The Gold Coast’s restaurant scene stands apart from its vibrant nightlife and laid back lifestyle, combining the best of both worlds for an elegant, contemporary middle ground. With high flying culinary talent flocking north to Australia’s ‘Hollywood’, there are plenty of new restaurants that go toe-to-toe with their rivals in Sydney or Melbourne.
From Latin American-inspired cuisine at Norté, to the effortlessly chic Restaurant Labart, you’ll find an abundance of flavourful fine dining to whet your palette and add to your long list of must-try eateries in Queensland’s cosmopolitan coastal haven. Discover the restaurants picked by Gourmet Traveller’s expert team as the very best on the Gold Coast in 2026.
Restaurant Labart, Burleigh Heads
Restaurant Labart is a labour of love from husband-and-wife duo Alex and Karla Munoz Labart. While Karla handles front-of-house operations, Alex mans the kitchen with expertise earned at Sydney’s Monopole and Cirrus. The dishes at Labart are elegant and flavour-packed, ranging from charred king prawns to Cantabrian white anchovies. The menu boasts a mix of modern Australian-meets-European cuisine, with a fabulous French-leaning wine list to pore over. A warm ambience resonates from mood lighting and timber panelling, offering a vibrant and accessible take on traditional white tablecloth dining.
One last tip from us? Don’t forget to take home an edible souvenir in the form of a jar of Alex’s Brun Butter: flavoured, brown butters in combinations like Aleppo pepper, garlic and lemon or dulce de leche and coffee.
Lars, Mermaid Beach
Lars Bar & Grill is about classic dishes done well. The emphasis here is on local produce, with a menu sourced from Australian farmers and fishermen. With Queensland’s finest ingredients at the ready, all that’s left is to cook them to perfection — which owner and head chef Lars Kollrepp and team completes with aplomb. Add stylish, contemporary decor and a fun and flirty cocktail list, you have your next date night sorted. “Mermaid Beach has become a dining destination in recent years, and Lars fits perfectly in the precinct with its menu that covers quick lunches through to long shared dinners,” explains Gourmet Traveller digital editor, Georgia Condon. “On a recent visit with family, I was particularly impressed by the friendly but polished service.”
The steak selection rivals that of established steakhouses, with CopperTree Farms and Stockyard wagyu on the list, and our striploin came perfectly charred on the outside and rare in the middle.”
— Georgia Condon, Gourmet Traveller Digital Editor
Rick Shores, Burleigh Heads
Few venues in the entire nation boast the idyllic beachside locale of Rick Shores. Situated on the water — or, at least, as near as you can get without it being a hazard — even if the food weren’t exceptionally tasty, the view alone would warrant a visit. Alas, the fare is as good as its situ, with a menu of flavourful pan-Asian bites with a strong seafood focus. Visitors to the Gold Coast simply must visit for a taste of all the best things the city has to offer. Our tip? Don’t skip the bug rolls!
Norté, Mermaid Beach
From the team at Rick Shores, Norté draws on a range of Latin American cuisines to craft a unique menu of must-try dishes. Central to the restaurant is its traditional wood fire oven, where fresh ingredients are grilled to perfection. The menu boasts a range of favourites from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Peru with a fresh fusion perspective. Think: Moreton Bay bug tacos, spanner crab churros and scallop aguachile. Meat lovers will drool over the ‘Asados’, with Tomahawk and Angus Rib Eye steaks served fresh from the fire. Warm stone and timber finishes add to the feeling of a special occasion.
“This energised new opening from the Rick Shores team confidently draws on Mexican, Argentine and Brazilian influences for a coastal party.”
— Gourmet Traveller reviews Norté
Sueno, Mermaid Beach
The upstairs companion of Norté, Sueno is a rooftop destination with a more relaxed menu than its downstairs fine diner. The cocktail bar and restaurant is all about fresh, simple produce to be enjoyed under the Gold Coast sun (in the comfortable shade of umbrellas, of course). The indoor-outdoor restaurant offers more casual, shareable dishes, from ceviche to buttermilk fried chicken with a habanero hot sauce. The menu is destined to be enjoyed with the Latin American-themed cocktail list, featuring world-class margaritas, pisco sours and mezcal mixes.
Etsu Izakaya, Mermaid Beach
This undeniably cool, hidden eatery is unassuming from the street, but when you step through the door you’ll immediately be swept up in the vibes. In the grand tradition of izakayas, the atmosphere is both buzzy and intimate — not a destination for serious conversations or laid-back group hangs, but a fun destination to lift spirits with truly scrumptious fare. The menu offers a mix of Japanese classics and contemporary fusion dishes, ranging from a wagyu sando to delicate sashimi. As for drinks, enjoy a crispy Japanese lager (the perfect escape from the Gold Coast heat), or an expertly mixed cocktail with a Japanese twist. Tip: Book ahead because prime time slots fill up quickly.
“There’s a sense of mystery to Etsu Izakaya. A barn door devoid of signage is all that can be seen from the road, but slide it open and an Aladdin’s cave awaits.”
— Gourmet Traveller reviews Etsu Izakaya
Kost, Broadbeach
Nobody does coastal glamour like Kost. The light and airy space is perfect for a splurge-worthy lunch or group dinner in the spacious banquettes. As for the menu, the “bar meets grill” has perfected the Australian and Mediterranean classics with the best of ingredients from land and sea. The set menu has all the restaurant’s biggest hitters, including a caviar bump, yellowfin tuna, steak tartare and the lobster and prawn roll. The a la carte menu will be for those wishing to sample Kost’s array of flame-grilled steaks, seafood or vegetables.
Yamagen, Surfers Paradise
Yamagen‘s executive chef, Adam Lane, boasts an impressive culinary pedigree, having spent time in the kitchens of Nobu, Tetsuya’s and Saké. Now, he’s serving up fine-dining quality in a friendly izakaya setting. While crowd-pleasing flavours abound, Lane excels at combining the unexpected for joyful results. Located in the QT hotel, guests will no doubt enjoy ducking downstairs for a standout meal while passersby will be lured in by the emanating excitement of satisfied diners.
Palette, Surfers Paradise
A stalwart of the Gold Coast’s fine dining scene, Palette has enjoyed a long, exalted reputation. Located within the Home of the Arts (HOTA), Palette joins the ranks of exceptional museum dining venues, such as Matt Moran’s Crafted in the Art Gallery of NSW or MONA’s Faro. Given the elegant atmosphere, one wouldn’t expect prix fixe menus to total an unpretentious $65 to $85 for two or three courses. Mains are elegant (think: roasted quail or line-caught fish), with producers given shout-outs on the menu. The perfect rest stop for a day at Queensland’s iconic cultural institution.
Mamasan, Broadbeach
This Broadbeach institution reopened in September 2025 after undergoing a sleek renovation, and diners have been forming a queue to enjoy what’s old and new at the restaurant. With elegant stone and Japanese timber finishes, Mamasan is all about harmonising its space and its menu. Regulars will be pleased to hear that Mamasan classics, like the spanner-crab dumplings and Korean fried chicken, have returned to the menu, alongside a new range of elevated dishes. If you’re seeking something new, the red duck curry is destined to be a favourite. If you find yourself with room for an indulgent dessert, sweet tooths will adore the brownie with ice cream and miso salted caramel.
