Brought to you by award-winning restaurateur and chef Daniel Ridgeway and his wife Ruggie, comes the Gold Coast’s most highly-anticipated new beachfront restaurant—say hello to Palm Beach Avenue. The opening of Palm Beach Avenue, affectionately known as PBA, has set tongues wagging in the hospitality scene and for good reason.
If you haven’t heard about it, you’ve almost certainly seen it. The expansive restaurant commands a prime position on the corner of Palm Beach Avenue, with its bright striped umbrellas standing out like beacons to hungry patrons. The sleek venue exudes laidback Palm Springs meets art-deco vibes—with a Gold Coast twist, of course.
The PBA experience starts well before you step foot inside—a balmy sea breeze rolls through, clusters of alfresco seating and umbrellas dot the pavement and the ocean rolls just metres away. The 150-seater space seamlessly mixes coastal chic with laidback Gold Coast charm—think a stunning cherry blossom tree at the entrance, high arches giving a sneak peek into the bustling kitchen and striking clamshell chandeliers, reminiscent of the waves rolling nearby. Lust over eclectic features, like the Instagrammable ‘It’s never too early for a cocktail’ sign, the palm tree wallpaper sourced from LA’s Beverly Hills Hotel and the dreamy pastel pink and green colour palette. Take your pick from the dining areas, including a beachfront balcony, a doggy-friendly umbrella garden and a traditional indoor restaurant space.
Daniel Ridgeway, the culinary genius behind beloved Gold Coast restaurants including Little Truffle and BiN 232 Pacific Fair is heading up the kitchen with Little Truffle head chef Jason Burt, so you know the food is going to be top-tier. Palm Beach Avenue’s breakfast menu is unpretentious and slings up morning delights like chilli scrambled eggs with feta, mint, chorizo crumb and fried shallots, and karaage chicken waffles with jalapeno maple, fried eggs and sriracha hollandaise.
It’s common knowledge that dogs are spoilt rotten on the Gold Coast and they can certainly feast like the royalty they are in the dedicated doggy outdoor space, The Picnic, with PBA’s special doggy menu which includes the likes of the BFF Bowl with jasmine rice, ground beef and carrots and the Pampered Poochy with baked salmon and barramundi, steamed rice and peas. Pair your pooch’s meal with a paw-roni or paw-secco (made using bone broth) and you’ll easily secure your spot as the favourite fur-rent.
The evening menu transitions to a more refined offering, pushing the boundaries of modern Australian flavours as you know them. Start small with starters like the porcini mushroom arancini with truffle mayonnaise and freshly shucked oysters before moving to the must-try raw section. Dive into raw delicacies like spicy tuna tartare with puffed rice crackers and flamed scallop sashimi with kimchi butter and tobiko. You can't leave without trying the handmade prawn and bug agnolotti with lemon butter sauce and the sublimely cooked gold band snapper fillet.
Palm Beach Avenue will open on Wednesday 13 July but the groundswell of noise has been almost deafening, and for good reason. Prepare to fall in love with this gorgeous spot, where cold drinks are pouring, fingers are happily digging into delicious plates and the laughter is resounding.
THE DETAILS
What: Palm Beach Avenue
Where: 6 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach
When: Open Wednesday to Sunday, 7am until late
For more information, click here.
Image Credit: Clayten Fowler Photography