Summer in Queensland is undoubtedly the best time of year. The sun is shining, the drinks are flowing, the vibes are high and everyone is about to hit wind down mode. Which means it’s also the perfect time to check out all the new Gold Coast venues that have popped up over the last few months. And let us tell you, there are plenty you need to sink your teeth into. From an award-winning wine bar to a balmy beach club and a five-star hotel, complete with a rooftop bar, there’s something to suit every taste. Here are the top new Gold Coast venues to hit up this summer.
COAST Beach Bar & Kitchen
A glam new beach bar has popped up in Surfers Paradise and it’s the perfect summer spot for a couple of cocktails and an ocean view. From the people who gifted us Longboards, COAST brings a laidback but sophisticated vibe boasting a sleek 14-metre marble bar and uninterrupted views of the waves. The menu boasts a modern, share-style vibe with small plates like Crispy Calamari with pickled fennel and finger lime aioli and larger plates like Queensland Crumbed Goldband Snapper with crushed mint peas, potato bake chips, tartare and lemon, you’re in for a treat! Add in a sip from over 100 choices of wines or a signature cocktail and enjoy the very best Surfers Paradise has to offer.
Where: Level 1, Ocean by Meriton, 84 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
La Luna Beach Club
A luxe, floating beach club found on the sparkling waters of Marina Mirage, La Luna Beach Club is exactly what you need to transition in summer mode. Built on pontoons and featuring indoor fine dining restaurant MĀRE, two pools, sun lounges, private cabanas and an outdoor bar, the incredible space exudes sophisticated, coastal chill. MĀRE’s menu is Mediterranean-inspired and heavy on seafood with options like a Sashimi and Seafood platter from the cold bar, small plates including Crispy, Cold Moreton Bay Bug in a milk bun with bug mayo and sweet and sour sauce and large plates of the Grilled Live Lobster variety. Start there and the book yourself in for bottle service by the pool. The luxury experience we all deserve awaits.
Where: Pool Pontoon, Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
The Langham Gold Coast
The Gold Coast soared to new levels of glamour with the opening of The Langham Gold Coast recently. The brand-new Broadbeach hotel features not only impeccable accommodation options right on the ocean but their signature Michelin-starred restaurant T’ang Court and rooftop cocktail bar, Coral Moon. T'ang Court is a fine dining destination, internationally renowned for its’ Cantonese menu featuring the finest local and seasonal produce. Choose from one of three set menus with the options of matching wines or dine A La Carte and experiences dishes like Cantonese Duck – pearl meat with ginger, shallot and Asian greens, an extensive Dim Sum menu, Barbecue and both premium and live seafood options. It’s a dining journey you’ll never forget. On the rooftop, Coral Moon features innovative cocktails created with Asian spirits and infused with Australian herbs and botanicals grown on-site. The open-air space offers 180-degree ocean views and is the perfect summer spot if you feel like dressing up and sampling the Coast’s newest five-star bar.
Where: 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise
Paradise Centre’s Beachfront Precinct
Paradise Centre in the heart of Surfers is the place you need to be this summer after a slew of new restaurants and experiences have popped up within with brand new beachfront precinct. Starting with TGI Friday’s – beloved the US-born venue where epic friend chicken burgers and colourful cocktails reign supreme. There’s the famous Wahlburgers, boasting some of the best burgers you’ve ever sampled, Messina for all your fancy gelato needs, El Camino Cantina with their giant margaritas and classic Tex Mex eats, La Playa’s Mediterranean style eats (and. DJ on Friday and Saturday nights), Enzos Cucina for mouth-watering Pizza, Hero Sushi if you need a quick bite and Nahm Talay Thai Restaurant and Bar. You’ll be eating for days. Of course, you’ll need a little movement after all that so why not try newbie Maniax Axe Throwing for something different, and super fun.
Where: Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
Local Burleigh
If there was one thing our beloved Burleigh Heads was missing, it was a (dog-friendly) beer garden with live music but luckily that’s exactly what we got with the opening of Local. Found in the heart of Burleigh on the Gold Coast Highway, Local is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and oozes casual cool. Featuring a leafy outdoor area, sunlit interior and flavour-packed menus that’ll satisfy everything from post-beach day cravings to tasty-but-casual dinners with the crew, Local is certainly set to be your new favourite. For breakfast try dishes like Green Eggs with local salsa verde and sweet potato crisps on sourdough and for lunch and dinner there are small dishes to share – Bug Rolls please – and of course burgers, parmies, steaks, pastas and salads. All your favourites but a little bit better.
Where: 1744 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Paloma Wine Bar
While not exactly new, Paloma Wine Bar recently won Gourmet Traveller’s Best Wine Bar in the 2023 restaurant awards and certainly deserves a mention here. Created by the talented couple who graced us with fine-dining venue Restaurant Labart, Paloma (on James Street) is laidback chic at its’ finest. Take a seat inside or pull up a coveted table on the footpath to watch the people of Burleigh pass by while you sip on a glass from the unrivalled wine list. Take a wine-tasting trip across the world with the incredibly knowledgeable team and if you’re brave ask them to surprise you, you won’t be disappointed. With everything from Pino to Pet Nat, you could easily lose yourself in the experience of Paloma for hours. Of course, there are small plates to share and they’ll blow your mind too. Don’t miss the magic of this place.
Where: James St, Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Barrels Brewery
A new brewery and smokehouse by a couple of Burleigh locals popped up recently and it’s a relaxed, good-time spot just a short walk from James Street. The industrial-style venue features plenty of indoor seating as well as an undercover outdoor dining option so you can sip beers, and sample tasty eats rain, hail or shine. The boys have created an incredible selection of beers like a Hazy IPA, Pale Ale and Amber Ale but if you’re not a beer drinker, no worries. There are cocktails, and plenty of wine options too. To eat, the smokehouse is pumping out perfect beer-friendly eats – there’s a brisket, pork and ribs board if you need a meat fix, burgers, pizzas and wings galore and it’s all finger-licking good.
Where: 3-4/105 West Burleigh Road, Burleigh Heads
Hijnx Hotel
The brand-new Hijinx Hotel is a mind meltingly fun venue slash bar slash playhouse that’s set to be absolutely packed with fun. There’ll be 10 immersive hotel-style rooms where two to six players can work together to complete challenges PLUS rooms filled with oversized Scrabble, basketball hoops, a giant ball pit and plenty more delightful treats. There’ll be three bars, 72 arcade machines, six bowling lanes and 18 holes of golf and that is probably the best time you’ll ever have in the once place. (Just to clear up any confusion there's no accommodation - just endless amounts of fun.) Summer here we come!
Where: Suite 2, Level 1, Piazza on the Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Keen to explore more new Gold Coast experiences? Star here: More Ways To Play on the Gold Coast or Gold Coast Summer Holidays Hit List for Families
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Destination Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.