All fired up – Southport ignites with wood-fired pizzas and spicy cocktails at Fire Baby
Southport has turned up the heat with the arrival of Fire Baby on Welch Street – a custom-built venue that’s as ambitious as it is impressive. Three years in the making, the first stage has officially opened its doors, revealing a casual pizzeria and bar that sets the tone for what’s to come.
Step inside Fire Baby and you’ll see why this is one of the most striking new builds on the Gold Coast. The design by Phillip Buchanan (Burleigh Design) and brought to life by Theo Meredith and TDM Constructions is bold and atmospheric, cloaked in rich red brick that makes the whole space feel like a grand wood-fired oven. The two-level venue has been purpose-built for connection – think long communal tables for group catch-ups, smaller nooks for cosy dates and a sprawling upstairs bar and seating area that comes alive from 5:00 pm.
At the helm of the kitchen is executive chef Bradley Davids, whose South African heritage brings a love of fire and barbecue to the menu, alongside master pizzaiolo Vincenzo Quaranta, who grew up making pizzas in his Italian family’s kitchen before honing his craft in Sydney. Together they’ve created a flame-licked menu of woodfired pizzas, indulgent antipasti and crowd-pleasing snacks.
Pizzas run from the simple perfection of a margherita to heartier signatures like the Calabrese (hot salami and onion), Siciliana (ham, olives and artichokes), and Patate e Salsiccia (roast potato, Italian sausage, rosemary, provolone and honey). Cheese lovers can dive into the molten bliss of the Quattro Formaggi, which is about as decadent as pizza can get. Gluten-free bases and vegan cheese ensure nobody misses out.
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The bar is every bit as considered as the food. Signature cocktails like the Inferno Mezcal Margarita (mezcal, Cointreau, agave, chilli and smoked salt) and the refreshing Mediterranean Bloom (St-Germain, limoncello, Aperol, gin and grapefruit) bring theatre and balance. For non-drinkers, mocktails such as lemon-myrtle iced tea spritz or spiced-chai lemonade offer a sophisticated alternative. A tight wine list blends European classics with local favourites, while the shelves are lined with craft beers, small-batch gins and whiskies.
As impressive as it is, the pizzeria is just the beginning. In November, Ember by Fire Baby will ignite the next stage – a smart-casual dining experience centred around charcoal cooking. Expect table service and a menu that showcases flame-kissed steak, seafood and inventive salads. Looking even further ahead, in coming years the project will expand into even more ambitious territory, with plans for a closed-in garden-like space with trees, plants and an artisan bakery.
Fire Baby is the first hospitality project for local owner Dr Michael Read and Donna Read. Michael is a Southport-born doctor and passionate community advocate. Having already invested in the area through his medical centre, childcare, coffee shop and dental clinic, this venue is part of his vision to reimagine Southport as a vibrant and thriving hub.
Southport’s dining scene has a new flame, and it’s burning bright. Whether it’s a family pizza night, cocktail hour upstairs, or a long-overdue catch-up with friends, Fire Baby brings atmosphere, flavour and ambition in equal measure – with plenty more still to come.
Head to The Directory for opening times.