The recap: the best new Gold Coast restaurants, bars and cafes that opened in January
If the past few months feel like one long blur of beach days, late nights and accidental afternoon naps, you’re not alone. December and January have a way of slipping through your fingers, especially when your biggest decision is coffee or cocktail. Between festive chaos and summer spontaneity, it’s easy to miss what’s new. Thankfully, these openings are built for lingering and rediscovering long after the holiday haze has lifted. Here are the best new Gold Coast restaurants, bars and cafes that opened in January.
Oro by Sogno Italiano, Broadbeach
The third venue from the Sogno Italiano team, Oro represents a more refined evolution of owners Sushil Maharjan and Prajwol Maharjan’s crowd-pleasing formula. Located in Broadbeach (in the former Vida site), the restaurant shifts focus from pizza to handmade pasta, premium proteins and seafood-forward dishes. Tableside carbonara, slow-cooked ragu and indulgent lobster spaghetti anchor the menu, while the atmosphere balances warmth with quiet sophistication. It’s familiar, elevated and well suited to long, wine-filled evenings.
Ember by Fire Baby, Southport
Southport’s dining scene received a serious upgrade with the arrival of Ember by Fire Baby, a venue that brings live-fire cooking and bold, smoky flavours to the fore. The menu leans into open-flame techniques, premium cuts and punchy sauces, with dishes designed for sharing and lingering over. It’s confident, energetic and unapologetically food-forward, offering a reason to head north for something that feels both polished and exciting.
Seoul Garden, Broadbeach
There are four words that are guaranteed to tickle the taste buds of any foodie – All. You. Can. Eat. Korean barbecue stepped firmly into the spotlight at Pacific Fair with the arrival of Seoul Garden’s grill and hot pot experience. Built around hands-on dining, shared plates and generous servings, this is a place where dinner becomes an event. Premium meats, bubbling broths, endless sides and a relaxed pace encourage diners to settle in and take their time. It’s social, interactive and perfectly aligned with Korean cuisine’s growing cultural moment.
The Oxley, Nobby Beach
The culinary offering is continuing to evolve at The Oxley. Towards year’s end, the popular precinct welcomed a trio of new openings. Longstanding Nobby Beach icon BSKT expanded its health-forward, produce-driven offering into the space, delivering nourishing breakfasts and lunches with precision. Meanwhile, down the back, Mr Spiros Handmade Yiros followed, bringing slow-cooked meats, house-made pita and nostalgic Greek flavours. And, rounding out the changes, Giuseppe’s Deli rolled out a customisable focaccia concept, backed by fresh pasta and rotating pizzette slabs. Together, they’ve turned The Oxley into a genuine choose-your-own-adventure dining destination, from morning coffee to late-night comfort food.
Kaktus Bar, Southport
Kaktus Bar brings a distinctly modern energy to Southport, blending bold cocktails, Latin-inspired bites and late-night appeal. Colourful interiors, playful plating and a soundtrack that leans into weekend mode make it a natural spot for after-dark catch-ups. It’s part bar, part social hub and a welcome addition for anyone looking to stretch dinner into something a little more spirited.
Reason for a road trip:
The Belongil, Byron Bay
A short drive south delivers one of the most ambitious openings of the past year. Led by acclaimed chef Shannon Bennett, The Belongil is a collection of dining experiences under one roof. Depending on your mood, you can settle into a more refined restaurant setting, opt for something relaxed and beachside, or ease into drinks and small plates as the sun goes down. Unified by seasonal produce, polished technique and thoughtful hospitality, it’s a destination designed to suit multiple occasions, whether you’re visiting for a long lunch, a special dinner or an easy weekend escape.
Missed a few from last year? Check out Hotel Jardin in Surfers Paradise, Padre Brewing Co. in Miami, River House in Southport and Costa Taco in Burleigh Heads. Want more? Join thousands of Gold Coast locals that plan their weekends with us – click here to subscribe to our newsletter, filled with the Gold Coast’s best food openings, culture news and weekend escapes.