People who lunch longer, live longer. While we don’t have any scientific proof to back this statement, there's no doubt that a leisurely midday meal with friends is a simple pleasure that should be enjoyed often. These Gold Coast restaurants excel at long lunching with incredible dining, excellent service and the warm hospitality we're famous for.
1. ORZO
A surefire winner when it comes to enjoying contemporary Italian cuisine, ORZO is set in one of the Gold Coast’s most popular dining precincts, Oracle Boulevard. Think traditional Italian dishes with a twist served by attentive staff in a stylish venue. Impeccable, commendable and absolutely perfect for a special long lunch on the Gold Coast.
Their house-made pasta (prepared fresh daily) is authentically moreish. Hint: do not miss their seafood linguine! Other standout menu items from the snacking/starter side of life include Wagyu tartare toast, mushroom and black truffle arancini (yes, please) and a delectable eggplant parmigiana. If the menu makes it too hard to choose, go for the 5-course tasting banquet so you can sample multiple mouth-watering dishes. ORZO offers casual fine dining done right.
Location: The Oracle, 12 Charles Avenue, Broadbeach
2. Surfers Pavilion
Seeking a lively waterfront venue with spectacular riverside views for a Gold Coast long lunch gathering? Look no further than the fabulous Surfers Pavilion – a focal point for fun times where both the food and the mood are always elevated. The Frosé Bar and Oyster Bar add to the charm.
Surfers Pavilion is popular so book your table ahead to avoid missing out and take up residence on the deck with friends as you get ready to mount your attack on their delicious menu. There’s a big range of share plates, yummy burgers, nutritious main meals, zesty salads and seafood platters on offer here. Plus, an excellent selection of cocktails, tap beers and on-trend wines. The Surfers Pavilion effortlessly caters to intimate and larger groups so get your besties and/or family together for an innovative surf and turf-style buzzing long lunch.
Location: 30/34 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise
3. Edgewater Dining
This refined Gold Coast bistro with waterfront and city skyline views is a delightful spot to wine and dine all afternoon. Edgewater Dining is located on the Isle of Capri (alongside Surfers Paradise) and features a modern Australian/Mediterranean-inspired menu mixed with traditional dishes that are sure to impress the most discerning of foodies.
Order up crowd favourites such as the BBQ harissa lamb ribs, lemon pepper calamari, aged Black Angus sirloin, a classic Caesar salad and some of their wonderful cheese boards which are perfectly suited to a long lunch graze-a-thon.
The signature dish, a king prawn and bug risotto is always on the menu here. Try it and you’ll immediately understand why – for the heavenly combination of fresh seafood flavours lifted by this delicate, fluffy risotto are truly outstanding. Edgewater is a family-friendly venue, meaning kids are totally welcome and have their own menu.
Location: Shop 3 G7, Capri on Via Roma, Isle of Capri
4. Tommy’s Italian
If beachside Italian sounds like your version of heaven, then head to Currumbin and sit yourself down at a table in Tommy’s. Linger over a lunch that showcases the finest Italian fare including freshmade pasta, succulent seafood, crispy woodfired pizzas and a delicious selection of antipasti (with no less than three flavours of burrata).
The drinks list includes wines from Italy and France, as well as Australian drops, or perhaps you’d prefer to sample a cocktail, mocktail or spritz. Savour each mouthful of your long lunch and then in true Italian style, head home for a siesta. The dolce vita indeed!
Location: 818 Pacific Pde, Currumbin
5. Siblings Kirra
Put Siblings Kirra on top of your must-do list of destination dining. First for the food and second for its dazzling, uninterrupted view of the surf. This seaside location at the southern end of the Gold Coast is the perfect meeting place for friends and family to convene and devour a memorable long lunch.
They set the benchmark for quality cocktails serving a tempting selection of magic mixes and refreshing spritzers from behind the bar. There are 52 signature drinks on offer here so, you better be thirsty and/or prepped to return.
Star dishes on the menu include but are not limited to the Baja fish tacos, tempura oysters, a green goddess salad, short rib croquettes, miso cauliflower with whipped tahini, free-range chargrilled chicken and a superb pork and fennel pasta dish. Note: the famed ‘Siblings Surf & Turf’ is an excellent sharing dish flanked with Moreton Bay Bugs, fresh local prawns and 500 grams of the best Black Angus chateaubriand steak in town.
Location: 15 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
6. Hyde Paradiso
Book a beautiful, breezy beachside long lunch at Hyde Paradiso at Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise. This vibrant venue on the esplanade is thoughtfully designed and oh-so inviting. The tropical vibes, casual yet fun atmosphere and indulgent menu have created a wonderful space for feasting with friends and/or family.
