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The round-up: some of the most exciting new openings of 2023 (so far!) The round-up: some of the most exciting new openings of 2023 (so far!) The round-up: some of the most exciting new openings of 2023 (so far!) The round-up: some of the most exciting new openings of 2023 (so far!) The round-up: some of the most exciting new openings of 2023 (so far!) The round-up: some of the most exciting new openings of 2023 (so far!) The round-up: some of the most exciting new openings of 2023 (so far!)

The round-up: some of the most exciting new openings of 2023 (so far!)

Can you believe we’re already past the halfway point of 2023? We know, it’s wild to think about, but that’s what happens when you’ve been too busy enjoying all of the exciting things happening in and around the Gold Coast! So far the year has seen big openings from established operators as well the emergence of some exciting new local eateries and a few hidden haunts – each adding something special to the city’s culinary melting pot. Before we blink and it's Christmas, we thought we'd take a minute to look back at the year so far and reflect on some of the best openings of 2023 ...


TOKOH, Mermaid Beach
Every very now and then, a venue comes along that changes the culinary landscape. TOKOH in Mermaid Beach is one of those venues. Said to be ‘a space built for absurdity and pleasure’, the dining experience is precisely that – an experience. The exciting new venue is the handiwork of Lachlan Cuskelly and Madeleine Norton (Panchos and Suzy BBQ), who, alongside head chef Mario Georgiou, are bringing a new style of hospitality to the Gold Coast – one heavily inspired by time spent gallivanting across the Gili islands, indulging in Jakarta’s colourful street cuisine, and hopping from one bar to another in Canggu. Sip a Bintang and settle in, you’re in for a wild ride.

Happy Endings, Broadbeach
If you love a late-night bite, you’re going to love Happy Endings in Broadbeach. The venue’s name is a cheeky nod to the rather infamous massage parlour that formerly resided within the space and is the latest offering from Bella and Euan Lovell (Fig & Frankie’s). While their first-born is light and bright, Happy Endings is quite the opposite – moody, dark and intimate. When it comes to the menu, Euan describes it as “same same but different” – essentially, familiar flavours with a Happy Endings twist. If you’re keen to check it out, head towards Fig & Frankie’s and up the staircase that’s signed Flesh Impressions piercing parlour. Follow the projection up the staircase and you’ll discover Happy Endings. Or you could just follow the steady stream of people and lively tunes.

Sofi, Surfers Paradise
Right now, our social media feeds are bombarded with sun-soaked images from European getaways and adventures abroad. If an overseas holiday isn’t on your 2023 bingo card, take a seat at Sofi, the Gold Coast’s luxurious new Mediterranean-inspired rooftop restaurant and bar, which is almost as good as the real deal. Delivering all of the flavours and finery of an Italian holiday by the seaside sans the ticket and passport, Sofi is perched atop a newly redeveloped building on Orchid Avenue, bringing a taste of sophistication and style to the party precinct with olive trees, white-washed lounges and rustic urns. When it comes to the menu, Sofi is all about indulgence with caviar, oysters, pasture-fed steak tartare and chemoula prawns.

Side Piece Coffee, Varsity Lakes
Specialising in brews, chews and banter, Varsity’s new resident is an instant hit with the locals, and once you get a glimpse of the goods, it’s not hard to see why. The menu includes a delicious build-your-own option, inviting a kind of culinary anarchy that legitimises your choice to have mortadella-and-pickle toast at 7:00 am. Some of the other additions to pimp your morning meal include scrambled eggs, mixed mushrooms, halloumi, kimchi and smoked ham, to name a few. Those who prefer the tried-and-tested favourites will also find a selection of house faves. If you’re in the market for a bit on the side, check out Varsity’s new coffee slinger, stat.

Okawari House, Nobby Beach
Translating to mean ‘second helping’ in Japanese, Okawari House has transformed the space formerly occupied by i like ramen at the northern end of the Nobby Beach strip into an upscale Japanese joint. The charismatic newcomer is the latest offering from Imlach Hospitality Group headed by Scott Imlach and Simone Tunbridge. The menu showcases drool-inducing yakitori alongside dishes cooked over coals on a traditional robata grill – think slightly charred broccolini, grilled octopus and a show-stopping flaming wagyu with a marble score of 8+ which is served on a ishiyaki (stone grill). A culinary gift for the Goldie, Okawari House is a must-try.

Bar Leo, Sorrento
There’s something about a neighbourhood noshery that just hits different. Close to home, you can stroll in for a bite and a couple of glasses of wine without the hassle of transport. If you live in or around Sorrento, it’s highly likely you’re already well acquainted with Bar Leo. For those a little late to the party, the eye-catching new eatery delivers moreish Mediterranean morsels and worldly wines to the newly redeveloped complex on Panitz Street. The snacks and small plates offering include dishes such as handmade chorizo, octopus with potato and pickled chilli, local calamari, roast chicken with ‘nduja, and a 1-kg Black Angus rib. There’s a lot to love about Bar Leo, pull up a seat and see for yourself.

