Sandfire, Miami
Offering a globe-trotting menu, pina-colada flights, unobstructed ocean views and a hint of salt lingering in the air as a constant reminder you are mere steps away from the beach, Sandfire nestled atop North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club has all of the fundamental elements for a delightful dining experience. With a dreamy coastal aesthetic, the chic 100-seater is furnished with a range of seating areas, from comfy couches to while away an afternoon, to high bar-style tables to really soak in the view. The menu offers an elevated dining experience with the likes of Coffin Bay oysters, Japanese-style tuna sashimi with zingy wasabi and ginger dressing and Swedish prawn skagen. You won’t go thirsty either, with a palate-pleasing selection of sips including a pina-colada flight that journeys to the past, present and future, with three different iterations on the classic beverage. If you’re yet to check out Sandfire, do yourself a favour.
Holy Ship, Marina Mirage
Continuing the waterfront dining theme but stepping it up a notch, Holy Ship is a brand-new floating restaurant that invites you to experience the gentle rock of the ocean and the salty sea breeze as you dine aboard two completely refurbished trawler boats – the almighty Austral Eagle (originally constructed in 1978) and Havana (1970). Moored at Marina Mirage, the new nautical noshery launched just prior to Easter and is making waves among foodies for its unique concept, fun fit-out and moreish menu. Across the two vessels, there’s seating for 72 guests, with separate seating areas on the lower and upper decks. When it comes to the menu, the seafood-heavy selection sources as much of the seafood as possible from the local fisherman’s co-op, and will only ever plate Australian-caught fare. The menu is designed for sipping and snacking the afternoon away. Aye-aye, Captain.
Doughed, Hope Island
If you’re yet to be acquainted with Doughed, allow us. Doughed is the latest addition to Hope Island Marketplace. It’s not hard to spot at the far end of the carpark – just look for the stream of people carrying blue boxes and looks of chuffed satisfaction and you’re on the money. The hole-in-the-wall outpost has taken the northern foodie scene by storm, dropping some seriously drool-inducing doughnuts, craving-curing cookies and some damn tasty focaccia sandwiches. The concept is about bringing together a holy trinity of food-related hankerings into one convenient location with the added bonus of coffee and strawberry matcha. Among the selections you’ll find cookies in mouth-watering flavours such as salted-caramel pretzel, ‘Funfetti’ (sprinkles and white chocolate filled with Milky Bar) and Ferrero (milk and dark chocolate filled with Nutella and hazelnuts), alongside doughnut delights including Biscoff, Creme Brulee and Gaytime. If you’re planning a visit, here’s a hot tip – it gets busy, so best to head in early.
Canvas, Palm Beach
Okay so technically this one isn’t a new opening, but hear us out. Mitch and Nerissa McCluskey, who long-time locals might remember founded a little Burleigh cafe called Commune as well as the perpetually busy, moodily lit Japanese spot Etsu Izakaya, have taken the reins of the Palm Beach caffeinery. Nestled beneath Magnoli Apartments, it was the playground out the front and proximity to the beach that sealed the deal for the pair, who wasted no time giving the venue and menu a spruce. As for the eats, the full menu is still a work-in-progress, with new dishes popping up every couple of days. So far, some of the early standouts have been the slow-cooked brisket and a vodka-cured salmon bagel with hints of dill. As for lunch, Mitch says to expect a few more bagels thrown into the mix alongside a mouth-watering karaage chicken burger that contains Etsu’s famous fried-chicken pieces.
Image credit: Brooke Darling Photography
Awaken, Coolangatta
Hot on the heels of the opening of Pipis at the end of February, Brisbane’s Gambaro Group has now unveiled the final piece in the puzzle – a light and bright daytime noshery called Awaken. Taking prime position atop Point Danger overlooking Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and Duranbah Beach, the venue has transformed the former Cafe DBar into a chic 40-seater complete with a striking floor-to-ceiling bread display. The opening line-up offers a concise selection of freshly brewed Merlo Coffee, juices and smoothies alongside freshly made sandwiches, salads, daily baked pies and pastries, breakfast rolls and acai bowls. Eventually, we’re told, the menu will expand to include blueberry pancakes, nourishing green bowls, classic eggs on toast, mouth-watering breakfast rolls, freshly baked pastries as well as a selection of lunchtime favourites.
