AUSTRALIAN GOOD FOOD GUIDE - Home of the Chef Hat Awards

2023 Gold Coast Readers' Choice Awards

Chef Hat Ratings Explained  READ MORE >>

19 18Superlative Food & Wine: Internationally acclaimed
Worth a special journey
17 16Exceptional Quality of Cuisine
Worth a detour
15 14Food Quite Out of the Ordinary
Worth a stop on the way
13 12A Good Restaurant in its category
Commended
All StatesACTNSWNTQLDSATASVICWA
"So many delicious seafood choices"
Citrique

Citrique

Seafood   $$$$$   Opens at 6:30:AM

Surfers Paradise

13 Chef Hat Award
Citrique continues to deliver high standards expected of modern and elegant dining inside the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa on Ferny Avenue in Surfers Paradise. Interactive zones set in sleek...
Miss Moneypenny's Broadbeach

Miss Moneypenny's Broadbeach

Mediterranean   $$$$$   Opens at 12:00:PM

Broadbeach

12 Chef Hat Award Restaurant & Catering Association
Cutting-edge style delivering atmosphere-driven dining is what you will find at Miss Moneypenny's on Surf Parade in Broadbeach. Architecturally designed by leading Australian firm Kelly Designs and...
Etsu Izakaya

Etsu Izakaya

Japanese   $$$$$   Opens at 4:30:PM

Mermaid Beach

13 Chef Hat Award
Open the barn door at Etsu Izakaya on Gold Coast Highway in Mermaid Beach to discover a magical mystery tour of Japanese share-plate dining. Moody surrounds of neon signage, walls plastered with ph...
"Award-winning Share Plates."
Social Eating House & Bar

Social Eating House & Bar

Modern Australian   $$$$$   Opens at 12:00:PM

Broadbeach

14 Chef Hat Award Restaurant & Catering Association
Looking for somewhere 'social'? Social Eating House & Bar by Executive Chef, Matt Jefferson and his team is just the place you're looking for! Located at the base of Broadbeach's Oracle building, t...
"Readers' Choice 2020 - Italian"
Balboa Italian

Balboa Italian

Italian   $$$$$   Opens at 12:00:PM

Palm Beach

12 Chef Hat Award
For a truly memorable dining experience, enter Balboa Italian restaurant perched along Gold Coast Highway in Palm Beach. Guests are greeted by a towering red brick building, fitted out with charcoa...
For a reinvented take on a classic American diner experience, head to Fat Freddy’s Beach Bar & Diner on Gold Coast Highway in Broadbeach. This architecturally designed, modern space delivers an ele...
Experience the hustle and bustle of innovative izakaya dining at Yamagen in Surfers Paradise. Nestled in the QT Hotel on Staghorn Avenue, this vibrant restaurant blends old-school Japanese traditio...
Imagine a small bar in Asia off the beaten track and immerse yourself in true and authentic flavours at Eddy + Wolff on Ron Penhaligon Way in Robina. Named after the two streets the Vietnamese owne...
Orzo

Orzo

Italian   $$$$$   Opens at 12:00:PM

Broadbeach

Life is about exploring pasta-bilities at Chef-hatted Broadbeach Italian restaurant Orzo, on Oracle Boulevard. Sister venue to Social Eating House & Bar, Orzo oozes sophistication from indoor and o...
Sarabah Estate Vineyard

Sarabah Estate Vineyard

   Opens at 10:00:AM

Canungra

Nestled in the beauty of the Scenic Rim, good food and wine, magic views, peace and quiet await at Sarabah Estate on Rymera Road in Canungra. Set on 50 acres with just on 10 under grapes, this hidd...
Indulge all the senses in classic style at elegant Varsity Lakes restaurant The Brooklyn Wine + Tapas on Varsity Parade. Chill out after a busy day and image yourself in the library of an English m...
"Readers' Choice 2020 - Indian"
Indian Empire

Indian Empire

Indian   $$$$$   Opens at 5:00:PM

Runaway Bay

For flavoursome Indian cuisine after a day bargain hunting at Gold Coast’s Harbourtown outlet, head up Oxley Drive to Indian Empire restaurant. Relax by a large glass window and enjoy a feast of fl...
"Readers' Choice 2019 - Greek"
Xenia Coolangatta

Xenia Coolangatta

Greek   $$$$$   Opens at 12:00:PM

Coolangatta

Transporting visitors to the Mediterranean from the familiarity of Coolangatta is Xenia Grill, a Greek-inspired restaurant well-suited to the tropical, laidback setting on the corner of McLean Stre...
Cut & Grind Cafe

Cut & Grind Cafe

Cafe   $$$$$   Opens at 7:00:AM

Pacific Pines

For café fare that’s a cut above the rest, Pacific Pines locals head to Cut & Grind Café on Pitcairn Way. Nestled in the Stockland Shopping Centre, this unique community-focused diner incorporates ...
Oscar Italia

Oscar Italia

Italian   $$$$$   Opens at 5:00:PM

Varsity Lakes

Gold Coast community-focused eatery, Oscar Italia on Varsity Parade is the place to head in Varsity Lakes for pizza, pasta and family-friendly dining. With a nod to owner Leisa’s favourite poet Osc...
Jimmy Wah's

Jimmy Wah's

Vietnamese   $$$$$   Opens at 12:00:PM

Burleigh Heads

13 Chef Hat Award Restaurant & Catering Association
St Bernards Hotel Restaurant

St Bernards Hotel Restaurant

Bistro   $$$$$   Opens at 10:00:AM

Mount Tamborine

Hickory

Hickory

American   $$$$$   Opens at 5:00:PM

Tamborine Mountain

Feast and frolic to fill your heart at Hickory on the corner of Main Street and Main Western Road in Mt Tamborine. This fun and vibrant restaurant dishes up American BBQ fare in cool and trendy sur...
The Glenelg Public House

The Glenelg Public House

Steak   $$$$$   Opens at 12:00:PM

Mermaid Beach

Embracing the simple and welcoming concept of food, drink and community, The Glenelg Public House is a destination-worthy venue in Mermaid Beach. Located on the corner of Glenelg Avenue and Gold Co...