Get ready for a taste sensation as we list down the top restaurants in Mermaid Beach! Dive into the foodie scene with Tayta Bar & Restaurant’s mind-blowing fusion dishes and experience the Mexican fiesta at Bonita Bonita. From the trendy vibes at Mr. to the cozy Italian spot Piatto, Mermaid Beach serves a feast for every craving. Join the culinary adventure – it’s not just a meal; it’s a flavour-packed journey waiting to happen!
The North Room
This restaurant is the top choice for fine dining in the area. Featuring an ever-changing and seasonal tasting menu, The North Room offers refined dishes like spanner crab with cultured cream, bone marrow crumpet, and salted egg yolk. The option to add matching wines enhances the dining experience, making it worth the investment for a unique culinary journey.
Location: 2527 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Tayta Bar & Restaurant
Tayta Bar & Restaurant stands out with its bold decor, making it one of the most captivating dining spots in the area. Introducing Nikkei cuisine to the Gold Coast, a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese flavours dating back to the late 1800s, Tayta Bar & Restaurant elevates traditional Peruvian dishes with Japanese culinary techniques. Delight in imaginative creations such as salmon with tangy passion fruit and mint oil, and don’t miss the opportunity to savour their signature pisco sour. The unmissable bottomless brunch on Saturdays is a definite crowd-pleaser.
Location: 2243 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Bonita Bonita
This restaurant is widely regarded as one of the Gold Coast’s premier Mexican restaurants. Their menu features inventive dishes like pulled chipotle beef empanadas with habanero crema and shaved manchego, offering a contemporary twist on traditional Mexican fare. Indulge in the agave and tequila pork belly taco or the coliflor taco, complemented by queso fresca, fresh guacamole, cilantro crema, rocket, pickled onion. Gluten-free and vegan options, as well as banquet selections, are available upon request in Bonita Bonita.
Location: 2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Mr.
Mr. offers a diverse menu to satisfy various tastes. You can select between pork and shiitake dumplings or freshly shucked oysters. Or, try slow-cooked beef tacos with roasted pumpkin tortellini and apple fennel slaw. Ideal for group gatherings, the restaurant features an aesthetic cherry blossom wall as the perfect backdrop for group photos. Noteworthy is their bottomless lunch, offering two hours of free-flowing drinks.
Location: 28 Chairlift Avenue, Mermaid Beach
Cantina
The neighbour of Piatto and owned by the same family, Cantina stands out with its open kitchen and humble menu. Cantina offers a welcoming and unpretentious atmosphere. This intimate tapas and Spanish tipple venue welcomes walk-ins from Tuesday through Saturday starting at 5 pm, providing a setting reminiscent of the classic ‘cheers’ ambience.
Location: 2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Piatto
This restaurant caters to those craving Italian cuisine crafted with local produce in an intimate neighbourhood setting. With a neat 16-seat restaurant, Piatto presents an ever-changing menu featuring dishes ranging from baked lasagne Rotolo to saffron butter-drizzled grilled scallops with breadcrumbs on top. The concise yet creative menu consistently delivers delightful culinary experiences.
Location: 2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
The Glenelg Public House
The Glenelg Public House is an iconic restaurant, and it has earned a strong reputation for its nod to traditional gastro pubs. The moody interiors set the stage for delightful offerings like crispy southern fried chicken wings with blue cheese and gnocchi in a truffle cream with pecorino and mushrooms. The steak menu, including cuts ranging from Queensland rib fillet to Tasmanian skirt, is a must-try. Bring your appetite, as it’s a BYO venue.
Location: 2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Little Truffle Dining Room & Bar
Mermaid Beach consistently impresses with its first-class ambience, service, and cuisine. After a sophisticated refurbishment, Little Truffle serves up culinary journeys ranging from à la carte selections like duck breast seared with butternut purée to $80 per person tasting dinners with four courses. The tasting menu features delights such as zucchini flowers with scallop mousseline and quail ballotine with five-spice confit and truffled chicken farce. Save room for dessert—it’s worth it.
