Ahh, Burleigh. Over the years, this southern hub has established itself as something of a mecca for incredible food on the Gold Coast. Home to some of the city's most beloved dining establishments, Burleigh Heads is definitely the spot to go to get your grub on.
There are always fresh and exciting places opening up on Burleigh’s golden shores, nestled amongst the tried-and-true faves, so you’ll never be short of a delicious feast. Pull up a seat, tuck in your napkin, and scroll on for 22 of the best Burleigh Heads restaurants on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country in 2025.
Restaurant Labart
8 West Street, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Restaurant Labart | Supplied
Gold Coast’s dining portfolio was elevated when Sydney chef Alex Munoz Labart and his Gold Coast-raised wife Karla opened their first restaurant in Burleigh Heads—the Gourmet Traveller Queensland Restaurant of the Year in 2024, no less. The intimate eatery brings a touch of European sophistication to the Gold Coast dining scene, with its urban yet warm fit-out, polished concrete floors, walnut timber tables, and navy linen napkins.
Restaurant Labart’s open-plan kitchen and charcoal grill allows diners a front-row seat to watch Alex and his talented team work their magic. The ever-changing seasonal menu is designed to share with both snacks, small and large plates on offer, with all ingredients locally and sustainably sourced. One thing we can guarantee: the protein—whether you get wagyu, lamb rump, quail, or something else—will send your taste buds into a coma of bliss. Labart has recently started streetside dining too, with a few tables perched outside, and we can't get enough of the lowkey Euro vibe.
Maman Bar & Kitchen
49 James Street, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
If you can’t get enough of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, this is a joint you have to try. Maman boasts no-nonsense cocktails, an impressive wine list, and share plates designed for digging in with friends.
Settle down and get ready to eat like a celebrity with Maman’s favourite, the Moreton Bay bug roll. A marshmallow-soft brioche bun and crispy iceberg lettuce topped with harissa and lime mayo—who could resist? But if seafood isn’t your cup of tea, they’ve got you covered with an eye-popping array of options. From a lentil stew that’s overflowing with flavour to slow-cooked lamb shank tagine, we promise Maman is a top Burleigh restaurant that everyone will love
Oi Izakaya
30 James Street, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Oi Izakaya | Supplied
Traditional Japanese izakaya are bars where workers stop on their way home from work for a drink and a snack. Oi Izakaya has captured that bustling vibe perfectly, with its plethora of exquisite share plates to enjoy over a whisky with friends.
Kick back and enjoy the chef’s selection or choose from a menu that includes favourites such as okonomiyaki, gyoza, karaage chicken, and hand-rolled sushi. Post-meal and to stave off the impending food coma, slink off to the sleek bar hidden at the back of Oi Izakaya, where you’ll find beers, cocktails, sake, and over 100 whiskies on the shelf.
Rick Shores
43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Rick Shores | Instagram
Is there a Gold Coast ‘best of’ dining list that Rick Shores won’t make it onto? Doubtful. A seafoodie’s dream, Rick Shores combines pan-Asian flavours with fresh, locally and ethically sourced produce in a series of colourful plates designed to share with mates.
And we’d take a guess and say their famous Moreton Bay bug roll could quite possibly be one of the most Instagrammed snacks on the Gold Coast. Be sure to book ahead though—Rick Shores welcomes a full crew on board at just about every sitting.
Jimmy Wah’s
1724 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Given our love affair with Asian food, we easily rank Jimmy Wah’s high among the best restaurants in Burleigh. A contemporary take on traditional Vietnamese cuisine, dining here is a relaxed but upscale experience that’s available for both lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
Undo your top button in preparation for plates and plates of flavour-packed soft-shell crab, steamed buns, pho, bahn mi, and tempura barramundi. If you’re wondering who the cheerful face is smiling back at you from the wall mural, it’s the restaurant’s namesake, the cheeky character Jimmy Wah from the classic flick Good Morning, Vietnam, and he’s pleased to say: you’ve made a good choice.
