KAMI Burleigh

If pillowy bao buns, artfully arranged sashimi and finger-lickingly good karaage chicken are right up your alley, then KAMI Burleigh is where it’s at. This Burleigh newcomer has already set tongues wagging in the Gold Coast hospitality scene, and once you step into the breezy, white-washed space it’s easy to see why.  

Translated as ‘god’ in Japanese, KAMI’s South-East Asian-inspired cuisine is nothing short of divine. KAMI is headed up by three intrepid Gold Coast locals, who were the brains behind neighbouring Magnolia Lane, which opened in 2021 and has already established itself as a local favourite.

Perched alongside the Gold Coast Highway, this sweet joint oozes luxe Cali-cool, with a good dash of chilled-out Southern Gold Coast vibes and an underlying buzz of energy. A blue neon sign shines out, instructing you to ‘Treat yourself’ and trust us, KAMI is the place to do just that. Blue and white accents add colour pops throughout the space, while a large bi-fold window lets the seabreeze flow through and an extensive range of spirits line the mosaic-topped bar. Yeah, it’s pretty funky and oh-so Insta-worthy.

Now that you’ve lusted over the stunning fit-out, pull up a chair at an alfresco table or sink into one of the intimate booths and dive into the modern South-East Asian menu. Warm your palate with the salted edamame and freshly shucked oysters, before moving onto the intricately arranged kingfish sashimi with finger lime, coconut cream and shiso. Of course, the pillowy soft bao buns are a must-try and you’ll struggle to choose between karaage chicken, pork belly and shitake mushroom. KAMI’s signature dish is the karaage chicken with cabbage, gochujang soy glaze and sriracha kewpie mayo—it's simple, wholesome and goodman delicious. KAMI caters to our vegan and gluten-free friends, so plant-based pals can indulge too.

KAMI stocks a solid range of beers, ciders and wine, but we recommend you sample a cheeky cocktail (or a few). The Mr. Kami muddles whiskey, honey ginger syrup and egg white to create a tantalising beverage, while The Thirsty Merc showcases flavours of vodka, lychee and mint.

Image Credit: KAMI Burleigh