Are you looking for the best dining spots in Coolangatta? Look no further! In this blog post, we’ve curated a list of the top restaurants in Coolangatta that you need shallow fried crispy prawns with choo-chee sauce to try. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, this guide will help you discover the culinary gems of this vibrant coastal town.
Franc Jrs
Franc Jrs Famous Pizzeria is the younger sibling of the popular Francie’s. The latter currently only operates through pop-ups, catering, and events.
Franc Jrs has become a favourite among locals with a penchant for exceptional pizza. Moreover, the ethos here is simple and old school. You walk in, place your order, and they craft sublime pizzas. Then, you can take them away to enjoy on the beach or in the park. It’s simplicity at its best.
This restaurant in Coolanggata doesn’t offer phone orders, no apps, no bookings—just the way we like it. Choose from vegan 13″ pizzas, Francie’s classic 13″ pizzas, the gold standard 16″ pizzas, or the Sicilian square pizzas, Detroit-style. While the Mr. Musho Risin with crème fraiche and mushroom ragu is hard to beat, the vodka pie with sauce, mozzarella, cheese, basil, and pickled jalapeños is also a favourite.
Billy Chow
Billy Chow is the ‘younger brother’ of Nobby Beach’s beloved Ally Chow. It promises to gather a loyal following quickly and for good reason. With its peach and terracotta hues, the restaurant celebrates coastal pan-Asian cuisine with a unique Gold Coast flair.
While the menu at Billy Chow is noteworthy the pad see ew (eye fillet), ocean trout crumpets, and the spanner crab rice paper rolls are absolute must-tries. The multi-course banquet is the way to go for those looking to indulge. It shows the restaurant’s star dishes, with a vegetarian banquet option. Billy Chow is undeniably one of the best dining spots on the Southern Gold Coast.
Clay Cantina
Follow the enticing aroma down the little laneway off Chalk Street in Cooly, and you’ll find yourself in Clay Cantina, a delicious taco heaven.
This low-key laneway cantina serves traditional Mexican market plates from Wednesday to Saturday. Among those are enchiladas, taquitos, and their signature stacked sopes. And here’s the best part—if you want to learn how to cook like this at home, you can book a cooking class right then and there. It’s the perfect date night gift.
Siblings Kirra
Once you step into the award-winning Siblings, you’ll find it hard to leave, making it the perfect spot for a leisurely long lunch. With some of the best views on the Gold Coast, combined with a modern Australian menu that rivals some of the best in the country, Siblings offers an exceptional dining experience. We recommend bringing a group of friends and trying a bit of everything.
Indulge in Mum’s meatballs, Chimichurri steak tacos, prawn and bug meat risotto, Manchego croquettes, steak au poivre, and warm roast cauliflower salad among other delicious options, all expertly prepared. Vegans will also find plenty to enjoy with their dedicated menu. Siblings is unquestionably one of the top restaurants in Coolangatta.
Kirra Beach House
This top restaurant in Coolangatta is situated directly on the second floor of the Kirra Point Precinct, above the Kirra Beach Hotel. Kirra Beach House is a stunning 1200 sqm beachfront dining masterpiece, offering uninterrupted ocean views from every angle. Moreover, this dining, drinking, and event destination is unlike before.
From the group behind Bird Royale, Crafty’s, Mozza Mozza, and Kōst, this impressive venue can accommodate up to 750 people and seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, wine and cocktail bars, and luxurious event spaces. The seaside setting is reflected in the Mediterranean-style snacking menu, which offers wood-fired pizzas and flatbreads, signature burgers, fresh seafood platters, and a selection of coastal-inspired wines and cocktails.
Kirra Beach Hotel
The newly revamped Kirra Beach Hotel, located within the Kirra Point Precinct, is at the heart of the revival of this cherished coastal locale, which has proudly stood as a Kirra icon since 1956. Although the pub’s core is still the same—a laid-back, stereotypically Australian watering hole with locals at its heart—it has received a stunning facelift.
The beach pub is a striking 1300 square metres features a large, sunlit beer garden with sweeping views of the waves, a lively, family-friendly restaurant, a public bar, a dedicated kids’ area, a sports bar, and a boutique bottle shop. The coastal-inspired menu celebrates local produce and offers a range of pub classics, lighter bites, and share-style plates.
