The recap: the best new Gold Coast restaurants, bars and cafes that opened in September
It wasn’t just the weather that started sizzling in September – the Gold Coast’s dining scene turned up the heat too. From a long-awaited comeback that’s dressed to impress, to a fire-kissed newcomer in Southport and a Tweed cafe serving scrolls so good they sell out in an hour, the past month has delivered plenty of reasons to eat out. Throw in a disco-lit pan-Asian bar and a playful Burleigh brunch spot with a ‘Brexican’ twist, and you’ve got one of the most exciting line-ups we’ve seen this year. Here are the new openings that caught our attention in September.
Mamasan, Broadbeach
After a decade as one of Broadbeach’s most recognisable dining rooms, Mamasan has emerged from a top-to-toe reinvention that cements its place as one of the Gold Coast’s boldest dining experiences of 2025. The relaunch is more than a refresh – it’s an architectural and culinary statement. Designed by Space Cubed Design Studio, the interiors have been completely reimagined with quartzite bars, charred timber and strikingly sculpted banquettes, creating a moody yet glamorous backdrop for everything from date nights to celebratory dinners. Executive chef Sebastian Tan has sharpened the culinary focus, weaving together familiar signatures like sticky lamb ribs and pork bao with a suite of daring newcomers, including tea-smoked wagyu ribs and Typhoon Shelter lobster, inspired by Hong Kong’s legendary seafood markets. The drinks program has also levelled up, with cocktails designed to complement the intensity of the menu and a wine list that spans cult producers and local gems. With greater capacity, a heightened sense of drama and a menu that balances nostalgia with innovation, Mamasan’s return is an audacious step into its next decade and what we’re calling as one of the year’s biggest new openings. Read more about the transformation here.
Fire Baby, Southport
Southport has a new spark, literally, with the arrival of Fire Baby – a two-storey custom-built venue created around the elemental appeal of flame. Conceived by locals Michael and Donna Read and brought to life by Burleigh Design’s Phillip Buchanan with TDM Constructions, the space radiates warmth and drama with exposed red-brick walls, glowing light and lofty ceilings, making it as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate. The first stage to tickle taste buds is a pizza bar at the front of the space, driven by executive chef Bradley Davids, who grew up around the South African braai, and master pizzaiolo Vincenzo, who brings Italian pizza mastery to the fold. Together they’ve crafted a menu where everything touches the flame, from blistered Neapolitan-style pizzas to smoky small plates and vibrant antipasti. Signature pizzas balance comfort and creativity, with toppings like sausage, potato and honey, while sides and starters are designed for sharing over cocktails that lean smoky, spicy and a little theatrical. The venue’s ambition doesn’t stop there. Further inside the space, the team is preparing to unveil Ember by Fire Baby later this year, a dining room devoted to charcoal-cooked mains and an elevated fire-first experience. With its scale, atmosphere and culinary focus, Fire Baby feels less like another pizzeria and more like Southport’s new social heartbeat. Read more here.
Public Supply, Tweed Heads
Few venues have created a stir quite like Public Supply, the minimalist cafe that’s become Tweed’s hottest ticket since opening. The offering is deceptively simple – a stripped-back space furnished with milk crates and steel chairs, paired with an ultra-focused menu of coffee, scrolls and inventive drinks. Yet it’s the execution that sets Public Supply apart. Scrolls come in flavours like Naked Cinny, pistachio, Choccy Bueno and Biscoff Crumble, each perfectly balanced between indulgent and refined. On the drinks side, the cafe keeps pace with creativity, serving playful signatures like the Mont Blanc (orange-infused cold brew capped with cream), Choc Cloud Espresso with coconut-water foam and vibrant matcha concoctions. While the drinks and cereal cups are available every day, the signature scrolls are only available from Thursday to Sunday, and be warned, on scroll days, the line snakes down the pathway, with fans arriving up to an hour before opening to secure one of the hand-crafted pastries that vanish within minutes. Public Supply has quickly transcended its humble fit-out to become one of the region’s buzziest destinations, proof that when the details are right, a cafe can capture the imagination of an entire community. Read more here.
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The House of Bamboo, Coolangatta
When word spread that acclaimed chef Jon Hizola was opening something new in Coolangatta, anticipation was always going to run high, and The House of Bamboo has more than delivered. Teaming up with Alexander Dickson and Fraser Pollard, Jon has transformed the former Metabar site into a neon-tinged playground where Pan-Asian dining collides with disco-fused nightlife. The space is unapologetically bold, with holographic signage, glowing LED lights, disco balls and plush booths, setting the scene for a menu that reflects Jon’s signature flair for balancing tradition with surprise. Raw bar snacks like kingfish ceviche and wagyu tataki kick things off, before plates move into bigger territory with inasal chicken, prawn curry and a lamb shoulder massaman designed for sharing. Cocktails keep pace with the theatrics, leaning tropical and Filipino-inspired, while the soundtrack and lighting ensure the energy never dips. More than just a restaurant, The House of Bamboo positions itself as an after-dark destination — one where Jon’s culinary precision and a party-ready vibe combine to create one of the southern Gold Coast’s most exciting new openings. Read more here.
ConKa Bar, Burleigh Heads
Burleigh’s breakfast scene just scored a lively new contender with ConKa Bar, a family-run cafe giving mornings a bold ‘Brexican’ make over. Behind the venture are pastry chef Michelle Ramirez, who honed her craft in Mexico City before moving to Australia, local filmmaker Jett Myers, former rugby great Michael Toomey and historian Dianne Myers. Together they’ve created a venue that feels both playful and polished, where Michelle’s heritage drives a menu that swings between adventurous and familiar. Think jalapeno-infused eggs Benedict, Mexa burritos and cajeta-drizzled hotcakes alongside the ever-reliable bacon brekky roll. Cult-favourite specials like the Toastie Loco with coffee add to the buzz, while the drinks list covers Merlo coffee, spiced lattes, matcha blends and fresh juices. With pastry precision elevating every sweet dish and a spirited, family-driven ethos at its core, ConKa Bar has quickly established itself as a tasty newcomer in the neighbourhood. Read more here.
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