The Collective

Every so often something radically different comes along in the dining scene – an idea that, while generated from elsewhere, is given new life in our present-day culinary context.

The Collective at Palm Beach is just that.

A restaurant version of a food market, The Collective is a family business blending the complementary skills of well-known hospitality professional Jeremy Davidson, his partner (marketing professional Chloe Hubbard) and her father, property developer Wayne Hubbard. With over 45 years’ experience collectively, the trio set out to deliver their brainchild to the Gold Coast dining public.

“As a family, we love food and eating out, and have always craved somewhere that offers a variety of choices of different cuisines in a restaurant service style environment,” Jeremy tells us.

“We first started dreaming of the concept while travelling through Europe and eating in the food markets in Spain, where you can easily get lost for a full day in the selection of amazing food stands and atmosphere,” he adds. To us, think Singapore’s Newton Food Centre transported through time, place and cuisine to a modern upmarket Palm Beach style.

Featuring five menus from five kitchens, all under one roof, each family member can choose a different world cuisine from some of our favourite chefs:

LUCKIES DINER from Erin and Lucas Schranz brings us casual American cuisine, including their burgers, wings and sides made famous at Easy Street Diner;

THE ITALIAN JOB from Jorge Mauleon of Bread and Butter fame serves up woodfired pizza and tapas;

UMAMI – Vincent Seng (ex-Mamasan) puts fresh Asian flavours on the plate using the best local ingredients;

CALAVERA CANTINA offers a new fresh taste of Mexico – ceviche, raw and vegan dishes, slow dry-roasted meats and fresh seafood to share;

THE KITCHEN @ The Collective is an all-day Modern Australian dining kitchen offering share plate dining at lunch and dinner;

The ROOFTOP BAR and dining comes complete with seating and couches;

TWO SEASONS COFFEE ROASTERS’ barista cart offers seasonal coffee blends, smoothies and slices.

The impressive mural painted by Frank & Mimi says it all: ‘Better Together’. Using a mix of leasehold and owner-managed kitchens, the venue brings together “a collective” of great chefs, transforming the old Palm Beach Post Office into an airy 300-seat, seven day a week venue.

There are fabulous meals on offer from morning ’till late: Blueberry and ricotta hotcakes with vanilla mascarpone and poached rhubarb, from The Kitchen; Ocean trout ceviche with lime and tequila dressing, Chorizo balls, Spinach and four cheese stuffed chillies, Fresh tacos brimming with snapper, pulled beef or pork, prawn or chicken with slaw, queso fresco and sauces from Calavera Cantina; Cereal prawns and Whole de-boned barra with sour plum sauce from Umami – mouth-tingling flavours, brimming with freshness – there’s so much choice!

Producing a complete experience in a beautiful open environment that offers dining choice with great service is their aim, says Jeremy. Outdoor communal tables provide casual dining with a bar, as does the rooftop, while the main undercover area boasts full restaurant service. In this dining mecca, there’s a space for everyone to suit their purpose – families, groups, singles and couples.

Complementing the southern Gold Coast’s already vibrant social scene, The Collective features live music on weekends.

There’s a choice of banquet menus for groups, priced at $40, $55 and $70 per head, taking the pain out of ordering. Trim them up with some nifty cocktails and the night will be humming. (Our fave is the Tommy Batanga!)

“Palm Beach was a natural choice for us as we live here, but we are also excited to see Palmy flourish with a selection of openings that are going to firmly cement the area as a great new dining precinct for the Gold Coast,” Jeremy adds.

The Collective Palm Beach delivers an entertainment and dining experience like no other ever seen on the Gold Coast. Superb!