Posted by Burleigh Heads may only be 10km or so south of Surfers Paradise, but it feels many more miles away from the endless skyscrapers, busy streets and frenetic nightlife that some see as the curse of Surfers. Whilst Burleigh is quickly developing (with a growing number of high-rise apartment buildings under construction), there’s still a gentler and more authentic pace of life on this part of the coast, with a more local leaning collection of boutiques, cute cafes, fabulous restaurants and even a small bar culture starting to take hold.
Burleigh’s long and wide beach is a haven for sunbathing, long walks and its relatively calm surf suits swimmers of all levels. An early morning stroll along the esplanade is the best way to start the day, with a perfectly brewed coffee from any number of popular coffee spots. At the southern end of the beach, the Burleigh Pavilion is a social hub, offering unbeatable views and some of the coast’s best dining at the likes of Rick Shores and The Tropic.
And if the stunning beach and all that indulging in good food and cool beverages is not enough to win you over to Burleigh’s charms, a hike through the Burleigh Heads National Park will surely make you fall for this somewhat underrated part of the Gold Coast.
This Guide to Burleigh Heads was updated in May 2024.
Just Coffee…
Memento Burleigh | 14 The Esplanade
A quintessential laidback GC coffee spot situated just across the road from the beach, Memento is small and eminently relaxed, with a sun-dappled outdoor seating area. The coffee is good and there’s a food menu suited to dining in or grabbing a snack to go – featuring wraps, toasts and a classic bacon & egg burger. Open from 5am. Memento Burleigh
Seadog | 8/50 James St
Literally a hole in the wall, this tiny coffee stall just serves coffee, offering up their own house blends, and it’s a fine coffee at that. There’s a handful of benches in the adjoining arcade if you feel like sitting and lingering a while over your cuppa. Seadog
The Kiosk | 43 Goodwin Terrace
Literally a hole in the wall in the Burleigh Pavilion complex, The Kiosk is ideally located to grab a good coffee on your morning beach stroll or after your sunrise surf. There’s also a handful of quick snack items available if you need some nourishment too. The Kiosk
Canteen Kitchen | 23 Park Ave
This small under-the-radar cafe is tucked away behind James St, so you’ll rub shoulders with more locals than tourists as you wait for your morning caffeine fix. The coffee is top-notch and there’s a short but satisfying menu of breaky favourites, with a Middle-Eastern slant to some of the dishes.
Breakfast & Brunch…
Paddock Bakery | 20 Hibiscus Haven
The venue is as attractive as the food at Paddock – a classic Queenslander that’s been given a stylish makeover adjoining a large, leafy garden that is ideal for a languid breakfast. Dishing up fabulous bakery and café fare, plus really good coffee, this is a real locals favourite so expect it to be constantly buzzing. Paddock Bakery
Commune | 1844 Lower Gold Coast Hwy
Despite being situated on the busy Gold Coast Highway, this nonchalant cafe swims a little under the radar. The inside dining space is cosy and rustic, but the large open air courtyard with little nooks to chill out in is where you want to be when the weather is pleasant. The food is mainly organic, there’s a hearty breakfast/brunch selection and lots of yummy baked treats. The portions are generous too.
Social Brew | 34-36 James St
This eclectic café has an indoor garden feel, with various seating zones, and although it’s large and generally busy, it’s still got a very relaxed vibe. The all-day breaky menu is wholesome, generous and prepared simply, with plenty of healthier options to help keep those beach-bods in shape. Their coffee is excellent and small touches like three different types of filtered water to choose from make it a winner. Social Brew
Tarte Bakery & Café | 2/2 West St
Tarte occupies a smart looking corner store and spills out to leafy alfresco sitting areas on the pavement and a series of timber decks. Serving an imaginative brunch style menu, though there’s plenty of bakery treats indulge in too, both sweet and savoury. Favourites include their tartines, a chicken sandwich with miso mayo and succulent, flaky sausage rolls. Tarte Bakery & Cafe
Custard Canteen | 1525 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
From the team that has earned their stripes with Bam Bam and Cubby, Custard is a fair weather brunch spot and ideally situated to refuel after a hike through Burleigh Heads National Park. Situated adjacent to the Tallebudgera Creek inlet, this super popular venue serves tasty brunch treats, including very moreish sausage rolls. If you are ‘dining in’ here, it’s really dining out as you’ll be sitting at picnic tables in a sunny courtyard style setting. Custard Canteen
Dining…
Rick Shores | 43 Goodwin Terrace
Taking beachside dining to a new level, this airy eatery has the waves literally lapping at the windows, with fabulous (and quite distracting!) views of the beach and Surfers Paradise on the horizon. The food is modern pan-Asian, made for sharing and every dish packs a perfect punch in presentation and flavour – the menu starts with raw & cold offerings, before moving onto dumplings & dim sum, curries and small and large plates. Eternally busy, you’ll need to book ahead. Rick Shores
