12 Of Palm Beach’s Best Restaurants To Hit In 2025
Palm Beach’s dining scene has grown so quickly over the last few years that even our hardworking Urban List team has struggled to devour all the divine dishes on offer. Nevertheless, we persist. It's a tough gig, okay.
Find a smattering of taquerias to Italian eateries, sandwich joints and burger bars. From fancy dining to casual haunts. It's apparent that Palm Beach brings the goods for basically any hunger-busting affair.
It's giving beachside Coolangatta vibes, meets Burleigh's impressive lineup of foodie faves. But with a bit of Broadbeach's eating precincts for good measure. All I can say is right now, Palmy has definitely put its hat in the ring to be the culinary gem in the Southern Gold Coast/Kombumerri country’s crown.
Here are 12 of the best Palm Beach restaurants according to myself and the team at Urban List.
How we choose: Culinary excellence, consistent service, cultural relevance, sustainability where possible, and real-world buzz from our team and community.
Best Palm Beach Restaurants At A Glance
- Best Mexican Restaurants
- Best Italian Restaurants
- Best Casual Restaurants
- Best Restaurants For Groups
Best Mexican Restaurants
Costa Taco
1136 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Costa Taco | Instagram
If you feel like a side of alfresco dining with your tacos, look no further than Costa Taco on the Gold Coast Highway. Run by brothers Matt and Nick Stanley who are equally passionate about using fresh, local produce, this authentic Mexican taco joint serves a menu that's simple yet joyful.
Tacos set you back around eight bucks, depending on your choice of topping, and the small menu of popular Mex dishes like chilaquiles (wet nachos) and everyone’s favourite: grilled street corn with chipotle crema pair perfectly. Fresh and bright food, with a side of salty sea air. In my opinion, you can't go wrong at Costa Taco.
INSIDER INTEL
- Their newer Broadbeach venue has twice the capacity of their Palm Beach venue, if you're after group dining
- The Costa Taco crew recently dropped their very own agave spirit, Costa Agave, only available in-venue
- After a morning feed instead? The Costa crew recently opened Mercado, a Southern Californian-inspired cafe in Mermaid Waters
Las Palmas
1097 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Las Palmas | Instagram
The uber-friendly welcome you’ll get when you head into Las Palmas is just one of its many attractions for me. This bright and breezy Palmy eatery dishes up a colourful menu of punchy and modern Mexican flavours.
I particularly love their mix of Latin American flavours that mix effortlessly with their seaside location in Palm Beach. Pork belly taco with salsa criolla or oysters with roasted chilli sauce? At Las Palmas, they say por qué no los dos? Why not both?
The creamy prawn tacos hit different here, as do the chunky yuca fries and Kingfish cervice served on quinoa with cord, red onion, sweet potato and a corn tortila (my personal favourite). Don’t forget to kick things off with a plate of the famous Las Palmas grilled avocado guac and purple corn chips, or some bread and burnt butter, just to get your palate zinging.
insider intel
- I recommend booking the rooftop deck space at sunset for all the golden hours vibes
- The outdoor dining space is dog-friendly, so no one needs to miss out
Frida Sol
1176 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Frida Sol | Instagram
You'd be forgiven for confusing Gold Coast’s Palm Beach for the new New Mexico, given how many high quality taquerias decorate the southern end of the Gold Coast Highway. Clearly, there is a huge appetite on the southern Goldy for tasty Mexican flavours, done well. Enter Frida Sol.
The sister to Mermaid’s beloved Bonita Bonita, Frida Sol oozes with the sultry charm of its namesake, Frida Kahlo, with decor to suit. Whether you’re after a small nibble at the bar on the way home from work or something heartier, Frida Sol’s huge, traditional-with-a-twist menu has definitely got you covered.
Their wide range of vegan and gluten-free goods are winners every time. And I'm just putting it out there, the margs here are elite.
insider intel
- I love booking a spot on the outdoor deck, with a loaded bowl of fresh nachos
- Frida Sol has a great range of daily deals, including $6 classic tacos on Taco Tuesday with $20 jugs of sangria
Best Italian Restaurants
The Deli By Pepe
Shop 3, 1102 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: The Deli by Pepe | Instagram
The Deli by Pepe is an intimate Italian restaurant, where you can indulge in all of the classics just like Nonna makes—from arancini alla bolognese (beef ragu, peas, mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano) to spaghetti carbonara with pancetta, egg yolks and shaved pecorino romano.
