Eating
Beachside cafes
With kilometres of sandy beaches, the beachside cafe is something of
an institution on the Gold Coast. From Main Beach in the north to
Coolangatta down south, you’ll never go more than a kilometre or two
without encountering a breezy cafe serving cappucinos and ciabattas, or
milkshakes and bountiful burgers.
Fast food joints
Crowds of tourists are a fact of life on the Gold Coast and there is
every kind of fast food to be had — in vast quantities — if it’s a
quick snack you’re after.
Decent restaurants
It may be a laid-back beach town but there is no shortage of big
money on the Gold Coast and a wealth of fine dining restaurants
catering to those who don’t mind paying a premium. You’ll find the
classiest eateries at Main Beach and Broadbeach.
Drinking
Beers
There’s no shortage of places for a cold XXXX or VB beer. RSL
(Retired Serviceman’s League) clubs are the cheapest place for a beer,
while it’s hard to beat kicking back with a cold schooner on the
balcony of one of the many surf life saving clubs dotting the length of
the coast, with ocean views to go with your ale.
Cocktails
If a swanky cocktail is more up your alley, try one of the cosmopolitan bars at Main Beach, Surfers Paradise or Coolangatta.