Gold Coast 2017, where do I begin. A few weeks ago I set on a journey to eat, drink, and visit some of the best places in Gold Coast and I cannot wait to share them all with you here in detail.
WHERE TO STAY
I was lucky enough to stay at the QT Gold Coast, situated right across the road from the beach, along the esplanade and backing onto Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Gold Coast Highway. Some would say our location was the best of the best. The QT literally has it all the Japanese Yamagen restaurant, the Stingray bar which is pumping on a Friday and Saturday night, and not to mention an amazing venue for a 21st or any special occasion that needs to be celebrated. I was also lucky enough to be staying in a room that overlooked the ocean, and wow that view was to die for! If you're staying at QT you absolutely must indulge in the buffet breakfast, probably one of my favourite buffets I've ever been to. The buffet breakfast is located on the second level of the QT hotel, and in the Bazaar restaurant. The buffet is also available for lunch and dinner, which I've also heard is amazing.
WHERE TO EAT
ROOM 81
My goodness, I was in the biggest food coma upon my return to Melbourne after eating at so many places. One of my favourite dinners in the Gold Coast would have to be Room 81 at the Sofitel, locate at 81 Surf Parade, Broadbeach. Our five course meal was displayed beautifully, and taste amazing. Their contemporary dining has already been awarded two chef hats by the Australian Good Food Guide 2017. I was lucky enough to have the hiramasa yellow tail kingfish sashimi, pea puree, compressed cucumber, apple snow. The fresh garden peas, whipped goats curd, speck, manjimup truffle for second course. The kurobuta pork jowl, roasted cauliflower, curried raisins, macadamia for our third course. The braised veal cheek, sautéed warrigal greens, jerusalem artichoke skins, shaved chestnut which was my favourite dish of the night, and our last savoury dish. And to finish off with the valrhona bahibe 46% chocolate mousse, malted milk, hazelnut crumble, pickled pear ice cream, which not only tasted delicious was also plated up with so much beauty and elegance.
MEXI CALI
If you're looking for some yummy Mexican food to brighten up your stay head to Mexi Cali in Mermaid Beach. A must try for your visit is the Cochinita Pull Pork tacos (Slow roasted pork shoulder, pickled red onion, mango habanero sauce, coriander and fresh lime), and the Sweet Baby Jesus cocktail (Dry gin, elderflower, watermelon, passionfruit, lime and mint).
BAM BAM BAKEHOUSE
After being in Gold Coast for 48 hours I still hadn't found myself a good coffee, or any coffee that was drinkable, typical Melbournian. Until I came across Bam Bam, and thank goodness I did. This place makes the most amazing pastries. I found myself ordering a couple and taking them down to Burleigh beach, my friend and I scoffed them down in about 10 seconds. A top tip to taking food down to the beach, try not to get sand in it, tastes way better without a massive flick of sand. But other than the sand, the salted caramel eclair is a must have on any day of the week. And of course with the beautiful Gold Coast sun, an iced coffee goes down a treat.
GUILY PLEASURE PLATTERS
These platters truly are a work of art. Thank you so much to the beautiful lady behind these platters, because she made our Sunday arvo one to remember. The freshness of the fruit, and the beautiful cheeses all boxed up in this little package of fun was so lovely to enjoy on our last day in the Gold Coast. We took ours down to Surfers Paradise beach and enjoyed it in the sand with our last few hours in the Gold Coast to soak up the sun. You can find these bad boys on the website https://www.guiltypleasureplatters.com/ here or on Instagram at @guiltypleasureplatters
EL PATIO DE CUBA
A cute Cuban restaurant located in the Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre in Surfers Paradise. A great place to take the family after a busy day at the beach, or just a place to enjoy a couple margaritas on a warm afternoon. I tried the paella, and wow it was full of flavour and packed with yummy seafood.
WHERE TO DRINK
I don't think I've ever tasted so many amazing cocktails in my life, until coming to the Gold Coast. If you're looking for some places to drink at in the Gold Coast you've come to the right place.
SOHO PLACE
Broadbeach's London themed speakeasy bar located at 4/2713 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach. This place is pumping on a Saturday night, but we loved the live music on the Thursday night when we visited. I was lucky enough to try a range of their cocktails, and enjoyed every one of them. They make a yummy espresso martini as well, well worth the visit.
GARDEN KITCHEN AND BAR
I absolutely loved Garden, and wow it was pumping when we went on a Saturday night. A lovely place to enjoy dinner inside, and then head outside to the turf for some cocktails in the Garden. This is a cute place to celebrate a special occasion with friends and family, or just a place to go to for a Saturday night drink with the girls. I especially loved the table tennis tables outside on the grass, which was so much fun to play and a good way to make friends and meet new people on a night out.
WHERE TO SWIM
SURFERS PARADISE MARRIOT RESORT
One word to describe the swimming situation at this place and thats AMAZING! The main pool at the Marriot Resort is salt water, and filled with some of the most amazing tropical fish I've ever seen. This lagoon is just beautiful, and a once in a lifetime experience. You can borrow a snorkel from the staff by the pool and snorkel your way through the lagoon whilst swimming with the fish. The sand leading into the pool is decked out with lounge chairs so you can sit back and relax by the pool, whilst hearing the beautiful sounds of the water falling from the water fall. Don't forget to do yourself a favour and order a pina colada, it just tops off the whole beachside pool experience.
Wow what a trip it has been, these are honestly my favourite places to eat, drink and visit in the Gold Coast, I'm sure theres a million other places I missed out on, but that just means I need to book another trip. I can't wait to share my next adventure with you all N xx