The Dish: Gold Coast food news you might have missed this week

Jun 11, 2025, updated Jul 23, 2025
Ollie Hansford and David Flynn at Marlowe, opening soon in South Brisbane | Credit: James Frostick
Ollie Hansford and David Flynn at Marlowe, opening soon in South Brisbane | Credit: James Frostick

A lot is happening on the Gold Coast (and surrounds) these days, it’s almost too much to keep up with. The Dish is a rapid-fire rundown of the coast’s food news – quick taster-sized tidbits to keep you in the know and, perhaps, tickle your taste buds. This week we’ve got word of a new venue from the Rick Shores crew, a Christmas in July feast and a seriously saucy sanga.

The team behind Rick Shores and Norté is adding another gem to its collection
A nostalgic, produce-driven bistro is set to open this September in South Brisbane’s heritage-listed Merivale Flats. Led by acclaimed chef Ollie Hansford, Marlowe blends old-school Australian charm with a modern bistro edge, serving up dishes like coral trout Wellington, braised-duck pie and prawn-cocktail tartlets. A raw bar, custom-built woodfire hearth and deep-diving Australian wine list complete the picture, promising a multi-sensory dining experience layered with history, flavour and a true sense of place. Read all about this eagerly anticipated newcomer here.

LaSanga by Chef Frankie, available at Joe’s Deli

Joe’s Deli and Chef Frankie have joined forces for the ultimate winter sandwich – the LaSanga
For a limited time (and limited to just 20 a day), this saucy lovechild combines Joe’s cult-favourite sangas with Chef Frankie’s wildly popular wagyu lasagna. Served on a parmesan brioche bun and loaded with Napoli sauce, truffle mayo, salsa verde and shaved parmesan, it’s the kind of sandwich dreams are made of. With Joe’s slinging 2000 sangas a week and Frankie’s lasagna in sky-high demand, this mash-up won’t last long – wrap your mitts around it at Joe’s Deli until August 10, or risk eternal food FOMO.

Burly Christmas in July, photo Sentience Studio

Burly Bar in Currumbin is giving Christmas in July a seriously tasty twist with a one-night-only festive feast
For just $45, guests can settle in for a three-course set menu featuring cosy seasonal favourites like roast pumpkin with buffalo mozzarella, crispy porchetta with blood orange and witlof salad, and a pear, apple and ginger crumble that practically tastes like holiday cheer. The evening will also include a line-up of Christmas-inspired cocktails, all served in Burly’s warm and stylish gin-soaked surrounds. It’s the kind of winter dining event that’s worth donning your festive knits for – but be quick, this one’s only happening once!

Head to Tweed River House for scones, chandeliers and a riverside view
After a wildly popular debut, the award-winning Tweed River House is now making its elegant High Tea a weekly affair, served every Saturday in its grand colonial-style dining room. For $90 per person, guests are treated to a luxe spread of five sweet and five savoury bites – think ocean trout gravlax, lobster mini rolls, rosella jam-topped scones and a snicker-peanut financier that promises to leave a lasting impression. Add in Mayde Tea, Bastion Lane coffee and one seriously charming riverside setting, and you’ve got the makings of a very refined (and very delicious) weekend ritual. Bookings essential.

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Chocolate lovers, get ready – Yo-Chi has teamed up with New Zealand’s iconic Whittaker’s for the ultimate winter indulgence. For four weeks only, you can top your fro-yo with chunks of Whittaker’s Coconut Block and Creamy Caramel, making dessert runs feel a little more deluxe. And if you want to feel extra smug about your sweet tooth, Yo-Chi’s cult-fave KeepCup Go Bowls are also back – now in four fresh colourways, including a secret Mystery Colour. Bring yours in and score 10% off your order, proving that doing your bit for the planet can be both cute and delicious. It’s the self-serve, chocolate-splashed, sustainability-loving treat we didn’t know we needed this winter.

Crafted Beer Festival returns with brews, barbecue and beats by the beach
The Gold Coast’s favourite frothie fest, Crafted Beer Festival, returns for its ninth edition on Saturday September 13, promising more than 50 breweries, 400-plus brews and a full day of seaside sipping. Expect exclusive drops, small-batch rarities and the return of local legends like Balter, Black Hops and Burleigh Brewing, plus newcomers including Kaiju! Beer and Perentie. This year debuts Crafted Smokeshow, a fiery barbecue zone serving up brisket, wings and burgers alongside live demos and eating comps. Add in Beddy Rays headlining a killer music line-up, creative cocktails from Granddad Jack’s, and wine masterclasses from Carafe Wines, and you’ve got a full-sensory festival of brews, beats and beachside bites. Tickets are on sale now.

Got a hot tip for us? Shoot us an email at [email protected], we’d love to hear it!