Best Restaurants on the Gold Coast Right Now

The Gold Coast dining scene has grown well beyond its theme-park-and-surf reputation. Today you’ll find award-winning Japanese omakase, wood-fired Greek feasts, and beachfront seafood restaurants where the fish was swimming that morning. These are the restaurants actually worth booking in 2026.

Rick Shores, Burleigh Heads

Rick Shores remains the most sought-after table on the Gold Coast — and for good reason. Perched right on the sand at Burleigh Beach, it has floor-to-ceiling views of the surf and a menu built around South-East Asian coastal cooking. The twice-cooked duck with XO and a fried egg ($52) has been on the menu for years and still stops people mid-conversation. Book at least three weeks ahead for a Friday or Saturday dinner sitting; weekday lunches are easier to snag and every bit as good.

Kiyomi, The Star Gold Coast

Kiyomi is the Gold Coast’s best Japanese restaurant, full stop. Set inside The Star complex, it doesn’t feel like a casino restaurant — the space is calm, low-lit, and serious about its craft. The wagyu sukiyaki ($68 per person, minimum two) is the obvious crowd-pleaser, but the yuzu kosho scallops ($34) are the dish that keeps regulars coming back. The Japanese whisky list is one of the longest in Queensland, with pours ranging from $18 to well over $120.

The Fish House, Burleigh Heads

If you want the most straightforward argument for eating on the Gold Coast, it’s The Fish House. The restaurant is half a kilometre from the water and gets its catch daily from local trawlers. Order the barramundi — it’s always on the menu and always the right call — served with brown butter and capers for around $48. The wine list leans into Australian whites, with Hunter Valley semillons and Clare Valley rieslings under $90 a bottle that pair perfectly with the fish.

Nineteen at The Star

Nineteen sits on the 19th floor of The Star’s hotel tower and commands the best view of any restaurant on the Gold Coast: 270 degrees of ocean, hinterland, and the long sweep of beach from Coolangatta to Surfers Paradise. The food is modern Australian fine dining — six courses from around $175 per person — with produce sourced from the Scenic Rim and Darling Downs regions. The dry-aged sirloin from Rangers Valley is the standout dish. Service is formal but not stiff; bring an occasion to match.

Etsu Izakaya, Miami

Etsu is the Gold Coast’s best casual Japanese spot — a small, timber-panelled izakaya in the beachside suburb of Miami that gets packed from 6pm Thursday through Sunday. The karaage chicken ($19) and salmon tataki ($24) are the openers everyone orders. Mains like the miso-glazed black cod ($42) show the kitchen is capable of a lot more than bar snacks. Walk-ins are welcome, but the wait can stretch to 90 minutes on weekends; aim to arrive before 5:30pm or book ahead.

Burleigh Pavilion

Not strictly a restaurant — it’s a large beachfront venue — but the Burleigh Pavilion earns its place here because the food is genuinely good and the setting is spectacular. The wood-fired pizza ($24–$30), the fried squid with aioli ($22), and a cold beer with a view of Burleigh Point is as close to a perfect Queensland afternoon as it gets. Walk-ins are usually fine outside peak summer weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best restaurant on the Gold Coast?

Rick Shores at Burleigh Beach consistently ranks as the Gold Coast’s top restaurant for its combination of South-East Asian-inspired cooking, beachfront location, and polished service. Kiyomi at The Star is the standout pick for Japanese fine dining.

Are Gold Coast restaurants expensive?

Mid-range dining typically runs $40–$60 for a main at a quality restaurant. Fine dining at Nineteen or Kiyomi will cost $80–$175+ per person including drinks. Casual spots like Etsu Izakaya or Burleigh Pavilion offer excellent food for $20–$45 per dish.

Do I need to book ahead at Gold Coast restaurants?

For Rick Shores, Kiyomi, and Nineteen, reservations 2–4 weeks ahead are standard for weekend sittings. Etsu accepts walk-ins but the wait can be long on busy nights. Burleigh Pavilion is the easiest to walk into without a booking.