Surfers’ New Coastal Restaurant Has An All-Star Team And A Mediterranean Spirit

The Surfers Paradise Esplanade is an icon for many reasons, so when a new resident calls it home our expectations are high. Luckily, Valentina—the Mediterranean restaurant and bar taking over the space that previously held  Hyde Paradiso—is here to give the beachfront strip the treatment it deserves. 

With the Pacific just outside the window and an all-star team at its helm, Valentina is the latest venue from Table For—Accor’s dedicated food and beverage group that's known for setting the standard when it comes to exceptional hotel dining. Together with The Maybe Group (who are behind one of the world’s 50 best bars in Maybe Sammy), they’ve created their first Queensland project in Valentina. 

Image credit: Valentina | Supplied

Step into the reimagined space and you’ll feel like you’ve been dropped onto a sprawling cliffside villa. Valentina has been designed to blur the lines between dining room and ocean breeze, with taverna-style seating, terracotta walls and authentic ceramics throughout. 

The all-female kitchen team led by Head Chef Chantelle Richard-Preston are dishing up share-style plates you’d expect to find on a European coastline, with a homegrown twist harnessed by exceptional local produce. There’s pristine Pacific oysters with a Vermouth mignonette, Byron Bay tuna crudo with mandarin and chilli, and the king prawn orzo made with fresh Mooloolaba catches. We also recommend the playful Valentina Filet-O-Fish with tarragon tartar that’s truly better than anything you’ll find in a drive-through. 

Image credit: Valentina | Supplied

The cocktail list has been designed by Maybe Sammy, so it’s safe to expect showstoppers. Drawing inspiration from aperitivo culture, the spritz menu leads the charge from a Veneziano with Aperol and prosecco to a lychee spritz with Ketel One and citrus. Meanwhile, the signature cocktails reinterpret familiar formats like an olive sour on bourbon and banana finished with EVOO, a passionfruit and jalapeno margarita, or the coconut and thyme highball with white rum and bergamot. Valentina also offers a curated wine selection with drops that nod to tavernas in Athens or trattorias in Rome. Plus, there’s a considered zero alcohol offering built with the same attention to detail. 

Image credit: Valentina | Supplied

Valentina isn’t a place to simply tick off your list. There’ll be regular events like weekend bottomless long lunches and a weekly music programme to bring you back again and again. 

Valentina is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner at Level 2, Peppers Soul, Surfers Paradise.