Your ULTIMATE Gold Coast Foodie Itinerary

If you love good food, this is the Gold Coast itinerary for you! Famous for its gorgeous beaches and non-stop fun, the Gold Coast is also home to some very talented locals doing incredible things in the food and drink scene. From hidden bars and fantastic breweries to bountiful breakfasts and unforgettable dinners, you could easily spend a few days eating your way through the Goldie. To help you plan your perfect trip and get your feast on, here’s our three-night ultimate Gold Coast foodie itinerary!

Planning your trip?
•••
Hotels, we use Agoda
Rentals: Discover Cars
Transfers: Welcome Pickups
Insurance: Cover-More
SIM Cards: Simify

I register as an affiliate for anything I use and recommend. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click these links and make a purchase I may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and in some cases, these links may even unlock savings or give you bonuses I’ve negotiated. You can find out more about this here and here.

---

Day One

Lunch at The Cuban

Depart home and make your way to Broadbeach, around an hour and 15 minutes drive from the heart of Brisbane CBD. Located at the Oracle, this bar and lounge dining space serves up Cuban-inspired fare, with Spanish and Caribbean influences. We recommend tucking into a few tapas like pork belly, empanadas, gambas, calamari and chorizo then splitting a paella. The cocktail list here is not to be missed, especially the jugs of sangria and Caribbean punch, perfect for kicking off your GC adventure! Find The Cuban here.

Pro Tip: All the spots included in this itinerary offer options for vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free folk! Woohoo!

Afternoon Brewery Tour

Walk to The Loose Moose, just around the corner from The Cuban, where you’ll be picked up by your local guide from Hop On Brewery Tours! Led by a local expert, your afternoon tour will take you to three different breweries where you’ll get to taste plenty of delicious, local drops and learn all about the brewing process. We got to visit Black Hops, Precinct Brewing Co. and Burleigh Brewing Co.

Book your tour with Hop On Brewery Tours here

Check-in at Ultiqa Air on Broadbeach

Offering sweeping views of the Gold Coast, Ultiqa Air on Broadbeach is the ideal place to stay on the Gold Coast. Its Broadbeach location offers easy access to all areas of the coast, with plenty to see and do within easy walking distance too. We stayed in room 3601, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom self-contained apartment located on the top floor of Ultiqa Air on Broadbeach.

Fully equipped with everything you could need, including a full-size kitchen with fridge, cooktop, cooking utensils, cutlery and plates as well as a huge lounge suite, dining table and large screen television, the space is very comfortable. The part that will undoubtedly impress is the generous-size balcony complete with table and chairs and relaxing poolside-style chairs too!

We loved sitting out on the balcony at different times of the day, enjoying the warm, golden light of sunrise and sunset and the sparkling lights of the evening as well. The views reminded us both of looking over NYC! With a range of apartments from one through to four bedrooms and facilities including a heated lap pool, children’s splash pool, floodlit tennis court, sauna and gym, all located near the Oasis Shopping Centre, this spot truly has it all.

Book your stay at Ultiqa Air on Broadbeach here

Drinks and bar snacks at Aloha Bar and Dining

After watching the sunset from the balcony of your room, it’s time to get glammed up and head out for dinner and drinks. There’s an abundance of great dining options located around the hotel but for those that love a hidden bar experience, you’ll want to make your way to Aloha Bar and Dining. Tucked behind the back of a building, keep your eyes out for the neon pineapple sign and matching street artwork! Wander inside to discover the tiki-style decor with cosy seating options. The bar snacks menu including poke bowls, dumplings, bao buns, tacos and more. Be sure to make the most of their epic cocktail list too! Find Aloha Bar and Dining here.

Day Two

Hot Air Ballon Ride

You’ll need to set a very early alarm for your pickup time this morning but, trust me, it’s going to be worth it! Hot Air Gold Coast offers a shuttle service or you can drive yourself to one of their other two pick-up points. From there, you’ll set off to the takeoff spot of the day, climb inside the basket and gently glide above the clouds on a hot air balloon ride. There’s nothing quite as spectacular as watching the sunrise, surrounded by a wide-open sky and a calming quiet. If you drive yourself to the Canungra pick-up spot, I recommend grabbing breakfast from Canungra Hub and absolutely fantastic coffee from Bean In.

