Over the past few years, the dining scenes in Gold Coast and Brisbane have grown tremendously. Many vibrant Australian cafés with a bohemian twist and an increasing number of authentic Asian restaurants are winning the hearts of both locals and tourists alike. Here are 7 restaurants to visit in Queensland.

Au Cirque

Au Cirque is a two-level wooden café serving nutritious Australian cuisine. Voted as one of the best brunch spots in Brisbane, this cozy place is extremely popular amongst Australians. Scrumptious breakfasts are served till 3pm; best dishes include corn fritters and breakfast chow down. Genovese coffee is served here, which explains the frequent influx of caffeine addicts.

3/618 Brunswick Street, New Farm
Queensland, Australia 4005
Tel: (07) 3254 0479

Charis Seafood

Gold Coast’s biggest seafood outlet Charis Seafood is committed in delivering customers the freshest supplies from Australia and New Zealand. There are 40 over different kinds of gourmet species, from Atlantic Salmons to Tasmanian Scallops. Takeaway hot food is available upon request. One can enjoy the quality food in the outdoors benches and tables at Harley Park along Gold Coast Broadwaters. Keep your eye on your food or lose them to the swooping birds.

371 Marine Parade
Harley Park, Labrador
Gold Coast, Queensland 4215
Tel: (07) 5527 1100

Davies Park Market

Davies Park Market, also known as West End Markets, is not a restaurant, but it is truly a taste of Brisbane. Held every Saturday from 6am to 2pm, one can expect aplenty of local fresh produce, make shift food stalls, coffee vans, one of a kind jewellery and handmade clothing. Freshly brewed coffee, made-to-order crepes, juicy German bratwursts and crunchy roasted nuts are just some of Davies Park Market’s food highlights.

Montague Road, West End
Brisbane, Queensland 4101
Tel: (07) 3844 2440

Elk Espresso

This Australian café serves premium coffee and contemporary Australian food. Popular dishes include potato hash served with avocado & bacon. Young trendy surfers can be spotted chilling here in their sunglasses and board shorts. The menu changes with the season, keeping its customers revisiting for exciting changes/additions.

16 Chelsea Avenue, Broadbeach
Gold Coast, Queensland 4218
Tel: (07) 5592 2888

Obaltan Korean BBQ

Obaltan Korean Barbeque is famous for its DIY charcoal grill. Fresh off from the steaming wire mesh, the pieces of cooked meat with a tinge of smoky flavour (something that cannot be achieved via electric grill) are tantalising even from afar. A giant retractable fan is rooted from the ceiling to keep the smoke at bay. This authentic Korean barbeque restaurant is very popular and reservations are strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.

91 Elizabeth Street, CBD
Brisbane, Queensland 4000
Tel: (07) 3211 1469

Sono Japanese Restaurant

Sono Japanese is an exquisite fine dining Japanese restaurant with remarkable awards to its name. It was crowned the Best Asian Restaurant in 2010 and was featured in several prestigious publications, including The Australian, Style Magazine, Vogue and more. Its Teppanyaki bar is a highlight, where chefs prepare food right in front of guests whilst performing impressive culinary “stunts”. Seafood fans will be in a treat as Sono’s succulent scallops amazingly melt in one’s mouth. Do note that bookings must be made prior to one’s visit.

39 Hercules Street, Portside Wharf
Level, 1 Building 7, Hamilton
Brisbane, Queensland 4007
Tel: (07) 3268 6655

Vue Lounge

Vue Lounge is a lovely chameleon; it is a modern Australian café that serves all day breakfast till 2.30pm and it evolves into an Italian restaurant from 3pm onwards. And that is not the end. Vue is also a Burger Bar & Bistro every Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm till late! It is impossible not to love Vue Lounge for supplying Brisbane-based foodies with aromatic coffees, delicious breakfast, tasty Italian fares and takeaway brilliant burgers throughout the day.

83 Merthyr Road, New Far
Brisbane, Queensland 4005
Tel: (07) 3358 6511

About the writer
Hui Jun Ng was previously a marketing executive and freelance photographer in the food industry. Her work has been published on Epicure, Lifestyle Asia and Meld Magazine etc. She is currently on a break and traveling around the world. Follow her travel adventures on Instagram or The Keepers Map where she shares useful curated travel itineraries.

One of the best meals that I’ve had this year was at Black Coffee Lyrics in Gold Coast. I chanced upon it when I was doing research on places to eat in Gold Coast, and I am happy to say that the recommendations online were spot-on.

