Named after the ancient title of Japan, Zipang, Chef Atsushi Mizushima’s cafe has a split personality. By day, it’s a tiny ‘dine in’ or quick ‘grab and go’ eatery where workers stop in to get lunch. By night it’s a romantic laneway restaurant guarded at two entrances by ancient warriors. We first dined at Zipang...

Thai food is one of our favourite family cuisines because if deals well with dietary needs. So, we’re delighted to find that Chef Rit Suttinual and his partner Jade Kim, owners of the well-respected restaurant Thai on the Hill Robina, have brought us another little gem, See Thai in the Sundale precinct of Southport. Opened...

If I remember back to my first working days, feeling hungry meant opening the fridge, tucking into leftovers or making a sandwich! Not any more! To many Gold Coasters, a meal is just a few taps away. ‘Dial in dining’ has revolutionised the way we eat, with hundreds of restaurants across the coast bringing food...

UPDATE 2019: Awarded “READERS CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST SEAFOOD” by Australian Good Food Guide, The Inky Squid is a shining star in the fresh seafood stakes. They also ranked #7 in NSW in the Australian Fish & Chip awards! Their bestsellers continue to be Lemon pepper squid with seaweed, the Inky Squid pack, and burgers....

There’s nothing like dinner at a little BYO. It’s as close to dining at home as you can get, but without the fuss. Of course, BYO is a contentious point around town. There are those of us who love bringing our own bottle, but of course there’s no ‘cream’ profit for restaurateurs so, when we...

Your local barber ain’t what it used to be – a ‘blokes only’ haunt where you sat in a queue waiting for the next available guy to cut your hair. Bit of a chat, no mucking around, get it done and you’re gone. Today, the world of hairdressing is diversifying, be it into clothing or...

For 25 years, even before Japanese food became trendy, You Japanese Restaurant has been operating on the Gold Coast. It’s an unassuming little izikaya on the Cavill Street end of an arcade overlooking Cavill Park, the sort of restaurant frequented by regulars, or by Japanese tourists who’ve heard about it by word of mouth; a...

For the first time in several years, the crunch is on for eateries with almost as many restaurants closing as opening.  In 2018, cafés and restaurants are facing stiff competition for the food dollar. Prepared foods from grocery and convenience stores and meal delivery services continue to attract busy consumers who seek convenience over experience....

If there’s an unsung hero of the northern dining scene, it’s the Black Sheep Bistro. Located not far from the Oxenford turnoff, the Black Sheep is a local favourite, especially for its weekend breakfasts and lunches. To Australians, ‘black sheep’ carries the connotation of a stray, or disreputable family member. However, my New Zealand childhood...

Beached on the Terranora mountaintop lies The Inky Squid Fish & Chippery, carrying all things salty and umami, caught from the ocean just within sight. Owned by chef Ben Jones (ex-Gwinganna and Taverna) and his partner Jessica Price, the shop has the dual role of selling freshly prepared seafood-based meals as well as fresh seafood...