Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants, Gold Coast

The vegan dining scene has flourished during the past few years. Gone are the days when ordering a vegetarian or vegan meal drew the expectation of a plate of steamed vegetables or a green salad landing on your table. Nor is it just about tofu and tempeh. Now your dining preference may be vegan, lactose […]

La Cha Cha Cabana

It was the smile that first got us in. The young couple gave customers such a warm welcome that of course we had to buy their food, even though it looked different: arepas, the crunchy pocket bread stuffed with filling that’s the most common food of Venezuela and Colombia. We tried arepas and loved them […]

Marie Anita’s Cafe

Nov 2018: As if we needed a reason to visit… Marie Anita’s has just launched their new summer menu. It is completely GF and sugar free using organics where possible, and now they are offering a completely diary free menu (but there’s still organic cow’s milk for my coffee, free range eggs and a couple […]

Caffe Republic, Bundall

For the first time in several years, the crunch is on for eateries with almost as many restaurants closing as opening.  In 2018, cafés and restaurants are facing stiff competition for the food dollar. Prepared foods from grocery and convenience stores and meal delivery services continue to attract busy consumers who seek convenience over experience. […]

Pasture & Co

Sometimes, you need to go a little out of the way to find beautiful things. That’s so with Pasture & Co. Sitting alongside organic co-op Ground Grocer, facing the entrance to Currumbin Valley’s Eco Village, the café is situated on the newly-named precinct, Ground at Currumbin. With a new tenant comes new life. Dani Riley, […]

Taboon, Robina

I’ve never been to the Middle East, but as we sit in Taboon feasting on its fresh salads and smoky grilled meats, I gain a little glimpse of its culture. Since its opening ten years ago, Taboon at Robina has established a reputation for fresh, vibrant modern Middle Eastern cuisine. Consistency has been the key […]

Indian Empire

When we think of Indian Cuisine on the Gold Coast, the picture in our minds is predictable: Copper clad bowls filled with curry, accompanied by naan bread and rice. If we’re fortunate, those curries are rich and succulent with spices, served obligingly in an ambient venue.  Beyond this, the vision fades. Rick Stein’s spectacular journey […]

Mockingbird Cafe

Every so often you meet someone whose enthusiasm is the driving force of an establishment. So strong, in fact, that it’s like a magnetic field, drawing you into its energy. At Mockingbird Café, Kingscliff, that force is Jo Jackson. We’d first met Jo at her very successful restaurant, Signature Dish in Varsity, where she not […]

Easy House Vegetarian, Mermaid Waters

If you’re looking for a lighter alternative to the usual yum cha, stop in to the Easy House and let Mary Tsang convince you that, as well as being excellent for your health, vegetarian food can taste fantastic. Open since 2010, Easy House forms part of a small recently renovated suburban shopping centre which also […]

Goodness Gracias

UPDATE November 2018: Goodness Gracias has new owners. There were times over the last few years when I thought we might have got drowned in the ‘Mexican wave’, carried away on a tidal wave of sloppy burritos, corn chips (or worse still, fries) smothered in cheesy sauce and refried beans with a dash of chilli. […]