Restaurants

Barrio Eatery & Bar is a gem of a restaurant, a place we’d class as ‘destination dining’, and well worth seeking out. It’s situated smack bang in the middle of Habitat, an eco-friendly business and accommodation complex which opened in late 2017 in Byron Bay’s industrial area. Barrio means “neighbourhood” in Spanish, a home away...

With its elegant décor and theming, Tweed River House takes us back to a bygone era when expatriate life was at its peak. Reflecting the colonial bastions of Raffles Hotel in Singapore or the East India Trading Company, when we cross the threshold of Tweed River House the scene is set for long lingering lunches...

If you’ve been through Chinatown in Sydney or Melbourne, you may have seen queues lined up for ‘malatang’ and not realised that you were walking past one of the most popular street food experiences in the world. Originating in China, the malatang experience only arrived in Australia in 2020, and now Zhang Liang Malatang, one...

Osteria at Petty Sessions is a great example of the food experiences available in Tasmania’s Huon Valley. Grounded in centuries old traditions, it sheds new light on the vibrant produce of local farmers and producers, making it the hero of each dish. Situated in the tiny village of Franklin beside the Huon River, Osteria gains...

Entering Blackboard Varsity you get the feels. It’s a chilled place where you feel comfortable. Some patrons are working on laptops, others sipping coffee or talking to friends. Staff smile and say hello in passing. It strikes me that this is a happy place, ‘inclusive’ in every way. ‘Good times daily in the heart of...

Miu Coffee is a new sweet spot for Chirn Park locals. It’s a place where everyone is invited to gather, catch up over coffee or an interesting meal. The Gold Coast is made up of many communities, each with their own distinct vibe. Locals eat, drink and play together in local cafés, gather in community...

Persian food carries us away to far away lands. It speaks of flavoursome spices and exotic fruits, of saffron and pomegranate, slow-cooked meats and the softest bread. Today’s Persian cuisine traces its roots to ancient ingredients and recipes, enriched by flavours from around the world. Very few of us will have the opportunity to travel...

We can think of nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon than hanging out with friends sipping a chilli margarita and grazing on fresh food. And we know the perfect spot to visit. Agave Rosa is the place where all the sensory pleasures of sight, smell and taste come together. Situated on the ground...

There are few suburbs on the Gold Coast built to encourage a sense of community well-being, however Emerald Lakes is one of them. Oozing the charm of a modern European-inspired village, its centre is surrounded by a village, an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse, along with 13 kilometres of walking and bike tracks around a...

“Great coffee, tasty toasties and pastries, and friendly vibes.” The latest hidden gem on the northern Gold Coast is Santa Barbara Specialty Coffee, the small café with lots of heart. After serving coffee in some of the coast’s best cafés for years, barista Kevin Gatti knew what he and his wife Emma would place value...