Lenny Pizzeria & Bar, Mudgeeraba
Credited with invigorating the quaint suburb of Mudgeeraba after dark is this perpetually pumping pizza place. The venue is the latest culinary offering from Robert Morwood and Oliver Botha, two alumni of Burleigh Heads institution Justin Lane. In terms of the menu, there’s a succinct scattering of small plates including arancini, meatballs, Sicilian olives and bruschetta, alongside a trio of vibrant and fresh salads. The hero, however, is the pizza. Made using a 72-hour fermented dough, the base is super-light and fluffy and there are 11 different combinations to choose from (the pepperoni drizzled with hot honey is a taste sensation). Oh, and if your name is Lenny (and you can prove it), you can score a spot on the Lenny wall of fame.

Marilyn’s, Broadbeach
Look, we’ll admit that we weren’t around to experience Las Vegas in the 70s, but if we were, we reckon it would look a little something like Marilyn’s in Broadbeach. Nestled at the base of the Phoenician Resort, the new sip spot dishes up a serious dose of vintage glamour, top-notch tipples and Spanish tapas. Based loosely on Hunter S. Thompson’s LSD-fuelled escapades chronicled in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Marilyn’s is designed to transport you back in time to the hedonistic heyday of Vegas with pink and mint-hued walls, a golden arched bar and plush velvet bar stools. Flick through the photo-album menu and you’ll be greeted with a visual assortment of Spanish tapas that meander from light bites such as pickles, warm olives and freshly shucked oysters to more substantial serves of patatas bravas (Spanish fried potatoes), chorizo sausage stewed in cider and a cheesy quesadilla. As Hunter S. Thompson once said, “Good people drink good beer,” or, in Marilyn’s case, cocktails.

Luna’s Pizza & Wine, Broadbeach
If you’re an avid reader, you’ll know that we have a penchant for pizza. If you too have a soft spot for a slice, check out Luna’s Pizza & Wine, the sibling to Sofia’s Restaurant & Bar. The Broadbeach beauty slings perfectly charred wood-fired pizza pies that sits somewhere between the super-thin Napoli style and the slightly crispier Roman style. The menu has been designed to encapsulate the Italian way of dining, with every meal cause for celebration.

The Bread Social, Currumbin
Signalling the start of a much, much larger project, Byron Bay’s The Bread Social has opened a new nook in Currumbin. Stocked with a selection of faves including custard tarts, fruit-topped danishes, croissants, wraps and, of course, its famous rustic handmade sourdough, the new kiosk is the first taste of what’s to come from the company. The Bread Social has taken over the entire 1259-sqm space with the view to relocate production here by year’s end. The bakery and production house will eventually contain a 120-sqm internal cafe with a scattering of alfresco dining, a pastry room and a state-of-the-art industrial bakery. Watch this space.

Hound & Stag Brewing Co, Arundel
Beer tastes better when you can sip it from the source, that’s just a fact. If you find yourself on the northern end with a hankering for a brew, check out Arundel’s enormous $3.5-million taphouse called Hound & Stag Brewing Co. Although it technically opened just prior to Christmas last year, this one is worth bending the rules for.

Modo Mio, Broadbeach
If you’re a Pacific Fair regular with a penchant for pizza, pasta and prosecco, pull up a seat at Modo Mio, which has opened on the ground level of The Resort. The venue is the latest offering from seasoned hospitality operators Max and Amanda Alfieri, who have owned restaurants at Sanctuary Cove and across the Gold Coast for many years. While a shopping centre environment might not seem like an obvious choice for an upscale Italian eatery, that’s precisely what attracted hospitality operators Max and Amanda to the space. In terms of the menu, Amanda says it’s a culmination of favourites from their 28 years in hospitality – think modern twists on classic Italian cuisine.

As much as we wanted to include every single new opening for 2023, our word count would simply not allow it! If you’re in the mood for a beer and a bite, check out Tank Bar & Dining in Palm Beach and The Yard GC in Nobby Beach. Pizza pals, check out Double Zero Coolangatta, Crispy Italian Bar in Burleigh and La Calabrese in Surfers Paradise. Those who love a good breakfast and brunch should definitely pull up a seat at Ferg’s Cafe & Bar in Miami and The Winey Cow in Main Beach. And last but definitely not least, those craving a Mexican feast should head to Cali Tacos in Broadbeach for Australia’s biggest nachos, D’ La Rosa in Mermaid Beach for tasty fish tacos and Isla Cantina for waterfront vibes. 

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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