The recap: the best new Gold Coast restaurants, bars and cafes
If January was a warm-up, February fired on all cylinders, welcoming several new cafes, restaurants and bars to the fold. From street food to high-end eateries, here are some of the best new openings we covered in February. Put these on your hit list!
Dipcro Pastry, Main Beach
Kicking off our February features was the sweet news that Chevron Island’s pastry parlour Dipcro was heading north to open a second outpost at Main Beach. Just like its original, the pastry kitchen at the new location is fully visible through large glass windows so diners can watch on as the dough is carefully crafted, folded, laminated and baked to perfection. At triple the size of its flagship location, there’s now ample room both inside and across a sun-kissed alfresco area for Dipcro fans to indulge in their favourite pastries with a coffee in hand. In the eye-catching display cabinet, you’ll spy a line-up of picture-perfect pastries like buttery croissants and almond croissants, pain au chocolat, knotted cinnamon scrolls, strawberry-topped danishes, caramelised-pecan scrolls, hazelnut-praline crombolinis, chocolate-drizzled crookies, pistachio scrolls and mille-feuille.
Cook Club, Mudgeeraba
Unless you’re a golf enthusiast or recently married, it’s entirely likely you’ve never stumbled across Boomerang Farm. Hidden along Johns Road in Mudgeeraba, the 200-acre mixed-use property is now in the hands of visionary restaurateur Stevie Filipovic (the creative force behind Light Years and Hotel Panchos) and Jonathan Leishman, who have some pretty exciting plans for the estate, starting with Cook Club, the venue’s on-site restaurant. Helmed by chef Rodrigo Paraboa, whose culinary pedigree includes Paper Daisy, Little Truffle, and most recently Moustache at The Oxley, the menu spans from breakfast to lunch with the likes of kingfish ceviche with compressed melon and coconut cream, grilled prawns on betel leaves and the signature wood-fire-grilled snapper with coconut yellow curry. If you’re looking for a drive-and-dine destination, add Cook Club to your list, stat.
Butter Bodega, Labrador
Butter Bodega is the northern Gold Coast’s newest hybrid convenience store – part sandwich haven, part independent grocer and all-around coffee stop. Springing to life underneath Aqua along Marine Parade, Butter Bodega has become a popular pit-stop for excellent coffee, artisan sandwiches and locally sourced goods. The coffee is by Melbourne’s Padre and there’s a scattering of fun iced creations on offer, including the caramel-popcorn-topped iced latte, which tastes like dessert in a cup. When it comes to the food, owners Monique and Ivan tested hundreds of variations before settling on a succinct, quality-driven menu. The Bangalow spiced pastrami on New York rye is a delightful take on a classic Reuben, and if you fancy a bold flavour, wrap your mitts around the black-truffle squid-ink salami with honey on a seeded baguette.
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Ramen Kyo, Mermaid Beach
While tradition tends to favour pork as the preferred protein in ramen, Mermaid’s Ramen Kyo is flipping the script to make chicken the hero ingredient, which gives it a lighter feel that’s on trend in Japan right now. Each bowl that emerges from the open kitchen is a labour of love, from the handmade noodles to the rich broth, which is made from scratch. The Shiro White is as delicious and creamy as they come, yet there’s no dairy involved. The cloudy appearance of this bowl comes from the bone marrow, which gives it that silky-smooth texture. If you can handle the heat, the Aka Oni, or Red Demon, will fire up your taste buds and keep you coming back for more.
Pink Whale, Surfers Paradise
Sipping and snacking your way through the bustling streets of Thailand is a dream for many food lovers – the aromas of skewers sizzling away on the barbecue mounted to a motorbike, the vibrant colours of the fresh herbs, streetside cocktails and the constant buzz that envelops you at any time of the day or night. If a trip to Thailand isn’t on your radar just yet, Pink Whale in Surfers Paradise might just be the next best thing. This lively new eatery brings the essence of Thai street food straight to Cavill Avenue, where you can enjoy bold, authentic flavours and a slightly chaotic atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re in the heart of Bangkok, without ever needing to pack your bags. The venue is the latest from the Nahm Group, which has brought us the likes of Valyn Thai, LimLay Thai, and Nahm Talay. While the trajectory for the hospitality group, headed by Pattaree (Pat) Jiranuchaiwattana and Vitchaya (Alex) Hasitawet, has been steadily increasing in terms of fit-out and refinement, Pink Whale is loud, bright and colourful. The new eatery throws around glittery tables, pops of pink and neon lights like confetti, and it’s hard not to smile when you step foot inside.
POKKOi, Coolangatta
In recent years, the term ‘fine dining’ has evolved from hushed dining rooms featuring far too much cutlery to reflect a broader range of epicurean experiences. POKKOi in Coolangatta is a perfect example of this new wave of elevated eateries – fun, atmospheric and approachable, this vibrant new southern spot delivers a flavour exploration that is both exciting and refreshingly unique. Nestled at the end of Marine Parade in Coolangatta, the hidden gem is the latest offering from Tra and Rachel Nguyen, who bring their expertise from New Zealand’s culinary scene, alongside chef Cameron Knox, a master of vibrant, punchy Asian flavours. Having sat empty for almost a decade, the space itself was a diamond in the rough. Embarking on a complete floor-to-ceiling renovation, POKKOi features lush greenery and festoon lights lining the deck as well as a dark and moody interior that provides the perfect backdrop for intimate date nights.
That’s not all! February also saw bagel empire UE Bagels add a third outpost in Miami, and Papa Luigi’s fire up the oven at The Oxley. If you’re hungry for more, check out some of the hottest new openings from January including Burly Bar in Currumbin, One Eighty in Labrador, Bar Monte in Miami, Kira Kira in, well, Kirra, and Sonder in Broadbeach.