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Light Years
1848 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Light Years | Instagram
If you Googled “cool”, we reckon Light Years Burleigh Heads would be right at the top of the results. Already loved in Noosa, Newcastle, and Byron Bay, this modern and distinctly upbeat Asian diner is sure to work its way into your heart (and most certainly your social life). It features white- and peach-washed walls, breeze blocks, velvety chairs, a smattering of terracotta, tropical fiesta pops, and knock-out herringbone floors.
Just a quick glance at the share-style menu and pretty much everything from the kingfish ceviche to wagyu beef rendang and mud crab, prawn and scallop dumplings will jump out at you. We’re also a big fan of the deconstructed spicy Korean fried chicken or eggplant katsu bao, so you can build your own to your liking.
Mr Hizola’s
1730 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Mr Hizola's | Instagram
Walking along Burleigh Heads’ popular foodie strip, you can’t miss this eatery’s neon-red sign and bright lanterns.
Offering up a flavour-packed contemporary Cantonese-style menu, Mr Hizola's signature sizzling wagyu steak is served on a fo zek (hot stone)—delivered to your table, doused in brandy, and set alight, flames licking upwards and cooking the meat to mouth-watering perfection right in front of you. Swing by for a cocktail and people watch from the window bar or carve a few hours out of your day and order the Emperor’s Feast. You won’t regret it.
Justin Lane
1708–1710 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Justin Lane | Instagram
The ever-popular Justin Lane crew sure knows their Italian. This lively laneway hub has been a Burleigh staple for years now, catering both to the hip crowds who are keen for cocktails on the rooftop as well as loyal locals who head in once a week for their freshly house-made Italian fix.
And, with creative pizza toppings like zucchini and confit garlic, or prawn, calamari and chilli, as well as options for our gluten-free and vegan friends, why wouldn’t you take a stroll down the Lane? Don't sleep on their famous chilli margarita. Hands down, Justin Lane is one of the best restaurants in Burleigh Heads.
LimLay
1730 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: LimLay | Clayten Fowler Photography
Flanked by Mr Hizola’s and ZuroZuro, LimLay (“by the sea”) is in good company—and it shows in the menu. Thinking your standard lineup of pads and curries? Try again. This is artfully plated street food that practically screams for the ’gram (you might have to wipe away your drool before you reach for your phone). We’re talking everything from pineapple canoes stuffed with prawn fried rice to MBS 9+ Wagyu that comes with seared corn and tamarind relish.
Don’t stress, though. If you love your Thai classics as much as we do, you can still get pad thai and pad see ew, although you’d have to be a little crazy to go past the lamb shank massaman. Kick back and enjoy your dinner in a space that’s all white-washed walls and ambient lighting, before finishing off with the LimLay—a stack of fruit, chocolate, and sweet potato balls that looks a little like the Burleigh beachfront.
Hail Mary
26 James Street, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Hail Mary | Instagram
Hail Mary is our little secret. No, not really—but it is hidden down a cute little laneway arcade off Burleigh’s James Street. This Mexican joint has nailed the vibe of Burleigh-meets-Mexico perfectly. So it should come as no surprise when we tell you that this isn’t a typical Mexican joint, with all the energising outdoor space and the fairy lights (nice touch).
Boring burritos, out. Creativity is in, and Hail Mary will make sure you know it. This casual eatery is serving up a dizzying selection of starters, creative tacos, tostadas and quesadillas. And, if you’re not rolling out the store with a full belly by then, they’ve got Mexican desserts for the final touch. With bite-sized servings and an atmosphere that’ll take you straight to the streets of Mexico, it’s hard to find something Hail Mary doesn’t do. It’s definitely one of the best restaurants in Burleigh.
La Bella Cellar
3 Deodar Drive, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: La Bella Cellar | Instagram
‘Hidden gem’ might be one of the most overused phrases in the world … but, in La Bella Cellar’s case, it actually fits. During the day, you’d probably walk past this Burleigh Heads restaurant’s blank fascia and plain wooden door without a second glance. At dusk, though, the neon sign lights up, tables appear on the street, and beautifully plated dishes begin to flow from the kitchen.
