From waterfront fine dining to flame-kissed feasts, Mediterranean daydreams and heartfelt neighbourhood gems, 2025 has been a bumper year for dining on the Gold Coast. Here are the venues that shaped the foodie scene this year – the openings we talked about, returned to and eagerly recommended to friends. Let’s tuck in …
Few openings this year created as much buzz as the Mondrian Gold Coast, which entered the scene with not one but two impressive dining concepts. At the heart of the offering sits Haven – a beautifully refined yet breezy dining room that captures the essence of Burleigh’s coastline on the plate. Executive chef Aaron Teece champions hyper-local produce with a confident touch, think spanner crab atop a crisp waffle, dry-aged yellowfin tuna with garum vinaigrette and a wood-fired scallop pie already achieving cult status. Haven shifts seamlessly from sunlit lunches to elegant twilight dinners, framed by ocean views and grounded in sustainably minded sourcing. Downstairs, LiTO brings a lively counterpoint – a Mediterranean-leaning venue with spritz-friendly dishes, alfresco energy and a relaxed coastal charm that makes it the perfect complement to Haven’s refined offering.
The striking new-look Mamasan, image credit: Jade Quinlivan
A decade after first winning the hearts of the Gold Coast, beloved Broadbeach icon Mamasan returned this year with a dramatic top-to-toe reinvention. And while this list is dedicated to new openings, Mamasan has pushed well beyond simple renovation territory and firmly into complete-rebuild. The redesign delivers moody glamour in spades, with sculpted banquettes, charred timber, quartzite bars and perfectly dim, date-night lighting. Executive chef Sebastian Tan has turned the heat up too, pairing cult favourites like sticky lamb ribs and pillowy bao with bold new showstoppers including tea-smoked wagyu ribs and Typhoon Shelter lobster. Elevated cocktails and a polished wine list round out the transformation, creating a dining experience that feels indulgent, dynamic and unmistakably Mamasan. Bigger, bolder and buzzing with newfound energy, it’s easily one of the year’s standout reopenings.
Surfers Paradise welcomed a touch of elevated European charm this year with the opening of Hotel Jardin – a multi-level dining destination that brings Riviera-inspired sophistication to the beachside suburb. Set within Chevron Renaissance, Hotel Jardin unfolds as a collection of distinct spaces, each with its own mood and rhythm. There’s the breezy open-air terrace made for aperitivo hour, a refined brasserie ideal for long, unhurried lunches, and upstairs, an intimate cocktail bar perfect for lingering conversations. Still to come is a lively rooftop, set to crown the venue with another layer of atmosphere. Polished yet relaxed, the space feels transportive without ever losing its Gold Coast ease. Whether you’re popping in for a spritz, settling into a decadent dinner or simply letting the evening unfold at its own pace, Hotel Jardin delivers European flair wrapped in warm coastal sensibility.
Chef Grant Madgwick brings decades of global experience to the plate at River House, image credit: Jade Quinlivan
Southport welcomed a serious new dining contender this year with the opening of River House – an elegant waterfront restaurant led by executive chef Grant Madgwick, the talent behind the much-loved Artichoke on Ephraim Island and a career spanning acclaimed kitchens and luxury superyachts. Though the surrounding precinct may feel unassuming, the moment you step inside, River House shifts the mood entirely. Sunlight spills across the water, striped umbrellas flutter on the deck and the dining room unfolds in soft layers of texture and warmth. Grant’s menu showcases the polished, contemporary coastal cooking he’s known for – scallop ceviche brightened with lime and turmeric, melt-in-your-mouth beef carpaccio, slow-cooked short ribs enriched with massaman and XL barbecued Moreton Bay bugs paired with duck-fat potatoes. A standout drinks list – from Ruinart and Cristal to boutique Australian drops and playful cocktails – completes the experience. Elegant, welcoming and unmistakably Gold Coast, River House feels like a new classic in the making.
