The 13 best restaurants on the Gold Coast

What is it? This glamorous bar and grill in Broadbeach serves fire-kissed food from one of the city’s only charcoal woodfire grills, along with seafood towers, caviar trolleys, roving Champagne and immersive cocktails.

Why go? The shiniest new jewel in the Gold Coast crown of restaurants, Kōst impresses in more ways than one. For starters, there’s the extremely attentive staff and incredibly luxurious space, featuring glamorous indoor booths, bar dining, outdoor pavilion stools and a private dining room. That’s not to mention the purpose-built dry-aged cool room and Australia’s first two-metre Mibrasa charcoal grill and oven. Kōst’s rather extensive menu splits share plates between the ocean, land and earth, with heroes like their fire-kissed yellowfin tuna, steak tartare with crisps, dry-aged cut cooked over embers and an extravagant seafood tower. 

What is it? One of the Gold Coast’s most celebrated restaurants where you can savour a medley of pan-Asian flavours right on the gorgeous waterfront at Burleigh Beach.

Why go? For ten years, Rick Shores has set the bar high for fine dining on the Gold Coast. The glamorous and contemporary Asian fusion menu draws inspiration from Vietnam and Thailand, featuring their now-famous fried Moreton Bay bug roll with bug mayonnaise and sriracha — arguably the Gold Coast’s most iconic snack. Rick’s cured king salmon sashimi and freshly shucked oysters with Thai vinaigrette go down a treat, while the roasted red duck curry and honey-glazed pork deserve a spot on your table for mains. You’ll need to book a table at Rick’s, but if you’re feeling spontaneous, arrive early and try to nab a table in the bar or on the sunny patio.

What is it? Burleigh Heads’ highest-rated Vietnamese restaurant blends traditional and contemporary cuisines to a backdrop of 50s, 60s and 70s tunes.

Why go? Named after the charismatic bar owner in Robin Williams’ Good Morning Vietnam, Jimmy Wah’s is as cheeky as it is charming. Long-time favourites include the soft shell crab banh mi, and the pork lard and prawn Vietnamese pancakes. But don’t waste time stressing over what to order and let the chefs decide with their multi-layered Feed Me menu.

What is it? Australia’s first floating beach club, featuring a fine dining restaurant, expansive bar and gorgeous pool surrounded by sun lounges, day beds and private cabanas.

Why go? Ocean gazing meets Mediterranean-inspired grazing at this boho-luxe beach club on the glistening Marina Mirage. In winter, share mezze plates and local seafood at the heated alfresco Māre restaurant, overlooking the glistening water and sublime skyline. In summer, bask in the warm rays with a Spritz in hand, lounging on day beds or sun lounges to soulful melodies and soft grooves.

What is it? A taste of Tokyo in Surfers Paradise, featuring an izakaya-style menu crafted by ex-Nobu chef Adam Lane. Yamagen also boasts the largest Japanese whisky collection in Australia, alongside cutting-edge cocktails and premium spirit flights. 

Why go? Neon lights and moody lighting set the scene at Yamagen, the QT’s signature restaurant and the Gold Coast’s first Japanese fine diner. Executive chef Adam Lane – of Nobu, Sake, Sushi E and Tetsuya’s fame – blends old-school techniques with bold Asian flavours, offering a feast of market-fresh sashimi, sushi platters, izakaya snacks, robata skewers and hot share plates. Trust chef Lane with one of his three premium omakase menus, showcasing delicacies like sashimi tacos, Wagyu beef gyoza, crispy pork belly, spicy popcorn prawns and miso-glazed glacier toothfish. Say kanpai with a yuzu or tea-infused cocktail, a sake flight or a choice from the extensive Japanese whisky and umeshu list.

What is it? A beautiful and airy 200-seat dining destination that embodies all the best parts of the Gold Coast, welcoming crowds from brunch to dinner.

Why go? This is a definite upgrade from your average surf’n’turf by the beach. The brainchild of brothers Jarrod Kyle and TJ Cianci, Siblings Kirra showcases the best of Australia’s seafood scene, moving from breads and raw bites to snacky plates, salads and mains. Bring the whole family to share classics, like Baja fish tacos and salt and pepper calamari, or splash out with prawn and bug meat risotto or the daily catch – available pan-seared or battered. Your liquid journey is serious business at Siblings, whether you’re after a whitecap, a big-personality red or a summery Spritz.

