Best of guide to fine dining on the Gold Coast

Great food is as easy to come by on the Gold Coast as sunshine and surf. The dining scene is flourishing and there is no shortage of cool cafes, trendy bars, and restaurants with spectacular views. As for fine dining, name your cuisine because there are 17 chef-hatted restaurants on the Gold Coast, plus plenty more exquisite options for when you’re in the mood to splurge and be spoiled.

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For those moments when you’re craving a luxurious meal, add these top Gold Coast restaurants to your must-dine list.

Kiyomi

If you appreciate fine art as much as good food, the stunning Japanese dishes at Kiyomi inside The Star are a feast for both your eyes and stomach. Executive Head Chef Chase Kojima’s innovative menu of modern, yet authentic Japanese flavours look almost too good to eat. The dim lighting and dark wood interior offers a sophisticated atmosphere to match the menu. There are no bad choices here when ordering from the amazing selection of fresh sashimi, sushi, robata and izakaya options.

Restaurant Labart

Restaurant Labart delivers the feel of an elegant Parisian bistro while celebrating the best of Australian produce. Its menu changes constantly because it’s driven by what’s fresh, seasonal and available locally. The long open kitchen lets you feel part of the action, and yet the mood within the restaurant remains calm and sophisticated. The set menu (with option to add wine pairings) means you can take the night off from making any decisions and just enjoy modern Australian cuisine in all its refined glory.

Balboa Italian

You’ll feel like part of the family when you dine at Balboa. This is comfort food, but not like you know it. The menu features an eclectic combination of classic Italian techniques and fresh interpretations of modern and traditional dishes. The pizzas are made on hand-stretched dough and wood-fired to perfection, while the handmade pasta is brought to life with seasonal local produce with an elegant twist. Come hungry and ready to indulge!

Light Years Burleigh Heads

When you’re craving exceptional modern Asian food with a relaxed, trendy vibe, pull up a seat at Light Years. The food here is bold, punchy and made for sharing. Here’s a hint: Invite all your friends along so you can order one of everything, starting with their signature spicy KFC bao buns. Light Years also do amazing cocktails so leave your Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 (included in the prize lottery) at home and call an Uber when you’re done.

Rick Shores

When it comes to location, it doesn’t get any better than Rick Shores. Right on Burleigh Beach, you can feel the spray of waves as they crash mere metres from your table. With the Gold Coast skyline to the north, it’s the ideal spot to sit and stay awhile for lunch or dinner. The food is on equal par to the spectacular setting, featuring fresh, locally-sourced produce and Pan Asian flavours. And let’s not forget the award-winning wine list! Rick Shores may be most famous for its Moreton Bay Bug Rolls but it’s far from the only thing worth ordering. Made for sharing, go ahead and order a bit of everything from the decadent selection of dumplings and dim sum, skewers cooked on a coal-fired grill, and larger dishes like crispy suckling pig in XO sauce and Sichuan roasted duck breast in a red curry sauce.

Jimmy Wah’s

In the mood for Vietnamese? Jimmy Wah’s brings the traditional cuisine into the new age with its modern Australian influence. The interior isn’t your typical fine dining establishment—and the prices are reasonable, too—but the food coming out of the kitchen is refined and packed with plenty of personality. Rather than make the difficult decision of choosing from all the great choices like soft shell crab Banh Mi, braised beef short ribs in lettuce cups, and caramelised pork belly with chilli and lychee salsa, simply utter the words “feed me” and the chefs will create a special menu just for you.

The Tropic

Located above Rick Shores, The Tropic boasts the same spectacular view. But the mood here is lighter, with a sun-soaked bright open-air setting. The Mediterranean and Modern Australian menu celebrates fresh seafood and charcuterie tapas with delicate and pared-back flavours. Start with a selection of small plates to share, splurge on the seafood platter, then indulge in a bowl of pasta to finish.

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