It’s the glitter strip that put the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country on the worldwide tourist map. Though beyond its high rises, expansive beaches and nightlife scene, I've come to love Surfers Paradise as an often overlooked culinary destination. Actually, the best restaurants in Surfers Paradise feature in my picks of the best on the entire Gold Coast.
While a decade ago I frequented late night kebab joints and buy-by-the-slice pizza shops after dancing the night away, these days a trip to Surfers Paradise features elevated dining experiences, whether in flavour or location several storeys up. At Urban List we raise our glass to both.
So what makes a restaurant one of the best in Surfers Paradise? For me, it's a combination of top-notch fare, creative beverages and friendly service. Eateries that deliver on ambiance and plate up dishes that delight. Avoid the tourist traps with my picks of 20 of the best restaurants in Surfers Paradise.
The Best Surfers Paradise Restaurants At A Glance
- Restaurants For Date Night
- Restaurants With Water Views
- Restaurants For Groups
- Fine Dining Restaurants
Restaurants For Date Night
COAST Beach Bar & Kitchen
Level 1/86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: COAST | Supplied
The $2.5 million that brought this landmark venue to life and luxury resonates in every aspect of COAST Beach Bar & Kitchen; from the sleek coastal furnishings, to the contrasting brass, leather fixtures, to the standout 14-metre marble bar. The modern share-style menu celebrates the best of Australian seasonal produce and is centred around flavours of land and sea.
Setting COAST leagues apart from the pack, a Spanish-style Josper wood and charcoal oven infuses signature dishes with a bespoke smoked flavour. That's why a large portion of the menu dedicated to ‘Josper Fired’ dishes. The jewel in COAST'S crown is a 2,000-strong wine bottle cellar that boasts 120 wines sourced chiefly from top Australian vineyards.
Yamagen
7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Yamagen | Urban List
Yamagen is a funky Japanese izakaya located inside QT Gold Coast hotel, with one of Queensland's largest Japanese whisky collection (over 65 bottles and counting) plus some of the most innovative and creative Japanese cuisine you'll ever taste. Behind the expansive bar, you can peer into the glass-enclosed kushiage station; the beating heart of the izakaya where smells and smoke wafts as Japanese chefs work over robata grills and binchotan charcoal.
Or, nab a posi at the 15-seat traditional sushi bar where you can interact with the chefs and devour plate after plate of omakase (chef’s selection of market fresh sushi and sashimi). If you’re on the hunt for one of the best restaurants in Surfers Paradise for a first date, for when you don't want to stare into their eyes, you’ve found it.
Citrique
158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Citrique | Supplied
Nestled away from the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise, lies the culinary paradise that is Citrique within JW Marriott Gold Coast. Renowned for its long weekend lunches and seafood market experience, Citrique is a unique and chic dining experience that excels at its signature ocean and paddock-to-plate style dining.
Their award-winning seafood buffet offers a variety of fresh, local seafood for the ultimate sea-to-table experience. If a buffet presents too many sumptous options for you to choose from, dive into their larger plates—like the Chef's signature Moreton Bay bug dumplings with lobster bisque sauce and the oven baked snow fish with cauliflower textures and wattle seed dukkah. My recommendation? Don't leave without trying the impressive Rose Illusion dessert with Frangelico and 33% valrhona milk chocolate mousse.
Fu Manchu Oriental Kitchen
2/44 Thomas Dr, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Fu Manchu Oriental Kitchen on Surfers Paradise’s Chevron Island has a true Asian fusion menu that morphs from devout traditions to dishes with a European twist. Hiding behind an unassuming London shop front-style facade, Fu Manchu is totally where I want to hang on my next date night, with a dark and moody supper club-ish interior that lends itself to getting cosy and just a lil’ bit boozy. My tip? Fu Manchu’s Singapore chilli crab and sticky Asian beef short ribs are life-changing.
Restaurants With Water Views
Isla Cantina
Shop 4, G7 Via Roma, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Isla Cantina | Supplied
From the brains behind the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort (Mulpha Hospitality Group), Isla Cantina is a stunning waterfront restaurant in the Isle of Capri that delivers a scrumptious combination of modern Mexican and Californian flair.
From pulled pork carnitas with pineapple salsa to tequila and lime popcorn prawn tacos and yellowtail kingfish ceviche, Isla Cantina offers a delicious range of casual Mexi-Cali options guaranteed to lure you back for more. I've found that the eight-course feast menu goes down a treat for group lunches, and it's only $49 per person.
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Akoya
The Langham, 38 Old Burleigh Rd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Akoya | Supplied
If you’re yet to experience the extravagance that is Surfers Paradise’s tallest Jewel tower, look no further than The Langham as your go-to way in. Set on the shores of the Gold Coast’s iconic coastline, it's Akoya’s mouth watering buffets inside the sophisticated culinary home that’ll make you feel like a food critic in a tasting store.
