We adore life on the southern end of the Gold Coast, though, it’s fair to say, once the sun goes down the coastal stretches below Burleigh can fall into somewhat of a semi-slumber.
Yet there’s one beachside postcode we’ve totally got our eyes on right now, where rapidly rising real estate prices might have been the first indicator of things to follow. With a promising café scene already, Palm Beach has certainly come a long way in recent years. You’re reading it here first ‘cause the tail end of 2016 will witness one of the suburb’s biggest foodie evolutions yet. It seems the rumour mill has been working into overdrive, so we’ve sorted fact from fiction to bring you news of no less than a half dozen new cafés, restaurants and night spots!
We could very likely see Palm Beach emerge as the Gold Coast’s next Nobby Beach. Oops, did we just say that? Plus there’s another thing PB has squarely on its side, and that’s PARKING. Hallelujah! What’s best, you won’t have to wait long with several new venues working hard towards an early spring opening (read: September), when they’ll join the 4221 extended family including some of our fave Palm Beach hotspots—Lester and Earl, Burgster, Pablo Pablo, Espresso Moto, Barefoot Barista, Hendrixx, and Feather and Docks.
Hold onto your felt fedoras folks, ‘cause the remainder of 2016 = excitement levels skyrocketing!
Balboa Italian
Owners of long-standing Palm Beach restaurant Avvia have so much faith in the precinct, they are opening a second venture just down the road. There’s several ideas circulating about who’s undertaking a mammoth renovation of the orange-brick building a few doors north of Hendrixx. We can confirm the development will soon be unveiled as a fab pizzeria, Balboa Italian. Keeping only the original foundations and the brick and concrete pillars to uphold an old industrial look, the two-story venue will feature a forno (wood-fired pizza oven) sourced direct from Italy, exposed beams, chandeliers, imported lighting, plus a private dining room and a mezzanine level with an open void overlooking the ground floor dining room and bar. With a pizzaiolo (pizza chef), bar manager, and head waiter all hailing from the mother country, plus menu stars like home-made pastas, share-style plates, a stellar wine list (including some interesting imports from Israel), and a charcuterie cabinet with fresh prosciutto, cheeses, and classic Italian desserts, we are already drooling in anticipation.
Where: 1069 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Bestow
We’ve already hinted about this neat new addition to Palm Beach. Vaughan and Rihannan, co-owners of much-loved café Feather and Docks, together with their cool tatted crew are just weeks away from unleashing their next venture. They too have trust in the exciting future of 4221 nightlife, opening a late-arvo-and-into-the-evening kinda venue. It’s intended the restaurant-bar hybrid will offer relaxed fine-dining with a firm focus on locally-sourced produce, including cheeses and beers. The chef plans to work closely with farmers in the region to take advantage of the freshest seasonal ingredients available. Currently under construction across the road from Feather and Docks, we’re told the crafty designer behind funky restaurant Bonita Bonita now has his hands on Bestow, so we can’t wait to see how the space evolves.
Where: 1170 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Wildernis Café + Bar
We’re intrigued to check this joint out when the doors slide open mid-September. Wildernis Café + Bar is the brainchild of Palmy locals Josh and Andy, two young local builders who design and construct on a daily basis. Developing their new baby during every spare waking moment of time, they’ve been both improvising and merging some of their fave architectural elements into the build, while taking inspo from their extensive world travels. These guys are holding their cards close to their chests at this point in time, but we expect there’ll be strong coffee, local brews, and plenty of kickin’ good times in between. And that’s totes cool, ‘cause we love surprises!
Where: Seventh Avenue, Palm Beach
Hendrixx’s New Espresso Bar
By now we hope you’ve discovered Palm Beach’s gorge new café, Hendrixx. So many have, in fact, you might agree the café’s hip interior is busting at the seams some weekends. Fortunately, the owner has a little wiggle room and will be expanding into the adjoining space previously occupied by a pop-up surf wear store. Intended to alleviate pressure from the front counter, the new barista bar will be perfect for treats and takeaways if you prefer your morning caffeine fix with a side of toes in the sand. There’s even whisper of a liquor license which may soon see Hendrixx’s luxe glass-tiled bar realise its full potential. Stay tuned.
Where: 1063 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
But wait… there’s more!
Okay, folks. If you’re anything like us, you’re already overwhelmed with excitement in light of Palm Beach’s well-deserved coming of age. We also know this is simply too much to absorb in one go, so we’re holding back on a few surprises.
Let’s just say we’ve got it on solid authority there’s at least THREE additional ventures to be joining the line up (maybe more…) and, trust us peeps, they too will be freakin’ epic! Not only are both additional venues backed but some solid players in the local industry, but the teams are undertaking some serious construction works and going all out in an effort to impress.
We’ll be sharing deets with you as soon as these fine hospo folks give us the green light. In the meantime, get excited southern Gold Coasters ‘cause September, and the immediate months to follow, are gonna be SA-WEET!
Photo Credit: The Urban List