and golden-hour drinks. Stylish, memorable and already adored, Velvet is one of the year’s most distinctive arrivals.
Mamasan, Broadbeach
After a decade of captivating Gold Coast diners, Mamasan returned this year with a breathtaking full-scale reimagining that has set a new benchmark for reinventions. This isn’t a simple facelift – it’s a complete rebirth. The new interior radiates dramatic allure with sculpted banquettes, charred timber, quartzite bars and lighting designed for lingering. Executive chef Sebastian Tan has retooled the menu with equal ambition, blending beloved signatures – the sticky lamb ribs, the pillowy bao – with bold newcomers including tea-smoked wagyu ribs and the Typhoon Shelter lobster. Add a refined drinks program and polished service, and the result is a dining experience that feels indulgent, confident and unmistakably Mamasan. A triumphant return and easily one of the year’s standout reopenings.
Public Supply, Tweed Heads
Public Supply may be small in size, but few openings this year created more excitement. Tucked down an unassuming Tweed laneway, this minimalist courtyard cafe quickly became a pilgrimage site for early risers. The offering is tight – exceptional coffee, fun seasonal drinks and cereal cups that spark childhood nostalgia – but the star of the show is the ever-changing line-up of scrolls. Dropping Thursday to Sunday, flavours like Pistachio, Choccy Bueno and Naked Cinny sell out minutes after release, with eager fans queuing long before the doors open. Between its precision, personality and pastries worth setting an alarm for, Public Supply earned cult status almost overnight.
Fire Baby, Southport
Southport’s dining scene reached new temperatures this year with the arrival of Fire Baby – a bold, architectural space built around the primal allure of flame. The soaring red-brick building glows from within, drawing diners into a world of roaring ovens, smouldering embers and warm, lively energy. Executive chef Bradley Davids and pizzaiolo Vincenzo turn out blistered Neapolitan pizzas, smoky small plates and vibrant antipasti from the showpiece oven at the heart of the venue. Later in the year came Ember – Fire Baby’s dramatic second act – adding charcoal-grilled mains, theatrical fire-first cooking and a moodier, more immersive dining room. Together, they form a dynamic one–two punch that has firmly positioned Fire Baby as a major new culinary anchor in Southport.
Bread Winner Sandwiches, Kingscliff
Bread Winner may sit just across the border, but this Kingscliff sandwich shop has earned its place on the list through sheer deliciousness. Run by former home-dads turned culinary craftsmen Kyle Mapp and Reuben Kremer, Bread Winner takes a thoughtful, cheffy approach to sandwiches – the kind that transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary. The crispy pork-belly banh mi, layered with house pickles, crackling and nuoc cham, has become a local obsession, while the slow-braised meatball sub with vodka sauce and smoked scamorza draws equal praise. Globally inspired focaccias, veg-forward options and clever specials round out the tight menu. With warm 70s timber, cosy indoor seating and sunny alfresco spots perfect for post-beach bites, Bread Winner is proof that the humble sandwich can be a bona fide dining experience.