I do love that many of the dishes can be made vegan and gluten-free, which is a rareity for Italian joints. Best of all, The Deli By Pepe is—as the name suggests—much more than a restaurant. It’s a sweet delicatessen that should be your one stop shop for all things Italian, from cheese to salumi to handmade pasta.
insider intel
- Swing by for their weekly Cheese Wheel Wednesday. It's where pasta's made inside a giant wheel of melty cheese and it truly is heavenly. Experience just once, I insist.
- The Deli by Pepe team also co-own Piada Co. in Burleigh—if you haven't swung by this Italian street food spot yet, it's well worth a visit
Balboa Italian Restaurant
1069 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Balboa Italian | Instagram
When I think of fancy Italian, it generally involves bright red Ferraris or soaring cathedrals inlaid with marble and gold. Big, bold and flashy. But the clean and understated Balboa Italian Restaurant in Palmy brings all the fancy with none of the flash. It's a dynamic space with alfresco garden seating and a unique loft experience, to set the atmos' for date nights and work catch-ups alike.
It’s simplicity on a plate, but done with the freshest and highest quality produce around, and made with that special touch of love and passion. Crispy sage focaccia, kingfish crudo and melt-in-the-mouth beef cheek gnocchi are just a small handful of the epicurean delights that await your palate at this unassuming fine dining experience.
insider intel
- Ask for a vino pairing when you order—Balboa’s wine list is stacked with great finds from both Italy and Australia.
- Check the weather before you book. If it’s slated to be fine, request a seat on the upstairs outdoor balcony.
You Might Also Like:
Cadillac Supper Club
Shop 27, 1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Cadillac | Clayten Fowler Photography
Cadillac Supper Club is the brainchild of the talented Bar Evelyn crew, who run their cosy dive pizza joint in Coolangatta too. Though I am telling you, Cadillac is no second-best when it comes to their restaurants. She's a top contender for one of the best Italian restaurants in Palm Beach.
Think: Euro-inspired supper club-meets-New York neighbourhood bistro. This Italo-American pizzeria blends rock'n'roll retro cool look with moody charm. Slide into a booth or perch up at the bar. Dining with a group? I'm obsessed with their ten-seat private dining area.
The star of the show's their 24-hour fermented sourdough bases. Hand-stretched to order and giving New York pizza flair. My pick is the hot honey and salami pizza paired with a Heavens In The Backseat cocktail. It's the perfect mix of rich, creamy and a whole lot of attitude.
insider intel
- Special occasion? You can book the ten-seat private dining area for a secluded experience
- Cadillac holds its roots as a late-night venue, with vinyl-spinning DJs setting the mood well into the night on Friday and Saturday nights
Best Casual Restaurants
Tank Bar & Dining
1166 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Tank | Clayten Fowler Photography
If you’ve ever enjoyed a night out at Bine in Nobbys, then you’ll be a big fan of its sister venue, Tank Bar & Dining, just a little further down the highway. This place is all about the love of fine craft beer and a menu that is specifically designed to complement it.
Consider this funky, casual space a great option for your next night out with a bunch of beer and food loving mates, who will enjoy the ten rotating draft taps of quality craft beer (and wines and cocktails of course), alongside a hearty menu of hot and tasty pub faves included loaded burgers, tacos, steak and parmis.
insider intel
- Tank has one of the best happy hours around, from 3pm-6pm daily with $7 tap beers, house wines and 85c wings. Yep, you heard me correctly. Don't walk, run.
- Every Thursday night, Tank hosts free karaoke upstairs from 8pm-11pm.
Scott's Luncheonette & Bar
1/1114 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Scott's | Instagram
'Hot sangas and chilled wine' are what it’s all about at Scott’s Luncheonette & Bar. And just like any place that specialises in a few things done well, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better sandwich on the Southern end of the Gold Coast, in my opinion.
