Hidden in plain sight – discover this tucked-away laneway restaurant in Burleigh Heads
Blink and you’ll miss it. Set back from the street, down an unassuming driveway just moments from Burleigh’s bustle, The Laneway is the kind of place you wouldn’t stumble upon unless you knew it was there. And that’s exactly the point.
While a venue with zero street frontage might raise a few eyebrows, for owner Shonel Alloway – the hospitality name behind Nobby Beach mainstay The Arc and a string of past venues – the appeal of this tucked-away pocket was immediate. Formerly home to JFK Woodfire Kitchen & Bar, the space had been sitting quietly since its closure late last year. When it became available, Shonel didn’t hesitate.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for this location,” she says. “You’re so close to everything, but it feels completely separate.”
What she’s created leans into that sense of escape. The Laneway feels deliberately removed – a leafy, low-lit hideaway where the pace softens and dining becomes the focus again. The outdoor area has been completely reworked, with fake grass replaced by an expansive new deck, lush greenery and a kitchen garden where herbs and edible flowers are grown. Inside, it’s warm and grounded – timber tones, soft lighting and a layout that feels more like someone’s home than a restaurant.
It’s also a conscious return to a more traditional style of hospitality.
“There’s no QR codes here,” Shonel says. “I wanted to bring the romance of dining back.”
That thinking carries through to the menu. At its core, it nods to the familiarity of pizza and pasta, but doesn’t stop there. You can settle in with a classic Neapolitan-style pizza or a bowl of house-made gnocchi, or move through a line-up of starters like zingy salmon crudo, golden arancini and slow-cooked pork belly that’s quickly become a favourite.
Head chef Jefferson Kingkoi, who has worked alongside Shonel for the past eight years, leads the kitchen. The approach is grounded in Italian tradition but not confined by it, with subtle Asian influences woven throughout. Pastas and gnocchi are made in-house, sauces are built from scratch and even familiar dishes come with a shift in perspective – the steak frites, for example, arrives as a sandwich, designed to be dipped into a rich peppercorn sauce.
Dessert is given equal consideration. The line-up leans into nostalgia, spanning a reworked ice-cream sandwich layered with meringue, a fragrant kaffir lime creme brulee and a show-stopping chocolate-orange souffle – the kind of dish you don’t see nearly as often anymore.
The drinks list follows suit. Cocktails are polished but approachable, designed to surprise without overcomplicating things. The Slow Burn – a rum-based mix with apricot liqueur – has quickly become a standout, alongside the fruit-forward Peachy Keen. There’s also a considered selection of wines, beers and spritzes, plus a $99 long-lunch offering that invites you to settle in and stay a while.
Subscribe for updatesWhile the space tilts towards date night, it hasn’t forgotten its local roots. Families are well catered for, with a thoughtful kids menu, colouring-in, a contained outdoor area and even a small fairy garden tucked amongst the herbs. With space for around 120 guests and the flexibility to host functions, The Laneway is built to accommodate.
It’s hidden, yes. But not in a way that keeps people out. More in a way that makes it feel like you’re in on the secret.
The Laneway is now open in Burleigh Heads. Head to The Directory for opening times.
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