Burly Bar, Currumbin
The team behind Burleigh Heads distillery Burly Gin has expanded their footprint, opening a sleek two-storey bar at The Warehouses in Currumbin – and it’s right up there as one of the most aesthetically pleasing bars we’ve ever sipped at. Brought to life by Studio Plenty, the innovative Burly Bar is fashioned with a custom tinted-resin bar and transparent tabletops, crafted by Atelier, which emulate the brand’s unique bottle design. Testament to the distillery’s experimental spirit, Burly Bar serves a diverse line-up of cocktails that highlight its three gin flavours. Obviously, this is a gin-lovers heaven – and if gin isn’t your thing, there are plenty of gateway cocktails that’ll catch your eye (as well as local beers and wine if you’re that way inclined). Burly Bar also serves a concise menu of elevated bar snacks and small plates, like kingfish ceviche with finger-lime ponzu, and roasted cauliflower with cheese sauce and gremolata.

One Eighty, Labrador
Taking notes from high-end yakitori bars in Tokyo, One Eighty is quickly earning its stripes as a standout destination for those craving an authentic Japanese yakitori experience. Fronting the coals at the intimate 30-seat restaurant is head chef Akihiro Kitade, who honed his skills at Michelin-awarded Tokyo restaurant Yakitori Haruka. Diners at One Eighty are treated to an omakase-style menu (meaning ‘I leave it up to you’), which places your yakitori adventure in the very skilled hands of chef Akihiro and his team. There are two daily menus to choose from, both featuring around 14 courses centred around delicately skewered chicken and vegetables, grilled to perfection over charcoal. You can add on sake pairing to your yakitori experience, or dive into One Eighty’s extensive wine list and vast collection of premium Japanese whisky.

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Bar Monte, Miami
If you like the idea of basking in the afternoon sun sipping wine and twirling your fork into a plate of cacio e pepe, then you’d best get acquainted with Bar Monte. The new Miami local is the latest venture from Arcade Agency, the high-achieving group behind popular dining spots Light Years, Pixie, Moonlight and The Smoking Camel. Located on Mountain View Avenue in the old Domino’s site, Bar Monte is packed with personality, serving modern Italian eats and top-tier wines in a convivial, laid-back setting. Start with the mortadella bun with pickled green chilli and limoncello aioli, then choose from mains like hearty wagyu ragu paccheri topped with fried sage, and porcini-rubbed bistecca with onion and bone-marrow butter.  To finish? Tiramisu, of course.

Kira Kira, Kirra
Kirra’s vibrant dining scene has scored a fresh new grab-and-go Japanese snack spot, dishing up premium sushi, karaage-filled bento boxes and hot don buri bowls with toppings like melt-in-your-mouth pork-belly katsu, crispy salmon and vegetable tempura. Sashimi fans can tuck into colourful raw bowls brimming with the likes of hiramasa kingfish and trawler-fresh tuna – you can even grab a made-to-order bubble tea while you’re at it. Kira Kira is the latest venture from Franz Zdesar, the owner of Kirra’s modern-Mexican dining spot Agave Rosa and the founder of Mermaid Beach Japanese restaurant, Project Tokyo.

Sonder, Broadbeach
Nestled along the tree-lined Phillip Ave in Broadbeach, new arrival Sonder is already abuzz with locals tucking to burger toasties, breakfast bagels and brews by Toby’s Estate. Sonder is the handiwork of Melbourne duo Marc Nanfro (co-owner of Buddy Espresso in Melbourne’s northern suburbs) and Michael Romeo, who set out to bring a slice of their hometown’s cafe culture to the Gold Coast. The all-day menu at Sonder is headlined by simple-yet-tasty toasties and fresh bagels, alongside a handful of breakfast classics. The Buddy’s Burger Toastie is already a firm favourite, alongside go-to brunch dishes like eggs on sourdough, chilli scrambled eggs, and poached-pear and cinnamon oats (served warm or cold) with a pistachio crumble. There’s more to come at Sonder – the duo is working to secure a liquor licence that will allow trade to flow into low-key afternoons filled with wine and cheese, so stay tuned.