Mexican bites to European delights – here are six must-try restaurants in Kirra
With a world-class surf break as a backdrop, there’s no wonder why Kirra has become a go-to destination for locals and visitors seeking out restaurants with beach views. While Kirra’s dining scene has been a late bloomer of sorts, the seaside hub no longer sits in the shadows of its bustling neighbour Coolangatta. From top-flight Pan-Asian to sophisticated European, here are six must-try beachfront restaurants in Kirra.
Billy Chow
If you haven’t experienced Billy Chow’s wagyu katsu bao bun with parmesan custard, house barbecue sauce and pickled kohlrabi, please do yourself a favour. The popular Pan-Asian dining spot dishes up a flavour-packed menu of tasty snacks, dumplings and bao buns, wok-fried delights and aromatic curries, with a side serve of sensational views over the Kirra Beach foreshore. The crispy spanner-crab rice paper rolls are a must, as is the beef short-rib, roast turmeric and banana chilli curry – both best paired with one of Billy Chow’s inventive cocktails. The umeshu bubble tea is a great place to start.
Siblings
As one of few absolute-beachfront restaurants on the Gold Coast, long lunches at seaside restaurant Siblings are about as picture-perfect as they come. Pry your eyes away from the view for a few minutes to peruse the sizeable cocktail and wine menu – there are quite a few pages to get through, so you’re guaranteed to find a sip to suit. The globe-trotting menu features snacks like steak tacos with pineapple salsa, Mom’s Meatballs in tomato sugo, and tempura oysters with smoked Kewpie, wakame and ponzu. As the waves roll in across Kirra beach, diners can dive into larger plates like Fraser Island spanner-crab spaghetti, Moreton Bay bugs and king prawns with kombu butter, and a hearty surf and turf headlined by a 500-g black Angus chateaubriand.
Hanks
With sweeping vistas across Kirra’s golden foreshore, Hanks – which is the handiwork of the family-run group behind Kirra icon Siblings – brings a delicious touch of coastal Europe to the southern end. Long, relaxing lunches at Hanks start with a delicious assortment of snacks, progressing to comforting plates of handmade pasta and larger share-style dishes starring plenty of local seafood. Starters feature everything from cured meats with Italian pickled vegetables to small plates like crispy pork belly with white beans and salsa verde. A Bay lobster spaghetti headlines the pasta series, and you can savour the likes of Ballina prawns and charred chicken with ‘nduja butter off the Hanks’ grill. To finish? Don’t go past the dark-chocolate mousse with salted hazelnut and olive oil. Drinks are a focal point at Hanks, with an international wine selection and a cocktail menu that dives deep into the nuances of the negroni, sours and tikis.
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Kirra Beach House
With unobstructed north-facing ocean views over one of Australia’s most famous breaks, Kirra Beach House is the ultimate spot for long lunches, sunset cocktails, delicious dinners and dancing under the stars. The menu dances around the land and sea with small plates, fresh salads, pizzas and mains like pipi spaghetti, steak frites and a hearty snapper burger with pickled zucchini and tartare. The carefully crafted collection of cocktails caters to a variety of sip styles – perfect for sipping on the sun-drenched rooftop or inside the sleek wine bar and restaurant.
Agave Rosa
Modern Mexican is given a subtle Asian lean at beachfront restaurant and bar Agave Rosa, which is owned and operated by Franz Zdesar – the founder of Mermaid Beach Japanese restaurant Project Tokyo who also recently opened nearby grab-and-go sushi spot Kira Kira. The menu takes diners on a delicious journey through modern Mexican cuisine via an extensive menu of street food, tacos and larger signature plates. There’s everything from nachos and burrito rice bowls through to baja fish tacos with miso, habanero and guacamole, and tempura chipotle prawns with wasabi peas and pickles. Seafood shines through fresh bites like the tuna sashimi tostadas with guacamole, ponzu, pimento and jalapeno, and the scallop ceviche with Asian citrus. The Mexican sips are covered with top-notch margaritas, palomas and blush sangria.
St Helen’s Bar & Burgers
If you’re more about burgers and brews with a view, St Helen’s ticks all of the boxes. The burgers here intentionally simple and downright delicious, with owner and chef Jess Hayes pumping out everything from classic quarter-pound cheeseburgers to the buffalo-style Kirra Fried Chicken burgers and seared Moreton Bay bug burgers with iceberg lettuce and lemon mayo. You’ll also find a tasty range of wings and irresistible snacks like macaroni and cheese and gooey mozzarella sticks. The St Helen’s bar is stacked with tap beers, wine and a bunch of cocktails – and there’s a daily happy hour that you should definitely get around.
Image one credit: Pandanus Lane
Image two credit: Brooke Darling Photography
Image three credit: Kirra Smith Photography