Location: 2444 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Mexicali
Mexicali promises rooftop Mexican fiestas with seriously noteworthy margaritas. Open late seven nights a week, Mexicali offers a diverse menu with street-style entradas, share plates, and tacos, accommodating various dietary requirements. Moreover, this venue provides a vibrant and lively atmosphere for a memorable dining experience.
Location: 2223 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Goccia Italian Pizzeria
This restaurant encapsulates the essence of Mermaid Beach with its fresh, modern interiors mixed with seaside elements, and flavorful dishes. Offering traditional Italian fare and affordable share plates, Goccia is known for its classic Rita pizza with a fresh tomato base, oregano, mozzarella, and fresh basil. Dining here transports you to a seaside setting reminiscent of Portofino.
Location: 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
D’La Rosa
D’La Rosa fills the tapas-shaped void with its vibrant Spanish tapas fusion bar. Offering Mediterranean and Spanish-style tapas designed for sharing, along with creative cocktails and laid-back vibes, D’La Rosa is a must-visit. Notable dishes include the Garlic Gambas with garlic-infused prawns, honey-glazed eggplant, and zesty kingfish ceviche. Don’t forget to order a jug of sangria if you’re sharing.
Location: 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Etsu Izakaya
Etsu Izakaya fulfils Japanese culinary dreams and is recognized as the best Japanese restaurant in the area. Explore the raw bar with sashimi Santen Mori selected by the chef and indulge in dishes from the robata grill, with seaweed vinaigrette and wild mushrooms from Ruby Creek or grilled beef tenderloin. Moreover, each dish at Etsu Izakaya is a culinary delight.
Location: 2440 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Poke Poke
Poke Poke transports diners to a windswept Hawaiian island. This bowl-centric hideaway offers loaded-to-the-max bowls with options catering to various dietary requirements. Highlights include the Tuna Me On with soy, sesame, sashimi-grade tuna, crispy shallots, and creamy avocado, as well as the crispy Cauliflower Power for vegetarians. Pair your bowl with a fresh juice or cocktail to taste island paradise.
Location: 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Zephyr Kitchen & Bar
This top restaurant in Mermaid Beach sets the stage for Mediterranean-inspired tapas and exceptional cocktails. Recently revamped, Zephyr impresses with creamy pasta, succulent steak, and arancini. Moreover, look out for dining deals like $20 steak night, all-you-can-eat pizza, and the offer of two glasses of wine for $10 with the purchase of two tapas plates.
Location: 2215 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Easy Street Diner
It is the go-to spot for Americana comfort food. Indulge in southern fried chicken burgers, pork belly loaded fries, with Cajun mayo, and the infamous chicken and Belgian waffles. For an extra treat, opt for the double-smoked bacon upgrade. Known for delicious decisions, Easy Street Diner is a must-visit for those craving classic comfort food.
Location: 12/2563 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Muso Ramen
Muso Ramen satisfies cravings for authentic ramen. Adorned with rock music posters, this unassuming eatery delivers the soul of Japan in each bowl. From the original tonkotsu with pork, egg, and bamboo shoots to the breathless spicy maze soba mix, Muso Ramen ensures a rich ramen experience. Pair your ramen with pillowy gyoza and cold Asahi on tap for the complete Japanese dining experience.
Location: 2484 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Bistro Lamp
This Mermaid Beach restaurant charms diners with its quaint Japanese fusion offerings. Bistro Lamp offers a diverse menu, ranging from farm-style meals like lamb cutlets with matcha and yuzu yoghurt to street delicacies like fried agedashi tofu. In addition, dive into larger seafood plates like grilled miso salmon or the silky soy butter sauced Japanese mushroom truffle noodles.
Location: 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Try the Flavors of Mermaid Beach Today!
Unleash your taste buds on a gastronomic escapade through the sun-kissed streets of Mermaid Beach. From the irresistible Nikkei fusion at Tayta Bar & Restaurant to the zesty Mexican delights of Bonita Bonita, each restaurant promises a unique and mouth-watering experience. Don’t miss the chance to savour the eclectic flavours of Mermaid Beach – it’s a culinary journey that will leave you craving more.
Also read: Must-try Restaurants In Burleigh Heads