Agave Rosa
Agave Rosa is a modern Gold Coast-Mexican fusion restaurant in Coolangatta that promises to tantalize your taste buds. While you’ll find a range of beautifully loaded tacos on the menu, the Asian twist on Mexican classics means plenty of unexpected gems are waiting to be discovered.
Agave Rosa offers a dining experience like no other. Choose from tuna sashimi tostadas and scallop tempura to Wagyu rump with corn and miso butter. They also have Yuzu miso cauli tacos. Plus, with weekly deals like $17 Nacho Wednesday, $5 Taco Thursday, and daily happy hour from 3 pm/4 pm to 6 pm, there’s always something to look forward to. Why choose between Japanese or Mexican when you can have both?
Tupe-Aloha Bar and Grill
Southern Gold Coasters are spoiled for choice, with Tupe-Aloha bar on their doorstep. With this restaurant in Coolangatta’s $10 Monday Margies, $5 Taco Tuesdays, $1 wing nights on Thursdays, and happy hour every Friday and Saturday from 2 pm to 4 pm, there’s always something exciting happening.
The menu is simple yet delicious, and they even offer a full vegan menu for plant-based diners. Moreover, this Coolangatta restaurant has a vibrant and colourful tropical tiki bar atmosphere. Tupe-Aloha will transport you straight to an island in Hawaii with a Mexican influence. It offers tasty eats and happy vibes without breaking the bank.
Xenia Greek
Xenia Greek has become a staple restaurant in the Coolangatta dining scene, offering some of the best Greek cuisine you’ll likely find outside Greece. Seamlessly blending the charm of a traditional Greek tavern with laid-back Gold Coast vibes, Xenia Greek is a must-visit.
Their extensive menu includes small and souvlaki (gyros), large meze plates, desserts, and salads. For a feast, we recommend the Greek meat grill banquet, which includes homemade dips, pita bread, crispy fried zucchini fritters, olives, feta fries, a huge chargrilled meat platter, and Greek salad—all for just $65 each person. Plus, they host regular Greek events with live music, dancing, plate smashing, and their famous Greek banquet.
Bar Evelyn
Bar Evelyn is a fantastic pasta, pizza, and antipasto bar with a retro, Italian-American theme and vibe of the 70s. This low-key restaurant in Coolangatta offers an ever-changing menu. The owners and mates, Nick and Mark, are always eager to shake things up.
Their inventive sourdough pizza menu features options like pineapple and jalapeno, bolognese with bechamel and spring onion, lardo and gremolata with venison chorizo, and salsa verde with Lion’s Mane mushrooms—all cooked over a wood fire. Fresh seasonal antipasti start your night off ideally, and you’ll love their natural wine list. Don’t forget to save room for dessert—try the cherry amaro tiramisu with a river of salted milk chocolate sauce.
Lam Lam Delicate Thai
Amidst the plethora of Italian, Mexican, and burger joints in Cooly, Lam Lam Delicate Thai stands out as a delightful Asian option. If you’re craving Southeast Asia’s fragrant, spicy flavours, this casual Cooly eatery is the place to be.
Lam Lam offers all your Thai favourites. They serve satay skewers, Thai fish cakes, red curry, and tom yum. In addition, they have some lesser-known offerings like grilled beef slices with dry chillies and ground roasted rice and choo-chee sauce with crunchy prawns that are shallow-fried. With top-notch service, five-star reviews, and plenty of returning customers, Lam Lam is the real deal. Be sure to book ahead.
Eddie’s Grub House
Another restaurant in Coolangatta to try is Eddie’s Grub House. No list of Southern eats is complete without Eddie’s. Bringing the excellent back to Coolangatta, Eddie’s keeps a loyal following of southern Gold Coasters entertained with blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and vinyl playlists from local DJs.
This venerable Coolangatta diner serves up some of the Southern Gold Coast’s largest and most delicious burger creations. In addition, they offer bar snacks like fried chicken, wings, and loaded fries. It’s all about crunchy, saucy goodness here, and you will get messy. With live tunes and a lineup of legends behind the bar, it’s time to embrace Eddie’s experience.
Taste the Best of Coolangatta
Now that you’ve explored the top restaurants in Coolangatta, it’s time to indulge in the diverse culinary delights this seaside town offers. From beachfront cafes to fine dining establishments, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, international cuisine, or classic Australian fare, Coolangatta has it all!
Also read: Surf Clubs Near Coolangatta.