With daily buffet breakfast, a la carte and shared menus for lunch and dinner, there’s a plate (or several) with your name on it. For those seeking an unparalleled seafood experience, head to Akoya on Friday and Saturday evenings for their signature seafood buffet. Delight in the freshest catches from the ocean—plus a smattering of other dishes—prepared with culinary mastery and presented in an opulent setting that impresses the senses.
Surfers Pavilion
30/34 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Surfers Pavilion | Kaitlin Maree Photography
Spacious with high ceilings, a crisp white interior and expansive yet uninterrupted river views, Surfers Pavilion is a sight to behold. Boasting the largest marina in Surfers Paradise (so you can indulge in the Pavilion's offerings from the comfort of your new friend's vessel), the space is simply gorgeous. The sleek interior of this commended Surfers Paradise Restaurant creates the perfect backdrop to your next boozy lunch, sunset drinks sesh or late-night cocktails.
The menu specialises in modern Australian classics—and I'm an absolute sucker for the lavish oyster bar, which serves up freshly shucked oysters paired with Champagne. Come live it up, Cali-style.
Sandbar
52 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Surfers Paradise’s longest established beachfront watering hole underwent a funky Bali-inspired overhaul recently, injecting some desperately needed cool back into the touristy precinct. I love Sandbar’s breezy fit-out, always-holiday vibes, creative menus, extensive craft beer selection and killer cocktail list to accompany those salty sea vistas.
Tuck into beach classics like the Surfers Parmy featuring Australian prawns, garlic cream, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, house salad and chips. Or surrender to a delish beachfront serving of Seafood Paradise where beer battered fish, grilled prawns, salt and pepper squid, crumbed scallops share a plate. Head to Sandbar, one of the best restaurants in Surfers Paradise for water views, and cheers to the good life.
Seascape Bar & Restaurant
1/4 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Seascape | Instagram
Got a weakness for seafood? Beeline to the Esplanade where you’ll find Seascape Restaurant & Bar. Spanning three levels, including a sunny rooftop bar, nab a prime position with uninterrupted Pacific Ocean vistas.
Go semi-casual with the bistro on level one or frock up for a fine dining experience in the restaurant on level two. Here you’ll feast on fresh Pacific lobster, Moreton Bay bug fettuccini, lobster and Blue Swimmers Crab lasagne, or an impressive selection of fresh local fish cooked to your liking.
Restaurants For Groups
Shiraz Persian
2893 Gold Coast Hwy, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Pack your appetite when you head to Shiraz Persian where dishes and flavours come in outrageously huge sizes. Having been awarded Best Queensland Experience for the sixth year in a row, the local love for Shiraz Persian is unanimous.
Set on the Broadbeach end of Surfers Paradise, dishes are bold and designed to share. Earthy beetroot hummus, rose petal-infused cucumber and yoghurt or homemade persian-style picked vegetables make for the perfect starters to dunk your flat bread into.
Kabob share plates like the Meatetarian feature tender lamb cutlets, pomegranate and walnut marinated lamb alongside chicken breast and beef fillet delicacies served with saffron rice and grilled tomato. Or, trust the chefs and make your dining experience an easy one by choosing one of four banquets.
Urban List Contributer Danielle Read says, "I'm particularly obsessed with the level of service on offer at Shiraz. No matter if you're a two-table date or a large group of 10+ with varying dietary requirements and cocktail orders, wait staff are attentive, informative and genuinely friendly. It's a vibe."
Heads up, parking is located underground on Fern Street, just before you reach the traffic lights.
Bazaar
QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Bazaar | Supplied
Editor's Note: Bazaar is temporarily closed for renovations
Gathering up the mates can be hard enough, let alone all deciding on what to chow down on. This top-tier Surfers Paradise buffet restaurant is your ideal solution, without having to begrudgingly settle on a food court.
Taste your way around this decadent epicurean dining experience up for grazing at QT’s own Bazaar. Serving up street food-style dishes ranging from Middle Eastern souk through to Latin American bodega, nibble your way around fresh seafood and succulent slow cooked meats with all the trimmings.
The Island
3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
There’s a lot to love about The Island, Surfers Paradise's adored boutique hotel. Choose between dining at Goldie's, The Island's signature bar and bistro restaurant or soak up views at lush rooftop bar, The Island Rooftop.
Score a wood-fired pizza and a beer or wine for $20 Monday through Wednesday, croon to live music every Friday through Sunday, or induldge in a long boozy lunch on the rooftop every Saturday featuring a mimosa on arrival and two hours of eats. I love taking visitors to The Island because of the sheer fact that it's still got that old Gold Coast glitz, mixed with delish dishes perfect for sharing.
Home to a lush rooftop bar and sprawling alfresco patio, The Island Rooftop pulls out all the stops with DJs, a retro-style cocktail bar, ample seating, nooks and one of the best Sunday sessions on the Coast.
Valyn Thai
15 Via Roma, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Valyn Thai | Instagram
Valyn Thai comes from the team behind some of the Gold Coast’s most beloved Thai restaurants. Owners Pattaree Jiranuchaiwattana (Patt) and Vitchaya (Alex) Hasitawet lead seven iconic Gold Coast establishments including Nahm Thai in Coomera, Limlay in Burleigh Heads and Nahm Talay Thai in Surfers Paradise.
