Lars Bar & Grill, Nobby Beach
Assuming prime position on the ground floor of The Oxley 1823 is Lars Bar & Grill. An irresistible ode to modern Australian cuisine, the eponymous venue is headed by second-generation chef, Lars Kollrepp, son of Gold Coast chef Marty Kollrepp (Oskars on Burleigh). Perhaps, most notably, is Lars’ most recent role as executive chef of renowned restaurateur Simon Gloftis’ group of restaurants, including Hellenika at The Calile Hotel, SK Steak & Oyster, Sunshine and Sushi Room. Although Lars has plenty of fine-dining experience under his belt, when it came to the menu, Lars has delivered what he refers to as “Gold Coast style”, which showcases sublime woodfired steak, hyper-local seafood and Queensland-driven produce.

Image credit: Kirra Smith Photography

Hanks, Kirra
When Siblings opened in 2022, it was like a breath of fresh, salty air to the famed Kirra foreshore. Since then, the southern Gold Coast has evolved into quite the foodie hub. This year, the beachside hotspot added another gem to its culinary crown – a sophisticated coastal European-inspired restaurant, Hanks, from the same crew that brought us Siblings. Nestled along Musgrave Street, Hanks delivers a slice of the Mediterranean, featuring a magnificent Sovrano marble bar, custom black-and-white geometric tiles, striped bench seats and low-hanging pendant lights. In terms of the menu, executive chef Blake Fewtrell has curated an inspired coastal dining experience with the likes of smoked wagyu crostino, salmon caviar, mountains of mortadella, blobs of burrata, handmade pasta and so much more. As with its sibling, Siblings, the drinks list is equally as curated and resembles your high school chemical science exam, except with booze.

Madame V, Palm Beach
Best known for their two-hatted restaurant Little Truffle Dining Room & Bar, Daniel and Ruggie Ridgeway opened the doors to a brand-new Asian-inspired concept that’s been more than a year in the making. From the moment you get a glimpse of the oriental doors embellished with mirrored gold handles, you get the sense that that Madame V is out to impress. As you step foot inside, your inkling is solidified once you gaze upon the chic lounge bar, which is framed by heavy emerald-hued curtains, striking chandeliers and a gorgeous bonsai. Make your way through to the main dining area and you’ll discover plush velvet booths paired with leather lounges, inviting you to settle in and get comfortable. Beyond her striking aesthetic, Madame V melds traditional and modern Asian flavours to create a unique and delicious dining experience.

Tommy’s Taco Bar, Currumbin
Little Tommy’s – the spirited younger sibling of Currumbin’s eternally popular Tommy’s Italian – underwent a spicy shake-up in October, transforming into Tommy’s Taco Bar. Although technically a pop-up, co-owner Tom Torchut has no plans to set a departure date. Perhaps it’s the tequila speaking, or maybe it’s the elecro-house beats giving Euro summer vibes, but there’s a sense of fun imbued in Tommy’s Taco Bar that’s utterly captivating. While Tom knows Italian fare like the back of his hand, turning his attention to Mexican cuisine was an enjoyable challenge, he says. The resulting menu meanders from classics such as nachos and tacos to some more unexpected bites including ceviche and beef tartare. While the setting is informal, Tom has found ways to subtly weave in elevated elements, such as the coconut margarita, which is made with coconut water, and the corn chips that are freshly fried to order so they arrive at your table warm, making the guac sing. Rounding out the offering is a tequila and mezcal-heavy selection of cocktails and shots.

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Pipi’s by Gambaro, Coolangatta
The Gambaro Group has long been synonymous with elevated epicurean experiences in Brisbane, but this year, the hospitality dynasty made the move down to the Gold Coast to open not one, but two new venues on the southern Gold Coast. Nestled on level two of Awaken on Point Danger’s pinnacle, Pipi’s offers panoramic views over Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and Duranbah Beach. When it comes to the menu, Pipi’s is inspired by the healthy and wholesome elements of Mediterranean cuisine – think sustainable meat, seafood and vegetables. Opening with oysters and caviar bumps, it’s clear you’re in for a memorable dining experience.