This is fine dining, Burleigh-style. Expect a menu that blends Euro, Asian and Australian influences, served over a laidback ambience and a Mediterranean aesthetic of cacti, concrete walls, and candlelit alcoves. Yes, you can grab up handfuls of Korean beef tacos, washed down with a tequila cocktail … but you could also pair spotted grouper bathed in a white caviar sauce with a glass of white from the extensive wine list. How you dine at La Bella Cellar is up to you. Just make sure you visit.
Ze Pickle
37 Connor Street, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Ze Pickle will never not be popular with the burger-mad crowd on the Gold Coast, with the team always working hard to top themselves with even more decadent creations. Although how you can get more decadent than double-fried chips smothered in maple bacon and beer-infused cheese is beyond us.
You had us at bacon and cheese, guys. The perfect place for loading up on burgs with mates after a few drinkies, Ze Pickle undoubtedly has the juiciest, most loaded burgers in Burleigh. And if you haven’t exploded at the end of your main, you seriously need to check out the baked caramel M&Ms and choc chip cookie dough skillet.
Kin
1730 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Picture this for us. Fresh music from smooth jazz, new and old school funk, groove and soul, food that’ll plaster a smile on your face, and a staggering array of adventurous cocktails. Sound like the perfect night out? Then Kin is definitely a place you’re gonna need to slide into your schedule.
Get yourself acquainted with Kin’s small plates, starting with spicy edamame coated in garlic butter and chilli. And, if you’re a fan of seafood, you’re in luck, because we’ve got a recommendation that’ll get you good. The succulent Patagonian toothfish—soaked in miso over three days—is a must-have. So if a restaurant that prides itself on a seriously cool mix of music with heaven-sent meals and cocktails sounds like the night of your dreams, you’re gonna have to check out Kin. We insist.
The Little Plate
3 Deodar Drive, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
At The Little Plate, each dish is made with love. Owners and chefs Gaynor and Liv take the utmost care with their little plates, making sure there’s a place for everything, and everything in its place.
Whether it’s summery squid casaracce tossed in a chilli, garlic, and white wine sauce, lamb shoulder with a pomegranate salad, or a moreish beef shin ragu, you’ll find something wholly unique and utterly sublime to tempt your tastebuds. These divine share plates are for long evenings, good conversation, flowing wine, and savouring slowly. As for the romantics? It’s the perfect date night venue.
The Tropic
43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Burleigh Pavilion | Supplied
Situated at the northern end of the Burleigh Pavilion, The Tropic has made a name for itself among Gold Coast restaurants as a unique Mediterranean take on fresh Aussie seafood. Treated carefully and lightly with a focus on complementary flavours that highlight the produce itself, The Tropic is one for the purists, the curious, and the all-round foodies.
Enjoy a little sea spray with your ceviche because it doesn’t get more waterfront than this. This gorgeous restaurant takes out one of the top spots as the most Instagrammable joint on the Gold Coast.
Masu Izakaya
1837 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
“Motto kudasai.” In case you didn’t know, that’s Japanese for “more, please”. Keep it in mind when you visit Masu Izakaya, because this contemporary izakaya-slash-sushi bar will have your taste buds begging for extras. It’s headed up by Jon Hizola, the culinary genius behind Hideaway and Mr Hizola’s.
Settle yourself at a table opposite the bar and browse your options. There are the usual suspects— sushi rolls, teriyaki chicken, pork ribs—but you’ve probably come here for one thing and one thing only: the exceptional sashimi. Order yours a la carte alongside dishes like octopus carpaccio with ponzu and pickles, or go for the omakase, a procession of food chosen by the chef. Trust us: it’s worth having a little faith. The Masu Izakaya team know what they’re doing.
Piada Co.
50 James Street, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Straddling the fine line between restaurant and cafe, Piada Co. slings up fresh Italian street food that feels right at home in Burleigh’s Big B Arcade. The lovechild of The Deli by Pepe and Burleigh Gelato Co., this casual eatery spills out onto the laneway in a tumble of bright red benches. The star of the show: piadina, crispy, taco-esque wraps stuffed with provolone and fillings that range from meatballs to roasted capsicum. If you can, go for the iconic stracciatella–rocket combo.
