Palm Beach’s dining scene has been growing 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. All we can say is right now, Palmy is definitely putting its hat in the ring to be the culinary gem in the Southern Gold Coast/Kombumerri country’s crown. Here are 13 Palm Beach restaurants which are more than reason enough it might just be the winner.
PBA
6 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: PBA | Clayten Fowler Photography
The latest in beachside dining by the erstwhile Ridgeway Group, PBA (Palm Beach Avenue, aptly enough), has been making waves on the local scene with its epic bottomless brunches and three course set dinner menu for just $60. Daniel Ridgeway, the culinary genius behind beloved Gold Coast restaurants including Little Truffle and BiN 232 Pacific Fair is heading up the kitchen alongside a talented crew, so you know the food is going to be top-tier.
The ultimate in contemporary Australian dining, PBA features a menu packed full of Asian and Mediterranean influences, like bone-in lamb shoulder with tzatziki and roasties, and baked miso eggplant with Japanese slaw. Oh, and it's super dog-friendly with a special dedicated doggy daytime menu. All we’ll say is get booking soon. Your tastebuds will thank us.
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 we think of southern dining hub The Collective. This genius setup does away with food envy with its five restaurant offerings, allowing you to choose from the best of Greek, Italian, Mexican, American and Asian 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. 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. Sublime.
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 a brother duo who are just nuts about utilising fresh, local produce, this authentic Mexican taco joint serves a menu that is simple and joyful.
Tacos will set you back seven or eight bucks, depending on your choice of topping, and are complemented nicely by a small menu of popular Mex dishes like chilaquiles (wet nachos) and everyone’s favourite: grilled street corn with chipotle crema. Fresh and bright food, with a side of salty sea air. You can't go wrong at Costa Taco.
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. This bright and breezy Palmy eatery dishes up a colourful menu of punchy and modern Mexican flavours.
The creamy prawn tacos hit different here, as do the chunky yuca fries and salmon tartare on crispy rice (our 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.
Frida Sol
1176 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Frida Sol | Instagram
One could 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 GC 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 décor 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. And that includes our vegan and gluten-free friends, too.
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Balboa Italian Restaurant
1069 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Balboa Italian | Instagram
When we 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.
Like the best part of Italian food, 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 that Italians bring to everything they do. 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. Andiamo.
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. The appropriately-named Tank Bar & Dining is all about the love of fine craft beer and a menu that is specifically designed to complement it.
This funky, casual space is 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. They also have one of the best happy hours around, from 3-6pm daily with $6 tap beers, house wines and 75c wings. Yep, you heard us correctly. $6. Tanks, guys.
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 describes itself as, “where the pasta is always al dente and the sauce is always made with love (and a little bit of wine)”, so you already know it’s going to be a goodie. At this intimate Italian restaurant, you can indulge in all of the classics just like Nonna makes—from arancini alla bolognese (beef ragu, peas, mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano) to carbonara pizza with mozzarella, pancetta, egg yolks and shaved pecorino romano.
Many of the dishes can be made vegan and gluten-free, so no one needs to miss out. 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. Oh, and don’t forget to swing by on a Wednesday for their weekly Cheese Wheel Wednesday.
The Scottish Prince
Shop 27, 1176 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
The beloved Scottish Prince has all the vibe of a modern Edinburgh pub, just steps from the beach. It’s famous for quite a few reasons: an impressive whisky bar, near-constant live music, weeknight comedy sessions and its unique atmosphere. But it also dishes up a delectable dinner menu of British classics, seven days a week.
Think: heart, meaty, soul-warming dishes like battered fish and chips with mushy peas, steak and ale pie and lamb shanks, It’s also probably the only place on the Gold Coast you’d be able to try Haggis bon bons, which are little deep fried parcels of haggis-y goodness that’ll keep you coming back for more. If you’re brave enough to try them in the first place, that is.
Goodness Gracias
1114-1116 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Goodness Gracias | Instagram
Goodness Gracias may have joined the ever-expanding ranks of Mexican-style eateries on the Gold Coast, but they’ve done it in their own plant-based way. This entirely vegan restaurant serves up the traditional flavours and textures of Mexico, in a health-conscious and cruelty-free way.
You’ll find all your faves on the menu: bowls, tacos, burritos, and loaded nachos that take care of the planet and our waistlines without compromising on any of the flavour. In fact, you might even feel virtuous enough to indulge in a house-mate sweet treat, afterwards. Go on, you deserve it.
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.
Even hardened carnivores froth over the meaty mushroom 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, and don’t forget your side of crunchy fries. Kids will love their wee menu too, featuring cheeseburger spring rolls, mini ham and cheese quesadillas, and brekky sangas. It's simple, it's unpretentious, it's damn good.
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. On Fridays and Saturdays you’ll find probably the cheapest oysters on the coast for just $2 a pop for natural, and $3 for Kilpatrick and tempura. Share if you dare.
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.
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Main image credit: PBA | Clayten Fowler Photography
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