Burleigh Heads’ latest dining addition is owned by husband and wife team Chef Fabio Rocco Ricciardo and his wife Federica Scalambra. Former chef to Ferrari’s Formula 1 team for three years, Fabio left the circuit to move to our shores, opening Belvedere Stonemill on the ground level of the Swell building. Hailing from Modena and...

There’s nothing like a local coffee shop to make you feel at home. You know the sort of place, where you’re greeted by name and the barista says, “Want your usual?” You start chatting about the weather, footy, kids…anything you have in common… Local cafés have become a meeting place where coffee culture meets social...

When you’re craving that sweet, but not too sweet treat mid-morning, head to Bam Bam Bakehouse for their Crème Brûlée tart, specially created by Head Pastry Chef Aurelio Gulino using CSR specialty sugars. Its short, biscuity base is filled with luscious caramelised coconut sugar patisserie cream, flamed off on top for a crisp, cracking layer...

Pumpkin scones, made famous by Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s wife Flo, were once synonymous with Queensland country baking. Now, they are undergoing a resurgence at the hands of Ida’s Kitchen Head Pastry Chef Elsa Holland, inspired by pumpkin pie on a recent trip to the United States. When you visit Ida’s Kitchen, the bright new café on...

Sunday, 7 July, is World Chocolate Day, celebrating the introduction of cocoa to Europe by Spanish Explorer Don Hernan Cortes in 1550. Traced back to the ancient Mayans, for most of its history chocolate was drunk as a bitter beverage. The Aztecs revered chocolate as ‘food from the gods’, a view which many people share...

Southport has a long history, evidenced by the historical buildings on the Southport Heritage Walk. Beside the Town Hall and former Ambulance Station in Nerang Street, the former Post Office building, rejuvenated by Ben Howe and partners, is shared between Study Gold Coast and Mr PP’s Deli & Rooftop. The venue is named after Mr...

There are few suburbs on the Gold Coast specifically built to encourage a sense of community well-being, however Emerald Lakes is one of them. Oozing the charm of a modern European-inspired village, its centre is surrounded by a village, an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse, along with 13 kilometres of walking and bike tracks around...

Tucked away in a side street off the Lower Burleigh Highway, there’s plenty to recommend The Little Plate, with the co-owners Gaynor and Olivia both being innovative world-travelled chefs. While at first glance some menu items sound familiar, the little plate presents ‘old’ dishes in a new way. Dishes familiar to you by name are...

Do you suffer from ‘pantryatitis’, the condition where your pantry becomes blocked with unused leftovers? Your vintage spice collection is housed in pretty jars, the besan flour you needed for that exotic recipe you just had to try out still sits there… Throw out the nasties, because there’s a better pantry experience in sight. Welcome...

Owned and operated by Chef Paul Ramunno and his wife Jo-Anne, Arlo’s Pizzeria is named after their first son. Although it’s street-side dining, given the quality of their food it’s hardly surprising that Arlo’s won the AGFG Readers’ Choice 2019 award for Best Pizza on the Gold Coast! Paul’s Italian background and his 17 years...