CHUPACABRA
The owners of Harvest in Newrybar and Barrio in Byron Bay are back at it with a new venue, this time teaming up with renowned chef Evan White (Nobu park Lane, Brisbane’s Cocoyito, Red Hook and The Burrow) and partner Amelia Stokes to create a Mexican taqueria in Suffolk Park. Named after a Latin-American folklore creature, CHUPACABRA will focus on a ‘coastal’ style of Mexican fare, with Evan White developing a vibrant, light and wholesome menu to brings the more unique tastes of Mexico to the Byron Bay region. Think fresh handmade corn-tortilla tacos, a daily selection of ceviche, grilled corn on the cob with punchy condiments, as well as dishes like cochinita pibil – a traditional-style of slow-roasted pork with sour orange, coriander, lime and pickled onion. As for the sips, expect margaritas on tap with tropical twists, as well as classics with a hint of Mexican flair (hello mezcal negroni). A huge series of hard-to-get tequilas and mezcals will also be pouring. The 60-seat restaurants, which we’re told will sport a fit-out reminiscent of the Mexican coastline, is due to open in July. We’ll have more details for you then.

Brio Emporium
Popular health-food cafe meets grocer Brio Emporium is expanding south with a new venue to open in Burleigh Heads. Brio first opened in Broadbeach in 2015 and soon garnered a loyal following of health-conscious foodies with its unique offering catering for paleo, ketogenic, low-carb and high-fat diets with everything from bone broth cups to protein-packed smoothies and ‘fat boy’ sundaes. The brand-new Burleigh Heads digs, located in a newly developed food precinct within Treetops Plaza, will follow the same menu offering as the Broadbeach venue and will continue to stock a wide range of grocery products. Brio Emporium Burleigh is due to open on August 1 – we’ll keep you posted.

Carl’s Jnr
Burger lovers, you’re in for a treat. Famous American burger chain Carl’s Jnr is heading to the coast! The city will get its first taste of the Los Angeles-born burger joint when its flagship Gold Coast venue opens in Pimpama next month. The new freestanding Carl’s Jnr drive-thru site will be slinging its signature handmade Thickburgers, which are stacked to the sky with angus beef patties and other fresh ingredients, as well as ice-cream shakes, fries and sides. Carl’s Jnr, which currently has venues in Brisbane Airport and Redbank Plains, will open its first Gold Coast restaurant on July 18 – we’ll have more delicious details for you soon.

Harvest Buffet
Longstanding buffet icon Food Fantasy at The Star Gold Coast is closing its doors in July and will return later this year as Harvest Buffet. Featuring a similar aesthetic to its sibling venue at The Star Sydney, Harvest Buffet will expand by 100 seats to reach a capacity of 500 diners. World-renowned architecture firm Luchetti Krelle, also behind the fit-out of Kiyomi, Cucina Vivo and Mei Wei Dumplings, is responsible for the design of the new space, which will feature a grand entranceway, lush greenery, cabana-like canopies, a luxe private dining room and a state-of-the-art kitchen. More details will be revealed later this year, but we’re told to expect refined versions of buffet classics as well as some more unique interactive features including an impressive custom-designed chocolate fountain. We’ll have all of the details for you this summer – keep your eyes peeled.

Hot Star Chicken
Fried-chicken fiends, take a deep breath before you read this. Insanely popular Taiwanese fried-chicken chain Hot Star Chicken is opening on the Gold Coast! For the uninitiated, Hot Star is famous for its big-as-your-head slabs of fried chicken, which are served in a range of flavour combinations. The Taiwanese street-food staple gained its status at the Taipei Shi-Lin Night Market before its deliciousness spread across the world – and now it’s the Gold Coast’s turn, with the city’s first Hot Star Chicken store to open in Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre in August. Now, when we say ‘big as your head’ we’re not joking – this is actual novelty-sized fried chicken, cooked fresh to order and served in an on-the-go paper bag. There are also smaller bite-sized chicken pieces and sides like deep-fried mushrooms and curly fries on the menu to accompany. Get the wet wipes ready – we’ll have all of the details for you soon.