The extensive menu puts elevated spins on traditional Thai street food. Pair this with show-stopping cocktails and friendly service and you've got one of Surfers Paradise's best restaurants. The Massaman lamb shank curry, confit duck red curry and the Wagyu (MBS 9+) are all exceptional standouts and I love that there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options for plant-based diners, too.
Taste of Fiji Islands
Shop 13/9 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Don't be fooled by the unassuming fitout of Taste of Fiji Islands. This hidden gem on the Surfers Paradise restaurant scene dishes up mouthwatering Fijian food with a smile. Family-run and with genuine love for the authentic Fijian meals they create, this has got to be my top recommendation for restaurants to check out with a small group of friends, in Surfers Paradise. Dishing out generous portions at an incredibly competitive price, I can never resist the Fijian chop suey and piping hot plates of chicken fried rice are always a crowd favourite.
BOBs Beer
10/2 Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: BOBs Beer | Supplied
BOBs Beer is so much more than a microbrewery—the sophisticated menu puts a modern twist on French, Japanese and Australian flavours to create a standout lineup you might not expect in Surfers Paradise. Curated by culinary genius, Nobert Szlama, the fusion menu goes against the grain of usual pub fare and boasts smaller plates like delicate chickpea crisps with french kimchi, harissa and rice crackers and oysters mignonette with shallots, shiitake and topiko.
Another thing I love about BOBs is their innovative sustainable initiatives—their spent beer grains are 100% recycled and a portion of the grains are made into serving platters for oysters (genius, right?).
Benny's Burgers
40-42 Hanlan St, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
For OTT burgers in a pared back, urban setting, look no further than Benny's Burgers. This is one of the newer Surfers Paradise restaurants, but I can see why the reviews sing. No-fuss beef burgers deliver on Americana flavours like the eight-hour slow-cooked pulled beef brisket burger topped with melty cheese, slaw, jalapenos and lashings of aoli.
I particularly love that Benny's offers a complete veggie and vegan section to their menu. While some burger locales leave a lot to the imagination for our plant-based friends, Benny's offers the likes of classic, hot, veef and veggie patty options making it perfect for a range of dietary requirements.
Longboards Laidback Eatery
Corner of Hamilton Avenue and Northcliffe Terrace, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
It’d be a crime to leave long-time favourite Longboards Laidback Eatery off our list of the best restaurants in Surfers Paradise. Cheap and cheerful, with poolside seating next door to the towering Q1 Hotel, Longboards has served many a satisfied burger-loving customer with finger-licking appetizers and cheeky burgers like The Budgie Smuggler and The G-Banger.
Fine Dining Restaurants
Palette
HOTA, 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Palette | Supplied
Palette is the sophisticated restaurant gracing the ground floor of the stunning HOTA Gallery and offers a unique blend of art and food. Treat your palette (get it?) with their fresh and modern Australian menu, variety of degustation menus and fully curated wine list, which has scored them three Chef Hat's from the Australian Good Food Guide.
Your art experience is extended at Palette, with talented Executive Chef Dayan Hartill-Law taking inspiration from major exhibitions at HOTA Gallery to demonstrate just how naturally art and food combine. I recommend you indulge in the tasting menu—with a wine pairing if you're looking to splurge—and I love that Palette also boasts a fully vegetarian tasting menu too. The venue itself sings of artistry and showcases natural materials like timber and stone, which seamlessly work together to create a truly stunning space.
T'ang Court
The Langham, 38 Old Burleigh Rd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: The Langham | Supplied
The Langham's iconic Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant, T'ang Court is one of Surfers Paradise's best restaurants and promises a unique and authentic Cantonese fine-dining experience that embraces the essence of Southern Chinese dining.
The exquisite menu showcases an array of traditional culinary masterpieces, including Peking duck pancakes with hoisin sauce, sauteed pearl meat with ginger and shallots, and spicy black tiger prawn with roasted garlic. The 80-seat restaurant seamlessly blends modern luxury and traditional authenticity, with an elegant fit-out that celebrates the vibrancy of the T'ang Dynasty.
Edgewater Dining
Shop 3 G7 Via Roma, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Edgewater Dining | Instagram
One of the best restaurants in Surfers Paradise, Edgewater Dining successfully embraces the beauty of Gold Coast’s canal spider web. Situated on Isle of Capri, Edgewater’s sprawling deck opens out to a swoon-worthy view of million dollar mansions and an up close and personal look at the iconic Q1 and glittering Surfers Paradise skyline.
With talented restaurateurs at the helm and open for breakfast, long boozy lunches and dinner, seven days, a visit here is a sure bet you and your posse will be satisfied beyond belief. Munch on oysters, lemon pepper calamari, specialty burgers, risotto or perhaps a juicy lamb rump.
Looking for more? Check out:
- Mermaid Beach's Best Restaurants
- Tamborine Mountain's Best Restaurants
- The Northern Rivers' Best Restaurants
Image Credit: COAST Beach Bar | Supplied
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