It is not difficult to understand why Black Coffee Lyrics is so popular. The restaurant and cocktail bar is an “insider” spot for coffee and good food. It has a kick-ass vibe – artsy, cosy and very very cool. In short, the sort of underground cafe for those “in the know” to hang out.

Signature drinks like Chai-latini (A$17), Prohibition Iced Tea (A$18), Espresso Martini (A$17) are one of the reasons why people keep coming back. That aside, Black Coffee Lyrics also has very good food.

Some of the must-order tapas are Salmon Tartarte (A$12) with avocado, lemon, green pepper corn and dill; Zucchini Flower (A$12) stuffed with prawn and basil mousse accompanied with tomato and rosemary stew; and the tender and flavourful Pork Belly (A$14) with extremely crispy skin.

In addition, we also sampled the Quail ($18) – a simple dish of quail, roasted pistachios with dark chocolate; and Glazed Butternut Tofu (A$10), which came with red grapes and drizzled with pickled walnut dressing. Light, refreshing and tasty – the kind of happy surprise I would never expect from tofu.

For mains, get the Salmon Confit (A$25) – a beautiful Tasmanian fillet slow cooked in olive oil at 55 degrees; and Pumpkin Risotto (A$18), which is perfect when you pair it with ‘Moa five hop’, a New Zealand beer.

And of course, you must have desserts. End the meal with the Coconut Panna Cotta (A$11) or Baileys Espresso Creme Brulee (A$). But if you only have room for one dessert, go for the Oliver Twist (A$9). We thought that it was just another yogurt sorbet so we did not think much of it. Other than the fact that it was pretty to look at – with the tiny green basil pearls, bright red strawberry and house made yogurt sorbet giving a pretty contrast – it actually tasted good, with the black olive caramel sauce giving an unexpected twist to the nice and refreshing dessert.

I just checked their website and they have replaced some of the dishes that I sampled (when I was there in July) with new creations. I like that they are constantly testing different ingredients to come up with new dishes to satisfy everyone.

Black Coffee Lyrics is probably one of the best kept secrets in Gold Coast. I had a really good meal there, and I think you will enjoy it too. This is definitely a must-visit place if you are in Gold Coast.

Black Coffee Lyrics
60/3131 Surfers Paradise Blvd
Level 2 Centre Arcade
Surfers Paradise QLD 4217, Australia
Tel: (07) 0218 9437
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

For more recommendations, read my guide on Where to eat in Gold Coast.

Like what I’ve mentioned in my earlier post, Things to do in Gold Coast, there is more to Gold Coast than just theme parks and surfing – you can also find good food in the city.

If you are planning a trip there soon, here are five places to eat in Gold Coast.

Bazaar Interactive Marketplace

Bazaar Restaurant at the stunning QT Hotel is easily one of the best buffets I’ve had. And this is no small praise. The restaurant re-creates a traditional marketplace with a twenty-first century twist. The food was fresh and prepared to a good standard, and the chefs were on hand to explain about the different dishes.

QT Gold Coast
7 Staghorn Ave
Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

Samurais Paradise

For a reasonable and pocket-friendly meal, go to Samurais Paradise, is a little hole-in-the-wall eatery that specialises in yakitori.

Monte Carlo Arcade
Ground Level, Shop 3, 36-38 Orchid Ave
Surfers Paradise QLD 4217, Australia
Tel: (07) 5511 8745

Kurrawa Surf Club

There’s no way you can leave Gold Coast without visiting one of the surf lifesaving clubs. Locals go there for affordable food and drinks. Think burgers, fish & chips with lots of beer.

Beachside Old Burleigh Road
Broadbeach QLD 4218, Australia
Tel: (07) 5527 5660

Yamasakura

I asked the locals to recommend me the best Japanese restaurant in Gold Coast. The answer? Yamasakura. Excellent Japanese food at acceptable prices.

60/3131 Surfers Paradise Blvd
Level 2 Centre Arcade
Surfers Paradise QLD 4217, Australia
Tel: (07) 5592 2799

Black Coffee Lyrics

And lastly, Black Coffee Lyrics, located just Yamasakura, is an “insider” spot for coffee and good food. It has a kick-ass vibe – artsy, cosy and very very cool. In short, the sort of underground cafe for those “in the know” to hang out.

This is probably one of the best kept secrets in town. I had one of my best meals this year at Black Lyrics Cafe, so I am going to just say this once: this is a must-visit place if you are in Gold Coast.

60/3131 Surfers Paradise Blvd
Level 2 Centre Arcade
Surfers Paradise QLD 4217, Australia
Tel: (07) 0218 9437

For more recommendations, please read my post on Things to do in Gold Coast