PALM BEACH

Balboa Italian

Balboa has been setting new culinary standards for the Gold Coast since 2016, and it's still booking out for a reason. The space has a moody, industrial warmth to it and the food backs it up. The beef cheek gnocchi, with slow-cooked beef cheeks, Roma tomatoes, button mushrooms and truffle oil, is the one people keep coming back for. Order the kingfish crudo to start and ask for a wine pairing.

Open Monday to Thursday from 5:30pm. Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm.

Madame V

Madame V offers an elegant dining room for a la carte meals, a chic lounge bar, three private dining rooms and Yum Cha Sundays. Grab a group and go straight for the $69pp banquet. Reviewers highlight the wagyu dumplings as absolute perfection. 

Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm, lunch Friday and Saturday from 11:30am, and Yum Cha Sundays from 11:30am to 3pm. 

Cafoo Izakaya

Chef Masa owned and operated his own izakaya in Shizuoka for 13 years before bringing his skills to Palm Beach. Most people who live down this end don't know about it yet. The kingfish carpaccio is the one reviewers consistently single out. The yakitori skewers are the other thing worth ordering before anything else. 

Open Wednesday to Monday for lunch & dinner. 

Frida Sol

The margaritas are considered some of the best Mexican on the Gold Coast, and the food gives them a run. The crispy barramundi fish tacos and pulled pork tacos are the most recommended dishes across reviews. Go on a weeknight for the best deals, with Tuesday taco specials and Wednesdsy nacho deals worth planning around. 

Opens from 5pm nightly. Check their socials for current weeknight specials.

CURRUMBIN

Bruce

Bruce is the quintessential neighbourhood bar, a convivial, laidback all-ages place where booze, top notch food, live music, art and ocean views converge opposite the beach. The menu runs from Korean-fried cauliflower and Byron Bay burrata through to Szechwan squid and beef cheek braised in shiraz. Get there at sunset. The ocean views from here are the best on this stretch.

Open Thursday to Sunday from 3pm. 

Tommy's Taco Bar

The bright red facade is hard to miss. The birria beef quesabirria is the one dish people can't stop talking about, served with a rich braised beef consomme for dipping. Save room for the churros.

Walk-ins only, open from 5pm Tuesday to Saturday. 

Little Vine Room

Small bites, outstanding cheese and charcuterie platters, gourmet toasted sandwiches and a bespoke cocktail menu. Regulars consistently call out the halloumi and the arancini as the dishes worth coming back for. Not a traditional dinner spot, but absolutely worth a place on this list. Go with no agenda. 

Open Tuesday to Sunday.

Tommy's Italian

Book upstairs on the deck and don't move. Request a balcony seat for the best sunset views with your meal. The pappardelle ragu is the dish people drive more than an hour for, with the focaccia and burrata with truffle oil running a close second. Pizza Night on Tuesdays and Pasta Night on Wednesdays both offer a selection for $20.

Open Wednesday and Thursday for lunch from 11:30am and dinner from 4pm, and Friday to Sunday for lunch from 11:30am and dinner from 5pm.