Even hardened carnivores froth over the meaty mushroom and avo sanga with melted swiss, and the Scott’s Reuben is their own stacked and juicy take on this American classic. If you’re feeling slightly less peckish, you can choose bug or smashed wagyu taco (yes, it's Palm Beach, there had to be Mexican involved), and don’t forget your side of crunchy fries. It's simple, it's unpretentious, it's damn good.
insider intel
- If you're a matcha fan, Scott's serves up unique matcha flavours like coconut matcha cloud and cherry pie matcha
- All sangas can be made on gluten-free bread too.
Burgster
4/10 Phillipine Parade, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Burgster | Instagram
When it comes to hamburgers, the crew at Burgster know what they’re on about. These seriously stacked American style burgs are slung hot and fresh in a variety of flavour profiles, from classic style through to chicken with caramelised pear, and Philly cheese with onion rings and habanero mustard.
Of course it wouldn’t be a proper American style diner without wings, and there are three types for you to choose from, alongside decadent southern fried chicken and epic sides like poutine and eggplant chips with sea salt and honey. Palm Beach's answer to American eats has graced our shores since 2015 and I honestly see no end in sight.
insider intel
- Wings are a mere $1.50 Wednesdays from 5pm-8pm and a margi will set you back $15.
- Cheeseburger Wednesdays mean $16 singles, $22 doubles and $28 triples from 12pm-8pm.
Best Restaurants For Groups
The Collective
1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: The Collective | Instagram
Spoiled for choice is the term that comes to mind when I think of southern dining hub The Collective. This genius setup does away with food envy with its four restaurant offerings, allowing you to choose from the best of Latin American, Asian, American and Italian cuisines.
Making a choice is the only time you might run into trouble, but rest assured every one of the five restaurants serves incredible cuisine—you really can't go wrong. it's perfect for picky eaters, dietary requiremenets, specific cravings and groups that mix all of the above.
insider intel
- Once you’ve eaten to your heart’s content, head up the stairs to the rooftop bar for cocktails with a view. Or a whole cocktail tower.
- The Collective is fantastic for functions, special events and birthday parties and can offer personalised quotes for you.
Madame V
1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Madame V | Clayten Fowler Photography
If you're yet to step foot inside Palm Beach's beloved Madame V, I urge you strongly and with a little wink to head to this fine palace as soon as humanly possible. If not for the vibey emerald fitout with bright pops of floral and koi artworks, then definitely for the Asian fusion feast you're about to devour.
From the award-winning chef and restauranteur Daniel Ridgeway who also runs Little Truffle Dining Room & Bar in Mermaid Beach, this is the showstopping spot for handmade dumplings, pillowey lobster bao buns, sticky pork ribs or my personal favourite, the sticky misio eggplant. Their sesame icecream cones with salmon marscapone and wasabi mousse, topped with caviar is a flavour sensation in its finest form.
Their signature banquets suit groups from two upwards with dumpling samplers, yuzu kingfish and steamed custard buns up for grabs. Their dining halls hold an impressive 16 to 50 guests for all kinds of groups. Put it on the top of your list.
insider intel
- If you’re like us and can’t decide, Madame V offers two banquet choices—coming in at $69pp and $99pp—which star seven to ten of the Chef’s signature dishes.
- You don't want to miss their Yum Cha Sundays with a $55 Yum Cha banquet (and yes, the Yum Cha trolley)
Palm Beach Surf Club
Cnr 7th Avenue and Jefferson Lane, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Gold Coast’s surf clubs are true icons of our culture, and Palm Beach Surf Club is hands down, one of the best ones we’ve got. The club has undergone quite a few changes over the last several years, with passionate management seeking to turn from humble grub to gastropub, and they’ve done a stellar job.
We can’t go past the crispy potato prawns for a starter (trust us), and their massive fresh salads are the talk of the town. Think: Moroccan lamb and goat cheese, Vietnamese chilli squid and Thai pork with young papaya, all on the breezy deck with dazzling ocean views. Speaking of, it’s hard to go past the freshest of seafood offerings too, so warning: multiple visits may be required.
insider intel
- Swing by on a Sunday for a Sunday sessions with drink specials, live DJs from 2-6pm and $20 jugs all day
- Music Trivia is help every Tuesday night and there's even a post-trivia courtesy bus available
On the hunt for more of the best Gold Coast restaurants? Check out:
Main image credit: PBA | Instagram
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.