The Dish: Gold Coast food news you might have missed this week
A lot is happening on the Gold Coast (and surrounds) these days, it’s almost too much to keep up with. The Dish is a rapid-fire rundown of the coast’s food news – quick taster-sized tidbits to keep you in the know and, perhaps, tickle your taste buds. This week we’ve got word of a buttery pop-up, a new location for an old fave and a fiery new restaurant in the works for Sanctuary Cove.
Breakfast bresola? Elk Espresso drops a delicious (and unexpected) new spring menu
The birds are swooping, which can only mean one thing – spring is officially here and so too is the new seasonal menu from Elk Espresso. As always, it’s a feast of creativity and unexpected twists. This season’s standouts include a decadent hotcake layered with maple cream and topped with a nutty crunch, breakie bresaola paired with eggs and zingy salsa verde, and the gorgeous ruby oats – a jewel-bright bowl that’s almost too pretty to eat. Savoury lovers can dive into the Sombrero Sunrise, which puts a breakfast spin on Mexican flavours, while lighter bites like the watermelon and kiwi panna cotta keep things fresh. Of course, it wouldn’t be Elk without a little fun – so the boozy brekkie option means mimosas can absolutely be part of your morning spread. Elk Espresso is walk-in only, so no need to make a reservation, just pop on in.
Palm Court at The Langham Gold Coast launches its new Spring Afternoon Tea menu
Spring’s arrival has also made its way to The Langham, Gold Coast, where the iconic Afternoon Tea has been refreshed with a vibrant new seasonal menu. Served on an elegant three-tier stand, the line-up blends savoury sophistication with delicate sweets – think a spring vegetable tartlet with smoked eggplant, artichoke and Persian fetta, a tea-smoked spring lamb pretzel bun with mint salsa verde and hot smoked trout vol-au-vent topped with asparagus and caviar. Sweet indulgences include a yuzu, rum and vanilla matcha square, strawberry with lime and white chocolate, and a raspberry, rhubarb and pistachio tart. Of course, no afternoon tea would be complete without the signature warm scones, served with white velvet cream, lemon curd and raspberry preserves. Available daily for $95 per person, the Spring Afternoon Tea can be enjoyed with specialty teas or elevated with a glass of Taittinger champagne for an extra touch of luxury. Make a reservation here.
Dive into Haven’s sensational new seafood selection at Mondrian Gold Coast
A new season means a new reason to dine at Haven, the oceanfront restaurant and pool club at Mondrian Gold Coast. Executive chef Aaron Teece has introduced a spring menu that heroes the region’s freshest produce, balancing light coastal flavours with hearty share plates. Highlights include a silky prawn-bisque risotto with local prawns, saffron and espelette pepper, a seafood chowder with lemon myrtle, and slow-cooked lamb shoulder layered with sweet onion textures. From the woodfire come standout dishes like Australian bay bug karaage and scallops with crispy chilli and potato, while dessert arrives in the form of a share-style apple tarte tatin with Tommerup Dairy creme fraiche. It’s not just the food that’s been refreshed – Haven’s lifestyle activations bring even more ways to indulge this spring. Think Oysters & Champagne ($30 per person, weekdays from 3:00–5:00 pm), complimentary upgrades on seasonal set menus for group bookings, luxe cabana lunches with private dining and golden hour DJ sessions every weekend. Framed by Burleigh’s pine-lined shoreline, Haven continues to redefine coastal dining in the most delicious way possible. Book a table here.
Fire up your taste buds with a culinary world tour at Southport’s revamped foodie hotspot
If you’re a bit bored of the same old options when it comes to dinner, Southport is quickly shaping up as the Gold Coast’s go-to spot for global eats, with Australia Fair Metro unveiling a fresh line-up of foodie gems to sink your teeth into. The centre’s new arrivals bring a world of flavour under one roof – from 1919 Lanzhou Beef Noodle, where bowls of hand-pulled noodles and dumplings fly out of the kitchen, to Zhang Liang Malatang, dishing up customisable hotpots that let you dial up (or down) the spice. Over in the Filipino corner, Kubo’s Bar & Grill has expanded into a larger space, now serving its famous crispy pork hocks and charcoal-grilled meats alongside halo-halo desserts stacked with purple-yam ice-cream and leche flan. And if you like your seafood messy and fun, Kickin’ Inn has landed with its Cajun-style seafood boils, complete with prawns, crabs and mussels spread straight across the table. Throw in Korean fried chicken from Haeduri Chicken and dessert sips at CoCo Fresh Bubble Tea, and you’ve got yourself a delicious new excuse to eat and slurp your way around the world.
