From long lunches to late nights – here are six places to settle in with steak frites on the Gold Coast

Pipi’s Restaurant, Coolangatta
If you prefer your frites with a view, it doesn’t get much better than Pipi’s Restaurant, which is set on the Point Danger headland. While seafood may lead the charge here, the steak offering more than holds its own, with a dedicated steak frites section spanning Angus tenderloin, richly marbled Wagyu sirloin and dry-aged rib eye. Each arrives with a pile of crisp fries and your pick of sauce – bearnaise, chimichurri and the like. It’s the kind of place where you begin with oysters and something sparkling, then pivot to steak as the sun sinks. Polished, unfussy and quietly indulgent, Pipi’s makes a convincing case for steak frites beyond the bistro.

Tarte Beach House, Currumbin
Perched on the edge of Currumbin Creek, Tarte Beach House leans into a breezier, more relaxed expression of steak frites. The MB3+ Wagyu sirloin is the anchor, flanked by shoestring fries and a trio of accompaniments – herbaceous chimichurri, a classic entrecote-style sauce and a slick of mustard butter. There’s a generosity to it, without tipping into meat coma territory. If you’re feeling less knife-and-fork, the same combination can be tucked into a warm semi-sourdough baguette, which leans more into sandwich territory without losing any of the indulgence. 10/10 recommend.

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Paloma Wine Bar, Burleigh Heads
Amongst the bustle of James Street, Paloma keeps its offering short and sharp – a tight wine list, a clutch of stools and a menu that far exceeds expectations. The steak frites follows suit – a 250 g Wagyu sirloin paired with peppercorn sauce and fries, handled with restraint so the quality speaks first. It’s less about excess and more about balance – best ordered with a glass you didn’t plan on having, then another you’re glad you did. Our pick is a crisp chilled red, delightful!

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Kirra Beach House, Kirra
With its wide-angle views over Kirra, this is a setting that encourages you to linger. The steak frites leans into that mood, offering a choice of 300 g MB3 scotch fillet or sirloin, accompanied by fries and finished with either cafe de Paris butter or a brandy and green peppercorn sauce. It’s generous, a touch decadent and entirely in step with its surroundings. Settle in, order something cold and let the afternoon stretch into evening.

Apres Surf Kitchen & Bar, Burleigh Heads
Just a hot-footed jump from the sand in beautiful Burleigh Heads, Apres Surf hums with that post-beach energy – a little salty, a little sunburnt and always ready for a drink. Come Friday, the steak frites special takes centre stage. It’s a $25 affair built on flank steak, cooked sous vide to a steady medium rare (no variations), then layered with a herby butter in the style of a classic entrecote. Served on a crusty Burleigh Baker baguette with fries on the side, it lands somewhere between sandwich and full plate – rich, savoury and made for easing into the evening.

Padre Brewing Co., Miami
Tucked into Miami’s industrial pocket, Padre Brewing Co. brings a laid-back, beer-first energy that makes steak frites feel a little more relaxed, but no less considered. The 300 g grass-fed sirloin is the hero here, served alongside a generous pile of crisp fries and your choice of green peppercorn sauce or chimichurri. It’s straightforward in the best way – good produce, cooked well, with just enough punch from the sauce to keep things interesting. Perfect for sharing, though you might think twice once it hits the table.