Maman Bar & Kitchen | 49 James St
With a sibling restaurant in Port Douglas, the Burleigh edition of Maman brings a new level of hip to the beachside locale. The room has a whitewashed Mediterranean look, with splashes of pastel, eye-catching murals by artist Jai Vasicek and huge booths to slink into. Start with some light and breezy cocktails then feast on the delicious share food with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences – it’s the perfect style of fare for the coastal climate. Maman means ‘made by mum’, but this food clearly comes from a very talented mum! Maman Bar & Kitchen
Justin Lane | 1708-1710 Gold Coast Hwy
A 1960’s arcade has been transformed into a groovy multi-faceted complex featuring a cute bar, diner, and rooftop bar – so you can choose your space depending on your mood. They specialise in handmade pizza; thin chewy dough topped with generous portions of inventive toppings, plus a selection of crowd-pleasing Italian fare including spuntini, pasta and awesome desserts. The wine list is kept short and easy to choose from, though the atmosphere here lends itself more to a cocktail or two! Justin Lane
Jimmy Wah’s | 1724 Gold Coast Hwy
The contemporary styling of the dining room is a good match for the modern Vietnamese fare that will delight with every mouthful. The menu is not overly long, but magnificently balanced and the small share plates are just right as they allow you to taste lots of tasty treats. The wine list is lovely, there’s also a sexy cocktail list and the beer offerings include Vietnamese brews. The service is friendly but super efficient, but it’s the food, oh the food… that will have you coming back time and again. Open for both lunch and dinner. Jimmy Wah’s
Light Years | 1848 Gold Coast Hwy
With outposts in Byron, Noosa and Newcastle, Light Years has brought their successful formula to the GC. Situated in a small strip of shops on the Gold Coast Highway, the cosy space has been transformed into a bright, funky hub with retro tones. The young team is attentive, the music is as upbeat as the service and the mod Asian menu is not overly large, but every dish on the menu is so very desirable. Great food indeed! Light Years
Oi Izakaya | Shops 4 – 6, 30 James St
They’ve captured the authentic Izakaya temperament at Oi, a rustic drinking and dining den in one of James St’s unpretentious arcades – there’s a pokey bar and dining room, plus tables spilling out into the arcade. The big menu will please everyone, offering up Izakaya favourites such as otsumami (small bites), sashimi and yakitori, plus a few non-traditional options like sushi tacos. Beverage wise, there’s Japanese beer on tap, a long sake list, plus a handful of wines available. Oi Izakaya
The Tropic | 43 Goodwin Terrace
On the top level of the vibrant Burleigh Pavilion complex The Tropic offers a smart dining room and a sun bathed terrace, with direct views north over the beach and onwards to the Surfers Paradise skyline. It’s frequented by the GC’s beautiful people, and the switched-on staff are rather easy on the eye too! Despite the relaxed beach vibe, the made for sharing menu crosses multiple cuisines with fresh local produce the hero… the food is really excellent, so it’s easy to see why a lunch here could stretch on into dinner, or even beyond. The Tropic
Rabbath | 7A/1837 Gold Coast Hwy
This petite eatery only has seating for a handful of guests, with the open kitchen spilling into the dining space, making it feel like you are dining at a good friends place. This feeling extends to the genuine and warm hospitality of owner Patrick, with the menu honouring his parents heritage. The food is simply good honest Lebanese fare, prepared with love and attention. There’s something eminently comforting about a night at Rabbath. Rabbath
La Bella Cellar | 3 Deodar Dr
Just off the busy Gold Coast Hwy and hidden behind an unmarked door, this petite venue is quite the surprise. The stark white décor feels warmer and more inviting than it should, the low hum of conversation and the charming service adds to the comforting feel. The food menu is short but more than adequate, a tasty variety of European inspired share dishes that are perfectly executed and well matched with the equally appealing wine list, which features an interesting selection of Australian, Kiwi and Euro drops. Best of all, if you don’t finish a whole bottle, you can take the leftovers home with you! La Bella Cellar
Local Burleigh | 1744 Gold Coast Hwy
Appropriately named, the Local team have created a venue that feels very easy to drop into at any time of the day, whether it’s for a snack, a more substantial feed, or a long boozy session. You can’t escape the outdoors here, there’s a sunny beer garden out back and a gazebo dining area on the pavement, whilst even the interior section feels alfresco with a sunroof and greenery hanging from the ceiling. There’s classic pub fare like burgers and steaks, but the starter menu is more interesting, with a neat selection of seafood share dishes to whet your appetite. Local Burleigh
Casual Food Options…
More casual options for a quick bite in Burleigh include Freddy’s for their ‘can’t go past’ chicken + chips + gravy rolls, Govindas for pure vegetarian goodness, the best burgers on the coast at Ze Pickle or a sweet treat from Burleigh Gelato Co., where you’re sure to find a line after dinner time.