Who doesn’t love a long lunch of tasty treats like pan-seared scallops, burrata with house-made bread, butterflied chargrilled king prawns, mustard herb crumbed pork, a hearty falafel bowl, mouthwatering cheeseburgers and more.
The calendar of events at Hyde Paradiso (think, DJ sets, bottomless brunch, themed dining and even the occasional mixology masterclass) is well worth looking at too. The team at Hyde Paradiso are wonderful hosts and very accommodating – book in for a small group of 10 pax and under or take over the whole event space if you’re ready to properly send it for a big party celebration.
Location: Level 2/8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
7. Ioesco
The expert kitchen team at loesco has a passion for cooking that’s evident in every dish they artfully prepare. Given that this charming restaurant at Sanctuary Cove is a local institution famed for its sophisticated Italian dining experience.
Those in the know are already privy to the specialty menu bolstered by traditional Italian dishes because loesco has been providing the greater Gold Coast community with fantastic meals for over 10 years. Impressive! Their broad selection of pizzas, pastas, risottos and antipasto offerings is bound to satisfy anybody who has a hankering for impeccable Italian cuisine.
Sample the veal scallopini, orange and fennel salad and for the sweet tooth in the group, be sure to order the cannoli with vanilla ricotta, pistachio and honey. Bellissimo!
Location: 3a Masthead Way, Hope Island
8. Robina Pavilion
A long lunch at this lakeside hotspot is always going to go down well. Robina Pavilion is the spot to be on a sunny day with waterfront views from the deck and beautiful alfresco precinct with tiered levels where you can choose from picnic tables, day beds or bar seating. You’ll find casual dining in a relaxed and social atmosphere - it’s kid-friendly too with a nearby playground for the little ones to play while you enjoy your meal.
The extensive menu caters to a variety of tastes - cheesy wood-fired pizzas and snack plates are perfect for sharing, with mains including juicy burgers, a variety of Parmigianas, plus pasta, seafood and steak. Wash it down with something bubbly for a truly perfect midday meal, Gold Coast style in the sunshine.
Location: 229 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina
9. Waterfront Restaurant - Southport Yacht Club
Ideal for any kind of celebration from family gatherings for Mothers Day to a milestone birthday or anniversary, Waterfront Restaurant at Southport Yacht Club offers casual, marina-side dining. While the atmosphere is laid back, service is always on point, the food is top notch and the views are unbeatable.
Sit back, watch the sun sparkle on the water and the yachts slide by as you sip on a chilled beverage. As you would expect from a venue so close to the ocean, seafood is the star of the menu but steaks, salads, burgers and a kids’ meals are also on offer. A lovely lunch spot that’s well loved by locals.
Location: 1 MacArthur Parade, Main Beach
10. The Tropic
This iconic restaurant in Burleigh is well known and well loved so be sure to book well ahead for your long lunch. The ocean is so close you can sometimes feel the salt spray and the coastal views are nothing short of stunning, with local surfers a stone’s throw away from your table.
If you’re lucky and score a spot on the sunny terrace, you won’t want to leave in a hurry. The interior of The Tropic is just as appealing and the bi-fold windows open the whole space up to sea breezes and beachy scenes. It’s a spectacular spot to enjoy lunch with an absolutely mouthwatering Med-inspired menu of seafood, sharable treats and reimagined classics. The best place to bring visitors to truly wow them.
Location: 43 Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads
11. Lagoon Beach Club - The Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove
Share plates, locally sourced seafood (bucket of prawns anyone?) and tropical flavours are the theme here. Graze on charcuterie or cheese platters, gourmet pizzas, burgers and more, paired with a perfectly crafted cocktail, a local beer or non-alcoholic beverage and chill poolside vibes. If you’re not staying at the resort but can’t resist the lure of the azure one-acre pool, upgrade your day with a resort day pass for just $30.
Location: Manor Circle, Sanctuary Cove
12. Stanley’s Barn Restaurant & Bar
Soak up the scenery as you feast on the incredible dishes coming out of the kitchen, served by friendly staff who go above and beyond. Blue Swimmer Crab Arancini or Grilled Tiger Prawns for starters? More difficult decisions must be made on this menu - choose from tasty burgers and sandwiches, gourmet salads or mouthwatering mains. The whole point of a long lunch is to take it slowly, so savour each bite and enjoy an unhurried meal.
Location: 107 Kriedeman Rd, Upper Coomera
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Destination Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.