Say hello to Haven – Burleigh’s new go-to for elevated coastal dining
Burleigh Heads has officially entered a new chapter with the opening of the Mondrian Gold Coast. At its heart is Haven – a sophisticated, produce-driven restaurant that brings the essence of the coastline to the plate.
Perched overlooking the Burleigh foreshore, Haven is already drawing attention for its seamless blend of refined dining and relaxed, coastal charm. Led by executive chef Aaron Teece, the venue showcases a hyper-local, seafood-forward menu that’s built on clean flavours, native ingredients and thoughtful sourcing.
“Burleigh Heads is such a rich and diverse part of the coast and that natural beauty really shaped the menu at Haven,” Aaron explains. “We’ve leaned into what’s around us – line-caught fish, oysters from nearby waterways, spanner crab from the Tweed Coast and king prawns out of Ballina.”
Aaron, who has cooked for royalty and led kitchens across London and Australia, now finds himself returning to his roots. Through Haven’s menu, he’s championing the flavours of the Northern Rivers and beyond with signature dishes like hand-picked spanner crab on a crab waffle, dry-aged yellowfin tuna with garum vinaigrette and a showstopping wood-fired scallop pie with curry sauce that’s already become a firm favourite.
“We’ve aimed for something refined but relaxed – food that’s thoughtful without feeling too fussy,” he says.
The menu is set to shift with the seasons, reflecting the changing abundance of the region. “It’s all about connecting with the landscape through flavour,” Aaron says.
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Sustainability also plays a central role. “We cook with a nose-to-tail, root-to-stem mindset,” Aaron tells us. “It means using the whole ingredient, being smart about leftovers and letting what’s in season guide the menu.”
Designed as an all-day dining destination, Haven moves effortlessly from sunlit lunches to twilight dinners, framed by the ocean and delivered with a casual elegance that already feels at home here on the Gold Coast.
Down on the ground floor, LiTO offers something completely different – a lively, Mediterranean-inspired venue from head chef Andrea Morigi, where Italian flavours meet coastal ease. With its open kitchen, alfresco terrace and laid-back energy, LiTO is about long, spritz-fuelled afternoons and flavour-packed dishes from lobster bucatini to tableside tiramisu.
After much ado, the culinary offering at Mondrian Gold Coast has landed not with fanfare, but with focus – offering something grounded, elevated and distinctly local. With its focus on sustainability, seasonality and detail, Haven offers a thoughtful new expression of modern-Australian dining on the Gold Coast.
Head to The Directory for booking information.