10 great Gold Coast restaurants with a view of the water
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By Chelsea Tromans
Visit the Gold Coast and you’ll be hard pressed to pull yourself away from its endless stretches of golden sand. Luckily, you don’t have to – even when hunger strikes – as some of the best restaurants here come with a side serve of million dollar ocean views.
From laid-back surf clubs, to fine dining by the marina and unbeatable beachfront hotspots with menus to match, these are the top Gold Coast restaurants with a view of the water.
Burleigh Pavilion, Burleigh Heads
It’s not just the views that have mouth’s dropping at Burleigh Pavilion. From the stunning breezy interiors to the produce-driven menu (like locally sourced seafood platters to woodfired pizzas and burgers), this popular locale covers all beach reveller’s needs with casual post-swim bites and beers on The Terrace.
Still hungry? Here are the best Gold Coast restaurants by precinct.
The Tropic, Burleigh Heads
Looking for the same great views, but want to sit down for a feast that’s a little more upmarket? Head to the northern side of Burleigh Pavilion to The Tropic: a full-service 240-seat restaurant headed by Michelin-starred chef Guillaume Zika. Here, the front row ocean views are matched with the large open kitchen where you can watch the culinary theatre unfold. The menu showcases the produce of the region, with kingfish tartare, wood fired pig buns and king prawns among the stand-outs.
Stay in Burleigh for the weekend and explore all its flavours.
Seascape Restaurant and Bar, Surfers Paradise
Photo by @seascape_restaurant
Seascape has not one, but three levels of the Soul Boardwalk in Surfers Paradise, with expansive views and a unique dining option on each floor. The bistro on level one is all cocktails and casual bites (think grilled scallops and fish tacos), while upstairs in the restaurant, sleek decor and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean will capture your attention from the moment you step inside. Fish is the star of the show with six different catches of the day served with moreish sides like potato galette, tempura asparagus with sticky soy, and heirloom carrots with truffled honey.
Coming straight from the beach? Take to the rooftop for a cold beer.
Glass Dining at Marina Mirage, Main Beach
Photo by @glass_restaurant
Across the road from one of the Gold Coast’s most underrated beaches and overlooking a bevvy of super yachts, there’s no denying that Glass Dining has won the location lottery.
Glass Dining and Lounge Bar provides a marina-front stage for anytime cocktails, and an intimate setting for an exceptional lunch or dinner. Although, sunset is undeniably the best time to pull up a table here. Start with oysters dressed with shallot and chardonnay vinegar before sampling from the tapas menu. For the main event, you could focus on seafood with the likes of black mussels swimming in white wine cream and fresh herbs, or appease your inner carnivore with a surf and turf that tops char grilled steak with prawns and Moreton Bay bug.
Staying on the north end of the Gold Coast? Here’s where to stay, play and eat here.
Rick Shores, Burleigh Heads
If you were any closer to the water, you’d be swimming in it. Ever since opening its doors in 2016, Rick Shores in Burleigh Heads has earned itself a reputation for both its unbeatable waterfront location and award-winning food.
From bar snacks like Rick’s famous fried bug roll through to smoked pork and tamarind curry with charred chilli and roasted macadamia, the intensity of the flavours at Rick Shores (paired with that oceanfront view) will leave a lasting impression.
Surfers Pavilion
Dining at Surfers Pavilion
With uninterrupted river views, sprawling indoor/outdoor seating, live music and a frosé bar, Surfers Pavilion is the ultimate dining destination if you’re looking for a lunch that rolls into dinner. The huge menu has something for everyone from towering burgers, melt in your mouth pasta and seafood platers to oyster happy hour on weekdays. Pro tip: arrive at dusk, grab a seat on the deck and watch the sun dip beneath the hinterland.
Edgewater, Isle of Capri
Photo by @edgewaterdining
Moor your yacht and step into Edgewater Dining for tasty fare served with a sparkling view over the Nerang River, and the towering Q1 building framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. Boasting a modern Australian menu with an Italian bend, set aside a few hours to work your way through their ‘liquid journey’ menu – from the ‘Sparkly Tour’ through to ‘The Magnificents’ pinot noir and mourvèdre varieties, it’s a fabulous showcase of Australian and New Zealand wines, before taking a 'Cocktail Vacation'.
Open for breakfast right through to dinner, there are plenty of tastes to tempt, but the prawn and bug risotto with pink champagne sauce will set your tastebuds aflutter.
BMD Northcliffe Surf Club, Surfers Paradise
Photo by @migoldcoast_
In Australia, our Surf Life Savers do so much more than just keep our beaches safe and look good in yellow and red; their clubhouses are secret winners in the dining stakes, too.
Sitting on a pocket of prime Surfers Paradise beachfront real estate, Northcliffe Surf Club is the perfect spot to order a pot (mid-sized beer) and a parmy (chicken parmigiana) and while away an afternoon, checking out the action on the beach in air-conditioned comfort.
Passionate about your beer? Hanging above the bar are three copper tanks full of preservative-free Carlton Draught Tank Beer. From just-brewed to bar, it doesn’t get much more fresh than this.
Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club, Currumbin
Photo by @bearybythebeach
Eating out on the waterfront doesn’t need to equal fine dining. For sandy-feet, literally ON the beach dining, Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club takes the cake. Its location may be million-dollar, but the vibe here is as casual as they come. It’s the quality, wallet-friendly fare that keeps locals and visitors coming back for more.
Club-style feeds like burgers, the fisherman’s plate and a hefty 300g sirloin are all there, but you’ll also find crispy skin salmon and Moroccan spiced potatoes served with a fennel and mandarin salad, and pumpkin and sage ravioli to satisfy more discerning palates.
Hyde Paradiso, Surfers Paradise
Photo by @hydeparadiso
An icon in Los Angeles, Vegas and Miami (Florida, that is), Hyde Paradiso is the first flagship Aussie venue from US-hospitality brand, HYDE. And boy did they pick the perfect location right across from Surfers Paradise.
Located within Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise, the hotspot oozes Mediterranean feels with pastel hues, mosaic tiles, white archways, DJ soirees, a Venetian-inspired sgroppino bar, and of course, uninterrupted ocean views day and night.
Then there are the edible offerings: a bottomless brunch with all the mimosas, oysters, arancini, cold meats, and breads you can stuff in; bar bites like Greek-style spanakopita and fried haloumi chips; through to piled-high plates of lamb ragu, Portugese-roasted chicken, and 300g Cape Grim ribeye for when you’re truly famished.
For more of the best bars on the Gold Coast, read this guide.
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