The recap: the best new Gold Coast restaurants, bars and cafes that opened in April

Palomino’s Deli, Tugun
Tugun got a whole lot tastier thanks to the arrival of Palomino’s Deli – a tiny-but-mighty sandwich and coffee haven that’s quickly become a local favourite. Tucked along Golden Four Drive, this mortadella-slinging hotspot is the brainchild of Melbourne expat Zayne Stoner, who saw a deli-shaped gap in the Gold Coast food scene and dove in mouth-first. Since opening, Palomino’s has nailed the art of doing the simple things well – stacked deli sandwiches, addictive fries and breakfast egg rolls, all of which have promptly gained a loyal following. Armed with Allpress coffee, a clutch of beers and big plans for wine-and-vinyl arvo sessions, Palomino’s is a fresh favourite that already feels right at home in Tugun. Read more about Palomino’s here.

Papa Rolly’s, Carrara
In a bid to bring their signature Italian flair to the suburbs, the Gemelli brothers opened Papa Rolly’s – a cosy, family-friendly trattoria dishing out big flavours in Carrara. After making their mark with venues in Broadbeach, Nobby Beach, Sorrento and Brisbane, the team has landed on busy Pappas Way with a menu of woodfired pizzas, handmade pastas, classic Italian cocktails and creamy scoops of gelato from their Nobby Beach gelateria. Inspired by the brothers’ late Nonno Rolando, the space blends old-school charm with modern touches – and it’s already winning over the Carrara crowd. We’ve got all of the details on Papa Rolly’s here.

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Chef Frankie’s, Currumbin
What began as a lockdown side hustle has officially found a permanent home – Chef Frankie’s is now selling trays of its famous lasagne, handmade pasta and knock-out sauces from a charming kiosk window at The Bread Social in Currumbin Waters. Helmed by Italian-born chef Francesco Anghileri (aka Frankie), whose impressive resume spans Icebergs, Iggy’s Bread, Three Blue Ducks and most recently Tommy’s Italian, the new retail space is a love letter to comfort food. Take home indulgent six-layer wagyu lasagne, comforting mac ‘n’ cheese, fresh-cut pasta in five shapes, jars of rich, slow-cooked sauces like spicy sausage ragu, and housemade tiramisu. Read all about Chef Frankie’s here.

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Harvest Food House, Robina
Have you met the pancake taco? At Harvest Foodhouse in Robina, it comes loaded with caramelised peaches, chantilly cream, pistachio crumble and lychee pearls – and it’s just one of the playful dishes putting this lush new cafe on the map. Harvest Foodhouse, which is tucked behind a canopy of greenery and breezy cabanas in the former Parkway Cafe space, is the latest venture from hospitality duo Anja and Jonathan Ede, who owned Cafe Alfons on Chevron Island for over a decade. The menu leans big on flavour and fun, headlined by dishes like slow-cooked beef French-dip sandwiches and the Harvest Feed – a full-scale breakfast feast loaded with extras. With Adore coffee on pour, matcha lattes in rotation and a cabinet of baked goods inspired by Anja’s family recipes, Harvest Foodhouse keeps things casual, delicious and just a little bit unexpected. Take a peek inside here.

Piada Co., Byron Bay
Burleigh’s cult-favourite Piada Co. has opened a second outpost in Byron Bay, bringing its signature spin on Italian street food to the heart of the Habitat precinct. A joint creation from the teams behind The Deli by Pepe and Burleigh Gelato Co., this fresh new iteration blends relaxed Byron vibes with bold Italian flavour. While all of the Piada classics have made their way over the border – from the pillowy piadinas stuffed with prosciutto and mortadella to cheesy suppli and crispy calamari – there’s also a Byron-exclusive dinner menu featuring handmade pizzas and pastas crafted with specially fermented dough. Complete with signature maroon-and-orange stripes, plenty of indoor-outdoor seating and a full bar pouring spritzes, wine and tap beers, Piada Co. Byron Bay is serving serious summer-in-Italy energy. Get a taste here.

Hungry for more? Check out some of the hottest new openings from March including Taiwan Tummy in Chirn Park, Familiar Spirits in Burleigh, Mona Lisa’s Lair in Miami, ’94 in Palm Beach and Llamas to the Sky in Burleigh.