Drinks…
Burleigh Pavilion | 43 Goodwin Terrace
A relaxed yet swish beachside bar, park yourself under one of the beach umbrellas, sip on a cold brew and take in the stunning vistas of the ocean and the distant Surfers skyline. When the drinks get you hungry, there’s a contemporary bar bites style menu featuring all the drinkers favourites like burgers, pizza or a good steak. Burleigh Pavilion
Lockwood Bar | 7B Justin Lane
Justin Lane is Burleigh’s burgeoning nightlife precinct, with a number of cool small bars calling this unremarkable laneway home. Lockwood’s interior is far removed from it’s exterior, whilst it’s got some rustic elements, it’s still very polished indeed and it hums nicely with a smart crowd sipping cocktails and more. Lockwood Bar
Rosella’s | 1734 Gold Coast Hwy
This fun bar lends itself to regular drop-ins for a drink or three. Playing on its unashamedly Australian heritage, there’s a good dose of nostalgia on the menu and creative drinks list; the cocktails utilise native ingredients and there’s a whole shelf of gin varieties to try. The all Australian wine list is kept short, but introduces some interesting blends and regions, including organic wines, whilst the craft ‘tinnie’ selection is similarly an ode to local brewers. When the weather is kind, the big front windows open up to the street and the vibe gets a little looser! Rosella’s
Paloma | 1/12 James St
A sibling wine bar to the acclaimed Restaurant Labert, Paloma shows the same stylish DNA in an intimate and narrow passage-like space that is very ‘unbeachy’ yet still feels very comfortable here in the heart of Burleigh. Attracting a smartly dressed crowd, Paloma serves a small menu of interesting share dishes that are created for the seasons, plus a wine selection that offers a taste of both the familiar and some more unique options and regions. Paloma
Black Hops Brewery | 15 Gardenia Grove
Still small and rustic enough to have a very laidback, friendly vibe, Black Hops attracts a largely local and loyal crowd – it’s the type of place where the bar staff get to know your name pretty quickly. The brews are of course very good, but it’s the whole package that makes Black Hops an easy spot to drop into. Open 5 days a week from midday to early evening. Black Hops Brewery
Justin Lane Rooftop | 1708-1710 Gold Coast Hwy
A snug, sunny (usually) rooftop bar and eatery, serving up the same delicious Italian fare and yummy pizza’s that Justin Lane is well known for, but with the intoxicating Gold Coast sunshine and sea-breeze added to the mix. It’s only two levels up, so the views are not the main act here, but it’s still a lovely and welcoming space. Justin Lane Rooftop
Must Do…
Burleigh Head National Park | Goodwin Terrace
Nestled between Burleigh Heads and the Tallebudgera Creek inlet, this compact but diverse National Park is wrapped around the headland, providing jaw-dropping ocean views and the chance to work up a sweat with a couple of different walking tracks. Starting at the southern end of Burleigh beach, the coastal track is relatively flat and shady, and when it isn’t hugging the coastline it takes a detour through some really lovely stretches of micro-rainforest. If you’re setting a decent pace, it should only take you 20 minutes or so to get to the southern border of the park, where a cool splash in the inlet or a tasty treat from Custard Canteen could be your reward, before turning around for the return walk to Burleigh. Burleigh Head National Park
Where to Stay…
Burleigh lacks any major hotels, though there are plenty of apartment style hotels and independent holiday rentals to make your beach base. With a varied selection of properties to choose from, those along The Esplanade have prime position – though if you are staying there, splash out for a true ocean front room, as those at the back of the properties along The Esplanade may be subject to some traffic noise from the Gold Coast Highway.
Travis’ Wish List…
Because there’s always more eating, dining and exploring than can be done in just one visit, Travis likes to keep a wish list so there’s an incentive to visit again!
On our next sun-soaking sojourn to Burleigh, we’ll be sure to start the day at Parlour Coffee, enjoy some barefoot bowls and cheap beers at Burleigh Bowls and some fancy drinks at The Malibu Racquet Club. For an indulgent dinner, Restaurant Labart would be top of the wish list, followed by some cheeky late night drinks at dive bar Nightjar.
Featured Photo: ‘Sunset Surfer’ – Burleigh Heads Beach
Travis. 