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Lick your lips – new Gold Coast restaurants, cafes and bars to get excited about

Lick your lips – new Gold Coast restaurants, cafes and bars to get excited about

Sayonara 2017 – the new year is here and it's looking mighty fine. In case you missed it, there are a bunch of new restaurants, cafes and bars opening across all corners of the Gold Coast over the next few months. From hawker-style Asian laneways to rooftop bars and New York-style diners, here's what we're getting excited about.


Cubby Bakehouse, Chinderah
Take a deep breath before you read this … the owners of everybody’s sweet saviour Bam Bam Bakehouse  are it again. Yep, there’s another bun in the oven. The exciting new venue is called Cubby Bakehouse and is currently taking shape near the southern border in the heart of the quaint township of Chinderah. We’re told it will double as an old-school style bakery and sit-down cafe, with lots of glorious takeaway baked goods and sweet treats. The hero here will be the humble baguette – think fresh-baked crunchy delights brimming with fillings like cultured butter, salami and pickles, similar to what you’d find on the bustling streets of Paris. We’ll freely admit we got a little flushed when we heard this news … be still, our pastry-loving hearts. Cubby is due to open between late February and early March. We’ll have all the details for you then.

Ally Chow, Nobby Beach
Trent Scarr, former owner and chef of Honeyeater Kitchen, is back with an exciting new Asian-inspired eatery. Ally Chow is one of the fresh new faces arising on the Nobby Beach corner after it sadly went up in flames. We’re told to expect a dark and moody fit-out, brought to life by eclectic art and a flavour-packed Asian menu served across lunch and dinner. This one is not far off – the doors are due to open late next week, so we’ll have all the details for you very soon.

Charr’d, Coolangatta
An eatery dedicated to organic charcoal-grilled meats is coming to Coolangatta. The very first Charr’d venue will be located at The Strand in Coolangatta, serving delicious meats like charcoal chicken, mouth-watering ribs, beef and lamb rump, all cooked on an open-flame rotisserie fuelled by lava rocks. All of the meats are completely organic and hormone free and are served piping-hot straight from the grill with fresh salads and fries. Charr’d, which is coming to life under Queensland-based Buddha Group, is due to open in early February. Get the wet wipes ready!

FuFu, Mermaid Beach
This newie from Morgan Walsh, the owner of Bonita Bonita, Bon Bon and Poké Poké, has us pretty damn excited. Taking over the old Burger Fuel building adjacent to Poké Poké, FuFu will be all about American-style Chinese fare, offering cheeky and cheerful casual dining that won’t break the bank. FuFu’s menu will be a little more indulgent with old-school Chinese favourites like sweet and sour pork, beef and black bean, egg foo yong (a Chinese-American omelette) and crispy chicken wings. Plus, in true style, you’ll find dishes with a twist like cheeseburger spring rolls and Moreton Bay bug baos. FuFu is due to open around the end of February.

Gotham Bar & Grill, Runaway Bay
Those on the northern end are waiting with bated breath for this new venue by Daniel Ridgeway, the owner of venues Little TruffleBiN72BiN89BiN232Bin 12Rivea Italian and more recently Brisbane’s BiN931. The details are being kept under wraps for now, but we’re told Gotham Bar & Grill, which will feature a multi-level restaurant and rooftop bar, will open its doors around late March. Look out (and up), Runaway Bay locals!

8 Street, Surfers Paradise
This innovative new Asian-inspired foodie laneway in the heart of Surfers Paradise is being curated by David Wu, who has operated 8 Street in Brisbane’s Westfield Garden City since 2014.  The opening was originally pegged for December, but we’re told the delicious new project will open in the early part of 2018. The expansive laneway eatery will feature more than 30 street-food vendors, which will deliver an authentic oriental marketplace experience. Expect a loud, bustling hawker-style food market featuring cuisines from China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and India.

Oh My Waffle, Burleigh Heads
Waffle lovers, get set – this sweet new Burleigh hang is not far off! It was initially due to open in late 2017, but don’t fret – we’ve been told the doors to Oh My Waffle will open in late January. Located where the 24-hour gym was (heh) beneath the Ambience tower, the boutique dessert bar will feature a bunch of specialty waffles towering with ice-cream and delicious toppings, and there will also be a make-your-own-waffle option. You’ll also be able to sip on fancy milkshakes, hot chocolates and coffees. Keep your eyes peeled.

Miss Moneypenny’s, Broadbeach
If you’re familiar with the incredibly popular Noosa establishment Miss Moneypenny’s, then you’ll share our excitement with this new addition. The owner of the Hastings Street icon, Windermere Hospitality, headed by Ben Walsh, has landed the rights to a soon-to-be-built 1800-sqm retail space beneath the 219-key Avani apartment project on Surf Parade in Broadbeach (the former Beach Hotel site). The Gold Coast version of Miss Moneypenny’s will take up around 750sqm of the new site, featuring a 200-seat restaurant and bar across indoor and outdoor areas. Miss Moneypenny’s is expected to open by mid 2018.

Fat Freddy’s Beach Bar + Diner, Broadbeach
So, Miss Moneypenny’s isn’t the only new addition to Windermere Hospitality’s new mini precinct beneath the new Avani tower. The group will also be creating a new American-stye sports pub called Fat Freddy’s Beach Bar + Diner, which will sit next door to Miss Moneypenny’s in the new Broadbeach hub. The 145-seat sports lounge, which is a new concept for the group, will be adjoined by a luxury gaming lounge, accessed via a separate entrance. Fat Freddy’s is due to open by mid 2018.

Pinky’s, Nobby Beach
Pinky’s is another one of the new venues that will bring the iconic Nobby Beach corner back to life. Pinky’s will be a New York-inspired contemporary diner – we’re talking deli-style sandwiches piled high, bagels, and hearty burgers. The 76-seat Pinky’s will be serving an American-style breakfast and lunch to start, with a dinner trade to follow down the track. It’s due to open by mid January, so keep your eyes on The Weekend Edition for all details very soon.

Quince, Currumbin
We’re very fond of cheese, so we’re understandably very excited for this one. Quince is a boutique fromagerie and cellar opening in the Cornerstone Stores in Currumbin. Based on European-style delicatessens, Quince will feature a walk-in cheese room (no, we’re not joking) plus a spread of deli items like an array of delicious salamis and an endless selection of olives. There’s more – Quince will also feature a selection of boutique wines and liqueurs. This one-stop picnic shop is everything. It’s due to open by February, alongside the rest of the Cornerstone Stores in Currumbin. Excitement overload.

Stable Coffee + Kitchen, Currumbin
Another tenant in the soon-to-open Cornerstone Stores in Currumbin is Stable Coffee + Kitchen. The exciting new 70-seat eatery will offer a wholefood-style breakfast and lunch menu, featuring share plates and vibrant salads. Melbourne’s Seven Seeds coffee will be pumping, plus there will be a small rotating boutique wine and beer list. Keep your eyes for this newbie in February.

Image credit: Miss Moneypenny’s, Noosa.

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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