Tasca

The Verdict

Simple, elegant and inviting, Tasca, Coolangatta’s intimate wine bar uses a mix of white panelling, exposed brick, cement tones, dark wood and leather banquettes and booths to create a sophisticated space that’s a rare find on this end of the Coast.

Tasca is the kinda place you might ‘swing in for a quick drink’ and then—oops—stay for dinner (liquid or otherwise). With 40 well-configured seats in the tiny indoor-outdoor space, including 12 fronting the bar and three cosy booths, owner Carlee is pretty much a host-with-the-most as she gracefully flutters between tables, wine pours and cocktail shaking. A short yet unpretentious menu of share plates and reasonably-priced large plates (mains averaging just $26) changes often, featuring the likes of homemade polenta crisps with mushroom and arrabbiata, wild tuna carpaccio with chunky avocado and capers, or pillowy pumpkin gnocchi with basil pesto and goats cheese.

Image credit: Brooke Darling for The Urban List