What's Good in the Hood: Gold Coast

Myffy Rigby heads for the Gold Coast to discover What's Good in the Hood.
For generations, the Gold Coast has represented a very particular slice of Australia - blonde, tanned and spotted mainly in swimwear. But the Goldie, particularly that south of Surfers Paradise - think Mermaid Beach, Palm Beach, Currumbin and Coolangatta - has seen new life injected into it over the past few years. Now, it’s a matter of being spoiled for choice, not starved.
Here’s What’s Good in the Gold Coast Hood.
Scott’s Luncheonette & Bar
Shop 1/1114 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
You had us at sandwiches and natural wine. Perry Scott’s micro-bar and luncheonette delivers big vibes. It’s all about the sandwiches here, from the cult Philly Cheese Steak Melt (Scott’s take on an Aussie steak sandwich amped up with all the cheesy, pickley flavours of a Philly cheese steak) with a side of skin-on chips; to the Scott’s Reuben made with house-cured corned beef. Perennially packed, Scott’s merges from sandwich shop to wine bar as the sun goes down. Scott’s by day, Scott’s by night, deliciousness all the time.
Restaurant Labart
2a/8 West St, Burleigh Heads
If there’s one restaurant that truly captures the rejuvenation of the Gold Coast as a legitimate food destination, it’s Restaurant Labart, from chef Alex Munoz. You might know him from Sydney heavy hitter Monopole. Here, he’s taken all his Inner East, moody wine bar/fine dining sensibilities and applied them to this contemporary bistro. Check that beef tongue, inspired by his Chilean roots. Thirsty? Munoz and Co have opened up a wine bar, Paloma, just a two-minute walk from the restaurant.
Piatto and Cantina
2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
It’s all about la famiglia here where Piatto (a neighbourhood Italian restaurant run by Brad and Thea Pearce) and Cantina (a rollicking bar and small plates fun diner run by their son Harry and his partner Missy) sit side-saddle. Start with a tiny beer and slow cooked lamb shoulder with cucumber, yoghurt and mint at Cantina then mosey over to Piatto for the beef short rib rotolo, then waddle back over to Cantina for a nightcap.
Clay Cantina
2/16 Griffith St, Coolangatta
One of the few places in Australia serving traditional Mexican-style barbacoa. Here, lamb is slow cooked in banana leaves and served with a lamb consomme on the side for sipping or dipping, and tortillas for mopping. The restaurant is more like one big open kitchen with communal tables - somewhere to sit and keep the chef company with a mezcal margarita rather than a ‘traditional’ restaurant setting. Eat from beautiful handmade ceramics and consider going back for a cooking class with chef/owner Kristal Smith.
Bar Evelyn
Shop 20/58 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
First there was Leonard’s House of Love and Leonardo’s Pizza Palace in Melbourne. Then there was Ciao Mate in Bangalow, and here is Nick Stanton representing once again with his latest project, Bar Evelyn. With a brand new pizza oven and a very exciting wine list, it’s good times ahoy in Coolangatta. Highlights include locally made lamb and honey sausage on a chilli and garlic oil base; those bold flavours softened with a blob of macadamia cream. Don’t miss the Margherita, either. Bonus points for shakers of ‘ghetto parmesan’ and extra spicy chilli oil.
Tommy’s Italian
818 Pacific Parade, Currumbin
Once upon a time, the most remarkable thing about Currumbin was the bird sanctuary. Which, by the way, still slaps. But there’s also the Riverina rib eye on the bone with a trio of condiments at Tommy’s Italian to contend with. Can’t commit to the full bone-in situation? Consider the sirloin tartare with plenty of capers for bite, topped with a squiggle of anchovy mayonnaise. Make sure to book an upstairs table for extremely heavenly beach views and sweet sea breeze.