With an unmistakable focus on fresh produce, the restaurants of the Gold Coast have taken advantage of the region's local flavours to build a diverse dining scene. Families, foodies and holidaymakers can delight in restaurants with ocean panorama views sprinkled along the coast-line and relish in tropical fruits, the freshest seafood and local produce from Australian beef to creamy cheeses and award-winning boutique wines.

CAFÉ CULTURE

Our café culture embraces the laid-back coastal lifestyle of the Gold Coast with many relaxed beachside cafes, organic bakeries and hidden gems. Check out these new and old favourites:

• BSKT Café, Nobby's Beach – These guys are nutrition experts and serve the healthiest meals in town. For breakfast, try the guilt-free Super Berry Cacao Pancakes or Healthy Benny.

• Paradox Coffee Roasters at The 4217, Surfers Paradise – With a coffee roaster next door and an all-day breakfast menu, this is your go-to for that Sunday morning caffeine fix.
  
  
• Elk Espresso, Broadbeach – A favourite among locals, Elk is the hot spot to meet friends for a coffee, healthy breakfast and tasty sweet treats.
  
  
• Bam Bam Bakehouse, Mermaid Beach – Described as the epitome of new Gold Coast café culture, the brekkie menu covers Australian, American, French and Asian favourite breakfasts.
  
  
• Paddock Bakery, Miami – Hidden in the backstreets of Miami, you'll find this gorgeous weatherboard beach cottage. The 'dippy eggs' (served with toast soldiers) bring back childhood memories.
  
  
• Canteen Coffee, Burleigh – Stroll through the Burleigh Arcade and recharge with seriously good espresso at Canteen Coffee. For a bite to eat, head to Canteen Kitchen next door.
  
  
• The Beach Shack, Currumbin – Laid-back vibes and uninterrupted ocean views – what more could you want? After a morning surf, fuel up with a breakfast burrito.
  
  
• Café Dbar, Coolangatta – Overlooking one of the Gold Coast's best surf spots, you can enjoy panoramic views, good food and exciting art exhibitions.
  
  
• Blackboard Coffee, Varsity Lakes – These guys take their coffee seriously. The resident baristas hand-roast fresh batches of coffee daily for you to enjoy together with a delicious menu.
  
  
• Blendlove, Southport – Blending only the finest ingredients of the highest quality the team at Blendlove serve a collection of raw and wholesome treats.

FINE DINING

Having recently won some of Australia's most respected food and wine awards, Gold Coast restaurateurs continue to emerge as a constant favourite among travellers and food critics alike, creating an impressive and evolving food scene right here on the coast. Here are some of the Gold Coast's unique, not-to-be-missed dining experiences:

• The Fish House – This sophisticated seafood restaurant on the coastal shores of Burleigh Heads will tantalise your taste buds with a daily selection of the freshest fish served with a side of sweeping views over the ocean and the Surfers Paradise skyline beyond.

• Seaduction – As soon as you push open the door atop the grand staircase, you'll be transported to a world of gastronomic delicacies, an internationally influenced fusion of the freshest local produce. And not to forget the million dollar views over the beach and ocean.
  
  
• Songbirds - Head Chef Marina Mesquita will take you on a tantalising journey with a menu inspired by the fresh, organic vegetables and herbs from the onsite garden and fresh produce of the local area, served in beautiful surrounds.
  
  
• Kiyomi – One of the new restaurants at Jupiters Gold Coast, Kiyomi serves a modern, yet distinctly Japanese menu created by internationally recognised Head Chef Chase Kojima.
  
  
• Salt Grill – Salt Grill at the Hilton Surfers Paradise is the platform by which Celebrity Chef, Luke Mangan shares his talent with Queensland. This Modern Australian dining experience offers quality and innovation in all aspects of food, wine and service and reflects the energy and vibrancy of Surfers Paradise.
  
  
• Chill on Tedder – Located in Main Beach's popular Tedder Avenue dining precinct, Chill on Tedder stands out with a crisp white facade, modern décor, personable service and award-winning contemporary cuisine. 
  
  
• room81 – Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach's chic dining restaurant, room 81, is famed for Chef de Cuisine Sam Moore's degustation concept, a unique and complex combination of cooking techniques and flavours.
  
  
• Little Truffle Dining Room – Step into what feels like a comfortable French living room and let Chef Daniel Ridgeway take you on a journey of taste with dishes of a modern Australian cuisine with flavours accentuated from the regions of Italy, Spain and France.
  
  
• Etsu – Don't walk past the non-descript wooden doorway with the red paper lantern because inside you'll find a bustling, colourful cavern full of warmth and lively chatter from good friends sharing a good meal. On the menu you'll find classic Izakaya fare, paired with a good range of Japanese drinks.
  
  

STREET FOOD REVOLUTION

Step into the backstreets of Thailand, Barcelona and New York at one of the buzzing street food markets, soak up the coastal lifestyle as you grab a bite from one of the food trucks or head to one of the farmers markets to pick up the freshest and tastiest local produce for a beachside BBQ. The Gold Coast's street food scene is quickly evolving with many night markets, food trucks and gourmet delis popping up all along the Coast.

• NightQuarter – This is the Gold Coast's newest creative playground, featuring night markets, micro-restaurants, emerging fashion and a unique live music space – all in over 120 recycled shipping containers. 

• The Village Markets – Soak up the laid-back vibes, browse through boutique market stalls and indulge in gourmet eats while you enjoy live music. The markets pop up in Burleigh Heads on every first and third Sunday of the month and can be found at Paradise Point on the last Sunday of the month.
  
  
• Miami Marketta –Every Friday and Saturday night, the Miami Marketta comes alive with foods of all nationalities and two bars serving boutique wines and locally brewed beer. A great spot to mingle with the Gold Coast's locals.
  
  
• Food Truck Feast – Enjoy waterfront dining with a difference as all your favourite Gold Coast food trucks, as well as a selection of Brisbane's best will gather at the Broadwater Parklands in Southport.
  
  
• Marina Mirage Farmers Market – Choose from fine wines, creamy cheeses and local produce. Stop by the Fisherman's Co-op on your way back to pick up some of the freshest seafood and you've got a delicious picnic lunch.
  
  
• Gold Coast Organic Farmers Market, Miami – Ever Sunday, this unique market provides an extensive and complete range of the freshest, absolutely straight from the farm, guaranteed Certified Organically grown produce.
  
  
• Chinatown Street Markets – Taste your way through Asia: On the first Saturday of every month, Chinatown transforms the streets of Southport into a vibrant and colourful marketplace with good food, live music and cultural performances.
  
  

ENDS

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