Book your flight with Hot Air Gold Coast here

Lunch at The Henchman

The name may sound sinister but, don’t worry, The Henchman is anything but! Head to this airy, open space, surrounded by a white picket fence and adorned with festival lights and umbrellas, for a tasty lunch. With a range of delicious burgers, sandwiches and hot dogs to choose from, your tummy will thank you. Try their Chicago Dog with bacon, grilled onion, BBQ sauce and cheese, the epic Corn Beef Reuban or just get stuck into a classic cheeseburger. Also, the vegan options are seriously delicious! Find The Henchman here.

Tour and tasting at Granddad Jack’s Distillery

Spend a relaxing afternoon in the super cool ambience of Granddad Jack’s Distillery. Sit and sip your way through their world-class gins and/or join a guided distillery tour led by Granddad Jack’s grandson and great-grandson. A tribute to the man himself, the distillery crafts some truly delectable drops and you’ll love hearing the story behind this family-owned and operated spot. Find Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery here.

Pizza Making at Salt Meats Cheese

Head to Surfer’s Paradise for an afternoon spent enjoying one of life’s greatest pleasures: PIZZA! At Salt Meats Cheese, you can get hands-on in a pizza-making class led by an actual Italian chef, so you know it’s bene. Using traditional cooking methods learned in Italy, the chef will guide you through the entire process from creating the dough to resting and wood-firing it to absolute perfection. Best of all, you get to eat it at the end. Yum! Find Salt Meats Cheese here.

Dinner at Maggie Choo

Okay, I get it, you’ve eaten a lot of great food today but you’re going to need to strap on your stretchy pants and dig deep because dinner tonight is especially good. Located in Broadbeach, Maggie Choo serves up bold Asian-fusion flavours beneath its vibrant blue and purple neon lights. Get stuck into bites from all across Asia including tempura and Karaage, Gado Gado, spicy green papaya salad and the most delicious grilled corn lavished with fresh herbs and spices.  Find Maggie Choo here.

Day Three

Breakfast at No Name Lane

You’re going to want to fill your belly with a good breakfast ahead of today’s activity so make your way to No name Lane in Broadbeach. Serving up truly delicious coffee, the menu here also packs a punch with fan favourites like avo on toast, eggs your way and their delectable breakfast burger. Be sure to peruse their signatures menu as well because the lemon meringue pancakes, chilli scrambled eggs and caponata on toast are sure to tempt your tastebuds too. Find No Name Lane here.

Tamborine Mountain Winery Tour

Delve deeper into the region with a full-day tour of the Gold Coast Hinterland’s Tamborine Mountain region. Pineapple Tours will pick you up at your accommodation and set off on a journey into lush scenery, stopping at three wineries, with tastings at each. Sample a sumptuous lunch, sit among the stunning mountain scenery and enjoy each and every drop of the region’s finest before capping it all off with a visit to the Tamborine Mountain Distillery for a journey into liqueur, vodka, gin and more.

Book the Tamborine Mountain Winery & Lunch Tour here

Dinner at Etsu Izakaya

Get your ultimate Japanese food fix at one of the Gold Coast’s best spots, Etsu Izakaya. Walk through the understated sliding, barn door and enter a whole new world of flavour. Be sure to order a whole bunch of plates to share and listen to your server’s recommendations because, trust me, they know what they’re talking about! Everything here is good from the sushi and sashimi to the edamame, miso, yakitori, gyoza and tempura and their signature chargrilled fish collar. Try it all. Find Etsu Izakaya here.

Day Four

Breakfast at The Milkman’s Daughter

You’ve seen, done and eaten a lot so it makes sense you deserve a sleep-in this morning! Take your time waking up and enjoy those amazing views from your room at Ultiqa Air on Broadbeach one last time before packing up and checking out. Then, make your way directly to The Milkman’s Daughter in Mermaid Beach. This quaint spot offers a comfortable setting to enjoy their delicious coffee and truly beautiful food. Specialising in wholesome and honest food, the menu boasts vegetarian and vegan meals almost too pretty to eat. Try the lemon ricotta pancakes, red velvet waffles, pesto scramble or delectable breakfast tacos. Find The Milkman’s Daughter here.

---

---