Feeling like a bowl instead? There’s plenty to choose from. Arancini, calamari, that eye-catching stack of burrata, mortadella and chips—whatever you pick, it’ll be worth your time. Finish off your visit by kidnapping a box or three of pistachio cannoli. They go down extra well with a view of the ocean from Burleigh Hill.
Goukai Ramen
1837 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Goukai Ramen | Instagram
Ladling out authentic tonkotsu-style chicken and pork broths, Goukai thoughtfully offers eight ramen options (without the nine-hour flight). Things that make its ramen stand out from the pack: Tokyo-inspired traditional broth and thinly sliced, smoky cha siu.
Whether you’re in the mood for a double-chilli ramen, juicy slices of pork belly, or a veggie bowl topped with pumpkin, mushrooms and greens, Goukai’s got you covered. As one of the best ramen bars on the Gold Coast for those who never know what they want, we can assure you there are no dud dishes here.
ZuroZuro
1726 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Since opening in late 2022, ZuroZuro has garnered a hyper-loyal following—for obvious reasons. The unassuming ramen bar boasts a Michelin-awarded ramen recipe, which we believe is a first for the Gold Coast.
It goes without saying you should order their Michelin-awarded ramen, a tantalising combination of tonkotsu and tori soup, topped with shoestring potatoes and other secret ingredients. Their concise but mighty menu stars a range of ramen (yes, vegan too), rice bowls, and tapas. They say great things come in little packages, and this couldn't be more true for this pint-sized contender for the Gold Coast's best ramen.
Seaside Kitchen & Bar
1742 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Seaside Kitchen | Instagram
This standout Gold Coast Thai restaurant focuses on casual dining where the catch of the day meets major Thai flavours. Offering three impressive banquets that start at a modest $46 per person for three courses and a tea, Seaside Kitchen & Bar takes the tricky dish selection step out of the process.
Prefer to choose? Opt to select dishes from the menu for delicacies like the crispy pork bao bun with refreshing cucumber, chilli and coriander, or the coconut prawn salad with lashings of chilli jam, coconut, shallots and a sprinkling of mint and coriander, topped with red onion and lychee. Open seven days from 11:30am to 9pm, this is one of Burleigh Heads' best Thai spots.
Rabbath
1837 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
This intimate little space holds some pretty big flavours. With a menu of contemporary Lebanese delights served from a bustling kitchen that’s always on show, Rabbath will keep you coming back for more—if you can beat out the hordes for a seat, that is.
With a menu designed to share, you simply cannot go past the m’jadara, an Egyptian-style risotto with lentils, crispy onions and beetroot pickles, and, if you’re a tabouleh fan, we have to say Rabbath’s is the best on the Gold Coast (just quietly). Always-cheerful owner Patrick will welcome you into his little slice of Lebanon for a night with a big smile, something you’ll be leaving with after experiencing such gastronomic satisfaction.
Local Burleigh
1744 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Local Burleigh | Clayten Fowler Photography
Wander through Burleigh Heads, and you’ll pass great restaurant after great restaurant. Local Burleigh is no exception. Equal parts bar and restaurant, what used to be Harry’s Steak Bistro is now a lowkey, timber-toned venue, with a sun-soaked beer garden in the back, and we promise the bite matches the bark.
Kickstart your afternoon with a bit of help from casual mains like oversized bacon cheeseburger and Black Angus Scotch fillet (right up there with the Gold Coast’s best steaks). More of a vegetable fan? No problem—dig into a spiced pumpkin risotto or delightfully fresh Mediterranean salad. And, thankfully, Local has put the beautiful beer garden to good use with a range of refreshing cocktails, which go on special every Friday afternoon. Local opens from 11am, so feel free to top up your caffeine levels with a Bellissimo Coffee brew.
Looking for more? Check out:
- Coolangatta's Best Restaurants
- Mermaid Beach's Best Restaurants
- The Northern Rivers' Best Restaurants
Main image credit: Restaurant Labart | Supplied
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