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You butter believe it, Pepe Saya is popping up at QT Gold Coast
Butter lovers, loosen your belt buckles. From Saturday August 23 to Saturday September 30, QT Gold Coast is hosting Australia’s own butter king, Pepe Saya, for an indulgent takeover. This decadent pop-up is a love letter to churned perfection, starring an exclusive QT x Pepe Saya vanilla-bean butter that’ll be slathered, drizzled and dolloped across everything from towering souffle pancakes to caramelised croissants. The menu is a dreamscape of buttery brilliance – think burnt-butter cookies, scones slathered thick with whipped butter and even cocktails laced with a silky butter drizzle. Whether you’re in it for a sweet tooth fix, a savoury hit with chilli jam and maple bacon, or just to see how many ways butter can steal the show, this is one collab that’s guaranteed to hit the spot. QT Gold Coast x Pepe Saya Takeover is available at FIXX Café and Room Service by QT, served daily from 6:30 am until 4:00 pm. Stingray Lounge’s limited-edition Lyre’s butter-drizzled non-alcoholic cocktail menu available Monday to Saturday from 4:00 pm.
New teppanyaki hotspot Kuroki is set to open at Sanctuary Cove
Sanctuary Cove is about to turn up the heat with the arrival of Kuroki, a new teppanyaki restaurant from the team behind northern favourites Kamikaze Teppanyaki Coomera, Superwok Coomera and Bam Bam Korean Fried Chicken & Beer. Opening this September in the Marine Village, Kuroki promises more than just sizzling theatrics – it’s a refined, fire-fuelled dining experience inspired by the Japanese spirit of omotenashi, where every detail is designed with care. The sleekly styled restaurant, named after the Japanese phrase for ‘black wood’, will serve everything from live teppanyaki to sukiyaki, bento boxes and a la carte plates, all in an atmosphere that blends calm craftsmanship with modern elegance. Guests can pull up a seat at the teppan to watch the action or tuck into more intimate tables beneath softly glowing lanterns. As part of Sanctuary Cove’s ongoing evolution into a serious dining destination, Kuroki adds a bold, elevated edge to the mix – and we’re excited to check this one out.
Costa Taco bids farewell to Palm Beach and sets its sights on Burleigh
In some sad taco-related news, Palm Beach is bracing for the loss of a local favourite with Costa Taco revealing via Instagram this week that the original outpost will close its doors as the building makes way for redevelopment. The much-loved taqueria will serve its last tacos by November 1, marking the end of an era for the buzzing Palmy spot. But before fans mourn too hard, the Costa crew has confirmed this isn’t adios – just hasta luego (until later). A new chapter is already in the works, with plans for a bigger venue in Burleigh Heads. While the team is keeping the finer details tightly under wraps for now, one thing’s certain, our undying obsession for Costa Taco isn’t fading any time soon. As always, we’ll keep you posted.
Crafted Beer Festival returns with brews, barbecue and beats by the beach
The Gold Coast’s favourite frothie fest, Crafted Beer Festival, returns for its ninth edition on Saturday September 13, promising more than 50 breweries, 400-plus brews and a full day of seaside sipping. Expect exclusive drops, small-batch rarities and the return of local legends like Balter, Black Hops and Burleigh Brewing, plus newcomers including Kaiju! Beer and Perentie. This year debuts Crafted Smokeshow, a fiery barbecue zone serving up brisket, wings and burgers alongside live demos and eating comps. Add in Beddy Rays headlining a killer music line-up, creative cocktails from Granddad Jack’s, and wine masterclasses from Carafe Wines, and you’ve got a full-sensory festival of brews, beats and beachside bites. Tickets are on sale now.
Got a hot tip for us? Shoot us an email at goldcoast@theweekendedition.com.au, we’d love to hear it!