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The recap: five of the best new Gold Coast restaurants, bars and cafes that have opened recently

The recap: five of the best new Gold Coast restaurants, bars and cafes that have opened recently

The summer months may be officially coming to an end, but the Gold Coast's dining scene shows no signs of cooling off. So far this year, we've welcomed a primo pizza parlour, a modern Korean eatery and a seriously jaw-dropping seafood restaurant. Read on to hear more about some of 2024's best … so far.


Pipi’s, Coolangatta
The calendar has only just clicked over to March and we’ve already welcomed what could arguably be one of the year’s best with Pipi’s by Gambaro. Nestled on level two of the recently completed $42-million Awaken Complex, the location is simply unparalleled, offering panoramic views over Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and Duranbah Beach. When it comes to the menu, Pipi’s draws upon the hospitality dynasty’s incredible 70-year history to deliver a sophisticated dining spot inspired by the healthy and wholesome elements of Mediterranean cuisine. Sustainable meat, seafood and vegetables are front and centre, opening with oysters and caviar bumps. The snacks portion of the menu is influenced heavily by seafood, with swordfish skewers, seared scallops and crispy prawn rolls vying for your attention. Entrees include the likes of Mediterranean crudo, chargrilled squid and Mooloolaba king prawns, but if you’re keen for a little taste of everything, the Pipi’s Seafood Platter is the way to go. The mains meander from handmade lobster linguine, to grilled spatchcock and a selection of steaks. Read more about this striking newcomer here.


ATTO Korean Cuisine
, Chirn Park
There are some venues that linger in our collective memories long after we’ve left. ATTO is that place. The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it restaurant is located a couple of shops down from 5b2f Bakehouse in Chirn Park and is the handiwork of Yongsul Lee, who also goes by the name Stefano. Translating to mean ‘gift’ in Korean, ATTO is his gift to the Gold Coast. A nod to Stefano’s childhood, the menu deftly fuses traditional Korean flavours with innovative techniques and modern plating to deliver something familiar yet exciting all in the same bite. While every single dish is worthy of a mention, the K.F.C (Korean fried chicken) and the kingfish sashimi resting on a bed of kohlrabi, shiso, onion chive and Stefano’s own house-made gochujang sauce (fermented chilli paste) were absolute standouts. The charcoal-grilled Moreton Bay bug bathed in fermented soy bean and yuzu kosho, and the sticky braised-pork belly are also popular options. Read more about ATTO here.


Charcoal Charcoal
, Robina
Yakitori is one of the few foods that are equally at home at street-side stalls as they are gracing the menus of fine-dining establishments. Cooked over binchotan charcoal – which is regarded by many chefs as the best in the world – yakitori is in a culinary class of its own. Mouthwateringly tender with a hint of smokey flavour, yakitori, when paired with a crisp, cold lager, is a gift for your taste buds. If you too possess an appreciation for the edible art form, you need to pull up a seat at Robina’s Charcoal Charcoal Yakitori. Quietly opening in December, the yakitori bar offers an elevated menu that spans land and sea. The hero here is the M8-9 wagyu beef, which is juicy and oh-so-tender. For an unexpectedly delicious combination, try the wagyu yakitori delicately threaded with pineapple and garlic-thyme butter. Read more about Charcoal Charcoal here.


Franc Jrs
, Nobby Beach
Pizza connoisseurs have long travelled far and wide to visit Coolangatta’s Franc Jrs and devour a slice (okay, tray) of its famed deep-dish Detroit-style pizza. Back in January, the Gold Coast was gifted a second outpost, this time in Nobby Beach. Located on Lavarack Road (next to Ally Chow), the new slice slinger replicates its Coolangatta sibling spot in terms of the menu, look and feel, crafted with timber trimmings, maroon leather booths, a hint of grit and plenty of nostalgic throwbacks. If you’re new to the Franc Jrs experience, then you’re in for a treat. Based loosely around the concept of an Italian-American family-style pizzeria, the menu features a selection of 13-inch classic and vegan pizzas, alongside super-sized 16-inch round ‘cheese pies’ that you can keep simple or load up with extra toppings. The Franc Jrs specialty, however, is an interpretation of the aforementioned Detroit-style deep-dish pizza, known here as Sicilian Squares. Our pick? The White Stripe with all of the cheeses, including extra tallegio, ricotta and parmesan, plus red onion and lip-tingling hot honey. Wash it down with a tin of Franc’s own locally brewed beer, margarita or a cup of frozen limoncello, and you have all of the ingredients for a food coma of the very best kind. In true Franc style, there are no reservations here, just rock up and add your name to the pizza box at the front door.


Velaa
, Surfers Paradise
The Gold Coast’s love affair with Asian-fusion restaurants shows no signs of slowing with some top-notch eateries all putting their spin on the geographically diverse cuisine. Despite the influx, Velaa in Surfers Paradise stands out. Not only because it’s one of the prettiest cafes we’ve gazed upon, but because this modern Thai restaurant brings a refreshing twist to the bustling tourist hub. A neon light that reads ‘Life is short, eat the dessert first,’ serves as both a reminder and an invitation, and once you get a glimpse of the burnt-butter toast, you’ll understand why. Work your way backwards through starters such as salmon tartare and prawn toast, leading to flavour-packed mains such as the aromatic Khao Soi beef topped with crisp noodles. One of the all-time favourites, we’re told, is the innovative Tom Yum prawns omurice, which marries traditional Thai cuisine with a subtle Western flair. The result is something that needs to be experienced first-hand to truly appreciate. If you’re keen on a food-filled adventure through the vibrant flavours of Asia, pull up a seat at Velaa. Read more about the innovative newcomer here.

Pipi’s image credit: Brooke Darling Photography

The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Gold Coast dining guide with more than 870 places to eat, drink, shop and play.



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