Mermaid Beach is rapidly becoming the beating heart of the Gold Coast dining scene and the arrival of its cheeky newcomer, JUJU affirms this.
Fine dining meets Euro-inspired party vibes at the sprawling 400-seat split-level venue, taking over the coveted prime position on the Nobby's strip occupied by most recently, Rubi Red and Greek icon Hellenika.
Image credit: JUJU | Two Birds Social
The team behind JUJU, Luna Group have already solidified their hospitality credentials with a plethora of venues in Brisbane including Su Casa, Kenjin, Eclipse and Kommunity. Now turning their hand to their first Gold Coast foray, the pair behind it Trent Redman and Cody Beck are both Gold Coast locals and are keen to bring a unique new offering to their home turf.
Image credit: JUJU | Two Birds Social
At JUJU, it’s all about celebrating the things that make life feel electric—delicious food, great company, and unforgettable drinks. And trust us, JUJU ticks every box. But what really sets it apart is the cheeky dash of playfulness and a hint of mischief that resonates in every aspect of the venue—from the colourful accents to the devilishly dancing figures popping up to the stairway to heaven/hell. It’s the perfect blend of good and bad juju.
Image credit: JUJU | Two Birds Social
JUJU’s lavish downstairs restaurant is filled with tones of rich terracottas, contrasted by plush forest greens and natural finishes. The menu? It’s all about elevated modern Australian plates with a focus on tomahawks, sashimi and steak tartare. Take your pick from the regular full menu, bar menu, shared set menu, regular set menu, vegan set menu and kids menu—yes, you've got options.
Image credit: JUJU | Two Birds Social
Start with shared plates including the kingfish sashimi with yuzo kosho, Wagyu steak tartare with horseradish cream and toasted brioche and seared scallops with corn puree and salsa.
On the larger dishes front, the Wagyu flank (MB9+) with dauphinoise, brussel sprouts, jerusalem artichoke, pepper jus is seriously impressive and you would be remiss not to order the Glacier 51 Toothfish with soy and miso marinade and vichyssoise. Our personal favourite, you ask? Fine, we'll share. The 'pollo ballotina'—chicken ballotine wrapped in proscuitto, dried nuts, fruits, parsley and truffle.
Image credit: JUJU | Two Birds Social
Take it slow and let your dinner plans meld into late-night (mis)adventures, as you make your way up the two staircases leading to an impressive, sunshine-soaked rooftop bar and balcony, designed for those wanting to linger after dinner. And trust us, you’ll want to linger. JUJU’s ethos is simply put as ‘just because the bill’s here, doesn't mean you have to leave’. We dig it.
Image credit: JUJU | Two Birds Social
The open-air upstairs venue boasts a retractable rooftop and a mixture of terracotta-hued booth and high table seating, all centred around an impressive tree centrepiece. Upstairs, JUJU promises a vibrant mix of playful cocktails, tequila carts (yes, they’re a thing) and live entertainment, featuring a 40-person private dining room and a European vibe with a DJ-saxophonist amid an atmosphere of spontaneity.
Image credit: JUJU | Two Birds Social
"Downstairs we have multiple raised booths available for that private, cozy dining experience for people that also want to be seen along with table seating of multiple sizes to cater for groups of any size," said co-owner Cody Beck.
Image credit: JUJU | Two Birds Social
"Upstairs we have a private dining room that can cater to up to 40 people. This area can be fully secluded for ultimate privacy or can also be partially opened so that those VIP’s can join in the amazing atmosphere of the upstairs 'naughty level'. You’ll find more booths again varying in size and both high and low seating for amazing cocktails." said Beck.
Image credit: JUJU | Two Birds Social
Co-owner Trent Redman says the inspiration for JUJU was a combination of European aesthetics meets Catch NYC. “Upstairs, after 9pm or 10pm, you'd be forgiven if you thought you're in Mykonos or Mexico with the type of vibe we’re bringing.”
"It'll be a haven for those who have grown tired of night clubs, but still crave the thrill of sipping, socialising and dancing their way into the night," affirmed co-owner Cody Beck.
JUJU is open from Wednesday to Sunday with afternoon and evening entertainment running from Friday to Sunday and a Sunday boozy brunch offering.
THE DETAILS
What: JUJU
Where: 2235 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
When: Open Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 12am
Open Sunday 11am to 12am
For more information, click here.
Main image credit: JUJU | Two Birds Social