A spread of flame-licked fare at Ember at Fire Baby, image credit: Mathilde Bouby
Southport turned up the heat this year with the arrival of Fire Baby – a two-storey venue built entirely around the drama and allure of flame. Conceived by locals Michael and Donna Read, the striking building is impossible to miss. With soaring ceilings, exposed red-brick walls, glowing embers and the kind of flickering warmth that draws people in from the street, it’s little wonder why it made an immediate impression. At the heart of the action is a roaring pizza oven, where executive chef Bradley Davids and master pizzaiolo Vincenzo craft blistered, Neapolitan-style pies alongside smoky small plates and vibrant antipasti. Later in the year we were gifted its second-stage reveal – Ember – which deepened the venue’s fire-focused identity with charcoal-driven mains, theatrical cooking and a moodier, more immersive dining experience. Think flame-licked proteins, bold sauces, a little smoke and plenty of drama. Together, Fire Baby and Ember mark a powerful one–two punch for Southport’s dining scene – a warm, energetic hub where the atmosphere is as much a drawcard as the food.
Meltemi Mediterrania, image credit: Dan Peled Photography
Meltemi Mediterrania swept into Broadbeach with the breezy confidence of a restaurant that knows exactly what it wants to be – a sophisticated, sun-soaked celebration of Mediterranean flavours. Under the direction of hatted chef Tapos Singha, the menu roams from Greece and Sardinia to Morocco and Spain, all anchored by seafood and charcoal smoke. Think saffron-laced flounder, coral-trout crudo, rotisserie lamb and plates designed for languid, wine-filled evenings. With its warm coastal palette and holiday energy, Meltemi feels like dining on a terrace somewhere far away – only you don’t need a passport. This one is a definite must-try!
One Eighty in Labrador, image credit: Janna Hrastovec
A love letter to high-end Japanese yakitori, One Eighty has delivered a rare level of craftsmanship to the northern Gold Coast. Helmed by chef Akihiro Kitade – formerly of Michelin-awarded Yakitori Abe in Tokyo – the omakase experience centres on expertly skewered chicken cooked over glowing coals. Alongside the yakitori come jewel-like sashimi, miniature sukiyaki, oysters and luxe add-ons. Intimate, transportive and meticulously executed, One Eighty sets a new bar for Japanese dining on the Gold Coast.
The aburi taco starter at YORU in Nobby Beach, image credit: Jade Quinlivan
One of the year’s most heartfelt openings, YORU is a Korean–Japanese izakaya brought to life by husband-and-wife team Jessica and Adam Long, who spent more than a decade dreaming of opening a place of their own. The menu strikes a beautiful balance between comfort and surprise, we’re talking crispy katsu alongside lemon-butter scallops, bibimbap served next to freshly shucked oysters, and a show-stealing 9+ wagyu skewer that almost every table orders twice. The drinks list is just as inviting, spanning colourful cocktails, soju highballs and Japanese whisky, with an outdoor Korean BBQ setup soon to add even more atmosphere. Warm, personal and quietly confident, YORU already feels like a neighbourhood favourite in the making.
A spread of dishes at BabyMama in Nobby Beach, image credit: Jade Quinlivan
The second entry in this year’s best-of list from renowned restaurateurs Lauren and JP Duitsch, BabyMama began as a temporary stand-in during Mamasan’s hiatus and swiftly evolved into a hot-ticket dining destination of its own. The moody, intimate space feels far too considered to be fleeting, so news that it will remain throughout summer comes as a welcome relief. The menu delivers a greatest-hits selection of Mamasan favourites alongside playful new creations from chef Sebastian Tan. From Sichuan burrata to scallop-and-prawn brioche toast and a show-stopping 72-hour roasted duck, BabyMama is proof that a pop-up can absolutely steal the spotlight.
The interior of The Belongil, the latest culinary venture from Shannon Bennett, image credit: supplied
A little south of the border – but too remarkable not to include – The Belongil opened this week and has already emerged as a standout success, marking one of Australia’s most ambitious hospitality projects of the decade. Spearheaded by Shannon Bennett and Glen Norman, the precinct unfolds as four distinct venues – a fine diner, a relaxed bistro, a hidden speakeasy and a beachfront kiosk – each crafted with deep intention and meticulous detail. Backed by a world-class culinary team and grounded in sustainability, The Belongil feels less like a restaurant opening and more like a bold reimagining of what Australian hospitality can be. A pilgrimage-worthy experience for any food lover.
Honourable mentions
As much as we wanted to include every exciting new arrival, our word count had other plans – but we’d be remiss not to shout out a few more of our faves from the year including Papa Rolly’s in Carrara and Pokkoi in Coolangatta, both worthy contenders in their own right. Also, check out our recap of best bars and best cafes and casual eateries.
