While the much-anticipated Gold Coast edition is the third notch in the Light Years belt, the Burleigh diner and bar is certainly not a carbon copy of its older siblings – it has its own identity, its own menu and a bright, light-filled fit-out that perfectly encapsulates the laid-back, sun-soaked vibe of Burleigh Heads. The impressive corner site is dipped in hues of pastel blue and pink, and lined with breeze blocks, vibrant wallpaper and blond timber, while artworks by Byron Bay creative Jai Vasicek command your glimpse. Light Years’ 90 seats sprawl inside and out, with mix of high tables, low seating and neon-lit archway booths for cosy group dining.
As for the eats – everything on the Light Years menu is designed to share. There’s a selection of dumplings (mud crab and scallop, chicken and black vinegar, wild truffle mushrooms) and DIY baos with fillings like smoked katsu pork hock, eggplant katsu and Korean fried chicken to get you started. Mid-sized shareables feature hand-held eats like prawn toast with umami butter, five-spice roasted-duck pancakes, and punchy vegetarian spring rolls with nuoc cham, while you’ll want to pull apart your chopsticks for plates like the crispy masterstock pork with sticky chilli caramel and the Light Years fried rice with prawns and barbecue pork. Aromatic curries also grace the menu – a turmeric and coconut curry with either fish or cauliflower, as well as a slow-braised beef-cheek rendang.
Sippers have a choice of eight signature cocktails, each boasting a shade of Asian influence. While concoctions like the Geisha Sour (Ink gin, umeshu, lemon, bitters and foam) and the Lola Paloma (chilli tequila, Campari, watermelon, lime and grapefruit) hero the drinks menu, you’ll find other sipping material like local and imported beers (on tap and in tins) and a hefty wine list that makes a notable lean toward sustainable and biodynamic drops. Light Years is open seven days for dinner and drinks, while diners can soak up the sunshine with lunch from Friday to Sunday.
For details and booking links, head over to our Stumble Guide.
