Top 10 Restaurants in Gold Coast

What is it? Rick Shores is a South East Asian fusion restaurant at 3/43 Goodwin Terrace, located a three-minute walk from Burleigh Heads Beach. It holds one hat from the Australian Good Food Guide and is a finalist for the Gourmet Traveller Readers’ Choice Icon Award.

Why we love it: The restaurant commands a premium price point, justified by its position just a short stroll from Burleigh Hill. While many high-end coastal venues rely on geography alone, the one-hat rating ensures the kitchen’s output matches the site’s status as a local landmark.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Rick Shores pairs best with the complex, aromatic profile of their South East Asian fusion menu.

What is it? Gemellini Nobby Beach sits at 2247 Gold Coast Hwy, a two-minute walk from Nobby’s Beach. This restaurant serves a blend of traditional and modern Italian cuisine in a formal, fine-dining setting.

Why we love it: It manages to feel like a destination for luxury dining while remaining within a twenty-minute stroll of the high-density crowds at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and Kurrawa Beach. With a 4.80 rating across 752 reviews, the kitchen succeeds by committing to a rigid, high-end standard that sets it apart from the more casual storefronts along the highway.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Gemellini Nobby Beach is strictly enforced, so leave the beachwear for the sand and opt for tailored layers before heading over from the coast.

What is it? Etsu Izakaya sits at 2440 Gold Coast Hwy, a five-minute walk from Mermaid Beach. It holds one hat from the Australian Good Food Guide and focuses on a hybrid menu of Japanese sushi and modern plates.

Why we love it: This venue distinguishes itself by balancing a fine dining pedigree with a high-energy atmosphere that keeps guests returning. With a 4.80 rating across 1,500 reviews, the kitchen manages to maintain consistent precision despite the busy, luxury-leaning pace of the dining room.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Etsu Izakaya suits a night that often ends with a walk toward the nearby Nobby's Beach.

What is it? Labart sits at 2a/8 West St, a ten-minute walk from Burleigh Heads Beach and a short stroll from the shopping precinct on James Street. The restaurant holds the title of Gourmet Traveller Australia Queensland Restaurant of the Year.

Why we love it? The kitchen executes a contemporary, seafood-forward menu that justifies the premium price point and high guest satisfaction scores. While many coastal spots rely on casual proximity, Labart centers its reputation on a rigorous fine dining approach that feels distinct from the surrounding Burleigh Hill area.

Good to Know: Given the smart and elegant dress code, Labart remains one of the few places in Burleigh Heads that leans fully into a polished, romantic evening.

What is it? MĀRE by La Luna Beach Club sits at 74 Seaworld Dr. It is a Mediterranean and seafood fusion restaurant positioned about a fifteen-minute walk from the northern end of Surfers Paradise Beach.

Why we love it: The restaurant maintains a 4.89 rating from 361 reviews, reflecting a level of consistency that is rare for a venue of this scale. It offers a refined approach to Mediterranean-fusion dining that feels deliberate rather than incidental, justifying the higher price point for those seeking a structured, fine-dining experience away from the busier commercial strips near Cavill Avenue.

Good to Know: The terrace at MĀRE by La Luna Beach Club offers a view that pairs best with the restaurant's seafood-forward menu; keep the smart and elegant dress code in mind, as the proximity to Marina Mirage makes this a frequent stop for the local yachting crowd.

What is it? Mamasan Kitchen Bar sits at 3 Oracle Boulevard, a five-minute walk from Kurrawa Beach and 300 meters from The Oasis Shopping Centre. It holds a hat from the 2024 Australian Good Food Guide.

Why we love it: The restaurant balances a high-end, luxury aesthetic with an approachable South East Asian and sushi menu, marking it as a deliberate choice for fine dining in Broadbeach. With a 4.76 rating from over 1,000 guests, the kitchen consistently hits the mark for those seeking a premium evening that justifies the higher price point.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Mamasan Kitchen Bar is strictly enforced, so leave the beachwear at the nearby shore and dress for the sophisticated bar setting.

What is it? Uncle Su sits on the ground level of The Star on 1 Casino Dr. It operates as a high-end restaurant serving Chinese, Asian, and Modern cuisine.

Why we love it: While the Gold Coast offers plenty of casual dining, Uncle Su provides a rare, formal environment for Asian cuisine that maintains a consistent 4.70 rating from its patrons. The space is built for those who prefer their dinner with a view, trading the noise of the surrounding Gold Coast for a refined, upscale setting.

Good to Know: Uncle Su requires a smart and elegant dress code, so save the beachwear for the walk over from Kurrawa Beach—it is a ten-minute stroll away.

What is it? Miss Moneypenny's Broadbeach sits on Oracle Boulevard, a five-minute walk from Kurrawa Beach and less than a kilometer from The Star Gold Coast. This fusion restaurant holds one hat from the 2024 Australian Good Food Guide.

Why we love it: While Broadbeach is heavy on casual takeaway, this venue leans into fine dining with a price point that reflects the commitment to contemporary fusion techniques. The 4.50 rating across more than a thousand reviews suggests a consistency that is rare in such a high-traffic area near Pacific Fair.

Good to Know: The terrace at Miss Moneypenny's Broadbeach is the primary choice for those adhering to the smart and elegant dress code while dining in the coastal air.

What is it? Cucina Vivo sits on the lobby level of The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive. It is an Italian seafood restaurant that balances formal fine dining with a terrace view.

Why we love it: It earns its 4.67 rating from 841 reviews by delivering a consistent, classic experience that feels distinct from the surrounding coastal casual dining. The venue leans into its luxury setting, offering an expansive, quiet environment that stands in stark contrast to the nearby crowds at Kurrawa Beach, which sits a ten-minute walk away.

Good to Know: The terrace at Cucina Vivo offers an outdoor vantage point that is best experienced while adhering to the restaurant’s smart and elegant dress code.

What is it? Kiyomi sits on the lobby level of The Star, just a six-minute walk from Kurrawa Beach. This Japanese restaurant holds two hats from the Australian Good Food Guide.

Why we love it: While many venues at this price point lean into trends, Kiyomi secures its reputation through the precision of its Japanese menu. Earning two AGFG hats requires a level of consistency that few fine dining rooms in the area achieve. It provides a rare, romantic escape that stays removed from the heavy foot traffic of the nearby Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

Good to Know: The kitchen specializes in a contemporary approach to sushi, so ask the staff to curate a selection based on the day’s market arrivals to best experience the quality of the seafood.