What is it? Burleigh Heads' very own edition of the playful, pastel modern-Asian diner loved in Bryon Bay and Noosa.

Why go? Expect shamelessly indulgent share plates served under sexy low lighting with a disco-heavy soundtrack. Start by ordering brioche buns loaded with prawns laced with yuzu tartare and furikake, plus delicately poached kingfish ceviche in smooth coconut and kefir lime. Can’t decide between the crispy pork belly and the Wagyu beef rendang? Surrender control and leave ordering in the hands of the team: they’ll surprise you with a series of excellently balanced dishes for a reasonable $69 per person.

What is it? Your go-to spot for a long lunch or a romantic sunset dinner, with stunning views over Burleigh Heads. 

Why go? This buzzing beachfront eatery is the fancy older sibling to The Burleigh Pavilion. With breathtaking ocean views and the soothing sound of crashing waves, it’s perfect for a relaxed dining experience at any time of day. The Tropic’s menu weaves Mediterranean flavours into reimagined Aussie classics, such as prawn cocktails, oysters mornay, lobster frites and a showstopping cold seafood platter to share. Don’t be shy with the cocktails, like the Tropic Bellini and Lights Out with chilli mango gin, passionfruit and citrus.

What is it? A stylish and intimate Parisian restaurant centred around an open-plan kitchen with a charcoal grill. 

Why go? Who needs the Eiffel Tower when you can experience the flavours of Paris just a few streets back from Burleigh Beach? Seek out this sophisticated European-style bistro headed by owner and chef Alex Munoz Labart (Monopole, Cirrus, Est). The menu moves with the seasons and you can watch the chefs work their magic from front-row seats near the charcoal grill. The shared set menu is a good shout, giving you tasters of signature plates, including the baked scallops bathed in peppercorn butter, rich king prawn ravioli, and barbecue quail with black fig and hibiscus gastrique (sweet and sour sauce).

What is it? A fast-casual taqueria slinging real-deal Mexican street food, with only one Aussie twist in sight.

Why go? Margarita Mondays, tacos Tuesdays, ceviche Saturdays – Costa Taco gives you an excuse to drop in every day of the week. From the taqueria’s humble beginnings as a pop-up at the Currumbin Community Market to the launch of its third joint in Broadbeach, Costa’s journey is a testament to its tasty tacos. Their young gun chefs, many of whom are Mexican and Latino immigrants, grill up street-style tacos filled with beef birria, sinaloa chicken and baja fish. We’d recommend ripping into their quesabirria, featuring two cheesy birria tacos grilled to crispy perfection and best enjoyed dunked in their legendary ‘consome’ (Mexican stew) sauce. 

What is it? A popular ‘casual fine diner’ with a strong Australian identity in Broadbeach.

Why go? If you’re in the business of being social while snacking, then this place has your name all over it. For more than a decade, this local hotspot, run by husband-and-wife team Matthew Jefferson (executive chef) and Dayna Cooper. has been serving sophisticated, seasonal dishes paired with succulent sips. Seafood takes centre stage on the bar snack menu, with the house charcuterie board and 12-hour slow-cooked lamb shoulder also bringing main character energy.

What is it? The cooler, coastal Italian cousin of Broadbeach’s longstanding Social Eating House. 

Why go? Orzo might take its name from a small rice-shaped pasta, but it’s big and bold on the flavour front. All of their pasta is rolled and cooked in-house daily using premium ‘OO’ flour imported all the way from Italy. From ravioli and rigatoni to casarecce and cavatelli, these dough strips dance in sauces with spanner crab, braised duck and ragu bolognese. Pair your pasta with classic European Spritzes or wines from sustainable grape growers in Italy.

What is it? A three-in-one dining, drinking and event destination that sits on the second floor of Kirra Beach Hotel. 

Why go? Kirra Beach House is the Gold Coast’s most ambitious and perhaps largest hospitality venue. The effortlessly chic 1,200 sqm space, with a capacity of roughly 700, features a full-service indoor restaurant, a sunny terrace with private cabanas, an intimate cocktail bar and a dedicated wine bar, along with private event spaces. That means you’ll have plenty of places to kick back with a cocktail in hand, as you take in uninterrupted ocean views over one of Australia's most famous breaks and indulge in Mediterranean-style grazing plates.