Little Truffle Dining Room & Bar turns 15 and is celebrating with a walk down memory lane menu
In an industry as fickle as hospitality, making it to 15 years is no small feat. But Little Truffle Dining Room & Bar has never been one to follow trends – it sets them. Somewhat hidden in plain sight along the Gold Coast Highway in Mermaid Beach, this fine-dining favourite is quietly celebrating its milestone birthday with a limited-time anniversary menu, which takes a walk down memory lane to deliver a selection of most-loved dishes from the archives.
Behind the crisp white tablecloths and heavy velvet curtain is chef-owner Daniel Ridgeway, who took a chance on the Gold Coast long before it became a dining destination. When Little Truffle Dining Room & Bar opened in 2010, Mermaid Beach wasn’t exactly the thriving culinary hub it is today. “Back then, Mermaid Beach wasn’t a fine-dining destination – Broadbeach and Tedder Avenue were the only places you’d expect to see a white-tablecloth restaurant,” says Daniel.
“People thought I was mad. But I had a vision,” he said. That vision was to create a contemporary Australian dining experience with personal touches and an unwavering standard of excellence.
The venue was built on a shoe-string budget by today’s standards. “My late father and I did everything ourselves. We demolished walls, assembled furniture, sanded and varnished tables by hand. My mum was our dishwasher and cleaner in those early years. We opened with just enough cash to pay our first week of staff wages – and hoped for the best,” he said.
Thankfully, the gamble paid off. But it wasn’t the overnight success restaurants today can experience.
“It was incredibly tough in the early years,” Daniel confesses. “We knew the food was good and the service was strong, but we were ahead of our time. Something shifted after year two – word of mouth grew, regulars returned and suddenly we were full most nights. Since then, the area’s exploded with great venues like Etsu and others opening nearby. I’m proud we helped create that momentum.”
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Over the years, Little Truffle has evolved into one of the Gold Coast’s most beloved institutions – not just for its consistently beautiful food, but for its warmth, service and strong sense of community. Daniel still runs the restaurant alongside his wife Ruggie, and many original team members have stayed the course, including executive chef Dustin Sanderson and long-time floor manager Josh Webber. The loyalty runs deep – from staff to regulars who’ve been dining there since day one.
To celebrate 15 years, the anniversary menu brings back six of the restaurant’s most-requested classics. It starts with a silky cauliflower, parsnip and truffle amuse-bouche, followed by a vibrant heirloom beetroot and whipped-ricotta salad. The Moreton Bay bug and prawn tortellini – a dish that’s never been taken off the menu – continues to tickle taste buds, as does the indulgent truffle-laced quail risotto and a slow-braised beef cheek with potato gnocchi that fans have begged to bring back since the last renovation. For dessert? A banana and chocolate souffle that just might outshine its famous raspberry predecessor.
Beneath the polished plating, Little Truffle is all heart – a space where fine dining feels inviting, not intimidating, and every element has a story to tell. Despite a full-scale renovation, there are still plenty of relics from the early days. “Keeping those around reminds me where it all started. It’s not about nostalgia – it’s about respect for the journey,” Danial says.
Now part of the Ridgeway Group, which also includes Madame V in Palm Beach, Kwila Lodge and Ridgeway Catering, Little Truffle continues to lead with integrity, genuine hospitality and a steadfast commitment to quality. And while it’s racked up its fair share of awards – including two AGFG hats and a recent Restaurant & Caterer’s win – Daniel remains focused on the moments that matter most – a well-executed dish, a guest who feels looked after and a restaurant that still feels like home.
The set menu is available now until the end of August for $135 per person. The menu must be pre-booked when making a reservation. Head here to book a table.