If there’s one thing the Gold Coast loves, it’s tiny bars—the heat of a new venue could be directly related to how small it is. A petite bar with only a handful of seats? Ten points. A snug spot tucked away in an alley? Getting warmer. An intimate wine bar that doubles as an espresso bar with a hidden laneway? Nailed it.
Moustache is the latest newcomer to the Mermaid Beach bar scene and while it has only just swung open its doors, swathes of wine-loving revellers are already privy to its whereabouts. You’d be forgiven for thinking the pint-sized spot in the new Oxley precinct is just a cafe, but oh, how wrong you’d be.
Headed up by Brodie Green, the founder behind Burleigh Heads coffee institution Seadog and The Oxley precinct star Buoy, Moustache has a strong ethos of keeping it simple, and doing it damn well. Created with the Mermaid Beach lifestyle in mind, Moustache effortlessly merges the laidback vibes of an espresso joint with the elegance of a wine bar. European influences are strong throughout—from the Italian-inspired breakfast dishes to the international vinos and Euro-esque small plates.
Moustache was created with 'golden hour'—that ever-elusive time between late afternoon and dusk when the sun turns everything it touches into a warm, amber glow—at the forefront of the design. Terracotta-hued tiles line the space, contrasted by a dark chocolate brown ceiling, while a floor-to-ceiling cupboard wine spans the wall and clusters of tables spill onto the footpath, all designed to embrace golden hour.
The breakfast menu is succinct and for good reason—there’s a small selection, but it’s done very well. An Italian-style shakshuka, rosemary and olive crumpet with hollandaise, and a ciabatta panini stuffed with prosciutto, stracciatella and rockets are just some of the stars. If you’re opting for something lighter, the seasonal housemade focaccia is addictive when served with whipped butter and jam.
Now, of course, the coffee. Since founder Brodie Green cut his teeth at Seadog—voted Best Cafe on the Gold Coast in 2020—we know the coffee is going to be top-tier. True to the style of Italian street espresso bars, the beans are roasted a touch more for extra body with notes of dark chocolate, nougat and cherry.
As dusk falls, the coffee machine closes and Moustache comes alive with the chink of wine glasses and the pour of a vino. Moustache Wine Bar is here. European-inspired small plates star alongside a carefully curated selection of local and international wines and cocktails with a touch of Euro flair.
Curated by Head Chef Rodrigo Paraboa, whose impressive resume most recently includes stints at Paper Daisy and Little Truffle, the produce-driven menu is the perfect marriage of tradition and creativity; it’s simplistic yet sophisticated, stripped back yet refined.
Warm your palate with share plates like delicate bluefin tuna with stracciatella crudo, beef carpaccio and bite-sized anchovies on toast with heirloom tomatoes and fresh herbs. Moustache knows not to change a good thing, except with fresh, quality produce, and this ethos is showcased in their larger dishes.
Gnocchi della val varaita, a traditional cheese and potato gnocchi that hails from the Italian alpine region of Piedmont, is a tantalising combination of cheese sauce and browned butter. The grilled prawns with 'Nduja and crispy leek and the flank steak with caramelised onions, beetroot and jus are also menu stars.
We’ve also been told that there will also be a rotating lineup of weeknight specials coming soon. And of course, you need to finish strong with the delicate pistachio tiramisu—think Italy in a glass.
Take it slow and let your dinner become late-night plans, so you have an excuse to dive into the extensive drinks list that takes you from pre-dinner cocktails through to dessert wines. While the drinks menu is still under wraps, we know that unique international wines will star alongside some local favourites—we’ll have more details coming soon.
Moustache is the perfect injection of vibrancy into the Mermaid Beach bar scene; it’s the sort of place you want to keep in your pocket for when you want to impress, but you somehow end up going there every week. And all of a sudden it’s your local neighbourhood wine bar. And we couldn’t be happier about it.
THE DETAILS
When: Open 6am to 12pm; Monday to Friday
Open 4pm to late; Wednesday to Sunday
Where: 2217 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach, 4218 QLD
For more details, click here.
Image Credit: Moustache | Two Birds Social