WHERE TO COMBINE FOOD AND CULTURE ON THE GOLD COAST

You already know the Gold Coast is in the midst of a major cultural transformation with a growing number of arts experiences popping up across the city. When you combine that with an already thriving foodie scene, the opportunities to combine your great loves – food and drink with art and culture are bountiful. Here are some of our favourites.

MR P.P.’S  |  Southport

Mr PP’s Deli and Rooftop is located in a building which used to house the city’s Postmaster General and family for more than 100 years. The first-ever Post and Telegraph Manager, Mr P.P. Agnew wasn’t just a regular Postmaster, he was an avid playwright, actor, photographer, poet and illustrator. It’s fitting that one of the restaurants at the forefront of Southport’s cultural revolution is named after Mr P.P. Agnew.

Inside the menus you’ll find drawings, songs and poems written by Mr P.P but the arts don’t end there. Upstairs there’s a massive mural created by local artist Claudio Kirac and the space hosts live musicians regularly throughout the week. Upstairs on the deck, you’ll find local legal eagles and during breaks in court or SoPo’s hip set having Friday drinks after work. The menu is creative as well – a mix of share plates and more substantial (and very popular) pizza offerings. With a retractable roof, the deck is open for lunch three days a week with dinner and drinks served all weekend. And the downstairs deli is home to a wonderful selection of whiskies.

GROUND ‘N’ SOUND  |  Chirn Park

Ground ‘n’ Sound is an emerging hub for local musicians taking the form of an unassuming café in the middle of the eclectic village of Chirn Park. Halfway between Southport and Labrador, the venue hosts a regular open mic and trivia nights and live shows for emerging talent and the café is chockablock full of music-related memorabilia and knickknacks amongst murals and street-style art plastered all over walls and the adjacent breezeway.

MIAMI MARKETTA  |  Miami

You can’t go past Miami Marketta for consistently delivering a mix of live music, art and design alongside the global flavours of the city’s best food trucks. Marketta opens up its laneway very Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night showcasing the Gold Coast’s best original music and food trucks and often hosts international and national touring bands in its laneway or purpose-built band room known as Studio 56.

And while the food market’s going on, you also have the chance to explore local artisan creations and original art and local fashion while surrounded by graffiti-style art and murals which have adorned the warehouse spaces for Marketta’s eight years of operations.

BURLEIGH BREWING CO.  |  Burleigh

Since moving into its purpose-built brewery, Burleigh Brewing Co has been serving up regular brewery nights (beer flights and food trucks, what’s not to love) alongside a diverse offering of art, culture, film and music. Burleigh Brewing’s partnership with Gold Coast Film Festival sees monthly film nights with a focus on cult classics and its special events incorporate everything from art exhibitions through to skate competitions with a big focus on building community.

RAW ESPRESSO  |  Southport

Right on the main drag between Bundall and Southport, Raw Espresso is famous for its coffee, but it’s also building a name for itself as a home for music and art. With regular weekend morning gigs, Raw Espresso is a popular hangout for artists and those who love art and you can sip your morning coffee while ogling a new mural created by local visual artist Courtenay McCue (CRT Designs).

CAMBUS WALLACE  |  Nobby Beach

The Cambus Wallace ticks a lot of boxes as far as food and art are concerned. One of its walls is adorned with a moody mural of a frigate at war on a stormy sea, created by artist Dylan Quirk. It sets the scene for many a night at The Cambus Wallace, giving the place a slightly ‘off-kilter’ feel and is the perfect accompaniment to the venue’s insane variety of whiskies and rums as well as its menu of sharing plates and regular live music offering. With regular appearances by local faves, James Street Preachers and Free the Genie, it’s a unique and heart-filled Gold Coast watering hole you won’t quickly forget.

Like this article?
Subscribe to our email list below to receive holiday inspiration & exclusive deals straight to your inbox!