Things To Do

6 Reasons You Need To Visit This Food & Entertainment Mecca On The GC

By Morgan Reardon
1st Jul 2022

Nestled in the beating heart of Surfers Paradise, we’ve found the perfect place for the ultimate fun day out. Think: epic games, live sport and a total foodie nirvana. So where can you find this awesome spot? Perched on the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Cavill Mall, boasting a 100-metre frontage opposite the world-famous Surfers Paradise Beach, is Paradise Centre. Home to over 90 stores, an alfresco dining precinct and a buzzing entertainment hub, gather your crew and make tracks here stat.

Not sure where to start? We’ve picked the very best things to eat, see and do at Paradise Centre. Let the fun begin.  

Take Your Tastebuds On A Trip Around The World

While we haven’t been able to travel overseas much these past two years, fortunately you can take a tour around the globe with Paradise Centre’s incredible array of restaurants. Start on the Amalfi Coast at Love Italy. Their house-made dough is crafted over 24 hours using flour sourced from an Italian mill, it’s then hand stretched and loaded with fresh toppings. It’s like tasting a slice of Italy. On the menu you’ll also find delicate, melt-in-your mouth pasta (the ravioli tartufo is a must order) and sweet treats like Nutella pizza and tiramisu. Feel the luck of the Irish at Kitty O'Shea's Bar & Restaurant. Grab a seat outside and watch the world go by as you tuck into beef and Guinness pot pie, lamb shanks and bangers and mash. When the temperature drops, head inside and curl up by the roaring fire while sipping a pint of ale and listening to traditional Irish music. Finally, take a trip to Asia with all-you-can-eat Korean Bbq at Shila Korean Restaurant and sip taro smoothies and Taiwan black tea at Gong Cha. 

Bring On The Nostalgia With This Awesome Arcade

With over 300 arcade games, you’ll lose hours at Timezone as you unleash your competitive side. Once you’ve worked your way through - and hopefully bagged yourself a giant stuffed toy - there’s also Glow in the Dark Golf to tackle, bumper cars to thrash about in and a new Laser Tag arena that is not for the faint hearted. Make sure you carve out some time for Zone Bowling too.  There’s 12 all-new interactive lanes that you can customise with your own colourful lighting and special effects. Post-gaming you can fuel up at the on-site cafe and bar that slings towering milkshakes, burgers, pizza and fries doused in gooey cheese. Finally, fans of Jurassic Park have to check out Holoverse Dinosaur World, the world's first Hologram Dinosaur Adventure. Enjoy 10 different experiences like feeding a Brontosaurus, flying with Pterodactyls, or going under water. 

Catch All The Best Live Sport Action

Is there anything better than soaking up the sunshine, cold drink in hand and catching the latest live sport on the big screen? Entertaining locals since 1925, the iconic Surfers Paradise Beer Garden is a GC icon and absolutely worthy of a visit during your trip to Paradise Centre. With 18 big screens to ensure you don’t miss a single event, you’ll be able to watch the latest UFC, NFL, and rugby games. Post game, check out the open air wrap around bar and balcony overlooking Cavill Mall and grab a feed from their brand new menu - the Jim Beam Bourbon BBQ Glazed Ribs and classic parmi are top notch. But our favourite part? The Adult Playground. With astroturf beneath your feet and open skies above, you and your crew can play giant Jenga and Connect Four, as well as Foot-Pool and Shufl - all with a beer in hand of course. 

Get Your Sweet Tooth Fix

If you’re a lover of all things sugary, you’re in the right place, because Paradise Centre is bursting with sweet treats for you to try. First, head to Ben & Jerry’s and lick your way through 21 flavour bombs. Pro tip: order Half Baked, a decadent mix of chocolate and vanilla ice cream mixed with chunks of cookie dough and fudge brownie. Next head to the cobblestone streets of Paris with a visit to Crêpe Addict where you can smash delicate pancakes topped with Nutella, cream and fruit. And for something to take home with you, be sure to make a pitstop at All Sorts of Sweets. Here you’ll find shelves filled with treats from all around the world. Get a sugar rush with American candy bars (Baby Ruth bars are a must), acid drops and flying saucers from the UK, salted licorice from Europe and Pineapple Lumps from New Zealand.

While you’re at it...

Get Inked

Still got time in your schedule? Why not get that tattoo you’ve always talked about but never quite made the leap? At Celebrity Ink you’ll get only the best in artist quality with an uber talented team ready to make your ideas come to life. Specialising in a variety of styles from black and grey realism, colour realism, traditional, portrait, tribal, floral, fine line and many more, consider this your sign to finally get that ink.  

Give Yourself A Glow Up

If you’re in need of a few hours of zen after your foodie tour and extreme gaming adventure then head to Paradise Massage to indulge and unwind. Opt for a dreamy hot stone massage, foot spa and reflexology or try some acupuncture to relieve tired muscles. Next, get your nails did at Jade Nails and round out your self care session with a trip to Hollywood Injectables where the dedicated team of doctors, nurses and therapists will curate the perfect glow up experience. Think: hydrafacials, vampire facials, skin needling, dermal fillers and epiblading.  

Already packing your bags for a Surfers Paradise escape? We feel you. While you’re at it make tracks to Paradise Centre for endless entertainment including next-level eats, stores, epic arcades.

Editor's note: This article is sponsored by Paradise Centre and proudly endorsed by Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.

Image credit: Paradise Centre via Instagram

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.