Food & Drink

Local Burleigh Is The Slick New Pub Changing The Burleigh Restaurant Scene

By – who loves morning run clubs as equally as she loves negronis and tiny snack plates

Burleigh Heads may be known as the up-and-coming mecca for good food on the Gold Coast and the frequently-changing dining scene certainly keeps us on our toes—and our stomachs full—but every now and then, a new dining spot pops up that you just know is going to be a keeper. The latest newcomer on the Burleigh block, Local Burleigh, is just that.

If you’ve wandered along the Gold Coast Highway in Burleigh any time recently, you would have noticed that the spot where Harry’s Steak Bistro once resided has been quietly transforming into a lush, timber-toned venue. You may have even tried to peek in—props for trying—and spotted the sun-soaked beer garden out the back. This soon-to-be venue titan is Local Burleigh. 

The sprawling 250-seater venue houses four distinct spaces, which seamlessly shift between post-surf bevvies and late-night cocktail vibes. Venture past the front terrace, which features high bench tables, prime for sinking a few cold ones and chatting with passerbys. Once you’re inside, the first thing you notice is the large skylight filtering dappled sunlight through into the stylish interior, which merges a contemporary restaurant with a laidback pub atmosphere. Washed brick walls contrast with timber-hued furnishings, pops of greenery cascade from above and olive-green velvet booths line the wall, temptingly inviting you to sink in.

Once you’ve taken in the Insta-worthy fit-out, look beyond and you’ll see what sets Local apart from the crowd. An expansive beer garden lies out back—high bar tables and booths fill the space, while an eye-catching colourful mural drawn by local artists, Brad Turner and Cara Sanders covers one wall. Oh, and did we mention that the beer garden is dog-friendly? It’s touches like this that make Local a special place you want to come back to again...and again.

Local’s extensive menu covers breakfast, lunch and dinner and is refreshingly unpretentious. It’s elevated classics, done well and done damn delicious. Breakfast dishes include the likes of beetroot-cured salmon with pickled cucumber, shallots, wasabi mayo and dill on sourdough, and a nourish bowl with roasted pumpkin, crispy kale, hummus, mixed grains, pickled cabbage, avocado, edamame and sundried tomato. Of course, it wouldn’t be a pub if there weren't breakfast cocktails. Slurp down the Berocc Obama with vodka, Berocca, kombucha and lemonade and forget all about your raging hangover.

The lunch and dinner menu lets the quality produce speak, nay, sing for itself. Start with share plates of kingfish ceviche and lobster rolls, before moving on to the humble star of the show—the parmis, of course. The house-made parmis are an absolute must-try and we love that there’s even a vegetarian-friendly pumpkin parmi. Other menu highlights include the crispy skin snapper with cauliflower puree, zucchini noodles, currants and macadamias, and the pan-fried duck breast with roast pumpkin puree, confit grapes, toasted hazelnuts and wild rocket. We told you it was delicious.

Take it slow and let your late lunch meld into dinner plans, so you have an excuse to dive into the extensive drinks list. Australian drops take centre stage, with some hard-to-find boutique vinos featured. If you’re more of a cocktail drinker, sip your way through the Local Anaesthetic, which is a cheeky twist on a Long Island Iced Tea, or try the Big Sexy with rosemary-infused gin, elderflower and passionfruit. 

Local Burleigh is what the Burleigh restaurant scene has been missing; it's sophisticated yet casual, simplistic yet refined and it’s absolutely time you pull up a chair here. 

THE DETAILS

What: Local Burleigh
Where: 1744 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads, 4220
When: Open daily from 6:30am

Local Burleigh opens Friday 7 October 2022
For more information,
click here.

While you've got your feet planted in Burleigh, sink your fork into more of Burleigh's best restaurants in 2022.
 

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.

Subscribe

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.

Subscribe