LimLay Thai, Burleigh Heads
Having opened 11 restaurants in ten years, hospitality veterans Pattaree (Pat) Jiranuchaiwattana and Vitchaya (Alex) Hasitawet know what it takes to create a memorable venue. Having previously opened Nahm Talay Thai in Surfers Paradise, Nahm Thai in Coomera, Chong Co Thai at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, and most recently, Valyn Thai Restaurant & Bar in Isle of Capri, the pair has been instrumental in fuelling our ongoing love affair with Thai cuisine. Their latest, LimLay Thai, could very well be the most impressive yet. Amalgamating two prominent sites along the Gold Coast Highway (formerly occupied by SuzyBBQ and Ghanda), earlier this year, the sizeable new venue made an immediate impression on the locals. Although inspired by street food, the eatery brings together traditional flavours from all over Thailand alongside modern, high-end plating techniques to create a thoroughly unique and enjoyable dining experience.

Amore Ristorante, Southport
Earlier this month, the Gold Coast welcomed Queensland’s first TRYP by Wyndham Southport, the first of four towers that will form part of Azzura Investment Limited’s $3.8-billion Imperial Square development. While a new hotel is indeed exciting, we’re always keen to check out the culinary offering and Amore Ristorante does not disappoint. Boasting one of the Gold Coast’s largest pizza ovens imported from Italy, pizza and pasta form a significant portion of the menu that is curated by executive chef Robert McWhinnie and spans casual eats right through to elevated Italian cuisine.

Sandfire, Miami
Miami’s new beachfront tapas bar, Sandfire, is perfect for those partial to a brew with a view. Perched atop North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club, the venue has all of the fundamentals of a good time with a globe-trotting menu, pina-colada flights and mesmerising vistas of the ocean. When it comes to the fare, it’s not your typical surf club grub, no siree. It’s Sicilian mussels flanked by duck roulade, fish florentine and mushroom gnocchi. If you’re yet to discover this seaside gem, do yourself a favour.

Big Papi’s Cocina, Coolangatta
We come across a lot of restaurants in this line of work and each one has a unique story to tell. Every now and then, a place pops up that stops us in our tracks. Big Papi’s Cocina in Coolangatta is that place. Dedicated to contemporary Latin American street food, the venue promises to excite your senses with punchy flavours, interesting sips and one big personality. The venue is the latest offering from hatted chef Kevin Fredes (who previously co-owned the award-winning Paella Y Pa’Mi in Coorparoo), alongside Carrie Edgar and Corrine Klein. While Paella Y Pa’Mi was dedicated exclusively to Spanish-style eats, Big Papi’s Cocina is an expression of Kevin’s life growing up in the Latin community, and aims to guide diners outside of their culinary comfort zone in the best and most delicious way possible.

Blessing of the Sun, Mermaid Beach
As society on the whole tends to lean into a bigger equals better mentality, when it comes to hospitality venues, it’s the smaller, hole-in-the-wall spots with one chef in the kitchen that capture our attention. If you too appreciate the little spaces with a big heart, Blessings of the Sun is right up your alley. The quaint 26-seater opened in May and quickly found a spot in our rotation. The venue is the realisation of a long-held dream for owner and chef Kohta Iwamoto, who honed his skills at Nao izakaya in Otsu, Kyoto, before tackling Spanish, Italian and modern Australian cuisines. So when it came to creating the menu, Kohta brought together a variety of influences to curate a succinct selection that is geared towards small plates to graze over a cocktail.

Image credit: Mathilde Bouby

Norté and Sueño, Mermaid Beach
While it’s not custom to include venues that haven’t opened yet, in the case of Norté and Sueño, we’re willing to make an exception. The venues, which are set to open at The Oxley 1823 oh-so-soon, will be the latest from the team behind Burleigh institution Rick Shores as well as Brisbane’s Southside. Five years in the making, the venues are inspired by the group’s travels across Latin America. Of course we’ll bring you all of the delicious details when they’re ready to roll, but we think you’ll agree they well and truly deserve a spot on this list.

Honourable Mentions:
As much as we would love to have included every restaurant that opened its doors this year, our word count would simply not allow it. If you’re keen to check out some more that we loved, Kickin’Inn brought a delightfully messy seafood experience to Broadbeach, while on the northern end, Holy Ship Bar & Restaurant made waves as a new floating restaurant. Le Petit Chef brought French flair to Mermaid Waters and ATTO delivered a new take on Korean cuisine.

Be sure to check out our round up of best cafes and casual eateries and best bars and boozers.