Hanks, Kirra
Nestled along Musgrave Street, Hanks has completely transformed the former home of Bread and Butter into a show-stopping slice of the Mediterranean. With roughly 80 seats scattered across the internal dining space as well as the sidewalk, the new concept from the Siblings team is serving up an impeccable coastal dining experience. From snacks such as smoked wagyu crostino and salmon caviar to chargrilled octopus alongside glistening blobs of burrata and pork belly with salsa verde, Hanks continues southern Gold Coast’s glow up into a culinary haven.

Cowboys, Surfer’s Paradise
This month saw Surfer’s Paradise gain a bucking new bar experience, Cowboys. As its name would suggest, Cowboys is home to plenty of country charm and Southern hospitality. The sibling to an award-winning venue found across the Tasman in Queenstown, Cowboys is hidden beneath Tiki Village International Resort. In terms of the menu, expect simple but delicious pub-style classics, designed to be enjoyed alongside a fun-filled night of line dancing and a ride on the bar’s bucking bull. 

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Mercado, Mermaid Waters 
After satiating taco fiends from Byron to Broadbeach, the crew behind Costa Tacos opened the doors this month to a new cafe concept. Mercado has taken over the former Espresso Moto space, serving up a menu that melds Southern California’s vibrant food culture with our local twang. Start your mornings right with Mercado’s breaky burritos, Mexican plates and the house signature, ‘drowned eggs’ – a Mexican-style green shakshuka. Even a few Costa faves, like the beloved chilaquiles, can be found on the menu as well as a drool-worthy selection of sandwiches. 

Amore Ristorante, Southport
The Gold Coast is set to welcome a brand-new hotel – TRYP by Wyndham Southport, with the first glimpse of the anticipated hotel’s culinary offering Amore Ristorante opening last week. Boasting one of the Gold Coast’s largest pizza ovens imported from Italy, pizza and pasta will form a significant portion of the menu. Executive chef Robert McWhinnie has curated the offering, which spans from casual eats to elevated Italian cuisine. Graze on primi plates of oysters and Venetian scallops alongside blossoms stuffed with crab mousse and burrata from Byron Bay. The pasta is a stand-out, with each pillow and strand made in house. The wagyu beef bolognese is set to be a crowd favourite, followed by the pumpkin tortellini and the fresh crab and Ballina pipis.

Lobby, Currumbin 
Lobby leads the first crop of tenants at The Warehouses (Currumbin’s new sun-dappled hub of food, work and leisure). The neighbourhood coffee nook by the founder of Tugun’s Good Day Coffee offers a streamlined start to your morning. Expect good coffee courtesy of Sydney roastery Reuben Hills, a sleek interior and a lean menu, featuring a taste bud-tantalising ham, onion relish and comte jaffle alongside a curried eggplant jaffle. Sweet tooths will be happy to hear Lobby is also home to a well-stocked pastry cabinet of goodies from The Bread Social.

Harahetta Ramen, Coolangatta
Harahetta Ramen has already carved out its place in the southern Gold Coast’s vibrant food scene, thanks to a captivating mix of Japanese street food, slurp-worthy bowls and laid-back charm. Harahetta, which is Japanese slang for ‘I’m hungry,’ is the brainchild of the husband-wife duo previously behind Goukai Ramen. The pair opted to head south, leaving behind their beloved Burleigh ramen spot to give Tweed a new home of hearty bowls of ramen, golden karaage and icy-cold beer. With house-made tonkotsu ramen as the main event, the restaurant is an ode to the vibrant back alleys of Tokyo’s Kabukicho district.

Hanks image: Kirra Smith Photography
Harahetta Ramen image:Pandanus Lane